[ back ]
WANAQUE - Two challengers take on two incumbents
(by Teresa Edmond - Staff Writer - October 26, 2008)
WANAQUE - Two Republican incumbents and two Democratic challengers will square off for two three-year seats on the Borough Council at the Nov. 4 polls.
Taxes and concerns about over-development and redevelopment are two issues this borough is facing. Both issues stem from the borough’s 22-percent tax hike this year and municipal officials eyeing various sites for redevelopment, including parts of Ringwood Avenue and the Fourth Avenue industrial site.
“We try to do smart growth; we’re thinking smart about what the town needs without congesting it (with buildings),” said GOP council incumbent Donald Pasquariello. “We want to finish revitalizing the Haskell section.”
According to Paul Ferrantino, first time Democratic council hopeful, borough officials think it’s all right to spend against future income without considering the consequences. He mentioned the pending land swap negotiation between borough officials and the owner of the vacant Rhinesmith property on Ringwood Avenue. If this negotiation goes through, the municipality would build a new borough hall on the Rhinesmith property.
“In order to do this (land swap), the borough must purchase a bond against future earnings which comes at another expense to the taxpayers,” he said. “I believe none of this to be necessary, especially during our national financial crises.”
Democratic candidate David DaSilva said that residents talked to him about borough officials’ “improper use” of tax dollars and “bad” redevelopment plans that include the new municipal building.
For months at council meetings, residents questioned why the government would consider redeveloping some parts of the town while residents are struggling with faulty stormwater systems – and therefore severe flooding – in their neighborhoods.
“Many people don’t understand how or why the town wants to spend millions of dollars building a new town hall when their families are having trouble just surviving and getting by,” he said.
To GOP council incumbent Robert Pettet, the borough’s most important concern is to lessen the tax weight through sensible development that will maintain the borough as a family-oriented community.
“In my opinion, state and federal mandates often interfere with decision making,” he said. “The challenge is to satisfy those mandates without compromising what we value.”
Paul Ferrantino
Paul Ferrantino of Warren's Way is a first time Democratic candidate for Borough Council who decided to run because he “can’t sit idly by, watching my tax dollars being spent without anyone contesting it.”
Married 44 years, a father of two and grandfather of four, Ferrantino is a retired New York City police officer, a former actor and former president of All Properties Mortgage.
Ferrantino's community service includes being a part of four Wanaque Reserve groups. He chairs the tax appeal and sewerage committees and is a member of the Sunshine Club and Welcome Wagon.
If elected, Ferrantino wants to help bring fiscal responsibility to all residents. This includes balancing growth and the cost of borough services, thoroughly examining each budget item before approval and positive discussions between borough officials and residents.
“We should know what we’re paying for, instead of everything being lumped together,” he said.
David DaSilva
Democratic candidate David DaSilva is running for council after an unsuccessful bid last year.
But instead of leading to discouragement, his defeat has spurred him on to strive to win this year’s election along with Ferrantino. Listening to voters’ concerns during this year’s campaign, he has discovered that residents are looking for a positive change in the borough.
“If my friends and neighbors in Haskell and Wanaque want me to help guide the future of our town in the best direction possible, I will never be discouraged by the ups and downs of progress,” he said.
Married with a son, DaSilva is a regional manager for a litigation technology company and is former president and CEO of DaSilva Enterprises.
He is a seven-year member of the volunteer first aid squad, president of the Borough Democratic Club and member of the Passaic County Democratic Committee.
As an active participant at Borough Council meetings, he spent the last three years challenging borough officials on issues that matter to residents.
If elected, DaSilva is seeking to have more open and clarified communication between the Borough Council and residents that includes getting meetings televised.
Robert Pettet
Seeking re-election, Republican incumbent Robert Pettet of Tremont Terrace has been on the council for over three years. He chairs the Finance and Insurance, Investments and Bonding, Ordinances, State Planning and Economic Development committees.
Married with two children, Pettet is an independent insurance agent. He previously served on the Wanaque Board of Education and four years on the State Board of Directors of Teen Challenge, a national drug and alcohol abuse program. He’s a member of the Bethany Church.
Pettet’s council accomplishments include keeping close eye on ordinances brought before the council that don’t hinder citizens’ freedoms.
“I’ve tried to make sure each ordinance serves the community as a whole for the better without unnecessary burden of ‘rules and regulation’ on the people,” he said.
Donald Pasquariello
Incumbent Donald Pasquariello of Dupont Avenue in Haskell is seeking re-election to a three-year council seat. He is serving his 10th year as councilman and his third term as council president.
Pasquariello has three children and is a self-employed dentist with a Totowa-based practice.
He chairs the council’s Police and First Aid committees and is a member of the Executive, Finance and Insurance, Recreation and Road committees.
Pasquariello was a member of the Board of Education and the Planning Board. He is member of the Wanaque Soccer Association and St. Francis Church.
Among Pasquariello’s accomplishments as councilman were getting school resource officers into the district and helping to obtain grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the fire departments.
“All the decisions were made together,” he said.
[ back ]
