Leonia Council Election: Final Results

Council candidates Greg Makroulakis, Peter Knott and I.S. Pak secured the three open seats on the council in an uncontested race during the Nov. 6 election.

Bob Leap reports that the Bergen County Clerk's office has posted the "official" results of the November 6 election.   It appears that approx. 175 mail in or provisional ballots were cast in Leonia.

Council (3-year term)
Greg Makroulakis - 2276
I.S. Pak - 2145

Council (1-year term)
Peter Knott - 2203

(update of original Nov. 7 post)

Democrats regain control of Bergen County Freeholder board

The Democrats swept the race for Bergen County's Board of Chosen Freeholders, adding two seats and taking control of the board.

As of late Tuesday evening, Democrats Steve Tanelli and Tracy Silna Zur had received 159,522 and 154,626 votes, respectively, to incumbent Republican Robert Hermansen's 127,853 and runningmate Margaret "Peg" Watkins' 124,571, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

The Democrats will take control of the freeholder board, but will have to work alongside County Executive Kathleen Donovan, a Republican.

Read the full article reported by S.P. Sullivan at NJ.com

Polling place changes

SOME POLL LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE STORM. 
HERE'S WHERE TO VOTE ON NOV. 6

District 1 - All Saints Church, Park Avenue - the same as usual

District 2 - Recreation Center (Main Gymnasium) - normally at Anna C. Scott - enter Rec through Broad Avenue

District 3 - Recreation Center (Main Gymnasium) - normally at Anna C. Scott - enter Rec through Broad Avenue

District 4 - Recreation Center (Teen Center) - the same as usual - enter Rec through side entrance opposite Fire Headquarters

District 5 - Recreation Center (Main Gymnasium) - normally at Borough Hall Annex, Little House - enter Rec through Broad Avenue

District 6 - Recreation Center (Meeting Room) - normally at Middle School - enter Rec through Broad Avenue

Democratic Calling Center in Hackensack

A calling center for the Democratic campaign (including President Obama) is open to volunteers from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at Bergen Democratic Headquarters, 15 Dyatt Place (off River Road across from Target) in Hackensack. Volunteers can just show up during the available hours.

Democratic Committee of Bergen County
15 Dyatt Place
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 201-487-0001

Re-elect President Obama

For those interested in working to re-elect President Obama, below is a list of links and events scheduled between now and Election day.

Bergen County PA Canvass - Weekend of Action - Saturdays
Oct 27, 2012 8:00:00 AM

Bergen County- PA Canvass Ready to Go Weekend of Action - Sundays
Oct 28, 2012 10:30:00 AM

Bergen For Obama - Phone Bank Teaneck - Mondays
Oct 29, 2012 5:00:00 PM

Bergen For Obama - Phone Bank Cliffside Park - Tuesdays
Oct 30, 2012 5:00:00 PM

Bergen For Obama - Phone Bank -Teaneck - Thursday s
Oct 25, 2012 5:00:00 PM

Bergen For Obama - Phone Bank Mahwah - Fridays
Oct 26, 2012 4:00:00 PM


Special GOTV Events in November – From Friday 11/2 – Monday 11/5 – sign-up to your shift now.
(includes OOS - Out of State Canvass)

Bergen For Obama GOTV Phone Bank - Teaneck – Friday, Sat, and Monday
Nov 2, 2012 - 10:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 4:00 PM
Nov 3, 2012 - 10:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 4:00 PM
Nov 5, 2012 - 10:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 4:00 PM

OOS Bergen NJ to PA Sat. Shift #1 - Saturday
· Nov 3, 2012 8:00:00 AM

OOS Bergen NJ to PA Sat Shift #2 - Saturday
· Nov 3, 2012 11:30:00 AM

OOS Bergen NJ to PA Sat. Shift #3 – Saturday
· Nov 3, 2012 2:30:00 PM

OOS Bergen NJ to PA Sun. Shift #1 - Sunday
· Nov 4, 2012 8:00:00 AM

OOS Bergen NJ to PA Sun. Shift #2 - Sunday
· Nov 4, 2012 11:30:00 AM

OOS Bergen NJ to PA Sun. shift #3 – Sunday
· Nov 4, 2012 2:30:00 PM

For more information, email Leah Roland

League of Women Voters explains Two Ballot Questions

On November 6, you will find two questions on the ballot.

Public Question #1
BUILDING OUR FUTURE BOND ACT

Public Question #2
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ALLOWING CONTRIBUTION TO BE TAKEN FROM JUSTICES’ AND JUDGES’ SALARIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Go to the League of Women Voters of New Jersey web site for an explanation of these issues. The analysis includes the exact text of the two questions as well as:

• The interpretive statement
• Background 
• Reasons to vote yes
• Reasons to vote no

You can reach the League of Women Voters of New Jersey at 609-394-3303 or via email at contact@lwvnj.org

Show your support for the Democratic candidates

The Leonia Democratic Municipal Committee will be manning a table in front of Moore's Hardware on Saturday, Oct. 13 from Noon - 2:00 pm.

They will have lawn signs, window signs and other campaign materials in support of the entire Democratic Party slate - Obama/Biden, Menendez, Pascrell, Tanelli/Zur, Makroulakis/Pak/Knott.

Please stop by to chat and to show your support for the Democratic candidates.

Bob Leap
Chair, Leonia DMC
201 Oratam Terrace

Vote Democratic on November 6

Make Sure YOUR Vote Counts!

Election Day – November 6, 2012

The Leonia Democratic Municipal Committee (DMC) understands the importance of everyone exercising their right to vote to elect the people to lead our country, state, county and community. That is why we are providing the following information and links to resources that will enable you to register to vote or obtain an application to vote by mail.

VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS

Who Should Register

• All Leonia residents 18 years and older who are U.S. citizens and who currently are not registered to vote.

Where to Obtain Voter Registration Forms

• Municipal Clerk, Leonia Borough Hall
• Bergen County Elections Office
  One Bergen County Plaza
  Hackensack, NJ
• Click here for the Mail In Voter Registration Application 

Voter Registration Forms must be completed and received by the Bergen County Clerk’s office in Hackensack by Tuesday, October 16 to be eligible to vote Nov. 6.

APPLICATION FOR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS

APPLICATION FOR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS

Who Should Vote By Mail

• Anyone who will be out of town on election day
• College students who are registered to vote in Leonia
• Anyone who can’t make it to the polls for health reasons
• Anyone who would like to vote early

Where to Obtain Mail-in Ballot Application

• Municipal Clerk, Leonia Borough Hall
• Bergen County Elections Office
  One Bergen County Plaza
  Hackensack, NJ
• Click here for the Application for Vote By Mail Ballot 

Mail-in ballot applications must be received in the County Clerk's office (not postmarked) by close of business no later than seven days prior to Election Day ( October 30.)

Municipal Chair to Coordinate District Campaign for Democratic Freeholder Candidates

On June 26, several members of the Leonia DMC joined DMC members from other District 37 towns at a meeting at the Bergen County Democratic Headquarters in Hackensack to elect a new District Chair. State Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assembly Members Valerie Huttle and Gordon Johnson were present along with Bergen County Democratic Chair, Lou Stellato.

Senator Weinberg nominated Dave Lorenzo of Palisades Park to serve a second two-year term as Chairman of District 37 of the Bergen County Democratic Party. His nomination was seconded by several attendees, and he was elected by a unanimous vote of acclamation by those present.

Bob Leap

Prior to the election, Municipal Chair, Bob Leap met privately with County Chairman Lou Stellato. During this meeting, Bob spoke with the Chairman about the newly elected Leonia DMC and his re-election as Municipal Chair. Bob also shared with the Chairman that the Leonia DMC was questioning how much support they could expect from the county organization. Chairman Stellato assured Bob that he is unwavering in his continued backing of the Leonia group and applauded our recent successes in transforming the Leonia Mayor and Council and the DMC.

At the meeting, Chairman Stellato asked Bob to take on the role of District 37 coordinator for the election of Democratic Freeholder candidates in the November election. Bob agreed to accept the assignment which will involve working with the Democratic Municipal Chairs of the other towns in District 37 to ensure they understand the strategies they need to implement to deliver a victory for the Democratic Freeholders at the polls.

Democratic Freeholder candidates Tracy Zur and Steve Tanelli were introduced to the group before the meeting was adjourned.

“We are all One Team,” Says Congressman Bill Pascrell

After his June 5 Primary victory against long-time Bergen County Congressman Steve Rothman, Bill Pascrell is faced with the challenge of bringing Bergen and Passaic County together. Pascrell’s home base, the city of Paterson is now the power center of District 9, or perhaps it just feels that way to some Bergenites. We feel confident that Pascrell will be able to temper those concerns. “We are all one team,” he says. At the June 12 reorganization meeting of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, Congressman Pascrell said he stood “100 percent” with County Chair Lou Stellato, who was re-elected. We look forward to getting to know Congressman Pascrell and trust he will be visiting Leonia in the near future. Our best wishes go to Congressman Steve Rothman who served our district so well for 16 years.

Learn about the DMC members

Replay slideshow

Leonia DMC Holds Re-org Meeting

Nine of the twelve newly elected members of the Leonia Democratic Municipal Committee (DMC) participated in a re-organization meeting at the Parfae Cake House on Sunday, June 10.  At this brief meeting, Bob Leap was elected to continue in the role of Municipal Chair, while Nina Gaetjens was chosen Vice Chair.  According to Leonia DMC by-laws (supported by county by-laws) Municipal Chair is the only office that can be filled by someone who is not one of the elected committee people.  Bob thanked the committee for the overwhelming support of his re-appointment and he said he was looking forward to working with them to identify, nominate and elect Democratic Candidates for Mayor and Council who will best represent and serve the Leonia Community.

After a brief discussion of the upcoming County Meeting, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for June 19.

DMC Election results

The following Leonians were elected to the Democratic Municipal Committee in the June 5 Primary.

DISTRICT ONE

• Nina Gaetjens  351 Oakdene Ave 
• Steve Churchill 145 Oakdene Ave 

DISTRICT TWO

• Alan Winters 125 Knapp Terrace 
• Aviva Djiji-Levy 402 Richmond Place 

DISTRICT THREE

• Leah Roland 186 Crescent Ave 
• Fred Marx 228 Fort Lee Road 

DISTRICT FOUR

• Jing Chen 21 Cottage Place 
• Mark Spiegel 122 Wood Terrace 

DISTRICT FIVE

• Mary Ellen Tucker 28 Linden Terrace 
• Michael Raskin 24 Hawthorne Terrace 

DISTRICT SIX

• Ellen Terzini 171 Hillcrest Ave 
• Chris Terzini 171 Hillcrest Ave

Vote Column 2 on June 5th

Primary Election

Tuesday June 5th

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

See the DMC slideshow for more information

about the Municipal Committee candidates

Mayor DeSimone schedules Borough-wide meeting

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

I have scheduled a Borough-wide meeting to invite discussion on issues of both general and local concern. Each of the six political districts will caucus to identify concerns regarding their immediate neighborhoods and then meet in a general session to share opinions and ideas.

Some of the topics that will be discussed are:

Police Protection - what can they do for us and what can we do for them

• How the light rail may affect your area 
• What can we do to increase positive use of Overpeck Park and minimize disruption 
• Rethinking zoning to reduce tax burden 
• Reviewing our Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment processes 
• Expanding recreation facilities/community center 
• Whatever else Leonians have on their minds 

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 9th, 7:30PM at the Anna C. Scott School Cafeteria, Broad and Crescent Avenues.

John DeSimone, Mayor
335 Broad Avenue

update: See the Mayor's report on this meeting

Leonia Council candidates 2012

The Leonia DMC is proud to support the following Democratic Candidates for Leonia Council. These candidates will be listed in Column 2 on the June 5 Primary Ballot.

Three Year terms

• I.S. Pak - incumbent
• Greg Makroulakis

One Year term

• Peter Knott - incumbent

DMC candidates 2012

The following Leonians have stepped forward to run for the Democratic Municipal Committee from their districts. Their names will appear on the June 5 Primary Ballot in Column 2.

DISTRICT ONE
Nina Gaetjens   351 Oakdene Ave
Steve Churchill    145 Oakdene Ave

DISTRICT TWO
Alan Winters   125 Knapp Terrace
Aviva Djiji-Levy   402 Richmond Place

DISTRICT THREE
Leah Roland  186 Crescent Ave
Fred Marx   228 Fort Lee Road

DISTRICT FOUR
Jing Chen   21 Cottage Place
Mark Spiegel   122 Wood Terrace

DISTRICT FIVE
Mary Ellen Tucker   28 Linden Terrace
Michael Raskin   24 Hawthorne Terrace

DISTRICT SIX
Ellen Terzini   171 Hillcrest Ave
Chris Terzini   171 Hillcrest Ave

Bergen County Democratic Convention

On Thursday, March 15, a majority of the Leonia DMC, Mayor John DeSimone, and several Leonia councilmen attended and cast votes at the Bergen County Democratic Convention in Paramus. The main event was the battle between Congressman Steve Rothman and Congressman Bill Pascrell for the Bergen Democrat's nomination for the newly rezoned 9th Congressional District seat. There was a flurry of activity both outside and inside the convention as partisan supporters for both candidates lobbied for votes. Rothman won the nomination by a 5-to-1 margin over Pascrell.

New Councilman I.S. Pak

Congratulations to Leonia's newest councilman I.S. Pak. I.S. was selected to fill the second year of the seat vacated by John DeSimone, when he became mayor, by a unanimous vote of the Council last night. I.S. was chosen from a list of three nominations submitted by the Leonia DMC that included Chris Terzini and Bob Leap. The candidate to fill the third and final year of John's unexpired term will be voted on in the November 2012 election.

Bob Leap
Chair, Leonia DMC
201 Oratam Terrace


Read more at NorthJersey.com
"A self-described "relatively newcomer," Pak has lived in Leonia since 2006.
Despite his six year residence, Pak has wasted no time involving himself in the community. He previously served on the Board of Education and worked with the Korean community as well as the Democratic Club."

Mayor John DeSimone

John DeSimone was sworn in as the new Mayor of Leonia by State Senator Loretta Weinberg. A standing-room only crowd attended the meeting to welcome John as Mayor. The ceremony included administering the Oath of Office to continuing Councilman Gil Hawkins and new Councilman Doug Salmon. Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson joined Senator Weinberg in congratulating the new team.