Tuesday, November 26, 2002
By BARBARA WILLIAMS
Staff Writer
RINGWOOD - When Wenke Taule decided to run for Borough Council, she did it to give residents a choice in an otherwise uncontested election.
It turns out that voters not only wanted more options, they preferred a change. They elected her - only the third councilwoman in 84 years and a Democrat - to the previously all-Republican council.
"I just think the people want another perspective up there," Taule said. "I don't know how much I can actually do as the lone vote, but my promise has been to be the eyes and ears to what's going on in our government, and I will do that."
Taule will fill the remaining year of a term that was vacated by Councilman Walter Davison when he became borough manager. Antonio "Tony" Torchia was appointed last year to fill Davison's seat until the November election, when he ran against Taule.
It was Taule's second run for office. In 1999, she was one of four Democrats who tried to sweep the majority away from the Republicans, but the slate was narrowly defeated. Campaigning got ugly, with both parties engaging in personal attacks, and Taule said she didn't think she would ever run for office again.
"It got personal near the end, and it was something I just didn't want to do again," Taule said. "But when I saw this election was unopposed, I just thought there should be another voice up there."
Taule, 55, has lived in Ringwood since 1978. She and her husband, Peter Sando, have three daughters. Born in Norway, she was raised in Brooklyn and then Rockaway Township. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, and after raising her children, ran several exercise studios. She also tried a stint as a personal trainer, but is retired now and said she is planning on putting in a good deal of time learning what she needs for her council position.
Although she has no illusions about swaying council colleagues to her views, she does have a few ideas she wants implemented. With two controversial assisted living centers currently proposed for Skyline Drive, Taule wants a survey of local senior citizens to see how they feel about the projects.
"Will these places satisfy the needs of our seniors, or are they going to be bringing in people from out of town?" Taule asked. "Let's see what our seniors really need and want in this community."
Because the recent election campaign did not get nasty like the one three years ago, and barring any horrible experience on the council, Taule said she is considering running for a full term next fall. She said the council and borough administrators were very polite when she attended her first council meeting, and Mayor Allan Van Eck appointed Taule to the Open Space Committee, which guides municipal acquisitions of land for preservation and recreational use. He said he tries to match council people with their specialties when appointing them to committees.
"I know Wenke is a member of Skylands Clean, so I know she has an interest in that," Van Eck said, referring to the locally based environmental group. "And as far as her being a woman or a Democrat, I just look forward to a harmonious and productive working relationship. That's what you always hope for - that you can work well together for the best of the community."
Since the borough started electing a mayor and council, Republicans have reigned. Only two women - Nancy Gogates and Gerry Cattone - have sat on the council. Gogates served from 1962 to 1964. Cattone was on in 1982 and 1983. Although several women have been approached by party leaders in more recent years to run for office, none accepted the offer. Other women who sought the party's support were deemed unsuitable.
After a constant Republican majority council, the Democrats finally came to power in 1974 and 1975. Soon after, though, the local Democratic Party split, and the Republicans regained control in 1976. Since then, the governing body has been all Republican, or with only one or two Democrats for many years.
The one-party government that prevailed for so long discouraged local Democrats from attempting to field a slate of candidates during many elections. They are hoping Taule's election is the beginning of a comeback for the party. Taule and three people not yet named will run in the next election.
"Wenke is a great candidate, and she will provide some much-needed balance to the council," said Rich Falco, president of the Ringwood Democratic Club. "And now with Wenke already on the council, we should have an easier time finding candidates to run.
"As far as her being a woman, I think women in general bring a different perspective, and most people realize this," Falco added.
Copyright © 2002 North Jersey Media Group Inc.
Copyright Infringement Notice
Letter To the Editor:
Although I was very happy with Barbara Williams' article about me, "A new voice on the Ringwood Council," (Page L-3, Nov. 26) one issue needs to be clarified. Even though I support a survey of Ringwood's senior citizens to establish their housing needs and wants, I am adamantly opposed to any high-density housing on Skyline Drive. With two high-density senior projects now before the Ringwood Board of Adjustment, I feel that my opposition needs to be clearly stated. This opposition was very clear during my campaign.
Wenke Taule
Ringwood, Nov. 29
The writer is a Ringwood councilwoman.