Sunday, January 8, 2006
By CAROL FLETCHER
STAFF WRITER
A split over the appointment of mayor and a new, bipartisan majority have loosened the local Democrats'grip on council power.
That majority acted at Saturday's reorganization meeting to elect Democrat Joanne Atlas as mayor and Republican William Marsala as deputy mayor.
Atlas, 67, sided with two newly elected Republicans and Marsala to defeat her party's pick of Democrat Bill O'Heam for mayor. O'Heam served as deputy mayor for two years under Ringwood's first female mayor, Democrat Wenke Taule.
Atlas' swing vote for Marsala as deputy mayor also defeated the Democrats'nomination of Democrat Tom MacA]Ien. Marsala was re-elected to his second term in November and will serve as deputy mayor for the second time.
Newly elected Republicans Donna Anderson and Linda Schaefer were also sworn into office for four-year terms. They replace 12-year councilmen Republican Scott Heck, who didn't rerun, and Independent Ted Taukus, who was defeated.
Atlas said she wanted the mayoral position to explore ideas for Ringwood, enough to ally with the Republicans.
"I have certain ideas for the future that I want to see at least given a discussion,' she said. Her fellow Democrats didn't agree, she said. MacAlIen and Taule acknowledged they felt O'Hearn was the natural successor to mayor.
Despite in-party grumbling, the prevailing message to residents from the new council heads was one of cooperation.
"Today, my theme is teamwork," Marsala told a standing-room-only gathering. Atlas stressed "consensus-building," while Schaefer said the upcoming year was "a time for healing "
That was a welcome message to residents tired of watching as Tuesday night council meetings deteriorated into "reality television. "
"I loved the vision and message of unity that came across, " resident Maria Sifniades said after the meeting. Sifniades was appointed Saturday to the local Economic Development Commission and serves on the joint eco-tourism comniittee with West Milford.
In her acceptance speech, Atlas told residents and council members of her plan to govern by "promoting unity without demanding uniformity.
"I am able, on certain issues, to cross party lines," said Atlas. "I think it's a healthy thing in the community"
It was what resident Jason Okin wanted to hear also. He said he wants the council to practice "harmonizing" in 2006 and put "the party politics aside and the personal politics aside. '
However, Democrats pointed out the day's warm and fuzzy feelings might soon evaporate with upcoming issues.
"Now starts the marriage," MacAllen told the council. Rising legal bills relating to Ford Motor Co's toxic site in upper Ringwood and a pending assessment to pay off a Skyline Lakes dam repair loan would test pledges for "unity," he said.
Senior citizens might benefit the most from the new alliance. Atlas, Marsala and Taule pledged their support to help local seniors establish their own community center.
Marsala cited a Republican agenda to explore ways to reduce taxes and establish financial security for emergency responders' families. Both he and Anderson put recreation as priorities, while Schaefer pledged more programs for seniors and young adults.
Two items on Atlas' list struck particular chords with residents. One is what to do with the Skyline Drive and Er-skine Road intersection.
"They have had so many accidents there, something has to be done' " said Nancy LaVoie. As a mother, she spends a lot of time driving her young children to and from local schools.
Okin referred to it as a life and death safety issue that needs a resolution this year.
Atlas pledged also to spur redevelopment in the town's shopping centers and find environmentally friendly ways to allow limited development in town.
"We are going to see some degree of development in Ringwood," she said, but warned it will be on the small scale.
That is small business owner Dennis MacPherson's hope. Currently, he builds guitars out of his home because he can't find affordable commercial space in town.
"It remains a home business," he said.
Atlas' wide-ranging agenda called for advisory teams to encourage local eco-tourism and cultural tourism, improved state maintenance for Ringwood State Park, and the possibility of walking and biking trails around town.
But to O'Heam, those ideas are more Democratic and separate from the Republican agendas.
"I don't understand it, ' he said. "She's in danger of losing support from both sides. She has a fairly Democratic, liberal agenda, in terms of her speech."
When she took office two years ago, Atlas left her leadership role with the local environmental advocacy group, Skylands CLEAN. Her core principals, such as supporting sustainability or conserving natural resources for future uses, remain, she said, but she also needs to meet the community's day needs.
"I've lived 67 years and consider myself to be a principled person," she said. "At the end of this year, I want to keep that intact."