Wenke Taule has lived in Ringwood for 28 years. After her special election victory in 2001 for a one year term, Wenke fulfilled her campaign promise to be the “Eyes and Ears” of our residents. She held the council accountable for important issues such as water quality and MTBE notification, open government, and the fast-tracking of the Westbrook II development. The development was stopped and this year the 155 acres was purchased by Green Acres, protected forever!

In 2003 she led the Democratic ticket to an historic sweep of four council seats, after which she was appointed to a two year term as Ringwood’s first woman Mayor. Wenke has served on the Planning Board, Open Space and Cable TV Committees, completed the Municipal Elected Officials Certification Program at Rutgers University, and has donated her time and expertise to establish a free exercise program for Ringwood seniors. Recently Wenke has applied her energies towards advocacy for the displaced residents of Upper Ringwood. Wenke has worked tirelessly so that rental costs for the displaced residents and sinkhole testing and remediation will be paid for by the State and the Federal Government. During her two terms as mayor, Wenke spearheaded the Ringwood Highlands Festival, Ringwood’s Earth Day and Martin Luther King Celebrations, and the “Ringwood Update,” our town wide newsletter. Wenke earned a merchandising degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and has worked in the fashion and retail industries. A certified physical fitness trainer, she owned and operated TIGHTENUP and The Aerobic Room in Ringwood. In the Spring of 2000, Wenke reactivated the League of Women Voters of Ringwood.

Wenke and her husband, Peter Sando, operate Nathan's Famous franchise restaurants in the tri-state area. They have three daughters, Britt, Breeze and Bliss, all graduates of Ringwood’s public schools. Wenke's continuing goals for Ringwood are protecting the health and safety of our residents and always being forthright and truthful.

email wenke@ringdems.org