West Paterson Democratic Organization Announces Council Candidates for 2009

Woodland Park, NJ – Municipal Democratic Chairman Michael Kazmark has announced that two incumbent Council Members and one Woodland Park Board of Education Member will round out the Democratic Council ticket this year.

Council President Dominick DiDomenico, Councilwoman Tina Gatti and School Board Member Robert Vargas will run in the Democratic Primary in June and the General Election in November.  Vargas will replace 15-year Councilwoman Ruth Patterson, who announced earlier this month that she would not seek re-election. 

“We’ve enjoyed great progress under the current Democratic Council.  With the Gubernatorial, Assembly and county races leading the ticket, I know this will be a very exciting election year,” said Councilwoman Tina Gatti.

Council President Dominick DiDomenico stated, “we’re working on a budget in very difficult economic times.  It’s a challenge, but because of conservative spending and good fiscal management the Borough is in a much better place than we were five years ago.”

“I look forward to knocking on doors and meeting with the residents of this great community.  As a school board member, I’ve always believed that listening to the public was of the utmost importance in making the best decisions for the school district.  I’ll plan to bring that same approach to the Borough Council,” commented Vargas.

“Diversity is an important part of our community.  Bob has done great work on the school board, as Dom and Tina have on the Council.  Collectively they will make a great team,” observed WPDO Chairman Michael Kazmark. 

“I will be working extra hard for this ticket this year.  This group of candidates has made significant contributions to the community as elected officials.  Bob Vargas will bring a new face and fresh ideas to the table.  He’ll be a great new asset to the Borough Council,” said Patterson.

Sheriff Jerry Speziale agreed, “Dominick DiDomenico, Tina Gatti and Robert Vargas make an outstanding team.  I’ve worked with Dom and Tina for years as your Council members and Bob is a great law enforcement professional, who will make a great Councilman.”

Vargas discussed his running mates record in office, “They’ve secured significant grant money, improved the borough’s infrastructure and been fiscally responsible.  I look forward to becoming part of the progress they have made,” stated Vargas.

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DiDomenico, 57, was sworn into his third term on the governing body in January 2007. Dominick currently serves as Council President.  He also held that title in 2003 and 2005. Before becoming a Councilman, he served for six years as a member of the West Paterson Board of Education.

Council President DiDomenico is the Commissioner to the Police Department and serves as the Chairman of the Laws and Ordinance Committee. A former member of the West Paterson Boys and Girls Club, the Passaic Valley Football and Cheerleading Parents Association  and in his past role of Senior Citizen Commissioner, has allowed Dom to develop a keen understanding of the needs of West Paterson’s youths and seniors.

A graduate of Clifton High School, Dominick, received a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Bloomfield College. He also completed his Masters Degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Dom is employed by St. Dominic’s Home, a non-profit group in Blauvelt, NY and is a Parishioner of Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church, Little Falls. He and his wife, Lois, have two children, Nicholas and Alison.  He has one grandson.

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Gatti, 62, was sworn in for her third term on the Council in January 2007. Councilwoman Gatti serves as the Chairwoman of the Public Works Committee, where she has overseen the many road re-surfacing efforts and sewer and water utility projects.

Before her election to the Council, Tina served as Chairwoman and a member of the West Paterson Board of Recreation for five years. She has worked hard to improve the Recreation programs in town. One of the major programs that Tina pushed to improve is the West Paterson Summer Camp.

Tina has also served as co-chair of the West Paterson Youth Month Program, been involved in the Passaic Valley Operation Graduation, and has held the position of Treasurer for the Memorial School Home and School Association. In 1999, she received the “Woman’s History Month” Award for her years of community service.

A graduate of Eastside High School, Paterson, Tina is employed as a Financial Service Advisor at PNC Bank in Little Falls. She is a parishioner of St. Bonaventure Church and has two sons, Christian and Joseph.

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Vargas, 43, is finishing his first term as a member of the Board of Education.  Robert is Detective with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit.

He is a graduate of Eastside High School in Paterson and Passaic County Police Academy.   Bob has also had extensive training in Crime Scene Investigation from the New Jersey State Police.  He is a Certified Emergency Medical Technician having formally served as a volunteer with the Haledon First Aid Squad.  He serves on the Woodland Park Office of Emergency Management. 

As a member of the Board of Education, Bob followed through on a program to certify school staff in CPR and in defibulator training.  In his capcaity as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, he spearheaded a major review of all of our school properties culminating in a report outlining required upgrades and renovations.

Robert previously served as a manager for the Sheriff’s Department PBA Little League Team and is licenced realitor with Century 21 – Gemini LLC.  Robert is married to Brenda Lizz Freytes.  They have one daughter, Skyler.

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