Clifton Mayor for Life? Anzaldi earns sixth term; Council gains three new faces Story by Joe Hawrylko Mayor Jim Anzaldi cruised to his ninth City Council term on May 11, winning the election with 5,667 votes, some 1,400 more than the next closest candidate. The Council traditionally selects the individual with the most votes as mayor, meaning Anzaldi is virtually assured of his sixth term at the helm of Clifton. With the backlash that the Council faced in the last year at meetings, the final results from May 11 come as a surprise. Incumbents Steve Hatala and Peter Eagler easily retained their seats, earning 4,251 and 4,071 respectively. Matt Ward
Final Tally James Anzaldi: 5,667 Steve Hatala: 4,251 Peter Eagler: 4,071 Mary Sadrakula: 3,277 Matthew Grabowski: 3,181 Matthew Ward: 3,170 Joseph Kolodziej: 2,968 Frank Fusco: 2,816 Raymond Grabowski: 2,808 Suzanne Sia: 2,690 Daniel Brown: 2,683 David D’Arco: 2,586 Frank Gaccione: 2,478 Andrew White: 2,276 Joan Salensky: 1,985 Joseph Chidiac: 1,753 George Silva: 1,655 Roy Noonburg: 1,422 Anthony Genchi: 1,123 Robert Klinger: 306 (write-in) Joseph Cupoli: 30 (write-in)
James Anzaldi
Steve Hatala
Matthew Grabowski
Peter Eagler
Matthew Ward
also won his bid for re-election, placing sixth with 3,170 votes. Frank Fusco was the only incumbent who came up short on election day, placing eighth with 2,816. Councilwoman Gloria Kolodziej and Councilman Joe Cupoli each indicated that they would not seek re-election, although Cupoli was credited with 30 write-in votes. Challengers who earned seats on
Mary Sadrakula
Joseph Kolodziej
the Council include Mary Sadrakula (3,277), Matt Grabowski (3,181) and Joseph Kolodziej (2,968). The new City Council will not take office until July 1, at which time the new members will be sworn in and a reorganization meeting will be held. At that time, the seven elected officials will cast votes amongst themselves to select the new mayor.
June 2010 • Clifton Merchant
73