Ward 1 - District 1 Committee Members
Olga Clavijo
Olga Clavijo lives at 33 Westervelt Ave. in Ward 1, District 1. A mother of 3, Olga is a real estate professional with Keller Williams Realty in Ridgewood, NJ and a licensed N.J. title producer. Fluent in Spanish, Olga is also a licensed beautician and owned a hair salon in Haledon years ago. She is married to her 1-1 running mate, Alex Clavijo, who says she is an amazing cook. Her hobbies include Zumba dancing and cooking, and she is a volunteer with the Hawthorne Domestic Violence Response Team.
Alex P. Clavijo
Alex Clavijo lives at 33 Westervelt Ave. in Ward 1, District 1. A Hawthorne resident since 2001, Alex is a senior mortgage consultant with Gateway Funding in Paramus, NJ. He and his wife Olga have 3 children who have attended Hawthorne schools, and he was recently elected to the Hawthorne Board of Education. Alex is fluent in Spanish, and is active in the community as a Sergeant in the Hawthorne Auxiliary Police, and as a youth soccer coach. He is also an athlete himself, a soccer player who has also run 2 NYC marathons. He and his family attend the Hawthorne Gospel Church.
Ward 1 - District 2 Committee Members
Stacy A. Wojtecki
Stacy Wojtecki lives at 20 Elberon Ave. in Ward 1, District 2, with her husband, Democratic Councilman Joe Wojtecki, and their three children Joseph, Alexander and Christian. She is Treasurer of the Hawthorne Democratic Organization and has served as Campaign Treasurer for multiple Hawthorne Democratic campaigns. In addition to political involvement, Stacy has served as President of Washington Elementary School PTO, of which she was a member for over 8 years. She has also been Recording Secretary for the Hawthorne Soccer Association, as well as a soccer coach. The Wojtecki’s are parishioners at St. Anthony’s Church.
Joseph Osborne
Joe Osborne lives at 112 Cedar Ave. in Ward 1, District 2. He is the Membership Chair for the Democrats for Hawthorne club. A lifelong Democrat who got his start working for Clinton ‘92, Joe has been a tireless supporter of the Hawthorne Dems, serving as membership chair, building the Memorial Day parade floats, designing the campaign graphics, and generally making himself useful. His wife, Heidi Ehman, is a lifelong resident and they have a daughter, Hope. Together, they own and operate Me & Hue Decorative Painting in North Haledon. In his spare time, Joe is the founder and coach of the Blue Jersey Road Runners and an organizer for Passaic County Democracy for America. He believes political patronage is a disease that we need to cure.
Ward 1 - District 3 Committee Members
Marilyn Lota
Marilyn Lota lives at 19 Arlington Ave. in Ward 1, District 3. She has lived in Hawthorne for 34 years. Her son and daughter were educated in the Hawthorne school system and she participated in PTO co-chairing the annual fashion show fundraiser for Lincoln School. She retired from a career as executive assistant to a division president of a global chemical corporation. She is excited to be involved, and is looking forward to assisting all residents of the district, especially senior citizens, who might not be aware of benefits available to them.
Joanne Graziano
Joanne Graziano lives at 336 Lafayette Ave. in Ward 1, District 3. A life-long Democrat, Joanne has long been active in the community as a past Trustee on the Hawthorne Board of Education, where she served two terms as Board President. She has also served on the Hawthorne Zoning/Board of Adjustment as a member of the Hawthorne Library Foundation, and as past president of the Passaic County School Board Association. She was a teacher and administrator in the Paterson public schools for almost 30 years, and has been a resident of Hawthorne and a parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church for over 50 years.
Ward 2 - District 1 Committee Members
Bradley Campbell
Bradley Campbell has lived at 8 Tuxedo Ave. in Ward 2, District 1, with his partner of 22 years, Chase, since moving to Hawthorne in 2011. A lifelong Democrat, he moved to the Northeast in 1998 from the very red state of Texas to complete his Master’s Degree at New School University in Manhattan. Bradley also holds degrees from Texas Wesleyan University and Texas Woman’s University and is currently the Head of Learning & Development for The Children’s Place who often speaks around the country on Organizational Development and Human Resources. Bradley serves as an Elder at Broadway Presbyterian Church in Manhattan and continues to workshop, direct and produce new plays across the Northeast. He is very excited to work with the Hawthorne Democrats to continue to move Hawthorne forward into the future.
Heidi Ruiz
Heidi Ruiz lives at 43 Passaic Ave. in Ward 2, District 1 with her husband, Sidney Ruiz, a desktop supervisor at Health First in New York City, and their three children. A resident of Hawthorne since 2000, Heidi previously worked as a legal secretary in a law firm in Hoboken, NJ, and has served as a translator for Spanish speaking families in the Hawthorne school district. Heidi is passionate about education, which she attributes to being a first generation American from Cuba. She truly believes this is the land of opportunity, and is proud to be a resident of this beautiful town. She is active in her children’s PTOs, regularly attends Board of Education meetings, and is President of S.E.F.S. (Special Education Family Support), an organization that supports special needs families. The Ruiz family are parishioners of St. Anthony’s Church.
Ward 2 - District 2 Committee Members
Paul L. Cantello
Paul Cantello lives at 37 Sylvester Ave. in Ward 2, District 2. Paul is an independent-thinking Democrat who ran a strong race for Council in 2010, pledging to represent every citizen of this great town with honesty and integrity. He was born and raised in Hawthorne, and has lived here for over 30 years. Paul is a founding member of the Hawthorne Farmer’s Market, a volunteer at the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, and has been a special contributor to The Gazette weekly newspaper. Paul regularly participates in United Way and CityYear volunteer events. He is an active advocate for the community, speaking up at council meetings and writing letters to the local papers.
Tom Bushnauskas
Tom Bushnauskas lives at 43 Kingston Avenue in Ward 2, District 2, with his wife Debbie and their four children. They have one child in Lincoln Middle school, one in Hawthorne High school, and two are now graduates of HHS. A life-long Democrat, Tom has lived in Hawthorne for 16 years, and has reliably supported democratic campaigns through the years. He is a Union electrician, and a member of IBEW Local 164. Tom hopes his efforts to contribute to the party will bring about positive change for Hawthorne’s Democrats and our town as a whole.
Ward 2 - District 3 Committee Members
Betty Ann Deren
Betty Ann Deren lives at 27 Park Ave. in Ward 2, District 3. She grew up in Hawthorne and has lived here for over 50 years. She graduated from HHS and studied accounting at William Paterson University, earning her BA. She is blessed to have two daughters, Heather Allen and Robyn Crawford, who are both residents of Hawthorne, and three grandchildren she adores. Betty Ann has long been a supporter of the democratic party and is looking forward to positive change in Hawthorne.
Rob Van Deusen
Rob VanDeusen lives at 331 Central Ave. in Ward 2, District 3. Rob was a 2nd Ward Council Candidate in 2011, and works as a manager for a private Emergency Medical Technician company. He volunteers as an EMT with the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps, for which he was the recipient of their Outstanding Service Award. In addition, Rob has been a volunteer firefighter, and was an Iraq War veteran, having served a three-year tour of duty with the U.S. Navy in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rob is looking to bring his real-world experiences to find new solutions to the challenges facing our Borough.
Ward 3 - District 1 Committee Members
Gene Barbieri
Eugene Barbieri and his wife Susan Barbieri have resided at 70 Rea Avenue since 2001. They have two children in Roosevelt school. Gene is an Executive Board member of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #38 of which he has been a member since 1982. He is a strong advocate of using skilled Union labor whenever possible. He and Susan are both members of the Hawthorne Historical Society. Gene is quite outspoken and has written letters to the papers and will speak at council meetings when he feels it is important and appropriate on issues that affect our town. He enjoys riding vintage American & British motorbikes, is an avid hunter and outdoorsman who believes in our 2nd Amendment rights. He enjoys the arts, playing guitar, reading and writing poetry. The Barbieri family is looking forward to a bright future for Hawthorne.
Beverly Van Pamel
Beverly Van Pamel lives at 27 Second Avenue in Ward 3, District 1. She has lived in Hawthorne for 34 years. She is a former president of the Friends of the Louis Bay 2nd Library and currently serves on the executive board. She coordinates the Adopt-A-Magazine program for the Friends, which finances more than 100 magazine subscriptions at the library. She also worked at the library for 27 years as the bookkeeper until her retirement. She is a member of the Social Services Ministry at St. Anthony’s Church and is a former member of the Hawthorne Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She has four children, all products of the Hawthorne School District and the Hawthorne High School Marching Band: Maria Geier, Laura Bongiovi, Master Sergeant Michael Van Pamel, UASF, and Amy Kistler. She also has seven grandchildren.
Ward 3 - District 2 Committee Members
Jayne Ace-Bosgra
Jayne Ace-Bosgra lives at 162 Third Ave. in Ward 3, District 2. She is Vice President of the Democrats for Hawthorne club. A resident of Hawthorne since 1981, Jayne has been active in every democratic campaign in town since 1997, including stepping up to run for Council four times. She is currently president of the Board of Health of which she has been a member since 2006. Jayne is also Vice President of Friends of the Louis Bay 2nd Library, a charter member and trustee for WE DO (Women Empowered Democratic Organization of Passaic County), and a charter member of the Hawthorne Historical Society. In the past, she has served as a charter member of the Hawthorne Education Action Team, and as PTO President at both Hawthorne High School and Passaic County Technical Institute.
Jake Bosgra
Jake Bosgra lives at 162 Third Ave. in Ward 3, District 2. He has been a Borough resident since 1969, and is a member of the Friends of the Louis Bay 2nd Library. Jake has participated in all local elections since 1997. He is married to his 3-2 running mate, Jayne Ace-Bosgra, and they have two sons, Joseph and Daniel, who still live in town. Most recently, Jake and Jayne have shared a passion for providing foster care for newborn infants pending adoption.
Ward 3 - District 3 Committee Members
Mary Lou Frankel
Mary Lou (Bohny) Frankel lives at 5 Glen Ct. in Ward 3, District 3. She is Vice-Chair of the Hawthorne Democratic Organization. Mary Lou is a lifelong Democrat and Hawthorne resident. She has been active in local politics as a council candidate, campaign coordinator, communications director and volunteer coordinator. She is a former president of the Hawthorne Democratic Unit, a founding member and trustee of WE DO (Women Empowered Democratic Organization of Passaic County), and a coordinator of Passaic County DFA. Long active in community affairs, she is president of the Friends of the Louis Bay 2nd Library, a trustee of the Hawthorne Community Library Foundation, a trustee and founding member of the Hawthorne Historical Society, and a former PTO president at Roosevelt and Lincoln Middle Schools.
Meaghan Tuohey-Kay
Meaghan Tuohey-Kay lives at 25 Beverly Rd. in Ward 3, District 3. She is President of the Democrats for Hawthorne club. Meaghan grew up in Hawthorne, and is now an attorney with her own practice here in the Borough. Her children attend St. Anthony’s school. Jamie, her husband, is a high school science teacher. Meaghan coaches her daughter’s softball team and sponsors a tee-ball team for her son. The family is active in church, sports and scouting. Meaghan was one of the founders of the successful 2009 Hawthorne Farmer’s Market. She believes Hawthorne’s Democratic party should offer competitive ideas for improving life in Hawthorne.
Ward 3 - District 4 Committee Members
Jeffrey P. Gardner
Jeff Gardner lives at 124 Highview Terrace in Ward 3, District 4, where he is currently a Democratic County Committeemember. He was elected Hawthorne Democratic Leader in June 2010. Jeff was the campaign manager for the Hawthorne Democrats in 2005, 2007 and 2009, as well as for Councilman Joe Wojtecki’s campaign for Mayor in 2008. Jeff is an attorney, a graduate of Rutgers College and Rutgers Law School. He is a lifelong democrat, the founder and chair of Passaic County Democracy for America, and is a contributor for BlueJersey.com, a popular progressive political blog. Jeff is also a candidate for Council-At-Large this year.
Roger Kelsch
Roger Kelsch lives at 41 Charwalt Dr. in Ward 3, District 4. He is an experienced business manager in both the manufacturing and consumer products industries for the past 20 years, empowering others through team work. Roger is also a motivational speaker on topics of accountability and responsibility in the business community. He is hoping to apply those skills to help continue to build the Democratic Party in Hawthorne.
Ward 4 - District 1 Committee Members
Cynthia Frank
Cindy Frank lives at 74 6th Ave. in Ward 4, District 1. She is the Secretary of the Democrats for Hawthorne club. A resident of Hawthorne for nearly 13 years, Cindy graduated from Ramapo College, and is now a Corporate IT Training Specialist. She is an active member of Hawthorne’s Green Team. She would like to see Democrats get elected in Hawthorne, and has enjoyed meeting other Democrats in her District while serving on the County Committee.
Jacquelyn Burrows
Jackie Burrows lives at 37 11th Ave. in Ward 4, District 1, and grew up in Hawthorne, attending public schools K-12. Her commitment to the community began at an early age when she umpired Little League baseball, and continues to the present. She volunteers for the Hawthorne Domestic Violence Team, and supports the Hawthorne Cubs, Christian Health Care Center, PBA and other charities. Her letters to the editor have been printed in the Record, Herald, Gazette and Press.
Ward 4 - District 2 Committee Members
Naomi B. Collier
Naomi B. Collier lives at 76 Robertson Ave. in Ward 4, District 2. She is the Secretary of the Hawthorne Democratic Organization and the Vice President of Democrats for Hawthorne. Naomi ran a hard-fought campaign for Mayor in 2009, becoming Hawthorne’s first woman to run in a general election for the position. Naomi is also a co-founder of the Hawthorne Farmer’s Market. A trusts and estates attorney, with a background in elder law, Naomi is a member of Woman Lawyers in Bergen County, the Bergen County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. Additionally, she volunteers for Alternatives to Domestic Violence, providing victims of domestic violence with various services, including legal representation. Naomi is also a candidate for Council-At-Large this year.
Vince Carrino
Vince Carrino, and his wife Jennifer, a lifelong Hawthorne resident have lived at 133 8th Avenue since 2005. A graduate of William Paterson University Vince will strive to bring leadership skills learned working for JPMorgan Chase to facilitate responsible community oriented improvements. Growing up in a family with firm Democratic values has shaped his core beliefs and fuels a progressive outlook determined to meet the diverse challenges our town will face in the future. Vince believes meaningful change is possible only through effective leadership & open honest communication among those impacted within our community
Ward 4 - District 3 Committee Members
Danielle Rizzi
Danielle Rizzi lives at 24 Ravine Dr. in Ward 4, District 3. She is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey. Danielle has been a resident in Hawthorne for close to ten years, and is excited to be involved with the Democratic Party and being a part of a group of people that feel that change in Hawthorne is necessary. This is one step in the right direction towards a much bigger goal that she hopes we all can achieve together!
Todd Parkhurst
Todd “Smoothie” Parkhurst lives at 104 Braen Ave. in Ward 4, District 3. After living in Hawthorne as a young child, Todd returned to stay over 20 years ago. He was the owner of Stinger Transport, Inc., which played a major role in the renovation of the Washington School playground. Todd is now a Teamster, who works in the TV/Film industry. He has been involved in Hawthorne politics for many years, and has been a familiar face and passionate voice at Borough Council meetings. He hopes that new leadership can bring positive changes to Hawthorne.
Upcoming Events
- December
- 18: Council Meeting - December 18
Message of the Day
Rome wasn’t built in a day. But brick by brick, we’re building up the democratic party in Hawthorne.