Ex-Mayor Wildes Announces Candidacy For Englewood's Top Spot

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Former Mayor Michael Wildes announced Wednesday he is running in the city's June 5 Democratic Primary for mayor.

Wildes announcement comes two weeks after incumbent Mayor and Council President Frank Huttle III announced he would not seek a fourth term.

Wildes had previously been mayor from 2004 to 2010. He submitted his nominating petition with nearly 300 signatures to the City Clerk's office Wednesday. He said he plans to formally launch his campaign in the coming weeks.

"Englewood is a city in crisis, and I can’t stand by and watch residents continue to be punished by yet another major tax increase and financial mismanagement,” Wildes said in a statement. "We must return to an effective local government that works for residents, and I believe that the key missing ingredient is strong leadership at the top. I owe so much to the City of Englewood, more than I could ever repay, and I once again feel called to serve the community by working to put our government back on the right track.”

Wildes is manager partner of Wildes and Weinberg, an immigration law firm. Previously, he was a federal prosecutor and auxiliary New York City Police officer. He has lived in Englewood for more than 25 years with his wife Amy and their four children.

Wildes claims that during his time as mayor Englewood experienced "progress" and "prosperity." According to Wildes, taxes were stable, neighborhoods were safer and the city's business district "thrived."

Wildes also claims that much progress "has been erased in recent years" due to "political infighting" and "weak financial management."

Huttle took office in 2010. He vowed to stabilize taxes and fixe the city's budget and played a big role in revising the city's master plan, NorthJersey.com reported.

“I am proud of what we accomplished together as a city and a community,” Huttle wrote in a prepared statement, the website reported.

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Photo: Former Englewood mayor, and current mayoral candidate, Michael Wildes/Courtesy of Michael Wildes