Independent Candidate Throws His Hat in the Ring for Council Seat

Seeking to become the first-ever Independent member of the Fair Lawn Borough Council, Stuart Pace declared his candidacy Friday morning for November's council elections.

The current terms of three council democrats—Mayor Lisa Swain, Deputy Mayor Joe Tedeschi, and Deputy Mayor Steve Weinstein—all end on Dec. 31, 2011.

"I am excited to bring a fresh perspective to Fair Lawn’s governance," Pace, a lifelong resident of the borough, said in a statement released to Patch by his campaign. "As an Independent, I look to represent and listen to all Fair Lawn constituents and I will be accountable only to them."

While Independent candidates do not have to declare for the race until later this summer, the co-managers of Pace's campaign—Julia Enerson and Matthew Gitkin—said that an early declaration gives Fair Lawn voters the best opportunity to tell Pace what their most important issues are. 

"There are no campaign promises, only campaign deliverables that will be clearly demonstrated and reported to all Fair Lawn residents on a quarterly basis starting January 1, 2012," Enerson said in a statement.

"It’s time for a fresh voice in Fair Lawn politics and Stuart Pace is that voice," Gitkin said in a statement. "We plan to run a campaign that is open, above board and most importantly, fun and interesting."

The official kickoff for Pace's campaign will be held at the (24-07 Fair Lawn Ave.) on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m.