Paramus: Four Vying For Two Council Seats

PARAMUS, NJ – In Paramus, four candidates are vying for two open seats on the borough council.

Republican incumbent Jeanne Weber and Joseph Vartolone filed to run against Democratic incumbent Ralph Amato and former councilman Dennis Arslanian on Nov. 5.

The Paramus council currently consists of four Democrats and two Republicans. The mayor, Richard LaBarbiera, is a Democrat.

Each candidate was asked to fill out a profile in advance of Election Day for publication. See below for their answers.

Two three-year council terms

Joseph Vartolone (Republican)

• Age: 51
• Years in town: 10 years
• Occupation: Director, Shared Services, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Public offices held: None
• Family: Married to Tina, with three sons, Dante, 20, a graduate of Paramus High School, Nico, 13 and Gio, 10, both students in the district.
• Community activities: Volunteer for Elmwood Park Little League for six years, Paramus Junior Baseball for 10 years and Paramus Recreation Basketball for three years
• Why are you running: I decided to run for council based upon my desire to contribute to the success of our community and borough. My professional experience, in both the private and public sectors, will serve in my ability to contribute both operationally and fiscally. I am committed to serving the needs and views of our citizens with an approach that considers the long term future of Paramus.

Jeanne T. Weber (Republican)

• Age: Not provided
• Years in town: 48 years
• Occupation: Prior to retiring, worked as a sales representative for a national advertising company for 21 years
• Public offices held: Two terms on Paramus council
• Family: Widowed for almost 14 years, with three children who went through Paramus schools
• Community Activities:Member of the Paramus Substance Abuse Prevention Commiottee for over 20 years; served as Chairman of the Paramus Scholarship Show for 10 or more years. Has served as Advertising Chairman of the Paramus Scholarship Show for 35 years. Established the Paramus Pancrteatic Cancer Walk 13 years ago in memory of husband and continue to serve as Chairman. Served on the Paramus Ethics Committee, and served as past PTA president.
• Why are you running: I am running for re-election as I believe in giving back to my community. As a councilwoman, I have been able to assist many residents with various problems they have encountered and most people know that when they call on me, I will be there to assist. We have a wonderful community made up of so many cultures which I embrace and who I feel should all be represented. I am fiscally conservative and want to see that our residents receive the best return for their tax dollars.

Ralph Amato (Democrat)

• Age: Not provided
• Years in town: Not provided
• Occupation: Retired public school teacher, small business owner/operator
• Public offices held: Current borough councilman
• Family: Married to Virginia, with two adopted children, Joey, 30, and Larissa, 27
• Community activities: Volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister for the Church of the Annunciation and at local elder care facilities.
• Why are you running: I am running for reelection because I want to continue to work with Mayor LaBarbiera and his team to put Paramus first. Paramus needs my voice on the Council to deliver honest, efficient governance. I will continue to work to keep property taxes in Paramus stable, protect residential neighborhoods from overdevelopment and invest in services that make residents lives better.

Dennis Arslanian (Democrat)

• Age: Not provided
• Years in town: 36 years
• Occupation: Semi-retired Manhattan small business owner for 26 years, employed 28 years in the graphic arts/printing industry
• Public offices held: Former borough councilman
• Family: One daughter
• Community activities: Recreation commission, Winter Wonderland event committee chairman, youth basketball coach. Also served on the board of adjustment and is a member of the Paramus Senior Club. Paramus Sunrise Rotary 2017 Rotarian of the Year
• Why are you running: I am running because I believe in giving back to my community, protecting our quality of life, keeping taxes stable and to focus on the challenges and matters of the residents of Paramus. I also would like to contribute in continuing to make Paramus the leader it is.