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Candidates

Denis Gallagher, Council

Denis Gallagher has made Edgewater his home for over 25 years. A graduate of Mt. St. Mary's College in Maryland with a degree in economics, Denis became a Navy pilot and served in Vietnam. He continued his aviation career in the private sector, retiring in 2000 as a USAirways captain, after logging more than 18,000 hours flying a variety of aircraft all over the world.

Denis was elected to the Edgewater Borough Council in 2001, and again in 2005. As a councilman he has advocated sensible development options, ethics in government, an end of "Pay to Play" politics, strong, efficient project management, and fiscal responsibility. When he is reelected he will continue to make us proud to have his reasoned, honest, and ethical service. Both as an elected official and as a citizen, Denis has fought to protect Edgewater by consistently challenging conflicts of interest, pointing out Borough government mismanagement, and offering solutions that preserve our citizens' quality of life. Denis will continue to uphold the principles of good government by exhibiting reasoned, honest, and ethical leadership.

Michael Trachtenberg, Council

Michael Trachtenberg has lived in Edgewater for 6 years. Since moving here he has started the 07020.com web site, helped found the Friends of the Edgewater Free Public Library, served as President and board member of his condominium association, been an active member of the Quanta Community Advisory Group of Edgewater (QCAGE), and worked toward getting Edgewater's Quaker Parrots off the State's Potentially Dangerous Species list.

Licensed as a CPA since 1988, he is also a member of the NJ Bar. He works as Assistant Controller for a property management and investment firm.

Mike regularly attends Council, Board of Adjustment, and Planning Board meetings and has been a community advocate there, in print, and on the internet. He has long taken issue with, and documented, the way the Borough is run. He looks forward to continuing his advocacy when he becomes a councilman.

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Selena and Joe Keesecker, District 1 County Committee

Selena and Joe have lived in Edgewater for two years. Selena is licensed as a teacher in New Mexico and has a Masters in Musicology. Joe is an ordained minister. They are actively involved with the Church on the Edge (Presbyterian), participate in local events, and have taken a keen interest in the working of the borough council. They have been registered Democrats since 1964, except while fighting Mayor Daley's machine in Chicago.

Rita and Roger Zeeman, District 2 County Committee

Rita and Roger moved to Edgewater 5 years ago. Rita was an elementary school teacher in both NYC and River Vale, NJ and a learning disabilities teacher/consultant for Hunterdon Central High School. Roger is Chair of Teacher Education at Marymount Manhattan College and is a licensed psychologist in New York and New Jersey with degrees from Harvard University and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Both served many years on the Democratic Committee of Somerset County

Jane Berkowitz (Roberti), District 3 County Committee

Jane came to Edgewater from NYC 28 years ago. Her daughter was raised in Edgewater and attended EVG, Leonia Middle School, and Leonia High School. Jane has a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and served as Edgewater Social Services Director from 1992 to 2002. She is currently a realtor, focusing on Edgewater and surrounding communities. Jane has been involved in a number of charitable efforts. She founded two non-profits to raise money for residents of Edgewater, The Edgewater Good Neighbor Fund, and Sounds for the Soul. She is currently the Vice President of the board of The Center for Food Action, which assists the hungry and works to prevent homelessness in Bergen County.

Peter DePaul, District 3 County Committee

Peter has lived in Edgewater for decades and previously served on the Edgewater Democratic County Committee. He has a bachelors from Seton Hall and a Masters in Education from CCNY. Peter teaches elementary school and was a Trustee of the Edgewater Board of Education for 20 years. He has been an active member of our community, serving in the First Aid Squad, coaching baseball, and visiting as a Eucharistic Minister to neighbors who cannot come to services at Holy Rosary Parish.

Miriam Tausner, District 4 County Committee

Mimi has lived in Edgewater for 8 years. She was an active member of the Democratic Party in Teaneck and served as a district committeewoman. She is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the College of Staten Island (CUNY), and is on the Ph.D. faculty at the CUNY Graduate Center. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stevens Institute of Technology and has an undergraduate and Masters degree in mathematics. She has a grandchild in EVG.

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Carol Skiba, Freeholder

Carol is a former Hasbrouck Heights Councilwoman who introduced an anti pay-to-play ordinance during her tenure. She has been an outspoken advocate for good government and fighting nepotism and corruption. A life-long Bergen County resident, she works as a legal assistant. She is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and also the Bloustein School of Government Studies Certification Program for elected officials.

Carol Hoernlein, Freeholder

Carol is a Tenafly Councilwoman. She is a trustee of the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy who promoted the walkway from Edgewater to Jersey City. She is graduate of Rutgers College of Engineering and is a self-employed Licensed Professional Civil Engineer.

Aishaah Rasul, Freeholder (one-year unexpired term)

Aishaah is an attorney in private practice in Englewood. She is a strong advocate for persons without a voice in the system, bringing hope and justice to those who are underserved. She is a graduate of Herbert H. Lehman College and has a Juris Doctorate from CUNY.

Gail Frasco, County Clerk

Gail is a former Westwood Councilwoman who is a wife, mother, and 31-year resident of Westwood. She was co-President of Westwood Parents with Educational Concerns, a support group for parents of children with special education needs, and has been a special education advocate throughout Bergen County. She works in sales.