Bergen Co. Board of Commissioners Candidate Profile: Mary Amoroso

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Candidates are set for the Bergen County Board of Commissioners race on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In anticipation, Patch sent questionnaires to each of the six candidates vying for the three open seats on the Board of Commissioners, asking them to share facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent the county.

Mary Amoroso is one of the three Democratic candidates running for a seat on the Board of Commissioners. She is facing three Republican challengers and two other Democratic incumbents.

Here are Amoroso's responses:

Name:

Mary J. Amoroso

Age:

69

Town of residence:

Mahwah

Position sought:

Bergen County Commissioner

Party affiliation:

Democratic

Family:

Spouse, Jim McQueeny; four grown children Matt, Mike, Tom and Maeve McQueeny; two granddaughters ages seven and five, two grandsons ages eight and three

Education:

BA, New York University

Occupation:

Bergen County Commissioner; previously journalist

Why are you running for this office?

Not a day has gone by in the past six years in which I’ve had the privilege to serve as a Commissioner, that I’m not reminded that county government may be the most unseen, yet most important level of government. The county is a critical hub and resource for regionalized services, everything from community transportation and senior centers to nationally-ranked magnet high schools to helping finance new local construction projects through our Bergen County Improvement Authority. I serve as the Chair of the Budget Committee where we set funding levels for programs in Bergen County’s $700 million budget. What we prioritize in a budget is a clear indication of what we value. We emphasize sharing services between the county and municipalities to save taxpayers money, we fund education, food security programs, public health & safety, social services, and a myriad of other programs designed to make Bergen County the best place to live, work and raise a family.

What do you feel is the most important issue facing constituents, and what do you intend to do to repair or resolve it?

Ensuring our residents are prepared for a 21st Century economy is of utmost importance. This is why my colleagues and I have invested in the County Technical School System, the Special Services School District, and Bergen Community College. These schools are some of the best in the country, preparing our young residents for college, trades programs, and living wage jobs, while also helping our adult residents gain new skills later in life.

What differentiates you from other candidates?

I approach working in government from a bit of an outsider position. As a journalist, I am trained to ask questions, to do research, and to work to frame policy debates. As a woman, I bring my experience as a mother and a caregiver, and someone who didn’t automatically have a seat at the political table.

What other issues or ideas do you feel deserve attention?

A number of critical issues we are currently facing have been growing or inflaming during the pandemic. We are facing a mental health crisis, especially among our young people. We have increased our mental health funding, and developed new school programs to help students in crisis. I think it is important that my colleagues on the Commissioner Board and I show up at events around the county celebrating our diversity, our commitment to stigma-free acceptance of mental health challenges, and our fight to keep Bergen County the best place in New Jersey to live, work, and raise a family. This we do virtually every day.

What accomplishments in your past demonstrates that you are the best candidate for this job?

I have had a lot of different jobs as a reporter/editor/columnist, in a newspaper and on television. I am proud of the interactive nature of much of what I’ve done. I had a column in the Bergen Record called “The Pressured Parent’ that attracted a lot of readers and was based on questions readers sent me about issues in their family lives. I did a live call-in talk show on the Comcast network that allowed viewers to share questions and opinions. I believe interactivity with constituents is the basis of good government. What they worry about is what you as a government official want to help them with.

Do you want to tell voters anything else about you or your positions?

I feel strongly that we can provide the services the residents of this county need in high quality education, infrastructure improvements, and increased public safety without increasing the burden on the taxpayers. As Budget Chair this year, the Board of Commissioners passed a zero percent increase, keeping the county portion of the tax bill stable.