Ex-Ridgewood Mayor Hired as Hoboken's Biz Admin

has been hired as the Hoboken Business Administrator, according to a report on Hoboken Patch.

Unfamiliar in Hoboken, the Wiest family is certainly well known in the village.

Quentin Wiest was first elected as a councilman in 1980 and served on the dais through 1992, including a stint as mayor from 1986-1990.

According to his resume, during his twelve year tenure he presided over the formation of Ridgewood Water and a $34 million budget.

In the last 15 years, he's been a heavy hitter in county government. The ex-mayor served as the head of the county DPW as well as the Bergen County Improvement Agency (BCIA), the county's financing agency.

A board member at and also The Hermitage, Wiest is leaving his position as Closter's borough administrator.

Wiest's spouse, Betty, served as Deputy Mayor of Ridgewood from 2004-2008, a year in which two incumbents were ousted by two current council members.

Wiest will earn $150,000 annually, according to Hoboken City Spokesman Juan Melli. 

"It's a big job," Mayor Dawn Zimmer said.

Given the fractious nature of Hoboken politics – one that makes Ridgewood look downright harmonious – that's likely to be an understatement. 

Wiest will transition into the job throughout April, according to the city's press relesase. 

Hoboken Patch Editor Claire Moses contributed to this report.