Glen Rock Democrats Name Candidate They Want As Next Mayor

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A familiar face in borough politics has been nominated to replace outgoing Mayor Bruce Packer.

Kristine Morieko, a second-term councilwoman and two-year Democratic council president, was nominated to run for mayor in this year's general election. The Glen Rock Democratic County Committee nominated Morieko at a Feb. 27 meeting. Her nomination was announced Sunday.

"It is my honor and privilege to serve my community as a council member and hopefully as the second female mayor of Glen Rock," Morieko said in a statement. "I look forward to a campaign about ideas on how we all, together, can set a course to make Glen Rock the exceptional community we all know and love."

Morieko said her family moved to Glen Rock a century ago. She said the town is full of "awe-inspiring volunteers, engaged constituents, and local leaders, which made my decision to run effortless."

During her time in local elected office, Morieko has chaired the Division of Public Safety, has been a member of the Planning Board, a Library Board trustees, and been a liaison to the fire department. Previously, she was a Glen Rock court trustee.

Morieko is a criminal law paralegal and a member of the Bergen County Commission on the Status of Women. Morieko, her husband, Bryan, and their twins, Madeline and Brayden, volunteer to help the Valley Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Mary Barchetto, Morieko's running mate, said Morieko has the practical skills to "lead our government and the heart to listen and connect with all of our residents."

Packer announced Feb. 27 that he would not seek a second term as mayor. Packer said his personal and professional obligations are preventing him from giving all the time and attention to the mayoral responsibilities he thinks the office of mayor requires someone to have. (See related: Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer Is Not Running For Re-election)

"When I made the difficult decision to not run for another term, my greatest hope was that our council president, Kristine Morieko, would give the voters a chance to make her my successor," Packer said in a statement Friday. "There is no one more qualified to continue the incredible forward momentum that we have build over the past several years. I know that Kristine will not only continue the work that was started, but will bring her own personality and vision to the town, which will benefit every resident."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com