Killion Named Mayor, As New Council Sworn In

Following the swearing in of two council members—and saying goodbye to two others—the Village Council named its new mayor and deputy mayor: Keith Killion and Tom Riche, respectively.

In an unanimous vote council appointed both to the two-year positions minutes after Riche and Bernadette Walsh were sworn in as new council members.

"We, the Village Council, are not only the protectors of that tradition but the visionaries for our small fragment of Ridgewood's future. Before we venture into the tomorrows, we must deal with the harsh realities of today," Riche said.

Killion, who served as deputy mayor since his election in 2008, instantly addressed the town on the divisive issue of a potential expansion to the Valley Hospital.

The Planning Board voted to incorporate a Valley expansion in the village's Master Plan last week in a meeting at the George Washington Middle School auditorium. Many residents were prevented from attending the meeting as the room hit its occupancy restrictions.

Pledging to hold future deliberations in "a venue that is able to accept as many people who wish to speak as possible," Killion said, "We do not want to make the same logistical mistakes of the past."

The new mayor, a former Ridgewood police officer and Vietnam War veteran, said he would "always look out" for residents' rights—as he had in the past.

With talks of protests at Monday's Fourth of July Parade, Killion said, "I only ask you to voice your opinions in a sensible way. After all, we're all neighbors and we have to live together."

The top vote getting in spring election, Walsh was sworn into office with her husband and children in tow.  She talked about how she would govern.

"We must... provide common sense guidance for our village manager. I will always use civility in providing judgment in matters that come before the council. In our two most recent elections, our voters have decisively voiced their sentiments," she said. "And I will not forget who I represent."

Walsh and Riche were elected to office in May and replace former Mayor David Pfund and Councilman Patrick Mancuso. Killion and Councilman Paul Aronsohn offered tributes to their departing colleagues.

"It's so important that when we're talking about issues that we have people who are making decisions that are actually good people. People that care. Thoughtful people, who always try to do the right thing," Aronsohn said. "Whether you agree with them or not, their hearts in the right place, their minds in the right place... It is in that context, in that spirit that I am going to miss Dave and Pat the most."

Killion credited both for their years of service—especially Mancuso, who with 20 years is the longest tenured councilman in Ridgewood's history. The new mayor presented Mancuso and Pfund with a parting gift—not a gold watch or pen—but because of tough economic times, he said, he gave the two village of Ridgewood baseball caps, which Pfund's son promptly tried on.

In committee appointments, Killion and Walsh were named Planning Board members, and Nancy Bigos and David Nicholson were reappointed to that body. Aronsohn will continue as Chamber of Commerce liaison and Riche was named to the Ridgewood Environmental Action Committee.

The council will remain at four-membered body until an election is held in November to fill the seat of the late Councilwoman Anne Zusy. In one of its last acts, the outgoing council officially dedicated the Village Hall Community Honor in honor of Zusy.