Hillsdale: Mayor, 2 Council Seats Up For Election

HILLSDALE, NJ – Two council terms, as well as the mayor’s seat, are up for election this year in Hillsdale.

Incumbent Republican councilman Frank Pizzella is seeking re-election. Newcomer Janetta Trochimiuk, a Republican, and Ian Askins, a Democrat, have also filed to run for council.

Incumbent mayor John Ruocco, a Republican, is running unopposed for the seat.

In Hillsdale, all six members of the council are Republican.

Each candidate was asked to fill out a profile in advance of Election Day for publication. See below for their answers.

Mayor (4-year-term)

John J. Ruocco (Republican)

• Age: 67
• Years in town: 38
• Occupation: Retired; former Financial Supervision Officer & Bank Examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
• Public offices held: Hillsdale Councilman 2015-17; Hillsdale Council President 2017; Hillsdale Mayor Sept 2017—present
• Family: Married, two adult children educated in Hillsdale public & parochial schools
• Community Activities: Hillsdale Planning Board; Hillsdale Helping Hands Food Pantry; St. John the Baptist parish lector, SJB Human Concerns Committee; Eagle Scout & former Asst. Scoutmaster; former Secretary Westwood UNICO
• Why are you running: I ran for Hillsdale Council in 2014 because I wanted to improve how decisions were made by elected officials. I have learned a great deal since then. One lesson calls to mind an adaptation of the biblical verse: that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than it is for an elected official to do the right thing when he has many people whispering in his ear to favor them. Local municipal governments have to be wary of tribalism and cronyism, and avoid pandering to special interest groups at the expense of the general taxpayer. I have tried to demonstrate in words and deeds a professional and non-partisan approach to the challenges facing the Borough. Among them are making intelligent and strategic decisions about how best to maintain and improve the town’s infrastructure, the services we deliver, and the quality of life for our residents----and to do so in a cost-effective manner so as to keep tax increases manageable. My 39 years of public service to our nation made me appreciate the value of considering all the costs and benefits of a decision, not just the short-term ones that many elected officials seem to focus on. My concern for the welfare of Hillsdale is grounded in the long-term view—I want to leave Hillsdale in a better place for the coming younger generations who will buy or inherit our homes. To do this, we must elect officials with business and management experience who are willing to be non-partisan statesmen with a wide vision, and who will speak out when the greater good of the residents is not being respected. I have done this, and will continue doing so, despite only having a vote when there is a tie among Council members.

Council (Two 3-year-terms)

Frank A. Pizzella (Republican)

• Age: 50
• Years in town: 13 years
• Occupation: Senior Director for AJS Capital Solutions
• Public offices held: Hillsdale Borough Council since 2012
• Family: Married to Dina, with a 14-year-old son, Michael, a student at Pascack Valley High School and 11-year-old daughter, Ava, a student at George White
• Community activities: Parishioner, lector and Confirmation facilitator at St. John’s the Baptist RCC. Also involved with Westwood-UNICO and Amici di Santa Maria, a group in Italy that is focused on historic preservation. Founder of Friends of the 88th, a not-for-profit that seeks to remember the 88thDivision – Blue Devils from WWII.
• Why are you running: My name is Frank Pizzella and I am currently Hillsdale’s Council President. I am honored to serve the residents of Hillsdale. Currently, I am a member of the Finance Committee, Liaison to the Environmental Commission, Chair of the Access for All Committee, a member of the Ordinance Committee and Chair of the Economic Development Committee. When I first served on council, I introduced the concept of revenue generation through economic development and encouraged council to develop a vision and economic growth plan. Hillsdale, like so many other small towns must stabilize taxes while continuing to maintain services and make improvements. Cutting expenses is not a long-term solution. I worked with Waste Management and successfully helped them to understand that the value in their investment did not involve bringing more garbage to Hillsdale. I lead the effort to create opportunity and with my fellow councilmembers and the planning board members, we designated the industrial zone an area for redevelopment. In doing so, we ensured a brighter future for our community. Soon, Hillsdale will create a plan that will breathe new life into an entire area of town that has laid misunderstood for over two decades and increase property value. I possess the knowledge, experience, creativity and skillset to move Hillsdale into a future of sustainability. I respectfully ask you, regardless of your affiliations, to support me, to give me the opportunity to continue to utilize my professional experience and skills, to provide you with responsible and creative leadership.

Janetta Trochimiuk (Republican)

• Age: 56
• Years in town: 15 years
• Occupation: Philips Healthcare North America Accounting Controller CPA
• Family: Married, with 4 children, attended local parochial and public schools
• Elected offices held.: none
• Why are you running: I believe that my professional business and financial accounting background will bring some refreshingly new leadership to the residents of Hillsdale. I am a Certified Public Accountant with over thirty years of experience leading small and large businesses, but I am also a mother and an active member of the Hillsdale community. While I do work full time, I have found time to be a class mom, a soccer coach, a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout leader (Hillsdale Troop 91). At St. John the Baptist Church I am the Chair of the Finance Committee, a member of the RCIA team and a Eucharistic Minister. I believe I am well suited to serve because I have a wide demographic view of Hillsdale. My youngest is a Hillsdale Hawk, allowing me a direct view into issues and concerns of current young homeowners raising families in Hillsdale. My adult children and their friends represent the next group of homeowners that we want to attract to Hillsdale. My husband is a retired senior, providing yet another perspective. I feel certain that I echo the sentiment of most Hillsdale residents when I say, “I love this town!” I am able and prepared to make logical and sound business decisions that benefit the short and long- term needs of Hillsdale. To put it simply, I want to use my diverse, professional business background and strong sense of community to enhance and protect the beauty, safety and future of our wonderful town.

Ian M. Askins (Democrat)

• Age: 28
• Years in town: 28
• Occupation: Teaching – High School Mathematics
• Public offices held: None
• Family: Single. Parents Julie and Richard Askins
• Community Activities:Coach of Bergen County Math Team, Tutoring
• Why are you running: I want to bring accountability and oversight to the entirely-Republican Hillsdale Council, and with a fresh viewpoint start conversations on ways to make Hillsdale better, with the goals of saving money and improving and maintaining the quality of life of its residents.