GOP Nomination Up for Grabs Today

Residents are asked to settle the fall Township Committee race when they go to the polls today.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Eisenhower, Coolidge, Sicomac and Lincoln schools, with voters asked to choose between two candidates vying for the Republican nomination on the fall ballot: Mayor Rudy Boonstra and the Rev. Jeff Boucher.

Boonstra is seeking the opportunity to run for his second term on the governing body while Boucher, the pastor of Powerhouse Christian Church, is making his first run at elected office. The winner will face Democrat Dr. Henry Velez, who does not face primary opposition.

The mayor has touted his years of experience and service to Wyckoff in making the case that he deserves the party's line in the fall while Boucher has promoted his diverse resume and history running a nonprofit in saying he would bring fresh ideas and leadership to the Township Committee.

Boonstra, who was selected as mayor by his committee peers and will likely cede the role next year, has said that he's enjoyed his five months as mayor, where he has the opportunity to be involved in all issues affecting the township. He did not hesitate to seek a second term on the governing body, saying his experience as a former zoning board member and school board trustee gives him a unique perspective to work on unfinished business, namely land use, development and budgetary issues.

Among those are the applications to expand the Christian Health Care Center and build a ShopRite at Greenwood Avenue; the township's negotiations to possibly purchase Russell Farms; and the Planning Board's pending review of the Master Plan, which acts as a guide for development in the township. Additionally, he'd like to continue to offer his expertise as the township faces budget challenges, including the possible establishment of a hard, 2.5 percent spending cap next year in the face of declining state aid.

Boonstra, part owner of Sicomac Dairy in Hawthorne, has touted the township's Nifty Fifty recycling initiative and the completion of contracts for police and DPW workers among the governing body's recent successes. He joined his colleagues in helping to lower the property tax hike proposed by the Board of Education. Additionally, Boonstra has begun hosting open forums for residents who would like to "Meet the Mayor."

Boucher, a 21-year resident, heads the evangelical house of worship at 500 W. Main St. while serving as president of a nonprofit ministry he founded, Touch the World Ministries. He is chaplain of the Wyckoff Police Department, is a member of the anti-drug and alcohol Municipal Alliance, has been active with the Midland Park-Wyckoff Rotary Club and has coached football with Wyckoff Recreation.

The reverend has said he mounted a primary challenge out of a desire to serve, not because of any specific dissatisfaction with Boonstra or the governing body. 

However, he feels that his experience in helping Powerhouse to grow as well as the establishment of Touch the World proves he knows how to get the most out of limited resources. He feels this nonprofit experience is especially relevant in a time of tighter budgets and funding challenges.

Boucher also believes the nonprofit model offers a primer on how to make decisions for the good of all, emphasizing that he would seek to involve the residents as much as possible as a governing body member. Boucher has said the best decisions often come from the "bottom up;" while he says a committeeperson must take the lead on decisions affecting the township, the committee should make an effort to see how such policies would affect the citizenry while soliciting the input and feedback of those residents. He pledges to help foster an atmosphere where residents feel comfortable contributing their ideas to the committee.

The reverend also would seek to promote family health as a Township Committee member, bringing in leaders in the religious, volunteer and nonprofit communities to promote programs, seminars and resources for children and families. 

Boucher almost did not make the primary ballot after a challenge to his candidacy based on filing errors. While a judge confirmed several problems with the petitions he submitted, he was allowed to remain on the ballot after the judge opined that various remedies to the problems were sufficient to prevent Boucher from being disqualified. Township Clerk Joyce Santimauro subsequently confirmed the judge's opinion.

Outside of the local race, voters have few choices to make at the ballot box. Congressman Scott Garrett  of the 5th District is running uncontested for the Republican line on the fall ballot, although his eventual opponent is undecided. Tad Theise, a Washington Township resident, will face Anthony N. Iannarelli Jr. of Ramsey for the Democratic nod, with Theise supported by the Bergen County Democratic Organization.

Both parties are running county slates without opposition. The Republicans have nominated county Clerk Kathleen Donovan for county executive, along with Francis Valenzuela, Franklin Lakes Mayor Maura DeNicola and John Felice for freeholder. Michael Saudino, Emerson's police chief, is the GOP candidate for county sheriff.

They likely will face county Executive Dennis McNerney, Sheriff Leo McGuire and freeholders James Carroll, Elizabeth Calabrese and candidate John Hogan in the fall, with party control of the freeholder board at stake.

While each slate does not face primary opposition, voters have the chance to write in a candidate of their choosing for county or any other races. To do so, press the button in the "personal choice" column next to the office you wish to write in a name. A blinking green X will appear; use the keyboard to type in a name. To cast the vote, press enter on the keyboard.

Additionally, each Wyckoff voting district will be asked to choose among candidates running for the parties' county committees.