Mayor Boonstra Challenged for GOP Nomination

Township Republicans will have to choose among two candidates for the party's line in the fall municipal election, when one three-year seat becomes available.

Mayor Rudy Boonstra has filed to run for re-election to the Township Committee but must battle for his spot on the ballot, as the Rev. Jeffrey Boucher also has submitted a petition for the GOP's nomination. Boonstra or Boucher will face Dr. Henry Velez of Oak Avenue, the only Democrat to submit his name as of the 4 p.m. Monday party filing deadline.

Republicans

Boonstra said it was "no decision at all" to run for his second term aboard the governing body after a long career serving the township in various capacities.

"There's a lot still to accomplish," said Boonstra, an owner of the Sicomac Dairy in Hawthorne.

The mayor's position on the governing body caps a career in public service that has seen stints on several township boards and organizations. He initially joined Fire Department Company 3 in 1968 and ran for his first race in 1973, winning election to the Wyckoff Board of Education. He would hold every board committee chairmanship and serve as president for two terms. Later, Boonstra won election to the Ramapo-Indian Hills Board of Education. Additionally, he served for 19 years on the zoning Board of Adjustment, including 12 years as chairman.

After two years on the Township Committee, Boonstra was unanimously selected by his peers to serve as mayor in 2010. "It's a tremendous honor to serve as mayor of my hometown," he said. While it's largely a ceremonial role, the top seat on the dais is a busy role, as you're "involved in pretty much every issue," he said.

Boonstra feels that his years of service gives him a great perspective on the issues facing the township, especially land use matters, where his experience will help "get some of these projects heard correctly."

"My longevity gives me a sense of Wyckoff's small-town feel," he said, a sense he said the township is trying to capture with Inserra Supermarkets' current application before the Planning Board to construct a ShopRite downtown.

Inserra is only one of the issues facing the township. Boonstra cites the Christian Health Care Center's application to expand its facility, the possible purchase of Russell Farms and other open space concerns, the township's recent award of a Tree City USA designation and the "Nifty Fifty" recycling initiative among the outstanding issues where he'd like to continue his service. Additionally, he touts the recent completion of a PBA contract, continued work on a DPW contract and community involvement in the Master Plan process among the governing body's recent successes.

Boonstra said he most enjoys "dealing with the homeowners" on issues they may bring to Town Hall.

The mayor was not surprised to face a challenger for the party's nomination.

"Elections are about ideas and an exchange of ideas," he said. "I'm sure he'll (Boucher) bring good ideas."

The intra-party contest will likely make the next few weeks busier than initially planned, as the party primary is on June 8.

"That's our process," Boonstra said. "Politics is never easy."

Boucher, a 21-year resident, serves as pastor of Powerhouse Christian Church, an evangelical house of worship at 500 W. Main St. A Parmley Street resident, Boucher is a married father of three who began his ministry as a youth pastor at the former Wyckoff Baptist Church. In addition to his duties at Powerhouse, Boucher is the founder and president of Touch the World Ministries, a ministry for youths headquartered in Allendale.

The reverend believes that his experience in fostering the growth of Powerhouse, as well as the success of Touch the World, which volunteers in several countries, would give him a particular perspective as a governing body member.

"Nonprofit leaders can bring a unique vision," he said. "Governments waste so much money... at a nonprofit, you have to make everything count, and you have to motivate people.

"My strong suit is in marshaling resources," he said.

In addition to his ministry, Boucher has been involved in the Wyckoff-Midland Park Rotary Club, is a member of the anti-drug Municipal Alliance and coaches football within Wyckoff Recreation. He also serves as chaplain of the Wyckoff Police Department.

"Riding with them... gives me great perspective on what they do," he said.

The lifelong Republican's decision to seek the GOP nomination is not indicative of any dissatisfaction with current governing body members, including Boonstra.

"I personally like them," he said. "I think they're generally doing well, but there's room for great improvement."

Boucher said he doesn't necessarily expect very vocal party support during the primary process but received encouragement from many residents as he was compiling petitions to file to run for office. While he said he's aware that some would rather the party's nomination be uncontested, he looks forward to a friendly debate on the issues.

"I believe primaries strengthen a party," he said.

Boucher has a wide range of municipal interests, saying that he's particularly interested in working on municipal budgets and would like to take a closer look at how property valuations are formulated. As a coach, he's well-acquainted with the needs of Wyckoff Recreation; as an avid reader, he also would enjoy working with the Wyckoff Public Library. And as chaplain of the police department, he feels he has great perspective on the challenges the local officers face on a daily basis.

Additionally, Boucher sees himself as an advocate for families and children and believes he could "raise awareness" as a committee member of challenges families face locally. 

Generally, the reverend feels that a diversity of ideas from new perspectives would only help the governing body.

"The most creative ideas don't come from the top down... most creative problem-solving comes from the bottom up."

Robert Kane, president of the Wyckoff Republican League, said the local organization plans to hold a candidates' forum with the GOP candidates. League members will be polled, and an endorsement will be made on whether to support Boonstra or Boucher.

Democrat

Velez, a medical doctor with a private practice that focuses on internal medicine and pulmonary diseases, is making his first run for office and was the only Democrat to petition for a party nomination. The married father of one also has lived in Wyckoff for 21 years.

He sees his lack of political experience as an asset in an environment where taxpayers are "looking for true representation. America has essentially cast a vote of no-confidence" in their leaders.

Velez, an Army veteran of the Vietnam war, has served as a board member and past president of Care Plus Inc., an organization that serves those with mental-health challenges. He will begin another term as president on July 1.

"The guiding light (at Care Plus) was to always do what was right and in the best interests of the agency," he said, in describing how he would approach a position on the Township Committee.

"As a doctor, the best interests of my patients is paramount. It's just part of me," said Velez, who also has extensive medical research experience in addition to various articles published in medical journals.

Like Boucher, Velez has decided to run for office because he feels the time is right to take on the responsibilities, rather than out of any particular dissatisfaction with Boonstra's service or that of the Township Committee. He said he would have mounted a run this year regardless of whose seat was opening.

Velez believes politics often is positively influenced from the "ground up" and sees himself as representing taxpayers' interests. 

"I'm a real believer in the true democratic process," he said. "It's all about leadership and the involvement of people who would put the time in determining their own futures."

Velez hopes to be able to make township government more relatable for the average resident, focusing on "increasing transparency at the local level.

"There can never be enough transparency," he said.

He also is particularly interested in taking a closer look at the municipal budget: "what we're spending, how it's being spent."

Regardless of who comes out of the Republican field, voters in the fall will not be electing a mayor. Rather, Boonstra was appointed to the position by his peers, and if custom holds, would likely cede the role next year to one of his colleagues on the governing body, should he ultimately be re-elected.

Additionally, candidates could still come forward without party support. Independents have until primary day, June 8, to file petitions with the county, township Clerk Joyce Santimauro said.