Demarest NJ swears in first woman elected mayor, two councilwomen – NorthJersey.com
Melinda Iannuzzi, the first elected female mayor in Demarest, is sworn in on Wednesday January 02, 2019. Anne-Marie Caruso, NorthJersey
DEMAREST — Three women were sworn in to office on Wednesday night, including Melinda Iannuzzi, the borough’s first woman elected mayor.
Iannuzzi, a former councilwoman, won the mayoral race in November by 251 votes, defeating Mayor Raymond J. Cywinski.
Her victory, along with those of Councilwomen Daryl Fox and Janice Kurys, were among the many wins for North Jersey women candidates, who captured about 40 percent of open seats in local elections in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Morris counties.
“It’s special to see three women elected,” Iannuzzi said. “But our initial outreach was that we were the best-qualified candidates on a Democratic slate. We just happen to be women.”
Fox is returning for her second consecutive term, and Kurys begins her first full term on the council. Four of the council’s six seats are now occupied by women, as Kurys joins Fox and Councilwomen Mary Lynne Hamilton and Rebecca LaPira.
“[Demarest] has elected very confident and very dedicated women, but once you’re in the seat, gender doesn’t matter,” Fox said.
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Iannuzzi, Fox and Kurys were sworn in by Bergen County Freeholder Tracy Silna Zur, who felt this was a great moment for young girls and boys alike.
“To not only have our daughters see you in a role of leadership but to have our sons also see you role in a role of leadership is really important,” Zur said to Iannuzzi.
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To fill the vacancy caused by Iannuzzi’s election, the Borough Council chose former Councilman Bill Connelly. He served six years on the council, from 2004 to 2010, and is chairman of the Bergen County Board of Social Services.
Iannuzzi and Fox plan to improve roads that have gone without repair. Additionally, Fox said, the council plans to conduct drainage repairs and expand the Recreation Commission in an effort to provide more services for senior citizens and not just children.
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