Little Falls Swears In Reelected Councilman Vancheri and Two Newcomers to Township Council

By Tina Pappas

The Township of Little Falls held a swearing-in ceremony for reelected Councilman Christopher Vancheri, along with newcomers Councilman Michael Murphy and Councilwoman Jayna Patel prior to the reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 in town hall council chambers.

Mayor James Damiano welcomed attendees, comprised of residents, elected officials and dignitaries. Damiano spoke of Vancheri as someone who stops at nothing to ensure the job gets done, prior to being sworn in by Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly.

“If there’s ever a task that needs to be completed, and you want to make sure it gets done quickly without ever needing to check up on it - you give it to Councilman Vancheri,” said Damiano. “He will stop at nothing to ensure the job gets done and will make sure it gets done for the betterment of the residents of Little Falls. He has the biggest heart and will give you the shirt off his back. I’m honored to have him on this council.”

Vancheri thanked the residents of Little Falls, Mayor Damiano, his fellow council members and dignitaries in attendance. He also thanked his family and friends and

Assemblyman Wimberly. He said he looked forward to continuing to work for another four years because there’s still work to be done in the Township.

“I love this town and I love working for the people,” he said. “If there’s something I can do to fix it, I’ll do it, and If I can’t, I’ll find someone to do it because it’s not about politics, it’s about taking care of the 14,000 residents. Without them, I wouldn’t be here for another four years. If you know me in the last six years as a councilman, I’m never satisfied and am always looking to do more.”

Vancheri also congratulated his new colleagues, Murphy and Patel, and welcomed them to the council team. He commended incumbent Councilwoman Christine Hablitz for doing a great job for the town and called Council President Anthony Sgobba “the rock of the council.” He also touted former council members Al Kahwaty and Tanya Seber for leaving an indelible mark on the council.

“We’ll honor what you started, so we’ll keep moving ahead,” Vancheri said.

Vancheri also commended Damiano for his leadership since taking office as Mayor.

“He’s a great resource and a great person to work with,” he added. “He does love this town, and he grew up in this town. He does a lot and know that he’s always accessible. Please feel free to ask him anything because he will answer it. We’re all here for the same reason, we’re here for the residents. Looking forward to working with the two of you.”

Damiano then introduced Patel and congratulated her on her election prior to being sworn in by Judge Darren Del Sardo during the ceremony.

“I’ve known Jayna since she was a firstgrader. We went through grade school together, and we graduated from high school together,” he said. “Working with Jayna will be no foreign task and I’m certain that we will all work together for the betterment of the residents of Little Falls.” continued on page 22

Little Falls Township Council...

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Patel thanked her family for their support and guidance as well as those in attendance who have supporter her.

“Without your support and drive that I have seen I wouldn’t have been motivated to step outside my comfort zone to campaign and now take office,” she explained.

She also thanked the residents of Little Falls, emphasizing she has known Damiano for a long time.

“As Mayor James Damiano said, we’ve known each other forever and this should be easy to continue to do what is necessary for the good of Little Falls,” Patel added.

Damiano also introduced Murphy prior to being sworn in by Senator Kristen Corrado. He congratulated him on being elected and recalled the time their families were neighbors as they were growing up in Little Falls.

“Most people don’t know this, but I met Mike when he was a year old when our families moved in as neighbors,” he said. “And we grew up that way for 15 years until I moved out and got my own place. So to say I’ve known Mike for some time and that we’ve grown up together, is a true and legitimate understatement.”

Murphy thanked everyone in attendance, including those who he said helped him through their guidance and leadership. He also thanked his family, friends and the residents for voting for him.

‘It’s truly an honor to be here and I’m really lucky,” he said. “Hopefully, I can do a good job.”

Damiano also said serving as mayor is one of the greatest professional honors of his entire life, where he is motivated “not by the politics, but what is right for the people of the town.” He then referred to a poster that hangs outside his office door, which states the words of Gandhi.

“Be the change you want to see in the world,” he said. “These are the words that I often times try to live by. But I can’t help but think it’s the first responders who embody this more than anybody. It’s the first responders who run towards danger to make a change, and I want to thank them for what they do every day.”