The Roselle Park Democratic Committee has voted for candidates to run for three (3) available municipal offices. Councilman-At-Large Carl Hokanson officially announced the candidacies at his Meet & Greet on March 26th at Costa’s Italian Restaurant.
The Democratic Mayoral candidate will be Carl Hokanson while Charlene Storey will run for Council-At-Large and Eugene Meola will be the 1st Ward Council candidate.
Current Council-At-Large Carl Hokanson will be running to become mayor, having previously tried unsuccessfully for the office in 2006 and 2010.
“I’m honored and pleased to do it,” stated Mr. Hokanson, “I’m going whole-hearted and my goal will be to put out the truth. As I will be retiring by this time next year, I will be a full-time mayor. Somebody who’s going to be out there to walk the businesses and take on the hard challenges. I have no hidden agenda.”
In speaking about Charlene Storey, Mr. Hokanson said, “I think Charlene has proved herself. She’s been out there and Roselle Park need somebody who will do that for the rest of the town.”
If Charlene Storey wins her election as Council-At-Large, the second ward would have had five council representatives since 2009 when someone is chosen to replace her.
Eugene Meola commented on his nomination, “I am going to start walking around my ward and ask people’s opinions [on things]. That’s the only way you’re going to find out. I want to bring their concerns to the front because right now, that’s not the way it is. If you pay taxes in this community, you have a say.”
Messages left for 2nd Ward Councilwoman were not returned in time for this article.
Primary elections will be Tuesday, June 3rd, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.