About this column:
Leading up to November's Fair Lawn borough council election, Patch will be profiling each of the candidates to learn more about their motivations for running and what they'll do if elected.Here's your home for info on all seven of this year's council candidates: Democrats: Lisa Swain Cristina Cutrone Kurt Peluso Republicans: Pamela Coles John Cosgrove Joan Fragala Independent: Stuart Pace
Get to Know a Candidate -- Fast Facts Lisa Swain Age: 53 Family: Husband, Ron Bienstock; Daughters, Molly, 19, and Nicky, 17 Job: Swim instructor, Ridgewood YMCA Current Office: Mayor of Fair Lawn Education: B.A., University of Rochester (Psychology); M.A., New York University (Sports and Fitness Management) Ties to Fair Lawn: Has lived in Fair Lawn for 17 years; Husband Ron grew up in Fair Lawn. Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld; Curb Your Enthusiasm; The Good Wife Favorite Movie: Best in Show Favorite Author: Ken Follett Favorite Musical Artist: Elton John; Queen; and her husband's band, the Blue …
Get to Know a Candidate -- Fast Facts Kurt Peluso Age: 28 Family: Wife, Linda LaMadrid; Two sons, Austin, 4, and Dean, 9 months Job: Meadowlands YMCA, Director; Assistant Track Coach, Fair Lawn High School Education: Fair Lawn High School (Class of 2001); B.A., University of Rhode Island (Political Science and English); M.A., Monmouth University (History) Ties to Fair Lawn: Lifelong Fair Lawn resident, currently raising a fourth generation Fair Lawn family Favorite TV Show: ESPN's SportsCenter and Seinfeld Favorite Movie: Lawrence of Arabia Favorite Author: David McCullough Favorite Book: "…
Get to Know a Candidate -- Fast Facts John Cosgrove Age: 56 Family: Single; Three children -- John, 27; Kevin, 24; Kerry, 21. Job: President of Atlantic Handling Systems, which designs conveyor and storage systems. Education: Fair Lawn High School, Class of 1973. BA, William Paterson University (Business). Ties to Fair Lawn: Has lived in Fair Lawn all of his life; Family has lived in Fair Lawn for over 100 years; All three of his children live in Fair Lawn. Favorite TV Show: The Honeymooners Favorite Movie: It's a Wonderful Life Favorite Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins Favorite Musical …
Get to Know a Candidate -- Fast Facts Pamela Coles Age: 50 Family: Single; Two children, Matthew and Michael Strizak Matthew is a college junior at Pace University, where he plays on the football team. Michael is a high school senior at Don Bosco Prep, heading to Boston College next year, where he will also play on the football team. Job: Sales and Marketing Coordinator for a Fortune 500 company Education: Fair Lawn High School, Class of 1979; BA, William Paterson University (Business, Marketing and Economics); MA, Montclair State University (Human Services and Counseling). Ties to Fair Lawn…
Stuart Pace is a husband, a father, a friend, a small business owner and a lifelong resident of Fair Lawn. He’s a self-described, “average guy who wants to do good for his town.” The type who jams out on the guitar in his bedroom and hosts an amateur football talk show in his basement. In other words, Stuart Pace is not a politician. The man doesn’t even like politics. In fact, he’s thrown his hat into the borough council ring this year to put an end to politics in Fair Lawn. “I just got tired of politics interfering with getting things done in this town,” he said, citing unhappiness among …
Get to Know a Candidate -- Fast Facts Cristina Cutrone Age: 28 Family: Husband, Stephen Musnikow; Dog, Boomer (Boston Terrier) Job: History teacher, Tenafly High School Education: BA, University of Maryland (Secondary Education; Government and Politics); MA, New Jersey City University (Urban Education) Ties to Fair Lawn: Has lived in Fair Lawn for 1.5 years; Husband Stephen grew up in Fair Lawn and is a lifelong resident. Favorite TV Show: All time --West Wing; Current -- The Office Favorite Movie: The Last Emperor Favorite Book: "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger Favorite Musical …
Get to Know a Candidate -- Fast Facts Joan Fragala Age: 58 Family: Single; Son, Travis (deceased, 1984-2004) Job: Principal, Lodi High School Ties to Fair Lawn: Has lived in Fair Lawn for 27 years Favorite TV Show: Desperate Housewives Favorite Movie: Gone with the Wind Favorite Author: David Baldacci Favorite Musical Genre: Disco; Big Band; Jazz Favorite Song: "My Way" - Frank Sinatra Favorite Fair Lawn Restaurant: Giovanni's Deli and Picnic Favorite Sports Teams: Lodi Rams; New York Giants; New York Yankees Favorite Political or Cultural Icons: Henry Kissinger and Ronald Reagan Activities…
