CONTACT: glenrockdems@gmail.com

ORGANIZATION: Glen Rock Democratic Organization

WEBSITE: http://www.glenrockdems.com/

BYLINE: Lola Yona

Glen Rock Council President Mary Barchetto announced that she will be running for re-election this year. Democratic council member Caroline Unzaga will not be seeking re-election, but 12-year Glen Rock resident Jill Orlich will be joining Barchetto on the campaign trail for the first time.

Barchetto is excited about running again, and said, “I look forward to a positive campaign listening to the needs of all Glen Rockers as we emerge from these difficult times and plan for our town’s bright future.”

Photo credit: Tony Barchetto

Council President Mary Barchetto announces her re-election bid.

In addition to being selected to serve as council president in 2021, Barchetto is head of public safety, chair of community affairs, Senior Advisory liaison, and a member of the finance committee. She is currently working on her third budget round and has spearheaded initiatives like the Restart Glen Rock campaign to reopen downtown and create outdoor eating areas, the Seniors newsletters, and a number of family programs including the Summer Movie Sleepover and the Halloween Scavenger Hunt. She continues to work on ways to expand Senior services and programming.

Photo credit: Tony Barchetto

Jill Orlich will be joining Barchetto on the Democratic ticket.

Although Orlich will be new to the borough council, she has served several terms on the Byrd school HSA board. During her time on the board she increased fundraising, preserved treasured traditions, and worked on initiatives to ensure that Byrd school would continue to be a thriving community and safe space for children. She is looking forward to bringing her experience to the borough council, saying, “I am so excited for the opportunity to serve on the borough council!  My family and I have lived in Glen Rock for 12 years and know what a special town this is. I look forward to giving back to the community that has given so much to me, and to working hard to face the challenges that lie ahead as we emerge from the coronavirus crisis and come back better than ever.”

Barchetto and Orlich respect Unzaga’s decision not to run again, but both indicated that they will miss her on the council, with Orlich saying “I’m sorry to see Caroline Unzaga leave the borough council after working with her this year on the STIGMA FREE committee.”

“It has been my great pleasure to work with Councilmember Unzaga and experience leadership guided by intelligence and empathy,” said Barchetto.

However, Barchetto is excited to see Orlich continue the work Unzaga began, saying, “Jill is already involved in many of the initiatives Caroline spearheaded, such as the STIGMA FREE committee, and is the perfect fit to step in and keep this wonderful work going.”

“Though I won’t be seeking re-election, I fully endorse council president Mary Barchetto and her running mate, Jill Orlich,” Unzaga said. “Their energy, intelligence and imagination is what Glen Rock needs to continue moving forward together.”