KEARNY DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE FULL TICKET FOR TOWN COUNCIL

The Kearny Democratic Party recently announced a full slate for the Town Council seats that will be on the ballot in the June 2022 primary election.  Incumbents Peter Santana (2^nd Ward) and Eileen Eckel (3^rd Ward) are joined by newcomers George Zapata (1^st Ward) and Stathis Theodoropoulos (4^th Ward).  Kearny Mayor Alberto G. Santos, who was re-elected to office last year, endorsed the ticket, noting that, “we are very fortunate to have four highly qualified candidates who can serve the residents of Kearny with the upmost professionalism and integrity.”

For purposes of choosing its local government representatives, the Town of Kearny is districted into four wards with two Council representatives from each ward.  The terms of office are staggered so that only half the Council runs for office in an election cycle.

Peter Santana has been serving on the Town Council since 2017.  He is the Chairman of the Police Committee and is a member of the Town Recreation Committee.  He is employed as the Director of Technology for the Harrison school district and resides on Davis Avenue with his wife Renata and son Liam.

Eileen Eckel has been serving on the Town Council since 2005.  She is the Chairwoman of the Kearny Fire Committee and serves as the Council liaison to the Kearny Library Board of Trustees.  She is employed as an educator in the Fair Lawn school district and resides on Rutherford Place with her husband Tom.

George Zapata serves as the Vice President of the Kearny Board of Education and is a Commissioner on the Kearny Municipal Utilities Authority.  A graduate of Kearny High School and Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he majored in Political Science and Economics, he is employed as a paralegal.  George resides on Woodland Avenue.

Stathis (“Stat”) Theodoropoulos is also a graduate of Kearny High School and Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he studied Environmental and Business Economics.  He is the founder and principal of a successful business, Firefly Lighting, and is a member of the NJ Hellenic Heritage Commission and Chamber of Commerce.  He grew up on Elm Street and now lives on Beech Street.

Mayor Santos acknowledged that he was disappointed that Councilpersons Albino Cardoso (1^st Ward) and Susan McCurrie (4^th Ward) opted not to run for re-election for personal reasons:  “Albino and Susan were instrumental to our record of achievement.  They will remain involved in local government but in less active roles.  They will also assist George Zapata and Stathis Theodoropoulos in their runs for office to ensure residents continue to have effective representation at Town Hall.”