Mayor Calabrese – The Man of the People

With some 25,000 people living in slightly less than 1 square mile, local officials have to be very well attuned to the needs — and complaints — of the residents and be ready to address every issue in order to ensure a well-functioning municipality and happy society.

Beyond its attractive and storied location atop the Palisades and close proximity to New York City, Cliffside Park, established in 1895, offers an intimate and safe small town-persona thanks to the tireless efforts of Mayor Tom Calabrese and his fellow borough officials.

This type of idyllic atmosphere needs a nurturing and supportive borough council and Mayor that strive to create close-knit relationships with its ethnically diversified population. Indeed, many ethnic groups and religious faithful, exemplified by the many different houses of worship, businesses and restaurants, call Cliffside Park home.

“Satisfying the needs of the residents of Cliffside Park is my top priority as mayor, and I’ve vowed to work tirelessly to achieve our goal of providing the best municipal services in Bergen County,” said the mayor, adding that feedback from the residents has influenced the borough’s multiple physical improvement programs.

Mayor Calabrese has achieved this level of service by maintaining an “open door policy” for the residents. He urges them to contact his office either through Internet or telephone and he invites them to visit him at Borough Hall, where they may either voice concerns or provide ideas about improving a wide range of municipal services from the simplest to the most complex.

The Mayor’s mojo is “Working Around the Clock” for residents, community and businesses.

Himself a full-time sales executive, Mayor Calabrese spends hours in his borough office during the week. He also attends dozens of local events, including business openings and civic events, mingling freely, hugging, and shaking hands with residents who are eager to say hello. He’s also personally keyed into the school district’s concerns since he currently has two children in the system. In the summer, he is a regular fixture at the Cliffside Park Junior Police Academy.

The town’s old-world character is maintained through the hundreds of older traditional and sturdy brick houses across town. In addition to the sprouting high-rises, two of the best known facilities are the senior citizens’ center hear Borough Hall and the nearby PAL hall for youth.

It is indeed an enviable position for Mayor Tom Calabrese as he campaigns for reelection on Tuesday, November 5.

Follow Mayor Calabrese on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thomas.calabrese.750