The “washed-out” whiteboard is where the numbers of votes were recorded. Standing in front of the board are Mayor Susan Knudsen on the left and Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon on the right.
Once again the people have spoken.
Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon won today by 1,000+ votes–over 59% of the vote. In descending order of number of votes, including all polling stations and absentee ballots:
Susan Knudsen: 2989
Michael Sedon: 2973
Alexandra Harwin: 2040
Janice Willett: 2025
We would not be bullied. We would not be lied to. We would not sit back and watch dedicated public servants be insulted and wrongly, shamefully accused of bizarre things.
As the challengers’ campaign went low and lower, Susan and Mike remained cordial and respectful. They could easily have replied in kind, but refused.
That’s the kind of person we want and need to lead us: a person who displays character and integrity and who tell the truth…all the time and without thinking about it.
All six grassroots groups in town endorsed the winning candidates. Our constituencies understood the falseness and manipulation behind the scenes in a council election unlike any Ridgewood has ever seen–fortunately.
Such tactics must not be plied upon us again. If it’s tried, it will fail.
Ridgewood is an old but forward-looking place. We are inclusive and we welcome debate. We reject mudslinging. Candidates must tell us what they have to offer. It’s that simple.
To the tiger in the zoo, Madeline just said, “Pooh pooh!”
To the mailers straight from Hell, voters answered, “LOL!'”
Congratulations to our reelected council members.
Endless thanks to every voter and to the large number of people who worked tirelessly to get out the vote. Mike knocked on more than 1,600 doors.
When the hate mailers began to arrive, donations began to pour in.
“That’s what Ridgewood is all about,” Mayor Knudsen said tonight. “That is why we love Ridgewood. We want to make sure the Ridgewood of future generations is the Ridgewood that we love today. As a community, we stand together.”
Like the results of the last council election two years ago, this is a historic win for Ridgewood. Outside interests will not, shall not, oversee our Master Plan. Developers will not have a “council majority” putting out the welcome mat. Development will be contained and controlled as befits the Village. The garage will not be ‘Zilla.
In all but three districts, the winning candidates had the most votes.
A district-by-district breakdown of election results, showing votes cast for each candidate, percentages, and totals, is usually posted in a table on the village website shortly after the results are in.
A small map showing the borders of each voting district can be found on the village calendar, one page in from the back cover.
Following long tradition, our reelected council members will be sworn in at noon on July 1 (a Saturday this year) in the 4th-floor courtroom at Village Hall. At that time the mayor and deputy mayor for the next two years, having been selected by the council privately, will be announced.
The public is invited to the biannual “reorg” meeting, as always. Refreshments are usually served afterward at the library, but it’s too soon to tell.
Speaking of refreshments, we are typing this at a table in a corner of a raucous and joyous victory party. Time to partake. Good night!
Swimmingly,
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
info@PreserveGraydon.org PreserveGraydon.org