In Ridgewood, NJ, political competition hasn’t always come down to just policy or popularity. For some Village Council candidates, campaigns have taken unexpected turns, sometimes facing challenges beyond the usual debate stage.
RIDGEWOOD, N.J.—Mayor Susan Knudsen and Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon are certified to run for both open seats on the Ridgewood Village Council in this May 8th municipal election.
Both incumbents share a view of the future that includes smart, organic development which fits into the character of the Village while maintaining that history and charm responsible for drawing so many current residents to our town.
“As we embark on a complete rewrite of our current, outdated Master Plan few councils have had the opportunity to impact the Village’s future development as we do right now,” Sedon said. “For too many years long-range planning has been conducted through a hodgepodge of mostly contested Master Plan amendments. Rewriting this document will allow us to memorialize what we have today in the Village, and it will guide growth and development for the next 50 years.”
Knudsen focuses on taxes, services and the future, “Village Council members are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars; our charge is to ensure each and every tax dollar is used prudently and responsibly while delivering reliable and quality services,” Knudsen said. “Looking toward the future, we are working diligently to make certain Ridgewood remains a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family and age in place for generations to come.”
Long-time resident Knudsen was elected to the Ridgewood Village Council in 2014, serving as mayor since 2016. Knudsen is a member of the Ridgewood Planning Board, Site Plan Exemption Committee, Historic Preservation Commission and Master Plan Advisory Committee. Knudsen also serves on the Community Access Network supporting our special needs community, Project Pride, Community Relations Advisory Board, Fourth of July Committee, Village Interfaith Group and Special Projects Task Force. She is also a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is a long time member of the Ridgewood High School Jamboree Scholarship Program providing need-based scholarship opportunities to graduating seniors. Prior to being elected in 2014, Knudsen served as the Zoning Board of Adjustment Vice-chairman.
Currently Sedon is working as a freelance writer, and he is also a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, member of the Ridgewood Knights of Columbus and serves on the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, Green Team, Shade Tree Commission, Community Center Advisory Board and the Special Projects Task Force. He has served on the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee and the Open Space Committee.
After settling most of the major issues of the past such as housing densities, the hospital expansion and critical infrastructure repair and attention, Knudsen and Sedon feel the time is right to guide the Village into the future with proven leadership and openness to listen to our residents providing a level of transparency in government that lets citizens become a meaningful part of the process.
Knudsen and Sedon have worked to keep taxes stable in their first four years serving the Village, while staying committed to modernizing Ridgewood Water, maintaining services and ending years of expensive litigation.
They have allocated $2 million each year toward paving our roads, oversaw a much improved leaf collection process, worked with all stakeholders to arrive at a compromise to develop new park lands, planted hundreds of new street trees and continue to support our Central Business District.
Proven leadership, a willingness to listen to and respect residents and a track record of accomplishment, Knudsen and Sedon remain energized and committed to moving Ridgewood forward while respecting and maintaining the history and character of the Village that makes Ridgewood special.
OCTOBER 10, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014, 12:31 AM THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Occupation: Freelance writer and Ridgewood Village Council member.Age: 34.
How long I have lived in Ridgewood: Four years.
Interests and hobbies: Writing, hunting, fishing, cooking.
My favorite place to relax in Ridgewood: It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one place in Ridgewood. Depending on my mood, I might enjoy spending an afternoon at Graydon with my son Hunter, grilling in my backyard or taking a walk through the downtown.
A “perfect day” in Ridgewood would include: The Village’s Fourth of July celebration is pretty close to perfection thanks to the many great volunteers who work so hard all year long to make that day happen for all of us in Ridgewood.
The best-kept secret in the village: You can always find a parking space if you’re willing to walk.
The best thing about Ridgewood: Its residents.
One thing I would like to change in the village: I would like to finally see some progress made in offering additional parking downtown so you don’t have to walk as far after finding a space.
The best part of my job: My schedule is very flexible, and I don’t have to commute.
The most difficult part of my job: Deciding what to write about.
The big decision I’m currently wrestling with: I’m a new father and a councilman. I have several big decisions ahead.
MAY 2, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014, 12:31 AM BY DARIUS AMOS STAFF WRITER
A standing-room only audience cramped into the Village Hall Court Room on Tuesday night, when the three candidates for Ridgewood Council debated publicly for the final time leading up to the May 13 municipal election.
Of the three candidates, Ridgewood’s electorate will be asked to select two to serve on the governing body for the next four years.
Candidates’ Night allowed Jim Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon to answer specific questions raised by the event sponsor, the Ridgewood League of Women Voters (LWV), and address several unscripted inquiries from the public.
Similar to an event two weeks ago at the Ridgecrest Apartments, the candidates maintained cordial interaction with one another and the audience Tuesday night. Their focus differed, however, as each separated themselves and conveyed distinct messages.
Forum moderator Lucy Heller, who sits on the Northern Valley LWV, posed standard questions to the candidates, asking them for opinions on Ridgewood’s pressing issues: the Valley Hospital expansion plan, downtown housing proposals and Central Business District parking, among other topics.
Resident-submitted questions and issues, which were filtered by Heller, included the development of the former Schedler tract and future safeguarding of municipal funds, in light of the theft of $460,000 in parking meter coins. Several queries raised during an open public portion covered the candidates’ prior municipal voting history and time commitment and their stances on flooding concerns.
After Albano Stumble ,his Supporters take to Name Calling
Our Guess is these are the same people who sent the Anonymous Email to Mike Sedon’s boss
But it was obvious it was a set up ! All I’m saying is I’m sure ms Knudsen is not perfect ! She was in on it.
RIdgewood is now filed with a bunch of loony nouveau riche fleabags!!! And Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Knudsen lead the pack. Ms. Reynolds needs to get a life! I grew up in Ridgewood and it is not what it used to be. I made a conscious decision not to live in that town and raise my family because of the type of people that live there. Anyone with half a brain could see last night that Mr. Albano was set up What does that say about Ms. Knudsen’s character ??
GREAT, no matter what happens we are going to get a newbie in town or possibly two on the council. One who has been here a whole 4 years or the other who has been here 15 years. Neither know the history of this town! This is a real recipe for success. NOT
If you ask me Knudsen came of condescending and arrogant. Didn’t she run for a spot on the BOE or was that her BFF Reynolds and didn’t get elected??? As far as Sedon, he looked like Knudsen’s lap dog….
Candidates Night for Municipal Election Is Tonight
Tuesday, April 29th at 7:30PM
Meet the 3 candidates for Village Council and hear their views!
The League of Women Voters is holding Candidates Night for the Village Council on Tuesday, April 29 at The Village Hall , Fourth Floor, 131 North Maple Avenue at 7:30.. There are three candidates vying for two open Village Council seats: James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon. There will also be television coverage on Channel 77 for Cablevision users and Channel 34 for Fios users. The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood is a NON PARTISAN, yet political organization whose members become active and informed participants in government.
The Ridgewood Municipal Election will take place Tuesday, May 13.
Ridgewood council candidates discuss issues at forum
APRIL 17, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014, 5:25 PM BY DARIUS AMOS STAFF WRITER
The three hopefuls for Ridgewood Council boast different backgrounds and varying work experiences, but all expressed similar concerns and viewpoints during Tuesday morning’s meet the candidates event. The 90-minute program, which took place at the Ridgecrest Apartment complex, was the first open forum that featured all three candidates.
According to Kevin O’Brien, president of the Ridgecrest Board of Trustees, the candidates were furnished with the same three questions at least one week in advance of the discussion. On Tuesday, O’Brien, who moderated the forum, publicly posed the questions to James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon.
Of the three candidates, two will be elected May 13 to serve on Ridgewood’s five-member, non-partisan governing body.
Similar to a political debate, each candidate was allotted a specific amount of time to answer questions, and periods for rebuttal responses were granted. Roughly 20 to 25 residents of various ages listened to the candidates’ opinions on the public’s perception of discord on the Village Council, areas where the municipality can add to or improve quality of life, and the governing body’s role in resolving the Valley Hospital expansion plan.
Ridgewood council candidates running for two open seats
MARCH 31, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014, 5:25 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
In less than seven weeks, Ridgewood’s electorate will be tasked with selecting two of its neighbors to serve on the village’s governing body.
Residents James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon each filed completed candidate forms and nominating petitions and will appear on the voter ballots in May.
The three candidates are seeking to replace two departing council members, Thomas Riche and Bernadette Walsh, each of whom opted not to seek another term.
Each seat on the Village Council carries a four-year term.
The Ridgewood News asked the candidates the same series of questions in order to draft brief biographical sketches of each.
The Preserve Graydon Coalition enthusiastically endorses two of the three candidates for the two open seats in the May 13 Village Council election for their preservationist sensibility.
Susan Knudsen
How Susan describes herself
I’m Susan Knudsen, a Ridgewood resident for 15 years with my husband and family. My parents and my sister’s family live here, too.With a corporate background and an extensive history of volunteer work throughout the Village, includin g donating photography services for the Jamboree Scholarship Fund, I’m currently Vice-Chairman of the Village’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
By attending Village Council and Planning Board meetings frequently, I have followed developments in the Village, paying particular attention to the most pressing issues, including the proposed H-Zone and high-density housing. On the Zoning Board since 2011 I have studied the Master Plan document and grown to understand the thoughtful process involved in creating zoning and Village ordinances that affect us all and will continue to do so far into the future.
I believe responsive, responsible, representative government is best for our community. As my next act in town I would like to put my knowledge and experience to the test by serving on your Village Council.
What Susan says about Graydon
The Preserve Graydon Coalition has taken the leading role in preserving one of the Village’s greatest assets, Graydon Pool.
My position on the preservation of Graydon Pool is unequivocal: its uniqueness, tranquil setting, natural beauty and historical significance must be preserved for generations to come.
It is our responsibility as custodians of our Village assets and treasures to ensure that Graydon’s immeasurable value and integrity are never compromised.
Request a yard sign, host a meet & greet coffee: 201-312-7420 (Ellen)
Campaign donations: see website above (PayPal or credit card) or send a check to: Susan Knudsen for Village Council, 120 Circle Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Michael Sedon
How Michael describes himself
Hello, I am Ridgewood resident Michael Sedon, and I am running for one of the two open seats on the Village Council in the May 13 municipal election.
I am a journalist and wrote for The Ridgewood News from September 2007 to May 2011. I moved to Ridgewood after meeting my beautiful wife Lynn in 2010. Since leaving my post at The Ridgewood News I have continued to attend Village Council and Planning Board meetings as a civic-minded citizen.
When I discovered that incumbents Bernadette Walsh and Thomas Riche were not seeking reelection I decided to run due to concerns with overdevelopment issues facing our Village, maintaining vital infrastructure badly in need of attention and bringing basic services back to an acceptable level.
I feel that my experience as a journalist, especially reporting on municipal government in Ridgewood for nearly four years, and my deep knowledge and understanding of the Village and the issues it faces would be a natural fit on the Village Council.
What Michael says about Graydon
I’ve always felt Graydon is a beautiful, natural swimming pool and park in the heart of our Village.
Having grown up in Pennsylvania before coming to the Village to work at the Ridgewood News, I have enjoyed swimming in many natural areas, but none were as pristine and safe as Graydon.
My step-children swim and play at Graydon as part of the Parks and Recreation’s day camp program in the summer, and I go to Graydon when my schedule allows.
Graydon is a treasure in an increasingly overdeveloped world smothered in concrete, and I would vehemently oppose any changes that would destroy this natural gift.
Contact information
Website: sedonforridgewoodcouncil.com (should be up within a few days)
email: mas677@gmail.com
Request a yard sign, host a meet & greet coffee: email (preferred) with your name/address or call 570-956-3610 (cell)
Campaign donations: see website above (PayPal or credit card) or send a check to: Michael Sedon for Ridgewood Council, 319 Franklin Tpke., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
How to help Susan and Michael get elected
Please support these candidates by posting a lawn sign, offering to host a “meet and greet” coffee hour for your friends and neighbors (important), and making a donation of any size toward their campaigns.
The third candidate, Jim Albano, longtime president of the Ridgewood Baseball & Softball Association, is eager to replace the wooded Schedler plot with a 90-foot baseball field. Those who want this to happen will head for the polls in large numbers.
If you care about preserving our Village, please vote for Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon on Tuesday, May 13.
Swimmingly,
Marcia Ringel and Alan Seiden
Co-Chairs, The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
Three Ridgewood residents to run for two seats on Village Council
MONDAY MARCH 10, 2014, 6:57 PM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Three candidates have entered this year’s race for Ridgewood Council, which has two vacancies in May’s municipal election.
Residents James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon each filed for candidacy by Monday’s deadline, according to acting Village Manager Heather Mailander, and will vie for a seat on the non-partisan council. Each spot carries a four-year term.