ROCKAWAY, N.J. – Rockaway Township County Committeeman Kent Baez wants to succeed the late Mayor Mike Dachisen.
“I am eager to fight for a local government that governs with fiscal responsibility at the forefront and striving to serve the needs of all Rockaway residents,” Baez announced on Tuesday morning. ” I am running on a platform of ‘One Rockaway’ with the goal of uniting our township and rallying around the common goal of keeping Rockaway Township the best place to raise a family in the State of New Jersey.”
It’s an unusual situation procedurally.
After Dachisen’s sudden passing earlier this month, a meeting was scheduled for tonight (August 28th) for the selection of three candidates by the township’s Republican committee members. The Council will then choose an interim mayor from among the three candidates who will serve only through November 6th.
Without a GOP convention for a permanent successor in the next couple weeks? Before ballots are printed? Republicans could find themselves without a name on the ballot come November 6th to serve out the remainder of Dachisen’s unexpired term.
A military veteran and adjunct Professor of Cyber Security for County College of Morris, Baez’s strongest likely competition from the GOP side is Councilman-at-Large Mike Puzio and local chairman Dan Anello. Council President Jeremy Jedynak is acting Mayor of Rockaway Township but he reportedly isn’t interested in continuing in the role on a permanent basis.
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