On Monday morning, Mayor Al Santos submitted nominating petitions to run for re-election. Joining him on the Santos Team for Kearny ticket are First Ward Councilwoman Marytrine DeCastro, Second Ward Councilman Richard Konopka, Third Ward Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle and Fourth Ward Councilman Gerald Ficeto.

“Kearny is the home of an incredibly diverse community and it has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve this town,” said Santos. “In the past four years alone, we’ve witnessed our small but mighty community rally together to fight against injustices and help our neighbors in their time of need. Kearny is now experiencing its own rebirth and along with my running mates, we look forward to continue serving our community with honesty, integrity and compassion.”

Mayor Santos is seeking his eighth term as mayor, an office he has held since 2000. He currently serves as the Clerk to the Hudson County Commissioners.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Santos said he has worked tirelessly to keep Kearny residents safe and healthy. Most recently, he lobbied county and state officials to open a municipal vaccination site at Kearny High School. His advocacy has led to an increased allocation of doses each week to serve the residents of Kearny directly in their own community.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

Marytrine DeCastro is a lifelong resident of Kearny, a registered nurse and product of the Kearny School District. She is the proud parents of two sons, Jordan and Chad, and volunteers with multiple organizations including the Kearny Recreation Department, Harrison Lions International, and the Passaic River Cleanup. She is a member of the Portuguese Cultural Association

Richard Konopka has been a resident of Kearny for 25 years and has lived in the Second Ward since 1998. He is the proud husband of Nelia and father to Jacob, Joshua and Richard Jr. He currently works for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. Outside of serving on the Town Council, he enjoys spending time with family and volunteering with Kearny Recreation programs.

Carol Jean Doyle currently serves as the Council President and has lived in Kearny for over 50 years. She is actively involved in almost every local organization, including the Kearny Domestic Violence Task Force, Project Graduation, the Women’s Club of Arlington, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #99 and Kearny Optimist Club, to name a few. She was married to the late Norman A. Doyle and is the proud mother of Megan and Norman III and grandmother of Ryan and Kelsey.

Gerald Ficeto is a lifelong resident of Kearny, retired district educator and currently the Director of Bands and Small Ensembles at Stevens Institute of Technology. He is a founding member of the West Hudson Arts & Theater Co., a volunteer softball and basketball coach and director of the Pioneer Boys of America Drum and Bugle Corp.

Attached Photo: Councilwoman Marytrine Castro, Councilman Richard Konopka, Mayor Al Santos, Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle and Councilman Gerald Ficeto at the newly renovated Gunnell Oval.