SurveyHero

Mahwah Mayor LaForet Survey

How informed are you of the Eruv and its related events presently taking place in
Mahwah?
Number of responses: 518

200

16 9

150 16 9

10 4
100
10 4 79
68
79
50 68
35
24
18
7 35
5 3 6
24
0 18
5 7 6
3

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Not at all inf ormed Ext remely inf ormed

Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with Mayor LaForet?
Number of responses: 521

Very sa tisfied: 38x chosen (7.29%)

So m ewha t sa tisfied: 39x chosen (7.49%)

Neither sa tisfied no r dissa tisfied: 14x chosen

So m ewha t dissa tisfied: 51x chosen (9.79%)

Very dissa tisfied: 379x chosen (72.74%)

Which of the following words would you use to describe Mayor LaForet?
Number of responses: 518

Honest 38

Truthful 3038

Trustworthy 32
30

Knowledg eable 57
32

Dependable 4 7 57

Dedicated 71
47

Dishonest 30 0
71

Ineffective 27 7 30 0

Not Trustworthy 338

27 7

Unreliable 27 4
338

0 50 100 150 200 250 27 4 300 350 400

Amount
How well has Mayor LaForet met the needs of Mahwah?
Number of responses: 520

Extrem ely well: 25x chosen (4.81%)

Very well: 35x chosen (6.73%)

So m ewha t well: 40x chosen (7.69%)

No t a t a ll well: 262x chosen (50.38%)

No t so well: 158x chosen (30.38%)

Do you want Mayor LaForet to resig n?

Number of responses: 517

No : 84x chosen (16.25%)

Y es: 433x chosen (83.75%)

 Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with Mahwah's Town Council?
Number of responses: 521

Very dissa tisfied: 63x chosen (12.09%)

Very sa tisfied: 136x chosen (26.10%)

So m ewha t dissa tisfied: 68x chosen (13.05%)

ither sa tisfied no r dissa tisfied: 80x chosen (15.36%)

So m ewha t sa tisfied: 174x chosen (33.40%)

How well has Mahwah's Town Council met the needs of Mahwah?
Number of responses: 520

No t a t a ll well: 44x chosen (8.46%)

Extrem ely well: 81x chosen (15.58%)

No t so well: 66x chosen (12.69%)

Very well: 142x chosen (27.31%)

So m ewha t well: 187x chosen (35.96%)

What is your ag e?
Number of responses: 521

6 5+: 36x chosen (6.91%) Under 18: 1x chosen (0.19%)

18 - 30 : 46x chosen (8.83%)

56 - 6 5: 77x chosen (14.78%)

31 - 4 5: 172x chosen (33.01%)

4 6 - 55: 189x chosen (36.28%)

How long have you lived in Mahwah?

Number of responses: 521

I do no t live in Ma hwa h: 7x chosen (1.34%)

Less tha n o ne yea r: 3x chosen (0.58%)

1 - 5 yea rs: 69x chosen (13.24%)

20 + yea rs: 230x chosen (44.15%) 5 - 10 yea rs: 76x chosen (14.59%)

10 - 20 yea rs: 136x chosen (26.10%)

What political affiliation are you?
Number of responses: 521

No ne/O ther: 111x chosen (21.31%)

Republica n: 194x chosen (37.24%)

Independent: 146x chosen (28.02%)

Dem o cra t: 70x chosen (13.44%)

Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?

Number of responses: 100

Text answers:

I think the ERUV stuff is ridiculous. Should not be allowed, and my opinion has nothing to do with religion or
discrimination.

Can't believe whats been going on in our town... Mahwah always was very welcoming with everyone. We have to
follow the rules it seems like some people think they don't need to follow them. Now it's a religious thing. Nobody
wants a law suit but it sickens me what's been going on. The news is making us look terrible . They're twisting things
too make us look bad. I can say we are not welcome in certain places that are ran by orthodox yet alls we ask is no
over crowding in parks and nj residents only. How come Lions park in USR or finch park in Ramsey get sued? Alls we
want is everyone to follow the rules I don't think that's too much to ask. I feel we show respect but don't get it back
in return. It's not right

The eruv is a way to circumvent the rules of their own religion. Lakewood is the frightening example of the end
result of all this. Take a look at what their neighbohoods in Monsey look like. Theres no question the eruv are just
the 1st step to infiltrating our towns. I am Jewish and find what tbey are doing disgraceful.

Eruv is perfectly fine, most concerns over it are more or less a front for anti-Semitism

Mayor Laforet warned the council that any form of discrimination was not the right approach. Now the taxpayer will
be footing the bill for the impending legal battle ahead.
The only reason Mahwah is in the news in the first place is because of actions taken by the Council, which currently
operates from within an echo chamber and shouts down any dissenting opinions. What the Mayor thinks or says
bears no influence on how the Council chooses to exercise its legislative power, so the Council alone is responsible
for the consequences of its actions. I understand that the Councilmembers probably think that they're exercising
great foresight in trying to preserve the "character" of Mahwah, but at what cost? Between the newest lawsuit
against the townwhich could cost the taxpayers millions of dollarsand our rapidly tarnishing reputation, I
imagine that many prospective buyers, businesses included, who might have considered moving to Mahwah will
now choose to look elsewhere. The Council has pettily chosen to cut off its nose to spite its face, and in the long
run, only we, the people of Mahwah, will have to pay the price for it.

The issue is not religion. The issue is greed and corruption, as we have seen countless examples of in other towns.
We need to research and learn from them. We need to follow the money. And we need a full crackdown on corrupt
local politicians. This is ground zero for the real issues Mahwah is up against.

There's a lot of wrongs on BOTH sides in Mahwah. Both the Mayor and Town Council have been taking their
personal battles to the public. It is embarrassing and immature, and the residents are at a loss because of it.

I think my political affiliation is irrelevant. I think Mayor Laforet has done well on some issues and not so well on
others, as has the council. It's not a black and white thing. Mostly, I think that the Mayor, the Town Council, and the
community need to come together to actually try solving issues instead of getting into a pissing match with each
other.

I cannot believe what is being written about our town and how the Attorney General has reacted to us ! Disgusting!

Keep
up the good work!!!

Why would our mayor allow our housing to decrease, taxes to increase for people whore taking advantage and
abusing the system. You guys work for us! The people so start doing so!

I really hate the tone of the council. I don't like bullies!

The mayor must go. He isnt part of the solution, he IS the problem. Thanks for what you do.

Mayor LaForet needs to resign. He has been caught lying to the people of Mahwah regarding his knowledge of the
Eruv and we can no longer trust him.

The sooner Mahwah can craft and pass ordinances to ensure responsible, controlled growth, top schools and
quality of life, the better. One of the many things which make Mahwah so desirable is that I can live my life, as long
as I don't bother anyone and pay my taxes. Also, I don't know how to combat the negative press attention Mahwah
consistently receives from the county press. An effective, assertive communication campaign could help our cause.

We know the big game the council want Ruth to be the mayor. So please stop fighting Bill if you really want to work
the best for the town Work together . Just put the politics on the side.
There seems to be an apathy present concerning the migration of the Satmar Community into Mahwah. The
opposition concerning this potential event is not religiously motivated. By remaining uninvolved Mayor LaForet
encourages the stance that it is a religious opposition as opposed to a community opposition. Even the total
disrespect shown to our public properties, our private homeowners and towards our community, in general, has not
been acknowledged and our rights championed publically by this mayor. Despite the historical proof of what this
New York Satmar community creates in its wake, Mayor LaForet continues to phoo phoo these concerns - he is
distancing himself from his own community/town in an effort to remain a Golden Boy elsewhere. Lose him.

We need the mayor to resign and get a new mayor who will put Mahwah and it's residents first.

Very concerned with Mayor LaForet's blatant disregard for legal advisement. Whether for, against, or neutral to
what's going on in Mahwah and whether Democrat, or Republican- the legal counsel was to abstain from
commenting on anything. This counsel was disobeyed. I'm concerned about what LaForet might do in the future; as
he's proven to be a loose cannon.

There are clear motives impacting his judgement and his decision making has shown that it's not what's best for the
town and its residents.

After only living in (and loving) Mahwah for 2 years, we're already considering listing our home for sale and moving
to Ramsey to go as far from LaForet and these issues as possible.

Bill is a lying crook. The longer he is in office the worse things will get. His greed and corruption have put this town
in a horrible position. Making it today is hard enough without having your Mayor cater to a group that will ruin your
property value and accelerate your property taxes...please resign.

Vince is an anti-Semitic piece of shit. Instead of trying to rid Mahwah of Jews, he should reeevanluate his priorities
and ask himself why he is so obsessed with excluding a religious minority. Mahwah should be a warm, welcoming
town that does not discrinate based on religious observance. Organizations like MahWatch and Mahwah Strong
make me ashamed to say Ive lived in Mahwah my entire life.

When will we be conducting the recall vote? How and when do we get the petition going?

I am planning on moving to Mahwah within this year. I certainly don't want a Mayor who lies to the public and
doesn't stand up for his citizens. I want to be able to bring my Mahwah grandchildren to the TOWN'S parks and play
with them!

I'd like to see the council and mayor work together and stop posting mildly racist stuff all over facebook. It only
hurts our town more.

I have raised two wonderful children in Mahwah now my grandchild is being raised in Mahwah as well. I pray for her
safety everyday in parks and recreation these people invading our parks are causing this concern for her safety.
They are rude and dont even acknowledge her when she says hi. I have to try ecplaining to her why they act this
way. Even Ritas Ice i no longer bring her there. Its truly sad when residents dont feel saffe in our own town!

Who becomes mayor if current mayor resigns or is recalled?

How do we address affordable housing without building more units?
I would need to know who LaForete's replacement would be before I'd want his resignation.

Im afraid for Mahwahs future. I

want my sons to be able to raise their family here. But with the current issues Im not sure that will be possible.

Very disappointed with our mayors actions

The cancer/ malignant tumor desperately needs to be eradicated from the host/ Mahwah, effective immediately..
The damage needs to be contained & capped quickly.

He needs to resign

The Mayor is our own Donald Trump. It is my understanding that the town council makes the decisions regarding
Mahwah, not the mayor or police chief. Their constant snipes at the council are not helping the situation and are
weaking our position on just about everything.

Affordable housing and Eruv

get your colllect crap together - I'm embarrassed to live in this town

none

Laforet and his group has ruined this town. He must resign or be recalled.

Get a recall petition going to get rid of this idiot Mayor before he totally ruins Mahwah.

Mahwah residents want to remain. United and fight all the negative situations currently present but Mahwah council
and mayor must lead with the same interests as the residents. People are panicking about the eruvs situation and
rightfully so. We have no clarity on where we stand regarding this issue. We have families, friendships and lives very
much established in Mahwah and it's not fair many are panicking and will move because we see no action.

Only that I want what is best for the town I grew up in and worked hard to buy a home in. This mayor is a disgrace
and and imbarrasement to the town and the thunderbird logo he thinks money can buy him everything, not this
time.

Mayor Laforet clearly does not have the best interests of Mahwah residents and therefore should not be running
our Town.

The Mayor is not signing ordinances that the people of Mahwah want. If he is not willing to protect this town, then
he should be replaced with someone who will.

IMPEACH LAFORET NOW!!!

He is a dirty, underhanded criminal who should never have been mayor in the first place, nevermind re-elected! From
drug dealing from his Sunoco Station to what he is doing to our town now, he should just go back to Canada. John
Roth should have been our Mayor!!!

I signed the prior petition as well...should have been done back then!!

Laforet should resign or be thrown out of office for incompetence!

Mahwah Council's behavior has been deplorable. They will lose the litigation and cost Mahwah hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Mahwah' reputation has been negatively impacted because of the actions of this council.
Everyone needs to stop, take a deep breath and alter the current course of events. The council's actions make the
Mayor look like a hero by contrast.

Extremely disappointed with the antagonism of the Town Council and how everything is partisan. Not a fan of the
mayor, but the council hasn't done anything to rise above the problems with the mayor and CP. Also unclear how
the Council can speak for the residents when some of the past issues didn't address residents concerns. Seems like
the Council has its own agenda...

replace the angry , dishonest council!

We need a mayor that will do what is best for Mahwah, continue the fight against overpopulation, and make the
Chief of police available to the Town Council so that enforceable ordinances can be passed that protect Mahwah as
we know it.

Mayor LaForet needs to resign!!

I grew up in NYC and have lived in Bergen County for close to 40 years. I love living in Mahwah and hope all the
political nonsense regarding the Eruv situation settles down. Unfortunately our Mayor and Council were not
prepared with the knowledge of the laws and ordinances that are currently in place here and are being used against
us. They need to be changed. We are all human beings, make mistakes and need to come up with a solution to
rectify the situation.

I think what the mayor has done over the past couple of years is atrocious. From smearing the name of a lifelong
resident of this town that has done more for this town than the mayor ever could or would is a disgrace. He should
walk away now.

Our mayor continually lies to us. I have no faith in him

Be ashamed of your yourself mayor!

After the mayor was advised to Not speak he spoke to the papers , he was called out for it and yet he did it again!!!
He is not what the people of Mahwah need or want he must resign or we the people must remove him!!!
Dan Sweeney
17 Grenadier Dr
Mahwah
Also the No Knock rule should be applied to every home owner in town and Only if you want to be knocked on you
should then register to allow them to knock !!!
I do not want anyone at my home

I am very concerned with the possibility of having the Hasidic people take over the town that I love.

We need to get our act together

No

I think the people in Mahwah should be aware of what's going on or what plans are for the town of mahwah also
believe the people should know of events happening in the town so the can attend if the choose too..

Will we see results?

Keep up the good work!!

Follow the money

The survey asks about political affiliation, I am a proud Republican, and am very upset that Mahwah doesn't have
party lines. Most people in town have no idea what party our council members are affiliated with.

Not happy with Chief Battelli either!

We need someone in charge who will fight for Mahwah and what's best for Mahwah. Laforet lacks the experience
and know how to lead us through these very difficult times. ITS TIME!!!

I try to respect the people who represent us. I have nothing nice to say about our mayor. He's a dishonest man. And
does not represent what this town stands for.

I have been to all the council meetings since July. I believe the council has the best intentions and the residents
backs. I'm am sickened by the Mayors actions and the Police chiefs un willingness to come to the meetings and
answer our questions!

None

I am in no way affiliated with the mayor or the council but from an outsiders perspective these are my thoughts. I
feel that the town council is operating in a very emotional way. They are trying to solve for issues in a hasty manner
vs an effective manner and trying to paint the mayor in a negative light does nothing but hurt our community.

looks like laforet tried to do what the lawyers said was best for town and others tried to use that to their own
political advantage. what does he have to gain by moderating the mahwah strongers?
I only submit that im "somewhat satisfied" with town council, because they can only do so much with the current
mayor. They would be much more productive if the current mayor were not in office.

If the people elect you that's it. No recalls until the next election. Just vote him out at that time.

Why is our Mayor not addressing the issues of the people that elected him ?

Its clear that our Mayor and Chief of Police have been compromised. The same groups bank rolling over population
across the Hudson Valley are paying off our Mayor and Chief of Police. They both need to be FIRED IMMEDIATELY !

Jonathon wong should not have run for mayor last year. That is why Laforet got in

Embarrassed to say but before the ervu came to my attention via Facebook, I did not keep up with local politics. Big
mistake and now I realize how uninformed I was about the Mayor and "his team". I feel that there are many
thousands more that are totally ignorant of what is taking place and what took place in Mahwah under Laforet. I
hope there is a way to get the information out and Mahwah can do a recall vote.

The Mayor is very vindictive please be careful

Why are people so disturbed over Eruvs in our area? Nobody said a word about staghill being over run by outsiders.
The council changes zoning laws whenever they want ,with whatever suits them

Most if not all of the information about the eruv and the current situation was provided by Vince Crandon not our
Mayor! Vince has been keeping the community informed and it is greatly appreciated.

Thank you Vince for everything you are doing for the citizens of Mahwah

Just the concerns everyone has..Whats going to happen to our town?

The Mayors AND Police Chiefs behavior appears to be motivated out of self interest and corruption, not in the
interest of the township.

Bring back mayor dapuzzo

In-fighting within the mayor and council has to end. We all must work together for the good of our wonderful town.

I live in the "eruv" area and concerned about having traffic and neighbors using outbuildings and homes as schools,
as well as the hit to taxes and schools.

Laforette should tesign

Considering it's national bullying prevention month, the leader of the pack should step down from his role as council
president. He is a total disgrace and an embarrassment to the council and our community.

We need Council leadership that puts problems in perspective and tries to resolve them without encouraging
lawsuits that will cost the taxpayers a bundle of money and that we will most certainly lose. We are seeing Council
leadership that is excited to whip up a mob mentality based on fear. Council leadership is making Mahwah seem like
a hateful, small- minded place. That is not MY Mahwah.

I believe that the town council, mayor, and chief all knew about the Eruv plans in May, and this will come to light
through the OPRA requests. Why didn't they just respond (in May) that pvc affixed to our poles was illegal? Why did
it take until July to address the situation..after they were up. In addition, this whole debate seems very centered on
the election in November, and quite frankly I'm not buying into either side of the argument. It's terrible that the town
is so divided. Mahwah is a great place..I just wish everyone could get it together!

What connection does Donelle Decouto, Assistant to the CFO/Secretary to the Planning Board, have to Mayor
Laforet, Chief Batelli and/or Todd Scherer?Donelle has risen up the pay scale at record speed. It is alleged she and
her husband are the referenced John and Jane Doe in the Sinclair lawsuit.

"Disappointed" would probably best describe how I feel about Mayor Laforet, and the Town Council

MAYOR LAFORET STAYS!!!!

Give him the boot!!

Mayor Laforet needs to resign. I am sorry I voted for him. It is obvious that he is not supporting the voices of the
people of Mahwah.

Mayor continues to speak to media - against advice of town attorney. Can he be removed for incompetence??

There needs to be a class 101 for ppl that are just walking into this.

The mayor is all over the place. He is not stable enough to make rash decisions. He should resign

Thank you for all your hard work!

My wife and K moved to Mahwah before Laforet took over as mayor. Mahwah had always had the reputation of
being a large but predominantly quiet town. It was a town my wife and I wanted to start our family in, get involved
in coaching and education in, and possibly even politics. Personally I am an individual that has always wanted to give
back to the community. And after becoming a coach, joining the Boosters in town, getting to know my neighbors
and fellow citizens... I started to get to know a lot of people. I saw the pride in being from Mahwah, being a
Thunderbird, and it was inspiring.

But since he took office, we have see those days have passed. Friends of mine from NY, Delaware, Maryland... have
all heard of Mahwah because of the antics with what happened with Ed Sinclair, what is currently happening in our
town. The mayor, the face of our town being so blantently negative about our town, being dismissive of the words
of it's people who put him in office, defying both legal council and the elected council itself.... The face of mahwah
has since deformed.

We have a council who is willing to defend her town, but a mayor willing to throw it under the bus for his own gain.
A town who has been willing to help each other out for the common good of her citizens, but a mayor who
desperately destroys a political ally in a gross case of defamation.

I am tired of a mayor who is not doing the right thing by his town. I'm tired of hearing news reports and articles
about a mayor who is proven to lie Time and time again. I'm tired of a mayor is flip flops on the issues just for his
own political and possible financial gain when the ones who are effected by his own selfish desicions are the people
themselves.

As far as I am concerned, while Mayor Laforet has served as our mayor... the reputation of Mahwah has instead
been on constant decline. This is not only socially destructive, but financially destructive to our community.

We have a large business presence in our town. The more this happens, do we want these businesses to have their
own reputations questioned for their locale and possibly leave to protect their themselves by dealing with this
negativity?

The man who needs to represent this town, it's citizens, it's commerce, is not the man who currently serves in the
position of mayor... The man who serves in that position as proven himself inept, corrupt, and damaging to our
town. I want the voices of our citizens heard and not muffled because it doesn't align with him. I want the peace
restored in our town instead of the leader who consistently divides us. I lastly want the trust back, to know the man
we elect will do the right thing for the betterment of our town & it's citizens.

We have a voice. And it is the duty of the mayor to set it right. This mayor has no such agenda and should be
removed and replaced to help protect this town by those who seek to defame us. We need someone other than
the council to do this. We need a new mayor.

Thank you for reading.