Politics & Government

DePhillips Won't Seek Second Term on Committee

Mayor says family, professional commitments at root of decision

Current Wyckoff Mayor Chris DePhillips won't seek a second term as committeeman, he told Wyckoff Patch Wednesday

DePhillips, who was , said that he wouldn't run because of family and professional commitments.

"I've struggled with this for several weeks and I've decided that my singular focus for the remainder of 2012 will be my mayoral duties," DePhillips said Wednesday.

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The mayor, partner in Porzio, Bromberg, and Newman, and father of four children ages 4 to 14, said that campaigning for a committee seat would be the equivalent of adding a fourth full time job to his plate.

"There aren't enough hours left in the day," DePhillips said. "Something had to give."

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He added that most people who serve on the committee usually wait until their children are older, but said that he made a different decision 3 years ago when he ran for committee.

"I wanted to do this when my kids were young and involved in the schools and engaged in the community," DePhillips said. "As a result of that I'm much more engaged and connected to the township than I would be if I waited until they had graduated from high school."

He did not preclude running for public office again when his children are older.

DePhillips — who was  — said that the decision not to run for a second term wouldn't negatively impact the remainder of his term as mayor, but would instead allow him to concentrate more of his attention on the job. 

Current Committeeman Rooney, a Republican, along with Eisenhower Middle School Teacher Eileen Avia, a Democrat, and Republican Zoning Board alternate  will be running for the two open seats.

DePhillips voiced his support for both Republicans running for the two committee seats, but declined to comment on Avia's candidacy.

"Haakon I've known for a few years — he's a breath of fresh air, has many new ideas, very creative, open minded, he's not beholden to any special interests," said DePhillips who knows Jepsen from . "I think he will do a great job on the Township Committee."

The mayor said he believes Rooney and Jepsen would make a great team on the committee.

"[Rooney] has my full support, I think he has an exemplary record of accomplishment to run on — he's worked exceptionally hard for the township," DePhillips added. 


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