Transition Begins For County GOP

Five Wayne residents will serve on John Traier’s transition team as he moves into his new role as chairman of the Passaic County Regular Republican Organization (PCRRO).

Traier . He was elected recently after Assemblyman Scott Rumana announced in March that he was stepping down as chairman after six years.

County Freeholder Debbie Clambrone, Councilwomen Lonni Miller Ryan and Nadine Bello, Al Frech, Susan Enderly, and Linda Zisa will serve on the committee.

“These individuals represent a diverse group of active republicans who I thought would help give input to the structural changes that have occurred with the organization,” Traier said. “I hope the changes we’ve made will boost morale in the party.”

Four of the five individuals are women. Traier said the PCRRO has worked on promoting and increasing the role of women within the political organization. He noted that the party needs to be more diverse.

“I wanted the experience they have and what they bring to the table,” Traier said. “The individuals who were chosen because I thought they had some specific skills to offer.”

Frech is chairman of the North Jersey Regional Tea Party. Bello is president of the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women. Enderly previously ran for town council.

The team will report to Traier in 30 days on a variety of reforms and improvements to the PCRRO. The party is trying to determine how it can increase the amount it communicates with voters using social media.

“We need to attract younger constituents so they can get involved, Traier said. “They are the future of the party.”

Traier is trying to get all three Republicans elected to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders. He wants Republicans to hold a majority of the board.

John Bartlett, Ronda Casson Cotroneo, and Hector Lora are on the GOP’s ticket for election to the freeholder board.

“As party chairman, my responsibility is to elect a GOP freeholder board,” Traier said.  “We’ve only one won freeholder election in the past 10 years. That has to change.”

Traier said Wayne is “uniquely positioned” to play an important role in the freeholder election. There are about 11,000 registered Republicans in Wayne.

“Wayne is probably the most critical town in Passaic County regarding the freeholder election,” Traier said. “We have to increase turnout and voter participation in the town.”

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.