Democrats Replace Mayoral Candidate for November Election

A new mayoral candidate has been selected to run against incumbent Republican Chris Vergano in the General Election in November.

The Wayne Democratic Club selected Jane Hutchison, a former Board of Education trustee, last week. Hutchison replaces Francine Del Vecchio, who is moving out of Wayne to “take advantage of a business opportunity,” Ray Egatz, president of the Wayne Democratic Club, said in a statement issued Monday.

Egatz could not be reached for further comment.

“The elected officials are employees of the taxpayers of Wayne,” Hutchison said. “We need to make taxes reasonable for the residents and have a plan in place for economic development.”

Hutchinson has served and worked in education for the past 30 years. She served on the Board of Education for more than nine years. She did not seek a fourth term.

She was president of the board for one year from 2008 to 2009. She also chaired the board’s personnel, technology and education committees during her tenure.

Hutchison also served on a committee that worked with local officials when the school budget was defeated some years ago.

Hutchison, a 30-year Wayne resident, represented the 40th District on the Legislative Committee for the New Jersey School Boards Association.  She worked closely with Assemblyman Scott Rumana on introducing legislation to “get our children a quality education.” No legislation that Hutchison proposed was signed into law.

“I know what it takes to create a district budget, and I know what it takes to negotiate contracts,” Hutchison said.

Vergano has discussed the need for the town to expand its tax base by luring new businesses to the town and developing vacant properties. Hutchison agrees with Vergano that this is a necessary step in lowering municipal taxes.

“I thin we have to make taxes reasonable for our community. We need to look at economic development and have a plan in place,” Hutchison said. “We need to have more businesses come here.”

Hutchison has served on the library Board of Trustees since 1996. Library trustees are appointed by the mayor.

Hutchison said there needs to be a more “concrete” emergency plan developed for “the next time” something like superstorm Sandy or Tropical Storm Irene hits. More cooperation from state and county emergency service organizations is also needed, Hutchison said.

Hutchison is associate director of instruction and research technology at William Paterson University, a position she’s held for more than 30 years. She was a professor in the university’s college of education for 22 years. She served on the State School Ethics Commission for five years.

Hutchison has three children. She lives in the Packanack Lake section of town with two greyhounds she rescued.

“I’m a product of the 1960s when President Kennedy challenged us to be supportive and productive members of society,” Hutchison said. “I have worked to promote education and literacy. Now I’d like to promote good citizenship.”

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