Mayor, Councilmen Sworn Into New Terms

Mayor Chris Vergano reaffirmed his commitment to serving Wayne residents at the township’s annual reorganization meeting Wednesday.

Vergano and three at large council members, Lonnie Miller Ryan, James Jimenez, and Joseph Schweighardt were sworn into four-year terms.

“I enjoy this position every moment of the day. I’m surrounded by a great group of people, our township employees who rise to the occasion each and every time; I have the luxury of working with that municipal council that I can’t say enough about.  It’s really a very cooperative effort and I appreciate them, Vergano said.

“We really only have one goal and that’s to serve the citizens of Wayne Township. I think in the last election, voters of Wayne once again decided that we’re going in the proper direction. It gets more difficult as we move on, with the 2 percent budget cap and rising inflation, but we will do the best we can for the citizens of Wayne and we will always put the citizens of Wayne first.”

Vergano defeated Democratic challenger Jane Hutchinson by about 3,000 votes in the General Election. Schweighardt, Ryan, and Jimenez won by multiple thousand votes as well.

Vergano was scheduled to give the annual State of the Township address but did not. He said it would be given at a later date.

Franco Mazzei was appointed the council president for the year. He represents the 3rd Ward.

“Today is about the nine of us and our commitment, our reaffirmation to you, the people of Wayne, to do the right thing,” Mazzei said. “We have different perspectives but together we all have the same objective: to do what’s right for the people of Wayne.”