Editing River Edge, New Jersey (section)

===Local government===
River Edge is governed under the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected [[at-large]] on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 165.</ref> The borough form of government used by River Edge is a "[[weak mayor]] / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can [[veto]] ordinances subject to an [[veto override|override]] by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. [http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045019/http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html |date=2014-09-24 }}, [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]]. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, the [[mayor]] of the Borough of River Edge is [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] Thomas R. Papaleo, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.<ref name=Mayor>[https://www.riveredgenj.org/mayor Mayor Thomas Papaleo], Borough of River Edge. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref> The members of the Borough Council are Council President Lissa Montisano-Koen (D, 2025), Barry Benson (D, 2025), Priti Dhariwal (D, 2027), David Glass (D, 2026), Indira Kinsella (D, 2026) and Klodiana Malellari (D, 2027).<ref>[https://www.riveredgenj.org/council Council], Borough of River Edge. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.riveredgenj.org/media/BUDGETS/2024%20Budget%20-%20Adopt.pdf#page=5 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Borough of River Edge. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>[https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/images/About_Bergen_County/2024-county-directory.pdf#page=59 ''2024 County and Municipal Directory''], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2024>[https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/bergennjenr/16/en/Index_16.html 2024 General Election Official Results], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], updated November 20, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref name=Bergen2023>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.gov/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/District%20Canvass%20NEW.pdf Official Statement of Vote 2023 General Election - November 7, 2023 Official Results], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2022>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/Certified%20Statement%20of%20Vote%20Book%2011-21-22.pdf Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]] Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref>

In January 2020, the borough council selected Indira Kinsella from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Thomas Papaleo until he resigned to take office as mayor.<ref>[https://www.riveredgenj.org/vertical/sites/%7BAADBD388-AFA1-4782-A407-5570AB2FC2F8%7D/uploads/1-21_Minutes.pdf Regular Meeting Minutes for January 21, 2020], Borough of River Edge. Accessed March 4, 2020. "The River Edge Democratic Political Party would like to submit the following three names to be considered for replacement of the council seat of Thomas Papaleo.... On motion by Councilman Chinigo, seconded by Councilwoman Busteed to nominate Indira Kinsella to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Papaleo’s Council seat through 12/31/20 was unanimously approved."</ref>

In February 2016, the borough council selected Mary Davis from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that was vacated by Edward Mignone when he took office as mayor.<ref>Krulish, Mark. [http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/town-government/davis-fills-vacant-seat-on-the-council-1.1509556?page=all "Mary Davis tapped to fill council seat in River Edge"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', February 11, 2016. Accessed June 16, 2016. "The Borough of River Edge added the missing piece to its governing body when it appointed long-time resident Mary Davis to its vacant council seat on Feb. 1. Davis was approved unanimously to fill the open seat vacated by Mayor Edward Mignone, who had a year left on his council term prior to taking the mayor's seat in January."</ref>

In October 2015, council member Anthony Cappola resigned from office and left the race for an Assembly seat in the [[New Jersey's 38th legislative district|38th Legislative District]], following disclosures that he had written and published a 2003 book titled ''Outrageous'' that was described as "full of racial slurs, rants and stereotypes".<ref>Ensslin, John C.; and Pugliese, Nicholas. [http://www.northjersey.com/news/author-of-book-filled-with-racial-slurs-rants-resigns-as-river-edge-councilman-1.1424432 "''Outrageous'' author quits council seat in River Edge"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', October 2, 2015. Accessed October 7, 2015. "Embattled Republican Anthony Cappola resigned as a River Edge councilman Friday, one day after stepping down as a GOP Assembly candidate following disclosures that he had authored a book full of racial slurs, rants and stereotypes."</ref>

====List of mayors====
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! align=center|#
! Mayor
! Term start
! Term end
! colspan=2 | Party
! Elections won
! Notes
|-
|align=center|1
|John G. Webb
|align=center|{{Dts|1894}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1897}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|
|Webb was the first mayor of River Edge following incorporation.
|-
|align=center|2
|Joseph A. Brohel
|align=center|{{Dts|1897}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1899}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|
|Resigned in August 1899.
|-
|align=center|3
|David A. Zabriskie
|align=center|{{Dts|1899}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1900}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|
|Acting mayor following Brohel's resignation.
|-
|align=center|4
|Louis L. Rolland
|align=center|{{Dts|1900}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1903}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|
|Resigned in November 1903
|-
|align=center|5
|Henry Lozier
|align=center|{{Dts|1903}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1904}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|N/A
|Acting mayor following Rolland's resignation. Did not seek election to a full term.
|-
|align=center|6
|Joseph A. Brohel
|align=center|{{Dts|1904}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1912}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1903, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1911
|Only Mayor to serve non-consecutive terms. Resigned in January 1912.
|-
|align=center|7
|Albert Z. Bogert
|align=center|{{Dts|1912}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1930}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1912 (special), 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1927
|Acting mayor following Brohel's resignation. Selected to fill balance of the term. Did not seek reelection to a ninth full term.
|-
|align=center|8
|Elmer F. Howell
|align=center|{{Dts|1930}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1931}} 
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1929
|Resigned in February 1931. Name of the Borough changed from Riverside to River Edge during his tenure.
|-
|align=center|9
|J. Pell Zabriskie
|align=center|{{Dts|1931}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1938}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1931, 1933, 1935
|Acting mayor following Howell's resignation. Selected to fill balance of the term. Did not seek reelection to a third full term.
|-
|align=center|10
|Martin J. Ferber
|align=center|{{Dts|1938}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1948}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1937, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1945
|Also elected Bergen County Freeholder in 1943. Did not seek reelection to a sixth term.
|-
|align=center|11
|James Farrell
|align=center|{{Dts|1948}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1956}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1947, 1949, 1951, 1953
|Did not seek reelection to a fifth term.
|-
|align=center|12
|F. Walton Wanner
|align=center|{{Dts|1956}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1962}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1955, 1957, 1959
|Retired to run for [[New Jersey General Assembly|General Assembly]].
|-
|align=center|13
|Kenneth B. George
|align=center|{{Dts|1962}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1965}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1961, 1963
|Died in February 1965.
|-
|align=center|14
|Karl C. Christiansen
|align=center|{{Dts|1965}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1972}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1965, 1967, 1969
|Acting mayor following George's death. Selected to fill balance of the term. Did not seek reelection to a fourth full term.
|-
|align=center|15
|John Curran
|align=center|{{Dts|1972}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1978}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1971, 1975
|First Democratic mayor. First mayor elected to a four-year term. Resigned upon election to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders in December 1978.
|-
|align=center|16
|William Doyle
|align=center|{{Dts|1978}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1984}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1979
|Acting mayor following Curran's resignation. Selected to fill balance of the term. Lost reelection to a second full term.
|-
|align=center|17
|Edward P. Raffo
|align=center|{{Dts|1984}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1988}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1983
|Lost reelection to a second term.
|-
|align=center|18
|Robert Graillat
|align=center|{{Dts|1988}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1988}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1987
|Resigned in December 1988.
|-
|align=center|19
|Kevin Rigby
|align=center|{{Dts|1988}}
|align=center|{{Dts|1992}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1989 (special)
|Acting mayor following Graillat's resignation. Selected to fill balance of the term. Did not seek reelection to a full term.
|-
|align=center|20
|James T. Kirk
|align=center|{{Dts|1992}}
|align=center|{{Dts|2000}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1991, 1995
|Lost reelection to a third term.
|-
|align=center|21
|Margaret Falahee Watkins
|align=center|{{Dts|2000}}
|align=center|{{Dts|2012}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1999, 2003, 2007
|First female mayor of River Edge. Lost reelection to a fourth term.
|-
|align=center|22
|Sandy Moscaritolo
|align=center|{{Dts|2012}}
|align=center|{{Dts|2016}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|2011
|Lost reelection to a second term.
|-
|align=center|23
|Edward Mignone
|align=center|{{Dts|2016}}
|align=center|{{Dts|2019}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|2015
|Resigned in August 2019.
|-
|align=center|24
|Ellen Busteed
|align=center|{{Dts|2019}}
|align=center|{{Dts|2020}}
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|N/A
|Acting mayor following Mignone's resignation. Did not seek election to a full term.
|-
|align=center|25
|Thomas R. Papaleo
|align=center|{{Dts|2020}}
|align=center|Incumbent
|bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|2019
|Papaleo is the current mayor of River Edge.
|}