Cliffside Park, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Cliffside Park is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 25,693,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 2,099 (+8.9%) from the 2010 census count of 23,594,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 587 (+2.6%) from the 23,007 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

Cliffside Park was formed based on the results of a referendum held on January 15, 1895, from portions of Ridgefield Township.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 76. Accessed October 25, 2012.</ref><ref>"History of Bergen County" p. 342</ref> The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, as one of two boroughs created in 1895 after 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.<ref>Harvey, Cornelius Burnham. Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, p. 11, New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900. Accessed September 15, 2013. "For a period of sixteen years following the passage of this act few boroughs were organized in the State, only three of them being in Bergen County.... As it was twenty-six boroughs were created in the county from January 23, 1894, to December 18, of the same year."</ref> The borough was named for its location as a "Park by the Cliffs".<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 28, 2015.</ref>

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg resided in the borough until his death in 2013. Cliffside Park was home to the former Palisades Amusement Park, part of which was located in adjoining Fort Lee. The Template:Convert park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most-visited amusement parks in the country until its closure, after which the rides and attractions were removed and the site replaced by high-rise apartment buildings.<ref>Horner, Shirley. "About Books: Palisades Park Memories", The New York Times, September 4, 1994. Accessed December 3, 2013. "Now they can vicariously relive those days with The Park on the Palisades, by Vince Gargiulo, a 200-page history of the park from 1898 to 1971 -- when its 38 acres in Fort Lee and Cliffside Park virtually disappeared to make way for high-rises."</ref>

Geography

File:Palisades Amusement Park 7a.JPG

Highrises atop Hudson Palisades

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.96 square miles (2.48 km²), all of which was land.<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 /> Located atop the Hudson Palisades, Anderson Avenue and Palisade Avenue are the town's major north–south thoroughfares, the latter offering views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Grantwood and Shadyside.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

The borough borders the municipalities of Edgewater, Fairview, Fort Lee and Ridgefield in Bergen County, as well as North Bergen in Hudson County.<ref>Areas touching Cliffside Park, MapIt. Accessed March 24, 2020.</ref><ref>Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 24, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Grantwood is named for Grant's Tomb, located on the opposite shore of the river.<ref>Gargiulo, Vince. Palisades Amusement Park: A Century of Fond Memories, p. 8. Lulu.com, 2006. Template:ISBN. "Knox was a real-estate developer, widely known around the area, who had named a section of Cliffside Park 'Grantwood' because of its location directly across the Hudson River from Grant's Tomb."Template:Self-published source</ref>Template:Self-published inline<ref>Staff. "North Jersey Development: Bergen County's 27 Per Cent. Growth in Population Since 1900.", The New York Times, May 24, 1908. Accessed May 19, 2011.</ref> Gorge Road runs along the face of the cliff to the Edgewater waterfront.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 23,594 people, 9,948 households, and 6,178 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 10,665 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 70.11% (16,541) White, 3.29% (776) Black or African American, 0.32% (75) Native American, 13.78% (3,252) Asian, 0.05% (11) Pacific Islander, 8.65% (2,042) from other races, and 3.80% (897) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.41% (6,704) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 9,948 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18; 44.8% were married couples living together; 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.9% were non-families. Of all households, 31.6% were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.<ref name=Census2010/>

17.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.6 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey shows that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $67,856 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,782) and the median family income was $80,856 (+/− $5,828). Males had a median income of $53,529 (+/− $4,598) versus $52,134 (+/− $5,805) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,157 (+/− $2,000). About 7.3% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Cliffside Park borough, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 7, 2012.</ref>

Same-sex couples headed 56 households in 2010, a decline from the 72 counted in 2000.<ref>Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed September 6, 2014.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 23,007 people, 10,027 households, and 6,036 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 10,375 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 77.85% White, 1.83% African American, 0.25% Native American, 12.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.97% from other races, and 3.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.16% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Cliffside Park borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 5, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Cliffside Park borough, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 5, 2013.</ref>

As of the 2000 census, 3.6% of Cliffside Park's residents identified themselves as being of Armenian American ancestry. This was the highest percentage in New Jersey, and the seventh-highest percentage of Armenian American people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.<ref>Armenian Communities Template:Webarchive, EPodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.</ref> Additionally, according to the 2000 Census, 1.3% of Cliffside Park identified themselves as Turkish American, the sixth-highest of any municipality in the United States and four-highest in the state.<ref>Turkish Communities Template:Webarchive, EPodunk. Accessed September 17, 2015.</ref>

There were 10,027 households, out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 16.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $46,288, and the median income for a family was $54,915. Males had a median income of $40,114 versus $36,100 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,516. About 8.5% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Religion

File:Cliffside Pk Epiphany RCC jeh.JPG

Roman Catholic Church of the Epiphany

Template:As of, more than three quarters of Cliffside Park residents categorize themselves as being affiliated with a formal religious body. A majority of the borough is Roman Catholic (52.60%), many of whom attend the Roman Catholic Church of the Epiphany on Knox Avenue. 8.12% Jewish; 1.21% Lutheran; 1.20% Episcopalian; 0.84% Methodist; 0.88% Muslim; 0.62% Baptist; 0.46% Pentecostal; and 0.02% Eastern Orthodox Christian.<ref>Religion in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, BestPlaces.net. Accessed September 12, 2011.</ref>

Government

Local government

Cliffside Park is governed under the 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>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. 160.</ref> The borough form of government used by Cliffside Park 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 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. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:As of, the Mayor of Cliffside Park is Democrat Thomas Calabrese, who was elected to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2027. Members of the borough council are Council President John Chmielewski (D, 2024), Peter J. Colao (D, 2025), Kenneth J. Corcoran (D, 2025), Dana Martinotti (D, 2026), Selvie Nikaj (D, 2024) and Eurice Rojas (R, 2026).<ref name=Governing>Governing Body, Borough of Cliffside Park. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Cliffside Park. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>2024 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2023>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>Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Bergen2021>Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In October 2019, the borough council appointed John Chmielewski to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Donna M. Spoto until she resigned from her seat the previous month after 31 years in office in order to move out of the borough.<ref>Councilman John Chmielewski, Borough of Cliffside Park. Accessed March 24, 2020. "John was sworn in as a councilman in October to fill the unexpired term of Donna Spoto."</ref><ref>McDonald, Terrence T. "Cliffside Park councilwoman steps down after 31 years in office", The Record, September 13, 2019. Accessed March 24, 2020. "Donna Spoto, who may be the longest-serving councilwoman in Bergen County, stepped down from the Borough Council this week to move to Florida with her husband. Spoto, 58, a retired teacher and county worker, submitted her resignation on Tuesday. First appointed to the six-member council in 1988, she was in the middle of her 10th term in office."</ref>

In May 2015, the borough council selected Thomas Calabrese from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the vacant mayoral seat.<ref>Tat, Linh. "Thomas Calabrese named Cliffside Park mayor", The Record, May 5, 2015, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 4, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "On Tuesday, three weeks after Gerry Calabrese's death, residents learned that they will continue to call Mr. Calabrese their mayor — Thomas Calabrese, that is. As acting mayor the past 20 months, Thomas, who was also council president, was the heir apparent to the title last held by his father, who set the record as New Jersey's longest-serving mayor."</ref> Calabrese replaced his father, Gerald Calabrese, who was elected to the borough council in 1955 and had served continuously as mayor of Cliffside Park from 1965 until his death in April 2015, making him the longest-serving mayor in state history.<ref>Rosenfeld, Stacey. "Calabrese sworn in for 13th term as mayor of Cliffside Park", Cliffside Park Citizen, January 9, 2012, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 6, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Cliffside Park Mayor, Gerald 'Gerry' Calabrese, made history when he was sworn in to commence his 13th term as Mayor of the borough Jan.4. Calabrese, 86, was first elected to the Cliffside Park Borough Council in 1955 at age 30. In 1959 he became mayor and has continuously served as the borough's Chief Executive since 1965, distinguishing him as the longest-serving Mayor in the State of New Jersey."</ref> In June 2015, Peter Colao was appointed to fill the vacant council seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Calabrese before he was selected to fill the vacancy as mayor.<ref>Tat, Linh. "Cliffside Park tax assessor to fill Calabrese's council seat", The Record, June 5, 2015, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 4, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "The borough's tax assessor and chairman of its Housing Authority was appointed Wednesday to fill the council seat vacated by Thomas Calabrese last month when he became mayor. Peter Colao, whose appointment ends Dec. 31, said he plans to run in this fall's general election for a one-year unexpired term ending December 2016."</ref>

Federal, state, and county representation

Cliffside Park is located in the 9th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 36th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 11,107 registered voters in Cliffside Park, of which 4,749 (42.8% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,166 (10.5% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 5,185 (46.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Bergen, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 3, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 47.1% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 56.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 3, 2013.</ref>

Presidential Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|46.3% 4,149	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.1% 4,495	3.6% 262
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|38.7% 3,992	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.4% 6,217	0.9% 90
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|35.3% 3,119	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|61.9% 5,474	2.9% 254
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|32.4% 2,627	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|66.7% 5,410	0.9% 73
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|36.2% 3,095	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|62.5% 5,348	1.3% 116
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|38.9% 3,232	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.4% 5,024	0.7% 62
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2000<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014>General Election Results 1959 to 2014 Template:Webarchive, Bergen County Clerk. Accessed February 10, 2018.</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|29.5% 2,313	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|67.9% 5,333	2.6% 204
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|1996<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|27.4% 2,172	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|65.0% 5,151	7.6% 602
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|1992<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|35.4% 3,042	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|52.9% 4,548	11.7% 1,004
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1988<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|50.9% 4,575	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.7% 4,382	0.4% 33
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1984<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|58.3% 5,776	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|41.4% 4,097	0.3% 27
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1980<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|52.5% 5,223	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.3% 3,808	9.2% 915
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1976<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|50.2% 5,006	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.5% 4,834	1.3% 128
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1972<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|64.5% 5,910	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|34.8% 3,186	0.7% 63
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1968<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|52.7% 4,414	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.7% 3,407	6.6% 551
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|1964<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|35.3% 3,059	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|64.4% 5,582	0.3% 23
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|1960<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|53.8% 5,137	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.0% 4,394	0.2% 18

In recent years, Cliffside Park has leaned strongly toward the Democratic Party. In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 5,474 votes (61.1% vs. 54.2% countywide), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 3,119 votes (34.8% vs. 41.1% countywide) and other candidates with 221 votes (2.5% vs. 3.0% countywide), among the 8,953 ballots cast by the borough's 12,979 registered voters for a turnout of 68.9% (vs. 73% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State, December 14, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017.</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 5,410 votes (66.0% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,627 votes (32.0% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 64 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 8,203 ballots cast by the borough's 11,870 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 5,348 votes (61.9% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 3,095 votes (35.8% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 88 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 8,636 ballots cast by the borough's 11,775 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.3% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>2008 General Election Results for Cliffside Park Template:Webarchive, The Record. Accessed November 7, 2008.</ref>

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 52.0% of the vote (2,298 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 47.0% (2,077 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (47 votes), among the 4,639 ballots cast by the borough's 11,249 registered voters (217 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.2%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 3,305 ballots cast (59.8% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,914 votes (34.6% vs. 45.8%), independent Chris Daggett with 202 votes (3.7% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.4% vs. 0.5%), among the 5,529 ballots cast by the borough's 11,381 registered voters, yielding a 48.6% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref>

Local elections

In the 2010 General Election, Democratic incumbents Thomas Calabrese (3,167 votes) and Kenneth Corcoran (3,111 votes) were re-elected to three-year terms of office after being challenged by Republican Party candidates Eric Soto (1,835 votes) and Michelle Talamo (1,836 votes).<ref>Staff. "Candidates thankful for support", Cliffside Park Citizen, November 12, 2010. Accessed June 23, 2011.</ref>

In the 2009 General Election, Democratic incumbents Bernard J. Fontana (2,943 votes) and Donna M. Spoto (2,983 votes) were re-elected over Republican Party candidates John Mitchell (2,040 votes) and Eric Soto (2,004 votes).<ref>Amos, Darius. "Election 2009: Cliffside Park", Cliffside Park Citizen, November 3, 2009, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 5, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "The two incumbents outgained their GOP challengers at the polls, as each Democrat tallied more than 900 more votes than their opponents. Spoto received 2,983 votes, and Fontana got 2,943. Republicans John Mitchell picked up 2,040 votes, while slate running mate Eric Soto received 2,004 votes."</ref>

List of mayors

Cliffside Park was formed in 1895 and has the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. It has had numerous mayors, a number of whom served non-consecutive terms. Gerald Calabrese was longest serving mayor (50 years) in New Jersey at the time of his death.<ref name="CPchrono">Template:Citation</ref> The following is a list of previous mayors:

• Thomas Calabrese (D) 2015 acting, 2016 to present<ref>Pugliese, Nicholas. "A son of Gerry Calabrese begins full term as Cliffside Park mayor", The Record, January 5, 2016. Accessed April 24, 2022. "The Calabrese dynasty was extended Tuesday as Thomas Calabrese was sworn in by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for his first full term as mayor, a role that he held in an acting capacity for 20 months before he was appointed to the position in May. His predecessor and father, Gerald 'Gerry' Calabrese, was a powerhouse in Bergen County politics and the state’s longest-serving mayor. He died in April after 51 years in office."</ref>
• Gerald Calabrese (D) (1961–1963, 1965 to 2015) the longest-serving mayor in New Jersey<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• James F Madden (1963–1965)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Frederick F. Dyer (R) (1958 to 1959)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Francis J. Murphy (1954–1957)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Edward Ulrich (R) (1952–1959)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• William T. Michaelson (1950 to 1951)<ref name="CPchrono" /> He was indicted in 1951, and again in 1953, on charges of failure to enforce gambling laws, but the charges were dropped in 1955.Template:Citation needed
• Joseph C. Woodcock (1939–1943)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Thomas A. Fox (1934–1939)<ref name="CPchrono" /> Died in office in his third term.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Frank A. Meyer (1931–1934)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Joseph W. Marini (R) (1924–1929, 1944–1947),<ref name="CPchrono" /> twice defeated Edward Aloysius Kenney, an unsuccessful candidate who ran as an independent in 1921, as a Republican in 1923, and as a Democrat in 1927. (Kenney later defeated Marini in a race for the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>) Became New Jersey Superior Court judge.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> New Jersey Assembly 1944-1945
• John C. Cadien (1918–1924)<ref name="CPchrono" /> Instrumental in the establishment of Cliffside Park Public Library<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• S. Wood McClave (1910–1914)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• John E. Ferdinand (1904–1906)<ref name="CPchrono" />
• August Neuman (1895–1904, 1906–1910, 1914–1918)<ref name="CPchrono" /> An investor in Palisades Amusement Park, he was the first mayor of the borough.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He asked the wife of Gaetano Bresci to move out of the town after her husband assassinated Umberto I of Italy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Served as postmaster 1895–1914.<ref name="CPchrono" /> He was briefly shunned by townsfolk after a forgery of his signature.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Education

The Cliffside Park School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 3,074 students and 255.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Cliffside Park School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Cliffside Park School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>) are Number 3 School<ref>Number 3 School, Cliffside Park School District. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> with 358 students in grades PreK-4, Number 4 School<ref>Number 4 School, Cliffside Park School District. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> with 485 students in grades K-5, Number 5 School<ref>Number 5 School, Cliffside Park School District. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> with 275 students in grades PreK-4, Number 6 School<ref>Number 6 School, Cliffside Park School District. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> / Cliffside Park Middle School<ref>Cliffside Park Middle School, Cliffside Park School District. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> with 692 students in grades 5-8 and Cliffside Park High School<ref>Cliffside Park High School, Cliffside Park School District. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> with 1,192 students in grades 9-12.<ref>School Performance Reports for the Cliffside Park School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Cliffside Park School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Students from Fairview attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Fairview Public Schools.<ref>Cliffside Park High School 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 29, 2017. "Cliffside Park High School services the students of Cliffside Park and the neighboring community of Fairview."</ref><ref>Profile 2013 – 2014 Template:Webarchive, Cliffside Park High School. Accessed May 29, 2017. "Cliffside Park is a residential community of approximately 23,600 residents and a geographical size of one square mile. It is a suburb of and less than one mile from New York City. The neighboring town of Fairview is a K – 8 district and Cliffside Park is the receiving district for Fairview's 9 – 12 students. Fairview has a population of approximately 13,600."</ref>

Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.<ref>About Us Template:Webarchive, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 3, 2013.</ref><ref>Admissions Template:Webarchive, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 1, 2016.</ref>

For generations, the borough was the home of Epiphany School, an elementary school of the Roman Catholic Church of the Epiphany. Completed in 1930, having been constructed under the direction of Msgr. Anthony J. Ferretti, the school was staffed by the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth (Convent Station, New Jersey).<ref>Parish History: "A Century with Christ and Community" 1916 - 2016, Church of the Epiphany. Accessed June 22, 2020. "This house was eventually converted in 1929, into a convent for the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth (Convent Station), who would later staff Epiphany School.... Construction of Epiphany School began in late 1929, and was completed in early 1930.... During the construction of the school building, Fr. Ferretti petitioned the Reverend Mother General of the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station to provide him with a teaching staff for the new school.... The Sisters of Charity began their service to Epiphany in September, 1930."</ref> In 2005, due to changing demographics and low enrollment, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark decided to merge Epiphany School with Christ the Teacher Interparochial School in Fort Lee, New Jersey,<ref>Staff. "Metro Briefing; New York, New Jersey and Connecticut", The New York Times, March 3, 2005. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Seven Roman Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Newark will close this year, victims of rising costs and declining enrollment.... The plans call for Epiphany School in Cliffside Park to merge with Christ the Teacher Interparochial School in Fort Lee."</ref> which is jointly sponsored by Epiphany RC Church, Madonna RC Church (Fort Lee), Holy Trinity RC Church (Fort Lee) and Holy Rosary RC Church (Edgewater).

Transportation

File:2018-09-12 13 02 16 View north along Bergen County Route 29 (Anderson Avenue) between Bergen County Route 50 (Edgewater Road) and Greenmount Avenue in Cliffside Park, Bergen County, New Jersey.jpg

County Route 29 (Anderson Avenue) in Cliffside Park

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality and Template:Convert by Bergen County.<ref>Bergen County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed December 1, 2013.</ref>

Palisade Avenue and Anderson Avenue are the main north–south roads of Cliffside Park.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus lines 156, 159 and 181 offer service to and from Manhattan; the 22 route serves Jersey City; and the 751 and 755 offer local service.<ref>Routes by County: Bergen County, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed July 19, 2011.</ref><ref>Bergen County System Map Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed September 14, 2016.</ref>

Popular culture

Many films have had scenes filmed in Cliffside Park.

Exteriors for The Vampire (1913), directed by Robert G. Vignola and starring Alice Hollister and Harry F. Millarde were filmed in the borough.<ref>Paolo Cherchi Usai, Silent Cinema: A Guide to Study, Research and Curatorship, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019, p.126</ref>

Scenes from Cop Land, directed by James Mangold and starring Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta were filmed here.<ref>Bonamo, Mark J. "Lights, cameras, Cliffside Park", Cliffside Park Citizen, June 11, 2010, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 19, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "'It sounded like something fun, and I'll sleep when I'm dead,' said Snyder. 'They filmed Big and Cop Land in Cliffside Park, and I think Bergen County is an excellent place to film. We have the cliffs with the beauty of the view of New York, but it's still a very suburban place. This is perfect Americana.'"</ref>

Portions of the 1988 film Big, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Penny Marshall, were filmed in Cliffside Park.<ref>Turner, Rob. "6 Affordable Neighborhoods - Cliffside Park: Across the river and into the trees.", New York. Accessed July 11, 2007. "Remember the scene in Big where Tom Hanks morphs back into little Josh Baskin as he walks down the sun-speckled leafy streets on his return to kid-dom? That's Cliffside."</ref><ref>Ross, Michael E. "State Seeks Bigger Role In Making Of Movies", The New York Times, August 7, 1998. Accessed April 11, 2008. "Big, one of this summer's box-office comedy successes, starring Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins. Parts of the 20th Century-Fox film were shot in Cliffside Park and Fort Lee."</ref>

The exterior shown for the Heffernan house that was used in CBS sitcom The King of Queens is located in the borough.<ref>The King of Queens House. Accessed July 9, 2014.</ref>

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Cliffside Park include:

• Randi Altschul (born 1960), toy inventor<ref>Riordan, Teresa. "Throw Away That Cell Phone", The New York Times, November 8, 1999. Accessed April 14, 2016. "Ms. Altschul, a full-time inventor in Cliffside Park, N.J., has patented a technology that she says can be used to manufacture cellular phones so inexpensively that they could be sold for a fixed amount of air time -- as long-distance calling cards are -- and then tossed in the garbage once their minutes have been used up."</ref>
• Oksana Baiul (born 1977), figure skater<ref>Lipson, Karin. "For Oksana Baiul, a Role Close to Life", The New York Times, May 13, 2007. Accessed March 22, 2011. "Ms. Baiul, now 29 and living in Cliffside Park, N.J., was 'competing' only in her starring role as Maya Propova, one of six fictional skaters jockeying for medals in Cold as Ice, a new musical about the sacrifices and rivalries of the sport."</ref>
• Ed Benguiat (1927–2020), typographer and lettering artist who crafted over 600 typeface designs including Bookman, Souvenir and the eponymous ITC Benguiat<ref>Genzliner, Neil. "Ed Benguiat, a Master of Typography, Is Dead at 92", The New York Times, October 16, 2020. Accessed October 18, 2020. "Mr. Benguiat died on Thursday at his home in Cliffside Park, N.J. He was 92."</ref>
• Betsy Blair (1923–2009), actress of film and stage, long based in London<ref>Fox, Margalit. "Betsy Blair, 85, Actress and Wife of Gene Kelly, Is Dead", The New York Times, March 19, 2009. Accessed January 20, 2022. "Elizabeth Winifred Boger was born on Dec. 11, 1923, in Cliffside Park, N.J.; as a child, she was an advertising model and an accomplished dancer."</ref>
• Nick Borelli (1905–1992), professional football player who spent one season in the National Football League with the Newark Tornadoes in 1930<ref>Nick Borelli, Pro Football Archives. Accessed September 10, 2017.</ref>
• Clinton Calabrese (born 1986), politician who has represented the 36th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since February 2018<ref>Johnson, Brent. "Meet the newest -- and youngest -- N.J. lawmaker", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 8, 2018. Accessed February 10, 2018. "The newest member of the New Jersey Legislature is also the youngest -- and hails from a storied Bergen County political family. Clinton Calabrese, a 31-year-old Democrat and Cliffside Park resident who once served on the borough's school board, was sworn in Thursday to serve in the state Assembly."</ref>
• Gerald Calabrese (1925–2015), former professional basketball player who served 50 consecutive years as mayor of Cliffside Park<ref>Tat, Linh. "Hundreds gather at funeral for Gerry Calabrese, N.J.'s longest serving mayor", The Record, April 17, 2015, Backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 4, 2016. Accessed February 10, 2018. "It included a police motorcade, uniformed officers on foot and a silver, horse-drawn funeral carriage — a striking cortege for New Jersey’s longest-serving mayor, Cliffside Park’s Gerald 'Gerry' Calabrese."</ref>
• Rene Paul Chambellan (1893–1955), architectural sculptor<ref>Staff. "R. P. Chambellan, Long A Sculptor; Architectural Artist Is Dead - Conceived Decorations for Many Famed Structures", The New York Times, November 30, 1955. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Cliffside Park, N. J.... He resided here at 537 St. Paul's Avenue."</ref>
• Ann Corio (1909–1999), burlesque stripper, actress<ref>Van Gelder, Lawrence. "Ann Corio, a Burlesque Queen on Broadway, Is Dead", The New York Times, March 9, 1999. Accessed July 9, 2013. "Ann Corio, the auburn-haired, green-eyed queen of burlesque whose long-running show, This Was Burlesque, kept alive the art of strippers and the comedy of baggy-pants clowns in the age of the X-rated film, died on March 1 at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, N.J. Ms. Corio, a resident of Cliffside Park, N.J., kept her age a closely guarded secret, but was believed to be in her 80s."</ref>
• William J. Dorgan (1921–2003), was a politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, as Mayor of Palisades Park, New Jersey, and as a member of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders<ref>Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, 1970, p. 434. J. A. Fitzgerald, 1970. Accessed September 10, 2017. "William J. Dorgan (Rep., Palisades Park) Assemblyman Dorgan was born in Cliffside Park, November 9, 1921. He graduated from St. Cecilia High School and attended Seton Hall University."</ref>
• Joseph Dunninger (1892–1975), mentalist<ref>Staff. "Milestones, Mar. 24, 1975", Time, March 24, 1975. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Died. Joseph Dunninger, 82, magician and mentalist; of Parkinson's disease; in Cliffside Park, N.J."</ref><ref name=Record2007/><ref>Staff. "Dunninger Dies; Magician Was 82; Billed Himself as 'Master Mind of Mental Mystery'", The New York Times, March 10, 1975. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Joseph Dunninger, who mystified millions as a magician and mind-reader for more than half a century, died yesterday of Parkinson's disease at his home in Cliffside Park, N.J."</ref>
• Ruth Brewer Eisenberg (1902–1996), "Ivory" of Ebony and Ivory<ref>Dullea, Georgia. "Ebony and Ivory: 1 Keyboard, 2 Good Hands", The New York Times, September 28, 1987. Accessed February 16, 2010.</ref>
• Bruce Elia (born 1953), former NFL football player / local businessman<ref>via United Press International. "Elia tapped for OSU fullback", Pomeroy Daily Sentinel, October 2, 1973. Accessed May 29, 2017. "Elia, a junior from Cliffside Park, N.J., was an all-state fullback and linebacker."</ref>
• Eileen Farrell (1920–2002), opera singer<ref>Tommasini, Anthony. "Eileen Farrell, Soprano With a Populist Bent, Dies at 82", The New York Times, March 25, 2002. Accessed February 16, 2015. " Eileen Farrell, the American dramatic soprano who built a devoted following among the public through her frequent television appearances and was credited with the first successful crossover album, I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues, in 1960, died on Saturday in Park Ridge, N.J. She was 82. She lived in Cliffside Park, N.J., but was taken to a nursing home in Park Ridge last week as circulatory ailments worsened."</ref>
• Frank H. Field (1922–2013), chemist and mass spectrometrist known for his work in the development of chemical ionization<ref>"Frank H. Field", Science History Institute. Accessed June 21, 2018. "Frank H. Field was raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, by an aunt, an uncle, and a grandmother."</ref>
• Fred C. Galda (1918–1997), Superior Court judge and mayor of Paramus, New Jersey<ref>Saxon, Wolfgang. "Fred C. Galda, 79, Retired Judge", The New York Times, August 19, 1997. Accessed March 22, 2011. "He grew up in Cliffside Park, N.J., where he excelled in football and basketball. He was place-kicker on the football team while studying at Michigan State University."</ref>
• Gloria Gaynor (born 1949), singer<ref>Gloria Gaynor: She Has Survived, Road & Travel Magazine. Accessed March 22, 2011. "Gaynor, who won't divulge her age ('Just as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth,' is all she'll say) and lives in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, with her manager/husband of 20 years, Linwood Simon, always knew she'd be a singer."</ref>
• Ray Gillen (1959–1993), former member of Black Sabbath<ref>Jaeger, Barbara. "Solos at Home Lead to a Career in Rock", The Record, August 14, 1991, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 11, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Ray Gillen remembers those late-Seventies afternoons as if they were yesterday. 'I'd get home from school, turn on the stereo or radio, and sing along,' says the former Cliffside Park resident."</ref>
• Heidi Groskreutz (born 1981), dancer and finalist on the second season of So You Think You Can Dance<ref>Huff, Richard. "Brooklyn Hoofer Is Eager For Next 'Dance' Step", New York Daily News, June 21, 2006. "As it turns out, Rankine has been paired with Heidi Groskreutz, 24, of Cliffside Park, N.J., in the early rounds of the competition. She's a ballroom specialist, while he's a contemporary dancer."</ref><ref>Heidi Groskreutz, CBS News. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Home: Cliffside Park, NJ"</ref>
• Valerie Huttle (born 1956), politician who represented the 37th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2006 to 2022<ref>Editorial. "Kosco, Heck, and Dressel; Two Republicans and a Democrat in the 38th", The Record, October 27, 1997. Accessed January 20, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Voters in the 38th District have a choice between Republican Sen. Louis Kosco of Paramus, a leading advocate of tougher punishment for criminals, and Valerie Vainieri Huttle, a moderate Democrat from Cliffside Park who has a good under standing of North Jersey's problems."</ref>
• Alfred J. Kahn (1919–2009), social policy expert<ref>Grimes, William. "Alfred J. Kahn, Specialist in Child Welfare Issues, Dies at 90", The New York Times, February 21, 2009. Accessed December 3, 2013. "Alfred J. Kahn, a social-policy scholar and an educator who turned a critical eye on failures of local and state governments in child development and family support, and who later argued for a European-style social-welfare system available to all citizens, died on Feb. 13 in Hackensack, N.J. He was 90 and lived in Cliffside Park, N.J."</ref>
• Edward Aloysius Kenney (1884–1938), member of the United States House of Representatives<ref>Staff. "Noted Niehaus Sculptures Broken In Vandal Raids on Jersey Studio; Busts of Lincoln by Late Artist, One Intended for the White House, Escape Harm -- Closer Protection Asked Till Models Are Taken by Institutions and Museums.", The New York Times, September 28, 1936. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Cliffside Park, N.J., Sept. 27. -- Representative Edward A. Kenney of the Ninth Congressional District, a resident of this borough, announced today that he would request a closer police watch on the studio of the late Charles Henry Niehaus, internationally known sculptor, whose works are exhibited in the Congressional Library, the Senate Chamber, the Capitol rotunda and numerous parks throughout the United States."</ref>
• Frank Lautenberg (1924–2013), United States Senator<ref>"Dems pick Lautenberg to replace Torricelli", CNN.com, October 2, 2002. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Home: Cliffside Park, New Jersey"</ref><ref>via Associated Press. "Aide: Sen. Lautenberg doing OK after fall", USA Today, February 16, 2010. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Long-serving U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg fell at his home Monday night and was taken to a hospital as a precaution, an aide said. The 86-year-old Democrat, the first New Jersey senator to be elected to five terms, was conscious when he was taken from his Cliffside Park home to the hospital, spokesman Caley Gray said."</ref>
• Gus Lesnevich (1915–1964), boxer<ref>via Associated Press. "Billy Conn Punches Out Decision Over Lesnevich: Pittsburgh Fighter Successfully Defends Light-heavyweight Title Through Superior Boxing Ability Before Small Crowd at Detroit", Hartford Courant, June 6, 1940. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Billy Conn, the smiling, dancing Irishman from Pittsburgh, successfully defended his world's light heavyweight boxing championship tonight by beating out a close 15-round decision over Gus Lesnevich, plodding challenger from Cliffside Park..."</ref><ref name=HoF/>
• Remy Ma (born 1981), Grammy Award-winning rapper<ref>Buckley, Cara. "After Shooting in Manhattan, a Rapper Is Arrested", The New York Times, July 15, 2007. Accessed March 22, 2011. "Ms. Smith, who lives in Cliffside Park, N.J., grew up in the Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx and used to perform as Remy Martin."</ref><ref>Gould, Joe; and El-Ghobashy, Tamer. "I didn't shoot pal, says Remy, with not guilty plea", New York Daily News, July 17, 2007. Accessed September 10, 2017. "'I didn't shoot my friend!' Remy Ma hollered at reporters from the second-floor window of her modest Cliffside Park, N.J., home. 'I didn't shoot nobody!'"</ref>
• John Marin (1870–1953), artist known for his watercolors<ref>Staff. "John Marin is Dead; Water-Colorist, 80; Artist Considered by Many as 'America's No. 1 Master' Succumbs in Maine Home", The New York Times, October 2, 1953. Accessed August 8, 2017. "A native of Rutherford, N. J., he maintained a winter home in Cliffside Park, N. J."</ref>
• Ralph Mercado (1941–2009), promoter of Latin American music<ref>Levin, Jay. "Ralph Mercado, 67; popularized salsa music -- Worked with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and had his own club", The Record, March 12, 2009, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 24, 2015. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Ralph Mercado, an impresario who helped popularize salsa music, died Tuesday at Hackensack University Medical Center. He was 67 and lived in Cliffside Park."</ref>
• Otto Messmer (1892–1983), animator<ref name=Record2007>Hsu, Eric. "Cliffside Park, this is your life", The Record, March 22, 2007, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 13, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "One section includes a list of the town's famous residents, including telepathist Joseph Dunninger; boxer Gus Lesnevich; and Otto Messmer, an animator sometimes credited as the creator of Felix the Cat."</ref>
• Ed Mioduszewski (1931–2010), former NFL football player<ref>Ed Mioduszewski, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed August 9, 2017.</ref>
• Chris Neild (born 1987), NFL player<ref>Chris Neild, NFL.com. Accessed July 16, 2016.</ref>
• Randy Neumann (born 1948), boxing referee and former professional boxer<ref name=HoF>Randy Neumann profile, New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. Accessed December 1, 2016. "Randy Neumann was born and raised in Cliffside Park, NJ the town which earlier produced the late, great World Light heavyweight Champion, Gus Lesnevich."</ref>
• Charles Henry Niehaus (1855–1935), sculptor<ref>Staff. "Charles H. Niehaus, Noted Sculptor, Dies; Designed the Francis Scott Key Memorial in Baltimore and Many Washington Statues.", The New York Times, June 20, 1935. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Cliffside Park, N. J. - Charles Henry Niehaus, noted sculptor of the Francis Scott Key Memorial in Baltimore and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial at Newark, N. J., died 8 o'clock tonight at his home, 40 Grant Avenue. He was 80 years old."</ref>
• Archibald Olpp (1882–1949), member of the United States House of Representatives<ref>Staff. "Dr. Archibald E. Olpp", The New York Times, July 27, 1949. Accessed September 21, 2011.</ref>
• Daphne Oz (born 1986), author and talk show host<ref>Singer, Natasha. "15 Pounds: Part of Freshman Meal Plan?", The New York Times, August 31, 2006. Accessed May 30, 2011. "And that is where Daphne Oz, a junior at Princeton from Cliffside Park, N.J., comes in.... And at the Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, N.J., she wrote a high school research paper on teenage nutrition and lobbied for healthier cafeteria food, she said."</ref>
• Mehmet Oz (born 1960), cardiothoracic surgeon, talk show host and author<ref>Bruni, Frank. "Dr. Does-It-All", The New York Times Magazine, April 16, 2010. Accessed March 22, 2011. "That is his base line, to which he adds more yoga, short runs and basketball games with friends near his home in Cliffside Park, N.J., when he can."</ref>
• Joe Pantoliano (born 1951), actor<ref>LG Electronics Salutes Public Education Excellence, Brings Cutting-Edge Technology To Schools, LG Electronics press release dated July 7, 2005.</ref><ref>Smith, Ray. "'Hoboken was a very wild community' Actor Joe Pantoliano inspires; honored at the Boys and Girls Club" Template:Webarchive, The Hudson Reporter, December 12, 2010. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Pantoliano and his lifelong friend Rich Pepe have teamed up to create their own pasta sauce (or gravy, depending on your ethnicity) called 'Pepe and Pants Pasta Sauce,' of which 100 percent of the net proceeds are donated to 'No Kidding, Me Too!' The two men graduated from Cliffside Park High School together after their families moved from Hoboken."</ref>
• Patrick J. Roma (1949–2017), lawyer and politician who represented the 38th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1988 to 1997<ref>"Patrick James Roma", The Record, November 30, 2017. Accessed August 20, 2020. "Born in New York City, raised in Cliffside Park, NJ, and resided in Palisades Park and Hillsdale, NJ, the son of Frank and Philomena Scozzafava, the Honorable Patrick J. Roma graduated from Seton Hall University, received his law degree from Stamford University - Cumberland School of Law, and his Master's of Law (LLM) degree from New York University School of Law."</ref>
• Julia Scotti, transgender stand-up comedian<ref>Rohan, Virginia. "Comedian Julia Scotti breathes new life into her comedy career",The Record, July 18, 2016. Accessed November 15, 2023. "A self-described 'Fairview girl,' Scotti graduated from St. John the Baptist grammar school, then moved with the family to Cliffside Park."</ref>
• Harold Snyder (1922–2008), co-founder of generic drug manufacturer Biocraft Laboratories<ref>Staff. "Jay Snyder Wed To Miss Maxwell", The New York Times, September 27, 1987. Accessed December 3, 2013. "Tracy Holt Maxwell, a daughter of Maryholt Maxwell of Carmel, N.Y., and Key West, Fla., and the late James F. Maxwell Jr., was married yesterday to Jay Thomas Snyder, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Snyder of Cliffside Park, N.J."</ref>
• Manny Suárez (born 1993), basketball player who has competed internationally on the Chile national team<ref>Manny Suarez College Stats, Sports Reference. Accessed December 26, 2021. "Hometown: Cliffside Park, NJ"</ref>
• Joseph C. Woodcock (1925–1997), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, New Jersey Senate and as Bergen County Prosecutor<ref>Stancavish, Don. "Ex-Bergen prosecutor Joseph Woodcock Jr.; Also served in state Assembly, Senate",The Record, November 3, 1997. Accessed November 1, 2020. "A lifelong Cliffside Park resident, Mr. Woodcock left behind a distinguished career of public service."</ref>
• Maysoon Zayid (born 1974), actress, comedian and activist<ref>Franks, Tim. "Jerusalem Diary: Monday 7 July", BBC News, July 7, 2008. Accessed July 9, 2008.</ref><ref>Heydarpour, Roja. "The Comic Is Palestinian, the Jokes Bawdy", The New York Times, November 21, 2006. Accessed March 22, 2011. "Ms. Zayid, who has a home in Cliffside Park, N.J., recently returned from Hollywood, where she lived while working on developing her one-woman show."</ref>

Sources

• Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties), prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
• Clayton, W. Woodford; and Nelson, Nelson. History of Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Peck, 1882.
• Harvey, Cornelius Burnham (ed.), Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Co., 1900.
• Van Valen, James M. History of Bergen County, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Co., 1900.
• Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858–1942, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630–1923, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1923.

External links

• Borough of Cliffside Park website
• Cliffside Park Online
• Cliffside Park Public Library