By Tonya Holman
NorthJersey.com
WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. — Our area’s volunteers will now have a chance legally to shape the decisions of their government if they choose to do so.
A measure sponsored by Sen. Bob Gordon (D-Fair Lawn) that would permit first responders to hold municipal elected office was signed into law on Jan. 15 by Acting Gov. Steve Sweeney. The signing took place at the Wood-Ridge Fire Department building.
“As a former mayor, councilman and fire commissioner, I recognize that some of the most important decisions made by a governing body relate to the purchase of firefighter and EMT equipment and the management of first responders,” said Gordon, D-Bergen. “By drawing upon the expertise developed while serving as a volunteer first responder, the quality of an elected body’s decision will undoubtedly be enhanced. Furthermore, volunteer firefighters, EMTs and other first responders selflessly work to protect their towns, free of charge, alleviating property tax burdens on local taxpayers. To refuse them the option of holding municipal elected office is simply unfair.”