MADISON – Candidates for Madison Borough Council, Carmela Vitale and John Hoover and the Madison Democratic Committee invite the public to their campaign kick-off picnic to be held on Sunday, September 10 from 1:30 to 4 PM at the home of Marianne McConnell at 142 Ridgedale Avenue.

The candidates stated, “We look forward to celebrating our official campaign kick-off with Madison residents and hope that many can join us for friendly political conversations and good food and drink. As 2017 is a state-wide election year, we expect our state senator, Governor Dick Codey, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and Assemblyman John McKeon, who are all up for re-election this year, to be attending the picnic. Also invited to attend is former assembly speaker, Sheila Oliver, who is running for Lieutenant Governor.

The candidates will joined by Madison Mayor Bob Conley and Madison Borough Council members, Ben Wolkowitz, Astri Baillie, Bob Landrigan, and Maureen Byrne along with Morris County Freeholder candidate Rozella Clyde.”

The picnic is being coordinated by Madison Democratic Committee Member and Morris County Democratic Committee Vice-Chairwoman, Marianne McConnell. “A suggested donation of $25 per person or $40 per couple is requested of attendees,” stated Ms. McConnell. “Donations can be made at the door or can be sent to Mike Hilgendorff, Treasurer, 16 Carteret Ct., Madison N.J. 07940. Checks are preferred to cash and they should be made out to: Friends of Vitale and Hoover.“

Madison Democratic Committee Vice-Chair Missy Elias noted that “Both of our candidates for Borough Council are experienced in municipal affairs and thoroughly understand borough government and both have demonstrated their commitment to the community with their many years of volunteer service in Madison and Morris County.

Carmela Vitale is currently completing her fourth term on the Madison Borough Council; this will also be her second year serving as Council President. She is chairperson for the Council Public Works and Engineering Standing Committee and is a member of the Finance and Borough Clerk Standing Committee. She is also Council liaison to the Environmental Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Parks Advisory Committee, and has been a proud liaison to the Patriotic Celebrations Committee for six years. Ms. Vitale is also the Council liaison to the Shade Tree Management Board and the Sustainable Madison Advisory Board.

Carmela Vitale has also served as Chairperson of the borough’s Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and served two terms as president of the Madison Board of Health. She is Madison’s representative on the Morris County Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee and has served as membership chairperson for the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee. Ms. Vitale is also a long-time member of Madison’s Thursday Morning Club.

John Hoover serves as a Downtown Development Commission (DDC) Commissioner and is its secretary as well as its Chair of the DDC Sign and Façade Committee. He can also be found every Thursday downtown at the DDC-sponsored Madison Farmer’s Market where he serves as its volunteer Logistics and Onsite Market Manager.

John Hoover is the Chair of Madison’s Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, a member of the Borough’s recently formed Economic Revitalization Committee, the Board of Education’s Budget Advisory Committee, and is a Member of the Board of the Madison Alliance Addressing Substance Abuse (MAASA). Mr. Hoover serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the TriTown 55+ Coalition, is Chair of the Madison Democratic committee and is a member of the Rotary Club of Madison. He is the Chair of the Madison Elks Drug Awareness Committee and previously served as President of the Madison Board of Health and on the Borough’s Strategic Planning Operations Committee, which was responsible for development of the new Rosenet.org website.”

Marianne McConnell concluded, “All Madison friends and residents are invited to come and meet Carmela Vitale, John Hoover, Phil Murphy, Sheila Oliver, Dick Codey, John McKeon, Mila Jasey, Rozella Clyde, Bob Conley, Astri Baillie, Ben Wolkowitz, Maureen Byrne, and Bob Landrigan at our kick-off picnic on Sunday, September 10th from 1:30 to 4 PM at 142 Ridgedale Avenue. Please do come and join us.”