Franklin Lakes' new mayor ready to improve 'aesthetic' of downtown, 'work with everybody'
FRANKLIN LAKES — The borough's new Republican mayor is so committed to a collegial governing style that he chose a Democrat to swear him in at last week's reorganization meeting.
"It was a time when friendship warranted crossing party lines," Mayor Charles Kahwaty said of his swearing-in by Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager. "Both of us served as president of the Bergen County Bar Association, and our families have traveled together."
Kahwaty maintained the "work with everybody" stance when the borough's Republican Committee placed the 11-year councilman on its party-line ballot in June's primary with newcomers Ardith Cardenas and Joel Ansh, a team that bested a rare alternate Republican slate of three incumbents.
His fall campaign was overshadowed when Cardenas dropped out and then reentered the race, and Ansh campaigned with wife Kim, who ran for a seat on the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education.
Kahwaty survived a challenge from Democrat Michael Strauss in November with support from outgoing Mayor Frank Bivona, who chose not to seek reelection after 12 years in the office.
"The one person who supported my agenda every step of the way was Councilman Charlie Kahwaty," said Bivona, who held the Bible at Kahwaty's swearing-in. "We worked together as partners to do what was the best for the town we love."
Early politics
Kahwaty, 69, moved to Franklin Lakes with his family at age 15. He graduated from Saddle River Day School in 1972 and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Georgetown University in 1976 and a law degree from Seton Hall University in 1979. He opened a private practice in Ridgewood in 1982.
Kahwaty attributes a lifelong interest in politics to a childhood inspired by President John F. Kennedy as representing "all that was good and decent about America." He served as president of the Franklin Lakes Republican Club from 1986 to 1988 and vice president in 2008 before running for his first council term in 2011.
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"I have had the great fortune of working with an outstanding mayor and council, from whom I have learned much and hope to learn much more," Kahwaty said at his swearing-in. "No one does it alone, and I plan to engage collaboratively with both our new and continuing council members to make Franklin Lakes an even greater and more prosperous community."
Among the priorities listed at Kahwaty's campaign website, CJK4Mayor.com, and in his inaugural address are:
Financial: "The second-lowest taxes in Bergen County with annual increases around 1%" to "keep our financial condition sound for years to come."
Downtown development: "I intended to form a committee that will review what has been done to date with the objective of improving the aesthetic quality of the district," with particular attention on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Environment: Preservation of the 84-acre Parsons Pond Park, donated to the borough in 2016, along with other open spaces such as the 20-acre Alice & Bud's Meadow, and pickleball courts to "enhance the quality of life of our residents."
Affordable housing: "Preserve the semi-suburban, semi-rural quality of life that residents of this town have always enjoyed" while addressing court-ordered housing obligations. "A responsible and practical approach without overburdening essential services or infrastructure," Kahwaty said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Franklin Lakes NJ new mayor wants to improve 'aesthetic'
