Politics & Government

Cappola Steps Up to Council After Porco Resigns

November Republican candidate in River Edge will gain three months of experience as he fills a vacancy

With just a little over three months to go until the November election, Republican Council candidate Anthony Cappola of River Edge will be getting to experience what life is like on the governing body after being sworn in Monday night to fill the seat of Johnny Porco, who resigned from the Council June 5.

Cappola  for the Council and lost by a slim 45-vote margin to Thomas Papaleo. During the June Primary he garnered 215 votes as the Borough saw a for the uncontested race.

He is an independent business owner of a successful entertainment company he founded almost 20 years ago with a Masters degree in Special Education and a Bachelors degree in History. Previously, Cappola was a parochial school teacher where he earned the distinction of Teacher of the Year from the Newark Archdioces and former president & property manager of a condominium complex.

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With an interest in foreign languages, he brings to the dais a knowledge of Italian, Spanish and some Korean. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, an avid cyclist and member of the USTA.

He and Council President Paul Cordts will face Democrat candidates Robert Levine and Vito Acquafredda in November for the two open three-year seats with the council.

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Porco, an IT manager at a major financial services firm, was elected to the governing body in 2009 after he and Cordts defeated Democratic incumbent Council President Esther Fletcher and newcomer Albert Ruhlman.

Aside from Cappola, the Bergen County Republican Organization also nominated Tim Arakelian and William Watkins for the position.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Eamon Harbord at Eamon.Harbord@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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