Our Elected Republicans

Joe was sworn in as Mayor of Northvale in January 2023 and has delivered on his promise to make Northvale’s government much more transparent and informative for residents. In a short period of time Northvale now has Mayor & Council meetings livestreamed on a new YouTube channel, a quarterly newsletter mailed to all residents, a “user-friendly” and functional website including the ability to pay taxes online, meeting highlights posted a few days following meetings and an increased presence on social media constantly informing the public of everything related to the Borough.

In addition, Northvale has a Recycle Coach program and app that helps residents look up information relating to garbage and recycling at any time from a phone or computer. A Community Garden is in the works with corporate funding that Joe secured. More police have been hired through grant funding and security cameras installed in the parks to deter vandalism. To promote greater volunteerism in our fire, ambulance and recreation programs, Joe and the Council removed a financial barrier for residents by having the Borough pay for required fingerprinting. And while the parks are being upgraded and overall aesthetics are improved, the Borough now has its first ever seal, establishing a true Borough identity and increasing civic pride. Borough utility bills have dropped approximately $2K per month through surveying usage and billing for phone/data lines and street lighting. Plus the Borough has cut spending on professionals by $100K to $150K per year. Joe also oversaw the dedication of the Borough’s first-ever September 11^th Memorial.

McGuire has lived in Northvale for over 23 years and is proud to have raised his family here with his wife Sue. Joe’s experience in public service is unmatched. In addition to serving on the Northvale Council for 4 years before becoming Mayor, Joe served on the Northvale Board of Education for 7 years from 2011-2017 with 5 of those years serving as its President. During that time, he presided over necessary technology and security advancements. After a series of national school shootings Joe worked with the administration and law enforcement to implement a 22-point school security upgrade recommended by the Northvale police. Over a 2-year period that plan was implemented, and security vastly improved for our children and school staff. He also participated in the Northvale Recreation Program for 11 years coaching baseball, basketball and soccer. During that time, he served as Asst. Basketball Director for Northvale and as Director for the St. Anthony’s Friars basketball program. Joe has served on multiple Town Day committees and the Northvale’s Centennial Celebration Committee in 2016.

Joe holds a Masters Degree in Corporate. & Organizational Communications from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelors Degree in Communications from La Salle University in Philadelphia. He has worked in the wireless industry as a sales executive for the past 27 years, providing expertise in mobility and the Internet of Things (IoT) space. Joe is an active member of St. Anthony’s parish and the Knights of Columbus Council #9021. His wife, Sue, is an elementary school teacher and his two sons have graduated college following their education in the Northvale and Northern Valley school systems.

In the spirit of the timeless adage, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected,’ Kara McMorrow has woven this principle into the very fabric of her service to the public. As a proud lifelong resident of Northvale, Kara embodies the roles of a devoted wife, loving mother, dedicated volunteer, esteemed council President and cherished friend with an unparalleled commitment. Her life is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her family and profound passion in serving others. In 2021, propelled by a deep-seated desire to extend her contributions to the Borough of Northvale, Kara made it her mission to proudly serve on the Northvale Council. Her tenure has been marked by her passion to serve in various vital roles as a liaison. Notably, Kara has been an integral part of the Northvale Ambulance Corp for 15 years, currently serving as its Vice President, showcasing her dedication to community health and safety. Her collaboration with the Northvale Police Department has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the Hogan Park Camera Project, alongside supporting the expansion of the department, thereby enhancing community safety. Additionally, Kara’s influence extends to fully supporting the nurturing of young minds as the liaison to the Northvale Pre-School, and she has played a pivotal role in the Community Events Committee, enriching the town’s cultural and social fabric. Kara’s approach to leadership is grounded in open-mindedness, honesty and hands-on involvement. She holds a deep belief in the value of diversity, celebrating the unique contributions of every community, irrespective of difference in opinions, beliefs, values or political affiliation. To Kara, Northvale is more than a place; it’s home, and it is our common unifier that binds us all together. Faced with tough decisions, Kara remains steadfast in her commitment to informed decision-making, always prioritizing the best interests of Northvale and its residents. Her vision for Northvale is not just to maintain its charm and safety but to enhance it in ways that lift every member of the community. As she seeks re-election, Kara McMorrow stands as a beacon of hope and progress for Northvale, embodying the spirit of service and community that defines Northvale at its core. As an alumna from Northvale Public Schools, Immaculate Heart Academy, University of Scranton (B.S. Elementary Education) and Iona College (MS, Educational Technology), transitioned from a decade in elementary education to the corporate world, bringing her deep passion for children’s welfare and education. Highly involved in her daughter’s life, Kara’s professional role now aligns with her love for planning and helping others. Outside work, she enjoys cooking, traveling, country music concerts, Broadway shows and quality time with her family, including her husband Mike and daughter Molly. Kara’s service to others is far from over, and she invites you to join her in continuing to forge a bright, inclusive future for the Borough of Northvale.

Chances are you already know Domenic, even if you haven’t met him in person. Like so many of his fellow residents Dom and his wife Carmela purchased their 20th century era home in Northvale and have devoted their time and energy into making it suitable to raise a family in the 21st century. 15 years ago Dom was drawn to the appeal of the Northvale, a safe and affordable place to live with a true community feel. Today he and his wife are proud to raise their two daughters here. If you have met Dom, it has likely been at Veterans Park or Hogan Field where he has been significantly involved in coaching co-ed and girls soccer for Northvale Recreation for the past several years. He often organized and led extra training and pick up game sessions for soccer along with his fellow coaches to help players improve their skills, volunteering even more of his time than is typically required during the season. And whether it is home renovation, coaching, or just about anything else, Dom is always looking at ways to make things better and work collaboratively with others. You may have gotten a chance to talk to Dom at Northvale School before pick-up or heard him lector at St. Anthony’s where he has served for more than a decade. He has invested his time, money, and most importantly his family in Northvale and is dedicated to improving the town by leading it technologically into the 21st century and by serving as a financial steward to help make town expenditures more predictable and transparent. Dom also works locally in Rockleigh as a Software Engineering Manager, delivering cutting edge home automation and control solutions for Crestron Electronics. He holds both bachelors and masters degrees in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and has worked previously in both the telecom and healthcare industries. Dom’s experience with professional leadership and team building are skills he intends to use to help make Northvale not just a good place to live, but the best place to live.

If you haven’t already met Marty on a baseball field or basketball court or maybe even at Shop Rite, here is a little bit about him. Marty moved to Northvale a little over 23 years ago with his wife and two children. During his children’s school years, he was heavily involved in Northvale recreation as a coach for basketball, soccer, baseball and softball. He also helped to create the boys Friars High School Basketball teams to provide a place for those players who loved the sport but did not have an outlet in organized sports. He continues to stay involved in the community by refereeing and umpiring and worked as an assignor for the baseball/softball programs, finding and building a team of umpires. Outside of sports, he was instrumental in helping educate the community when the request to build apartments above the Northvale Plaza was before the board. He encouraged the community to attend planning meetings to understand the process so their voice could be heard. He has also volunteered for many town community events over the years, whenever help was needed, he was there. As a son of immigrants, Marty has always been a hard worker. He started his career as an Electrician and quickly moved into Sales. He is a previous business owner and is currently working as a Salesman for IPS – Integrated Power Services. Now that his children have graduated college, he is ready to take on a new responsibility and is running for Council. As a Councilman he wants to continue giving back, keep our community a great place to live and raise a family, have the ability to participate in local government to make a difference and maintain responsible, transparent leadership and fiscal responsibility. He is looking forward to working together with the Mayor and Council bringing a fresh and positive approach to government. If you are on social media, go to the Northvale GOP page, like and share. Marty and the other candidates will be adding some short videos to get to know them better before the election.

Roy Sokoloski is dedicated to community service in Northvale. Residents since 1993, Roy and his wife Barbara chose Northvale to raise their family based on the excellent schools, the caring friendships, and the peaceful quality of life. Roy understands that to maintain these strong community values, you need to step up and be involved. Roy has volunteered in various roles and community organizations in Northvale for over 25 years. He served six terms on the Borough Council beginning in 2007 and returned in 2023. Roy has also been a member of the Northvale Planning Board and Board of Health Commissioner. He has also brought many grants to Northvale to enhance and improve our parks, library and facilities. Roy has been instrumental in keeping Northvale as one of the most affordable towns in the Northern Valley. He is proud of his efforts to cut budgets and maintain lower taxes. As an Architect with a successful business, he has also provided advice and guidance on community planning and design issues. Roy is active as a member of Saint Anthony’s Church, on the Finance Committee and Choir member. As your candidate for Council in 2024, Roy will be a strong proponent for sensible cost-efficient town government, and for full transparency and community engagement.

Laura Fernandez is a dedicated Northvale Council member and a proud resident of our town. Along with her husband Adam and their soon-to-be one-year-old daughter, Shai, Laura has embraced the strong community spirit that Northvale offers. After seeing the warmth and vibrancy of Northvale over the years through her family, who have lived here for two decades, Laura and Adam decided to make it their home as they raise their family. Laura’s commitment to Northvale is driven by her deep appreciation for the town and her desire to contribute to its continued growth and well-being.
Laura’s professional background is rich and diverse. She is an accomplished marketing and communications expert with over 15 years of experience in social media management, copywriting, and website design. Her career spans the fashion and beauty industries, having worked with notable brands such as Kenneth Cole, Simple Skincare, RMS Beauty, and Yummie by Heather Thomson. Additionally, she has pursued entrepreneurial ventures in brand management, strategic planning, and digital communications. Today, Laura operates her own boutique consulting agency, where she partners with brands and individuals to achieve their marketing goals. She graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications.
In 2019, Laura faced a challenging breast cancer diagnosis at 33 years old. As a young survivor, she has led support groups and organized successful fundraisers to aid others on their cancer journey.
Laura’s passion for public service and her dedication to Northvale drive her efforts on the council. She is committed to working collaboratively with community members and town committees to uphold the strong sense of community and foster continued economic growth. Laura aims to bring a fresh perspective to the council and hopes to help enhance Northvale’s digital marketing and communication strategies to continue to keep residents engaged and informed.

Hovannes has held various real estate positions throughout his career including property management, commercial and industrial sales. His professional endeavors have given him invaluable insight into how landlords and businesses can work together to thrive. Hovannes hopes to utilize this extensive experience to help build upon the success of Northvale’s growing small business community. Hovannes’ experience in property management has also given him first-hand knowledge of how individuals can make a difference in their neighborhoods and the people they serve. Hovannes continues to be known for his collaborative and engaging approach with the communities and groups he is involved with, and aims to leverage his relationships to help address Northvale’s needs and shared interests. Hovannes is married Tania and they have three children, Never, Emma and Chloe. As Hovannes has become more involved in town, he is very motivated to give back and continue to make Northvale the best kept secret in in the Northern Valley.