By Laura LabPublished February 29, 2024 at 8:00 AMROSELAND, NJ -- Citing work obligations, Roger Freda (D) announced his resignation from the Roseland Borough Council effective immediately during Tuesday’s council meeting.Freda, who was in his second term, last attended a borough council meeting on Oct. 17, 2023. His term is set to expire at the end of 2024.The process for temporarily filling his seat requires that the Democratic chairperson for Roseland, Mayor James Spango and the county c...
By Laura Lab
Published February 29, 2024 at 8:00 AM
ROSELAND, NJ -- Citing work obligations, Roger Freda (D) announced his resignation from the Roseland Borough Council effective immediately during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Freda, who was in his second term, last attended a borough council meeting on Oct. 17, 2023. His term is set to expire at the end of 2024.
The process for temporarily filling his seat requires that the Democratic chairperson for Roseland, Mayor James Spango and the county committee members provide three names of candidates to the Borough Council by the next caucus meeting on March 5 for their consideration.
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A vote will take place among the council members and, in the event there is a tie, Mayor Spango will have the deciding vote. Once a new council person is selected, they will be sworn into office immediately. The person chosen will remain in the seat until the term expires at the end of the year.
Freda stated, “Believe me when I say that this was a difficult decision to make, I have enjoyed my time working with my friends on the council regarding many initiatives and projects ...I have learned so much and will truly miss working with everyone. But I know that upon my departure the borough is in exceptional hands.”
Noting the conflicts with his work schedule and required attendance at municipal meetings in Edison, the municipality for which he works, Freda said, “I’ve had to make the difficult choice between the two.” Addressing his contributions to Roseland, beginning when he was 18, with an extensive history of volunteerism, Freda said, “I tried to give back to Roseland, and now it is time for me to give this seat back to Roseland too. I have to admit, though whatever I have given to Roseland pales in comparison to what Roseland has given to me…I do love this town and I do love being a part of it.”
He also acknowledged those who did not agree with him and “how they handled themselves.” Freda stated, “Unfortunately for them, I was never going to be another rubber stamp nor was I going to be bullied to change my stance from what I believed in.”
He thanked his wife Jessica and children, adding that “they’ve put up a lot more than they agreed to when this all started. In fairness to all who have supported my campaigns and elections, I feel I owe it to them to step down when I can no longer step up… In the words of Kenny Rogers, ‘you’ve got to know when to fold them.’”