Councilman Stefan Tatarenko seeks second term in Clifton, N.J. (04/07/02)

Councilman Stefan Tatarenko seeks second term in Clifton, N.J.

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - In a February 7 letter to the Ukrainian community, Councilman Stefan Tatarenko of Clifton, N.J., announced his campaign for re-election.

Mr. Tatarenko, who entered politics in 1991 when he was first elected to the Clifton Board of Education, called the coming May 14 election a "critical" step and stressed his outreach to the Ukrainian community for support.

He cited among the growing number of 76,000 Clifton residents, approximately 1,000 Ukrainian families, which according to Mr. Tatarenko, were "an always active and vibrant part of the Clifton community."

Mr. Tatarenko called his campaign for a second term a "possible steppingstone to the next level of government - Passaic County freeholder." The seven members of the Board of Freeholders are elected at large to three-year staggered terms and are considered legislators for the county level.

Among the issues facing the next city council, Mr. Tatarenko cited the development and rapid population growth in Clifton. He pledged "to maintain the quality of life that we want to maintain, we need the schools that we deserve in Clifton." He also added that, because of the town's favorable geographic location, town representatives should continue to solicit such large companies as the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-LaRoche to establish their headquarters in Clifton in an effort to stimulate the local economy.

After being re-elected to the Clifton Board of Education in 1994, Mr. Tatarenko chose not to seek a third term in 1997. In 1998 he ran for and won a four-year seat on the seven-member City Council. Although the City Council actually elects the mayor, traditionally the candidate with the most votes is selected mayor of Clifton.

The 55-year-old politician has been an active member in the Ukrainian American community for over 24 years as a member of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian Orthodox League. Mr. Tatarenko has held various management and sales positions in the textile industry for the past 32 years and currently works in Manhattan.

Mr. Tatarenko said that one of his successes in office has been his ability to stay politically free from party machines, which frequently offer candidates financial support in return for their adherence to party lines. He said that contributions have come from places as far as Washington, D.C., and Virginia in an effort to "support my campaign through funding from my Ukrainian constituency so as to keep free from money trappings."

Mr. Tatarenko emphasized the financial difficulties in running even a local campaign and urged those interested in supporting his bid for re-election to contact Mr. Tatarenko, by phone at (973) 797-4920, by e-mail at stefantatarenko@aol.com, or by writing to 25 Friar Lane, Clifton, NJ 07013. He also urged all those interested in his campaign, to attend his April 17 fund-raiser at the Valley Regency in Clifton at 7 p.m.

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