Councilman Krakoviak Heading Slate of Candidates for May Elections

West Orange Councilman Joe Krakoviak announced today he will head a slate of candidates to vie for three open seats on the township council during the May elections.

Candidates Jake Freivald, Krakoviak's former campaign manager, and Clare Silvestri, Krakoviak's wife, will run alongside Krakoviak in the hopes of gaining a majority on the five-member council.

"In 17 months on the council, I've worked hard to deliver on campaign promises of greater fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability — with much success," Krakoviak said in a statement to Patch.

"However, more remains to be done to restore West Orange to the attractive, affordable community we all want it to be. To do that, I need partners on the council. Clare and Jake bring the necessary knowledge, experience, independence and passion to help the team achieve those goals."

The trio have dubbed themselves the "Krakoviak Team" and join a slew of other candidates and incumbents running for a four-year term on the council.

Council president Patricia Spango and council member Sal Anderton both . Spango and Anderton are completing their first term on the council.

Krakoviak was who was filling in the vacant council seat left by now-Mayor Robert Parisi. He won with more than 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race.

Silvestri was born and raised in West Orange. Freivald has lived in the township for 15 years with his wife and nine children.

Residents Jerry Guarino and Rodolfo Rodriguez have The two, however, are not newcomers to the election process and have previously run for council,.

The township will hold a random drawing for ballot placement March 22.

Continue to check Patch for more information on each of the candidates.