Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich and Josh Reinitz announced their candidacy for Fair Lawn Borough Council. Rottenstrich and Reinitz were endorsed by local Democrats at the March meeting for the two available seats in the upcoming November 7 election.
Rottenstrich, who has lived in Fair Lawn for 22 years, is the vice president and co-owner of a fastener manufacturing company in Newark with her husband, Zahavy. Reinitz is an attorney who is currently on the Fair Lawn Zoning Board.
Both Rottenstrich and Reinitz are active in the Fair Lawn community. While raising three sons in Fair Lawn, Rottenstrich was an active member of the Fair Lawn Association for Special Education (FLASE) and later chaired the Scholastic Book Fair and co-chaired the 5th Grade Committee for the Milnes Elementary School PTA. She also served on both the board of trustees and the executive board of the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation B’nai Israel, chaired a number of its committees and served as president of its Sisterhood. Rottenstrich earned her BA in political science at SUNY Albany and her law degree at George Washington University. As an attorney, she specialized in commercial litigation with firms in New York City.
“My experience as a business owner, legal counselor and active community leader will help me contribute to finding solutions to the critical issues facing Fair Lawn now and in the near future,” Rottenstrich said. “I raised my family in Fair Lawn and I care passionately about our town. I want to make a positive impact on Fair Lawn by serving on the Borough Council.”
Reinitz and his wife, Jennifer, live in Fair Lawn with their three daughters and dog. He serves as a coordinator and coach at Fair Lawn All Sports and is on the board of trustees of Kier’s Kidz, a charity dedicated to children afflicted with pediatric and adolescent cancers and their families. In his professional life, Reinitz is a municipal law attorney certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court. He is a graduate of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) Leadership Academy, serves on the NJSBA’s Standing Committee on Legislation and is incoming chair of the Municipal Court Section. Reinitz earned his undergraduate and law degrees at Rutgers, where he was director of operations for the women’s basketball team.
“With Fair Lawn at a critical moment in time, I plan to use my leadership and problem-solving skills to ensure the town fulfills its potential of being a great place to live and raise a family,” Reinitz said. “Having observed the workings of local government first hand on the Zoning Board, I am well prepared to address any issues facing the borough and would be honored to be elected to serve the people of Fair Lawn.”
“With their community and professional experiences, both Gail Rottenstrich and Josh Reinitz have demonstrated the leadership skills needed to excel at serving our residents as part of the Borough Council,” said Deputy Mayor Kurt Peluso.
“Josh and Gail are two talented, intelligent engaging individuals who will make great contributions to Fair Lawn as members of the Council,” said Councilwoman Lisa Swain.
Rottenstrich and Reinitz received the unanimous endorsement of the Fair Lawn Democratic Committee and Fair Lawn Democratic Organization.
