Rochelle Park tosses mayor, GOP leader pulls re-election support

A venomous split between Republicans in Rochelle Park led to the censure and removal of Perrin Mosca as mayor on Wednesday and the withdrawal of GOP party support for his re-election campaign, after calling some elected officials “not good Catholics” for supporting the raising of a rainbow flag during Pride Month and then threatening colleagues who disagreed with him.

“Mosca has embarrassed the township and brought its governance to a screeching halt, threatening two decades of progress,” said Republican municipal chairman Frank Valenzuela, a former mayor.  “Unfortunately, he used his position to create a negative atmosphere guided by his personal ideals versus what is best for the residents of Rochelle Park.”

The township committee voted 4-0 to pull the mayoralty from Mosca – Democrat Linda Boniface joined three Republicans;  Deputy Mayor Jennifer Appice will serve as acting mayor until a vote for a new mayor can be held at the governing body’s next meeting.

Valenzuela said Mosca has not been to a meeting since last month.

“Rochelle Park Republicans have always governed as common-sense conservatives,” Valenzuela said. “When I supported Mosca in 2020, I believed he understood and knew the role he was nominated for and believed in the values of good government, common sense, and the best interest of the residents and the township.”

Instead, Valenzuela said he can’t support Mosca for a second term.

The infighting among Republicans could result in Democratic control after the November election.  Republicans have a 4-1 majority on the township committee, but three of their seats are on the ballot this year.    Mosca and Appice, face Democrats Teresa Judge Cravello and Jorge Martinez and Joseph Scarpa, a former Republican mayor who is running as an independent.  In a special election for an unexpired term, Republican Robert Marut is up against Democrat Thomas Miller.

“He needs to leave office immediately, as he has already been advised as well as to drop off the Republican ticket,” stated Valenzuela.  “If Mosca cares about the future of the town one iota, he will take himself out of contention.”

Reached by the New Jersey Globe, Mosca asked if he could call back later.  He did not.