It’s official.
Franklin Park’s new mayor, Cristen Fiffik, a Democrat, was sworn in during the borough’s reorganization meeting Jan. 5, replacing Dennis O’Keefe, who served as mayor for three terms.
Republican O’Keefe lost to Fiffik, 3,092 to 2,738.
Mayoral terms in Franklin Park are four years.
Fiffik shared her appreciation for the new position.
“I am honored and humbled that the residents of Franklin Park have placed their trust in me to serve them as their first-ever Democrat and first-ever female mayor. Looking ahead, I am committed to working alongside council and the police department to ensure Franklin Park remains a premier place to raise a family in Pennsylvania, with a focus always on public safety,” Fiffik said.
Newly elected council members J. Curtis Neil of Ward 3, Venu Paruvelli of Ward 2 and incumbent Uday Palled of Ward 1, all Democrats, also were sworn in at the meeting.
Palled resumed his post as president by unanimous vote. Neil nominated council member Laura Czekaj as vice president, but she declined.
Kristen Losco also was sworn in as the borough’s real estate tax collector.
The swearing-ins were conducted by District Judge Giuseppe Rosselli.
Republicans Lucas R. Myslinski and Thomas C. Schwartzmier, from Wards 2 and 3, respectively, lost to Neil and Paruvelli in the general election Nov. 5.
Sitting council members, with terms expiring in December 2027, include Dr. Jiang Li of Ward 1, who was reappointed as vice president, and Laura Czekaj of Ward 2, who was reappointed as second vice president, and Brian Malkin of Ward 3.
Franklin Park’s council work sessions are held at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the municipal building, 2355 W. Ingomar Road. Premeetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, followed by a regular meeting at 8 p.m.
For details, visit franklinparkborough.us.
