Ridgewood Village Council Election Profiles: HyunJu Kwak
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Besides the presidential election on Nov. 5, many Bergen County towns are seeing heated local races as well. In Ridgewood, four people are running for three seats in a non-partisan election for the five-member Village Council.
The candidates for a four-year term are:
Patch is running profiles of all four candidates (look at Ridgewood Patch for the others ).
Here is HunJu Kwak's profile.
Name: HunJu Kwak
Age:
Education:
MBA from the Wharton School of Business B.A. magna cum laude from Brown University Pembroke College, Oxford University
Occupation: Private investor
Past volunteer jobs and any government service:
Other experience relevant to the position:
I represent the Board of Education on the Fields Committee, working with various sports groups and Village Council liaisons.
Do you have any relatives in town government or the schools now, or working on town boards or schools? Who?
No.
How long have you lived in town, and where did you grow up?
I set my roots in Ridgewood in 2003, and it was a dream come true to buy our home here. I was born in South Korea, and my family moved to Japan and England before eventually settling nearby in Bergen County. Growing up, I helped my parents run our family store and worked to put myself through Brown University. Ridgewood is my home, and I am committed to giving back to this community that has given me so much.
QUESTIONS (250 word limit for each answer):
Fiscal efficiency, environmental stewardship and open governance are the most important issues in my mind. High property taxes are a major concern, and inflationary pressures continue to stress municipal and school budgets. I have a proven track record of focusing our tax dollars where it matters most on the school budget, which is two-thirds of our property taxes. I will strive for efficient use of tax dollars while maintaining high-quality services.
I will champion community safety and health, including clean water and soil health and the infrastructure upgrades to safeguard our Village. Flood mitigation efforts are critical, and I believe we can tackle silt containment, plantings of water-absorbing trees like willows, and renewed efforts to clear the debris from our brooks in addition to the collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers. Flooding impacts residents' homes as well as sports fields, and I will advocate for practical solutions to protect our constituents.
Above all, I commit to acting with care and transparency. Open governance in which resident input is invited and respected is the cornerstone of my public service.
I am a public servant with a proven track record of service to our community. What sets me apart is my skill set, honed through education and career, combined with a strong work ethic and a vision for a vibrant Ridgewood. Ridgewood is a complex enterprise with three operational centers: Ridgewood Water, the parking utility, and the general budget. Ridgewood Water serves not only Ridgewood but also Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, expanding our responsibilities beyond our town. With my corporate strategy and finance background, I can help optimize this multiplex of budgeting and functional needs. My financial experience and deep understanding of tax-derived budgets are unique among the candidates. During my tenure on the Board of Education, Ridgewood rose to #4 in New Jersey public school rankings, and we expanded programs such as world language instruction at the elementary level. All of this was accomplished with a 5.5% budget increase, compared to a 15% rise in municipal taxes during the same period. I am comfortable handling complex financial issues and will work to protect residents from rising taxes while maintaining Ridgewood's high quality of life. I come from a small business background, working at my parent's store and from investments. Ridgewood's charming downtown will be a focus, and I will seek to amplify our signature events to market Ridgewood as a premier destination. For example, I co-founded the Ridgewood Lunar Festival, now in its third year, which brings the community together and showcases our welcoming village.
Diversity of opinions should be celebrated, and in fact, innovation and progress happens when there are new and different perspectives brought to the table. I seek to have the discourse, invite the dialogue and expand the conversation on issues that impact our Ridgewood experience.
I will listen to residents and act with transparency in all matters. Open governance that works for the residents is paramount for our engaged community. My pledge is backed by my track record on the Board of Education where the public comment period is long and we respect every input. I will seek to restore the unrestricted public comment period at Village Council meetings, advocate for regular town halls with experts and consultants on critical issues, and provide clear communication every step of the way.
Land use is a key local issue that includes managing open spaces inventory and planning the future of our Village. The resident-supported Master Plan is our guide, and I believe in preserving Ridgewood's charm by thoughtful development of our town. Our tree canopy is one of the defining features of the Village's appeal, and along with a lively downtown and a top-ranked school district, Ridgewood will remain one of the most desirable places to live in the entire state.
Ridgewood Village Council elections are non-partisan, and I believe it is important to protect the local, everyday issues from the divide of national politics. I firmly respect the political party affiliations of our community and elected officials. What matters most is how we can work together to address the issues that affect our daily lives—clean water, soil health, and strong municipal services. These are essential needs that transcend party lines, and my focus is on finding solutions that benefit all residents of Ridgewood, regardless of political affiliation.
What I want people to know about me is that I am deeply committed to Ridgewood and its future. When we bought our home in Ridgewood in 2003, it felt like an American dream come true. I am running to give back to this Village I love. My career and educational journey—from working in my family's small business to graduating from Brown and Wharton—taught me the value of hard work and service. I've brought that same work ethic and dedication to serving this wonderful community. Three of five seats are open in this election. Your vote will shape the next four years of our Village. With the honor of your one vote, I will ensure that we have diversity of opinions at the table. I humbly ask for your support to work for all of you and ensure Ridgewood remains a place we are all proud to call home. Vote HyunJu Kwak, public servant with a proven track record. Thank you!\
Other Information
These questions were sent to all Ridgewood council candidates. If you did not receive yours, email us here.
