West New Yorker John N. Fauta, after many years working within the school system, has finally reached the pinnacle as superintendent of the West New York Board of Education! As the successor to the legendary educator and Superintendent Dr. Robert Van Zanten (now recently retired), Mr. Fauta is very respectfully humble in filling his predecessor’s educational shoes! Born in Jersey City and raised in Ridgefield Park, he moved to North Bergen, and then to West New York as a property owner. Graduating from North Bergen High School in 1965, Superintendent Fauta then went on to achieve a bachelor of arts degree at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, and then in 1973, he achieved a master of arts degree at Montclair State University in Upper Montclair. During this time period, from 1971 to 1976, Superintendent Fauta was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, and reached the rank of Captain. In 1998, he achieved another master of arts degree at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City. In 1994, Superintendent Fauta became a social studies teacher at Memorial High School in West New York, and then moved up to assistant athletic director there under the directorship and mentorship of present West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega for four years. Then in 2003, he was promoted to assistant principal at the high school, and later on became the principal at Public School No. 3 in the town school system. In 2007, he was further promoted to become the assistant superintendent of schools to Dr. Van Zanten, and finally in June 2010 became Superintendent of Schools in the Town of West New York!
Personally, Superintendent Fauta is a very mild-mannered man who doesn’t seem to let things frustrate or bother him, and seemingly tackles obstacles as they arise with the needed vigor of an educational professional! He tells us that he is married to his lovely wife Georgina, and that they celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary this past June, which was a very celebratory month, indeed! His wife is the former principal of James J. Ferris High School in Jersey City, and they have a nine-year old daughter named Irene, their pride and joy! He further tells us that his loving parents Chris and Irene are now deceased, and that he has a brother Stanley, who lives in Sparta, and a sister Pamela, who is also now deceased. Furthermore, he tells us that he is a former businessman, and that he was the owner of the West New York Florist shop until 1995.
In his leisure time, Superintendent Fauta tells us that he likes to jog, play basketball, and go swimming. He likes the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and the New York Knickerbockers. For vacations, he likes the mountains mostly, and has traveled to Spain, Italy, Japan, China, the Caribbean, and to Florida and California. As for music he likes the Rock and Roll era of the 1960s and 1970s. Moreover, he likes to take his wife and daughter to Broadway plays and dinner, especially for the artistic value and experience for their daughter. He likes American history, especially the President Abraham Lincoln era. Furthermore, he likes to keep on top of world events and reads, watches, and listens to national and international news in the making.
Superintendent Fauta also tells us that he is a member of the West New York Parking Authority and a member of the Principals and Supervisors Association of New Jersey, which also keeps him busy and takes his professional efforts into other areas of duty and responsibility.
West New York Mayoral Aide Neil Carroll tells us that Superintendent Fauta, much like the retired Superintendent Dr. Van Zanten, is one of the nicest people anyone would enjoy meeting, and is truly a credit to his educational profession! What more can be said, except to Superintendent Fauta, All the Best!
North Bergenites Daniel Girardi, Robert Kress, Nathalia Lopes, Jeffrey Saavedra, Arina Trifonova, and Jessie Viscarra were all named to the Dean’s List at Ramapo College. Leaders of Tomorrow, make us proud!
Angelette Lopes of Secaucus has achieved a bachelor of arts degree at Lasell College in Massachusetts. Congratulations to you, Ms. Lopes!
United States Army Reserve Officers Training Corps/ROTC Cadet David Miranda has graduated and completed his Leader Development and Assessment coursework at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. He is the son ofand Martha M. Miranda of Union City. Best wishes, Cadet Miranda!
Juan Castello of Guttenberg is one pleasant banker who, during uncertain economic times, gives his customers a friendly smile and warm greetings at the PNC Bank on River Street in Hoboken. He should be given an Employee of the Month award!
Weehawken’s Finest on Duty! Recently this columnist was making his rounds in the township, and came upon police officers Joseph (Joe The Rock) Lo Rocco and Eric Hammer giving travelers visiting the Exxon Mobil Station and Tiger Mart coffee shop directions into the Lincoln Tunnel, Weehawken, Hoboken, and surrounding areas on a busy night! Patrolman LoRocco, after helping a pedestrian, told this columnist that his first wedding anniversary to his lovely wife Anna was coming up in October, and he was checking out possibilities of a swanky restaurant to take his wife to. Then lo and behold, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner came by to check out the happenings, and dutifully check on his Men in Blue, to make sure everything was progressing well for residents, too! Happy with results, Mayor Turner purchased coffee for Patrolman Hammer as Patrolman LoRocco left for other duties. Mayor Turner greeted this columnist in a warm friendly manner, and it was appreciated! Furthermore, this columnist was mighty pleased with Mayor Turner and his loyalty to his township residents and his employees, and it showed as the mayor was also totally professional and respectful to all concerned. Great going, Mayor Turner! As for Patrolman LoRocco, before leaving for other duties, athletically mentioned that he now can benchpress 400 pounds at the gym, and was proud of his self-achievement, which takes hard work to accomplish. Well, they don’t call him “Joe The Rock” for nothing! To all of you, keep up the great work for the Township of Weehawken!
And so it goes …until next time …see you around town …MATT.
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