PLATFORM & MISSION
What Bob And Mark Can Do For Mendham
Bob and Mark bring public service experience and business acumen to the campaign. Their ability to communicate data, facts, and documents in an understandable, relatable way will be an asset to the Mendham Borough Council. Democracy hinges and thrives on debate–the one party system that has been operating in Mendham Borough has created detrimental opacity. Mendham Borough deserves new voices that will keep the citizens informed.
Their platform is:
- Proactive Leadership: Shift from the present crisis management mode to proactive government. Your concerns will guide our agenda from day one.
- End Surprise Politics: Transparency will lead to no longer having last-minute surprises at council meetings. Residents need access to relevant information in advance of any vote.
- Early Resolution Review/Accessible Information: Expand the borough's website to make it a true resource for residents. Resolutions posted online before council meetings will give the chance to review and provide input.
It's time for a change in our borough’s governance. We are committed to transforming the way our Council interacts with the community to ensure accountability and openness in every decision.
This campaign is about you — your concerns, your aspirations, and your vision for our community's future. We invite you to join us, attend meetings, and share your ideas. Together, we can build a town that works for all of us.
FOR MENDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
BOB
RITGER
In 2010 Mayor Neil Henry and later Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner appointed Bob to the Zoning Board of Adjustment where he was ultimately elected chairman of the Joint Land Use Board for 3 years for a total of 13 years of service.
For Bob, becoming a member of the Borough Council is an opportunity to provide Mendham with his wealth of experience gathered while seeing the town go through different changes. He will use his expertise in planning, managing, and executing complex projects that involve multiple parties to keep the public fully informed along the way. When the public knows how and why things are done then beneficial changes can be embraced and implemented. If residents are kept in the dark then the mayor and council has failed its constituents.
Bob Ritger grew up in Mendham after his family moved here from South Orange in 1968. It was a time when the population in the Borough was in the process of doubling between 1960 and 1980. Bob attended St. Joseph’s School before transferring to Mountain View School and then on to West Morris Mendham High School where county and conference championship banners hang in the gym for a soccer team he once captained. Inspired by Mechanical and Architectural Drawing teacher Mr. Krape, Bob pursued a career in architecture. He obtained his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame where he was also a goalkeeper for the Fighting Irish varsity soccer team.
Bob has a multi-faceted career in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. He was instrumental in the integration of computer technology in the design practice when Computer Aided Design, computer animation and rendering tools first launched. Recently, Bob has implemented AI tools that assist in project site evaluation and feasibility studies for current design projects. He’s worked as a design professional and director of IT for some of the most innovative architectural firms in the US including Hillier, Gensler, Payette and Philip Johnson. Bob is currently the Construction Administrator and IT Advisor for Studio Hillier in Princeton, NJ.
To look after Bob’s aging father, he and his wife Angela Gonzalez returned to Mendham Borough in 2008 and raised their two kids who attended Hilltop, Mountain View and Mendham High.
FOR MENDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
MARK
VAN DEN HENDE
Mark is running for a seat on the Mendham Borough Council because he understands the importance of preserving the charm of our tight-knit community. He believes that fair and balanced perspectives are crucial to moving forward with the development and upkeep of our beautiful borough.
With his professional skills and experience, Mark will bring valuable contributions to the work needed in Mendham Borough. His strengths include leadership, teamwork, execution, decision-making, communications, strategy and business development, business acumen, contract negotiations, technical competence, critical thinking, and human interpersonal management skills. He also possesses knowledge in government regulatory affairs.
As a parent, Mark is passionate about preserving the close-knit community in Mendham Borough where he and his wife have raised their twins. He is committed to working towards ensuring safe neighborhoods, solid infrastructure, and providing thought leadership to promote the success of families in our community.
Mark Van Den Hende has lived in Mendham for 16 years. He is a proud father of twins, a dedicated poll worker ensuring everyone’s vote counts, and comes from a family legacy of public service. Mark is a Commercial Manager at Mitsubishi Power and has over 35 years of experience as a Commercial Manager, Project Manager, and Lead Engineer providing environmental control systems to the power, industrial, and paper & pulp industries. He has an Engineering degree from Lehigh University and an MBA from Rutgers Business School.
