A New Jersey township has elected a new mayor -- the fifth person to hold the office since the longtime mayor died this summer.
In August, longtime Rockaway Township mayor Michael Dachisen died from a heart attack and Council President Jeremy Jedynak became acting mayor for 30 days. The North Jersey Record reports the council then named Paul Minenna interim mayor in a controversial decision that prompted a lawsuit.
A judge's ruling in the lawsuit led to the appointment of a new interim mayor, Adam Salberg.
New Mayor Michael Puzio ran unopposed and was elected Tuesday. He says residents were energized by recent political drama and are ready for a change.
Jedynak said Wednesday that he hopes to work with Puzio and find common ground.
The township, meanwhile, still lists Dachisen as its acting mayor on its website.
