Richard F. Visotcky (October 3, 1929 – November 2, 2002) was an American

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

politician who served as mayor of

Garfield, New Jersey Garfield is a city (New Jersey), city in Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 30,487,New Jersey General Assembly The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature. Since the election of 1967 (1968 Session), the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for ...

Biography

Visotcky was born in Garfield in 1929 and attended Garfield High School. He worked as an office representative for Public Service Electric & Gas Company. He also served as city treasurer for Garfield, was elected to the city council there, and eventually became mayor of the city from 1970 to 1972. In 1973, Visotcky and Robert P. Hollenbeck were elected to the General Assembly from the newly created 36th district, defeating incumbent

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

Assemblyman Peter J. Russo and

East Rutherford East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the borough's population was 10,022, reflecting an increase of 1,109 (+12.4%) from the 8,913 counted in the 2010 census.

mayor James L. Plosia. Visotcky and Hollenbeck would be reelected five more times on the Democratic ticket. Visotcky introduced legislation that would provide pharmaceutical assistance to elderly and disabled people. In 1980, he introduced a resolution that would make

Bruce Springsteen Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore, he is an originat ...

's song "Born to Run" the unofficial anthem of the New Jersey's youth. In 1985, both Visotcky and Hollenbeck were defeated by Republicans

Paul DiGaetano Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity * Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

and

Kathleen Donovan Kathleen A. Donovan (born 1952) is an American Republican Party politician, who served as County Executive of Bergen County, New Jersey. She previously served as County Clerk of Bergen County, New Jersey for four terms, and one term in the Ne ...

in the general election. In addition to the coattails from

Thomas Kean Thomas Howard Kean ( ; born April 21, 1935) is an American businessman, academic administrator and politician. A member of the Republican Party, Kean served as the 48th governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990. Following his tenure as governor, ...

's landslide victory in the

gubernatorial election A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political r ...

, DiGaetano and Donovan also criticized the Assembly's policy of allowing a free buffet lunch to legislators while in session which the two incumbents had partaken. Visotcky and his wife, the former Lois Jean Pantess, moved to the

Manahawkin Manahawkin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States.

section of

Stafford Township, New Jersey Stafford Township is a township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 28,617, an increase of 2,082 (+7.8%) from the 2010 census count of 26,535, which in turn reflected an ...

in the early 1990s. His son, Richard P. Visotkcy, would run unsuccessfully for the Assembly in the 9th district in 2009. He died on November 2, 2002, survived by his wife and their two sons, Richard P. and Robert John.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Visotcky, Richard F. 1929 births 2002 deaths Garfield High School (New Jersey) alumni People from Garfield, New Jersey People from Stafford Township, New Jersey Politicians from Bergen County, New Jersey New Jersey city council members Mayors of places in New Jersey Democratic Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly 20th-century American legislators 20th-century mayors of places in New Jersey