Park Ridge Repeals Sign Ordinance

On June 23rd, 2026, Park Ridge Council repealed Municipal Ordinance 101-34 C.8 by a vote of 4-1, with one abstention, on party lines. Republican Council members Fenwick, Goldsmith, and Cozzi all voted "Yes." Councilman Hoffman also voted "Yes" to repeal the ordinance several weeks after Judge Fierro, of Westwood-Hillsdale Municipal Court found probable cause to charge him with violating that same ordinance. Questions remain as to the propriety of casting a vote while charges are pending against a public official who introduced and voted to pass the repeal measure. What will the Court do about prosecuting an alleged prior violation against Councilman Hoffman after Park Ridge Council passed the repeal of the ordinance? How will the legalization of what was previously clearly illegal impact the case against Lori Fredrics, who is charged with placing removable stickers on political signs purportedly belonging to Councilman Hoffman? Who stood to gain by voting to repeal the ordinance, which was, contrary to the stated rationale, patently constitutional, and which was virtually identical to sign ordinances that remain in force in many Bergen County towns? Were there other underlying reasons for the precipitous introduction and passage of the ordinance? Does this pass the smell test? What do YOU think?