Joe Kolodziej

Joe was born and raised in Clifton and graduated from Clifton schools. He has over twenty years of service to the community through the City Council, Board of Education as past President, other Board positions including Evergreen Manor, volunteer coaching for basketball and soccer, and ongoing support to many community organizations. Joe previously served on the Clifton City Council from 2010-2018 and the current 2022 - 2026 term.

Joe's family has a long history of service and community involvement in Clifton, both parents, Joseph and Gloria, served on the City Council with Gloria two terms as Mayor, and his Great-Grandmother, Anna Mamczur served on the Committee to build the St. John Kanty church and school in the Athenia section. Joe is the fourth generation of his family living in Clifton and was taught a strong family value of community service.

Joe's perspective is a trusted addition to City management and combines his business experience with advanced education and licensing in government finance and administration to bring informed and innovative ideas to the City's management, budgeting and negotiation practices. He brings expertise in NJ state municipal budgeting.

Joe's goals include improved communications with residents through dedicated communications staff in city hall, stabilizing taxes with smart redevelopment of former manufacturing sites, new revenue streams to offset property taxes like metered parking, parking garages, cannabis manufacturing and many others, multi-year financial planning to improve aging infrastructure, mitigate flooding and address quality of life concerns. Plus, adopting responsible multi-year budgeting plans to avoid spiking costs and increase expenses on basic maintenance and capital projects.

He earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Penn State University, is a licensed NJ municipal CFO and qualified purchasing agent. He is a homeowner and lives in the Montclair Heights section with his wife and two sons who attend Clifton Public Schools.