Passaic County commissioners honor Klein Ribbon’s 100th, mark retirement of longtime economic development director and departing commissioner

Passaic County commissioners presented proclamations and made administrative announcements at their final meeting of 2024, honoring Klein Ribbon’s 100th anniversary, recognizing the retirement of Deborah Hoffman, and marking the departure of Commissioner Niccolino Gallo. The board also amended one agenda item and closed the public comment period before setting its January 2025 reorganization meeting.

The board opened with an invocation from Rabbi Randall Mark of Shom Rhetorah Synagogue in Wayne, who urged unity across faiths and communities. "May we build bridges here in Passaic County between Jews and Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, among others," he said, concluding, "let us be peacemakers in your name in the neighborhood that is our world." The invocation immediately preceded a series of ceremonial recognitions.

A proclamation read by county leadership recognized Klein Ribbon — founded in 1925 in Paterson — for 100 years in business. The proclamation credited the company’s multigenerational leadership and contributions to the local business community in Paterson and throughout Passaic County. A family representative who accepted the proclamation noted personal ties to the city, saying he was "thrilled" and recalling Eastside High School and Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson.

The board then presented a retirement proclamation for Deborah Hoffman, who the board identified as retiring from the Passaic County Division of Economic Development after service beginning in 2000. The proclamation — read into the record by county leadership — credited Hoffman with securing more than $33,000,000 in federal, state and foundation grants during her tenure, directing roughly $8,100,000 in pandemic-era grants to county businesses, sponsoring 154 seminars for the business community, publishing business directories and newsletters for two decades, and conducting six business surveys. The proclamation also said Hoffman helped establish the Passaic County Motion Picture and Television Commission, facilitated the expansion or relocation of roughly 100 companies in the county (the proclamation cited about $1,780,000,000 in financing tied to those efforts and more than 6,300 jobs created or retained), and managed the county’s Community Development Block Grant work dating to 2008, overseeing about $29,500,000 in grants.

Hoffman accepted the board’s recognition and thanked commissioners and county staff. "I really want to thank the commissioners and the county administrator for your guidance, for your support," she said, adding that those accomplishments were the result of partnerships across agencies and community groups.

The meeting also included tributes to Commissioner Niccolino Gallo, who is leaving the board after three years. Director Clark Bartlett and multiple colleagues praised Gallo’s collegial approach and public service; Bartlett said he valued Gallo’s work across the aisle and presented the departing commissioner with a commemorative clock. Gallo said, "No. But I wanna thank the board, my colleagues here. It's been, quite an honor and a pleasure to work in everyone here. Thank you." Colleagues offered personal remarks and best wishes.

On procedural business, staff reported a needed amendment to agenda item M7: the term was to be retroactive to Nov. 1, 2023, and to expire Oct. 31, 2027; the board asked that the amendment be filed. When the public comment period opened, no members of the public approached the podium. A commissioner moved to close the public portion; another commissioner seconded the motion. The board then recorded roll-call affirmations: Cruz — yes; Duffy — yes; Gow — yes; James — yes; (unidentified entry listed as) "the floor" — yes; Kevin Craig Golozarra — yes; Clark Bartlett — yes. The board recorded those responses in the minutes and continued to action items and scheduling.

County leadership announced that the board’s reorganization meeting for January 2025 had been set; the transcript lists a follow-up ceremony "Wednesday 8 at 4:45 p.m. at PCTI" (Passaic County Technical Institute). No additional legislative votes or ordinance adoptions were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.

The meeting closed with holiday greetings from commissioners and staff.