John B. Lane sworn in for second term as Hawthorne mayor

Mayor John B. Lane was sworn in for a second four-year term during a New Year ceremony in Hawthorne, reciting the oath of office as the judge administered it and pledging to "support the Constitution" and serve the borough "faithfully, impartially, and to the best of my abilities." Judge John Viola administered the oath.

Lane thanked attendees and dignitaries in brief remarks that followed the oath. He named several elected and appointed officials in attendance, including Vice President of the Council Bruce Bennett, Councilman Mike Squeera, Board of Education President Marco Tataro and board attorney Michael Pasquale, and acknowledged the Hawthorne Police Department, fire department and ambulance corps.

"I am excited about another 4 years," Lane said, expressing his openness to ideas and concerns from residents and business owners and urging community members to work together. He asked residents to sign up for NCSEL emergency notifications and to consult the borough website for updates.

Lane said he will present a fuller "state of the borough" address at the borough's reorganization meeting on January 7 and invited continued public engagement during his term. The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Pastor Wes and an invitation to attendees to stay for coffee and cookies.

Pastor Howie delivered the invocation earlier in the program and Pastor Wes gave the benediction, praying for "the blessing of the almighty" on the borough and its leaders. No formal votes or motions were taken at the event; it was a ceremonial swearing-in and welcome for the mayor's second term.