Richard F. Visotcky

Richard F. Visotcky (October 3, 1929 – November 2, 2002) was an American Democratic Party politician who served as mayor of Garfield, New Jersey for six terms was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly.

Richard F. Visotcky
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 36th district
In office
January 8, 1974 – January 7, 1986
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byPaul DiGaetano
Kathleen Donovan
Personal details
Born(1929-10-03)October 3, 1929
Garfield, New Jersey
DiedNovember 2, 2002(2002-11-02) (aged 73)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLois Jean Pantess
Children2
Residence(s)Garfield, New Jersey
(later Manahawkin, New Jersey)

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.[1][2]

In 1973, Visotcky and Robert P. Hollenbeck were elected to the General Assembly from the newly created 36th district, defeating incumbent Republican Assemblyman Peter J. Russo and East Rutherford 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.[2] In 1980, he introduced a resolution that would make Bruce Springsteen's song "Born to Run" the unofficial anthem of the New Jersey's youth.[3][4]

In 1985, both Visotcky and Hollenbeck were defeated by Republicans Paul DiGaetano and Kathleen Donovan in the general election. In addition to the coattails from Thomas Kean's landslide victory in the gubernatorial election, 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.[5] Visotcky and his wife, the former Lois Jean Pantess, moved to the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township, New Jersey in the early 1990s. His son, Richard P. Visotkcy, would run unsuccessfully for the Assembly in the 9th district in 2009.[6]

He died on November 2, 2002, survived by his wife and their two sons, Richard P. and Robert John.[7][8]

References
  1. Fitzgerald, J. A. (1985). Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  2. Cattafi, Kristie (December 7, 2016). "Garfield Riverwalk named after city manager". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved March 23, 2019. A boat and kayak ramp in the Riverwalk has also been designated to be named in honor of former Mayor Richard Visotcky, who also served as an assemblyman and deputy speaker of the Assembly. Visotcky served as mayor from 1970 to 1972.
  3. Masur, Louis P. (2009). Runaway Dream: Born to Run and Bruce Springsteen's American Vision. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-1-59691-692-0. Retrieved March 23, 2019. richard Visotcky assemblyman.
  4. Lifton, Dave. "How Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run' Almost Became the 'Unofficial Theme' of New Jersey's Youth". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  5. Wildstein, David (February 8, 2018). "The Life and Times of Paul DiGaetano". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  6. Wildstein, David (April 6, 2009). "Son of ex-Assemblyman running for Ocean Assembly seat". Observer. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  7. "Richard F. Visotcky". The Record/Herald News. November 4, 2002. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  8. "Obituary for Lois Jean (Pantess) Visotcky". Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home & Cremation Service, LLC. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
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