Accomplished.
Principled.
Fearless.
Fighting for Every Resident.
Susan Quatrone doesn't answer to party bosses - she answers to you.
Why I'm Running
In 2022, I won my Council seat the hard way - as an underdog, without institutional support but with a dedicated team of supporters who ran an authentic grassroots campaign. We won by having hundreds of conversations, getting to know one voter at a time.
I passed a Transparency Resolution to make government work in the open. I fought for equal facilities for our girls softball team after years of inaction. I asked hard questions about 30-year tax breaks for developers - and voted no when the answers didn't add up.
Now some of those insiders want to roll back transparency because it's "too cumbersome" to disclose that much to the public. I'm running again because Rutherford deserves a local government that answers to residents, not to a couple of party insiders.
What I've Delivered
Made Government Work in the Open
I passed a resolution requiring the Council to disclose ordinances early in the process — so residents could weigh in before decisions were made, not after. Now some insiders want to roll it back because transparency is "too cumbersome."
Rutherford deserves to see how its government works
Equal Fields - Finally
For years, our girls softball team didn't have the same facilities the boys had. I met with coaches, fought behind the scenes, and pushed it through — often as the only voice on Council willing to make it happen. It took too long, but it's done.
Our daughters deserve better. They got it.
Asked Hard Questions on Tax Breaks
When developers asked for 30-year tax breaks, I didn't rubber-stamp them. I asked if they were necessary. I asked if they were fair to taxpayers. I asked who benefits and who pays the cost. And when the answers didn't add up, I voted no.
Accountability isn't being a troublemaker — that's doing the job.
Priorities
Strengthen Transparency - No Rollback on Sunshine Provisions
The Transparency Resolution I passed required early disclosure so residents could weigh in before decisions were made. Now some want to weaken it, claiming it's "too cumbersome." If re-elected, I'II push to strengthen transparency further — including ensuring the Council only goes into Closed Session when absolutely necessary, not as a way to avoid public scrutiny.
Citizens' Advisory Group on Development
Before I was on Council, developers got 30-year tax breaks without giving much back. I propose an independent panel of residents to advise the Council on every development project — separate from the Planning Board, with real political independence. PILOTs should only be granted when necessary, and developers should deliver public value in return: parking, infrastructure, community benefit.
Preserve What Makes Rutherford Unique
Our historic homes and majestic trees aren't negotiable. I'll push for the Historic Preservation Society to have formal input on demolition decisions, and work with the Shade Tree Commission to establish enforceable protections for heritage trees before developers can remove them. Safety and infrastructure matter - but so does the character of this town.
About Susan
I grew up in Rutherford, left for a while, and came back to raise my daughter here. This town isn't a campaign backdrop for me - it's home. It's where my family has lived for nearly fifty years.
I am an attorney who represents veterans and older individuals. I fight negligent landlords to keep tenants in their homes, obtain Social Security disability benefits for war heroes, and help elderly cancer patients with end of life planning.
I was raised in Rutherford and live here with my partner, Brett, and daughter, Cordelia, who have sacrificed an enormous amount to make my public service possible. I attended Rutherford public schools and then graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham Law School.
I believe that local government should work for the people who live here - not the people who think they run it. That's why I'm in this fight. And that's why I'm asking for your vote.