SerpApi.Org
Nick Veliky of Clifton has joined the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners, filling the seat vacated by John W. Bartlett.
The Passaic County Democratic Committee selected Veliky after Bartlett resigned to become general counsel for the Gateway Development Commission. Veliky was sworn in on July 14 at Dey Mansion in Wayne and will stay for the remainder of 2026.
Voters will decide in November who serves the final year of Bartlett’s term, which runs through 2027. County committee members from each party will select their nominees for that special election.
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That race is separate from Veliky’s ongoing campaign for a full three-year term on the board. Veliky and incumbent Commissioner Orlando Cruz won the Democratic primary in June for the two commissioner seats on the regular November ballot.
Cruz is seeking another term, and Veliky is running for the seat being vacated by Commissioner Bruce James, who is not seeking reelection.
A lifelong Clifton resident, Veliky works in marketing and business development. He previously was president of the Clifton Democratic Club and is an ordained permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. He and his wife, Sharon, have three children who were raised in Clifton.
Commissioner Director Sandi Lazzara said Veliky brings deep community roots, a lifetime of service and a genuine commitment to helping others.
“He understands the importance of working together to deliver results for our residents,” she said.
In a statement, Veliky said his priorities include supporting seniors and veterans and strengthening public safety.
“I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to keep Passaic County affordable, invest in our infrastructure and continue delivering the high-quality services our residents deserve,” he said.
Veliky also thanked Bartlett for his years of service and for “the example he has set through his commitment to public service.”
Bartlett, a Wayne Democrat first elected in 2012, served more than 13 years in county government. County officials recognized him during the board’s June 23 meeting before his departure.
Much of his work centered on transportation funding. Bartlett represented Passaic County on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, serving as chairman of its board from 2022 to 2023, and county officials credited him with helping secure more than $600 million in federal infrastructure funding.
The money supported road, bridge, trail and safety projects across the county, including work on routes 46, 3, 23 and 80, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, bridge replacements and the county’s section of the Morris Canal Greenway.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New commissioner takes a seat in Passaic County. How long he'll serve
