A World War II veteran of Italian origin, he won the election last November 2 in the town of Tinton Falls, New Jersey at the age of 97. After the 2017 term he will be mayor for the second time, remaining in office until 101 years old
Vito Perillo elected mayor of New Jersey at age 97
He is the oldest mayor in the United States. At the age of 97, Vito Perillo is once again sporting the mayoral sash of Tinton Falls, having brought home the most votes cast by his 18,000 fellow citizens on Nov.
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Perillo is an Italian-born World War II veteran who was able to convince of the validity of his good work, so much so that he was elected to a second term that will expire when he is 101 years old.
His Facebook post
“I have decided that it will be my last assignment,” commented Perillo ironically speaking to the press about the election result. And being a mayor in tune with the times, he then posted his message of thanks on Facebook : “I stopped wondering why people vote for me.
Maybe because I’m a veteran, maybe because I’m an old man ( but I hope not), or maybe they look at the results of the last four years “. He also said he was proud to have been elected again by his fellow citizens, who already wanted him in 2017 when he decided to run after the death of his wife by his side for more than 60 years.
With no political background, Perillo first ran for mayor in 2018 after sharing concerns about his property tax bill, the spending practices of the Tinton Falls administration and the numerous scandals facing the city’s police department.
Perillo’s daughter, Anna Mae Perillo, told that she is inspired by her father’s continued work as mayor, calling him her “hero.”
“He doesn’t want to be known as the oldest mayor, he just wants to be known as a good mayor,” Perrillo said.
