The Honorable Kathi F. Fiamingo was sworn in as a Judge of the Tax Court of New Jersey on April 1, 2014 at the Wilentz Justice Complex in Newark, NJ
Kathi has been a life-long resident of Kenilworth and has a long history of public service to the community which began as a member on the Board of Education in 1994 and culminated with her serving as Mayor from 2008 – 2014. When asked what inspired her passion for public service she replied “I felt that I could give something back to the community that had given so much to me.”
Kathi is a first-generation American, her parents, Jack and Katherine (nee Spilingesi) immigrated from Calabria Italy as children, her mom from Brunello and her Dad from Spilinga. Both their families settled in Newark, NJ. After they married, the Fiamingos bought a home in Irvington, NJ and in 1953 they moved with their growing family, they went on to have eight children, to Kenilworth where Kathi’s mom had family living at the time, including one of her brothers. Kathi was born in 1954. She attended St. Theresa’s grammar school and David Brearley Regional high school. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude – from Seton Hall University and a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude – Seton Hall Law School. She also holds a Masters in Law (Taxation) from New York University School of Law.
During her swearing in ceremony Kathi stated “My parents would be very happy today, not just for me, but for all their children for what we’ve all achieved because of their parenting which taught us the importance of education, family and giving back.”
All of the speakers at the ceremony lauded Kathi for her dedicated community service, work ethic, love and compassion for family, friends and community. Speakers included State Senator Thomas Kean, Jr.; Reverend Joseph Bejgrowtiz of Saint Theresa’s Church; Philip Morin, Chairman of the Union County Republican Committee; and longtime friends John DeSimone, Hon. Karen Smith, Esq., and John Iaciofano, Esq.
Prior to being elected Mayor of the Borough of Kenilworth in 2008, Kathi served as a Council member and Finance Committee Chairwoman from 2001-2003 and 2007. She served as president of the Kenilworth Borough Council in 2007. She served on the Board of Education from 1994-1999 and served as the Board’s president in 1999.
She was an Inductee to the David Brearley Hall of Fame in 2001; a Trustee, Board of Trustees Kenilworth Public Library in 2000; Member, Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control Committee and Member; Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee, 2008-2014.
In her professional life, Kathi was a Tax Attorney – Partner with the law firm of Iaciofano & Fiamingo and an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University Graduate Business Program. She also served as the Chairperson, Kenilworth Republican Municipal Committee from 2002- 2004 and as Vice Chair, Republican Committee of Union County from 2006-2014.
Kathi Fiamingo has resigned as Mayor of the Borough of Kenilworth. As Council President, Scott Klinder automatically became Acting Mayor. At the April 9th, 2014 Borough Council meeting the council will elect the new Mayor from among its members. The mayor’s seat will then be placed on the ballot of the 2014 General Election to be held in November. The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Kathi Fiamingo’s term, which expires on December 31, 2015.
