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TEANECK -- Mohammed Hameeduddin became the first Muslim mayor in Bergen County history Thursday, as a divided Township Council elected him after a fierce, weeks-long debate over who should take the gavel.
Hameeduddin, who won his council seat two years ago, earned five out of seven votes at the annual reorganization of township government, which took place outside the municipal building.
Councilwoman Lizette Parker, who had served as deputy mayor since her election in 2006, fell short of votes needed to become Teaneck's first female African-American mayor.
Parker and Barbara Toffler voted for Parker; Hameeduddin, Adam Gussen, Monica Honis, Elie Katz and Yitz Stern voted for Hameeduddin.
At recent council meetings, a number of residents questioned whether Parker would be denied the mayor's seat in part because of her race and gender, pointing to her status as the top vote-getter in May.
And earlier this week, while a clearly frustrated Parker stopped short of accusing her fellow council members of using her color or...