October-November 2001 Edition

Council Candidate:  Dan Whalen     1.  Why do you want to be on the council? I want to serve on the Fair Lawn Borough Council because I believe that I can contribute in a meaningful way to my hometown in Fair Lawn government. I am a lifelong Fair Lawn resident, married to a Fair Lawn native and have been fortunate and blessed to be a homeowner and father for over the past four years. I have seen what Fair Lawn was, what it is and what it could be. I want to bring a perspective to this council that is sorely lacking.   I have watched this present council in action and believe that there is much room for improvement. I believe that there is closed-door decision- making behavior and a lack of openness that is alarming. The controversy earlier this year over the Mayor's original taping and editing plan of Council meetings is one of the more recent examples. The Mayor's lack of an explanation of when and where the Municipal Building expansion was discussed is also fresh in our minds. Finally, the outrageous secretive TREECO re-development plan of Broadway that Mayor Ganz was instrumental in just two years ago is yet another example.   I want to serve on the council in order to bring balance to a too often unanimous and unresponsive council majority that makes closed-door decisions first, feigns an interest in citizen input next, and shuts off debate after the decisions have been already made. I want to be a voice of the many silent people in town who are blocked from a full view of their council in action to make sure that Fair Lawn's true interests are being served.     2.  Why do you think you would be a good council member? I believe I would bring a unique perspective and fresh enthusiasm to the governing body. I have never run for or held elective office. This is an asset because I am beholden to no one and have only my hometown interests in mind.   I have a strong educational background- BA Rutgers University 1988, Graduate student for Masters of Business Administration at William Paterson University, and practical business experience for the past thirteen years as a claims specialist at a Fortune 500 insurance company. I am a good listener and like to listen to as many points of view as possible prior to making decisions. These qualities are essential if we are to succeed in stabilizing taxes and opening up municipal government to the people of Fair Lawn.   I am fortunate to have seen and experienced 35 years of Fair Lawn's history first-hand. I have seen this town from the perspective of public school student (Forrest, Memorial, Fair Lawn High -Class of '84), municipal employee during my college years, and as a contributing member of its civic and religious organizations.   I am a homeowner, husband, father of one young daughter (with another child on the way), and Fair Lawn is my home. I love this town and have chosen to be part of the solution of keeping Fair Lawn a desirable community for young and old alike.   I believe that most Fair Lawn citizens want a government that is responsive to their needs, attempts to keep taxes as low as possible while maintaining necessary community services, and that understands that Quality of Life in our town is of the utmost importance to our friends and neighbors.   Finally, I will do everything in my power to convince fellow council members that taxing and spending unwisely is not the way to keep Fair Lawn a desirable community to live and work in. I will look at the Fair Lawn budget with common sense in a similar way as I look at a family budget while raising a family. Discipline, tough choices, and an eye on getting the best quality for the most reasonable dollar is required in order to make a household, as well as municipal budget function effectively.     3.  What would you like to accomplish in the next four years? If I have the honor and privilege of being elected, I will fight to stop the out of control rising taxes. The 8.9 point tax increases that Mayor Ganz and this 5-0 majority Democrat council have burdened our taxpayers with over the past two years is unacceptable. This translates to 4.5 percent over the past two years and $170 for the average homeowner. Conversely, the prior four years when Republicans were on the council taxes increased just 6 points. This meant an average increase of 1.5 percent per year for a total of $108. Again, this was over a four-year period.   If elected, as an active councilperson, I pledge to keep every taxpayer in my mind as we deal with the results of this present council's irresponsible and ill- conceived taxing and spending plans.   I will push for opening up Fair Lawn government so that not only are Council meetings televised year-round, live and unedited, but also the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Board of Education open up their meetings to television as well. I believe that Fair Lawn needs as many people as possible to observe the public workings of these bodies. Common sense indicates that a more informed citizenry will hold their public officials more accountable to the people.   I would like to be part of a solution to Fair Lawn's ongoing problems in keeping and attracting business, while maintaining and improving our quality of life in town. The River Road Improvement Corporation's model is one that Broadway might emulate-if the political will emerges (more on this topic later). While the improvements on River Road appear cosmetic at this time, this is a first step and the present attempt at attracting business is worthwhile. However, unnecessary development (such as the Scholastic Bus situation as a result of re-zoning by the current council) needs to be weighed against the resulting possible effects on quality of life such as the resulting increased traffic that will result.   I will be a councilperson who seeks input from as many people in our town as possible prior to making decisions that will affect the future of Fair Lawn. Window dressing like "taking the council on the road" is no substitute for true openness, responsiveness, and live and unedited telecasts of each and every one of these meetings. I would like to be part of a council that people in town can say, "I may not agree" with what has been decided, but "I understand" why it was decided and have been given fair opportunity to influence the council's decisions before the council made its decision.     4.   What is your opinion on three issues that are often raised in Fair Lawn News: (a) Broadway, (b) River Road, and (c) traffic/pedestrian safety?   4a. Broadway:  For too long, Broadway, especially South Broadway, has been an ignored part of Fair Lawn. Broadway is the first impression for many of Fair Lawn's visitors. It is in need of improvement, but redevelopment such as the disastrous TREECO attempt is neither warranted nor something which I would support. What is needed, is code enforcement by the borough of any business along the corridor that does not meet its obligations and a willingness of borough officials to look at and act on the recommendations of the Broadway Committee report submitted in June 2000.   While a River Road Improvement Corporation type attempt is urged by some, I urge caution at such an attempt at this time. The reason is simple. The political will does not exist now for this attempt to occur. While Mayor Ganz promised action on the Broadway Report after the failure of TREECO, this council has failed to act. Unless and until this happens, business is unlikely to undertake the initiative necessary for this to occur. Sometimes government needs to set the climate for desired change to occur. After TREECO, many parties appear wary and skeptical that this can happen. What does need to occur, however, is for the council to fully notify and involve the public in any discussions before such possibilities as potential expansions of the Broadway Train Station or any other major projects that may be anticipated by this or future councils. In other words: No More TREECOS.   4b. River Road:  It appears that the jury is still out on River Road. While the River Road Improvement Corporation claims a boost in tax ratables to this district since the implementation of this district, there still are too many vacancies and turnover in many of the stores in this area. There has been some aesthetic improvement with sidewalks, light poles, etc but it is unclear at this time whether or not the aesthetics will attract new business and customers to this distance. However, one thing appears perfectly clear. Parking meters on River Road are not necessary, and can only serve to dissuade more patrons from coming to this area. This is an ill- conceived plan and has the ironic potential of hurting the businesses it purports to help.   4c. Traffic/Pedestrian Safety:   As a resident who frequently enjoys walks with my wife and young daughter around our neighborhood (from River Road to Memorial Park, to Fair Lawn Avenue and Berdan Avenue around the High School), I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of both pedestrian and motor vehicle safety. I have followed with interest the recent remarks of some writers on this site of the impatient and dangerous drivers who ignore school bus warnings. This is sad and scary, but not shocking to me. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in aggressive driving, whether it is local or highway traffic. This needs to stop and it requires basic common sense and courtesy.   However, it appears that some people have neither. Strict enforcement and punishment of those in violation is needed in order to deter any future aggressive or stupid behavior that has been recently described, as well as any other violations. While enforcement occurs on a case by case basis by each officer, and the present traffic safety officer does a fine job in his capacity perhaps it is time for new thinking in this area. Perhaps a discussion of whether or not a division of the police department needs to be created to devote to traffic safety is warranted. It is a discussion worth having.   Additionally, pedestrians have responsibilities to traffic safety as well. Fair Lawn is covered with sidewalks. They are there for pedestrians to use. My personal observation is that too many people fail to use them. I urge people to use them more frequently. Again, this is possibly an issue for open discussion for a future pedestrian task force.   Finally, I would commend Phil Plotch and the Pedestrian Safety Task Force Committee on their recent efforts regarding Fair Lawn Avenue. I agree with the Fair Lawn News August Editorial 100% and would add that urging the Bergen County Freeholders to address this issue is advisable as well.   5.  What do you think are the other top issues? The need for honesty and integrity from councilpersons. The need for responsibility and accountability from councilpersons and from those which they appoint, such as the Borough Manager. Skyrocketing water rates. They have increased 26% over the past two years.  Memorial pool. The effect of an opening of the pool one month early (the end of May and ¾ of June) and closing one month later (September) for weekend use. Approximately 60 extra days of water entering and leaving the pool for 16 days of potential swimming- weather permitting. Is this a good reason to make Fair Lawn residents’ water rates skyrocket?  No. A continued acknowledgement and appreciation of the crucial role the countless volunteers play in our community.   6.  Anything else you would like to say? Thank you to Phil Plotch for giving me this opportunity to address these important issues, and thank you for providing this badly needed web site to the citizens of Fair Lawn. You provide an invaluable service, not only to Our Town, but your involvement in such an endeavor while the lunacy of the Emerson Council/Web site case unfolds is commendable.   While our present Mayor and council struggled with the simple concept of live and unedited broadcasts of council meetings earlier this year, you launched a web site and discussion page that has proven to be an invaluable addition to Fair Lawn and one in which no governing body should ever be able to silence. An informed and involved citizenry is crucial in order for a representative republic to survive.   Finally, it has been an honor to speak with so many of my old friends and neighbors, as well as many new ones, regarding the important issues facing our town. I look forward to continuing this dialogue.     What Do You Think?: Send an e- mail to editor@fairlawnnews.com or post a message on the Fair Lawn News Discussion Forum.