Spring 2004 Edition

Letters to the Editor   "Anatomy of a Wicked Tax Increase" In January, 1996 when the Republican majority assumed control of the Borough Council, former Mayor John Keith admonished the new majority to in essense "do no harm and take care of the needs of the people of Fair Lawn first". In January, 1999 when the borough council was taken over by the Democratic majority, I followed John's precedent of offering advice to the new majority. I said, "Put the people of Fair Lawn first and the politics last". For as long as I can remember local elected officials of both parties have followed, for the most part that axiomatic dvice. Control of Fair Lawn's local government and the decisions made by locally elected officials were never controlled by outside sources and nor were the decisions made part of someone else's agenda. Former mayor Mary Burdick referred to her stewardship as her "watch" and nothing to negatively affect the people of Fair Lawn was going to occur on her watch. Flossie Dobrow also a former mayor always put the people of Fair Lawn first in her heart and first in her council decisions. Former mayor and now Assemblyman Bob Gordon brought logic and process to the Council with absolute disregard for the concern of those outside Fair Lawn. That was then, this is now. Under the leadership of current mayor David Ganz, Fair Lawn, for specific political reasons has been allowed to become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bergen County Democratic organization led by chairman Joe Ferriero.  In my opinion David Ganz has subordinated the needs of Fair Lawn to personal ambitions that can only be advanced with Mr. Ferriero's and the county organization's support and blessing. David Ganz has put politics, power and patronage ahead of his true responsibilities to the people, For example: Prior to becoming a freeholder Mr. Ganz was hired by the Board of Chosen Freeholders to perform legal work for the sum of $25,000. Shortly after that Mr. Doug Bern, freeholder and attorney was hired by the planning board, the chairman of which is the democratic chairman of Fair Lawn, earning a fee of $25,000. The accounting firm of Weinstein and Weinstein was placed on the County's "approved" list and was also awarded non-competitive business. After Mr. Ganz's election as freeholder, Fair Lawn Councilman Alan Caan was hired by Bergen County at a salary of $30,000 per year along with the opportunity to receive health benefits to be Freeholder Ganz's assistant.  Mr Caan now faces the question of an ethical breach or the appearance of one. At the Council he represents the people of Fair Lawn.  This fiduciary responsibility may create a situation that forces him to vote contrary to his employer. A difficult situation indeed.  Mr. Caan may argue that there is no conflict but the position of the courts historically has been that there may be an ethical lapse or the appearance of one. Or Mr. Caan may have already decided to put the politics over the people who elected him and no longer sees any ethical questions or appearances. Now what does all of this have to do with the ANATOMY OF A WICKED TAX INCREASE? These changes of philosophy by the current leadership of Fair Lawn form the backdrop for how this tax increase, the largest in Fair Lawn's history, got to 22.8 points. The increase is the direct result of two events at the council level. The first one is the decision by David Ganz that control of the majority most continue if he is to remain mayor and keep his bully pulpit along with the power to offer appointments to the county democratic leadership in exchange for the opportunity to further his political career. The second is a council that is under his control for several reasons, employment, contracts and the force of his will. This action leads to a third event which is actually a non event the remaining four Council members, not understanding their elected responsibility proxy their responsibilities to their faith in the mayor knowing all. The only council member who has fought this tooth and nail is Marty Etler. Owen McCarty has yet to reach speed but hopefully will soon start to push back. It is axiomatic that good leaders surround themselves with good people who challenge ideas, not yes men who are controlled. In 2003 the seeds for this years election were sown. Politically a zero increase would have gone a long way to preserve the majority and the power. To do that extra funds were withdrawn from the Borough treasury. To cover the 2.3 million short fall an extra 1 million was taken from surplus, the reserve for uncollected taxes was reduced by 1 million and 225,000 was taken from the water utility (first Time in town history) there were 75,000 in real cuts. The balance $2,225,000 was smoke and mirrors. This was all done over the protestations of the CFO who is recognized state wide for his expertise. The mayor knew that these cuts could not be replicated in 2004 because there would be no extra cash. Finally I'm sure that David Ganz will challenge my comments, once he even called me un-American for exposing his back room dealings with a company called Treeco.  A company that he said came highly recommended by former Senator Torricelli, he even said Torricelli called him to recommend Treeco. What he failed to include was that Torricelli was a stock holder of Treeco. None the less the mayor has said that the budget is up because of health costs (20%).  Actually its 12%, Higher gasoline costs, Did he think the SUV's ran on water; they cost twice as much to operate. He may point out that they reduced overtime by 35% in this budget. Last year they cut overtime by over $200,000. The only problem was that their edict didn't reduce anything and the overtime account came up 200,000 short and had to have the money transferred in, there was no cut. This council has failed finance 101 and we're now going to have to foot the bill. Increased labor costs, hell he's the guy who wanted 4 year contracts, now he blames himself?  The BOE has faced the same type of increases but their budget is increasing only half of the Municipal Budget increase, maybe Mr. Ganz should call over to the Board Offices to find out where they buy their gas, or get their health care or how the negotiate labor contracts instead of looking for the next office or how to curry favor with higher up democrats. The saddest thing here is going to be the onset of unintended consequences, the school budget is a good budget, only half the increase of the municipal budget. I hope that we all support education and don't make it a surrogate whipping boy because of the failure of the council to be more effective at controlling costs. Former Mayor Joe Tedeschi    Response from Mayor David L. Ganz   The beauty of America is that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and can have an opportunity to express it.   Obviously, Joe Tedeschi's piece is a partisan attack on this year's budget. It is unfortunate that Joe would choose to also attack the council personally, rather than offer specific constructive suggestions concerning operations and cutting taxes.   The council met with every department as well as the library and the volunteer fire department, and volunteer ambulance corps, and we reviewed some 2,000 line items. The council cut more than $800,000 from the manager's suggested budget. All budget sessions were open meetings and at no time did Joe attend, or even send in any written suggestions.   The municipal budget is not "fat". In the 1980's the borough employed approximately 225 full time employees, which is the same number today, some 20 years later despite additional mandated but unfunded programs such as recycling, and essential optional services such as emergency management, and our continued Certificate of Occupancy permit program. As one indication of our residents wishing to stay in Fair Lawn rather than moving, Fair Lawn issued and processed almost 4,000 building permits in 2003, indicating an upgrade and enhancement of our housing stock. To me this shows the faith that the residents have in our town, and also shows their appreciation of the many services that they receive.   It is amazing that the council is criticized for not having a tax increase last year. I guess under his, and the Republican Party's approach, they would increase taxes every year. This is not my philosophy, nor the philosophy of the current council, and if the council can bring in a budget next year, with no, or little tax increase, we will do it and let the people decide.   Joe's memory must be faulty in one other area, and that is labor negotiations. He must be forgetting that when he was on the council with a Republican majority, there was total unrest in the police department, numerous grievances and excessive labor strife. Remember the lawsuit over the police chief wearing a uniform, and the council interference with the running of the police department? Who would want to go back to that?   We have had labor peace over the last several years, and Fair Lawn's contracts have reflected the percentages obtained throughout Bergen County. This council has negotiated a change in health benefits with our blue and white collar union, which will save the borough taxpayers, hundreds of thousands of dollars over the coming years. This never happened on Joe's watch. The balance of assertions in Joe's piece are personal attacks on the council, and as such will not be responded to by me. It is unfortunate that he has made these personal attacks as I considered Joe a friend, and one who has contributed, at times, to the betterment of Fair Lawn. I will certainly not make a counter personal attack on him, nor attempt to correct Joe concerning the errors in his assumptions.   The facts -- and what our tax dollars were spent on -- speak for themselves. This council has added lighting for ball fields, new ambulances, new firetrucks for public safety, new garbage and recycling trucks for health ad welfare; new police cars for security and safety. Remember the other side's water theme park? We revitalized Memorial pool at a fraction of the cost with brand new sand, new buildings, new amenities ranging from bocce courts to outdoor pool and ping pong tables. Remember when the other side wanted to close Walsh pool? We not only kept it open but also paved the parking lot, enhanced surrounding amenities, and opened up Walsh and the Dobrow Sports Complex to the New York Mets Baseball Academy for young people, and pool users from surrounding communities to offset the costs.   The council's number one priority is to maintain services and to protect Fair Lawn's citizens. This is responsible government. We cannot eliminate costs, we can only attempt to control them. Last year was a good year - this year was less so. I am confident that next year will also be a good year.   Do not forget that the council members pay tax increases also and one of our members is retired and on a fixed income. The council is acutely aware of the impact of increased taxes on every Fair Lawn resident.   Municipal budgeting is not easy. It requires hard decisions and tough choices. Joe knows this, because he served on the council. Unfortunately, sometimes it is easier to attack and disparage, rather than to join in constructively. That is a choice also - a bad one.   I encourage everyone to come to the budget hearing. The council will consider every suggestion. Last year a citizen made a suggestion and the council made a further cut. As always, we are in this together. As is attributed to the United States Supreme Court, reasonable people can disagree, but they should not be disagreeable in doing so. I have been advised that I have been the subject of personal vicious attacks on my character and integrity. I do not intend to respond to the people who make these allegations, but rather I prefer my actions on behalf of the borough to speak for themselves.   I am proud that just recently we were able to bring three different State and Federal grants to the borough totaling $600,000. I am proud to vote for those items that will keep our police officers, volunteer firemen and ambulance corps workers safe. I and the council have voted consistently to upgrade our recreational programs including fields, lighting and other services.   Criticism is constructive when it adds to the dialogue of government. If it is made for purely partisan purposes, that is ok too. However, argument for argument's sake, criticism for criticism's sake, and punitive attacks for punitive attacks's sake do not run a government, do not pick up the garbage, do not clean the streets, do not fund our recreational programs, and do not operate a $100 million dollar municipal corporation that Fair Lawn is, as the fourth largest municipality in Bergen County.