To the editor:
I thank the voters of Hillsdale who participated in the June 4 primary for their support of my candidacy. It is an honor to serve as mayor, which I view as the capstone of my lifelong career of public service. I have sought to apply the fiscal management skills and experience I gleaned from having worked many years at the Federal Reserve. As a councilman, council president, and now mayor, I will continue to speak out for the residents who want value for the taxes they pay and who want to continue to live in New Jersey, a state notorious for the high level of taxes it levies on individuals and businesses.
I am proud of the record of accomplishment that the borough has been able to achieve during the past two years. We have improved our leaf and snow removal process, invested in new public works equipment, stepped up our road improvement program, invested wisely in capital infrastructure improvements to our buildings, and negotiated a settlement for state-mandated affordable housing that is not disruptive to the town’s small town character.
We also upgraded to a newer community transportation van, made improvements to the Beechwood Park bandshell, strengthened the presence of law enforcement in our schools, and attracted a $1 million donation to our public library.
These accomplishments are tangible and visible. But as importantly, I am advocating for actions that will insure that Hillsdale’s future remains promising. We have aligned our efforts to remove the waste management transfer station to be more consistent with market forces, thereby enhancing the likelihood that the industrial area can be transformed into a more valuable and community-friendly site.
We have begun the process of exploring options designed to improve our athletic fields responsibly over time. I will continue to voice caution about the state’s efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, and will oppose efforts by Woodcliff Lake to secede from the regional high school district that could compromise our children’s education and increase our taxes.
Finally, I will continue to advocate for ways that Hillsdale can improve services and/or reduce expenses through shared or outsourced services with the County or other municipalities.
I, along with my running mates, Councilman Frank Pizzella and council candidate Janetta Trochimiuk, look forward to discussing these issues with Hillsdale residents in the coming months. I ask for your support on Election Day, Nov 5.
