Meet Council candidates running for a seat

By Howard Prosnitz, Staff Writer

Teaneck Suburbanite, April 26, 2012, p. 2

Teaneck Suburbanite asked both challengers and incumbents to provide biographical information and to respond to several questions about current issues. Incumbents were asked an additional question about a major issue during their tenure on the council. All interviews were conducted orally.

The Teaneck non-partisan Municipal election is Tuesday, May 8. Get out and vote. Polls close at 7 p.m. The six candidates running are seeking to fill three seats for a four-year term on the board.

Councilwoman Monica Honis, who is seeking reelection, did not respond to an email and phone messages requesting an interview. The issue questions follow:

1. What is the biggest problem(s) facing Teaneck?
2. What is your vision for Teaneck in 5-10 years?
3. What is your position on restoring council work session?
4. What is our position on the four day work week and re-opening the municipal building on Fridays?

Incumbents were asked the following question:
1. What is a personal initiative that you have taken on the council?

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Mark Schwartz

Mark SchwartzMark Schwartz is seeking his first term. Born in Brooklyn, Schwartz has lived in Teaneck since 1996. He holds an associate's degree and is a real estate consultant.

Schwartz and his wife have four children, none of whom have attended Teaneck public schools. He has served on the planning board since 2006 and has been a member of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps since 2002. He has served on the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department since 1998. Schwartz coaches in the Teaneck Junior Soccer League and the Teaneck Baseball Organization. He has been president of Congregation Shaare Tefillah since 2003.

Biggest problems: Schwartz identified the deterioration of the Cedar Lane and Plaza business districts as a major problem that has been continuing for decades. He seeks to reenergize and revitalize both business districts by working with landlords to increase the size of existing buildings. He noted that the master plan has been revised to permit building up to five stories above some blocks of storefront properties.

"We can build apartments upstairs and that will bring in foot traffic. It has all been rezoned but nobody wants to take the first step," he said. Schwartz proposes encouraging landlords to build by offering a tax abatement or a tax assessment freeze for 10 years.

"Too often the landlords come in with an idea and submit it and there are objections from the community. We need public forums first so we have everyone on the board: the township officials, neighbors and landlords."

Vision: "To keep Teaneck affordable by a revitalized downtown district that will increase the commercial tax burden and help alleviate the necessity of increasing the residential tax burden."

He wants Teaneck to remain affordable. He noted that when he first moved to Teaneck, he rented an apartment. Later he upgraded to becoming a home owner. "We need to keep Teaneck affordable so people will remain in town and upgrade. If Teaneck is not affordable, they will move to a more affordable town."

Workshops: Schwartz favors the return of regular workshops so that public and the council have the opportunity to discuss issues. "Every Tuesday night should be a council night," he said.

Four day work week: Schwartz likes having the municipal building remain open until 7 p.m. one evening a week so it is accessible to commuters. He would seek a middle ground on opening Fridays, such an staggering employee's hours or scheduling partial Friday hours.