Teaneck Township Council: See who's running in next month's municipal election

By Magan Burrow, NorthJersey.com

NorthJersey.com, April 27, 2020

Voters will choose among six candidates for three seats on the Township Council in next month's election.

Michael Pagan and Karen Orgen, both members of the Planning Board, are running with Deputy Mayor Mark Schwartz on the “Moving Teaneck Forward” slate. The “People for Progress” slate is Board of Education President Ardie Walser, Gina Gerszberg and Denise Belcher, a Planning Board member.

Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin and Councilman Henry Pruitt are not seeking another term.

Teaneck holds its at-large council elections every two years, and the council will choose its next mayor and deputy mayors at a July 1 organization meeting. This year’s election will be held by mail-in vote. Registered voters should receive ballots by mail and have until May 12, election day, to mail them in.

Candidates were asked to provide information about themselves and answer questions about why they are running, their goals and their thoughts on development.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Michael Kagan

Pagan is a graduate of Teaneck High School and Temple University. He has worked as a press secretary for three speakers of the New Jersey General Assembly, a U.S. congressman and two U.S. senators and is currently a public information officer for Bergen County. He is also a member of the Planning Board, the Senior Citizens Advisory Board, the Bergen County Latino Advisory Board and Rotary.

Why are you running for council?

I can bring new ideas to the council on how to improve our community, how to help keep our community affordable, and how to bring representation to the Latino community as the first Latino councilman ever elected in Teaneck.

What is the biggest issue facing Teaneck?

The biggest issue right now is public safety and affordability. Our community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and residents are worried about their families and their jobs.

What would you want to see in terms of development in Teaneck?

I would like to see more smart development so we can generate as much revenue as possible to help hold the line on taxes and create more affordable housing for working families and seniors.

What would some of your priorities be if elected?

I’d like to help hold the line on taxes, invest more in our business districts and parks, repave as many roads as possible and invest in more security for our houses of worship.