Meet the candidates running for 4 Council seats

By MEGAN BURROW, Managing Editor

Teaneck Suburbanite, May 1, 2014, p. 3.

On May 13, Voters will have a choice of eight candidates for four open seats on the Teaneck Township Council, Residents will have an opportunity to vote for incombents Adam Gussen, Elie Y. Katz, Lizette Parker and Yitz Stern, and challengers Eric Brauer, Jason Castle, Alexander Rashin and Alan Sohn. Polls will be open May 13 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Each candidate was asked questions about their background and past public service, why they are running for township council, what they believe is the most important issue facing Teaneck and how they would work to address it.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Lizette P. Parker

How long have you been a Teaneck resident?

1973-1994 (19 years); 1999-present (15 years)

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Montclair State University, Master of Administrative Science, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Professional Background:

Social Work Supervisor, Bergen County Board of Social Service

Family:

Anthony Parker, husband; Alyssa Parker, daughter.

Public Service:

Deputy Mayor, 2006-2010, Councilwoman 2010-present, Current Liaison to the Youth Advisory Board, Social Service Advisory Board, Let's Move Task Force, Teaneck Municipal Alliance against Substance Abuse and the Teaneck High School Forum. Former Liaison to the Environmental Commission, Affirmative Action Advisory Board, Teaneck Library Board and Cedar Lane Management Group.

Why are you running for Township Council:

I am running for reelection because I want to build upon the initiatives I began eight years ago to meet the basic needs of Teaneck residents. I want to ensure that services remain affordable and accessible to all residents. In doing so, I will lobby for increased funding to help ease the tax burden felt by all Teaneck homeowners. I support efforts to enhance a Teaneck where seniors have access to new affordable housing units and increased recreational opportunities for our youth.

What do you believe is the most important issue facing Teaneck and how would you work to address it?

The most important issues facing Teaneck are maintaining the quality services residents have become accustomed to, improving township infrastructure while keeping the cost of living in Teaneck affordable. I have addressed these issues by improving employee relations, resulting in a reduction of employee related lawsuits. I have traveled to Trenton and Washington to advocate for legislation that would increase revenue to older suburban communities like Teaneck. In my next term, I will focus on economic development in our business district to relieve tax burdens on our residents. I will work to reestablish the Teaneck Economic Development Corporation.