Take a look:
Candidates discuss taxes, diversity

By Howard Prosnitz, Staff Writer

Teaneck Suburbanite, April 29, 2010, p. 2

With Mayor Kevie Feit not seeking a second council term, three incumbents and six challengers are vying for four council seats in an election to be decided on May 11. Teaneck Suburbanite interviewed each candidate and asked each three questions:

1. Why are you running?
2. How can the financial burden on taxpayers be mitigated?
3. What can be done to improve relations among the township's ethnic, racial and religious groups.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Lizette Parker: Age 38

Lizette ParkerDeputy Mayor Parker is seeking her second council term. The Selvage Avenue resident lived in Teaneck from 1973-1994 and returned in 1999. She has a BA in Sociology from Montclair State University and a Master's degree in administrative science from FDU. Parker is married and is a social work supervisor. Before joining the council, she was chair of the Teaneck Democratic Municipal Organization and was also legislative coordinator for the Communications Workers of America.

1. Parker is seeking reelection to continue the work she began four years ago, which she describes as being responsive to community needs, providing a fair and open government, and demonstrating fiscal responsibility. She also seeks to continue to provide leadership with respect to the community and employee relations.

2. Parker notes that she has advocated for legislation to require tax exempt universities and hospitals to pay fees to the township to offset the cost of municipal services provided to them The council needs to be more creative in finding new sources of revenue, she said. She supports shared serves, both with other municipalities and with the board of education.

3. Education is the key to improved community relations, Parker said. She names four township organizations, in particular, that have a responsibility to work in tandem to improve residents' quality of life. These are the advisory board on community relations, the youth advisory board, the senior citizens advisory board and the clergy council. She urges these groups to council to seek volunteers to do presentations and conduct workshops. "The Community Relations board should take the lead in working with the other groups to provide a platform for residents to share cultures and experiences," she said.