Meet the candidates running for 3 council seats: Voters to decide Tuesday, May 10

BY CHERYL O'BRIEN Managing Editor

Teaneck Suburbanite, May 5, 2016, p. 3

Seven candidates will vie for three fouryear terms on the Teaneck Council in an election to be held May 10.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote for incumbents Mohammed Hameeduddin, Henry Pruitt, and Mark Schwartz, and newcomers Stephen Gruber, Jacob Herenstein, Michael Pagan, and Chondra Young. Polls will be open on May 10 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Henry Pruitt

How long have you been a Teaneck resident?

My family came to Teaneck 53 years ago.

Educational and professional background?

BA, Hunter College (2009 Elected to the Hunter College Hall of Fame); MA, New . York University; M. Ed. Teachers College, Columbia University; Ed. D. Teachers College, Columbia University (Major: Educational Finance); Executive Vice President, Corn Associates Educational Consulting Company; Public School Teacher, School Principal, College Professor, Educational Consultant, and Mentor.

Family information?

Wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, three great grandchildren.

Public service, including elected office?

Former member and past president, New Jersey Association of Colleges and Universities. Current member and past president William Paterson University Board of Trustees. Former member Teaneck Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Former member/president Teaneck Community Relations Advisory Board. Former member of the Teaneck Visioning Committee. Member and past president of the Voorhees Street Association. Member and past president of the North East Teaneck Block Presidents Association. Former member/president Teaneck Board of Education. Current member of the Township Council; in my first term.

Why are you running for the council?

I am running for council to preserve and enhance this wonderful town for future generations without putting an excessive tax burden on the homeowner.

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

I believe that the most important issue that we face at the moment is the inability to communicate civilly with each other and with some members of the community. If I am re-elected I will work very hard to bring civility back to the community so that we can concentrate on ''What's Best for Teaneck" and move towards achieving our shared goals.