Taxes, diversity among year's campaign issues

By Yvonne M. Darling, Suburbanite

The Teaneck Suburbanite, March 31, 2004, p. 6

Property taxes and diversity among local leaders are likely to be crucial issues in the upcoming elections, as five candidates vie for three open seats on the Township Council.

Although originally six people sought to enter this year's council race, five names will appear on the May ballot.

As of last week's lottery drawing, candidates name's will appear on the ballot as follows: Monica Honis, Jacqueline B. Kates, Marie Warnke, Eric A. Cinotti and Deborah Veach.

Joseph Glass, who had hoped to secure a council seat, came up short after gathering 122 of the 219 signatures needed to secure a ballot position. The deadline to file a petition was March 18.

Nonetheless, newcomers Cinotti and Honis, who was defeated in the 2002 elections, will go on to challenge the three incumbents Kates, Veach and Warnke.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Marie Warnke

Warnke, an active environmentalist, is a special education teacher in Franklin Lakes. She was elected to the council in 2000 after serving on the Board of Education for 12 years.

"Taxes are always a big issue," Warnke said, speculating on what she believes will be key issues candidates will debate this year.

She also mentioned community relations, diversity among the township's two chief governing bodies, the township council and the Board of Education.

Although Warnke said that there would be no slates formed in this election, she supports her fellow council members.

Warnke is currently the council liaison to the Hackensack River Greenway Advisory Board and the Greenbelt Committee.

She has lived in Teaneck for 30 years.