Six seek four township council seats, 4 incumbents face 2 challengers

By Navid Iqbal of Suburbanite

The Teaneck Suburbanite, March 27, 2002, p. 1 & p. 85

The municipal election officially became a competition last week as all six candidates completed their nominating petitions. Tuesday, May 14, township residents will get to vote on who will fill the four available council seats.

The four incumbants who are seeking reelection this year are Paul Ostrow, Yitz Stern, Elie Y. Katz and Michael Gallucci. Two other candidates are Benjamin Dworkin and Monica Honis.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Paul Ostrow

Mayor Paul Ostrow is also concerned with public safety and noted that in the recently passed municipal budget, the council made increased appropriations for just that issue. Ostrow has lived in Teaneck for his entire life and graduated from the high school here as did his wife and two children.

When he was president of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 1990, Ostrow said several people suggested that he run for council and he did. He was elected in the 1990 election and has served on the Township Council ever since.

The council members decide among themselves who the mayor will be. Mayors serve two-year terms, while the council serves four-year terms. In July 1996 the council elected Ostrow to his first term as mayor and he has served in that job ever since.

He is running for re-election because, the jocular official said, he is "having fun."

Ostrow added that he "believes he is a part of a team" that has brought positive changes to Teaneck. These changes include those mentioned already by other incumbents, as well as improvements to the library and seeking additional money from the state and federal government to fund capital improvement projects.

"The best quality of Teaneck is its people," said Ostrow. "The people involved in coaching our youth, at the Forum, and volunteers ... These people that organize events for the rest of our town are our greatest assets."

He also pointed out the current council hired Township Clerk Robyn LaMorte, who coordinates election activities and protects town records.

La Morte said that the last day to register to vote is Monday, April 15, when the municipal building will be open until 9 p.m. for late night voter registration. However, registering on this only allows residents to be eligible to vote for the upcoming municipal elections Tuesday, May 14.

Residents will not be able to vote in the Board of Education election Tuesday, April 16, if they register the night before.

Three current BOE trustees who are running for re-election unopposed this year are Carol Shaw, Margaret Angeli and Judith McKay.