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)

Deborah Veach

Veach is a partner at the law firm Veach & Coats-Thomas. She also joined the council in 2000.

She is currently the council liaison to the Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation and the Affirmative Action Advisory Boards.

Veach is founding member of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy.

She is also a member of the Teaneck High School Parents, Teachers and Students Association.

She said, "saving tax dollars, keeping an eye on the township's legal fees and cooperating with the Board of Education on various projects, including grant writing," will be central to her campaign.

Veach said she continues to be a proponent of open space and ensuring that the township has adequate recreation facilities.