Council Candidates Reveal Plan to Address Impactful Issues

In an effort to help keep the voters in Paramus informed, we reached out to the four candidates running for borough council and asked what three issues concerned them the most and how they would manage them.

Here’s how they responded:

Stephen J. Sullivan – R

It is critical to the quality of life in Paramus that our blue laws remain intact, despite pressure from outside influences who clearly do not have our community’s best interests at heart

Say ‘no’ to 7-0 A two party system must be maintained in order to provide fair representation of all Paramus residents. A borough council that includes representatives from both parties ensures that the ideas and opinions of all are fairly considered.

All Paramus residents must have a clear understanding of the services the borough provides and the costs associated with maintaining them. I am committed to smaller government without a reduction in services. I will be dedicated to making sure Paramus residents are getting the best possible municipal services at the lowest possible cost through shared services, grants, and negotiating fair, fiscally sound contracts.

Carol Daniele – D

Obviously, from the voices that I have heard in the community and my own personal concerns, are keeping the municipal tax rate flat, fighting to keep the Blue Laws intact to maintain the quality of life in our borough, and lastly keeping the town services at a quality level.

Under the leadership of Mayor Rich LaBarbiera and his team, I hope to grow in my knowledge of the workings of our town and the laws governing it by enthusiastically accepting responsibilities for any project delegated to me. 

I have always been extremely hard-working, thorough and diligent in all my endeavors and look forward to sharing these traits in the role of councilperson to better my community.

Jeanne T. Weber – R

My first priority is to help negotiate fair contracts for borough employees.  Their hard work and dedication to the smooth operation of our community must be acknowledged with equitable, yet fiscally responsible contracts.

Also, I believe that a Drug Awareness Program should be reinstated in the middle schools. Our children are our most important asset and a program should be revisited. 

Finally, I will be a strong advocate in support of the blue laws.  Although both parties agree on this issue, I think it is important that voters know that I will remain resolved in my convictions no matter what political or economic pressures are brought the bear after the election. 

With regard to contracts for borough employees, I plan to re-examine how our borough employees are compensated for the outstanding services they provide our community and make this information a crucial part of our future budget planning activities. 

With regard to the Drug Awareness Program, I plan to research programs that have a proven record of success, fund the program through grants and implement it with the cooperation of our Police department and the Board of Education.

Michael Delamater – D

Keeping Property Taxes as low as possible without sacrificing services, Maintaining the Blue Laws from any and all form of attack, making sure as our senior citizen population grows that we have the necessary programs in place to aid them in that transition.  

In order to keep property taxes low we should not take the Republican approach of 2010-11 of privatization and the layoff of our municipal employees but rather the approach we have taken under Mayor LaBarbiera and the Democratic council of shared services. 

By generating new revenue you do not have to cut services. All approaches should be investigated before cuts to any services are employed. We need to stand up to officials like Governor Christie and County Executive Kathy Donovan when they attack our Blue Laws as Mayor Tedesco and Mayor LaBarbiera have done, respectively.  

I intend to fight for them with the same ferocity. When it comes to our seniors we have to make sure they are taken care of. As our Baby Boomer generation ages into retirement in what can be best described as mediocre economic times in this country and state, it is of the utmost importance that we make sure our existing seniors and soon to be seniors have the services in place so that they are not left behind. A way to do this is to turn the Old Mill sight into Senior Housing similar to the Behnke Senior Center.