Chamber Turns Over New Lief With President

After 2009 left Ridgewood with 40-plus vacant storefronts, 2010 already has seen that number cut in half. As the Chamber of Commerce looks beyond the central business district's recovery, its new leader Scott Lief wants to return the village to its status as a prime business destination.

"We're uprighted, and I hope people can see that. However, there's still a lot we need. We have to put ourselves in a position for Ridgewood to be accessible," the new chamber president said.

To many, Lief may be an unfamiliar figure. He joined the chamber two years ago, and quickly distinguished himself as an active member. Following North Jersey Media's Doug Seiferling's second term as president, Lief felt like he was ready for the presidency.

"I think me being a fresh face is a good thing. There were some divisions in the past and me not being involved in those situations gives us a fresh perspective," he said.

However, Lief said Seiferling's leadership was the perfect cure to steer the central business through the "perfect storm"—a combination of economic downtown, new village policies and pressure from adjacent shopping malls.  

"There is no doubt Doug was the right person at the right time. He's tough as nails, and steadied Ridgewood," Lief said.

Unlike Seiferling, the new president is a resident. Although Lief only moved to Ridgewood in 2006, his wife grew up here, and he said he has an added stake with his children in the school system.

Describing himself as a "two-striper" (A term former chamber president Ed Sullivan used for resident business owners—a three-striper is a land lord, too), Lief he said he runs into Councilman Paul Aronsohn at Graydon Pool or Mayor Keith Killion at The Daily Treat.

"My property taxes are impacted by what happens downtown. I have a vested interest in Ridgewood," he said.

Lief jointed the chamber in 2008 and quickly became active. He was named vice president soon after Brogan Cadillac left Ridgewood.  A loan officer for NJ Lenders, Lief networks with realtors and professionals and originates loans. Although technically based in Montvale, Lief works from home and often meets at The Daily Treat—where he talked with Ridgewood Patch.

Lief said he can draw on many former chamber presidents for advice, including his vice president, Thomas Hillmann of Hillmann Lighting. The former president will head up a committee on one of the chamber's biggest issues: parking.

The chamber's ultimate goal is the construction of a parking structure, but Lief said he realizes that's not realistic given the current financial situation. Working with council liaison Aronsohn, the chamber will offer Village Council a platform containing several ideas, Lief said. Potential points include:

• Changing meters to run backwards 10 minutes (creating a window to avoid tickets);
• Permitting 10 minutes of short-time, free parking;
• Eliminating free lot parking on Saturdays; and
• Lowering meter rates in lots to encourage employees to vacate the street.

"I think a lot of this is a perception issue, like we have people ready to pounce and give tickets. We want to be a friendly community," he said.

The bottom line for Lief is getting the ball rolling. After council approved a 25-cent meter fee increase per hour last summer, it promised to revisit the issue in February. By August 2010, no official conversation has occurred.

"I want the chamber to be assertive and ready to go. February has come and gone," he said, adding that he expected council to address it in September.

Other issues are important as Lief embarks on his first term, including:

• Encouraging new businesses to open;
• Improving relations with Village Hall;
• Increasing foot traffic downtown; and
• Retaining membership.

The roughly 225-member organization is excited former council liaison Killion is the mayor, Lief said, as "Keith really understands what we need."

Lief wants to better market Ridgewood and draw a variety of new businesses to town. With current businesses, Lief hails the new Chamber Rewards Card as a way to connect customers with town merchants. He credits Seiferling with the introduction of the idea.

Additionally, Lief seeks to continue already productive outreach programs ("Grow Your Business" luncheons), while trying out new technology—like the Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page.

Though the chamber's impact is slightly intangible, Lief said there's a way to measure his success: "If the chamber grows, and everyone's business heals and expands, then I've done my job."

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will hold a networking lunch Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in The Office Beer Bar & Grill.