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2022 CERTIFIED CANDIDATES SET;

COUNCIL BALLOT POSITIONS TBD

PUBLISHED BY TEANECK VOICES

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2022 Certified Candidates Set; Council Ballot Positions TBD

School Days Begin Well, but with Several Busing Hiccups

Notable Teaneck Women: Gwenette Reese

Voter Registration Information

Upcoming Municipal Meetings

Events at the Library

County's Senior Citizen's Festival - Van Saun Park

State Tax Relief Webinar - Register NOW


COVID Update


  • Free Rapid Home COVID tests from the Post Office have been discontinued 


Announcements


  • Teaneck Day - 9/18
  • Model America - MSNBC - 9/18 -v10 pm
  • Prayers and Support for Ukrainian People
  • Contacting Teaneck Voices

2022 CERTIFIED CANDIDATES SET;

COUNCIL BALLOT POSITIONS TBD

Teaneck Council 


Voices has learned that the Township Clerk has certified ALL 10 aspiring Council candidates who had submitted signed petitions to the Township Clerk’s office by 3 pm on September 6. This certification means that the Clerk found that each had submitted at least 308 valid Teaneck voter petition signatures and met the other candidate qualification factors.

 

In alphabetical order, the following 10 candidates for Council have been certified by the Township Clerk to be placed on the 2022 ballot: , Denise Belcher, Anthony Bruno, Latisha Garcia, Danielle Gee, Hillary F. Goldberg, David Highet, Keith Kaplan, Elie Katz, Desiree Ramos Reiner and Chondra Young. Each has qualified to be placed on the ballot for one of the 4 four-year Council seats to be elected in 2022. For the first time these positions are being elected in November instead of May. The Council members who have continuing terms on Council through 2004 are members Orgen, Pagan and Schwartz.

 

Interestingly, only seven of the Town-certified candidates (Belcher, Garcia, Gee, Goldberg, Kaplan, Reiner and Young) have also filed initial campaign committee information with the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission for the Council race. 


Of the ten certified Council candidates, two are incumbents (C. Katz and C. Kaplan). Four others are well-known for their civic engagement in municipal affairs, land use discussions or school leadership roles (Belcher, Goldberg, Reiner, and Young). The remaining three certified candidates (Bruno, Garcia and Highet) are not known by Teaneck Voices to have ever played any role in Township public discussions or decision-making. 

 

Now that these 10 are certified candidates, the next step is for the Clerk to conduct a drawing for ballot positions – something currently scheduled for 2:00 pm Friday September 16. Rumors and informal announcements notwithstanding, it is too early to tell whether any of the 10 candidates will slate with others, and/or will have chosen slogans to be placed beside their names on the ballot. Both of these issues will likely also be decided on the afternoon of the 16th.

 

Teaneck Board of Education 


Because two certified candidates have withdrawn, there are two fewer candidates (down from 14 to 12) now competing for the 5 open school board positions. Three positions are to be elected for 3-year terms and two positions are to be elected for the 1-year term left by the resignations of 2 board members in 2022. The 5 newly-elected BOE members will join current BOE members (Gee, Fisher, Klein and J. Rodriguez).on the 9-member Board.

Ballot positions for the 12 BOE candidates have changed as a result of the two fewer candidates and a diagram of these remaining candidates and their ballot positions are found below.

If you would like to review the County Clerk’s current list of 12 BOE candidates and compare it to the 14 originally certified candidates, Click Here. The two who have withdrawn are Elkaryani and Halak.

 

This Voices story has been informed by continuous inquiries to both the County and Town Clerk’s offices and review of the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). websites through late afternoon on 9/9.

 

SCHOOL DAYS BEGIN WELL,

BUT WITH SEVERFAL BUSING HICCUPS


Teaneck’s Board of Education’s 9/7/22 meeting began with Interim Superintendent Pinsak’s generally upbeat report on the District’s first day of school - though with her acknowledgement that not all the busing issues had, as yet, been fully resolved. It will apparently take a week fully to work those out.


The Board is clearly wrestling with complex alternatives concerning ID’s and the how/whether/when they should be used in, for example, permitting entrances to schools and events. Should there be a common District-wide policy or should ID policies be implemented differently at different schools and/or for different age groups? Security, enforceability and creating the appropriate social ambiance are just some of the considerations 


Readers interested in watching the Board discuss these very important issues will want to see on the 9/7 Board video where the questions were initially presented in a report from the Board’s policy committee (Click Here and begin at minute 40 and then addressed in subsequent board discussion throughout the meeting). Look for this issue to be decided by resolution at the BOE regular meeting scheduled for 9/14.


In fact, the BOE will meet twice the week of 9/12. At its second meeting, scheduled for Thursday, 9/15, the Board will conduct a second set of interviews for the remaining candidates to become the District’s new Superintendent of Schools.  Meeting. 

TEANECK'S NOTABLE WOMEN:

GWENETTE REESE

A voice that rings out clear and strong! An eloquence in the words she utters as she stands for social justice! A heartfelt honoring of the women on whose shoulders she stands! An unflagging energy to support, strive and advocate for black women and girls in all their endeavors and trials!

Meet Gwenette Reese, new President of the Bergen-Passaic Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Read her words from her President’s welcome:


The guiding principle for this Chapter remains to bring about change in the areas outlined in our mission— by advocating for Black Women and girls and promoting leadership development and gender equity in health, education, and economic empowerment.


Gwenette is just the person to achieve all she aspires to! The child of parents born in St. Thomas, V.I., Gwenette was born in the Bronx, NY, and later returned to St. Thomas with her mother, where she attended kindergarten.

 

At the end of that year, the late 1960’s, she and her mother returned to the South Bronx where she entered the NYC public school system. Initially she went to Fashion Industry High School, but by senior year her interests had shifted to finance, so she transferred to John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx.  

 

Her mother had put herself through nursing school and served as a registered nurse for 40 years. Gwenette’s first role model, her mother instilled core values in her children: work hard, go to school, be able to provide for your family. Her second role model was her future husband’s mother – neighbors in their South Bronx apartment house; his mother was a homemaker with the same strong values as her family.

 

Eager to hone her financial skills and begin working, Gwenette attended Royal Business Institute in New York, NY to obtain her associate degree. It was there she was first introduced to banking – which she discovered was where her heart was. She began her career at Chemical Bank in NY and completed her bachelor’s degree at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

 

Gwenette, her husband and their three children moved to Long Island, where she began working for Greenpoint Savings Bank. They found that Long Island’s property taxes were too high, so following her mother’s path, Gwenette and her husband moved to Teaneck in 1992 because the property taxes were lower! Gwenette smiled when she acknowledged that people are always stunned when she says she moved to Teaneck for lower taxes!

 

In 1985, Gwenette began a career growth that others could only envy. Her position at Greenpoint ended quite suddenly when the bank announced it was moving to North Carolina. “I made a decision. I had to drive my own career. I decided I would stay in a job for only 2 years, even if I loved it. Then I would stop and reassess. I might stay with the company, but I would progress every two years.”

 

Gwenette applied to ten banks – all of them interested in her. She chose PNC – the institution that offered her the lowest salary (!) – because they were flexible, trustworthy, and ethical.

 

At PNC, her career advanced by leaps and bounds – every two years!! From Personal Banking Advisor to Licensed Financial Consultant to Business Banking to Senior Business Banking to Vice President!

 

It is worth pausing here to recognize that the banking industry has not always been welcoming to minorities. Gwenette’s success in such a tough environment is attributed to her skills, drive, and energy. She would say that her success was also attributed to Susan Cohen, her manager at PNC – another whose shoulders she stood on.

 

“I faced racism my entire career. Susan saw something in me that others didn’t see, and she pulled it out of me and pushed me. I was able to be successful – we both were -- at PNC.”

 

But Racism and Sexism stepped in. Suddenly, the higher-ups started challenging Susan on her beliefs. She was solidly grounded in what she believed – as was I. It was time for Gwenette to end her 15 year career with PNC.

 

Unlike earlier in her career, in 2008, Gwenette jumped right into her next position – at Wells Fargo Bank. With over 30 years of knowledge in banking, Gwenette began to see violations of ethics, trust, and law. “It was awful what they were doing against the client.” When she challenged the higher-ups, they told her “This is the way we do things around here.” Having come from a highly ethical banking environment, she countered, “Banking regulations don’t change!”

 

Having tried to blow the whistle internally, Gwenette left Wells Fargo.

 

Gwenette’s concerns became public knowledge when the press revealed the corrupt and fraudulent practices of Wells Fargo: As the New York Times reported, “the bank steers African Americans and Hispanics into high-cost subprime loans.” As well, the credit card division was found to be ordering and using credit cards for unknowing clients and the Insurance division was issuing unwanted insurance policies.

 

It was 2008, and Gwenette was feeling discouraged by systematic injustices.

 

But her faith was – and is -- strong, buoyed up by her pastor Dr. Calvin O. Butts III and fellow congregants at the legendary Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem where she currently serves as Deacon. “Our church is about Social Justice. We are here for a reason – to help make a difference. When you do right, the rewards come.”

 

After months of self-assessment, Gwenette concluded that banking would no longer serve as her career path.

 

But then fortune smiled on her – giving her two more powerful shoulders on which to stand! Senator Loretta Weinberg and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women!

 

In 2006, Gwenette joined the Bergen-Passaic Chapter of the NCBW - a life changing experience for her. She was inspired to join by a close friend Beverly Baker Jackson, Esq. She saw in its mission what she had been doing all her life. She continued to serve as an NCBW member in numerous leadership roles and was always inspired and encouraged by life time member Toni Faye.

At the same time, “A wonderful window opened for me! I began working for Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and Senator Loretta Weinberg leading special projects and assigned as Outreach Coordinator.” The first thing on the Senator’s agenda when Gwenette started, was Women’s

Equal Pay!


“I told the Senator, ‘The NCBW wants to be part of this history-making because we have been advocating for gender equality for a long time.’ She embraced it! That bill was the first piece of legislation Governor Murphy signed. And I was able to bring an entourage of NCBW members with me to witness it!”


“I now continue my work with Senator Gordon Johnson who, with me, stands on the powerful shoulders of Loretta Weinberg.”


Gwenette’s thoughts as we concluded our interview: 


“One of the things I believe as a Black Woman is the conviction that we must carry the torch. The torch represents the flame and passion we carry in our souls. As President of NCBW, I do that, I’m here – I’m going to be the voice of women and I am going to pass the torch.


“I see all the acronyms in Teaneck (e.g., TDMC, NETBPA, TWT, TV, OTOV). I don’t know what it’s going to take to get all of us to work together. But we must learn to do so!”

VOTER REGISTERATION INFORMATION

If you are not registered to vote, please make it a priority to do so. To complete a registration form or for more information regarding voting in Bergen County, please click onto the this link.


If you are not sure if you are registered to vote in Teaneck, you may search here.


To check the details of your voter record, you may sign up here.


For more of Voices guide to 2022 voter education and information Click Here

UPCOMING MUNICIPAL EVENTS


Upcoming Municipal Meetings – September 4 -11


Teaneck Social Services Advisory Board– Monday - September 12, 2022 at 11:30 am.

Public access and opportunity for input limited by the Advisory

Board ordinance (*See ordinance below)

 

Teaneck Board of Education Regular Meeting – Wednesday September 14, 2022 at 8:00 pm his will be a hybrid meeting whose in-person component will be in the Cheryl Miller-Porter Student Center – 3rd floor  Teaneck High School; For the Zoom webinar (ability to make comments or ask questions Click Here    Agenda: not yet Posted 

 

Senior Citizens Advisory Board (SCAB)–Thursday - September 15, 2022 at 1:30 pm.


  • Public access and opportunity for input limited by the Advisory Board ordinance (*See ordinance below)


Teaneck Board of Education Special Meeting – Thursday - September 15, 2022 at 6:45 pm. The meeting will be in a hybrid format (via ZOOM) for the opening and closing portions of the meeting. In-person component will be in the Cheryl Miller-Porter Student Center – 3rd floor  Teaneck High School; For the Zoom webinar ability to make comments or ask questions Click Here. .


  • This meeting will have very short public sessions. Primary meeting agenda is a second round of interviews for the remaining candidates (rumored to be 3) for the Schools Superintendent position.

……………………………..

*Quote from Ordinance 15-2020 on Advisory Boards adopted by Council on August 11, 2020:

 

“Council’s advisory Board meetings are closed to the public. The public can submit items for discussion to the Council’s advisory board chair and council liaison for review and potential for inclusion on their meeting agenda. If the item is placed on the agenda, the chair, with approval of their Council’s advisory board, may invite the member of the public to come and speak to them about the specific issue they want to have discussed”.


This Week's Events at the Library click here

COUNTY'S SENIOR CITIZEN FESTIVAL-VAN SAUN PARK

Bergen County Senior Citizens Festival – Tues 9/13 10am-2pm. Most of our senior readers know that Bergen County provides a wide-range of senior social services, primarily organized by the County’s Department of Senior Services. The most efficient way for seniors to learn about these diverse County services is to attend the annual Senior Citizen’s Festival on Tuesday 9/13 at Van Saun County Park at 216 Forest Avenue in Paramus (Click Here for map) 10AM-2 pm with free lunch!

It may rain on Tuesday the 13th – and then the Festival will be on 9/20 – call to check status Tuesday morning at 201-336-7416

STATE TAX RELIEF WEBINAR - REGISTER NOW

State Tax Relief Not Yet Firm; But Register NOW for Key Webinar

Finally, the state promises a webinar from 10am-to noon on Wednesday 9/14/2022 for all those seeking information on the state’s evolving property tax relief programs.

BUT YOU MUST REGISTER BY NOON ON MONDAY 9/12 TO BE ELIGIBLE.

 Click Here to register NOW

Voices has been waiting for clarification of the specific rules, procedures and deadlines for the State’s new Anchor tax relief program to be fully elaborated by the state’s Taxation Department.

The program got established legally on June 30 – and it clearly will increase property tax relief in many ways (including who is eligible and the size of relief provided).


But the tax relief site on the state’s taxation website continues to promise that final explanations/rules are imminent but not yet available Now, however, complete info is promised for “mid-September” (Click Here). And it remains to be seen whether these final Anchor rules will shape what seniors need to do and know when applying for the Senior Freeze [tax reimbursement] Program whose deadline is 10/31/2022. 


Watch this Voices space for more specific information! 

COVID UPDATES

Rapid COVID-19 Test Kits 

No Longer Available  for Free from USPS


ANNOUNCEMENTS

TEANECK VOICES CONTINUES TO OFFER ITS

PRAYERS AND SUPPORT

TO THE BRAVE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR THEIR FREEDOM

Contacting Teaneck Voices


By Email: teaneckvoices@gmail.com

By Phone: 201-214-4937

By USPS Mail: Teaneck Voices, PO Box 873. at 1673 Palisade Ave., 07666

Teaneck Voices' Website is www.teaneckvoices.com



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