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PUBLISHED BY TEANECK VOICES
Managing Editor, Bernard Rous
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Contents
What does Good Development Look Like?
Update: What is Happening at the Teaneck Post Office?
Update: Ordinance 2-2022 Concerning Oakdene Avenue and AAUC
Teaneck Township Newsletter to Combat "Misinformation"
Notable Women of Teaneck
  • Reverend Michelle White
Meet Your Neighbors
Unanswered Questions
COVID Updates
  • Community Baptist Church in Englewood Testing Site
  • Community Wide COVID Testing at 855 Windsor Road
  • Town Manager Kazinci Press Release
  • Library Services Curtailed
Upcoming Town Meetings
Announcements
  • 93rd Birthday Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Bergen County LGBTQ+ Alliance
  • TIFF 2022 Kicks off with Documentary Series
  • Teaneck Knight at FDU
Events at the Library
WHAT DOES GOOD DEVELOPMENT LOOK LIKE?
 A Genuine Vision for Development in Teaneck

A Master Plan is intended to be a forward-looking document, setting forth a vision for the community as a whole and laying out goals and objectives for land use, housing, commerce, recreation, open space and transportation. This plan is then implemented in the form of a Zoning Ordinance, which uses the Master Plan as a guideline in order to lay out the specific details of how and where development will occur in the future.

The Process
The 2007 Master Plan is a model of how that process is supposed to work. It was developed by a Planning Board that actively sought the input of the community as a whole. Its goals include to

  • "Guide appropriate development and growth in a coordinated and managed approach"
  • "Preserve the character of existing low-density residential neighborhoods forming the predominant character of the Township"
  • "Provide a balanced land use pattern and appropriate development controls"
  • "Provide zoning protection for existing multifamily housing, and encourage its expansion only in areas where it would not have detrimental effects on single family residential neighborhoods"
  • "Strengthen the vitality of existing commercial districts"
  • "Preserve, protect and enhance parks and open space" and
  • "Maintain the historic resources and natural beauty of our Township".

However...
In the nearly 15 years since this Master Plan has been adopted, the Township Council has worked to undermine that community-driven vision.

  • Development is driven by outside interests that approach a Township Council that is willing to bend over backwards to make any accommodation to meet their requests, even at the expense of residents.
  • The Board of Adjustment has regularly granted variances that contradict the principles of the Master Plan and that have often been many times the limits set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.
  • The Planning Board has refused to implement an Open Space and Recreation Plan while it passes piecemeal amendments to the Master Plan.
  • The Township Council has used its Zoning Subcommittee to meet with developers and special interests behind closed doors and has implemented zoning changes and other giveaways to meet their needs.

This isn't how zoning is supposed to work. The forward-looking process now operates backwards. Rather than expressing the goals and objectives of residents, it is changed to reflect the wants and desires of developers.

This is not what residents want. This is not what our community needs.

The Path Forward
Residents want to see

  • that residential neighborhoods are protected and that boundaries with commercial and institutional zones are maintained with appropriate buffers.
  • Mixed-use developments, with commercial and retail uses on the ground floor and with multifamily housing on the floors above should be strongly encouraged.
  • New and prospective residents need to be provided with housing options of varying location, size and affordability.
  • Senior housing for current residents must be provided to serve the needs of those looking to downsize and to spend their remaining years in the place where they have often established deep roots.

All of our commercial districts -- along Teaneck Road, Cedar Lane, DeGraw Avenue/Queen Anne Road and West Englewood/The Plaza -- have been left to languish. They will benefit from revitalization, mixed-use development and the creation of adequate parking.

With greater numbers of people moving into the Township, preservation of open space for current and future generations of residents is critical. Township facilities, especially parks, need to be developed across the township in local neighborhoods.

These are just some of the basics. Much more work is needed to flesh out the new vision.

But the most important objective is the creation of a new Master Plan. After 15 years, the existing document has been eroded by the passage of time and torn down by the active efforts of a Township Council that seeks to undermine it, root and branch.

A new Master Plan would very likely maintain many of the core goals of the existing 2007 plan, while reflecting the changes in development trends in and around Teaneck in the intervening period. It would be developed with broad community input and participation so that it reflects the goals and objectives of all residents. And it would undoubtedly include major upgrades to antiquated infrastructure to better serve existing needs and future development.

Unfortunately, it appears that only a new Township Council would have an interest in taking on this critical initiative.
UPDATE: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE TEANECK POST OFFICE?
Representative Gottheimer's office has informed us that the Inspector General’s office believes it is close to a breakthrough on the thefts of mail from the Teaneck Post Office.

There are two investigations going on at the same time: One internal and one external, but details are being withheld so as not to compromise the ongoing investigation.

Anyone victimized by these crimes may call Cheryl A. Krouse,
Deputy Chief of Staff for Representative Gottheimer, at 201-389-1100.
UPDATE: ORDINANCE 2-2022
CONCERNING 50 OAKDENE AVE AND AAUC
Last week, Teaneck Voices reported on the confusion caused by the impenetrable and legalistic language of Ordinance 2-2022. (See: Major Confusion about Ordinance 2-2022 in January 9th issue)

We attended the January 13th Planning Board meeting this past Thursday to seek clarification.

The agenda for the meeting did nothing to explain why this Ordinance was listed as "new business". But the attorney made it clear in his remarks. The Planning Board was now to review this Ordinance to determine whether the zoning changes it calls for were consistent with the Master Plan.

New Jersey State law MLUL 40:55D-26 talks about Referral Powers of the Planning Board and calls for such a review, with very specific instructions about the Planning Board's reporting responsibilities. Here is the first sentence of the law:

40:55D-26. Referral Powers
Referral Powers. a. Prior to the adoption of a development regulation, revision, or amendment thereto, the planning board shall make and transmit to the governing body, within 35 days after referral, a report including identification of any provisions in the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment which are inconsistent with the master plan and recommendations concerning these inconsistencies and any other matters as the board deems appropriate...
So, by law, the Planning Board's report to Council must include identification of any provisions in the proposed development "which are inconsistent with the MP” and must make recommendations concerning those inconsistencies.

Despite this law, it has been the recent practice of the Teaneck PB to be much more “relaxed” about reporting inconsistencies.
Just consider what happened with the "review" of one of the major new developments in Teaneck - the cannabis facility on Alfred Avenue. At the Planning Board last July 15th, no planner testimony whatsoever was given about the zoning change to allow for this major cannabis hub in Alfred Avenue's LI (Light Industrial) zone. And the entire Planning Board review took less than 3 minutes. (This is an estimate since the meeting was not recorded as the law requires, because, as Chair Bodner said later, “a mistake was made”.

Unlike the July meeting "to review" the cannabis ordinance, the Planning Board meeting last Thursday actually had a planner presentation for the consistency hearing. Planner Keenan Hughes provided a summary of the three elements of the Ordinance, one of which includes a new community overlay zone for two Public Land properties to allow Community Centers.

Eleven residents (mostly neighbors) spoke during Good & Welfare. They challenged the new overlay zone's consistency with the Master Plan. In addition to citing many inconsistencies, they questioned why the ordinance was even being proposed since the Board of Adjustment had already denied the property owner’s requested use changes. And they noted that litigation about that use was apparently continuing in the courts.

At the conclusion of his statement, Planner Hughes made a general claim about the ordinance: “We believe it is consistent with the Township Master Plan and there are certainly no substantial inconsistencies.”

What does Planner Hughes mean by "no substantial inconsistencies"?

Teaneck Voices presents the video of Hughes making his claim and you can see for yourselves the Vice Chair of the Planning Board pressing Hughes on that qualification; and Hughes responding with a highly general answer without citing either the ordinance or the Master Plan!

And, then, the Planning Board quickly moves on to affirm that the ordinance is consistent, without ever citing either document in this consistency review hearing.
Significant questions remain.

Is “substantial consistency” good enough?

Has the Planning Board’s hearing put it in a position to legally meet its reporting responsibilities to identify any provision that is inconsistent with the master plan and make recommendations about those inconsistent provisions?

Is Teaneck Voices being too critical?

We looked for similar situations. We found a report of what Planner Hughes said at a hearing in Berkeley Heights, NJ last Spring. In it, he articulated a summary about Master Plan consistency that tracked perfectly with the law's requirements to identify specific inconsistencies and make recommendations about them. So Planner Hughes clearly knows what the law requires.

And the Berkeley Height Planning Board reported to its governing body the following about the ordinance Planner Hughes had reviewed for it:

“… there are no items in the proposed Ordinance that are inconsistent with the Berkeley Heights Township Master Plan”

Unfortunately, the Teaneck Planning Board is in no position to make a similar affirmation. Indeed, it never even bothered to rebut the citations of Master Plan inconsistency cited by the residents.

Would the Planning Board’s actions stand up in a court of law?

If Council relies on the Planning Board's report, is the ordinance truly ready for adoption?
Adding insult to injury, Councilmember Kaplan infers Oakdene Neighbors are Discriminating:
Planning Board Chair Bodner proposes "Good & Welfare will be Moved to the End of PB Meetings" - and Board concurs.

If Chair Bodner's decision had been in effect last Thursday, the residents would have had zero input until after the vote was already taken!

Teaneck Voices would like to know: What does he think is the purpose of public input to the Board?
TEANECK TOWN NEWSLETTER TO COMBAT
SPREAD OF "MISINFORMATION"

Watch as Mayor Dunleavey explains his fears about social media:
NOTABLE WOMEN OF TEANECK
Reverend Michelle White
“Do you know what the word tzedakah means?”

“Yes,” I said, feeling like I was back in my Jewish Sunday School.

But the educator posing the question was not my Sunday School teacher. She was firebrand and activist, Reverend Michelle White, Priest of Christ Episcopal Church in Teaneck. “Reverend Chellie,” with a smile that embraces the whole world was talking about meeting Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky of Congregation Beth Sholom just down the street from Christ Church and forming an alliance of hope and faith with his Congregation to provide food, diapers, and support to those in need in Teaneck, Englewood, and Hackensack.

“Christ Church and Congregation Beth Sholom are very service-minded. We have worked very productively together. It’s not about religion, it’s about the hope that you have in your heart. I am a Christian; I am a human being. I have hope. The entire world is at the disposal of the hopeful.”

Reverend Chellie is pleased with the strong relationship of hope and service she has built with members of the Jewish community in Teaneck. She is proud of her special kind of diplomacy.

During the pandemic many synagogues were holding their services outdoors under tents. One Saturday, the Jewish sabbath and active day for the Christ Church food pantry, she noticed a gentleman walking cross the church property on his way to his shul. “Hey,” she roared. “If you’re gonna walk across the church property, you need to come with a box of diapers!” Much to her delight he responded, “Tell me what you’re doing and how can I help?”

He told her about tzedakah – and that he had an email list of 12,000 names. He asked what she needed (diapers and food) and he sent out an email to his 12,000-member list. Food and dollars rolled in in response: Tzedakah!

Reverend Michelle White began her journey of faith, hope and extraordinary energy at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and grew up in Queens. A product of the public school system which she believes in deeply, Reverend Chellie graduated from Bayside High School and began her college career at SUNY Stonybrook where she earned her bachelor’s degree, majoring in chemistry and biology. She then earned her MS and PHD at Fordham University which she credits with helping to form her theologically.

Reverend Chellie was raised primarily by her grandmother who traveled from her native Jamaica to New York in steerage of an American Fruit Company ship. She comments that the American Fruit Company ravaged the island of Jamaica. She also points out that her grandmother entered the United States through Ellis Island – “I don’t think most people know that we came that way too.”

Reverend Chellie’s grandfather had worked on the Panama Canal, dying as a young man of stomach cancer from the exposure to toxins at that work. Her grandmother raised four children by working as a live-in in Summit, New Jersey. She left her children on their own in East Orange, returning home on weekends to cook and prepare them for the week ahead. Her other weekend activity with her children was to serve at Trinity and Epiphany Churches, imbuing her children with the importance of service to community.

After college, Reverend Chellie started a career as a teacher and administrator in the public school system. While she enjoyed teaching, she moved into administration because she thought she could influence the lives of children and families.

After 35 years she quit education because she was called to service in the church. She enrolled in Union Theological Seminary, where, as she says, she and the other students were taught to be “hellraisers!” They taught me, “You have a Voice. You must use your Voice. And they taught me how.”

After graduating from Union in the late 90’s, she worked in the South Bronx with gang members. “They taught me a great deal,” she says. “They had a sense of God – of something larger than themselves.”

After a brief venture back in public education in New Rochelle, she and her partner Ann Marie moved to Milford, Pennsylvania in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem where Reverend Chellie started training for ordination at a small church. However, Ann Marie was pregnant, and Reverend Chellie had no job. So, she went to the Diocese of Newark and served a church in Hoboken. In Hoboken, Rev. Chellie discovered that too many of the children from public housing were thrown into special ed classes and graduation rates were abysmally low. She worked with the children and their families who were residents of public housing, mobilizing them to exercise their Voice.

In 2012, Reverend Chellie accepted a call to Christ Episcopal Church in Teaneck.. She arrived with Hurricane Sandy, so began her ministry by packing up the folks from Christ Church and heading out to the Rockaways to help with the storm devastation. Knowing no one in the Rockaways, she was guided by a church member who was an organizer for Local 1199 of the Hospital Workers Union who told her: “You need to establish relationships in the community if you want to get a job done." This mentor also reminded her that the Church is a community organization. "You need to stop functioning as a private club because people need help”.

Back in Teaneck, Reverend Chellie began learning about what would become the powerful mission that she serves through Christ Episcopal Church. The Church is near Whittier School. She knew that in every school community (even as comfortable a community as Teaneck), there are kids that are food insecure. She learned that 25-30% of the students at Whittier school were food insecure. She began working with Center for Food Action in Englewood and former Superintendent Barbara Pinsak, continuing now with Dr. Christopher Irving, with a critical goal: To get food to the food insecure children on weekends.

The pandemic made it necessary to expand the food pantry at the Church on Saturdays to provide support for struggling families. As a result, this small church was able to provide food support to over 40,000 people. She discovered that many young mothers were torn between buying food or buying diapers. So, Reverend Chellie and the church membership established “Just Diapers.”

A member of the church who was Head of the Ridgewood Montessori School instructed, “At the other end of this can of soup is somebody’s child – somebody’s child who is hungry. It will make you see a can of soup in a very different way. And the child will think, ‘the people of Teaneck care about me.’”

With great help from the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, Reverend Michelle White lives her hope and practices Faith through her action. Through Christ Episcopal Church with her community of other churches, Congregation Beth Sholom, members of the Christian and Jewish communities of Teaneck, her service includes:

  • The Faith, Hope and Love Food Pantry at the Church.
  • Just diapers.
  • Yearly Thanksgiving dinner serving fried turkey and fixins’ to over 500 guests who are in need.
  • Feeding and clothing the homeless.
  • Mentoring Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boy and Girl Scouts.
  • Yearly Breakfast with Santa with delicious food and gifts for children of the Community.
  • Organizing the restaurants in Teaneck to provide dinners for Holy Name healthcare workers in the early devastating days of the pandemic.
  • Providing dinners for FDU students, many living in their cars, struggling to pay both tuition and living costs.

With all the extraordinary work they do, Reverend Chellie and Ann Marie are proudest, by far, of their two children, Ashlee, 14, and Church, 11, students at TJ Middle School.

Reverend Michelle White is an Activist of Faith. “You can go home and say your prayers, but if you’re not doing something, it’s nothing.”

She comments on people who see loss and sadness and devastating need and who say, “Somebody needs to do something.” Her answer: "You are the Somebody! You can’t say 'I’m afraid to do it, I can’t do it.' We’re responsible for each other."

Reverend White has a powerful message for the people of this township. “The Promise of Teaneck is one I’m unwilling to surrender.” With Reverend Michelle White leading the way, we all will never surrender.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
By Laraine Chaberski
Meet your neighbors Gabriela and Khaled

Gabriela Bodea and Khaled Nasr came to the United States in 2000 to participate in a summer exchange program. Gabriela is from Romania and Khalid from Egypt. They enjoyed their experience in the United States and their relationship blossomed into marriage.

They decided to try to make the United States their home. Khalid studied to become a physical therapist and worked in New York City so, at first, they chose to live in Fort Lee because of its proximity to the city. The neighborhood was predominantly Korean and they decided they wanted to raise children in a more diverse town. They chose Teaneck for being home to residents from many different countries.

Gabriela was born and raised in Romania when it was a communist country. She remembers disliking school intensely. Her teachers were strict and all children were taught in a rote fashion without regard to their individuality. For example,
Gabriela was naturally left-handed but was told she had no choice but to use her right hand for writing. She remembers how difficult that was for her. But she cooperated, because she knew teachers were allowed to physically punish their students if they did not obey.

After she and her husband moved to Teaneck she decided to attend school in Hackensack in order to become an aesthetician (skin care specialist). She was surprised and delighted that the schooling was fun. She joked she would do it over because she enjoyed the classes so much. She currently works at a salon in Edgewater.

Khaled earned his doctorate in physical therapy and originally practiced in New York City. Currently he is learning to move from an agency to a home-based physical therapy practice. More people in need of help are opting for this choice during the pandemic.

Khalid and Gabriela have two children. Ryan is 15 and Alyssa is 12. Ryan attends the prestigious Bergen Academies in Hackensack and has chosen business and finance as his concentration. Only 15 percent of students who apply are chosen to attend the school. Ryan’s true love is math and he would consider tutoring those who need help with this subject as soon as it is safe to do so, and when he has some free time.

Alyssa attends Benjamin Franklin middle school and will turn 13 next month. Last year her schooling was entirely virtual and she missed her friends as well as her teachers. Alyssa, in contrast to Ryan, favors writing and artistic endeavors. She’s happy to be back in school where she can be with her friends every day.

Both Alyssa and Ryan began school in an atypical way; they went to the French Academy in New Milford. Their parents wanted them to know more than one language and both are now fluent in French. When her children were at that school, Gabriela sometimes served as a substitute teacher, as well as supervised the lunch program.

The Bodea/Nasr family believes it’s important to help others. During the pandemic Gabriela sometimes shops for seniors who fear going into supermarkets because they are afraid of contracting the virus. She is a warm, generous person who believes in helping others.

The family enjoys living in Teaneck and Gabriela had difficulty in thinking of anything she would change about the town. She does wish all students here had a way to get to know each other more easily. Since Teaneck has public schools, charter schools and private schools, students and parents are more likely to get to know each other in their own domains and not interact with each other in the larger community. She and Khaled are still content with their choice to live in Teaneck.
Still Unanswered Questions
Why does the Township Council have 16 subcommittees - none of which have a quorum - about which Teaneck residents are told virtually nothing?

In how many lawsuits is the Township currently involved? How many has it settled in the past year except for the Glenpointe tax appeal? How many has it won? (We know of five recent cases the Town has lost.)

Why has Council not rescinded the designation of Stop & Shop and surrounding properties as an Area in Need of Redevelopment? Will the results of the settlement discussions be made public when completed?

Did any Town official tell Englewood anything about our Alfred Avenue plans? Englewood says NO!

When will the Planning Board act on the OSRP?

Will Council hold off implementing zoning changes for Holy Name's expansion until an agreement is reached between the hospital and its resident neighbors?

When will Councilwoman Orgen make available the records from the Marijuana Subcommittee that she in August said she would readily give to Councilwoman Gervonn Rice?
COVID UPDATES
Community Baptist Church Covid Testing Site
 Every Wednesday 9:00 AM-7:00 PM 
224 First Street
  Englewood, NJ 07631
Township of Teaneck: COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Info

UPCOMING MUNICIPAL MEETINGS
Council Meeting Regular
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 8pm
Zoom Link and passcode 088109.

Take Action during the Ordinance hearing and G&W opportunities.
  • Ordinance Hearing: The hearing for Ordinance 2-2022 (a zoning ordinance primarily about the Community Center overlay being created for 50 Oakdene) will be followed by a Council vote on whether to adopt. This is the ordinance discussed in last week’s issue of Teaneck Voices and in articles (see above) in this edition. The Planning Board voted that this ordinance is “consistent with the Master Plan” despite neighbors challenging that consistency.
  • Good and Welfare: 1) Councilman Kaplan has scheduled himself to discuss the Town’s recently approved new Official Newspaper controversially explained by the Mayor as a means to correct misinformation in the social media (See Town Newsletter video above). Residents may want to comment on Kaplan’s statement, and 2) Ordinance 4-2022 (to permit and schedule fees for keeping chickens) is scheduled for introduction at the end of Tuesday’s meeting. For months some residents have pressed the Council to introduce/pass such an ordinance while others have opposed it. Good & Welfare is this week’s opportunity for public comment; the Ordinance is scheduled for a hearing and vote on whether to adopt at the February 8 meeting.

Board of Education Regular Meeting
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 8pm
Held virtually via Zoom app link located on the district website.
If you have any questions in regards to this notice, please contact the Board office at 201-833- 5527 during regular business hours from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Melissa Simmons, Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Board of Adjustment Special Meeting
Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 7:00pm is canceled

Note: The Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation Advisory Board was scheduled to meet Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 7:30pm (and also scheduled for December, last month) but neither meeting took place. This seems a bit odd since Teaneck parks may soon be a beneficiary of the PSE&G $1.8M windfall.
Events at the Library: Click here
ANNOUNCEMENTS
93RD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
BERGEN COUNTY LGBTQ+ ALLIANCE
TIFF 2022 KICKS OFF
TEANECK KNIGHT AT FDU
MASTHEAD
Editorial Board
Natalee Addison
Laraine Chaberski
Toniette H. Duncan
LaVerne Lightburn
Charles W. Powers
Bernard Rous
Micki Shilan
Barbara Ley Toffler

Supporters
Denise Belcher
Juanita Brown
Margot Embree Fisher
Gail Gordon
Guy Thomas Lauture
Gloria Wilson
Contributors
Bettina Hempel
Dennis Klein
Henry Pruitt
Howard Rose

Advisors
Theodora Smiley Lacey
Loretta Weinberg