In his Letter to the Editor (above), resident Phil Yucht uses a phrase that hasn’t been heard in Teaneck for over 10 years:
Mr. Kazinci wants to take the option that will take the longest time - the least risk to the township. But you, the Council, can direct him to take the quickest route to completion - the least risk to the homeowners. I urge you to vote to direct him to do so.
From 1947, when Mr. Paul Volcker, Sr. was Town Manager until 2010, through the tenure of Ms. Helene Fall, the two phrases initiating action on behalf of the residents were:
Manager: What does Council direct me to do?
Mayor (speaking for Council): Council directs the Manager to……….
Has any body heard that question or that statement in recent weeks, months or years?
Who are the players in a Faulkner Act Council-Manager Form of Government (which is what we have here in Teaneck)?
· The Residents. We residents are the STOCKHOLDERS of this entity known as the Township of Teaneck. Our money, through the property taxes we pay, enables the town to function and provides us with the Quality of Life we vote for.
· The Council. The Council, elected by the Stockholders who are supplying the money, are our Board of Directors, elected to use our funds wisely and as we desire.
· The Manager. The Manager is our CEO, hired by the Council, serving at the Council’s will, and reporting to the Council.
The residents attend Council meetings (essentially stockholder meetings) to observe the Council act in their behalf. They expect the Council, most critically to decide what must be done and the priority in which actions must be taken. They then expect the Manager in the Manager’s report to say: “Council directed me to ……… This is what I have done in response.”
Let us take you back to Council Chambers during any regular Council meeting from 1947 until 2010.
· The Residents. As now, residents filled the seats on the floor of the chamber to watch and, during Good & Welfare, question their representatives, as the councilmembers decide and enable the policies and activities that will create the lives promised the residents by their social contract, the Master Plan.
· The Council. The councilmembers, seated on the dais, speak directly to the Manager and direct the Manager to enact their decisions. Council provides this direction publicly so their stockholders, the residents, see and hear their Council acting in their behalf.
· The Manager. The Manager communicates to and acts for the residents.
· As protocol and tradition held for at least 63 years, after the council voted on an ordinance, resolution, or consent agenda – or prior to adjournment, the Manager would turn to the Council and ask, “What does Council direct me to do?
For the example that preceded this article, Phil Yucht’s Letter to the Editor, the Mayor should reply, “Mr. Manager, please put the resolution of the flooding on Belle Ave. and surrounding streets, as top priority on your To-Do list. Please report to us on your progress at the next council meeting on date.”
Council, use your authority and take responsibility: The ball is in YOUR court.
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