Be True

Right after the Board of Ed election this week, comes the latest Board of Trustees election on May 10. For those people who do not follow local politics, there are four seats up for election this year - 3 Trustee seats (currently held by Mark Rosner, Howard Levison and Deborah Davis Ford) and the Village President seat (currently held by Doug Newman).

Several weeks ago, we learned that at the filing deadline, the 3 Trustee seats will be uncontested by the 3 Trustees currently occupying them. Congratulations to my colleagues on being willing to serve another 4 years.

We also learned that Doug Newman decided not to run again and the Village President seat is being contested between current Trustee, Janine Bauer, and newcomer, Alex Torpey.

As most people know, I ran together with Janine Bauer two years ago (along with Nancy Gould) and I wholeheartedly endorse her taking the next step as our next Village President. As an attorney, Janine has an incredible depth of knowledge on many issues. I've worked closely with Janine over the past 2 years and have seen her logical and analytical approach to every issue. Having worked alongside President Newman these past 4 years, I have seen firsthand the incredibly complex and difficult issues that must be addressed by the Village President. From contract negotiations, to legal issues, to personnel issues, to financial issues, to public relations issues, and overall leadership - the job of Village President is incredibly demanding and requires tremendously broad experience. Janine Bauer in the only candidate that has the experience, maturity and demeanor to lead our Village for the next 4 years.

I actually know Alex reasonably well, think highly of him and commend him for stepping up to run for a difficult and often thankless position. However, having seen what the role of Village President really entails, I simply cannot discount the one quality that only comes with time - experience. Janine Bauer has the experience. I hope you will join me in supporting her for Village President on May 10.

The Rising

In past years, I have resisted getting involved in Board of Education elections for a variety of reasons. However, this year, the stakes are simply too high and I could no longer sit on the sidelines without expressing my opinion. This year, I wholeheartedly am endorsing Marian Cutler and her running-mate, Jim LoStuto.

Not that many years ago, our school district was top-ranked in the state. However, most recently, NJ Monthly Magazine ranked our High School 75th out of 322. That is simply not good enough. (By comparison, our neighbor in Millburn was ranked 1 and Glen Ridge was ranked 4) We need members of the Board of Education that are focused on increasing rigor in our curriculum, so our District can re-capture the "prestige" it once had. There is simply nothing more important to our community and our property values than the quality of our school district. In addition, we need members of the Board of Education, who realize that a "one size fits all model" simply does not work. The School District needs to take into account differing abilities and objectively provide varied levels that work to the students' varied abilities.

As I said in my letter to the News Record,we need people on the Board who are willing to make tough decisions and fight to ensure that our kids receive the best possible education. In these challenging economic times, that requires creativity and a willingness to think outside the box and beyond the status quo. As a member of the South Orange Board of Trustees, I know firsthand how difficult it is to balance state mandated caps, the demands of Union contracts and the passionate needs and wants of our diverse community. The balance that the School Board must find is no different. However, with the School Budget consuming over 56% of every resident's incredibly high tax bill, it is critical to elect someone who is vividly aware of the tax burden but is willing and able to look at things differently to move our District forward, despite the challenges.

I have known Marian Cutler for several years and know that there is nobody more passionate and dedicated to our kids and our District. Marian Cutler is willing to devote the time and energy required to be an effective leader and an advocate for a strong rigorous education that fully prepares all of our kids for the intensely competitive world that we all live in. Her corporate expertise in Public Relations will bring increased transparency to the Board so we can all be further engaged in decisions that impact the education of our kids. Finally, as an outsider to the Board of Education she will bring a fresh perspective, innovation and creative thinking to education, yet ensuring our excessive tax burden is controlled. Together, her and Jim LoStuto bring a wealth of professionalism, passion and knowledge which will benefit all of our kids and the entire District.

I urge you to join me in supporting Marian Cutler and Jim LoStuto for Board of Education on April 27.