See The Election Results

The Journal is providing an open forum for candidates to address residents directly.

Brian Scanlan & Brian Hubert

The healthiest governing bodies have members with a range of views on the issues and who may not agree on everything. They allow for, indeed, they welcome questions and opinions from the public. They encourage the give and take that acts as a check on a one-group monopoly and know it often results in better solutions to problems. We believe that by encouraging a more open, responsive forum for discussion on the issues affecting Wyckoff’s future, we can do a better job keeping Wyckoff a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and enjoy retirement.

Property Taxes

Wyckoff’s municipal tax, which is controlled by the Township Committee, has risen 24% in the last two years. (This amount does not include our open space tax, which is an average of $39 per home which Wyckoff voters approved in 2006.) The argument that state mandates are somehow responsible for this 24% increase doesn’t wash. Our municipal tax has increased at three times the percent increase in Franklin Lakes and Midland Park and twice the percent increase in Allendale and Waldwick over the same period.

We are also concerned about the impact of extensive development on tax rates, and believe the Township Committee has not taken the best advantage of outside grants that can offset our local tax burden. If elected, we will aggressively pursue this alternative financing.

Both of have extensive business experience. Brian Hubert is an Executive Director of Morgan Stanley and its Global Corporate Real Estate Controller. Brian Scanlan is president of Thieme Publishers-a successful health science publisher with 97 employees. Both of us know what it is like to look at expenses line-by-line, especially in these times. We will do that if elected.

Boulder Run

The Township Committee appoints the members of the Planning and Zoning Boards, who are responsible for development approvals. We are very concerned that taxpayer dollars were used to send a suspiciously timed township-wide mailing which gave a very one-sided view of the project. Among other things, this mailer implied the state dictated the size of the project, the tree removal, the architecture, and the landscaping. This is not true. Nonpartisan planning and zoning board with citizen representation reflecting alternate points of view would have improved the outcome of the Boulder Run project. Stop ‘n’ Shop would never be allowed to build a big-box, Route 17-style store in New England, its home base. The Planning Board could have steered the project in a more responsible fashion.

Open Space in Wyckoff

Just 1.88% of Wyckoff is dedicated to municipal parks and playgrounds-not the 7% or 240 acres stated in our opposition’s campaign literature. (Included in the 240 acres of “open space” claimed by our opposition are buildings, highway off-ramps, parking lots, private property, and even residents’ backyards.) It’s time that a realistic assessment be made of Wyckoff’s open space-especially because it’s disappearing so quickly.

We support the acquisition of open space in a cost-effective fashion using our local open space fund as approved by the voters, and leveraging it to get grant money from Bergen County, private sources and the state. Outside grants often cover 75% or more of the cost of acquisition.

Despite being asked several times, the Township Committee refused to even consider negotiations with the ravine and Russell Farms developer. He said on more than one occasion he was open to discussion about selling for open space preservation.

Open Space funding?

The incumbent was opposed to the creation of Wyckoff’s Open Space Municipal Trust Fund, which was approved by Wyckoff voters in 2006. This fund, if used well, can generate millions for Wyckoff from county and state sources for open space preservation and recreation.

Wyckoff is $1.5 million behind in getting our money back from Bergen County Open Space. Wyckoff residents have paid $1.5 million more into the fund than we have received back in grants. Money paid into county and state open space funds by Wyckoff residents is now being spent elsewhere. It is the responsibility of the Township Committee to acquire these grants, and if elected, we will do a better job of securing this funding for recreation and open space preservation.

*2008 Grants will be paid in 2009.

Qualifications for Township Committee

In addition to the business experience we bring to the table, both of us have been involved in a wide range of volunteer activities in Wyckoff and elsewhere, and our combined experience includes service as an elected official and in leading civic and other organizations over two decades. Our children attend or are graduates of Wyckoff schools. To read more about us and our qualifications and the issues, please visit: www.Hubert-ScanlanForWyckoff.org.

Addendum

First, the Hubert-Scanlan campaign has accepted no contributions from the from the Bergen County Democratic Organization, nor from any other county or state political organizations, nor from township employees or firms doing business with the township.

Second, some are claiming that the “Friends of Wyckoff” sued the town with reference to Boulder Run or the Deep Voll Ravine developments. That is not true-Friends of Wyckoff was not involved in either effort. Brian Scanlan helped raise money for an appeal of the ravine decision-more than 200 local residents donated to that effort and stood up for what they believed in. Neither of us was directly involved in the Boulder Run appeal, but we can certainly see why better landscaping and architecture was sought. A more balanced Township Committee-which appoints members of the planning and zoning boards-would likely have improved the outcomes in both cases.

Campaign website: www.Hubert-ScanlanForWyckoff.org