7
QUESTIONS WITH COUNCILMAN STEVE TANELLI
1.
What do you see as the short terms goals for the community.
The issues most important to you?
Short term goals and long term goals for North Arlington
in my opinion are one and the same. Walking door to
door these past 2 years the most important issue has
been taxes. As elected officials we need to do whatever
we can to stabilize taxes for our home owners while
keeping expenses down. That means exploring every option
that will help move the town forward and place it on
solid financial footing. Redevelopment is one option
we need to examine We also need to be sure that the
town is providing the services tax payers deserve while
operating economically. Most importantly, each and every
choice we make must be examined closely to weigh cost
vs. impact.
2. The municipal budget has a reported a $450,000 deferred
charge that must be paid in this budget. How will that
impact spending?
You think you've turned the corner and know what your
up against, and another sign of mismanagement of the
past presents itself. This charge came out in our audit.
And although the state recognized that is was due to
mismanagement by past hired professionals they still
held the borough accountable and have forced us to include
it in this years budget. These unexpected surprises
just make it harder to move forward. Once spending is
controlled you are suppose to focus on finding ways
to improve services and quality of life, while keeping
them affordable. This $450,000 will just push any improvement
we may have considered into next year.
3. Several new retailers have settled in North Arlington.
What is being done to create the appropriate climate
for retailers to come back to Ridge Road?
There is still a long way to go on Ridge Road, but I
am very excited about the new businesses that have opened
recently. In addition to the new retailers a few of
our loyal retailers that have been in town for many
years are making major investment in remodeling their
property. I have visited many retailers throughout the
year to listen to concerns. I want them to know this
council takes their needs and concerns seriously and
are willing to do anything in our power to help them
succeed.
4. The Republicans have not filed a ticket this year
against you. Care to comment?
Last year was my first experience running for public
office. With the changes that the mayor and council
where involved in last year made it a very hotly contested
campaign with a full slate of Republican, Democratic
and Independent candidates. To tell you the truth I
was shocked to say the least when the Republicans did
not file a ticket. To go from total control over every
aspect of the borough to not filling a ticket, I guess
they think we're doing a good job.
5. You're being challenged by three independents. Care
to comment?
Everyone has the right to aspire to be a member of the
Borough council. And knowing the work that is involved
running for office and the work involved in performing
the duties of a councilman, I have a lot of respect
for anyone that steps up and files a ticket to run.
But when you compare this year to last year, I have
been waiting to hear what issues that they oppose or
what stance they are taking and to be honest, I haven't
found any.
6. Last year you ran a very aggressive, grass roots
campaign. Is the plan the same this year?
Absolutely! As I mentioned earlier, last year was my
first experience running for office. The time spent
going door to door gave me an opportunity to talk to
every resident face to face in a more relaxed informal
setting. There were many issues discussed last year
and I shared those issues with the Mayor and council.
Two comments became realities this year, we had many
parents wanting to bring back "Night Out Against Crime"
and also many families wanted "4th of July fireworks."
Both events were brought back this year and were very
successful. I hope to knock on every door this year
and again respond to suggestions and address issues
that concern our residents, the information and feedback
is invaluable.
7. What has been your greatest success and biggest disappointment
since joining the council?
I feel the biggest success this year has been bringing
back the community feel that has been lacking in the
borough. I mentioned last year during an interview with
a newspaper, that one of my goals would be to bring
the town back together, and by the participation that
we have had at every recreation or town event has been
overwhelming. I can't tell you how many people have
approached me before, during and for weeks after, to
thank us and praise the events. The key to all this
is that most of the events that we ran this year where
done by local business donating. I am also proud of
the reconstruction project behind the high school. We
where able to turn a poor beat up field into a useful
High school and recreation facility. My biggest disappointment
is in the time it takes to do anything in government.
I come from a fast paced advertising & marketing
world that if you need to do thing or change things,
you just do it! Councilman Tanelli, thank you for taking
the time to speak with us.
