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Apr
13
I Do
Filed Under Election 2008, June Korzeneski, Nathalie Yafet, Shelby Robinson | Leave a Comment
This Tuesday, April 15th, Hillside voters will elect three residents to serve on the Board of Education for the next three years. In many ways an election is much like a marriage ceremony as voters get to make a choice that they must live with for years to come. For the last few weeks ten possible suitors have knocked on our doors, attended neighborhood meetings and provided responses to serious issues at the school board forum. This Tuesday Hillsiders must utter the words “I do.”
Just like any courtship there are those you will meet that will immediately turn you off, there will those who appear so tempting but you realize deep down that they are bad for you long term, and there are those who will earn a place as “just friends”.
This election season has had it share of each. You asked questions and never received real answers from some candidates. There are those who prefer to send out glossy literature in the mail disparaging others without ever getting around to saying what they will do, and there are those that are honest and sincere and in any other year would be solid candidates.
This year, however, is not just any year. That is why I am endorsing Shelby Robinson (ballot position #1), Nathalie Yafet (#2) and June Korzeneski (#4) for the Hillside Board of Education and urging Hillsiders to support the school budget which requires zero tax increase. When I ran for a seat on the Town Council, I stressed a need for experience, outspokenness and independence and these three women deliver.
Shelby, like me, is fiercely independent. She’s prepared to serve on the Board and knows what needs to be done. She has two children, has served as the PTA president at W.O.K and she’s vested in our community. The Union Leader calls her “genuine” and so do I. We need people who have only one motive to serve on the Board: fighting for our children. Shelby is running to fill the seat being vacated by John O’Shea.
Nathalie and I share a desire for open government. She’s been a proponent of having School Board meetings televised as I have led the charge on the Council. Her experience is unmatched. She’s a fiscal watchdog that speaks truth to power.
Ms. K. (I can’t bring myself to call my former guidance counselor “June”) knows the system up and down having been a parent, an educator, president of the teacher’s union, and a board member. She knows what needs to be done and has been moving Hillside in the right direction.
This year’s school budget requires ZERO tax increase so in any other year voting to approve it would be a no brainer. However, as I’ve said this isn’t any other year. This year the Council that promised to stabilize our taxes has once again raised our taxes. This year the County Freeholder panel, the only politicians you never see - even in election years - raised our taxes. So voters are understandably angry. I, however, implore Hillsiders to support the school budget and to elect Shelby, Nathalie and Ms. K. This election is important. This one is for our children and they deserve the best. They deserve a fighting chance.
Choosing not to elect these candidates – these three strong, experienced, independent, outspoken women – would be the wrong move for Hillside. Their leadership will make Hillside a good, place to live, work and go to school.
Polling places are open from 2pm until 9pm.
Mar
7
Ledger: Mayor, Council keep on feuding
Filed Under Elbert Smith, June Korzeneski, Nathalie Yafet, The Leadership | Leave a Comment
Hillside residents try to unite leaders
Friday, March 07, 2008
BY JASON JETT
Star-Ledger Staff
Despite pleas by community residents for them to work together for the betterment of Hillside, political warring continues unabated between the mayor and township council.
Mayor Karen McCoy Oliver and the council majority currently are fighting over the township attorney post, remediation of contaminants at the former Bristol-Myers headquarters and funding for the Hillside Municipal Alliance.
Oliver contends the fighting is one way, with the council doing all the warring by usurping her authority and undermining her administration.
Council members maintain they have to take action, even if it means exceeding their authority, to keep the township functioning because the mayor does nothing.
An effort by a group of community residents to mediate the dispute has met with resistance.
A community forum is to be held 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Hillside Public Library, but Council President Leonard Gilbert and a majority of members have stated they do not plan to attend.
“I’m there,” the mayor said. “I committed myself to being there back in January.”
Also expected to participate are 2nd Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates and school board members Nathalie Yafet, Elbert Smith and June Korzeneski. Read more
Jan
29
Ledger: Hillside council members call The Leadership’s conduct into question.
Filed Under Gerald Freedman, In The News, John Kulish, Karen McCoy Oliver, Leonard Gilbert, Nathalie Yafet, The Leadership | Leave a Comment
Infighting over officials’ remarks leaves residents asking for end to feud
BY JASON JETT
The Hillside Township Council leadership’s willingness to work with those who disagree with it is being questioned not only by Mayor Karen McCoy Oliver, but the two independent members of the governing body.
Shelley Bates and Gerald Freedman engaged in terse ex changes with the council president and vice president during a public meeting last week, prompting residents in the audience to call for an end to hostilities.
“This is something of critical importance to township residents, and I just don’t understand how she can sit there and vote ‘no,’” council vice president John Kulish said after Bates cast the dissenting vote on an amendment to the proposed 2008 municipal budget.
“Excuse me, point of order, Mr. council president,” Bates promptly requested.
However, council president Leonard Gilbert ruled Kulish had the right to comment before casting his vote.
Kulish insisted on having his say, stating that the township attorney could be consulted afterward to determine whether his comments were permitted under Robert’s Rules of Order.
When residents later expressed outrage over a lack of respect shown Bates, the lone female on the township council, Gilbert, said, “Everyone knows Councilman Kulish always makes comments before he votes.” Read more