Author: Edward Durfee

2022 Election

Our concerns for the 2022 election of Mayor and Council

Northvale Community

As we see our neighboring communities hold events such as Town Days, Farmers Markets, Color Runs and have the ability to perform basic functions through municipal websites doesn’t it make you ask “Why not Northvale?” That’s what we ask. We want to focus on fostering a greater community feel for our Borough and work to bring back the events that bring us together and the technology to keep us moving forward.

One-Party Rule

Northvale has a healthy cross-section of voters from both the Democrat and Republican parties as well as a significant population that is not affiliated with either major party. Joe and Kara winning these two council seats in 2021 is vital for Northvale’s council to have representation from both parties and not descend into the group-think that one-party rule brings.

Transparency

A common complaint among residents, is the lack of transparency and accessibility to town information. The world has changed dramatically over the last 30 years and in particular within the last year and a half. Northvale has not kept up with these changes and has relied on antiquated means of communication. The Borough needs to be more forth coming with information and communicating with residents in a timely manner.

Fiscal Health

To preserve our long-term fiscal health and avoid the types of financial crises that we just experienced, Northvale requires better and more proactive budget planning. For too long we have been reactive in managing budget-to-budget and doing what is necessary to get by. We employ a part-time CFO who is in charge of the Borough’s finances. We are calling for a full-time financial professional to work for the Borough and proactively manage finances and plan for future budgets. Believing this is not necessary has cost Northvale’s hard working taxpayers far too much money managing crises. The Mayor and Council are not full-time, certified financial professionals. A full-time professional’s attention is required.

Technology

Northvale has fallen behind in the utilization of technology to run the Borough. Whether it is providing real time streaming of Council meetings or providing online service applications via the Borough website, Northvale needs to make basic improvements that are more in-line with how residents conduct business with most organizations in a technology reliant society.

Pay-to-Play

We do not believe it is right or ethical for professionals employed by the Borough, or their relatives, to contribute to Borough candidates seeking office or their political parties. We support a pay-to-play ordinance like the ones enacted by several municipalities in Bergen County as well as the County itself.

Preserving Northvale

While the Council does not play a direct role in the activities of the Planning and Zoning Board, we believe that people and families who call Northvale home, do so for a variety of reasons: the small town look and feel, the community built among neighbors, the safety provided by the police department, the educational opportunities, etc. We are not in favor of dramatically changing the community through zoning exceptions and changes. We love Northvale and wish to preserve its character for generations.

2021 Campaign

Northvale Community
As we see our neighboring communities hold events such as Town Days, Farmers Markets, Color Runs and have the ability to perform basic functions through municipal websites doesn’t it make you ask “Why not Northvale?” That’s what we ask. We want to focus on fostering a greater community feel for our Borough and work to bring back the events that bring us together and the technology to keep us moving forward.

One-Party Rule
Northvale has a healthy cross-section of voters from both the Democrat and Republican parties as well as a significant population that is not affiliated with either major party. Joe and Kara winning these two council seats in 2021 is vital for Northvale’s council to have representation from both parties and not descend into the group-think that one-party rule brings.

Transparency
A common complaint among residents, is the lack of transparency and accessibility to town information. The world has changed dramatically over the last 30 years and in particular within the last year and a half. Northvale has not kept up with these changes and has relied on antiquated means of communication. The Borough needs to be more forth coming with information and communicating with residents in a timely manner.

Fiscal Health
To preserve our long-term fiscal health and avoid the types of financial crises that we just experienced, Northvale requires better and more proactive budget planning. For too long we have been reactive in managing budget-to-budget and doing what is necessary to get by. We employ a part-time CFO who is in charge of the Borough’s finances. We are calling for a full-time financial professional to work for the Borough and proactively manage finances and plan for future budgets. Believing this is not necessary has cost Northvale’s hard working taxpayers far too much money managing crises. The Mayor and Council are not full-time, certified financial professionals. A full-time professional’s attention is required.

Technology
Northvale has fallen behind in the utilization of technology to run the Borough. Whether it is providing real time streaming of Council meetings or providing online service applications via the Borough website, Northvale needs to make basic improvements that are more in-line with how residents conduct business with most organizations in a technology reliant society.

Pay-to-Play
We do not believe it is right or ethical for professionals employed by the Borough, or their relatives, to contribute to Borough candidates seeking office or their political parties. We support a pay-to-play ordinance like the ones enacted by several municipalities in Bergen County as well as the County itself.

Preserving Northvale
While the Council does not play a direct role in the activities of the Planning and Zoning Board, we believe that people and families who call Northvale home, do so for a variety of reasons: the small town look and feel, the community built among neighbors, the safety provided by the police department, the educational opportunities, etc. We are not in favor of dramatically changing the community through zoning exceptions and changes. We love Northvale and wish to preserve its character for generations.

Bergen County Republican Organization Convention Results

Announcing the results of the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) Convention.

Votes for the Governors candidates are:

336   Jack Ciattarelli
25    Hirsh Singh
6    Brian Levine

There were two contested County positions, Sheriff and Commissioner.

Votes for the Sheriff Candidates are:

269  Robert “Bob” Kugler
98  Harry Shortway

Votes for the Commissioner Candidates are:

301   Ronald Lin
82   Joseph Viso
272  Tim Walsh

Northvale Mud-Slinging Revealed

The headline reads like a novel, “In Northvale council race, dueling flyers target candidates over arrest, extremism”, but we ask where are the “dueling flyers”.

A duel, according to Webster, “a conflict between antagonistic persons, ideas, or forces; also : a hard-fought contest between two opponents”.  While we agree this is a contest, a political contest, usually when the word duel is used to describe flyers, there are opposing flyers.

In this case, the only flyers that target candidates are from the “Campaign for a Better Northvale”.  Are the innuendos with these buzzwords,  “radical”, “extremist” and “terrorist” to “Better Northvale”?

The Durfee – Singer campaign has only published their bio’s and created door hangars to inform our fellow citizens of our intent to reign in the out of control spending and continual taxation.  We have highlighted who we are and why we are running.  The issues we are running on: Taxes, Transparency and Accountability. That doesn’t sound like mud-slinging to us, only having to defend ourselves against the attacks from the one-party rule that has gone on for far too long.

So you decide who the “duel” is really with.

See the article about the mud-slinging here.  Then decide, if you haven’t already cast your vote, who are the more viable candidates for council.

 

2020 Debates for Senate and CD-05

First and only debate of 2020 U.S. Senate campaign to be moderated by
NJ Globe Editor David Wildstein

On Tuesday, October 27 at 5pm, Booker, Mehta will face-off in New Jersey Globe U.S. Senate Debate.


On Sunday, October 25, at 9 PM, the Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) and Republican Frank Pallotta will participate in the New Jersey Globe 5th District Congressional Debate.

Facebook Videos | | | YouTube Videos

Democrat Cory Booker and Republican Rik Mehta will meet for the first and only debate in the 2020 race for United States Senate in New Jersey on Tuesday, October 27 at 5 PM in a forum sponsored by the New Jersey Globe.

The debate will air live on the New Jersey Globe and its social media platforms: Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Two television networks will broadcast the New Jersey Globe debate between Booker and Mehta: my9 in North Jersey at 6 PM on Saturday, October 31, and Fox29 in South Jersey at 7AM on Sunday, November 1.

The Senate debate will be moderated by David Wildstein, the editor of the New Jersey Globe.

This will be the sixth debate sponsored by the New Jersey Globe this cycle.

Three congressional debates have already been held: Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in the 7th district, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) and David Richter in the 3rd, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and Rosemary Becchi in the 11th.

On Sunday, October 25, the New Jersey Globe 25th District State Senate Debate will feature a matchup between incumbent Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton) and Democrat Rupande Mehta.  That debate starts at 7:30 PM.

At 9 PM, the Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) and Republican Frank Pallotta will participate in the New Jersey Globe 5th District Congressional Debate.

Source:  NJGlobe and NJGlobe

Time To Unmask The Northvale Democratic Team

Just when you thought that the stink couldn’t get any worse, we find that the flyers that try to smear Durfee and Singer are connected to the Bergen County Clerk? Is this how “OUR” tax dollars are put to work?

A closeup look at the latest hit piece from the “Campaign For A Better Northvale”. (sic)

Is that the real man behind the curtain? Talk about BOSSES!!

It is time that Northvale Democrats are exposed for what they have become. We have been subjected to their rhetoric, innuendos and out right lies for years now. Isn’t it funny that last year and this year the “candidate” is portrayed as a member of the council. Working side by side with the duly elected council members. Who is the BOSS? An unelected person?

Is this why we elected them? To take marching orders from the County and State Power Brokers? Where in the job description do we find that?

ONE LAST WORD

When does political groveling become outright disrespectful? When the guided Northvale Democratic Team becomes desperate. They have the nerve to accuse us of creating fiction about their golden boy candidate? The facts are the facts, we had nothing whatsoever to do with the “infamous postcard” that disclosed the “REAL” John M Hogan for all to see.

They again have the nerve to accuse Edward of being some radical domestic enemy because he HONORS HIS OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION. Accusing him of attempting to “defund the police”. Last time I looked it was the DEMOCRATIC Party that is calling for the Defunding of Police.

The DURFEE ~ SINGER team brings common sense solutions to the ongoing debacle that has been created. Our push is for transparency and openness of our governance. We will vote for budgets that cut spending not just spending plans.

Reference for Photo