This is an election year for the City Council. Elections will take place on May 10, 2005. I composed the following list in order to facilitate discussion about candidates' qualifications for this office. This list should not be construed as an endorsement of any candidate.
Top Ten Things to Look for in a Candidate for City Council
10.
Roots. Does this candidate have roots in this community? How long has he/she lived here? Owned property here? Did he/she go to school here? Work here? Is he/she truly invested in this community? Is this candidate known?
9.
Level of Concern. How sincere can a candidate be unless he/she has taken the time to learn the issues that affect City residents? How many City Council meetings has this candidate attended in the last year? How many Zoning Board Meetings? Planning Board Meetings? School Board Meetings? Does he/she understand the issues that these Boards address? Does this candidate have any idea how City government operates?
8.
Community Support. Has this candidate ever served the City in any volunteer capacity? Served on a Board? Participated in the City’s Clean-Up Day? Supported events at the Cultural Arts Center? Coached Little League?
7.
Motivation. What is this candidate’s motivation for running? To simply say "I want to make the City a better place to live" is not enough. Does this candidate have a solid grasp of the issues facing the City in the coming years? Is this more than a personal ego trip for power and prestige? Does he/she have a vision?
6.
Education/Experience. What is this candidate’s educational background? Is this candidate a college graduate? If not, does this candidate have the appropriate life experience by way of managing a business? Working in a related industry? Raising children? Being a good spouse? Are these skills transferable to public office? Education isn’t everything, but it’s important.
5.
Integrity. Is this candidate an independent thinker? Can he she be a consensus builder? Remember: He/she is only one of five Council members. Is this candidate a team player, willing to compromise when necessary and stay true to his/her convictions on the important issues?
4.
Ethics. Is this candidate morally/ethically worthy to hold public office? Does he/she have a questionable past with one or more instances of moral indiscretion? While ethical quality should be a "given", candidates should volunteer this information, acknowledge past indiscretions, subject themselves to criticism, and let the voters decide.
3.
Sacrifice. Is this candidate fully aware of the sacrifice he or she must make to serve in this important role? This position requires 25-30 per week on average. The pay is lousy. (Check me, but I think it’s under $10,000 a year). 25 hours, in addition to a regular job, is very taxing. Only sincere, dedicated people need apply.
2.
Vision. Does this candidate see the tremendous potential in this City? Does he/she shop on Main Street? Know the key players in the business sector? Understand the changing landscape in this growing City? Realize the impact (good and bad) of the Medical Center? Proposed light rail transportation network? Special Improvement District? Property tax reform? Environmental issues of the Hackensack River, and dozens of other issues that will directly affect our quality of life.
1.
Trust Worthiness. Can you, the voter, trust this person to dedicate him/herself to fully represent your interests as a citizen and taxpayer. (New Jersey residents are one of the highest taxed citizens in the nation.) Does this candidate posses all of the qualities necessary to formulate and institute policy that will truly make Hackensack a better City in which to live and work?