On Sunday, Sept. 22, Guerriero Gelato on Cedar Lane in Teaneck transformed into a hive of supporters for incumbent Teaneck Council members Karen Orgen and Mark Schwartz (who is also co-publisher of The Jewish Link). Structured informally as a meet and greet, they each spoke briefly to the assembled crowd and then circulated, discussing issues, ideas and responding to questions with supporters and new friends.
The event was sponsored by recently retired and highly popular Teaneck Township Manager Dean Kazinci and attended by five of Teaneck’s former mayors.
Orgen urged everyone to get to know others around them. Both council members encouraged attendees to turn around and say hi to someone new, and asked for residents’ goals and hopes for the township, noting they are always open to new ideas. Schwartz highlighted his focus on redoing parks and streets and shared his perspective on development angles to bring funds into town via new business and building development and creating opportunities on Cedar Lane and other underdeveloped areas of the township. He recalled a great idea he recently was given on Facebook, about turning the corner of Ayers Court and Queen Anne Road into a traffic circle to improve traffic flow and driver and pedestrian visibility in both directions, noting that he brought the idea to the planning board where it will soon be formally considered.
A veteran councilman, Schwartz stated that his record stands on its own in moving Teaneck forward.
Orgen and Schwartz moved up and down the queue as people waited on line to get their ice cream, engaging in impromptu discussions about the local concerns.
Entrance and ticketing were coordinated and monitored by Chaverim, whose chief, Sol Itzkowitz, was on hand and assisted by Shalom Peretz.
