Incumbent council member has list of accomplishments, vows to help finish the work he started together with residents.
Incumbent Councilman Keith Kaplan has filed petitions from all 23 of Teaneck’s election districts to run for reelection in the November 8 election. The accomplished council member has a list of achievements over the past four years while serving, and has a list of new projects he would like to continue that will help residents improve their quality of life.
“For the past four years, I’ve been proud to stand up for residents in town. And I would like to finish the work we started together—to help improve the quality of life for our families and our children,” said Kaplan, who is a law clerk at one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. “Whether a resident needs an advocate for a sign on their block, help navigating the municipal code or finding information they need to plan a block party, I work on behalf of residents every single day and enjoy helping them.”
While serving on the council, Kaplan has helped author four “zero tax increase” budgets in a row; helped create millions of dollars in new ratables; authorized paving a record number of roads; supported improving infrastructure through rehabilitating the municipal complex and building required venues such as the sportsplex in Votee Park; encouraged the township to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by joining the Joint Insurance Fund; supported upgrading municipal parks for children and their families; worked on the public health emergency partnership with Holy Name Hospital that helped administer more than 170,000 COVID-19 vaccines at the Rodda Center; helped make Teaneck a veteran-friendly community; worked with the township manager to hire its first Korean-American library director; and helped paint a “Si Se Puede” mural to honor Hispanic Heritage Month.
Kaplan also updated and streamlined the municipal code (which hasn’t been updated in decades). He also helped make government more accountable and transparent, as well as easier to deal with, by spearheading a program to help make electronic permits more easily available at the Building Department, which enables residents to schedule inspections and payments online. The council member also worked to get a new prefab bathroom installed at Phelps Park, with plans to install even more modern restrooms at other township parks in the coming years.
“I look forward to serving with Councilman Kaplan back on the dais, continuing the drive towards cutting red tape for our businesses and our residents, as well as being a strong advocate for our zero tax increase budgets these past four years,” said Mark Schwartz, who serves as deputy mayor of Teaneck and is co-publisher of The Jewish Link.
“With numerous incumbents retiring or choosing not to run for reelection, we need veteran public servants like Councilman Kaplan reelected to help us protect many of our residents’ largest, most treasured investments—our homes and our families,” said Karen Lew Orgen, who also serves on the council.
“Councilman Kaplan was a driving force in making the Rodda Center a vaccination site, which in turn administered more than 170,000 vaccines to help protect our residents and our neighbors from COVID-19,” said Michael Santiago Pagan who also serves on the council. “That same determination to get things done and finish the job he started is exactly what is needed to help move Teaneck forward through these challenging times.”
Kaplan, who is married with three daughters, is a former member of the Teaneck Planning Board and the Planning, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He also is a former member of the Volunteer Ambulance Squad where he grew up and serves as a Council liaison to the Library, Environmental Commission and Teaneck Board of Education.
By Jewish Link Staff
