Teaneck–On Tuesday, November 4th, Bergen County residents head to the polls to elect a County Executive. As a reminder, the County Executive serves a 4-year term. He or she proposes budgets and manages the day-to- day operations of the county government.

The incumbent County Executive is Republican Kathleen Donovan while the challenger is Democrat James Tedesco. Tedesco is currently a Freeholder who served two terms as mayor of Paramus. On Thursday, October 2, the two participated in a debate which was held at the Teaneck Library Auditorium. The debate was hosted and sponsored by Bergen Grassroots, and its president, Chuck Powers, served as the moderator.

The standing room only crowd was made up primarily of union members who were clearly Tedesco supporters. The debate began cordially enough, with the candidates abiding by the rules that Powers laid out. However, an underlying tension became apparent as the debate progressed.

Donovan began the night noting that she had made four promises if elected and that each one was kept. Those promises included holding the line on taxes her first year and ultimately reducing them. “I want to continue to reduce taxes,” Donovan said. She also emphasized her experience, noting, “I know what needs to be done.”

Bergen Regional Medical Center:

Tedesco never used Donovan’s name and rarely even looked at Donovan. A constant theme of Tedesco’s from his opening statement was the need to find middle ground, work together, and communicate. “She runs the county and it’s her way or no way,” said Tedesco. The barb drew much applause from the audience. Tedesco said this while talking about the Bergen Regional Medical Center whose lease ends in 2017. He said, “I will not sell it. It’s too important to the county and provides high quality care for the people who need it most.” Tedesco did say the facility needs to be reviewed to ensure it is operating at the highest level.

Donovan did not commit to keeping the facility open, but noted she has appointed a seven-member team to review the options and determine what to do next. She said, “It may have to be a state responsibility.”

Later, with her management style under steady attack, Donovan noted that “Ninety percent of what we got done was by agreement.” She went on to note that some of the issues she got elected on and pursued were not what the freeholder board wanted. “There are times you say no and disagree, and I make no apologies for that.” Frustration with her opponent became clear when Donovan muttered, “Can’t make someone less stupid.”

Flooding:

Despite the tension, the candidates agreed on a number of topics. One such issue is related to flooding. Both believe that there needs to be a regional approach to flooding. Donovan noted that a flood specialist has been hired who is working with the Office of Emergency Budget.

Development:

The candidates also agreed on a number of issues related to development. Both support the American Dreams project, the retail and entertainment complex located in the Meadowlands. Both agree that a convention center along with a hotel should be built. Tedesco said, “We need to do it quick or risk losing out on an opportunity” to New York. Both are very much in favor of the LG Building being built in Englewood Cliffs. Donovan noted, “They have gotten the appropriate permits.” Tedesco says it will provide jobs and be good for families.

One area of development where the candidates disagree is gambling. Tedesco is in favor of bringing gambling to the area. Donovan was uncertain and said, “We need to let the voters decide.”

Sheriff/Police Integration:

One substantial area of disagreement which also clearly interested the crowd was over Tedesco’s plan to bring the sheriff and police department together. He says when re-alignment happens, Bergen County will have one law enforcement agency under the auspices of the sheriff’s department. He says this will save the county a substantial amount of money. Tedesco believes it is natural to bring the two departments together. “The training is exactly the same, and the sheriff goes out on the road in the same way.” Donovan disagrees that this change would save money, and would keep the departments separate.

Pay-to-play:

The candidates also have a distinctly different approach to the pay-to-play ordinance. The goal of pay-to-play is to reduce the corruption possibilities that arise when contracts selected by public officials may be given to contractors who are contributors to the public officials who make the contract decisions. Tedesco says, “I believe in pay-to-play and voted to strengthen it.” Donovan says of pay-to-play, “If you want the same thing to apply in all counties, then it is a state issue and should be done on a state level.” She also notes that she signed a pay-to-play ordinance that was signed and ultimately overturned by the freeholders. Tedesco says that Donovan is taking advantage of a legal loophole.

Oil/hazardous trains transiting the county:

The moderator noted that Bergen County now has large amounts of crude oil being transported via the rails going through it. Donovan says that oil tankers are an important concern and that the county’s Office of Emergency Management has been preparing for potential emergencies. She adds, “We need to work with the federal government,” to ensure safety. Tedesco, who served a firefighter for 38 years and served as Deputy Director of the Paramus Office of Emergency Management, is concerned about the amount of oil being transported through the area. He says, “Oil should only be transported if it is in double wall or retrofit tankers.” Tedesco also emphasized that first responders need to have all the information and suggested that information should be in every fire truck.

Tedesco’s final words of the debate emphasized his theme of cooperation and included a, “Promise to stand up for your families just like I do for mine.”

Donovan advised the voters, “You have to look at future and what you want it to be.”

By Larry Bernstein