October 30, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Midland Park Two incumbents run unopposed New judge Attorney Richard Brady, right, is sworn in as Midland Park’s new municipal judge by Superior Court Judge Harry Car- roll, a former judge in Midland Park. Brady, previously the borough prosecutor, replaced longtime judge Charles Ryan, who retired. Republican incumbents Nancy Peet and Jack Considine are running unopposed in the Nov. 5 election for the two available seats on the Midland Park Borough Council. Peet said she is seeking her fifth term “to continue working with the council, borough administration, resi- dents, and Midland Park School Board to make sure we provide the best service possible to our community.” She said that during her past term she had listened to residents about their concerns regarding the school system’s needs and issues; she initiated the Community Citizens Safety Advisory Committee in order to address issues such as pedestrian safety, street safety, and traffic control; she introduced the Tax Card program; and she strengthened the relationship and liaison role between the council and the board of education. She said some of her goals would be continued fiscal responsibility, providing effective and efficient services, and maintaining borough property and infrastructure. “I hope to achieve this without cutting any services and to keep our local government affordable. The economic conditions most Americans face are still prevalent, and taxpayers have tough decisions that must be made. “Continuing to work with the administration on grant availability is another area I hope to focus on. Midland Park currently shares numerous services with its neighbor- ing communities, Waldwick and Ho-Ho-Kus. I believe we have additional opportunities that should be explored with our board of education. Considering these shared services would be cost-saving and beneficial to all. I feel it would be worth investigating,” she said. A lifelong borough resident and a Registered Nurse, Peet is currently Vice President and Director of Risk and Claims Management for William H Connolly & Co., LLC. Considine, running for his first full three-year term after filling a one-year term, said he wants to continue implementing the effective operational and fiscal policies “that keep our town a great place to live and work.” He said he shares residents’ basic American values, such as “earning your own way, paying your bills on time and not running up debt” and families lining the streets to watch baseball players and veterans march on Memorial Day. “We have a council and mayor that reflect those values, and although there are some differing views, the majority of Midland Park residents want to hold fast to the policies that have served the community well for many years,” he said. Considine noted that over the past 10 years, the munici- pal government’s share of the borough’s tax receipts has decreased consistently, from 26 percent to 23 percent, while services to the community have increased. The total debt for the municipality is less than $50,000, one of the lowest in the entire state. “These facts have led some to question why it’s impor- tant to keep debt low. Why not borrow and spend more? Loosen up a little! Lots of people in town can afford to pay more, right? “Well, the economy during the past five years has been a disaster for many of our residents. Many lost jobs that never returned, and those retired and counting on bond and