October 30, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Glen Rock Republicans, Democrats seeking election to council by John Koster Two Democrats who emerged as write-in candidates for Glen Rock Council are running against Republican incum- bents Mary Jane Surrago and Michael O’Hagan. Two seats are available in the Nov. 5 general election. Democratic candidates Sean Brennan and Amy Martin were endorsed by members of their party in the June pri- mary and are getting some lawn-sign recognition for their attempt to re-introduce Democrats to the borough council, which was once split 3-3 with a Republican mayor voting only to break ties. Brennan is a 13-year resident and father of two. Martin is active in the Home and School Associations. O’Hagan is active on the Public Safety Committee and in recreational sports. Surrago is a long-time member of the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps. At last week’s Candidates Night, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the four candidates spoke about what they see as their major assets and on the major issues facing Glen Rock. Martin said that lack of recreation and the difficulties in the downtown business district were two concerns. “We all love Glen Rock, but recently there’s a common thread of conversation: There’s nothing for teens to do downtown, and all of our favorite stores are closing,” Martin said. She said more planning is needed. She also said she favors an energy audit, as has been done in some other towns, to save money on energy costs. “There are really deep concerns,” Brennan said, adding that he and Martin had spoken with many residents in a door-to-door campaign. Brennan said too much of the bor- ough’s budget is dependent on residential property taxes and recommended that Glen Rock attempt to acquire more commercial ratables to offset residential real estate taxes. He also said Glen Rock should be more user-friendly to its retail merchants and should foster better communications Sean Brennan, Amy Martin, Mary Jane Surrago, and Michael O’Hagan between the council and the residents. Surrago said that as an executive with a non-profit cor- poration, the Institute for the Blind, and as a long-term council member, she understands the practical realities of the situation. “The issue is to receive information, to talk to your col- leagues, and then in the end find an acceptable solution,” (continued on page 5) School board seats are uncontested There will be no contest in this year’s Glen Rock Board of Education election. Three seats will be available on Nov. 5, and Board President Sheldon Hirschberg and fellow incumbents Carlo Cella and Sanjiv Ohri will all be seeking re-election. The board was able to draft a zero-increase school budget this year and won praise from residents concerned about spiraling school-related taxes in the past few decades. Hirschberg is a financial consultant, Cella is an execu- tive with a computer firm, and Ohri is a financial profes- sional. J. KOSTER