Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 22, 2014 Letters to the Editor (continued from page 17) lessons as well as knowing how to sacrifice a runner to third. For Brian, it was about how the game was played, not who won or lost. This I know because I was right there with him as his assistant coach over the years. Brian is also a leader. In his business, as president, he leads a successful medical publishing company. His busi- ness skills are a major asset for our town. But what makes Brian unique is that he truly has our town’s best interests at heart. I feel strongly when I say that Wyckoff continues to need someone like Brian Scanlan on the township com- mittee and I will be voting for him on Nov. 4. Jeff Hunter Wyckoff Loprete brings commitment and leadership to board of education Dear Editor: For the past three years, I have had the pleasure to work with Mr. Larry Loprete as a trustee on the Franklin Lakes K-8 School Board. As our president, Mr. Loprete took over the leadership at the peak of a controversial time for our school district. The differences in individuals’ beliefs were spilling over into politics. But, under his guidance, we have come a long way, working together, and we have accomplished so much. As president, Larry Loprete has a proven track record. Under Loprete, the board conducted a search for new leadership, and we identified and unanimously approved a new superintendent. Under Loprete, the board unanimously approved the implementation of a 1:1 laptop initiative for middle school students, which has been well received by both the teach- ers and students. Under Loprete, the board unanimously approved a 2014-15 school budget with a net tax increase of $0, which is unprecedented in the current landscape of education. Larry’s commitment to our community goes beyond the time that he leads our public meetings. As president, he spends countless hours behind the scenes, working with the superintendent or other board members, sitting in on sub-committee meetings, or obtaining legal guidance from outside counsel. This work is rarely recognized or appreciated, but it shouldn’t go unnoticed! Larry’s dedication to the education of our children, while remaining fiscally prudent to taxpayers, is exactly what we should desire as a representative for our school board. As a resident of Franklin Lakes, on Nov. 4, I will be voting for Mr. Larry Loprete for Franklin Lakes K-8 School Board Trustee. Please join me. (The opinions above are my own, and are not those of the Franklin Lakes K-8 School Board.) Craig Urciuoli Franklin Lakes Senior supports Brian Scanlan Dear Editor: As a senior on a fixed income living in Wyckoff, I have long been concerned about property taxes. In his five years on the township committee, I have seen Brian Scanlan’s commitment to austerity that these times require. When it comes to municipal budgets, Committeeman Scanlan, deputy chair of the Finance Committee, has been a true conservative. Despite spikes in mandated payments to Trenton for public employee benefits, we have had only an average 1.2 percent annual increase in municipal expenses the last five years. This has been achieved by careful cost control, increased shared services, and improved public bidding. Committeeman Scanlan will be my choice on Nov. 4, and I encourage other Wyckoff voters to re-elect Commit- teeman Scanlan because of his experience, integrity, and proven commitment to common-sense conservative values for our town. George Pitts Wyckoff Brian Scanlan works to preserve Wyckoff’s character Dear Editor: This Nov. 4, three candidates are vying for two posi- tions on the Wyckoff Township Committee. As a former member of the Wyckoff Zoning Board, alternate to the Wyckoff Planning Board, a resident for 42 years, and as a Republican, I am supporting Brian Scanlan for re-election. I am doing so because of his demonstrated commitment to preserving our community character, his open-minded- ness, and deliberate and critical thinking on the issues. Nine years ago, Committeeman Scanlan initiated the campaign to preserve Wyckoff’s few remaining open spaces, which resulted in the creation of a park at Russell Farms, 99 percent of which was financed by a Bergen County grant and our own open space trust fund as approved by the voters. More recently, Committeeman Scanlan championed an ordinance to enhance side-yard setbacks which will serve to preserve the appeal of our old neighborhoods while enhancing property values. In a time when we see municipal officials in other towns make short-term decisions, Brian has been a moder- ating, independent voice on our township Committee. He deserves our support. Steve Joern Wyckoff Resident reveals voting strategy Dear Editor: I love voting, but I will not be using one of my votes in the upcoming election for Wyckoff Township Committee. I have two votes available in a field of three candidates. If I vote for a second candidate who is moderately popular, that second vote could beat my first choice. Re-electing Brian Scanlan is very important to me. I have no desire to vote against our well-qualified incum- bent mayor, and I won’t really be doing that. I’m casting a “single shot” for Brian to better ensure he stays on the Wyckoff Township Committee, and to send a message. Please consider doing the same. Otherwise your vote for him may not count enough. Timothy Buchman Wyckoff Casting ballots for Holst & Dixon Dear Editor: I am so excited to have the opportunity to vote for Vicki Holst and Randy Dixon for Franklin Lakes K-8 Board of Education. I have known Vicki for several years, initially meet- ing her at board of education meetings which she has been attending regularly for years. Her comments always come from the heart with a focus on wanting what is best for the children of our community. She has no agenda, just smart, thoughtful, level-headed insights and suggestions. Her commitment and genuine passion to do what is reasonable and right, while taking into account the taxpayers’ considerations that you and I would expect, always shine through. Randy Dixon is another transparent, independent voice I hope to hear on our board of education. Having the plea- sure of knowing Randy for several years, I appreciate his commitment to our community, his intelligence, his honest nature, and willingness to engage all. I know he will work collaboratively on the board and exemplify the trustwor- thiness and openness so many residents value. Randy will work diligently for responsible oversight of our schools, balancing the needs of all stakeholders: our children, teach- ers, administrators, and taxpayers. I trust both Vicki Holst and Randy Dixon to do the hard work, make thoughtful decisions, and do what is best for our children and tax dollars. I hope you will join me in voting for them this November. Susan Miller Franklin Lakes Encourages votes for Scanlan Dear Editor: I’m supporting Brian Scanlan for Township Committee. Throughout his years of service to Wyckoff, Brian has con- tinually shown his commitment to representing all of our residents—whether they are members of young families, families with older children heading off to college, seniors, and all who are attracted to Wyckoff because of our excel- lent schools and/or high level of town services relative to our municipal property taxes. Brian and his wife Gail have long been involved in sup- porting our schools, the Wyckoff Education Foundation, our recreation programs, and Scouting. I first got to know Brian Scanlan through his work to improve recycling by presentations he made to community groups about the Wyckoff Nifty Fifty recycling program. His initiation of the Nifty Fifty program in 2009, with the goal of getting half of all homes to recycle, not only helps the earth, but will save Wyckoff taxpayers $100,000 per year. Back in 2009, Brian first proposed that Wyckoff par- ticipate in the Sustainable Jersey program because of the demonstrated savings in municipal energy costs. Wyckoff was awarded silver status in Sustainable Jersey and has received its first grant. It’s great to have an independent voice with fresh ideas for improving our town and saving money on our township committee. Brian can be seen at many town events, and is always reaching out to his constituents to hear their con- cerns and let them know what is occurring within Wyckoff. He is a voice for transparency in our town government, and understands how important it is to put aside politics and take advantage of the wonderful volunteer spirit we have here. For these reasons I’m voting for Brian on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Kim Pacanovsky-Nolan Wyckoff Dixon is her choice for BOE Dear Editor: “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” and “Utopia” are a few of the reality shows of recent times. Despite the antics on these shows, you will find struggles and triumphs, alli- ances despite differences, leadership, cooperation, and the focus of one goal. If we residents were collectively on a reality show and asked to elect a board of education member who encompassed these attributes, which candi- date would we pick? I would want Randy Dixon. Randy has been a friend of mine and my husband Bill’s since 2009. Randy is smart, caring, and generous. He is a leader who behaves with transparency and honesty even when it is most challenging. Randy would be able to add researched and respectful dialogue to the board. He is a thoughtful individual and would be able to collaborate with members of the board in his usual responsible way. Randy’s successes include a longtime career in the shoe industry where communication and fiscal oversight are ever important and would carry over seamlessly. Randy has also been successful in building a loving family. He has an amazingly supportive spouse and two great kids. Randy has a support system of longtime friends who truly consider him family. These successes are indicative of Randy’s character. Franklin Lakes is very lucky that Randy is commit- ted to serving our community. Despite the actions of the board in recent years, this is not a game or a reality show. Now is our chance to vote for someone who will repre- sent us respectfully and responsibly. The board is currently divided with discord and change is needed. I am sure that Randy would be a trustee who would make the board of education much more successful. Please join me on Nov. 4 to vote for Randy Dixon for the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. Jennifer Speiser Franklin Lakes Writers recommend McGowan for BOE Dear Editor: We are writing to share our support for the re-election of Susan McGowan to Franklin Lakes Board of Education. Susan’s commitment to the Franklin Lakes Public Schools goes far beyond the time she has devoted to our community already. She cares deeply about the quality of education for all students and she has advocated fairly and passion- ately for students, families, teachers, and administrators, whether it be in reexamining the school calendar, address- ing new curriculum requirements and changes, maintain- ing our schools’ educational excellence under a strict fiscal regimen, or selecting a successor for superintendent. During her tenure, Susan has demonstrated great leadership and the ability to handle complicated issues and to consistently listen to differing opinions and ulti- mately make decisions in the best interest of our district. Her commitment to furthering the educational excellence provided to our students is always evident. She’s keenly aware of providing each teacher with the tools to succeed in the educational process and ensuring that each student is challenged to succeed to the best of his or her ability. It’s important to maintain her consistency, advocacy, and experience. Our children, and this community, deserve no less; they deserve Susan McGowan’s re-election. Please join us in voting for Susan on Nov. 4 in her bid to continue the hard work of steering the educational needs of our children. Christopher & Linda Ohmacht Franklin Lakes