October 29, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 Letters to the Editor (continued from page 18) steadily move up the ladder as she consistently demon- strated a strong work ethic. Simply put, when you work with her, you immediately know Holist is the kind of person people want on their team. She always comes to the table prepared. As well as being experienced and extremely knowledgeable, she is highly approachable by colleagues who often seek her feedback and input. Holst’s style is collaborative. She actively seeks input and responds to changing needs. She has determination that cannot be beat, earning the respect of everyone in our industry. Holst is a detail-oriented, highly accessible team player who has made my job easier. Any board has its unique challenges, and I have seen Holst face them head-on with success. She understands firsthand that, as a board member, her decisions must include all stakeholders and not be based on emotions or personal agendas. Franklin Lakes would be lucky to have Vicki Holst on its board of education and the residents and children would be well served. Leonard Douglen Livingston Brian Scanlan: A leader to respect Dear Editor: As Americans, now more than ever, we know that lead- ership requires education, intelligence, character, experi- ence, and wisdom. A representative of all people must have integrity, open-mindedness, and experience and a record of achieving and preserving fiscal responsibility in the com- munity. Demonstration of knowledge, creativity and pres- ence, caring, and responsiveness to the needs and desires of the public are essential. A candidate for public office with these attributes who will not use the office to reward supporters or punish oppo- nents is Brian Scanlan. He can, and I believe he will, change the practice of one-party inbreeding without regard to the above qualities of leadership and ethical bipartisan repre- sentation. Mr. Scanlan is mindful of the need for optimal communication with the taxpayers through his regular e- mail bulletin. He is an active participant in all community activities. He is responsible for the Nifty-Fifty recycling program and has obtained grant funding for open space projects. Because of my last letter of endorsement of Mr. Scan- lan, I was crudely terminated from the board of health after 35 years of dedicated, professional service. Other justified citizens on other boards can give similar testimony. This bureaucratic brazenness is reprehensible. Brian Scanlan remains a man of faith and a man for all seasons, for all citizens, and for public benefit at affordable cost. Please join me in re-electing Brian Scanlan to the Wyckoff Township Committee on Nov. 4. Dorothy Voorman-Fish Wyckoff Voting for Dixon, Holst, and Koulikourdis Dear Editor: Randy Dixon, Vicki Holst, and Peter Koulikourdis dem- onstrate a passion and dedication to serve on the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. On a currently splintered board, Dixon, Holst, and Koulikourdis offer collaboration, trans- parency, respect, and a fresh and objective perspective. Dixon, Holst, and Koulikourdis have a combination of reason, calm, intelligence, honesty, and integrity – all of which are necessary to attain consensus and get results. They have proven track records of respectful stature in our community and their individual professions. They listen. They learn. They are thoughtful, and will make reasoned and balanced decisions. They want to work with our educa- tors. At the Oct. 7 Candidates Night, some questions from a member of the audience, in my opinion, were presented in an aggressive matter. It quickly became apparent that the three candidates, Dixon, Holst, and Koulikourdis are the right ones for the job. They handled this type of question- ing with composure, intelligence, and respect. These are some of the characteristics that are essential to be a suc- cessful trustee. On Nov. 4, I will be voting for Dixon, Host, and Kou- likourdis, three outstanding candidates who have stepped up to represent the future of the board of education. As a parent, I am placing my trust in them to make informed decisions with the utmost respect for fellow trustees and members of the community. Dixon, Holst, and Koulikourdis share my goal of main- taining excellence and bringing the focus back to our chil- dren. I invite Franklin Lakes residents to join me in making a much-needed change in our board of education. Amparo Underfer Franklin Lakes Urges support for Randy Dixon Dear Editor: I am writing in support of Randy Dixon’s election to the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. I have known Mr. Dixon for over 20 years. During that time, he has consistently sought to volunteer and contribute positively within his community. He chose Franklin Lakes as the home for his family because of his commitment to providing the best possible environment for them. Part of that decision revolved around ensuring an excellent school system for his two children, who are currently enrolled at FAMS and WAS. Mr. Dixon’s devotion to his children has inspired him to make sure they each continue to receive a quality education. Mr. Dixon’s national business experience means he has an understanding of the education needed to excel in today’s competitive world. His successful work experience has also resulted in a strong emphasis on fiscal responsi- bility and the transparency needed to provide accountabil- ity. As a loving father invested in the best interest of his children, he will be able to balance those business impera- tives to take on the challenges faced by the Franklin Lakes school system and meet the needs of students, teachers, and the community. My mother taught first grade for 38 years in rural Amer- ica. Like Randy Dixon, she understood the cornerstones to success and happiness are a good education and the sup- port of family. I see in Mr. Dixon the same commitment to family, education, and community that my mother brought to every day of her life. She made a positive difference in the lives of so many, and I know Randy Dixon would do the same as a member of the Franklin Lakes Board of Educa- tion. I urge you to cast a vote on Nov. 4 to elect Randy Dixon as a trustee of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. Jim Brown Washington, D.C. Scanlan has earned trust Dear Editor: When Brian Scanlan was elected to the township com- mittee, we began to see the value in having a governing body with a variety of views on the issues, and whose members don’t always agree on everything. Over the last five years, Committeeman Scanlan has brought more transparency and an unprecedented level of access to a public official. His cell phone number and e-mail address are on all his campaign material. When have we seen that before? Committeeman Scanlan has a well-established tradition of walking his constituency that makes him stand out. He actively seeks residents’ ideas and opinions on the issues while forming his own. He has demonstrated a common sense fiscal conservatism. As a result, we have improved solutions to problems, and we have found new ways to save tax dollars. Beyond having someone who acts as a check on a one-group monopoly, in Committeeman Scanlan we have someone who is not afraid to ask the tough questions. I am registered as an unaffiliated independent. At all levels, I vote the person, not the party. I encourage my fellow Wyckoff residents that no matter how they may vote in the other elections, to vote to re-elect Committeeman Scanlan on Nov.4, as he has earned my trust. Henry Velez, MD Wyckoff Trustee committed to excellence Dear Editor: I would be honored to continue to serve as a trustee on the Franklin Lakes K-8 Board of Education. During my tenure on the board we accomplished so much, and I am proud to have contributed to our successes. For example, this past year alone, our board unanimously approved the appointment of our new superintendent, a 2014-15 budget with a $0 net tax increase, and a 1:1 laptop initiative in the middle school. Over the past four years, I have educated myself about the issues specific to our district, as well as those on the state and national levels that impact us locally. As a member of the New Jersey School Board Association’s Legislative Committee, I’ve had a firsthand look at the process by which decisions are made that directly impact our district. Being recognized by the Bergen County School Board Associa- tion for my commitment to professional development and school governance was an honor, but more importantly it has afforded me the opportunity to interact with other dis- trict leadership and share best practices, which has proven to be valuable to Franklin Lakes. I possess the right combination of experience and unwavering commitment to public education that will keep our district moving forward. I remain committed to ensur- ing every student at every grade level is best prepared for a bright future, delivering strategically sound budgets that are respectful of taxpayer dollars and continuing my deep commitment to public education excellence through supe- rior professional development. I am a parent, a resident, and a public servant. I am grateful for your support and ask for your vote on Nov. 4. Susan McGowan Franklin Lakes (The opinions expressed above are my own and do not represent those of the Franklin Lakes K-8 Board of Educa- tion.) Candidate introduces herself Dear Editor: My name is Jennifer Marcus and I am running for the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. Originally from Mich- igan, I moved to New Jersey to pursue my medical career. I am a practicing anesthesiologist, while my husband Raj Raab is a neurosurgeon. Raised in a close-knit family that emphasized traditional values, hard work, and education, I would honor the oppor- tunity to serve on the board of education. I am the proud mother of two sons: Galen, age 15, currently at Indian Hills; and Benjamin, age six, at Colonial Road School. I am fortu- nate to experience our education system at the elementary school level as well as witness its results in high school. I feel it is our duty to give back to our community. I have been a supporter of the Philip’s Academy in Newark, a charter school that nurtures the children that walk through its doors amidst a very challenging environment, I also served on several hospital boards and committees where we focus on charitable surgical cases to ensure patients get the medical care they need, despite their socio-economical situation. Over the past several years, our school system has undergone radical changes. The board of education is a nonpartisan position and I wish to put our children first. I vow to work collaboratively with all trustees to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency. In addition, my background as a doctor has exposed me to high-pressure situations where the ability to make impartial decisions based upon fact is critical. It’s our duty as parents to ensure that our children will be equipped to compete in an increasingly global society, and our job to work together with our educators to make this happen. For more information, please go to www.marcus4flboe. com or look for Jennifer Marcus for Franklin Lakes Board of Education on Facebook. Jennifer Marcus Franklin Lakes Loprete pledges positive leadership Dear Editor: As president of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education, I have had the opportunity to help lead change that has directly impacted the students, teachers, and parents of our great town. Among the many accomplishments that I am proud of during my tenure as president is the hiring of our new superintendent, Dr. Lydia Furnari. I led the board in the unanimous selection of Dr. Furnari to be our new school leader. Under her guidance, I have complete confidence our school district will once again be recognized as a top school district. As president, I also led the board on the unanimous approval of the 1:1 laptop initiative at the middle school. This technology will help our middle school students become 21st century learners, as well as prepare them for the new PARCC exam. In addition, this initiative will help our students be better prepared for high school and beyond. (continued on page 20)