Bergen County Freeholder Fair Lawn Mayor David L. Ganz Freeholder Office 1 Bergen County Plaza Room 535 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Tel 201 336 6280 Fax 201 336 6290 DavidLGanz@co.bergen.nj.us or Mayor@Fairlawn.org Bergen County resident since 1982. Most Recent Accomplishments            Education:  -  Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service (B.S.F.S.), 1973  -  St. John's University School of Law (J.D.), 1976  -  Lecturer of continuing legal education courses (N.Y. State credit-approved) Local Civic Activities:  -  Freeholder, (3 yr term 2003-2005)  -  Mayor, 1999-date (six terms)  -  Member of the Borough Council, 1998-date (re-elected Nov. 2001 for term ending 2005)  -  Member, Fair Lawn Zoning Board of Adjustment (10 years, 1987-1997)  -  Secretary, Fair Lawn Zoning Board, five years (1987-1992)  -  Chairman, Fair Lawn Zoning Board, four years (1993-1996)  -  Democratic County Committee, 1983-1997 National Civic Involvement:  -  Member of the Board of Governors (directors), American Numismatic Association (the national coin club), 1985-1995;       vice president, 1991-1993;       president, 1993-1995;       presidential advisory committee chair, 1995-1997.       Legislative counsel 1978-1995.  -  American Numismatic Society (oldest numismatic educational organization in the country), Member (1974-date), fellow (one of 200 voting members), 1991-date.  -  Appointed by President Richard M. Nixon to the 1974 Annual Assay Commission pursuant to the Act of April 2, 1792 (1 Stat. 263).  -  Appointed by Clinton Administration Treasury Secretary Lloyd P. Bentsen as charter member of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee, 1993-1996 (two terms).  -  Certified mediator, U.S. District Court national pilot project (District Court of New Jersey, 1995-date).  -  Designated arbitrator, U.S. District Court (District of New Jersey and Eastern District of New York)  -  Member Board of Directors, Bialystoker Nursing Home, N.Y., N.Y., (2001-date) International Civic Involvement:  -  Consultant, United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome, Italy, 25 years.  -  President, World Mint Council, 1993-1995, and presiding officer of the 24 nation World Mint Council Conference, Los Angeles, 1994. Author:  -  A Critical Guide to Anthologies of African Literature (African Studies Association, 1973)  -  "The U.N. and the Law of the Sea," International & Comparative Law Quarterly, vol. 26, pp. 1-53 (1973)  -  A legal and legislative history of America's bicentennial coinage (Three Continents Press, 1976)  -  "Toward a Revision of the Minting & Coinage Laws of the united States", Cleveland State Law Review, 1977, vol. 26, pp. 277-351.  -  The 90 Second Lawyer Guide to Real Estate (John Wiley, 1997)  -  The World of Coins & Coin Collecting (Scribner's, 1980; 3rd rev. ed. Bonus Books, 1998)  -  America's Coinage Laws 1792-1892 (Bowers & Merena, 1992)  -  The Official Guide to U.S. Commemorative Coins (Bonus Books, 1998)  -  The Official Guide to America's State Quarters (Random House, 2000)  -  New York State C.L.E. approved lectures, "Practice before the Zoning Board of Adjustment" and "Basic Real Estate Closings" (credit) Professional Experience:  -  Partner in New York City Law Firm of Ganz, Hollinger & Towe since 1980 and Fair Lawn firm Ganz & Sivin, LLP since 1985.  -  Freelance writer (author of a dozen books and more than a thousand newspaper and magazine articles in a variety of fields since 1969). Family: Father to Scott, Elyse & Pam Married to Kathy Owned by four cats (D.J., Mistletoe, Busi, and Mimi). Most Recent Accomplishments: ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS FREEHOLDER (2003-2005) Author of Bergen County Public Advocate for Land Use ordinance. Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee. Made substantial cuts to County property taxes (2003) from County Executive's Budget recommendations Introduced County drug prescription card program county-wide, offering discounts on prescription drugs to seniors, children and all other County residents, offering a savings averaging 7½% to as high as 41% off of the regular prescription price, discount good at 55,000 pharmacies nationwide. Introduced "Reverse 911" to Bergen County as already used in Borough of Fair Lawn (county-wide security program). Introduced "Cafeteria plan" tax savings for Bergen County employees and taxpayers, offering ability of County employees to pay for child care, medical and dental care and related health care services with pre-taxable funds, saving the County 7.65% of all sums deferred. Introduced "Transit Check" plan for Bergen County Employees, offering ability to County employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for some permitted commuting costs, saving the County 7.65% of all sums so utilized and giving a huge tax benefit to County employees Wrote the resolution calling on President Bush to release strategic petroleum (oil) reserves to lower gas prices at the pump. Wrote the resolution to prohibit Members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from receiving severance packages, "golden parachutes", accumulated vacation pay and sick time, and for other purposes. Wrote the resolution calling on County golf courses to have their flags marked to show the pin's position on the green (front, middle, back) to speed play and increase rate of accuracy for the County's 80,000 golfers. Wrote the resolution from the Board of Chosen Freeholders backing Congressional issue of a circulating coin commemorating the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Created the first intern program for freeholders utilizing summer employees from the matching funds of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Wrote the Ordinance to ban motorized scooters on County roads as a safety hazard to drivers and children. Wrote the resolution calling for support of our troops and placing of yellow ribbons on County offices until the troops are brought safely home. Helped Modernize the Freeholder meetings by changing the bylaws to allow action votes at work sessions as well as full meetings. Wrote the COPCARS program that allows municipalities to lease-purchase police cars by bonding, rather than paying cash outright, to reflect their three-year lifetime and save municipal tax dollars. Co-sponsored the SAVEBUCS program that allows municipalities to bond capital items cooperatively to save money and minimize costs. Wrote the ethics law requiring disclosure of campaign contributions to Freeholders, Sheriff, County Executive, Clerk and Surrogate (12/03). Wrote the ethics law requiring disclosure of campaign contributions to Freeholders, Sheriff, County Executive, Clerk and Surrogate (12/03). COMMEMORATIVE COINS From 1993 until 1996, served as a charter member of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (appointed by Clinton Administration Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen; fought for creation of circulating commemorative coinage – which ultimately became the 50 state quarter program now circulating (returning $5-billion to the American taxpayer and giving the Federal Treasury an incidental benefit). U.S. Mint Director Philip Diehl wrote (in 1998): "The idea of a circulating commemorative has been around the hobby for decades, but frankly, good ideas are a dime a dozen. Far more rare is the ability to move an idea to reality, especially in the rough and tumble environment of Washington, D.C. From my vantage point, the lion's share of the credit for making the 50 States program a reality goes to David Ganz, for his persistence as an advocate, and Congressman Michael Castle for championing the proposal through Congress. David gradually persuaded me of the merits of the proposal, and we at the Mint, in turn, convinced Treasury and the Hill that it was doable. There are other claimants, to be sure, but the hobby owes a debt of gratitude to Congressman Castle and Mr. Ganz." www.americasstatequarters.com RECREATION Prior councils spent years talking about the problems of Memorial Pool. The sand was harsh and filthy; the facility was old and tired, having been built in the 1950's and never improved. There was nothing to attract new people to attend, or interest young people beyond an old swimming hole. The prior Republican Administration wanted to spend $6 million in taxpayer money to build a water theme park that residents from all over New Jersey might come to. Under my leadership, at no net cost to the taxpayer, over $1.5 million in improvements were added including clean, white, soft beach sand; border collies to chase away the geese; new buildings with clean locker shower and changing facilities, an air conditioned food facility, bocce courts, outdoor billiards and table tennis, and a host of other improvements. Borough tennis courts were in disrepair. Prior councils argued that it would cost too much money to fix. Under my leadership, all of the courts are now on a rotation basis for repair, maintenance and restoration. http://www.fairlawn.org/council/Proclamations.htm AMBULANCE Prior councils were loathe to find funds for the ambulance corps. Under my leadership, the current Council was able to find a means of funding a new ambulance at no net cost to the taxpayers (we requested that cellular tower revenue be dedicated to repay the advance by the Borough). http://www.fairlawn.org/department/ambulance.htm LABOR PEACE In the two years prior to my election to the Council, the Borough's police department had internal strife. The then-chief of police even sued the Mayor and Council over a silly ordinance they passed requiring him to wear his uniform, instead of a business suit, during office hours. The Republican council fought the police chief instead of fighting crime! The police labor union's annual contract had expired and "job actions" were constantly being threatened. (I advocated and pioneered multi-year labor contracts for the police department, and later to our blue and white collar unions – reducing labor strife, and giving predictability to wage increases for budgetary purposes; there has not been a single police department grievance or complaint come to the council in the years 2000, 2001 or 2002). http://www.fairlawnpd.com POLICE CARS To try and make the budget seem artificially low, prior councils frequently cut out police cars from purchase with current funds. We have police cars that operate on a three shift, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week schedule – with 80,000 miles or more (the equivalent, in your car, or mine, of over 140,000 miles). The cars weren't safe and capable of the top driving conditions necessary for Fair Lawn's finest. Under my leadership, the Council agreed to rotate cars on a 6 cars one year, 5 car replacement the next, on a continuous basis. DPW GARAGE For more than 15 years, Fair Lawn's department of public works requested a new facility so that mechanics could work on heavy-duty vehicles rather than send them out for costly replacements, and to allow for interior garage work in safe conditions. I led the council to approve, a new DPW building which was dedicated in late August, 2001 that gave Fair Lawn a state-of-the-art facility for vehicle repair and maintenance. SENIOR CENTER The prior Republican Council didn't think it was important to have the Senior Center open on weekends. They finally added Saturday, but didn't recognize that a Sunday opening was important to a significant number of users. In fact, then Mayor Trawinski opposed Sunday openings. We found the funds to open the senior center seven days a week – so all seniors could use the center, every day! BORO HALL PARKING Parking at the municipal building was problematical. We added more than 50 new spaces at Boro Hall to make it easier for residents to park and do business with the Boro, and for seniors to park for trips. ATM AT BORO HALL Ever had a problem finding the funds to pay a traffic ticket, or run out of cash while on a visit to Boro Hall? Prior councils didn't think that was an issue. I saw it as an opportunity, and the Boro now owns its own ATM which is in the lobby of Boro Hall. For a modest transaction fee, credit cards can be used for cash advances, or debit cards used to provide cash for payments. The Boro even makes a small profit on its operation. PAY FINES BY CREDIT CARD - ONLINE At my insistence, the Borough Council initiated an inquiry to allow for use of the internet to pay traffic fines. As of June, 2002, the Boro web site is on line where for a modest user fee the internet and a credit card can be used to conveniently pay a fine from the privacy of your home. http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/atswep/njmcdirectmain MORE RECREATION The parking lot at Memorial pool bedeviled the Council for a dozen years. Under my watch, it's been re-paved, re-striped, and in the winter time (weather permitting part of it is flooded for outdoor ice skating). The prior Council wanted to close Walsh pool because they claimed too few people used it. We invited some neighboring towns without pool facilities to use Walsh for a fee, added a basketball court, a walking or running track, slides, fountains and other improvements and proved that Columbia Heights isn't the forgotten part of town. The Dobrow Sports Complex parking lot was unpaved sand and gravel – not many cars could use it, and it was a potential hazard. Now it's a paved and striped lot, in widespread use by All Sports and many others. We even had two sessions of the New York Mets Baseball Camp for kids this summer. RADBURN WALKWAYS The historic Radburn walkways have been in disrepair for years. Prior Councils were unable to come to grips with how to solve the problem. We successfully obtained Community Development Grant money to pay for the path restoration – at no cost to the taxpayers, and at no cost to the Radburn Homeowner's Association. Everyone is delighted with this improvement. http://www.radburn.org SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - RIVER ROAD Republicans and Democrats alike supported the creation of a special improvement district for River Road, but no one was able, despite 10 years of trying, to find a means by which residents and customers of local stores could find adequate parking. I put action into words and wrote the cooperative parking ordinance which the Council adopted this year. There's now cooperative parking on River Road with over 50 spaces that anyone can use, even if it's not owned by the store that they are shopping at. PUBLIC ADVOCATE In serving 10 years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, including an unprecedented four years as chairman, one thing I noticed on substantial land use applications was that the public at large was rarely represented, except by occasionally by local residents who lacked the legal skills to articulate the problem that they had with an application. Anecdotal comments ("it will bring too much traffic") and subjective reasoning ("too much noise", "bad lighting", "inappropriate landscaping require legal proof for a board to give full measure and weight to the objections. Prior Borough Councils did nothing to give citizens a real voice before the planning and zoning boards. I resolved to change that, and wrote the first Public Advocate ordinance in any of the 70 towns in Bergen County. Fair Lawn now has a public advocate for the Zoning board, and a separate one for the Planning board – a public advocate who represents homeowners without charge, and makes sure that major land use applications are decided on a full record – with all the material that should be before a board. Traffic studies by impartial experts, noise measurements, even professional, impartial planning opinions now routinely are brought before the board. Some of the fees are paid by the land use applicants, but all Borough taxpayers help share in the cost of making sure that our town is developed properly. http://www.fairlawn.org TELEVISED MEETINGS The Republican-controlled Council spent years debating televised meetings whether or not to have television coverage of Council meetings. Under my leadership, the Council went live on channel 66 this spring, and broadcasts Council meetings on Tuesday nights. We won't take the place of Hollywood Squares, Wheel of Fortune or the Simpsons, but Borough residents who want to listen or see local government in action can do so easily. PUBLIC COMMENTS For years, public comments have been a part of the regular council meetings, but not work sessions. I changed that to allow regular comments on agenda items from the general public on a first-come, first served basis at all work sessions. ONLINE ACCESS TO ORDINANCE AND MINUTES The Borough's ordinances were last codified in 1980. Under my leadership, our laws, rules and regulations were modernized and codified, and moved into the 21st century by having them all available not only in print, but also "on line" in fully searchable format. Council minutes are also posted. http://www.fairlawn.org PRIORITIES Work on the brick and mortar issues that have faced the Borough, unanswered for a dozen years. Provide enhanced services to all residents, including tenants and seniors, without breaking the budget. Assure continued desirability of living in Fair Lawn (with a stable housing stock, good schools, top police department, great volunteer fire and emergency services by focusing on quality of life issues). Help maintain high property values by providing the services Fair Lawn residents request, and need. Continue to make quality appointments to Borough-funded positions on the basis of qualifications, not political affiliation. (Former Republican Council member Ron Mondello as Public Advocate, former Republican Council candidate Tom Metzler as Mayor's representative to the Planning Board, former Republican Council Candidate Mark Sedaka to the Zoning Board, and Fair Lawn's first female judge, Bonnie Mizdol, are just a few examples. (c) 2004