WEST MILFORD— On Tuesday, voters will elect two new council members. Republicans Vivienne Erk and Mike Hensley and Democrats Dave Ofshinsky and John Richards are looking to fill the two seats that will be open come January. Here are statements and information from all four candidates.
Vivienne Erk
Age: 59
Years in West Milford: 30
Party affiliation: Republican
During my campaign, both the primary and this general election, I have spent countless hours talking to the residents of West Milford about their concerns in our town. Overwhelmingly, taxes, quality of life issues, and the hardships caused by Newark Watershed and the Highlands Act top the list. To the people of West Milford, I say I have heard you and I will do something about it.
Besides reviewing our budget for ways to streamline spending, I have, even more importantly, outlined several measures to increase revenue to our town, thereby reducing taxes for our residents. One suggestion is to change the zoning of our watershed property to commercial conservation or green technology, and/or tax Newark Watershed as the large-scale commercial business that they are. Newark Watershed makes over $70 million a year selling water to their residential customers, other water companies, Budweiser and Newark Airport. Thanks to Councilman Ramaglia’s suggestion, we now have a lobbyist to help us resolve our Newark Watershed problems.
Another means to increase revenue is to work with the State of New Jersey to obtain transitional aid. $140 million was provided to various New Jersey municipalities during fiscal year 2011 for the purpose of aiding municipalities with severe structural financial problems. Not one of those towns was a watershed town, like West Milford, which provides a vital service to millions of people such as clean water and open space recreation.
Another measure to pursue is funding for the Highlands Act. When Governor Christie was here for the Town Hall event, he stated that compensation for the devalued land was part of the law as enacted, but because of political reasons was never funded. His administration is willing to right that wrong, and I am ready to work with them to ensure it is done.
Our town has $850,000 remaining in the town’s redevelopment fund. Past and current councils hope to use the funds for capital projects or tax relief, whichever would best benefit our residents. I would like to hear suggestions from West Milford residents on how they would like to spend their money.
Mike Hensley
Age: 38
Years in West Milford: 31
Party affiliation: Republican
I believe the top issues facing West Milford are taxes, increasing eco-tourism, and looking for ways to bring tax revenue back to the people, such as having Newark pay its fair share for its watershed property. We as a council have to do our utmost to stop unnecessary spending to stabilize the tax burden experienced by our residents. I support efforts to get Newark to pay their fair share for the water in the watershed properties. Encouraging economic activity in West Milford by making it more business friendly and fostering eco-tourism is an important aspect of our future economic prosperity.
I understand the arguments for the need of a new library replete with a third story as an expansion of the town hall and a community center. It would solve problems we have in town in terms of office space for various departments, making them more accessible to residents. I do, however, have my concerns about the eventual cost to our taxpayers. Building projects rarely run according to projected expenses. When the prospect of building a new library has been put to a vote, the residents have twice defeated such a project in the past. I am reluctant to bond for the money to build the new library because this bonding will eventually have to be paid back with interest at a time when the national and global economy is far from booming. I would prefer to give tax payers a break and give them back their money any way we can.
I intend on impacting the policies and politics on the council by treating people the way I want to be treated. I will give our sitting councilmen and women, the mayor and the public my sincere attention and respect when we discuss the many topics that will invariably be presented to us. I am a problem solver who is able to think outside of the box and I look forward to contributing in a positive manner to the dialogue that takes place as we all work for the betterment of West Milford and its residents.
Dave Ofshinsky
Age: 56
Years in West Milford: 26
Political affiliation: Democrat
A lifetime New Jersey resident, I moved to Bald Eagle Village in 1986 and settled into Crescent Park in 1992. I have two sons, both West Milford High School graduates, currently attending Passaic County Community College. I have an associate degree in Business and Public Administration from Union College, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from William Paterson University.
Straight out of high school, I enlisted in the army during the Vietnam era. This provided me with valuable life experiences and leadership skills. As a senior-level financial and administrative executive for over 25 years, I have managed organizations with budgets the same size, or even larger, than West Milford’s. I am well versed in areas such as insurance, labor relations, facility management, and working with Trenton on regulatory and funding issues. On a personal note, I helped found a battered women’s shelter and served on its board for 20 years. Recently I accepted an appointment as an MUA commissioner in an effort to improve its facilities and services and address its many issues. I am also a member of the NY/NJ Trail Conference and the Pequannock River Coalition.
I believe in working in a cooperative, amicable manner, in doing the right thing, and doing things right. Integrity, civility, accountability and fiscal responsibility are not just ‘buzz words’ to me. With my background, I will ensure efficient township operations, and my familiarity with Trenton will support the effort to reduce local taxes by ending the exploitation of our water resources. I believe that a water surcharge is the best way to do this. The surcharge would bring millions of dollars to communities such as ours, while costing only about a dollar per month per household for the water customers residing statewide. This would provide the needed tax relief so that our businesses and residents are not forced to close or move.
I love West Milford and I am passionate about the wonderful natural resources we are stewards of. In an effort to help local businesses flourish, I will channel this passion by promoting the township as the Highland’s premier outdoor recreation destination.
John Richards
Age: 53
Years in West Milford: 19
Political affiliation: Democrat
Born in New Jersey, I spent my school years in Massachusetts, earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Arts & Sciences from Bridgewater State University, and moved back to New Jersey in 1986. I settled in West Milford in 1993 and was married for 21 years before my wife passed away in 2010. My stepson is a married professor at Syracuse University with three sons. Collectively, they are the light of my life.
My desire to become more entrenched in the community I love led to my involvement with the West Milford Players. Shortly thereafter, I was elected to the Board of Directors and eventually became president. I introduced their “Bring the Community Back to Community Theater” initiative, which transformed The Players into a philanthropic organization that uses their productions to raise money for many charitable organizations, including Strengthen Our Sisters, West Milford Senior Center, Creative Playground, and West Milford First Aid Squad. I joined the Big Brothers/Big Sisters and was honored as Big Brother of the Year in 2010.
I understand the enormous responsibility of being a public servant and look forward to taking on its many challenges. We must ease the tax burden on every West Milford taxpayer by vigorously pursuing all options to induce Newark and the water consumers to pay their fair share to our community for being the trusted stewards of their water supply. To be successful, this issue needs creative problem solving, determination, coordination and precise articulation of the current inequities. We must work with the Economic Development Commission to lay out a cohesive plan to market and promote the tremendous eco-tourism potential of our town. We should explore the possibility of tinkering with the Highlands Act so we can keep unwanted developers out while providing latitude to pursue opportunities for smart economic growth.
In order to be an effective leader one must be an effective listener. As leaders, your council must represent all of its citizens and demonstrate a clear vision for our township. Then every ordinance, request, and decision can be made within the framework of those goals. Leadership, civility and vision are qualities I will bring to the council.