OUR PLATFORM
LIST OF ISSUES
Tax Rate Stability
The current administration, under the watchful eye of Mayor James Barsa and contributors from both “sides of the aisle” has maintained a low tax rate for many years. Notably, the current Mayor and Council have been able to meet its mandated tax raise of 2% for the past several years. Council President Haberman meticulously studied the budget and always made himself heard on matters of taxing and spending, as appropriate, during his first term. B.J. Kim, with his business acumen and ability to attract new business to town, will be immediately able to contribute his insights and experiences to keep the tax rate stable for many more years to come.
Senior Citizens' Well Being & Appreciation
Our senior community is an integral part of Norwood, and it is incumbent upon us to continue providing the community with the ability to live their lives with respect, security, and dignity. A self-governed community that is empowered by Norwood, by such amenities as the senior van and a large community center, to do so. Council President Haberman and B.J. Kim are committed not just maintaining these services, but in providing additional services, such as classes and activities that enhance health and boost mind and body well-being, gardening projects, and collaboration with youth programs.
Safety & Security of Our Community
Each year, Norwood is chosen as one of the safest communities in Bergen County and the entire State of New Jersey. This is, in large part, to the capable team hand-picked by Chief Jeff Krapels, the craft and training of Norwood’s EMS and Fire Departments, and the zeal that the current Mayor and Council have for making sure its first responders are consistently equipped with everything they need to succeed. To that point, during his first time, Council President Haberman was a strong advocate for the ordinance that resulted in having a police officer placed in Norwood Public School at all times following the rash of school shootings nationwide and for ordinances granting the police and municipality as whole more power to reign in public nuisances and ensure the preservation of Norwood’s greenery. BJ Kim, likewise, has a fresh prospective to bring to local law enforcement, and the first responders as a whole, based on his study of systems that have worked across the world, including stepped up video surveillance and enhanced emergency systems.
Youth Activites & Recreation
With the COVID-19 pandemic looming heavily over recreational activities for many months now, Council President Haberman and B.J. Kim are committed to pushing for an array of different new opportunities for youth activities and recreation, and making sure all previously existing such activities and recreation are fully restored when it is safe to do so. Norwood has long contemplated such opportunities as an ice- skating rink, as well as an upgraded playground by Kennedy Field. The time for such action is now in order to give Norwood’s youth some new things to look forward to when the world returns to normal.