I support Mr. Kinloch and other Alternates in their efforts to right this systemic wrong. The Council does not inform Alternates that, by law, they don't have to appoint an them even if they are the best qualified by experience and training to serve Teaneck in that post. They can appoint anybody they want. I find it dishonest that Alternates who, like Mr. Kinloch, can spend years attending meetings and voting when necessary without being told the Council considers such service of no import when a seat is available. I think this is a critical gap in our municipal processes. It must be fixed and Mr. Kinloch should be appointed to the first available Planning Board position, if he will have us.

I agree with Dr. Pruitt. This situation is not so much a matter of race as it is a matter of political power. Mr. Kimloch's qualifications and experience justify his appointment to the Planning Board. Perhaps there was something in his voting record the Council did not like. We don't know. Ask the Council.

While I understand how he may have felt, Mr. Kinloch should never have resigned. Bad move.

It is blatant racism (or should I say religionism)........ this is the same Teaneck council who has given 4 day work weeks to the Teaneck employees, 4 day work week to the town manager.... an all expense paid car to the town manager and now...... another appointment that is consistent with their record of incompetence and favoritism......

I'm still waiting for this "favoritism" to be reflected in my taxes.

This latest action of the council is a complete sham, especially when you consider the justification they state when discussing their criteria -- they "look for a member who will work well with other members and meet the needs of residents." Do they have different criteria for 1st alternates than for regular members? The definition of an alternate is one who can step into a vacancy when needed!! I am ashamed of this decision on the part of the council.

My hopes have never been high unlike my taxes.

James Kinloch is one of the most qualified of Teaneck's residents to serve on the Planning Board. He has degrees in architecture and engineering, a certificate in construction management, and is employed by one of the top HVAC firms in the state. He has spent 41/2 years as an alternate .... Not .as a recreational past time but as a commitment to his community, with the hope and expectation that his qualifications and service would be recognized. Unfortunately, he was, apparently, just not one of the guys, the go-along-to-get-along types. He, sadly, is educated, talented, and experienced, just what our present council despises. He is a true representative of what the residents of so many decades of Teaneck life have fought to have represent us. COUNCIL, GIVE JAMES KINLOCH AND TEANECK WHAT THEY ARE DUE. APPOINT MR. KINLOCH TO A REGULAR VOTING POSITION ON THE PLANNING BOARD. Anything less is shameful and an embarrassment to Teaneck.

Yes he did. But a couple of meetings earlier, to legally support a different issue, Stanley Turitz, town attorney, cited a case in which an elected official resigned and then was allowed to resume his position when he changed his mind. There has been no formal process for placing Keith Kaplan into the open position. Review of relevant council meetings shows that Kaplan was never nominated! Similarly re process, James Kinloch's resignation has never been formally noted as received, and never been accepted! So, following Turitz's citation James is reclaiming the position.

BTW, re Dr. Pruitt's comment that James being passes over is not the first time. I'm sure there are others, but I can state with full knowledge that I was another passsed over. When I was alternate 1 in 2006, and an opening for full member became available, I was passed over and Mark Schwartz was seated. The following year I was removed from the Planning Board because I read in public an email sent to me by Yitz Stern telling me that the only way I could stay on the PB was to vote to support expansion of synagogues and large condo projects wanted by his community. There is video of this, and, of course, I still have the email. Is it racism? Is it sexism? Is it " going along to get along." when I first moved back to Teaneck in 2004, something similar had happened to Sandy Loft. ( go to next comment).

These are issues: diverse representation on our council and boards that represents the diversity in Teaneck. I can provide verbatim and you can see on video, Adam Gussen's June 26, 2007 statement that "diversity" is not found in the constitution, and that diversity is not a value he holds. Teaneck is now approximately 30 percent African-American, 20 percent Orthodox Jewish, and way over 50 percent female. DO OUR COUNCIL AND STATUTORY BOARDS REFLECT THAT DIVERSITY?
Second, for the past six years at least, council has not followed state or town legal process. I fought hard to end the illegal practices on the council and the lack of due process, and was bullied, censored and denigrated for my trouble. Now many people are frightened to speak out. Hurrah for those who do. Exercising first amendment rights should not be a cause for fear!!!

And a final comment for now: our present council seems to relish ignorance and incompetence. The examples are too numerous to list here. As I said, James Kinloch is the only member of the PB with real credentials and knowledge to truly make a valuable contribution. Teaneck is a town full of highly educated, talented, skilled people who would cherish the opportunity to serve their community. But few will do so with the threat of humiliation and worse to the and their families.

One correction: the citation about the elected official resuming a position from which he had resigned was stated by William Rupp from Stanley Turitz firm, Ferrara, Turitz.

Another correction: I was censured, not censored.

Let me say this and I don't care who reads it.. (Doom McGloom, you may want to stop reading now):

Katz and Stern have no business being on that council. I have watched them since the schhol bus debacle and it is clear that they only wish to serve a portion of Teaneck's community. The entire council has been ugly since Lizette was passed over for mayor, but I find those two to be especially reprehensible.

Adam Gussen is just....yikes as well.

The council needs to be overhauled. Let's plan to get it done. I am so serious. If I have to go door to door in sections of town that those two do not know exist, I will.

Tee - most positions of our elected officials are public record. Furthermore, most speak with the media freely, so it is easy to learn of each member's position. I personally think Ms. Parker is a strong member of our council. I also think highly about others and marginally when I examine others. However, every resident of this town has a right to run and more importantly, VOTE. Many people love to complain about a situation, but if that individual does not vote, they lost their opportunity to have a true voice. As Ms. Toffler pointed out, only 20% of the population is Orthodox Jews, yet several Orthodox Jews have been elected recently. Clearly, people outside of that community must believe these individuals are serving the broader community and / or share their views and values.

The only way to get the representation wanted and needed in Teaneck is to undertake a massive GET-OUT-THE-VOTE effort. TEE, ARE YOU LISTENING?
As well every effort that can be made to bring to light the illegal and vile campaign tactics MUST be made. Remember 2008, when Elie's Katz Team sent a flyer, decorated with a fortune cookie, to every household in the Northeast of Teaneck. On one side was a photo of Monica Honis and a statement like "You don't have to vote for her. " On the other side was a photo of Deacon Robinson saying something like, "You can vote for him." Blatant dirty trick racism. Disgusting. I won't list all the other horrible things that were done in 2006 thru 2012 municipal campaigns. Suffice it to say Mr. Flynn, much of the 80 percent of Teaneck that is not Orthodox Jewish is truly frightened to speak out, to go to the polls, to act for change. BTW, I would ask Councilmember Stern what this Council, or any of the earlier ones with a majority of Orthodox Jews, has done for its community or anybody else in Teaneck? Anything?

We need smart, educated, energetic active Councilmembers and Board members to revive Teaneck. Let's start by bringing back James Kinloch as a full voting member of the Planning Board!

I vote and I am on a mission. If there is an opportunity to volunteer in a voter get out effort, whomever or whatever has my support.

BTW, I am not suggesting that there are no good Orthodox Jews, Far from it! Mayor Kevie Feit was an extraordinary Councilmember and mayor. But as he often said, he served EVERYONE in Teaneck. He did not run for reelection in 2010, because some members of the Orthodox Jewish community started a vile letter-writing campaign to the county prosecutor, Teaneck rabbis, and several others (the contents of which I won't state here) which led him ( as was the aim of the letter-writing campaign) to not run again for council. Councilwoman Parker and I sat til late hours many nights with Kevie trying to persuade him to run. But he couldn't. To do so would have destroyed his family. Another wonderful candidate ( Orthodox Jew) ran for Council at my suggestion. A classmate of his daughter said to her, "my father says your father is a traitor." so let's recognize that the "enemy" is not Orthodox Jews in Teaneck, but a group of OJ bullies, thugs and hate-filled people and their followers who, it appears, are seeking self-aggrandizement at the expense of their own community and all of Teaneck.

Barbara, please take your hate filled rhetoric elsewhere. No one respects you in Teaneck except other losers of your ilk.

Sorry Stevie, that game is over. Let's finally get the truth out. I served with most of those people and know well not only their words and actions in closed sessions, but also know how unable they are to accomplish anything for anyone except themselves and their "cronies." and you owe a huge apology to the "other losers of your ilk." They worked and struggled to make a place where people of all faiths, races, beliefs could live together in some kind of harmony. I'm proud to be part of them... And that my family was part of them. And I will continue to speak the truth. Stevie, please tell th residents in Teaneck what the Council of the last 3 years has accomplished. Thank you.

Barbara and Tee:

I am sorry to say but you two are racists and ignorant hate mongers. I can not believe you two and anything you two say.

Your comments are nothing more than "hate speech" inciting poeple against people. I just hope no one listens to you...and if they do... they get to know the real you (blaming others for the same crime you two are engaging fully in).

The likes of you (you exist in all groups, races and religions) are the reason why there is so much hate in this world. It is time for you guys to realize that we are one people who might look different, pray in different ways and have different outlooks on life but these differences should bring us together rather than tear us apart.

Differences makes this life interesting and worth living. Imagine the world with just one color, one way.... what boring place will it be....

Come on grow up already..... but knowing the likes of you..... you will come up with some SLICK comments and continue livng your miserable hateful life..... a misrable life is a reward from God to all hateful people no matter what groups you belong to..... the fire you start consumes you first......

Please learn to not cause problems and grow up. Talk about unity and talk about positive ways to make things better for all.......

I remain upset at the treatment of my good friend and a good person, James Kinloch. But I have no desire to rev up this hateful nonsense. Enough. I am so fortunate to be working in a new position, Director, Nursing Education and Task Development for Haiti Medical Education (HME) Project, and am looking forward to visiting several medical facilities there in March. Had hoped to put my energy into this town in which I was raised. But that isn't to be. So I am grateful for this extraordinary opportunity that has been given me.

LOL @ Zizi:

I am speaking what I believe to be the truth as I see it. If that makes me a hate monger in your eyes, so be it. You have no idea who I am, what I do, or what I have been through.

I find this exceptionally hilarious coming from YOU who comes on here, daily, spewing such negativity and gloom. If there is one person on here who needs to stop and smell the roses, tis you my friend!

LOL @ me wanting to get involved in voter turn out being construed as hate speech. You have just dismantled years of Constitutional law with that one. I do not like the actions of two council members. I want them out of office. I will work towards that end. If that incites people, long live the democratic process!

Have a better day, pal! It is sunny. :)

Let's paraphrase Barbara:

"BTW, I am not suggesting that there are no good Black people. Some of my best friends are Black. One did not run for reelection in 2010, because some members of the Black community started a vile letter-writing campaign to the county prosecutor, Teaneck churches, and several others (the contents of which I won't state here) which led him ( as was the aim of the letter-writing campaign) to not run again for council. Another wonderful candidate (Black) ran for Council at my suggestion. A classmate of his daughter said to her, "my father says your father is a traitor." so let's recognize that the "enemy" is not Blacks in Teaneck, but a group of Black bullies, thugs and hate-filled people and their followers who, it appears, are seeking self-aggrandizement at the expense of their own community and all of Teaneck."

How does that sound, Barbara and Tee? Still think good old censured Barbara is such a wonderful person? Or is it only free speech when the target is Orthodox Jews?

Barbara, I honestly tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. While you criticized the Orthodox. I really tried to find good in you even when you printed private emails online, and when you wasted tax payer funds (which you are suddenly so concerned about) when you failed to overturn the council's censure of you. However, this latest tirade is so disgusting, I can no longer stand aside. You are an example of an old fashioned racist, one that tries to masquerade her views by saying "Some of best friends are Orthodox Jews". I promise to publicize your views to all in Teaneck so everyone knows what you stand for. Congrats on your new position. You sure failed as a politician.

Here we go, Stevie. Where is the racism, exactly? What's the race??

Question. Have you ever been discriminated against due to your race?

Anyhooo. To answer the question to your hypo, my response would be: is it true??? Is what Barbara said true? If so, why don't you take issue with the actors?

Tee stands alone. I've been saying since the busing debacle that Stern and Katz have narrow interests, and I wasn't alone in my assertion. Check the log.

If I'm wrong, show me the proof that they are of the people and for ALL the people.

Oh, that's right. The council is all encompassing. Our mayor and deputy proved it when they took their We are the World show on tour. LOL. Please.