Teaneck Council Bids Farewell to Outgoing Members

Two ongoing members were honored for their years of service this week, days before new members will be sworn in at a reorganization meeting.

Barbara Toffler and Monica Honis, who lost their bids for re-election, were honored with a proclamation from District 37 lawmakers at Tuesday’s council meeting. Toffler l, while Honis was denied a third term.

Councilman Elie Y. Katz, who often sparred with Toffler, noted how the two found common ground on some projects.

Katz credited Honis with tackling a range of community initiatives, including a .

“You're young, you're dedicated and you have a very good heart," Katz told Honis.  

Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin thanked both members for their time on council.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with both of you,” Hameeduddin said. “I have learned a lot of things from both of you.”

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg said serving in local elected office was often more difficult than working in Trenton.

"These people really deserve our gratitude for all that they have given up for the Township of Teaneck," Weinberg said. “They're both young enough and feisty enough that I'm sure this is not the last we've seen of them.”

Weinberg called the last council meeting “bitter and sweet.”

“The bitter is that you are leaving a really interesting job in which you can do many, many good things for the people you represent,” Weinberg said. “The sweet part is that you don’t have to get out of your pajamas on Tuesday nights and you don’t have to read all those packets that come each week."

Toffler said she plans to stay active in town issues and urged others to get involved. Teaneck is “not as kind a place” as she remembers, she said.  

"Please join with us who really do want to make a difference in this town," Toffler said.  

Henry Pruitt and Mark Schwartz will be sworn in Sunday, when the council will select a mayor and deputy mayor.