We formed Stronger Clark because we believe that Clark IS strong, but the current failed leadership holds us back from our full potential. All of America has improved over the last 25 years, but it’s hard to say that Clark’s improvement has been on par with surrounding towns. Besides the unforced errors and blatant misconduct that have cost the town millions, poor judgement and lack of vision for the future are saddling the town with burdens that will push back on our progress for decades to come.

This election will echo through our town, county, and state for a long time. It’s not just a referendum on accountability for misconduct, it’s about whether we are going to elect local leadership based on local issues, or we are going to be guided by national politicians with a national agenda. Yes, the president is important, but the decisions that affect your kids, the people that keep your homes safe, and the leaders who have the most effect on your day to day are local. The current leadership has ridden on the coattails of national politicians without doing anything on the local level to earn your vote.

Facts are facts. Over the last 20 years our schools have been in a steady downtrend.  At the same time, taxes have gone up. Residents will often point to the time before Mayor Bonaccorso was in office as a bad time and say that he improved things. The year before the mayor took office America was using flip phones and Blockbuster Video was thriving with thousands of stores nationwide. Today we have iPhones that are mini computers and Blockbuster is extinct because we have every video available instantly from our couch. The world is a different place, and the current leadership is not the right choice to navigate Clark’s next chapters.

Not only have they neglected to keep pace with a changing world, but instead they focused on consolidating power in the hands of one man. Discussion and differing opinions are not welcome in public council meetings and in fact, are often met with shouting, humiliation, and even insults that include the F word. This not only demeans the office they hold, it discourages residents from voicing their concerns because they are afraid of being attacked or berated. The council facilitates this hostile environment with their silence. When they do speak up, it is not to condemn this behavior but to rationalize it and even express gratitude for it.

The council and mayor often remind us about branch pickup, grass pickup, recycling and other services as though these aren’t fundamental services we should expect from our town. They are not the only people who can provide these services; simply look at most towns in NJ. We don’t have to tolerate their incompetence, misconduct, and lack of vision in order to have these services. In fact, it’s the increased legal fees and costs associated with their misconduct that really threatens these services, and has been a major contributor to tax increases.

We stand by core values that we believe most Clark residents share—principles that are often talked about by our current leaders but not backed up through their actions. We pledge that these values will be genuinely reflected in policies and legislation.

Fiscal Responsibility and Fair Taxation – We aim to cut municipal spending by reducing costly legal fees caused by misconduct and improving efficiency through technology. Tax dollars should work for the people, delivering real, visible benefits to our community.

Prioritize Schools – Schools are the backbone of our town’s future and a key factor in property values. We will collaborate with the Board of Education to improve Clark schools’ declining rankings and provide excellent resources for our students.

Personal Responsibility – Taxpayer dollars should not be used to cover personal misconduct. Accountability starts with responsible use of public funds.

Strong Work Ethic – We will research and put in the effort needed to understand the issues Clark faces and work to bring about positive outcomes.

Law and Order – We want to restore local control of the Clark Police Department that was forfeited by the current leaders. We want the department to have a Chief to lead officers, and all the resources they need to keep our homes, residents, and our streets safe.

Accountability and Responsive Government – Resident concerns deserve prompt action. We will develop systems to address issues efficiently so no concern is overlooked.

Transparency and Integrity – We don’t want a government that hides things. Openness is key to good governance. We will foster clear communication, encourage resident engagement, and promote respectful dialogue on differing views.

We are the Stronger Clark candidates. We are democrats, but we are not national Democrats. We are local Clark residents that organized at our dining room tables to repair the broken government of our town. The ideas we have are not radical. They are the concepts of fundamental accountability, integrity and good judgement you would expect from your mayor and council. We know with your support we can unleash the full potential of Clark that has been held back by the toxic leadership we currently have. Look at the facts and the decision is clear, we are by far the better choice for Clark in 2024.

We want to promote a culture of openness and accountability in Clark’s local government. To ensure that our actions are visible and accountable, we will record all workshop meetings and public meetings. This will allow residents to stay informed about the decisions and discussions shaping our town. In addition, we will make sure that the full text of ordinances and resolutions are available digitally at least 2 days before council meetings on the town website. In addition, the residents may sign up for an email and text list where they will automatically receive a message with the agenda, minutes, and full text of ordinances and resolutions before each meeting. Plans and the status of development in town will be posted and updated in near real time.

We want to make it easy for residents to participate in local government. We will make it possible to join council meetings on zoom and make public comments from home. We hope this will encourage participation from seniors who might find it hard to leave their home, busy parents, workers, and for the simple convenience. From this foundation we hope to also create a basic unofficial polling system so the will of the town can be known to representatives when making decisions.Finally, we will work to create an official town message board where residents may post questions and concerns and get responses.

We must demand a renewed focus on decency, respect, and accountability from our elected leaders. The report from the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General revealed a disturbing pattern of misconduct by the mayor and council with regards to behavior within the Clark Police Department. Allegations of racist and sexist language, cover-ups, and abuses of power have eroded public trust. The council’s failure to address these issues decisively has only worsened the situation. Our council candidates have a sense of duty to act as a check on executive power and ensure ethical governance. Together, we can restore trust in our local government and create a community where every individual is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Certain aspects of our community services, such as recreation programs, leaf and branch pickup services, and the community pool, are well-loved. We understand the importance of continuity in these areas. Our approach will be to maintain and support these successful programs without making unnecessary changes.

We value the experience and dedication of our current town employees and aim to ensure stability in these areas. By focusing on what works well and ensuring it continues to serve our community effectively, we can maintain a high quality of life for all residents. Our goal is to preserve the best of Clark while making improvements where needed.

Term limits promote fresh ideas, reduces the risk of corruption, encourages civic engagement, and aligns with the core values of citizen leadership. When officials remain in power for too long, there is an increased likelihood of entrenched interests and potential abuses of power. By rotating leadership, we can minimize the risk of favoritism and foster an environment where public servants are genuinely focused on serving the community rather than their political longevity.

Additionally, term limits align with the principle of citizen leadership, the idea that public office should be a temporary position of service rather than a lifelong career. We need leaders who are in touch with the realities of everyday life, who understand the concerns and aspirations of their neighbors. Term limits help ensure that our officials are not career politicians but dedicated citizens who bring their real-world experiences and perspectives to the table.

We want to faithfully continue Clark’s tradition of excellence in athletics and promote Clark’s generous coaching culture that shapes our children into fine young adults. We plan to add the dimensions of academic, artistic, and technical achievement to this strong foundation. This will start with organizing and promoting tournaments, competitions, and hackathons.

We will work together with the Board of Education to make sure our students have everything they need for success. We aim to improve our academic rankings and provide the best possible education for our children. We will push back on development agreements that add no additional revenue to our schools and shift the revenue burden onto residents. We bear the costs of traffic congestion and concrete replacing trees that development brings. These costs should benefit our schools because proper funding is an important part of making Clark competitive for retaining and attracting new talented teachers and staff.

We will work to preserve and update existing small businesses, ensuring they continue to thrive. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and we must support them in every way possible. This includes providing resources for business development, facilitating access to funding, and promoting local shopping initiatives.

Helping small businesses adapt to changing market conditions is also crucial. We will offer programs and workshops on modern business practices, digital marketing, and customer engagement. By supporting our small businesses, we can ensure they remain a vital part of our community.

The County Reservoir project will affect the landscape of Clark for decades to come. It requires careful consideration and community input. We will actively seek out resident feedback and facilitate communication with the County. It is crucial that this project respects residents’ backyards and nature while enhancing the overall experience for our community. By involving residents in the planning process, we can ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed.

Our goal is to balance development with environmental stewardship and community well-being. By fostering open communication and collaboration, we can create a project that benefits everyone and preserves the natural beauty of our area.

Our seniors deserve affordable housing and protection from rising rents. We will implement measures to monitor rent increases and ensure that affordable housing options are available, allowing our senior residents to live comfortably and securely in our town. In addition to housing, we will work to provide services and programs that support the health and well-being of our senior residents. This includes ensuring access to healthcare, recreational activities, and social support networks. Our goal is to create a community where seniors feel valued and cared for.

Managing growth responsibly is crucial for Clark’s future. We will carefully manage the effects of impervious surfaces on stormwater and work to make sure our infrastructure, such as sewer systems, can support growth. We believe in a complete streets strategy that will give Clark the opportunity to receive grants to increase traffic safety and create pedestrian friendly streets. We want to work to keep Clark a community and not a town of small highways. By taking a proactive approach to development, we can have more choice in how Clark develops in the future.

Meeting affordable housing requirements is not just a legal requirement but a moral responsibility. Affordable housing allows our children to live near us as they begin adulthood, it allows workers to live close to their job, it helps seniors live on a fixed income, and adds stability to families in difficult circumstances. We will work to provide housing options that meet the needs of all residents without compromising our community values.

We will reevaluate PILOT programs to ensure they benefit both our schools and the town, not just developers. It’s essential that new developments contribute positively to our community. We must question the necessity of tax incentives that legally allow for $0 of revenue to  go to our schools when real estate profits are reaching all-time highs.