Mayor Lizette P. Parker: First Year in Review

After History Was MadeHistory was made in Ber-

gen County when May-or Lizette Parker was

sworn into office as the Mayor of the Township of Teaneck, NJ on July 1, 2014. Mayor Parker became the first African Amer-ican female to hold that posi-tion in all of Bergen County.

She has since been honored by several organizations for her notable work. Mayor Parker was honored by the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey as one of the 2015 Women of Achieve-ment, the Bergen County Links as Mother of the Year and re-ceived the Hope Award from Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly at

the 6th Annual Hats for Hope brunch in Paterson, NJ.

When questioned about being Bergen County’s first African American female mayor, Parker encourages everyone to strive for the unseen. “Just because something has never happened doesn’t mean it won’t” says Mayor Parker. “Never limit yourself, your dreams or your future. And most of all never let others limit what you can be.”

During her short 12 months in office, the former council-woman and top vote-getter in last year’s election has led the Township of Teaneck to:

• Encourage statewide sick day policies• Establish 0% rent increases for first year leases• Raise the tobacco purchase age to 21• Increase revenues through advertising

Township of Teaneck, NJ • July 2014 to July 2015First Year in Review

MAYORLizette P. Parker

Contact Mayor Lizette P. Parker818 Teaneck RoadTeaneck, NJ 07666

[email protected]

[email protected]

Facebook.com/MayorLizetteParker

@LizettePParker

Register for Township alerts at www.teanecknj.gov

Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Lizette Parker • Treasurer, Clara Williams

JULY 2014

Sick Day ResolutionIn her first month in office, Mayor

Lizette Parker, along with the Teaneck Township Council, joined the move-ment to encourage statewide earned sick days in New Jersey by signing a res-olution urging the Governor to sign a bill that would allow up to 72 hours of earned sick leave.

OCT 24, 2014

Rent Control Ordinance

Noticing the continuing shortage of affordable rental housing and the

disproportionate adverse effect on per-sons of modest means in rental hous-ing, the Mayor and Council renewed the Township of Teaneck’s rent control ordinance that would maintain rent control ceilings on those rental units subject to rent controls and established a 0% increase for the first year.

NOV 2014

Tobacco Age Raised from 18 to 21

In an effort to improve healthy life-styles, Mayor Parker supported raising the age requirements for those pur-chasing tobacco products. The Council passed an ordinance in November ban-ning the sale of such items including cig-arettes to anyone under the age of 21. The age was previously set at 18.

NOV 2014

Hotel to Bring More Revenue

A larger 350-room hotel will soon open in the Glenpointe Complex thanks to a zoning change approved by the Mayor and Council in November, which increases the allowable building height from 130-feet to 160-feet high. This change allows the township to collect hotel taxes in addition to property taxes. “I think at a time in which our business community is struggling, we have to be-come creative and find new ways of reve-nue,” says Mayor Parker.

JAN 2015

Mayors Book ClubMayor Lizette Parker kicked off the

Mayor’s Book Club season with a read-ing at Lowell School at the beginning of the year to promote literacy amongst school-aged children.

Mayor Lizette Parker: Year in Review

Mayor Lizette Parker cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Bespoke Men’s Grooming on Queen Anne Road in Teaneck, NJ on May 3, 2015.

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Warren Fields Photography

North Jersey Media Group/Teaneck Suburbanite

APRIL 2015

Creating Ad Revenue

Mayor Parker and the Teaneck Coun cil passed an ordinance in April that would allow for a single billboard on Route 4 that could generate up to $300,000 a year. Parker sees the billboard as a good way to increase the town’s reve-nues and to reduce resident’s taxes. The proposed billboard would be placed be-tween Decatur and Alfred Avenues.

APRIL 2015

New Office QuartersThe old police building that had

been vacant for nearly 20 years on Te-aneck Road was renovated and now houses many of Teaneck’s administra-tive offices including the finance depart-ment, health department and the clerk’s office.

Let’s Move Teaneck!

Mayor Lizette Parker (R) attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors with other mayors representing municipalities of 30,000 people or more including New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio (L) in Washington, DC in January 2015.

Since Mayor Lizette Parker introduced First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move to Teaneck in 2013, much has happened. In April, Mayor Parker joined other stakeholders in town to break ground on a new community garden. In addition, Teaneck’s Let’s Move held a poster con-test and created children’s gym memberships to promote healthy eating and exercise.

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Mayor Lizette Parker (C) joined with the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), Adult Advisor Scott Pleasant (L), Adult Advisor Keisha McLean (2nd row, Center), and Englewood Councilman Wayne Hamar (R) on a tour of Englewood to learn best business practices to share with Teaneck.

North Jersey Media Group/Teaneck Suburbanite

Township of Teaneck Upcoming Events

Farmers Market—Every Thursday until October 29 Noon to 6 p.m.

Garrison Avenue and Beverly Road

Jul 1 Band Concert, Votee Park Band Shell 8pm - 10pm (Rain Site BFMS)

Jul 3 Independence Day Observed Offices Closed

Jul 4 Independence Day Parade, 9:30am Queen Anne Road

Celebration in Votee Park after parade, 10am

Jul 8 Band Concert, Votee Park Band Shell 8pm – 10pm (Rain Site BFMS)

Jul 11 Townwide Garage Sale, 8am - 8pm & 12

Jul 14 Council Meeting,8pm

Jul 15 Band Concert, Votee Park Band Shell 8pm – 10pm (Rain Site BFMS)

Aug 11 Council Meeting, 8pm

Aug 11 Movies Under the Stars, Votee Park “Annie” 7:45pm–10pm (Rain Date Aug. 13)

Aug 18 Movies Under the Stars, Votee Park “Guardians of the Galaxy” 7:45pm–10pm (Rain Date Aug. 20)

Aug 25 Movies Under the Stars, Votee Park “Cinderella” 7:45pm–10pm (Rain Date Aug 27)

Sep 8 Council Meeting, 8pm

Oct 13 Council Meeting – 8pm

Oct 17 Townwide Garage Sale &18 8am - 8pm

Oct 18 Confidential Paper Shredding Day 9am - 1pm, Municipal Parking Lot

Oct 27 Council Meeting, 8pm

Nov 10 Council Meeting, 8pm

Dec 2 Council Retreat, 7pm HNMC Marian Hall

Dec 5 Council Meeting, 8pm

In May, Mayor Lizette Parker and the Teaneck Council held a press conference to announce that she and other officials are working with CSX Rail Line to ensure that derailment disasters such as the one that took place in Canada in 2013, doesn’t occur in Teaneck. Currently, CSX has trains transporting crude oil through Teaneck in route to Philadelphia. CSX is now required to upgrade all rail cars carrying hazardous materials within three years.

MAY 2015

CSX Must Upgrade Railcars

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Steven Savitz