Changing Government Silva says he is up to the challenge. After considering the opportunity to serve a broader constituency, he decided to run, and true to form, wasted no time in seeking a better understanding of the issues facing the rest of the city and its residents. “I spoke to the Lakeview and Dutch Hill civic associations,” he said, “and they told me that what the Council needs are new people and new ideas. These people don’t believe that their local concerns are being addressed seriously by the present Council.” Silva said that one of the ideas he will be promoting is a change in the basic structure of Clifton’s city government to make it more responsive to the electorate. He wants to scrap the current system that elects seven council members at large every four years. Silva is in favor of one with staggered terms, where Council members are elected from each of several clearly defined wards on an alternating two year basis. “It will be a lot easier to unseat three or four Council members who don’t perform up to speed every two years,” he said, “than it is to try to replace a group of seven people once every four years.” Silva also thinks that there ought to be limits on how long a Council member can serve. Noting that several current Council members have been serving for more than 20 years, he said, “Three terms should be enough
“The Planning and Zoning Boards should be required to notify each and every resident and merchant in an area when they are asked to rule on something that would have a major impact there.” –2006 City Council Candidate George Silva
for anybody. This Council has become a country club where they come together every four years to help each other get re-elected.” He restated that staggered terms and ward representation will make it easier for serious candidates to mount formidable challenges. Silva said that he favors term limits for the Planning and Zoning Boards, as well, and thinks members of both should be more accountable to city residents. “The Planning and Zoning Boards should be required to notify each and every resident and merchant in an area when they are asked to rule on something that would have a major impact there,” he said. Silva said the current regulations requiring notification only to residents who live within a specified distance from a property for which a use variance is being sought, are inadequate.
Pascack Party Rentals
(Van Houten to Pleasant Ave to Walnut)
10 Walnut Street • Clifton
973-778-2229
www.pascackpartyrentals.com
sabrett@pascackpartyrental.com
Chili • Condiments Natural Casing Hot Dogs Hot Sausage • Onions in Sauce New York Pretzels • Gabila’s Knishes Italian Sausages • Sabrett Hamburgers 58
August 2005 • Clifton Merchant
Your One Stop Party Place! Tents • Tables • Chairs China • Glassware • Flatware Linen • Umbrellas • Staging Bleachers • Carnival Games Carnival Supplies • Pushcarts Concession Equipment
We feature Sabrett ® all-beef natural casing “pushcart style” hot dogs, the ones that “snap” when you bite into them.