Joan Goldstein, Democrat For Fair Lawn Council

Joan Goldstein is one of four candidates seeking two seats up for election on the Fair Lawn Council this year.

Goldstein, a Democrat, is a lifelong borough resident, current chair of the Green Team and a member of the Open Space Committee and Parks and Recreation Committee. She works as a project manager and business analyst, a position which she said has given her valuable experience in listening to people, improving how things are done and accomplishing their goals.

“I think I bring a lot to the table,” she said.

Goldstein, who was critical of raising taxes and water rates in recent years, said she would use that experience to take a fresh look at the borough’s budget, seeking areas where wasteful spending could be cut.

With the surplus, Goldstein said she believed it was necessary to maintain one, but the size of it would depend on what projects the town was planning to undergo.

She also pointed to new shared services, cooperative purchasing and using green technology like solar panels to reduce utility costs as ways Fair Lawn could be saving money.

Goldstein also said she believed it was important to focus on the safety of residents, focusing on both pedestrian and traffic issues and flooding.

“There’s nothing more important than the safety of our residents,” Goldstein said.

With traffic, Goldstein said she would continue to look to the police for suggestions and that increased investment in roads and infrastructure could help the issue. On flooding, she said she would look to work with county, state and federal officials where needed to find a solution, including building up natural berms and getting the feds to safely dredge the Passaic River

Goldstein also said she hoped to continue working with the recreation committee as they come up with a recommendation for Memorial Pool and would seek a cost-effective way to implement whatever plan they suggested.

The election will be held Tuesday.