OUR 7TH ANNIVERSARY

2555 Days Amid the “Local Tide and Wind”

By Eugenia Vogel

I was nominated co-president of the EHOA in October 1997, and since that day I have given to you 100%. My relentless tenacity and effort has created many positive results on your behalf. Believe me, it was not easy.

Sometimes I travel quietly like a submarine, yet others I’m emphatically speaking publicly against the local wind.

The first day of October marks the 7th anniversary of our homeowners association. The EHOA has become a major force in our city, thanks to your support. You may think after seven years of attending and speaking at public meetings (lasting until after midnight on many occasions) I should be exhausted and ready for a long vacation. Well, there is a piece of truth in that thought. But Ruth Baum and our four executive board members convinced me to continue this difficult but gratifying volunteer work by nominating an intern. This way the meetings will be covered and I can go away on holiday with ease.

A large homeowners association is essential in a city like ours, but it requires a strong independent leadership, a voice that not only speaks for the good of our residential zones but for the majority of our membership’s needs, including substantial increases in our city tax revenue through proper development of industrial and commercial zones. I truly don’t want any of you to be taxed out of your homes.

I am especially proud of helping homeowners in their legal battle against the Marriot Corporation’s gigantic four story assisted living facility on the residential area of Palisades Ave. next to Dana Place and Dwight Place, facing Lydecker St. I have helped not only with my own funds, but by speaking against it at many meetings. I was a witness for the City of Englewood at the Supreme Court in Hackensack against this horrendous project. It could have destroyed forever the character of our neighborhood as well as our home values. Today twenty-four luxury town homes are being built on that site, which will produce around $500,000 in tax revenue every year.

When I was in court on the Marriott case I discovered the City of Englewood was sued by the owner of 4.5 acres and a beautiful home on Booth Ave and Lydecker St. where he intended to build an affordable housing complex. This large complex could have been built due to the fact that at that time our city did not have a COAH (Council of Affordable Housing) certificate. (Now we have a temporary certificate as city officials wait for a permanent one.)

Ruth and I, through the EHOA membership, were able to alert dozens of homeowners of this problem. Our councilman and mayor denied having any knowledge of this lawsuit, although it was over seven months in progress. To deal with this difficult endeavor, a specific corporation was formed where the officers were knowledgeable and generous homeowners ready to fight this legal battle with us all the way to the highest court. A substantial legal fund was established and a well-known lawyer was hired. We are deeply grateful to the officers of this corporation, and to every one of you that contributed to this legal fund. Months later this issue was resolve because a homeowner on Lydecker bought the property for a high price, which satisfied its owner.

I often drive around our residential zones to check its condition. Many roads have been paved and others are approved for pavement. Numerous new traffic signs are in place. Speed deterrents have been built and others are approved for construction. The rebuilding of a footbridge on city land near Cumberland St. was approved last year. Hopefully this work will be finished this year.

Over 19 illegal rooming houses have been closed down. Many were located in the Valley (3rd ward). Illegal rooming houses steal our services i.e. (e.g. police, garbage and recycling) and they bring students to our public schools. When city officials are alerted to the problem, they close them and we save thousands of dollars. There are many more illegal rooming houses in our city that need to be closed.

I alerted homeowners that AT&T planned to build a 60 foot high cellular tower on the corner of Jones Road and Palisade Avenue facing Brighton Street. I testified at the Board of Adjustments against it and called two City councilmen, City Engineer and our Chief Financial Officer for help. After numerous meetings the application was denied. If this tower was allowed on that site it would have been a blight on the neighborhood. An ordinance was passed and from now on no cellular tower is permitted in our residential zones.

We must have an independent presence on city and public school meetings to offset the agendas of some of our politicians and school board members. And, the agendas of at least eight elected district members and one recent appointee of the divided Municipal Democratic Committee. This little group and their pals are the opposition. “The business of the opposition is to oppose. “ (Winston Churchill)

The local MDC meets privately without allowing registered Democrats in their meetings. This is the policy of our local committee. The 28 members of the MDC vote behind closed doors for the person who will receive their recommendation for the party line. But this recommendation does not have to be accepted by the Chairman of the Democratic Party in Bergen County. The Chairman has the right to give the party line to another individual, and that person’s name will appear on the ballot. Englewood MDC should change its closed doors policy. Secrecy is the enemy of democracy, and it breeds suspicion and undesired results.

I’m troubled by the imbalance in property taxes that exists today. Commercial properties have not been reassessed since 1994 except for some car dealerships. I’m hoping the reassessment will be fair. Otherwise homeowners should appeal in tax court. I am encouraging homeowners who have been unfairly reassessed in 2002 and 2003 to appeal their assessments in tax court before October 2004. The city should be finished with a citywide reassessment by that time. But it will not hit our tax bill until 2005.

Don’t forget we live in a city that never sleeps. We must be vigilant and focused. Difficult times are ahead. Our city manager runs the city and he is leaving. I’m truly concerned about his replacement. I still have a thread of hope that Bob Benecke will stay as a consultant in the position of Chief Financial Officer which doesn’t have to be a full time job. Otherwise be prepared to pay another salary – health benefits and a parade of consultants to negotiate contracts with the many unions our city has.

The new tax bill that landed in our mailboxes in August left me wishing how “apropos” it would be if we could summons certain politicians and some Board of Ed. members with the charge of tax abuse.

The blackout was partially responsible for the crash of our computer system, delaying our news bulletin by three weeks and filling me with frustration. Finally, I can relax a bit, since the system was replaced.

My respect for the elected process has allowed me to work with at least four councilmen. In addition, the recommendations of the city manager, chief financial officer and city engineer are essential. I truly appreciate their cooperation.

This year, September 11th brought back to memory the chilling day I visited Ground Zero. Regardless of the possibility of more terrorists’ acts I am proud of my family’s resilience and I know you feel the same about yours. So, let’s keep going but let’s remain vigilant.

I am grateful to the EHOA Executive Board for nominating an intern to help me continue this voluntary task. Also I must thank the team of members for their help with the News Bulletin: from writing to stuffing envelopes and delivering them to the post office. Above all I thank each and every one of you for your support.

Eugenia Vogel

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