FAIR LAWN GOP

Putting Fair Lawn First

BOROUGH REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE

 ADDITION TO COUNCIL TICKET

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST RONEY TO JOIN YOURMAN AND GIL

Fair Lawn NJ -- Community activist Michael Roney has joined Lisa Yourman and John Gil on the Republican ticket for this year’s Fair Lawn Borough Council race .

Roney, a 22-year Fair Lawn resident and one of the leaders of the grassroots citizens group, Concern Citizens Reclaiming Fair Lawn (CCRF), is replacing Dan Beckelman on the GOP ticket.  Beckelman withdrew from the race to devote more time to his college studies.

“I am very proud to have been asked to join the race for borough council,” said Roney.  “As many people know, I'm dedicated to protecting and enhancing what's great about Fair Lawn, and I feel I'm joining a team that is truly devoted to doing what’s best for our community.”

Roney is a publishing consultant who over the past four years has worked with CCRF and borough residents to block a series of  ill-conceived, high-density developments planned for the historic Naugle House property, Daly Field and the Clariant property.

“Had these projects been approved, they would have burdened our roads, schools and community services and lead to higher taxes for existing homeowners,” said Roney. “The mistakes of current and prior administrations have left Fair Lawn with a huge debt and escalating taxes, and those

mistakes need to be rectified.”

CHANGING AFFILIATION, NOT PRINCIPLES                                     

In joining the Republican borough council team, Roney had to change party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

“On many national issues, I still believe in the Democratic Party’s philosophies. But this race is not about the War in Iraq or national health care. This is a race about bringing fiscal responsibility to Fair Lawn, controlling development, protecting open space and getting rid of political cronyism. The local Democrats have failed in these areas and I think its time for a change of leadership in Fair Lawn.”

Councilwoman Jeanne Barratta and Councilman Ed Trawinski said Roney is an asset to the GOP ticket.  “I don’t think the borough voters could find anyone more dedicated to the community than Mike is,” said Barratta, who won election to the council two years ago.

Trawinski, a former borough mayor, said Roney “is a person of principle who is running for public office for all the right reasons.”

Yourman and Gil said they are looking forward to running with Roney.  “Mike is very passionate about Fair Lawn and he shares our views about cutting taxes and fighting development,” said Yourman, a health insurance consultant and a 33-year resident of the borough.

Gil, a lifetime borough resident, said Roney’s Democrat roots are a help to the ticket. “The fact that Mike has the courage to recognize that the  borough’s old-boy, Democratic Party leadership, controlled by a county political boss, has been a detriment to Fair Lawn, speaks volumes about Mike’s credibility as a candidate and his character as a person.”

Roney and his wife Maureen Moriarty have been married for 26 years and they have two daughters ages 20 and 24. Roney is a Board Member of the Radburn Players community theater group, contributor to CarePlusNJ mental health services organization and a contributor and occasional speaker for Environment New Jersey.