Leadership Approach



Alpine Borough is characterized as a "weak mayor-strong council" system (NJSA 40A:60-1) which means that council members are responsible for voting on items (note: mayor can vote in the case of a tie). Council members possess full control over drafting, amending, and approving the municipal budget. Council members also set the strategic vision and policy agenda for the municipality.



Current Approach






The current autocratic style of leadership effectively creates a closed-knit system resulting in “more of the same”. This approach limits perspective, knowledge sharing, and incorporation of best practices. As a result, the current system has resulted in poor decisioning.


Some examples include:


Today, the residents of Alpine are dealing with large real estate developments and upheavals on Closter Dock Rd. A better outcome would have been for boro leadership to negotiate a "win-win" scenario for the residents + borough + real estate developers. After many years, and significant tax payer resources, the residents of Alpine have to still contend with increased safety concerns, continued land upheaval, multi-year real estate developments, increased flooding, and growing strains on municipal infrastructure.


Today, the residents of Alpine have lost out on recreational facilities (e.g., tennis courts, circuit training track, pool facilities, etc.) that once were available. A better outcome would have been for boro leadership to structure public-private partnerships (or other investment vehicles) to rehabilitate and keep the activities viable.


Today, the residents of Alpine have lost out on the historic community church. A better outcome would have been for boro leadership to facilitate community engagement and save the church in conjunction with a community hall.


Today, residents of Alpine still have no common area to enjoy a coffee together. A better approach would have been for Boro leadership to allocate resources in a more responsible manner.



Note: Autocratic leadership style has resulted in several lawsuits involving the Borough of Alpine. Some of those cases include lawsuits against the Borough brought by police officers.







New Approach



My path forward is to incorporate a broader approach that is strategic in nature and proactive. Such an approach must be community-focused and inclusive. Our entire boro consists of some 600 homes and 1,700 people. I believe that with proper leadership, we can be a more close knit community with shared interests that also leads to become a SAFER environment.



With your support, I would like to change the culture of Alpine’s leadership from stonewalling and reactionary ordinances to a culture of inclusiveness and proactive planning.







As the next Mayor of Alpine, I intend to unite our community of ~1,700 people and allocate our resources on positive improvements benefiting the entire neighborhood resulting in better safety and a stronger sense of community. Increasing transparency and proactively seeking input from neighbors will greatly help our community to be more inclusive, safer and more effective.




“If it’s important to my neighbor,

it's important to me”