Nine candidates running for ward council seats

The following is an excerpt from the article which relates to the CHCC Development.

Ward 3 focuses on CHCC plan

In the Ward 3 election, the focus is on the planned expansion of the Christian Health Care Center into Hawthorne. The plans are on the drawing board and haven't yet been formally submitted for review.

"I'm against it," said Nadia Jass, the Democrat candidate. Acknowledging that the plan can't be totally stopped, Jass said the borough should prevent the area from being overpopulated and adversely affected by increased traffic.

"We don't want another Hovnanian mess," said Councilman Garry Sinning, the Republican candidate. As a nine-year veteran of the governing body, Sinning says he has the background and experience having been involved in Hawthorne's 14-year fight to decrease the density of this court-mandated project.

Both candidates agree that traffic congestion is increasing in their area of town. Sinning said the borough recently completed a traffic study for the Goffle Road corridor, from the Rea Avenue intersection to the five corners at North Watchung, Watchung and Goffle Hill. He said the goal of any initiative to correct the problem is to keep out-of-town commuters off local roads, moving that traffic on county roads.

Jass says truck traffic is even making its way into the Third War when drivers make wrong turns. She thinks better enforcement is needed to keep trucks off local roads.

Another issue is flooding which was evident during April's Nor'easter, according to Sinning.
"We have to do some infrastructure work and have to work closely with Passaic County to address problem areas like the Rea Avenue Culvert," he said.

Jass says the borough needs more aggressive enforcement for absentee landlords who don't take care of their properties.

"It's awful to drive through town and see properties that aren't being maintained," she said.

As the owner of her own business, Hawthorne Coffee, Jass says she is a decision-maker and can be a voice for the people.

"When you're in you own business, you're held accountable for something that goes wrong," she said. "I think I'll take better care of the money provided by the taxpayers."

Sinning owned his own business before taking the position of director for Bergen and Passaic County AVA Commissions. The councilman has headed the ordinance and code book review committees. He says his experience on both the school board and the governing body gives him a tremendous background in local issues

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