Lizette P. Parker

By Dave Sheingold, Staff Writer
Teaneck Suburbanite, Oct 29, 2017

In life, Lizette Parker broke new ground.

In death, the trail she forged will be remembered in a place of books and children.

On Sunday, the memory of the first African-American woman to serve as a mayor in Bergen County was honored with the opening of a renovated children’s book room in the Teaneck Public Library, called the Mayor Lizette Parker Memorial Room. The library’s board of trustees decided earlier this year to upgrade and rename the room to honor Parker for her service on the Township Council as well as her dedication to local children, said Evalyn Brownstein, president of the board.

Parker, who died in April 2016 from a respiratory illness at the age of 44, served as Teaneck’s mayor from 2014 until her death and was a former member of the township’s Youth Advisory Board.

“We thought dedicating a place like this would really be meaningful for who she was and what her expectations were,” Brownstein said during a ceremony inaugurating the room, now carpeted in blue and painted pink, the favorite color of Parker’s 5-year-old daughter, Alyssa. “It is our hope that many youngsters will be inspired by her example and shoot for the top.”

About 50 people turned out on a rain-drenched afternoon for the event, including her husband, Anthony, daughter and mother, Dolores Parker, as well as friends and former colleagues on the Township Council.

“This symbolizes everything she stood for, and I know she would have been very proud,” said Taylor Strickland, a former youth board member who called Parker “a mentor” and “an amazing person.”

Parker’s husband spoke of “caring for people,” adding “that’s what mattered to her,” much more than being a politician.

Parker was elected to the Township Council in 2006 and was named mayor by the council in June 2014. In Teaneck, mayors are chosen every two years by other council members.

Outside of town hall, she was a caseworker and social work supervisor for the Bergen County Board of Social Services.

By Aaron Morrison, Staff Writer
The Record, July 1, 2014

TEANECK — Township officials made history as they reorganized the municipal government Tuesday night, selecting Lizette Parker as Teaneck’s first-ever African American female mayor.

In taking the township’s helm Parker also became the first African American female mayor in Bergen County, according to the state League of Municipalities, a moment that some said lives up to the township’s stated pride in its racial, ethnic and gender diversity.

Parker, a two-term councilwoman and top vote-getter in the May 13 municipal election, was selected in a 7-0 council vote.

“To my [toddler] daughter, Alyssa, who does not realize what is happening this evening, she will grow up and know she can be anything she wants — even Teaneck mayor and things beyond,” Parker said in her speech of gratitude.

“This is a long time coming,” said former Mayor Jacqueline Kates, who congratulated Parker and the rest of the council, as did dignitaries Sen. Loretta Weinberg and other members of the state legislature and county governing bodies.

Residents and colleagues of Parker say she had long proven her credentials to serve as mayor in terms on the council, including during her stint as deputy mayor in 2006.

“There was support that she be made mayor last time, so it’s the right thing to do,” said Clara Williams, a member of the Board of Education, referring to the controversy in 2010 when Parker, the top election vote-getter, was passed over after a majority coalition, including Mohammed Hameeduddin, chose Hameeduddin as mayor.

“The main thing is that people in the community trust her,” Williams added.

As an audience of more than 200 seated in front of Township Hall looked on, newcomers Jason Castle and Alan Sohn also were sworn to council office. The two have been vocal about the township’s budget process, which recently drew criticism from a state official who rapped the township for failing to meet a statutory deadline for introducing a 2014 budget in March.

“There is real business to be done here,” Sohn said. “The status quo has not worked. With half a year already passed, we need a budget.”

More generally, Castle encouraged public participation in the political process: “I want to extend an invitation to everyone to come out, get involved, keep us honest. We are only going to be as good as you demand us to be.”

Castle and Sohn succeed Yitz Stern and Adam Gussen, joining Parker and councilmen Henry Pruitt, Mark Schwartz, Elie Katz and Hameeduddin.

The council’s selection of Katz as deputy mayor drew some criticism from residents and a former official who accused Katz and other incumbents for neglecting their fiduciary responsibilities, narrowing the window for the new council to do it. A state municipal budget administrator has given the council until July 23 to introduce a municipal budget.

“It is truly devastating to all who voted for [Castle and Sohn] to see the master of divisive actions, of violation of law and of playing one citizen against the other — Mr. Elie Y. Katz — holding the position of deputy mayor,” said former Councilwoman Barbara Toffler.

Katz rejected Toffler’s claims that he stalled the budget to push it off on the new council and said he has volunteered to work on a newly established subcommittee to accelerate the budget process.

“At the end of the day, regardless of your political feelings, every one of us up here are trying to make Teaneck better, and we’re going to do that hopefully as a united council,” Katz said in remarks during the municipal reorganization.

The proposed budget, not yet formally introduced, calls for a spending plan of $71.2 million, a 3-percent increase from the previous year. Based on the proposal, homes assessed at $455,000, the township’s average, would be assessed $130 more in municipal taxes for 2014. Last year, the average municipal tax bill was projected at $3,949 per home.

Before adjourning the meeting, Parker announced a budget subcommittee of Katz, Pruitt and Sohn would recommend changes to the proposed budget at a July 15 council meeting. The budget also is expected to be introduced at that meeting, with possible adoption Aug. 12, she said.

By Megan Burrow, Managing Editor
Teaneck Suburbanite, July 10, 2014

TEANECK – Shortly after each of the elected members took their seats at the July 1 reorganization meeting, the Teaneck Council unanimously chose Lizette Parker as the township’s mayor, making her the first female African American mayor in Bergen County.

Parker, who received the most votes in the May election and served as deputy mayor from 2006 to 2010, said she was “deeply grateful and humbled” to serve as the township’s mayor as she begins her third term on the council.

Her young daughter, Parker said, “does not realize what’s happening today, but she will grow up believing and knowing that she can be whatever she wants to be, even the mayor of Teaneck.”

Elie Katz, who was elected to his fifth term on council and had served as mayor from 2006 to 2008, was selected as deputy mayor by a vote of 5-2. New council members Jason Castle and Alan Sohn, who succeeded outgoing council members Adam Gussen and Yitz Stern, nominated Henry Pruitt for the position, but he declined the nomination “in the interest of promoting a collaborative council.”

More than 200 people gathered on the municipal green for the swearing in of the new members, and the selection of the leaders of the governing body. Many residents spoke of their hope for a more open and collaborative council, and congratulated Parker, Katz, Castle and Sohn on their new roles.

Parker’s selection as mayor “has been a long time coming,” said former Teaneck mayor Jacqueline Kates. “I am personally delighted and gratified that you will be leading our governing body,” she told Parker.

To the other members of the council, Kates said, “Please remember that consensus is not a four letter word.”

Barbara Ostroth asked the council to consider reinstating public workshops.

“I really hope that we can hear you debate collegially in front of your fellow citizens and then take public votes and support those votes once the council has made a decision. That is the way to do business and that is the way to help our community move forward,” she said.

Joe Harris commended Pruitt for withdrawing his candidacy for deputy mayor in order to develop a more unified council. “I think that shows tremendous maturity and a desire for the town to be a united town. I hope the politics of our board can turn a page from the politics of previous boards and become a council which is truly representative of the townspeople,” he said.

After the oaths had been taken and congratulations accepted, the governing body turned its attention to the tasks ahead, particularly the 2014 budget, which must still be introduced and adopted within the coming weeks.

Councilman Mohammed Hameeduddin, who had served as Teaneck’s mayor since 2010, said he learned a lot from both Parker and Katz when he first joined the council in 2008.

“The past four years it has been my honor to be mayor of this town, and I’m so happy I could cast a vote for Lizette Parker tonight,” he said. “I really hope that we can come together and support Lizette and Elie and really make them successful. I don’t think there are any issues that we can’t overcome right now.”

Castle encouraged residents to attend meetings, become involved and keep the council honest. “We are only going to be as good as you demand us to be,” he said.

Throughout the campaign, residents named high taxes as the number one issue they face, said Sohn. He suggested several ideas to promote transparency and developing better communication with residents. “We need to have an ongoing budget process where the council reviews financial data on an ongoing basis, not just a few meetings once a year,” he said. “We need a reinstated financial advisory board to review the operations of our township, and with half a year already passed, we need a budget.”

Katz said he is looking forward to working together with the council as a cohesive group. “At the end of the day, regardless of our political feelings, every one of us is up here to make Teaneck a better place.”

Parker said she is optimistic for Teaneck’s future and looks forward to working as a team to provide the best services for residents. “As a new council we do not have the luxury of a honeymoon period, as we must hit the ground running to fulfill our fiduciary responsibility to introduce and adopt a budget as soon as possible,” she said.

To the residents, she added: “Public trust is something that should never be taken lightly. Thank you for your trust and I look forward to serving you as mayor.”

She proposed establishing a budget subcommittee comprised of Katz, Pruitt and Sohn, who will work with the manager to submit recommended changes to the council at its July 15 meeting. She also advocated resuming regularly scheduled meetings with the board of education to increase communication between the two groups and explore ways to share services.

By Howard Prosnitz, Staff Writer
Teaneck Suburbanite, April 29, 2010, p. 2

With Mayor Kevie Feit not seeking a second council term, three incumbents and six challengers are vying for four council seats in an election to be decided on May 11. Teaneck Suburbanite  interviewed each candidate and asked each three questions:

1. Why are you running?
2. How can the financial burden on taxpayers be mitigated?
3. What can be done to improve relations among the township’s ethnic, racial and religious groups.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Lizette Parker: Age 38

Deputy Mayor Parker is seeking her second council term. The Selvage Avenue resident lived in Teaneck from 1973-1994 and returned in 1999. She has a BA in Sociology from Montclair State University and a Master’s degree in administrative science from FDU. Parker is married and is a social work supervisor. Before joining the council, she was chair of the Teaneck Democratic Municipal Organization and was also legislative coordinator for the Communications Workers of America.

1. Parker is seeking reelection to continue the work she began four years ago, which she describes as being responsive to community needs, providing a fair and open government, and demonstrating fiscal responsibility. She also seeks to continue to provide leadership with respect to the community and employee relations.

2. Parker notes that she has advocated for legislation to require tax exempt universities and hospitals to pay fees to the township to offset the cost of municipal services provided to them The council needs to be more creative in finding new sources of revenue, she said. She supports shared serves, both with other municipalities and with the board of education.

3. Education is the key to improved community relations, Parker said. She names four township organizations, in particular, that have a responsibility to work in tandem to improve residents’ quality of life. These are the advisory board on community relations, the youth advisory board, the senior citizens advisory board and the clergy council. She urges these groups to council to seek volunteers to do presentations and conduct workshops. “The Community Relations board should take the lead in working with the other groups to provide a platform for residents to share cultures and experiences,” she said.

By Howard Prosnitz, Staff Writer
Teaneck Suburbanite, May 3, 2006, p. 2

Township voters have a choice among 14 candidates running for 4 three-year terms and three candidates running for a two-year unexpired term.

Long term Councilman Paul Ostrow is not seeking reelection, nor is Councilman Emil “Yitz” Stern.

Councilman Randall Day, who was appointed in January to fill the remainder of former Councilman Michael Gallucci’s term following Gallucci’s resignation, is not seeking reelection. But Councilman David Langford, appointed in January following the resignation of former Councilwomen Deborah Veach, is seeking reelection to fill the two unexpired years of Veach’s term.

The Teaneck Suburbanite is publishing interviews with candidates in two alphabetical parts. The interviews will continue next week.

(Only the relevant candidate is shown here)

Lizette Parker

Lizette Parker , 34, is a social worker with the Bergen County Division of Social Services. the Selvage Avenue resident grew up in the township where she has lived for most of her life.

Parker is chairperson of the Teaneck Democratic Club and is former secretary and executive board member of the Communications Workers Union Local 1089. she is currently chair of the union’s legislative and political committee.

Parker is running as part of the Teaneck New Beginnings team with Dennis Crowley and Ronald Schwartz.

She seeks to stabilize taxes through economic development of the township’s four business districts and to establish better relations between township employees and management.

She wants to improve the quality of life for residents in such areas as garbage collection and pick up of recyclables. She also seeks to restore vacancy decontrol and to establish affordable housing for seniors and for working families and individuals.

“We want to make the council more responsive to the people of the community in their needs,” she said.

She would improve labor relations by establishing committees comprised of management and employees “to produce an active respectful relationship and promote a safe and healthy environment for employees to work in.”