By Steve Morris

A group calling themselves “Teaneck United” held a meeting on last Sunday to rally residents to support in what they claim is their good government cause to rid this non-partisan town of Democratic Organization county political influence.  Some, however, believe “Teaneck United” is far from a spontaneous citizens group, but rather a calculated political operation backed by Senator Loretta Weinberg in an effort to bloody her local opposition in a quest to again control local government in her hometown.

“Teaneck United” claims to be a grassroots effort, but 4 out of the 5 meeting organizers have donated to Weinberg.  

“If Weinberg expects me to believe Teaneck United is a legitimate citizens group, than I should also believe Ferriero is running a charitable organization,” said one Teaneck resident in attendance who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.  “This is like her suggesting Astroturf is natural grass.”

Teaneck has been a non-partisan town since 1930; candidates do not run as Republicans or Democrats and elections are held in May, not in November.  But according to “Teaneck United” their version of purity has been tainted by BCDO Chair Joe Ferriero through a new Council majority that includes Elie Katz, Kevie Feit , Adam Gussen and Elnatan Rudolph, who is running for re-election.  

They link the entire majority to Ferriero through Rudolph, who works as an deputy administrator in county government.  The rest of the Council is employed in private industry.

That fact has not stopped “Teaneck United” from harshly criticizing the current council majority on a variety of fronts, including the their perceived county influence, perceived conflicts of interest, perceived corruption, and perceived election law violations.  Members of their group have brought these issues to authorities in the past, and while none have been substantiated they now appear to be attempting to turn their claims into independent facts and use them as campaign issues for the May election.   

Weinberg, who at one point served on the Teaneck Council, was also very influential in county politics, likely more so any current Teaneck Councilman, because her job did involve patronage appointments in the 70s and 80s.  Inside Bergen could not find any records that suggested anyone in Teaneck ever objected to Weinberg’s county influences.

"I've never hidden the fact that I'm a Bergen County Democrat or county employee," Rudolph told another publication. "My profile has helped the town. We were able to secure a $200,000 grant for a handicap accessible playground - the largest in the county. We received a $675,000 federal grant for a new fire truck because Mayor Katz and I lobbied for it. In two years on council, we've gotten over $1 million to offset taxes."   

Although the “Teaneck United’s” organizers, Jordan Wouk, Martin Cramer, Sandra Loft, Laura Zucker, and Ron Costello claim to be independent from Weinberg, their support of her and their hyper anti-Ferriero rhetoric suggests otherwise. 

“Here we go again,” said the unaffiliated resident in attendance. “I’ve watched Loretta for years. She’s shrewd and tough. This Teaneck United is a great political tool to upset people in town. I don’t like this Ferriero guy, but if he’s taking over Teaneck, shouldn’t she be at these meetings? She doesn’t like the majority on this council for reasons that are not legitimate and I think that is going to hurt her in the long run. Every campaign uses surrogates for the hatch jobs. This is the same.  Loretta just doesn’t want her fingerprints on the weapon.”

“Teaneck United” has not backed candidates as of yet. The filing deadline for the May 13th election is March 20th.