Waging lifelong residency against professional experience, the June 3 primary race picks up speed between sixth-year Councilman Scott Reddin and Hackensack attorney Roosevelt Jean.
Hoping to win a third term, Reddin has experience that ranges from former council president to chairman of the Recreation Advisory Committee and Dwight Morrow High School Alumni Educational Alliance. He said that he is the co-creator of an advocacy group for parents of physically and mentally challenged children, and voted Shelter Our Sisters "volunteer of the year."
"I want to continue what I’m doing, which is serving my constituents and whose only concern is the city of Englewood," said the former non-profit executive director.
Opponent Jean said he worked with the New York State Senate and Circuit Court for Baltimore prior to his associate law position in Hackensack. As a Cum Laude graduate of Hunter College and graduate of Syracuse University Law School, Jean said he focused on urban planning and development as a Hunter public service scholar and intern with the New York City’s council.
Challenger Jean said that because of these experiences he has the ability to listen, research and "sometimes defer to those that have more years of professional experience." He said that he approaches every issue through an attorney’s standpoint, adding, "There’s nothing that I can’t research and no problem I can’t solve."
He never thought he would some day run for 3rd Ward councilman.
Until now.
The driving force for Jean’s candidacy: a property tax increase of at least 30 percent since he moved to Englewood with his wife in 2006.
"My wife and I are a young couple, blessed in our careers and very fortunate to have a home," said the 31-year-old attorney. "But it becomes an issue when you have skyrocketing costs."
Incumbent Reddin, unlike Jean, said that the estimated 2008 tax levy increase of $350 for the average Englewood home, exemplifies his "proven track record" of service.
His other achievements include the approximate $2 million saved from a tax agreement change the council made with a Route 4 developer, he added. "Also, that I have kept my campaign pledge made six years ago, which was to campaign door-to-door and to send out a semiannual newsletter whether I’m running for reelection or not," Reddin said.
The incumbent then said that there is "nothing wrong with new blood and new ideas."
"But I think that some people running want to control the town power-wise and use political office for personal interest," said Reddin, questioning the candidate’s motive for office and political ties to the mayor.
Jean did not wish to comment.
The attorney instead admitted that he has campaigned alone or with his wife, and he cited the need for volunteers to push forward.
