Take Five: Cranford School Board Candidate Brian Lopez

CRANFORD, NJ - There are seats opening up on the Cranford Board of Education and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election this November.

Questionnaires were sent out out to all candidates registered with the County Clerk's Office in the 2019 general election using the email addresses they went on file with. The responses will be posted on the site by those who submitted in the order in which they were received. They will also be included in an election preview wrap.

This Take Five features Brian Lopez. His responses to the questions are below and unedited.

Why are you running for BOE?

For 50 years, Cranford has been the only place I have called home. I have fond memories of walking and biking to Orange Avenue, Roosevelt School, and our high school. After serving for 25 years on the Cranford Police Department and now as the CEO of a thriving Cranford private investigative business, I am seeking to leverage my law enforcement experience to further enhance the safety of our children. Cranford has offered families a thriving educational and real estate investment, which through innovative approaches we can increase funding for our schools.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

School Safety - In 2018, Orange Ave School employed an unstable teacher and an act of violence almost occurred. A similar event also occurred in Westfield. I have strong ties with the Cranford Police Department and with other agencies. Additionally, my 25 years of service to the Cranford Police Department provided me with an intrinsic knowledge of the community and our schools. This will enable me to collaborate with both local and federal law enforcement agencies to find and implement the best safety and target hardening practices.

Taxes - According to the Township of Cranford, 54.53% of your tax bill is allocated to the Board of Education. Looking at this percentage, one must keep in mind that approximately 50% of Cranford’s taxpayers do not have children in the school system. We must ensure the support of our schools in a fiscally responsible manner. I will create a citizen audit committee. This volunteer committee of Cranford residents will ensure our tax dollars are allocated appropriately. Keep in mind, the incumbents desired to have a substantial increase in bussing in our community. If they succeeded, our small town would have been transformed.

When such drastic and radical policies are proposed, it is more important to prevent something from occurring and then, and only then, can we work on creating policies and programs that best serve our town and schools. If one truly believes in a policy or program regardless of the opposition, this person will continue their efforts to enact it. If the composition of the school board is not changed, bussing, along with the associated costs will return.

Vaping - As a former DARE officer, I understand the need to prevent our children from using drugs or alcohol. According to the New York Post; “Nationwide, more than 800 people have been diagnosed with severe lung illness from vaping, which has caused a total of 15 deaths, officials said.” In August 2019, New Jersey reported its first vaping death. The prevention of our young children vaping is a school system priority. The deaths involved in vaping are a preventable tragedy. With proper technology and education, we can ensure the health of or children.

3. What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Compassionate, tenacious, and analytical. A Detective I worked with, once described me as “tireless”. I will bring these character traits to the Cranford Board of Education.

4. What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective
leader?

Living in this town for 50 years, with 25 of them as a Cranford Police Officer, I developed a deep understanding of the town and its people. I was Cranford’s P.B.A. Local 52’s President for two years. This involved contract negotiations, making sure the contract wasn’t violated, and if management was intransigent on an issue, the occasional grievance. This experience will allow me to ensure we continue to hire and retain the stellar professionals we have teaching our children. I also attended our neighbor schools. I understand the importance of maintaining them. Growing up, my Math skills were not the best. At Orange Ave school, teachers like Mr. Nicastro and Ms. Cohen, took their time with me getting over this obstacle. The existing BOE proposed large, consolidated schools. I believe that this would have fundamentally changed our school and town for the worse. If we lose our small, neighborhood schools, we may lose the personal relationships where teachers can focus on the educational needs of the children. The value of those personal relationships is immeasurable.

5. Tell me something about you, like hobbies or interests that have nothing to do with the campaign.

I consider myself a voracious reader. I also like to travel. After 25 years as a police officer, I want to continue my service to the town as a member of the Cranford Board of Education. Spending as much time with my wife, Susan is extremely important.

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