Stuart Pace, Independent Candidate for Borough Council

Stuart Pace is a husband, a father, a friend, a small business owner and a lifelong resident of Fair Lawn.

He’s a self-described, “average guy who wants to do good for his town.”

The type who jams out on the guitar in his bedroom and hosts an amateur football talk show in his basement. 

In other words, Stuart Pace is not a politician. The man doesn’t even like politics.

In fact, he’s thrown his hat into the borough council ring this year to put an end to politics in Fair Lawn.

“I just got tired of politics interfering with getting things done in this town,” he said, citing unhappiness among borough employees and quarrels within the police department.

“There’s something wrong with the way this town has been managed the last 8,9 years. It just kept piling and piling up and finally, it got to the point where I said, someone’s got to come in here who is not politically involved.”

Enter Stuart Pace, the anti-politician.

Pace is attempting to become the first non-affiliated candidate in Fair Lawn history to win a council seat.  He knows the lack of party support puts him at a decided disadvantage, but he said his conscience prevented him affiliating.

“I think everyone should run as a Fair Lawn-ite, not as a Republican, a Democrat or even an Independent,” he said. “You’re running for town council as a resident of Fair Lawn because you want to help Fair Lawn.

“There’s nothing in this town that is a Republican or Democratic issue that happens,” he continued. “Nothing. And if you can name it, go ahead.”

What Pace lacks in political experience, he makes up for with an affability that he’s long used as a bank branch manager to bring feuding factions together.

“I was always put in branches that were in complete disarray, both as far as policies and procedures go, and morale,” he said. “I was the guy that was sent into troubled branches to reorganize, get everybody to get together as a team and get along, and get moving forward.

“I would go in and I would take a dysfunctional branch and make it functional and profitable,” Pace continued. “I work very well with people, I’m very fair, I’m very open, I’m very honest. I don’t lie.”

It’s a testament to Pace’s unique ability to play mediator that, after announcing his candidacy, he was courted by both Fair Lawn political parties.

“I thanked them very much for thinking of me in that respect, but my idea is that your parties are the problem,” he said.

Pace’s three-pronged platform focuses on safety, community and business.

Increase the Police

First off, he wants more police officers on the beat. 

A state police analysis earlier this year found that Fair Lawn’s police force was understaffed in comparison to other police departments in Bergen County and across the state.

According to the study, which looked at the department between 2005 and 2009 when there were 64 police officers, Fair Lawn would need to hire nine additional officers to attain the rate of Bergen County, and 12 more to attain the rate of New Jersey. 

Layoffs and retirements since the study was published have reduced the police department even further. Fair Lawn currently has 55 officers, 4 of whom are on disability.

“I hate to say it, but in the area we’re in, crime has noticed that we’re understaffed,” Pace said. “And much to the chagrin of people in town, if you don’t have enough cops on duty, your town starts to change. I think safety should be our number one issue.”

“The day of the , I think one detective worked the pipe bomb, a and there was a third thing that happened in town,” Pace continued. “In a 12-hour period, he was working three very major cases, because we’re understaffed. We just can’t have that. These guys are human, and if they’re tired they’re not going to be as alert.”

A More Inclusive Fair Lawn

To build a stronger sense of community, Pace said he’d like to see the town do a better job including all of its sections when planning activities.

“There are sections of town that are totally ignored, as far as events go,” Pace said, citing the Columbia Heights (by Walsh Pool), Warren Point and Saddle River Road sections.

“Street fairs can be held at , or in other sections of town which would benefit those people for once,” he continued. “I think we need to get the sense of community where we are one. Yeah, we’re separated by a lot of train tracks and highways, but we are one community, and I don’t get the sense that’s being put out to residents.”

If elected, Pace said he would try to rotate popular annual events to different sections around town so that everyone can feel like part of the community.

Diversifying Business

Bringing quality businesses back to Fair Lawn is Pace’s final piece.

He said he still remembers when he didn’t have to leave Radburn to do his Christmas shopping.

“We don’t need three [] in Fair Lawn. I don’t need seven nail salons, I don’t need 42 banks,” he said, noting that he has nothing against tattoo parlors or tattoo artists, and actually has a tattoo of his own (the Miami Dolphins logo on his left upper arm). He just doesn’t see a reason for the high volume of so many similar establishments.

Instead, he’d like to see better local food options.

“We used to have a Grand Union, a Foodtown and an A&P, right here in Radburn,” Pace said. “Now we don’t have anything. With all the people living here, we don’t have at least a small food store here. It doesn’t make sense.”

Pace said he’d like to form a committee of Fair Lawn business owners, independent of the Chamber of Commerce, to try to spark business growth in Fair Lawn that has more of a “Glen Rock or Westwood feel.”

Sending a Message

To get his message out, Pace said he’s primarily resorted to the internet and knocking on doors.

“I hope I know enough people that when they go in there they don’t just go a party line, they go, one, two and Stu. I just gotta come in third,” Pace laughed.

“One, Two and Stu,” while a worthy campaign slogan, is not something you’ll be seeing emblazoned on any of Pace’s lawn signs. That’s because Pace doesn’t have any.

In true apolitical form, Pace has eschewed lawn signs, opting instead to stay green and focus on a cause beyond himself.

“Rather than have lawn signs, we’re going to donate what we would have spent on that to the Fair Lawn food pantry,” he said. “There’s organizations in this town that need help and rather than spend money on nonsense like a lawn sign, if you donate $200 to the food pantry maybe a couple families can eat dinner this month.”

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Stuart Pace, Sr.

Age: 50

Family: Wife, Karen, and two children, Stuart Jr., 20, and Sara, 19.

Stuart, Jr., who is deaf, is attending William Patterson for education. Studying to be a teacher of the deaf.

Sara is a sophomore at Stony Brook University studying marine vertebrate biology.

Job: Executive recruiter in the banking industry. Has had his own company, Human Capital Recruiters, LLC, for the past four years. Prior to that spent 25 years as a branch manager and business development officer at local banks.

Education: , Class of 1979. Briefly attended William Paterson University while studying to be a radio DJ, but left to pursue a banking career.

Ties to Fair Lawn: Third generation Fair Lawn resident.  Grandmother’s second husband, Ted Ferry, was mayor at one time. Namesake of Ferry Heights.

Favorite TV Show: All-time: Cheers; Current: 30 Rock, The Office and Modern Family

Favorite Movie: Jaws

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Destination: Italy

Favorite Band: The Beatles and The Beach Boys; Current: Wilco, The Jayhawks and Shelby Lynne

Favorite Album: “Pet Sounds” – The Beach Boys

Favorite Song: “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys

Favorite Fair Lawn Restaurant: Dutch House

Activities & Organizations (past and present): , secretary; Rotary Club, Fair Lawn High School Parents Committee for Athletics, secretary; Fair Lawn Fast Pitch Club, president; St. Anne Stages theater group, board member; Youth sports coach

Hobbies: Playing guitar and singing; Community theater, acting;

Most Surprised to Know: That he can sing, or that his great grandfather served for the Confederate Army in the Civil War

Message: “I’m running because I care about Fair Lawn. I don’t know if you could care more about this town than I do. I have my opinions about what’s right and wrong, and you may not agree with them, but you have to understand that any decision I make is an independent decision, based on what I feel is best for Fair Lawn.

I think it’s important to get representation back on the council that has no aspiration other than to help this town.

I don’t have a desire to become an assemblyperson, a congressman, a senator or president of the United States. It’s not what I want. I want to help this town get back to our quasi-motto, “Fair Lawn, a nice place to visit, a better place to live.”

It’s not such a great place to visit right now. We’ve got a lot of people angry at each other and we need to get back to where we all get along and do what’s best for each other and for this town.”

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Council Candidate Forum Responses:

Opening statement

I'm running as an Independent because I don't believe the party system is necessary in municipal government. I'm running as a Fair Lawn resident. I have the best interest of our town in mind. I will serve the town's needs, not the needs of a party. Many tell me an Independent has no chance of winning a seat on this council. I'm here to prove them wrong.

If elected, what physical improvement and service improvement would you make in FL?

The number one priority is getting together with EMS services and helping residents who have suffered from the flood with services. Also crosswalks near the school, especially near Warren Point. It's nightmarish when you sit and watch cars go by as students try to go across. It's a dangerous thing and I think we need to address school children's safety.

How would you seek to improve relations between the Police Department and the governing body?

I'm running all about safety. I think we have the best damn police department around. They're undermanned at this point. The weekend of the pipe bomb, one detective was working three solid cases. I believe we need more officers. It's all about getting with the staff and making sure we're talking. There isn't another group dedicated to this town like the police force. I believe we can overcome these troubles, whatever they may be.

Overbuilding. Concern of new apartment units and lack of open space. Would you seek to change zoning processes and regulations? If so, how?

A few years ago when Clariant Property was in the mix, looked at plans and thankfully council voted not to build there. I don't think that's a place to build anymore. It's time to be green along the river and stop building there. Must get people away from the river and closer to town.

What should we do with Memorial Pool?

I don't know what residents want. I've swam at Memorial Pool once in my 50 years here. The reason I never went in, I said, "Geez this is right next to the river." Try as you might to keep that area clean, it's next to the Passaic River. i don't think a sand pool is worth having there. I've heard residents aren't going. I'm going to ask people what they want. I would prefer to see a cement pond

How do party politics affect Fair Lawn council and should they matter?

I think you all know where I stand on this. I know most of the people on the council very well. I don't think they're really making the decisions at this level based on their party. I really don't. The seven people up here would be the perfect scenario. Three, three and me.

How would you be accessible to residents as a council member?

I work from home. You could call me pretty much any time of day. I can come out to see you. I'd ride my bike over if i have to. Just don't call my house when the Miami Dolphins are playing.

What can the council do to maintain quality of school and keep town affordable for residents?

That's a tough question to answer. In the last Board of Ed election no one ran against the incumbents. You'll get same services if you don't elect new people. People of Fair Lawn should have voted for others if they had problems. Also, flooding by Memorial could be a huge problem if that school ever becomes unusable.

Several towns including Lodi, Saddle Brook, Maywood and Rochelle Park formed a group to work on flooding of Saddle River. Why isnt there a Fair Lawn rep on this coalition? (Ed. Note: Fair Lawn actually does have a rep on the coalition, Albee Palmieri)

We should have someone on that coalition. I don't know why we don't have anyone.

What type of recreational and social programs woud you like to see for people with disabilties and how can we better include people with disabilities in our community?

My son Stuart is deaf, and from the time we found out about that impairment, my whole life changed. We can look at putting together sporting events for folks able to participate. Lets use fields for both able and physically challenged.

Define your vision for progress for Fair Lawn in the 21st century?

I think our future lies in what we do right now. Let's fix the flood issue. It's tremendous. We can't do a lot more if we're trying to figure out what to do with what we have. We need to get the flooding issue looked at, get the people farther from the river. I see these buildings going up. I waffle on that. We need to address what we're doing now. The future is getting business in here so the residents don't have to leave town to go shopping.

Specific proposals to keep taxes under control to make FL affordable for young families and seniors?

Taxes will never go down. We all know that. We've got a great town for kids and a lot of things going on, but to keep things affordable we need to work together as a town and with the county. We need to use the assistance of others outside of the area to get funds for Fair Lawn. How do we keep things affordable? By finding other ways to raise money. We nee to use our resources, which is every one of you

Name one shared service you'd like to introduce or investigate

I think Fair Lawn does everything great. Let's show other towns how to do it. There's probably some revenue that can be brought to us. We have the best employees in the area. We must start looking to get other towns to come to us to share our great facilities.

Since only one council meeting a month is taped, how many work sessions have you attended in the last six months?

I've been to two or three in the past month or so. It does conflict with Cosmos club meetings on Tuesdays.

Closing Statement

I come not as a politician but as a lifelong resident who would be proud to serve. My team is every resident of Fair Lawn. My experts and advisors are all of you. We need leaders during future economic uncertainty. I'll continue to explore sharing services in any way that makes sense, and provide volunteers in emergency services. Most importantly, I will serve you, the residents of Fair Lawn. Leadership from both parties contacted me to join their tickets. So the only conclusion I can make from that, if i was good enough for both parties, I believe I'm good for you in Fair Lawn.