Little Silver Council Candidate Profile: Dan O'Hern

Name: Dan O'Hern
Party: Democratic

Why are you running for council?

When I first ran for Council in 2008, I did so out of a desire to give back to my community and provide the voters with a choice in the election.  To me, public service is very important in some form or fashion, which was ingrained in me by , who served as Mayor of Red Bank when I was a young boy. I have enjoyed very much serving on the Council these past three years and I feel I have more to contribute, so I seek re-election.

What makes you a Democrat?

I ran as a Democrat because I am a Democrat. Some suggested that in Little Silver I needed to change my political affiliation to get elected, but I did not want to change my stripes. You have to be who you are.  But having said that, I believe that political labels on a local level are, for the most part, meaningless. As John F. Kennedy once said “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer."  That is my guiding principle as a local elected official: to strive to do what is right and best for the entire community.   

What's your specialty? How can it help the borough?

I would not say that I have any speciality. I think all of the members of the Governing Body have different backgrounds and experiences that in some way contribute to the governing process.  My training and experience as an attorney, however, does provide me with some advantages with respect to certain issues that we regularly confront, such as land use and zoning issues, personnel issues, contractual negotiations, and just a general understanding of how municipal government works, much of which is dictated by State statutory law.  

What do you believe is the #1 issue in Little Silver right now, and what should be done about it?

The most important issue that we confront in Little Silver, is the same issue that all governmental entities are now facing: how to survive in these difficult economic times, hopefully one day thrive.  Local governments are under tremendous financial pressure with reduced tax revenues and aid from the State.

I am proud of the fact that the three years that I have been on Council, we have, for the most part, held the line on municipal taxes, with modest increases in two out of the three years, and a reduction in the municipal levy one year. The fine line that we constantly walk is how do we continue to provide the level of services that our residents have come to expect and at the same time control taxes.  

The answer is that we have to be very cautious, thorough and  prudent in our budgetary process. I have voted against capital expenditures that I believed were unnecessary or not justified.  

If re-elected,  I will continue to be vigilant in the  review and consideration of Borough expenditures. I also strongly support shared opportunities with other municipalities or the County, to the extent that they result in cost savings to the Borough. As a member of the Council's Personnel Committee, I have been involved in and supported employment and staffing decisions  that have resulted in cost savings to the Borough, including elimination of positions through attrition.

Any other issues on your mind?

One other issue that I would like to see addressed is the state of the properties located by the Train Station. While it is somewhat out of our control because some of the properties are tied up in bankruptcy -- and there are also potential environmental issues -- I would love to see that area cleaned up and developed in a way that is appropriate for Little Silver and that location. It is the gateway to our Town and it has been an eyesore for too long now.