FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLIFTON, NJ — Tafari K. Anderson, candidate for Clifton City Council, extends his sincere appreciation to the League of Women Voters and the Clifton Republican Organization for hosting an important civic event that provided candidates an opportunity to address the issues affecting Clifton residents.
“Democracy is strengthened when residents have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates, ask meaningful questions, and evaluate competing ideas,” Anderson stated. “I thank both organizations for their commitment to civic engagement and an informed electorate.”
During the event, Anderson emphasized five priorities for building a more accountable, affordable, and responsive municipal government.
First, pursue alternative funding. Clifton must aggressively identify public and private grants to finance infrastructure improvements, community programs, and essential services without automatically increasing the burden on property taxpayers.
Second, strengthen intergovernmental cooperation. The Board of Education and county government receive substantial portions of residents’ property-tax dollars. While Clifton families tighten household budgets during difficult economic times, every level of government must demonstrate similar fiscal discipline. Shared services, coordinated purchasing, and collaborative planning can help eliminate unnecessary duplication and control costs.
Third, govern through consensus. Successful government requires cooperation, mutual respect, and a willingness to find common ground. Anderson believes teamwork among council members, municipal leadership, and community stakeholders produces better decisions and a higher quality of life.
Fourth, protect public participation. Anderson calls upon the next City Council to immediately establish two distinct public-comment sessions: one prioritizing agenda-related matters and another at the conclusion of each meeting allowing residents to address broader community concerns and exercise their right to speak freely.
Fifth, empower neighborhoods. Residents must have meaningful opportunities to work directly with the City Manager through accessible, accountable communication channels that address each neighborhood’s unique needs.
“Clifton deserves a government that listens before deciding, collaborates before spending, and measures success by the quality of life it delivers,” Anderson concluded. “Together, we can build a more affordable, transparent, and responsive Clifton.”
Featured image: AI-generated illustration, not an actual event photograph.
Paid for by Friends for Tafari Anderson.