Haas Encouraged to Fight for What He Believes In

When Councilman Dave Haas becomes the lone Democrat on the Town Council come January, he should expect a change of circumstances in some regards but continue to find himself playing an important role, according to those who have been the sole member of their party on a local governing body.

This year's election unseated Councilman Tom Bigosinski as the Council's other Democrat and leaves Haas in a new position after five years in election office. Haas anticipates no real change in his position and expects to have the same degree of influence he has had in the past. Those in other towns said it is partially up to Haas to determine how he will fill his role as the Council's unofficial minority leader.

Cranford Township Commissioner Daniel Aschenbach is entering his second consecutive year as his town's sole Democrat in local office. Aschenbach, who has served on the Cranford Township Committee on and off since the mid 1980s, also held the distinction in 1987. He said that while local officials need to put the citizens first, he finds himself playing an important role in local policy discussions.

"There is a role minority members have to make all views are considered," Aschenbach said. "I find myself as a silent voice on issues like the 2009 budget and concerns about development."

Aschenbach and Garwood Borough Councilman Anthony Sytko, who has served for two years as his town's sole Republican, both said they do not think a series of no votes on everything is the most effective way to operate in local office. Sytko noted that he has taken the role of trying to work with the Democratic members of his governing body in order to get things done. But both said it is important to vote your mind when needed.

"I stand my ground when needed," said Sytko, who unsuccessfully ran for county freeholder this year. "If I were to vote no on everything it wouldn't mean much. When you do object like I did with the budget this year it has meaning. It's not in the best interests of Garwood for me to naysay."

Haas and Bigosinski have been dissenting votes on the budget in past years in Westfield.

Sytko said many of the things he has been able to accomplish has been based on the relationships he has with his colleagues on the Council. He noted he has known the mayor since he was a small child and one of his colleagues' wives went to elementary school with him. He said Haas' five years of service should serve him well in navigating his new role.

With the change from two seats to one seat, Aschenbach noted Haas will lose one important power, the ability to force a vote on an issue with a second from Bigosinski. It is a power that the Westfield duo rarely used. Aschenbach, who has served in two person minorities, along with the majority, said he would love to welcome an additional Democrat to the Township Committee for this reason.

"At times there is a collesing of the majority in Cranford," he said.

Aschenbach and Sytko said they were able to have an impact in office with their minority party status. While Sytko occupies the traditional Garwood spot for a minority party member of buildings and grounds chairman, he has turned the committee into an environmental group pushing for solar panels on governments buildings in multiple towns. Sytko has also served on his borough's finance committee for two years.

Aschenbach was given the role of public affairs commissioner this year but then saw the post's traditional oversight over the recreation department and parades transferred to the public safety commissioner. He retains oversight over the pools, health department and welfare issues. He noted in the past he has prospered greatly as a member of a two person minority.

"I was given the mayor's post when it was three Republicans and two Democrats," said Aschenbach, who serves in a town where the Township Committee elects the mayor to a one year term. "As a Democrat I became mayor and that particular Township Committee operated to make sure it was in the best interests of Cranford."

Aschenbach became mayor that year after an internal dispute amongst the Township Committee's three Republicans over who would occupy the mayor's chair, led one member, former Cranford Mayor Barbara Bilger, throwing her support to Aschenbach after her GOP colleagues wanted to deny her the mayor's office.

Sytko noted that while he has enjoyed the chance to serve as a one person minority but is looking forward to welcoming a fellow Republican to the Garwood Council next year, flipping roles with Haas.

"Now that I'm in a two person minority maybe I can call Dave Haas for advice," he said.

Both Aschenbach and Sytko stressed that Haas should remain true to his beliefs during the coming two years.

"Clearly he should be strong in his advocacy for the town and his ward," Aschenbach said. "That's the only way I know how to serve. As long as you are true to yourself and true to those you are serving, it's the best way."