March 14, 2011 Statement
Douglas Newman, South Orange Village President

In May, when my four-year term as South Orange Village President ends, I will not seek re-election.

I initially was asked to run, in February 2007, by other candidates who shared my sense of frustration with the status quo.  And, in May 2007, voters responded overwhelmingly to our pledge to manage the governance of South Orange differently from what had become the norm.

As Pure Progress, we committed ourselves to serving the public with respect and integrity, governing openly and transparently.  We committed ourselves to improving the Village’s fiscal management, stemming escalating property taxes, and tackling downtown revitalization, while ensuring public safety and improving our infrastructure.  We committed ourselves to maintaining the Village’s longstanding commitment to recreation, cultural affairs, open space, our library, and historic preservation; set-out to establish a better relationship with Seton Hall University; and, work on improving our environment.  And, since many of us had launched the 2006 referendum to study consolidation and shared services, which two-thirds of South Orange voters supported, we committed ourselves to pursuing the efficiencies and savings that can come from sharing services.

While I’ve learned that the job and to do list of any elected official never is done, especially if you keep tackling new opportunities and issues, I feel satisfied we’ve made great strides towards achieving much of what we set out to accomplish for our community.  We’ve successfully weathered the worst recession in 80 years, without reductions in municipal services, with strong residential neighborhoods across the Village, and with a vibrant downtown, despite unprecedented levels of retail closures across the country.  And, we’ve achieved this with only a 3.8% municipal tax increase in 2009, and 1.9% increase in 2010 – the lowest in memory, despite extraordinary, uncontrollable increases in employee healthcare and pension costs.

In 2007, I ran for Village President, because I cared deeply about helping my community – a community where I had lived for almost two decades, and my wife and I had raised our two children.  I previously had not served in public office, nor had I spent any of my 30-year career affiliated with the public sector, and frankly never had aspired to do either.  And, as I’ve jokingly noted, I never even had run for student government.  But, I threw my hat in the ring, and was humbled by voters’ passionate commitment to seeking change.

My decision not to run for re-election was not made easily or lightly.  I realize it’s more common to run again, convinced there’s more to do, and believing you’re best-suited to do it.  But, I’ve learned in my professional life that everyone brings a different perspective to the task at hand, and that organizations and communities are enriched by diverse views and different approaches. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work and professionalism of so many of the Village’s employees and all of the volunteers in our community who contribute their time, expertise and passion to the Village’s many boards, authorities, and committees – especially my colleagues on the Board of Trustees.

For me, the decision not to seek re-election is entirely and simply related to the time commitment I’ve made over the past four years, and would continue to make, if voters entrusted me to continue as Village President.  Every week, on average, I attend 3-4 meetings and volunteer about 20 hours.  And, according to the Village’s email system, I remarkably have received and read almost 68,000 emails and have sent out over 35,000 responses during my term.  Between emails, text messages, letters, phone calls, meetings, and visits, if you’re engaged, it’s a 24x7 job.

There’s always more to do.  And, I have the utmost confidence that my Board colleagues are the best qualified and committed to continue doing what’s right and best for our community.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who supported me, four years ago, and those who’ve offered encouragement along the way.  It’s truly been appreciated.

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