My Bio
A native of Morris County, I was born and raised in Rockaway, where I learned the fundamental principles of honesty, hard work, and decency. I spent most of my life in Morris County--with the exception of four years spent at Syracuse University (Go Orange!) My wife Meredith and I made Boonton our home almost 20 years ago.
Thirty-five years experience as a certified trial attorney taught me the art of finding common ground, even in the most challenging situations. Effective governance seeks to bring people together, fostering collaboration, and finding innovative solutions benefiting all members of our community. Listening attentively and understanding diverse perspectives builds consensus.
I am deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others. As a volunteer, I dedicated my time to reuniting children who have been unjustly separated from their parents, and have taken on many pro bono cases, helping families stay in their homes during times of hardship. These experiences instilled a sense of compassion and a drive to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
Why I am Running for Council
Nearly twenty years ago, my wife Meredith and I chose to settle down in the charming Flats Section, where we reside with our dog Charlie. The community welcomed us and many of our neighbors have become close friends. Through the pandemic, I saw the true strength of our neighborhood as we stood together and supported each other through challenging times—truly proving that Boonton is a small town with a big heart. I am running for Town Council for Ward 1, simply because I Believe in Boonton.
I Believe in Voting
Voting is both a right and fundamental civic duty of all citizens. Achieving a government that truly reflects We the People in all of our diversity and aspirations depends on voter participation. I am dedicated to the democratic process. I have actively participated in the electoral process by working as an attorney on election days, assisting voters in resolving registration issues, ensuring that every eligible citizen, regardless as to political party, can exercise their right to vote. I have played a crucial role in upholding the integrity of the electoral system. This non-partisan approach underscores my belief in the importance of inclusivity and equal representation. The right to vote is enshrined in democratic societies to protect the interests and rights of all citizens. However, if this right is not exercised, it risks being eroded, potentially undermining the very foundations of democracy. By neglecting our responsibility to vote, we jeopardize the preservation of our rights and freedoms.
I Believe in the Darress Theater
The Darress Theater, an historic gem nestled in the heart of our small town, has long been a symbol of our community's cultural heritage; from a vaudeville stage to a movie house to community performing arts theater. In recent times, it has fallen into a state of disrepair. Boonton, however, came to the rescue and the council unanimously made the correct decision to purchase it and invest in its restoration and transformation into a Performing Arts Center (PAC). The investment, however, should not be seen solely as a financial endeavor, as it represents a holistic investment in our town's culture, economy, education, and social fabric.
One of the most significant advantages of a Performing Arts Center is its ability to inspire and nurture the creative economy. By providing a platform for local artists, musicians, actors, and dancers to showcase their talents, the Darress Theater can be a catalyst for cultural entrepreneurship. This, in turn, attracts diverse audiences and ensures that a substantial portion of the generated revenue remains within our local economy.
The Performing Arts Center is more than just a venue for entertainment; it is a space that brings our community together. It acts as a social nexus, where residents from all walks of life converge to enjoy performances, share experiences, and build lasting memories. This communal aspect strengthens the social fabric of our town, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
Investing in the Darress Theater can have a positive ripple effect on our local economy. By attracting visitors and increasing foot traffic to the town, the PAC can bolster business profits, leading to a more stable economic environment. Moreover, a thriving arts scene can make our town a more attractive place to live, potentially stabilizing or increasing property values and keeping our property taxes stable.
An historic venue like the Darress Theater—opened in 1919—is not just buildings; they are repositories of our town's history and identity. The restoration and modernization of the theater should not only preserve its unique architecture but also celebrate its rich cultural heritage. This instills a sense of community pride and cultural continuity, reminding us of the generations that have enjoyed its offerings in the past. The process will likely take some years to complete as the town steps through various stages of historic restoration. Good things come to all those that wait. Help support those candidates who continue to support the Darress Theater:
I Believe in Giving Back to Our Community
Presently, I am working locally with Gateway Community Resource Center here in Boonton to establish a legal service for those in need of record expungement, clearing past minor criminal records that may stand in the way of obtaining employment, or getting a promotion.
Over the years, I have advocated for the rights of foreign parents before various courts in cases brought under "The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction”, working collaboratively with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to ensure the safe return of abducted children to their home country.
I have also provided pro bono legal counsel to numerous clients in parental rights cases, served as law guardian advocating for the best interests of children in challenging family situations, and offered guidance and support to families navigating complex legal processes.
In these roles, I demonstrated a strong commitment to social justice and the well-being of children and families by offering my legal expertise pro bono. I actively contributed to resolving sensitive legal matters and worked to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals.
I do not believe in Moms for Liberty
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think
critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”
~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Moms for Liberty, an organization that claims to advocate for liberty, is ironically undermining the very principles they purport to support. They have appeared in local school districts recently and for those of us who support education that fosters critical thinking and diversity of thought the alarm has been sounded. Moms for Liberty's approach to education reflects a lack of knowledge, critical thinking, and respect for the pursuit of knowledge; they advocate against school curriculums that mention LGBT rights, race and ethnicity, “critical race theory,” and discrimination--they seek to further marginalize groups within our community. By stifling curiosity and attempting to impose their beliefs on others, they not only hinder the intellectual growth of students in our community, but also infringe upon the rights of others. They seek to white wash school curriculums—erasing our true history and ignoring the diverse culture within which we live.
Rather than striving for a well-rounded education that encourages intellectual growth and critical analysis, they promote an agenda that limits the exposure of children to diverse perspectives and ideas. This approach not only hampers the development of critical thinking skills but also perpetuates ignorance and a narrow worldview. Curiosity is the fuel that drives learning and discovery. Unfortunately, Moms for Liberty seem to lack this crucial understanding. By discouraging curiosity and stifling the natural inquisitiveness of children, they inhibit their potential for growth and intellectual development. The pursuit of knowledge should be celebrated and encouraged, not suppressed.
Ironically, Moms for Liberty's actions are contradictory to the very concept of liberty they claim to uphold. True liberty embraces the freedom of choice and diversity of thought, cornerstones of our First Amendment rights; their actions infringe upon the First Amendment rights of others. While they have the right to raise their own children as they see fit, they do not have the right to interfere with the education of other children. Every individual has the right to access a comprehensive and unbiased education that fosters critical thinking, intellectual growth, and exposure to diverse perspectives. Moms for Liberty's attempts to impose their beliefs on others directly contradict these rights.
It is crucial to recognize and confront these modern day book burners, so we can ensure that our children receive an education that empowers them to become informed, critical thinkers capable of contributing to a diverse and progressive society. We need to oppose their agenda of ignorance whenever and wherever it appears; if we do not, the cancer of ignorance will continue to metastasize until it is too late. I will always fight to preserve the essential values of our diverse community. Knowledge, critical thinking, and diversity over ignorance!
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