Vision To Move Hawthorne Forward What Does This Mean?

As an Independent and Green, I Propose An Extensive & Bold Plan.

Hawthorne Will Benefit For Future Generations!

Flooding has increased exponentially since we started running for Hawthorne Town Council in 2019. We need to elect a council person who will lead on this issue. I would work with the county, state and reach out to federal agencies to implement a 30 year plan to project future flood patterns and work to protect our citizens. We need to regularly inspect our catch basins and if necessary upgrade any aging infrastructure. All new streetscape projects located in or near flood areas need to use green infrastructure which can include rain gardens, storm water planters, permeable pavements and tree filter boxes. Not only will this help and alleviate flooding for our citizens in Ward 3 but throughout Hawthorne as well. We are all impacted as a community each time our roadways have to be closed down, cars are lost due to flooding or people have to be evacuated in emergency situations.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hawthorne/sections/police-and-fire/articles/ida-s-flooding-brings-havoc-to-hawthorne-reports-of-multiple-car-entrapments

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nearly-200-diners-nj-restaurant-trapped-floodwaters-storm-rcna23585

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hawthorne/sections/roads-and-traffic/articles/hawthorne-flooding-hit-residential-streets-on-sunday

Electric garbage trucks and in house trash removal. I support setting a sub-committee to plan ahead for when this current contract ends by doing a feasibility report to reclaim our own trash pickup and removal. We need a council person to be proactive, bold and work to secure state grant money to migrate to our own service of electric garbage trucks. We would save money in the long run by purchasing our own garbage trucks, offering a proper living wage to locals through our DPW which would ensure proper care along with knowledge of our streets. Hawthorne could file for and secure grant money from the NJDEP or the EDA to help offset the migration and investment. Bergenfield received $1.2 million, Trenton $1.5 million and Jersey City $2 million grant for electric garbage trucks and another $1 million for various charging stations and infrastructure. This approach would pay for more than half of what is needed and the rest would be subsidized and will pay itself off in 4-5 years. I say let's invest in our people and in our town by bringing this in house! This would be an environmental and quality of life win for all of Hawthorne!

https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/bergenfield-awarded-1-2-million-state-grant-purchase-two-electric-garbage-trucks/

https://bergenfield.com/notices-announcements/bergenfield-awarded-1-2-million-state-grant-to-purchase-two-electric-garbage-trucks

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2023/04/national-leader-jersey-city-touts-electric-garbage-truck-fleet-and-announces-aim-to-go-greener.html

https://www.trentonian.com/2023/03/21/electric-garbage-trucks-coming-to-trenton/

It's time we embraced tax relief programs like in other towns. We always talk about shop, dine or contract locally with one of our businesses. What if by doing this a homeowner could save on their property taxes at the end of the year? This exists already in towns like Marlboro. Residents sign up for a town rewards card and that tracks all your purchases through participating local vendors, restaurants and shops. This way this money stays in the local economy and gives a slight break to our homeowners.https://www.marlboro-nj.gov/tax-relief-programs

Supporting a sustainable Hawthorne doing its part in managing climate change and reducing pollution. By encouraging more use of renewable sources of energy in our municipal buildings, our local businesses and residences. Utilize current state and federal grants to implement and invest in our towns future.

Working to ensure safety and reduce speeding on major arteries of town. Identifying intersections that need better crosswalks and signage. Walking through and towards key areas of town, Goffle Brook Park or 8 Acres falls on us to manage better. I will work with the administration, county and police. We may need to reduce the speed limits, install better signage around town and utilize our police to patrol more of these highly frequented roads.

Focusing on more quality life and social activities. Make "Dining On Diamond Bridge" an annual spring/summer event by working with the local businesses and the county to offer a better outdoor experience. Include lighting, live music, painting classes, fitness instructors and more which will help create a restaurant row vibe like in other towns. We can decide to close down the first weekend of the month or the last and make sure communication occurs with our other small businesses on Diamond Bridge.

Supporting as before the No Fossil Fuels pledge and even go further by starting we will take NO money from the Fossil Fuels industry, NO Corporate PAC donations and NO Developer ties. Signing onto the Green New Deal which in local towns helps to ensure safe & clean drinking water, ensures government buildings meet higher standards and new local buildings are LEED certified. Residential weatherization grants with training for local contractors will help bolster our local economy. All this ensures I'm beholden to you the voters of Hawthorne only!

Check Out Each Sub-Page For Each Section of the Vision

Craig Cayetano is running for Hawthorne Town Council at-large in 2021. Let's work together and move Hawthorne Forward!

"I'm a lifelong Northern New Jersey resident, grew up in Bergenfield, but have resided in Hawthorne for nineteen years now. I'm second generation Peruvian on my father's side and of Italian/German descent on my mother's. Both my mother and grandmother were hardworking waitresses so living paycheck to paycheck was our way of life. I had been a busboy for them from time to time. Then, I was hired to be a veterinary technician at sixteen and was self-taught. Even back then I was a very good listener. I had varied interests growing up: baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, band, debate but mainly science and the environment were my focus. I helped to form our high school Environmental Club. I was its president as well. I studied Biology, Political Science and Philosophy while attending community college before being thrust into the full-time sales workforce. I still am constantly studying one topic or another almost daily and am always learning.

I have always believed in and worked for fairness towards all political parties. Trying to always study all sides of the political spectrum and to develop a common sense or “real world” approach to issues. I have supported many Independent or Green Party candidates up and down the ballot in every election. After stepping away from politics, I re-engage during 2015 for the Sanders primary campaign and supported him until his concession. Since then, I have seen the control, influence and harm the two-party system has affected the electoral process. I respect those that still vote in every election but remain Independent or Unaffiliated. I understand why some have even decided not to vote. While volunteering on a few campaigns over the last few years I truly listen to their reasons and concerns. I honestly love conversing about the day-to-day issues that matter most to people. I strive to build the Green Party because it is focused on community, environment, labor and not beholden to any corporate interests or donors. I started locally as a member and then became one one of our state's National Delegates. Afterwards, I was voted to two terms as GPNJ State Co-Chair. I now am the Communications Chair and am using the momentum from the Ward 3 races to help with this at-large race. I also started a mutual aid group Mutual Passaic County to help during the pandemic and am a co-founding member of Voter Choice NJ. I try to lead by example and have been a listener, activist, organizer and will be a strong advocate for the people and all of Hawthorne."