Aslon Goow - A Vision for a Stronger and Safer Paterson

8/12/2019 Aslon Goow - A Vision for a Stronger and Safer Paterson

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Sa f e r P a t e r s o n

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Dear Friend and Resident,

Paterson is truly at a crossroads. Today our once proud and prosperous City is a shadow of its for-

mer glory and our residents are struggling. Crime and taxes are high, good-paying stable jobs are

scarce, economic development is stagnant, and community engagement is low. Our infrastructure is

falling apart and poverty is crippling our Citys families and residents, especially our senior citizens

and our children.

Never before have the stakes of one City election been so high, and never before have our challeng-

es been so great. But I believe that we can meet those challenges head-on, and we can overcome

them. We can break out of the shackles of poverty and despair, and build a City of renewed prosper-

ity and hope. We can build a stronger and safer City that thrives on endless possibilities and limit-

less potential.

The real power to move us forward and build a better future for Paterson lies with you. On Election

Day at the ballot box, you have the power to choose who want to lead our City and the responsibility

to decide our direction. With your support, I will lead our City forward, and I believe our best days lie

ahead.

Outlined in the pages that follow is my plan for Paterson if you choose me to lead us as Mayor

These are my ideas, goals, and initiatives that I will champion to spur our City forward. This is the

course of progress that I will chart to build a brighter future for all of us.

This is my vision for a stronger, safer Paterson.


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3A P r o v e n R e c o r d o fL e a d e r s h i pAslon Goow was born and raised in Paterson, the City he has devoted his entire life to serving and

improving. His father passed away when he was just 10 years old, but he instilled in his son the val-

ues of hard work, honesty, integrity, standing up for whats right, and making a positive difference in

the world. Aslon worked his way through school to help support his family, attended Paterson public

schools, and was elected 2nd Ward Councilman in 2000.

Aslon has consistently advocated solutions to the problems that plague our City, and as Councilman,

he led the 2nd Ward to a record period of sustained prosperity, safety, and cleanliness. During his

tenure and under his leadership, the 2nd Ward became one of the safest areas of Paterson and one

of the most desirable areas to live.

A proud father and grandfather, Aslon knows the challenges facing our families, because he faces

them too. He knows the issues that are important to Paterson residents, because they are important

to him too. Aslon is your neighbor, friend, advocate, and hard-working public servant. He will never

forget who he is, where he came from, and for whom he is working-the people of Paterson.

Aslons proven record of leadership and vision has positively impacted the City of Paterson. He is

known for his strong dedication to building a better future for Paterson, which he will carry with him

to City Hall as Mayor. Among the highlights of both his leadership and personality are:

Aslon was first elected in 2000 as 2nd Ward Councilman, and has served as Council President,

Chair of the Public Works Committee, Chair of the Law and Public Safety Committee, Chair of

the Finance Committee, and has been a member of every Council committee during his tenure.

Aslon is a Trustee of the Paterson Police Athletic League and a Commissioner on the Governors

Highway Traffic Safety Police Advisory Council.

Aslon knows that the most important issue is the safety of our families. As 2nd Ward Councilman

he consistently led efforts to clean our streets, fight crime, and rid our neighborhoods of open

drug markets and gangs.

About Aslon

The Goow Record

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4A P r o v e n R e c o r d o fL e a d e r s h i p Aslon is a law-and-order official who has worked side-by-side and hand-in-hand, literally, with po-

lice, fire, and law enforcement officers. A State-licensed private investigator and special police

officer in Haledon holding the rank of sergeant, he is known for his hands-on approach to public

safety, and as result the 2nd Ward was the safest area of the City under his leadership.

Aslon has fought against wasteful spending and has a proven record of fighting for the taxpayers.

Known as a fiscal guardian, he voted against the 2011 property tax increase and as Council

President he led the effort to recover $6 million in lost state Aid. Throughout his 12 years on the

Council, Aslon has been vocal against reckless City budgets.

Aslon is a champion for government accountability and responsibility. A true maverick, he shines

a light on public corruption and holds officials accountable when they abuse the public trust and

and tax dollars. As Council President, he was a leader in the fight to reverse the illegal overtime

payments to the Jones administration, and exposed the $74,000 check of taxpayer money that

former Mayor Torres took on his last day at City Hall.

Aslon has made a visible effort to keep our streets clean. He instituted a new street cleaning

program during his tenure on the City Council and has organized numerous neighborhood clean-

ups with residents and City students.

Aslon knows that safe recreation is necessary to family life in a big City and that safe play areas

are vital to our kids healthy development. He has made recreation and preserving open spaces

a top priority. In 2011, he secured nearly $1.5 million for the renovation of Pennington Park in

the 2nd Ward, currently in progress.

Aslon is a 24/7 leader with a very strong personality and is deeply passionate about Paterson

and its residents. He is one of the most accessible and visible leaders in Paterson, always a

phone call away to help his constituents. Whenever an emergency struck in the 2nd Ward, Aslonwas often the first person on the scene. He is responsive to community needs, and takes an ac-

tive and hands-on approach to problem-solving and community-building.

While many officials talk tough on crime, Aslon actually is tough on crime. One night outside of

City Hall, he saw a woman being beaten by a man. Aslon stepped in, stopped the man, pinned

him against the wall, and called the police to have him arrested. His actions quite possibly saved

this womans life.

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5A P r o v e n R e c o r d o fL e a d e r s h i p Aslon has taken a strong stand against the violations of our civil liberties. In fact, his civil liberties

were violated by the City and the previous Torres administration, after he engaged in a car chase

to catch a criminal who had stolen his neighbors car in the middle of the night. During the inves-

tigatory process, the Torres administration trampled on Aslons civil liberties by disclosing per-

sonal records. Knowing that these violations occur all too often, his only recourse was to file a

lawsuit to take a stand for all of our civil liberties and to send the message that a violation of one

persons civil liberties is a violation of all civil liberties, and that is not acceptable. Aslon has al-

ways worked to protect our constitutional rights, and as Mayor, he will continue to protect everyresidents constitutional rights and civil liberties.

The Bergen Record/Herald News has given Aslon a thumbs up for his efforts to improve the

2nd Ward by organizing neighborhood cleanups and getting an increased police presence to

discourage drug dealing.

Referring to Aslons effective and successful approach to governing, Michael Greenberg, author

of Restoring Americas Neighborhoods and an associate dean at Rutgers University, said, it

takes a very strong personality with a very strong commitment.

Even though Aslon represented the 2nd Ward on the Council, Paterson residents from all areas

of the City have called him for help and relied on him throughout the years because they know

that he will listen to their concerns and help solve their issues.

Aslon has a reputation for accountability, accessibility, and long-term vision. Responsive to com-

munity needs and desires, he is always available to anyone to address their concerns.

Aslon Goow has been fighting for Patersons interests for over 12 years, and has no plans to stop

now. As Mayor, he will take on the tough issues we face in our City and implement his strong vision

to build a brighter future for every Paterson resident. He is dedicated to creating real solutions to the

issues and problems facing our families, our neighborhoods, and the City. He knows that if we stand

together and work together, we can restore Paterson's future. Being Mayor of Paterson is a tough

job, and a tough job needs a strong leader. That leader is Aslon Goow.

Summary

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6End i n g t h eV i o l e n c e , Sh o o t i n g s ,a n d C r i m e

The most critical issue in Paterson today is the violence, shootings, and crime that plagues our

neighborhoods and families. Over the past several years, our City has experienced an explosion of

violent crime, robberies, assaults, and shootings. In the beginning of 2014 alone, Paterson has al-ready suffered a record number of shootings and murders. The problem is critical, it is the most

pressing problem facing Paterson today, and it must be solved now. We deserve to live in a City

free of violence.

The Conditions

Goows PlanAs Mayor, Aslon will make Paterson a safer City by implementing many of the initiatives that he has

fought for during his 12 years of public service, including:

A Strong Hands-On Approach: As Mayor, Aslon will bring his signature hands-on approach to the

Citys public safety that led him to turn the 2nd Ward into the safest area of Paterson. Aslon will

be present on your street, he will be visible in your neighborhood, and he will be directly involved

in every aspect of public safety management and fighting crime.

Public Safety Funding: Many cities across the state has suffered from severe public safety aid

cuts by the state, and as a result Paterson had to layoff a third of its police department. As

Mayor, Aslon will aggressively fight for increased public safety aid and will lobby Trenton, and

Washington DC, for grants and aid that can be utilized to curb the violence in the City.

Expanding Our Police Force: As Mayor, Aslon will bring special police officers into the City public

safety force to augment the work of the police department, who will address quality of life issues

and will be deployed in our school zones, our parks, and our neighborhoods. These special po-

lice officers will be Paterson residents.

Community Policing: As Mayor, Aslon will implement a real and effective community policing pro-

gram and walking program for our police officers. Our officers need to interact with residents on

an intimate level and understand the needs of a neighborhood and provide hands -on protection.

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SummaryPatersons top immediate concern is curbing the violence, shootings, and crime that cripples our

City. Our families and residents deserve to live in a City free of violence. During his tenure as 2nd

Ward Councilman for 12 years, Aslon Goow consistently advocated for strong public safety initia-

tives, and his experience, abilities, and plans are uniquely suited to bring an end to Patersons public

safety issues. Aslon Goow will bring a strong hands-on approach to public safety and will be a visi-

ble presence on the street. He will bring back laid-off police officers, will hire special police officers,

will implement a community policing-style walk program. He will have direct oversight of the police

department and enforce strong measures of accountability in the department. Through these efforts,

along with strong public safety partnerships at all levels of government as well as community en-

gagement, Paterson can tackle crime head-on and begin a new era of safety and harmony for our

residents and families.

End i n g t h eV i o l e n c e , Sh o o t i n g s ,a n d C r i m e

Improving Emergency Response Time: As Mayor, Aslon will ensure that our Citys emergency

response teams are responding to residents calls as quickly as possible, and will work to exceed

the national and state averages for emergency response times.

Accountability: Accountability is one of the top internal problems within Patersons police ranks.

As Mayor, Aslon will work to remove those officers who blatantly violate the public trust and will

ensure that only responsible and effective officers are on the job. He will personally stay in-

volved with the day-to-day management and operations of the police department to weed out

corruption, mismanagement, and waste of resources and time. His Police Chief will be required

to live in the City of Paterson.

Partnering with the County and State: As Mayor, Aslon will partner as closely as possible with the

County Sheriffs Department and the State to bring in additional officers, grants, aid, and shared

public safety services and programs that can help curb the violence and crime in Paterson.

Engaging Patersons Youth: As Mayor, Aslon will be a strong role model for our children, work to

keep them off the streets, support youth programs and mentoring, and engage them to make

positive and productive contributions to their community.

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8Re s t o r i n g F i s c a lS a n i t y St a b i l i z i n gY o u r P r o p e r t y T a x e s

The ConditionsPaterson residents pay an average of $8,000 a year in property taxes, an amount that has steadily

increased over the last decade. In 2011 alone, our property taxes skyrocketed by 28% and the 2014

budget includes another increase. This is a burden on renters as well as homeowners: rent, on aver-

age over $1,000/month, is influenced by property taxes. Paterson residents simply cannot afford mor

tax increases. City Hall must end the fiscal recklessness of previous administrations, balance the

budget, eradicate waste, create measures of fiscal accountability and efficiency, and stabilize our taxe

Goows PlanAs Mayor, Aslon will continue to be Patersons financial guardian and will implement many of the

measures for which he has long been an advocate, including:

End Skyrocketing Property Tax Rates: As Mayor, Aslon will never allow the property tax rate to skrocket year after year like previous administrations. His top priority will be to stabilize property tax

to offer immediate relief and security to Paterson homeowners and renters.

Balance the City Budget: As Mayor, Aslon will craft budgets that are fiscally sound, community-

oriented, free of wasteful spending, and balanced. Paterson has been saddled with $78 million in

debt from previous administrations, and the practice of egregious borrowing against the future will

end in the Goow administration.

Forecasting for the Future: As Mayor, Aslon will create budgets that invest in Patersons future.

Charting a long-

term budgetary course for Paterson will help ensure that our budgets are not onlyfiscally responsible, but fiscally visionary as well.

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Corruption: As a Councilman, Aslon took the lead in exposing fraud

and corruption and identified millions of dollars of wasteful spending. As Mayor, Aslon will continu

to be the financial guardian of the taxpayer and will restore fiscal accountability in City Hall.

Comprehensive Audits: As Mayor, Aslon will conduct comprehensive audits starting on July 1st,

2014 to eliminate the widespread misuse of taxpayer money in all City departments. These audits

will occur regularly and will, in turn, help balance the budget on an annual basis.

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Eliminating Mid-Year Tax Increases: As Mayor, Aslon will end mid-year property tax increases.

Year after year, taxpayers have been hit with increases between January and June, a result cause

by poor budget preparation, planning, and forecasting. As Mayor, Aslon will accelerate the budge

process and use conservative state aid figures to prepare the budget early in the fiscal year so tax

payers will no longer be devastated with mid-year property tax increases.

Broadening Patersons Tax Base: As Mayor, Aslon will pursue a strong economic renewal plan to

broaden the tax base of Paterson. Future economic planning will benefit Paterson residents, not

just outside interests. As more businesses come to Paterson, the tax burden on Paterson reside

will lessen and the City will have a larger pool of revenue sources from which to draw.

Sharing Services: As Mayor, Aslon will partner with other towns and entities such as the Sheriffs

Office and School District to share services and resources to benefit Paterson.

Reducing Our Reliance on State Transitional Aid: Paterson has become reliant on state aid and of

ten is at the mercy of the strings and conditions attached by the state, even if it harms the City. Th

state is then reluctant to provide other aid and grants that would benefit our City. As Mayor, Aslon

will work to reduce our reliance on aid to balance the budget over the long -term, and will pursue a

strong partnership with the state to move Paterson towards a truly fiscally sound future. As Pater-

son proves its ability to be fiscally responsible, the state will be more willing to productively work

with us and help us build our City, rather than simply bail us out.

SummaryPaterson taxpayers cannot afford the upward trajectory of property taxes, and do not deserve to live in

a City that is fiscally reckless and wasteful when it comes to their tax dollars. Paterson must embark

a journey of fiscal rehabilitation and responsibility to ensure that our City can not only survive in the fu

ture, but thrive in the future. As Mayor, Aslon will continue to be the outspoken financial guardian he

has always been and will be an accountable steward of the Citys fiscal future. He will end the skyroc

eting property tax rate increases, will balance the City budget, and he will pursue real plans for eco-

nomic growth that benefits all Paterson residents. He will move Paterson away from the fiscal insanit

of previous administrations that has crippled our growth and left our City in debt and in despair, and w

chart a responsible and long-term vision for Patersons future.

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10J o b s , Sm a l l B u s i n e s s ,E c o n o m i c R e n e w a l f o rO u r N e i g h b o r h o o d s

The Conditions

As Mayor, Aslon will bring a visionary approach to community revitalization and will implement a mul-

titude of innovative initiatives and ideas to bring jobs to Paterson residents, to assist small business

owners and employees, and to rebuild our local economy, including:

Restoring Fiscal Sanity and Accountability: As Mayor, Aslon will bring City finances under con-

trol, will balance the budget, and will restore fiscal sanity and bring accountability back to City

Hall. This is a critical step on the road to local economic recovery.

Reducing Crime and Increasing Public Safety: As Mayor, Aslon will reduce crime and bring in-

creased public safety to the City through the hiring of special police officers, community policing,and a number of other measures. Ensuring that our City is safe is paramount for economic

growth and is another critical step on the road to local economic recovery in order to attract in-

vestment and redevelopment.

Federal and State Investment: As Mayor, Aslon will also pursue strong partnerships with the fed-

eral and state governments in the form of grants and aid for the purpose of investing in our eco-

nomic future, instead of bailing us out from reckless decisions by previous administrations.

At one time, Paterson was an industrial capital of the world, a mecca for business, enterprise, and

jobs. Paterson was a leader in the organized labor movement, stable and well-paying jobs were

plentiful, and our local economy thrived. Today, Paterson residents struggle to find decent jobs withdecent wages. Our unemployment rate was near 15% in 2013, one of the highest in the state. Eco-

nomic development is at an all-time low, crime is at an all-time high, and Paterson is a shadow of its

former glory. Paterson must take the future of its local economy into its own hands, must encour-

age innovation, and must be the primary source of its own growth. We must take a visionary ap-

proach to revitalize our ailing City and ensure that future economic planning starts from the ground

up and benefits all Paterson residents.

Goows Plan

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Working Towards Full Employment for Paterson Residents: As Mayor, Alson will work to bring

high-quality, high-wage jobs to Paterson so that our residents can have employment and income

security. He will engage businesses in rebuilding and retooling our abandoned factories and

warehouses for both new and resurgent industries -from manufacturing and production to tech-

nology and communications. This will require a skilled workforce, which Paterson can provide.

Strong Job Training and Skill Development: Patersons future economic success depends on our

most precious resource -the residents and the individuals who comprise our workforce. As

Mayor, Aslon will place a great emphasis on strong job training programs and skill -specific devel-

opment programs to help Paterson residents be competitive, not only in our local economy but in

the global economy as well. He will also work to bring a vocational and trade school back to Pat-

erson as part of his job training and skill development initiative

City-Sponsored Job Fairs: As Mayor, Aslon will hold regular City Hall-sponsored job fairs to con-

nect Paterson job-seekers and with Paterson businesses and City departments with job openings.

Live in Paterson, Work in Paterson: Aslon will implement a Live in Paterson, Work in Paterson

policy for future City job openings, which will give many qualified Paterson residents the oppor-

tunity for stable employment working for the betterment of their community.

Utilizing Existing Resources: As Mayor, Aslon will utilize Patersons existing resources and eco-

nomic infrastructure to bolster our local economic expansion, such as working to revitalize the

Passaic River and business corridors such as McLean Boulevard. He will also partner with exist-

ing large job-creators such as Passaic County Community College and St. Josephs Hospital to

maximize the economic benefits they bring to our City.

Investing in Patersons Success Micro-Loan Fund: As Mayor, Aslon will start an Investing in

Patersons Success micro-loan program for qualified Paterson residents who are starting a small

business in our City, or who own a small business that employs City residents and are planning to

expand, and will bring an economic benefit to Paterson. Funded initially by City economic devel-

opment funds, state and federal grants, as well as donations, the IPS fund would provide low -

interest loans to be repaid as the business thrives. The repaid principle and interest will then be

re-invested into the IPS fund -thus becoming a self-sufficient program that will bring economic

growth to Patersons small business owners, Paterson residents, and the City.

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Making Paterson a Promise Zone: As mayor, Aslon will advocate for Paterson to be named

among President Obamas Promise Zone communities. Promise Zone communities are des-

ignated by the President and receive assistance to revitalize the local economy, fight crime, and

build for the future. This would be of great benefit to Patersons future economic success as the

Goow administration works to implement the Mayors vision and economic plans.

Promoting Patersons History to Build Our Future: Paterson has a rich and diverse history that

can be promoted to the Citys full advantage. A birthplace of industry and organized labor, the

Silk City can truly be a destination for tourism, especially given its proximity to New York City. As

Mayor, Aslon will market Paterson to attract visitors to come to our City, and take part in our cul-

ture and attractions. This can boost our local economy through tourism activity, such as dining in

local establishments, shopping in City stores, and garnering a good public perception of Pater-

son. In turn, Paterson can channel that perception towards attracting new investment.

Downtown, South Paterson, and Business Corridor Revitalization: Patersons downtown and

South Paterson are our Citys main small business corridors and local economic centers, as wellare areas such as McLean Boulevard/Route 20. These areas need the full support and coopera-

tion of City Hall to take advantage of every opportunity for growth. Main Street can attract out of

town customers and clients, especially on Sunday, when neighboring Bergen County stores are

closed. As Mayor, Aslon will work directly with the small business owners of these areas and re-

main attentive to their specific needs, such as parking, lighting, and police presence.

Neighborhood Renewal and Revitalization: Neighborhoods that have long been neglected and

are in need of revitalization will not be forgotten in the Goow administration. As Mayor, Aslon will

work for economic expansion that directly benefits the residents of these neighborhoods, not just

outside interests or developers. He will start from the ground-up to ensure that no Paterson resi-

dents are left behind, all voices are heard, and that all new development benefits the community.

Redeveloping and Building Up: The lack of open space in Paterson means that further new de-

velopment is limited. Many buildings that are dilapidated, dangerous, and presently in unusable

condition but can be re-developed. As Mayor, Aslon will work to re-develop these structures for

purposes that will benefit Paterson, such as community centers, businesses, affordable housing,

or mixed-use buildings. He will partner with each community to ensure that the neighborhoods

needs and desires are realized.

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14 L i v e i n P a t e r s o n ,W o r k i n P a t e r s o n The ConditionsAt a time when the City unemployment rate is among the highest in the state, averaging nearly 15%

last year, our residents are in need of stable employment opportunities. Additionally, we need to

bring a sense of community and accountability back to City Hall. This starts at the top, with the

Mayor and Council, but goes all the way down to city employees in different departments. The City

must also strive to keep its tax dollars here in Paterson families pockets and in our local economy.

Goows PlanAs Mayor, Aslon will implement a Live in Paterson, Work in Paterson policy for future City job

openings:

Jobs for Paterson Residents: There is no shortage of Paterson residents who are qualified to

work in the various City departments as future positions become available, and no shortage of

Paterson residents who are in need of stable well-paying employment.

Keeping Our Tax Dollars in Paterson: It does not make sense to hire City workers who draw asalary from Paterson taxpayers, yet do not live in our City. As Mayor, Aslon will keep our tax dol-

lars in the pockets of Paterson families, who will in turn give business to Paterson stores. This

will help spur and grow our local economy.

Sense of Community: This policy will instill security, community, and accountability. Our future

City employees will be a part of the community they are working for, and will have a personal

vested interest in Patersons success. Our future City employees will truly be working in the best

interests of themselves and their neighbors.

This policy will provide future employment opportunities for Paterson residents, who will be able to

utilize their skills in the service of their neighbors. This will keep our tax dollars here in the pockets

of Paterson families, will increase our sense of community, and at the same time spur our local

economy and increase our sense of community and accountability.

Summary

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15Ed u c a t i o n O u rCh i l d r e n

Goows Plan

The ConditionsOur children are Patersons greatest asset, and Patersons future. Right now, they suffer from some

of the same troubles that plague every other resident -crime, violence, poverty, and lack of security

and safety. But Patersons youth also have special needs in order to thrive, needs that are clearly

not being met by City Hall. They need strong role models and afterschool programs, safe schools,

streets, and parks, and engagement in being part of Patersons renewal. Most of all, our youth need

a real seat at the table.

As Mayor, Aslon will implement many initiatives to empower and engage Patersons youth:

Strong Partnership and Dialogue with the School Board: As Mayor, Aslon will strongly partner

with the School Board so that our schools and students have the full power of Paterson behind

them. Currently, there is a lack of productive dialogue between the School Board and City Hall.

Aslon will work with the Board to ensure that the City is doing everything it can to assist our youth

and schools, including fighting for adequate school buildings, improved student performance, ed-

ucation funding, and local control of our school district.

Parents and Educators Advisory Board: As Mayor, Aslon will form an advisory board in partner-

ship with the School Board composed of parents and educators in Paterson so that they will have

a direct voice and dialogue with City Hall in advocating for the needs and desires of parents, as

well as engaging and empowering Paterson parents with increased involvement in the education

of their children.

Student and Youth Advisory Board: Our students and youth need a real seat at the table in order

to be truly engaged in the future of our City. As Mayor, Aslon will form an advisory board made

up of students and youth from different schools, age groups, and neighborhoods to have a direct

voice in advocating for their own needs, as well as working with City officials to empower their

peers.

Student Government Day: As Mayor, Aslon will start a student government day, where students

can shadow City Hall officials and participate in a simulated day in the life of City Hall, including

a televised Council meeting. This will allow students the opportunity to experience public service

firsthand.

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16Ed u c a t i o n O u rCh i l d r e n City Hall Internship Program: As Mayor, Aslon will start a City Hall internship program for selected

qualified high school students in Paterson. This will give our youth an in-depth experience to see

firsthand how public service and government works, a chance to apply their skills towards the bet-

terment of their community, and an opportunity to enhance their resumes and college applications

A Strong Role Model: Too often, our elected officials fail to hold themselves to the high standards

that the residents expect. As Mayor, Aslon will be a positive role model for Patersons youth. Our

children will be able to look up to a Mayor who is accountable, responsible, strong, and engaged

directly with them.

Safety in School Zones: The safety of school zones will be a top public safety priority for the Goow

administration. As Mayor, Aslon will ensure that our school zones are strictly policed before, dur-

ing, and after school so that our children will be safe.

Recreation and Parks: Safe recreation areas and parks are paramount to healthy living and activi-

ties for our kids. As Mayor, Aslon will work to enhance our parks and playgrounds, keep them pa-

trolled by police, and will secure grants to beautify Patersons open spaces.

Afterschool and Public Service Programs: As Mayor, Aslon will partner with schools, youth groups

and social organizations to build and strengthen positive programs for our children to take part inthe betterment of themselves and their City, such as neighborhood clean-up events, financial liter-

acy seminars, college prep events, and sponsoring big brother and sister mentoring programs.

Child Poverty and Hunger: As Mayor, Aslon will take steps to reduce the chronic state of poverty

in Paterson, which affects nearly 60% of our kids. Malnutrition and lack of healthy eating is a ma-

jor problem for our students as well. Students cant have full minds if they have empty stomachs.

Aslon will work with the School Board, school employees, and school vendors to ensure that our

students are receiving adequate and nutritious meals before, during, and after school.

Summary

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Our children need safe schools and safe parks, strong role models, and positive engagement to

keep them well-rounded and productive. As Mayor, Aslon will engage our Citys youth in numerous

ways, he will always fight for their interests, and he will give them a real voice in City Hall. Pater-

sons youth deserve nothing less than our full commitment to them and the best resources we can

provide for them.


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17 F i g h t i n g P o v e r t y o nt h e L o c a l L e v e l In Paterson today, 53.3% of our residents live in a state of poverty, many of them children and senior

citizens. Our families struggle to pay their mortgages and rent, to put food on the table for their

families, and to earn a decent wage. Local problems often require local solutions, and the City of

Paterson must begin to seriously address, and work to alleviate, the chronic state of poverty that has

stranglehold on many of our families.

The Conditions

As Mayor, Aslon will implement initiatives to combat poverty head-on in the City of Paterson:

50% Poverty Reduction Goal: Aslon will set an ambitious goal of cutting the Paterson poverty rate

by 50% over the first term of his administration.

Anti-Poverty Task Force: Aslon will form a special panel of community leaders, social groups, ex-

perts, and Paterson residents to track progress, solicit community feedback, raise awareness, anddevelop and craft community-oriented solutions.

Anti-Poverty Advocates Office: Aslon will create a designated office in City Hall for an administrat

point-person tasked with advocating for our residents, guiding them towards solutions and assis-

tance, and coordinating and implementing the Citys anti-poverty efforts.

Poverty Impact Statements: For key City decisions and issues, such as budgetary, tax, and eco-

nomic development, City Hall will create Poverty Impact Statements in order to understand and re

main aware of the effects that these decisions will have on our Citys most vulnerable residents, an

guide City Hall in averting any further negative impact on those already struggling.

Public-Private Partnerships: Strong partnerships with the many social organizations in our City,

County, and State are vital to combatting poverty. Fostering a dialogue with and providing suppor

to these groups will create a strong network of entities working together towards our goal.

Funding, Grants, and Aid: Aslon will pursue funding for impoverished cities at the federal and state

levels in order to support and grow our Citys anti-poverty efforts, including funding for low income

housing, economic development for our most neglected neighborhoods, senior citizens, education

and will advocate for Paterson to be among President Obamas Promise Zones in the future.

Goows Plan

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18 F i g h t i n g P o v e r t y o nt h e L o c a l L e v e l Future Development: Aslon will work to bring economic development and stable jobs to all areas

of Paterson, including our most neglected and blighted neighborhoods. Future economic devel-

opment will benefit all Paterson residents, not just outside interests.

Live in Paterson, Work in Paterson: Aslon will institute a Live in Paterson, Work in Paterson

program for future City job openings, which will give many qualified Paterson residents the

opportunity for stable employment working for the betterment of their community.

Support for the Homeless: The homeless population in Paterson is among the highest in the en-

tire state. As Mayor, Aslon will partner with the Citys privately-run shelters to ensure that there

are no shortages of space for our homeless families to stay at night, and will work with them to

secure affordable housing and employment so that they too can take part in Patersons future.

Eliminating Food Deserts: Paterson still has many areas where food deserts are prevalent -ar-

eas where reliable access to healthy and fresh food is limited. Aslon will work to eliminate food

deserts in Paterson, and will partner with area stores and food suppliers to create mobile food

markets to bring a healthy, fresh, and accessible food supply to neighborhoods in need.

Affordable Health Coverage: The implementation of President Obamas signature legislation, the

Affordable Care Act, provides Paterson residents with the opportunity to obtain varying degreesof health coverage. City Hall will partner with the state and federal governments to raise the pub-

lics awareness and ensure that all Paterson residents take part in obtaining health coverage.

SummaryIn 1968, shortly before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King had begun to plan a crusade

against poverty in America. Four years earlier, in 1964, President Johnson had begun to enact leg-

islation that would be part of his War on Poverty. Today, Paterson suffers from a chronic state of

poverty, an endless cycle that fuels many of our Citys troubles and is the root of many of our prob-

lems -crime, violence, lack of economic development. Without addressing this root cause, we will

never truly be able to lift Paterson up. Local problems often require local solutions. As Mayor, Aslon

will start a serious dialogue in Paterson about poverty and its root causes, and will begin to seriously

implement local solutions and initiatives that address and alleviate the chronic problem of poverty in

the City of Paterson. The crusade against poverty begun by President Johnson and Dr. King nearly

50 years ago must continue, and we must aggressively wage a war against poverty in Paterson.

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19 I n f r a s t r u c t u r eRo a d I m p r o v e m e n t

Goows Plan

The Conditions

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Patersons infrastructure is aging and outdated, and sorely in need of maintenance, upgrades, and

renewal. Over the past few years, Paterson has experienced Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, heavy

snowstorms, and other events which have badly damaged our power lines, roads, sewer lines, and

other infrastructure elements. Our roads are dangerous and in disrepair -some of them so full of

potholes and badly damaged that they are virtually un-drivable. This drags down our property

values, limits mobility, damages our cars, and negatively impacts our prospects for development.Paterson also needs to address its communications infrastructure, specifically with public communi-

cations and Internet access. Paterson must catch up to comparable cities with technology, infra-

structure, and telecommunications.

As Mayor, Aslon will begin the process of renewing Patersons infrastructure, including:

Conducting a Full-Scale Traffic Study: As Mayor, Aslon will conduct a full

-scale traffic study of City

streets to identify and alleviate troublesome traffic conditions on our Citys most congested streets.

This traffic study will also guide City planning for optimal future infrastructure development, includ-

ing streets, parking, lighting, sidewalks, underground/aboveground wiring, sewers, and utilities.

Snow Removal and Emergency Readiness: Paterson has experienced several devastating natu-

ral disasters in recent years, including Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, tropical storms, and

noreasters such as the recent one in February 2014 -during which a record amount of snow bur-

ied Paterson, with little done by the City. As Mayor, Aslon will ensure that City Hall efficiently re-

moves snow and debris immediately after storms, and that all City departments and employees

are responsibly prepared and equipped to deal with these natural disasters when anticipated.

City Website and Public Information: As Mayor, Aslon will upgrade and revamp the City website

so that it is user-friendly and contains the most accurate and transparent information available.

He will also explore all avenues to keep Paterson residents informed and up -to-date, through text-

based services, regular City emails and e-newsletters, social media, and will take advantage of

any new communications technologies that enhance our Citys ability to quickly and accurately

transmit important information to residents.


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20 I n f r a s t r u c t u r eRo a d I m p r o v e m e n t

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Road Renewal Program: Many of Patersons roads are in disrepair, full of potholes and broken

pavement, and dangerous. The poor state of our roads drag down our property values, cause

damage to our vehicles, harm our prospects for economic development and investment, and can

cause pedestrian injuries. As Mayor, Aslon will start a Road Renewal Program to repair, repave,

and renew our Citys streets, to augment current City road maintenance and construction, with

the goal of fixing all of our Citys most dangerous streets. He will aggressively pursue county,

state, and federal grants and aid so that this program can be implemented with no extra burden

on the taxpayer.

High-Speed Internet Access for Paterson: Access to high-speed internet is a necessary and val-

uable tool for Paterson residents, workers, and students. As Mayor, Aslon will work to bring free

high-speed internet and WIFI-hotspots to all publicly-owned City buildings, including City Hall,

firehouses, police stations, libraries, and youth and community centers.

Building an Infrastructure for the Future: Many cities are beginning to build and move their infra-

structures underground, including fiber-optic, electrical, and telecommunications wiring. This fu-

ture infrastructure planning would benefit Paterson, which has experienced major aboveground

damage during recent natural weather events. As Mayor, Aslon will explore options to move our

vulnerable infrastructure components underground to help ensure uninterrupted power and com-

munications services. Aslon will partner with utilities, industries, and the appropriate state and

federal agencies to begin to plan for this increasingly prevalent, necessary, and beneficial bridge

to 21st century planning and infrastructure.

Creating a Flooding Control System: As Mayor, Aslon will lobby the county, state, and federal

governments and the Army Corp of Engineers to address the chronic flooding of the Passaic Riv-

er and its tributaries in Paterson, which in recent years has caused mass displacement during

storms, and will push for renewed focus on the Passaic River Flood Tunnel engineering project.

SummaryPatersons infrastructure is in need of renewal, upgrading, and in some areas, a complete overhaul.

As Mayor, Aslon will address our infrastructure needs. He will repave and repair all of our roads, will

enhance our telecommunications technologies, will address chronic flooding issues, and will map out

a complete plan for Patersons infrastructure future so that our City can emerge as a Northern New

Jersey metropolis, and eventually Paterson can even become a model for others to follow.


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21Comm u n i t y E n g a g e m e n tI n c l u s i o n o f A l l

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The ConditionsThere is currently a major deficit of trust between City Hall and the people of Paterson. Accountability

transparency, and visibility are at an all-time low, and city government has failed to truly engage the

very people it is supposed to serve. The disconnect between City Hall and Paterson residents has cr

ated a situation where both progress and possibility are stalled. Paterson deserves a Mayor and City

Hall administration who are engaged, open, and accessible anytime for the public. As Mayor, Aslon

will change the culture of City Hall to make this a reality, and he will lead by example and create anatmosphere of openness and true transparency.

Goows PlanAs Mayor, Aslon will be an active Mayor with a hands-on approach to governing, and will take the fol-

lowing steps in running City Hall:

A Visible Presence: As Mayor, Aslon wont hide behind a desk in the Mayors office. He will be a

visible presence on your street, in your neighborhood, and in the community. He will foster strongbonds with each and every community in Paterson through dialogue and events.

Accessibility: As Mayor, Aslon will continue to be accessible to all residents, as he was when he

was 2nd Ward Councilman. Many residents have Aslons personal cell phone number to reach ou

to him during emergencies and when they need assistance, and this will not change when he is

Mayor -his cell phone number is (973) 296-9511, and he is always available and willing to assist

Paterson residents directly.

Monthly Town Hall Meetings with the Mayor: As Mayor, Aslon will hold monthly town hall meeting

in different neighborhoods in the City to address public concerns and foster dialogue and trust with

residents of the community. This will also provide valuable feedback for City officials.

Televised Meetings with the Mayor: In addition to the Council meetings, Aslon will hold regular te

evised meetings for the community to directly address the Mayor and department heads.

Resident Advisory Panel: As Mayor, Aslon will form a Resident Advisory Panel made up of City

residents to directly advise and inform City Hall on community needs and wishes. This will give

Paterson residents a direct voice in City government and City affairs. This will be an invaluable to

for the Mayor for decision-making and considering the impact on City residents, as well as provid-

ing additional feedback and input on the direction of the City.


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Summary

Comm u n i t y E n g a g e m e n tI n c l u s i o n o f A l l

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Open-Door Policy: As Mayor, Aslon will institute an open-door policy at City Hall in the Mayors

office and department offices, so that Paterson residents can freely and directly discuss their in-

dividual concerns and issues. In addition to maintaining an active presence outside of City Hall,

he will also hold regular office hours throughout the week when any Paterson resident can come

by and discuss matters directly with Aslon himself.

City Website and Public Information: As Mayor, Aslon will upgrade the City website so that it is

user-friendly and contains the most accurate and transparent information available for the public.

He will also explore all avenues to keep Paterson residents informed and up -to-date, through text

-based services, regular City emails and e-newsletters, social media. He will take advantage of

any new communications technologies that enhance our Citys ability to engage directly with its

residents, and will make all electronic and public documents available in multiple languages.

Furthermore, all televised meetings will also be streamed live on social media and the City web-

site and stored so that they are available for public viewing at any time.

Creating a Press Room in City Hall: As part of City Halls process of engagement and transpar-

ency, Aslon will create a press room in City Hall to hold regular news conferences and briefings

by the Mayor and City officials regarding important events, initiatives, and announcements.

These briefings will be open to the public, in addition to the press, and televised as well, andwould be used to supplement announcements and press conferences that take place outside of

City Hall, in order to provide a consistent and up-to-date stream of public information.

Qualified and Accessible Staff and Departments: As Mayor, Aslon will lead by example with ac-

cessibility and visibility, but he will require the same of all department heads and will only appoint

qualified, dedicated, and compassionate people to positions in City Hall. His department heads

will live in the City and his administration will reflect the diversity of Paterson.

Aslon will be an active presence on the street and in the neighborhoods. He will embrace Pater-

sons diversity, and his administration will be truly engaged with the community through every availa-

ble mode of communication and transparency. Residents will have direct access to their Mayor and

City officials, and residents will have a direct voice in the direction of the City. The Goow administra-

tion will restore trust between the government and the citizens and will be the most accessible, visi-

ble, active, and transparent in Patersons history.


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www.aslongoow.com330 Chamberlain Ave, Paterson, NJ 07502

Stay Connected w ith ourCampa ign

973) 296-9511

@[email protected] Goow for Mayor of Paterson

Aslon Goow for May


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I hope you will supportme andmy visionforPaterson. I will leadourCityforward, andwe will be saferandstronger. You arethe reason why

I am runningforMayor. Together, wewill builda brighterfuture forPaterson

- Aslon oow

Aslon Goow - A Vision for a Stronger and Safer Paterson

Documents

Transcript of Aslon Goow - A Vision for a Stronger and Safer Paterson