My name is Kenneth Silber, and I’m a write-in candidate for the Wyckoff Township Committee. I’m asking people to write me in opposite each of the three incumbent Republican candidates running for Township Committee this year (two seeking regular three-year terms, one an unexpired one-year term). These people have zero opponents on the ballot, a travesty that makes government complacent and strips citizens of power.

When I received my ballot this year, I decided to launch an effort to change things—making whatever impact I could this year, and helping enable competitive elections in the future, in which Democrats and others, or dissatisfied Republicans, will step forward in primary and general elections to give Wyckoff real choice. After announcing my write-in campaign, I opted for a simple message on my lawn signs: WRITE IN KENNETH SILBER FOR TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. On one side, I added: WYCKOFF NEEDS A CHOICE!

Our town’s politics has long lacked the latter. This is the sixth year in a row with ballots featuring unopposed Republicans. I was a Republican for over 30 years, before becoming a non-affiliated voter in 2016 and, since 2021, a Democrat. I’m a centrist who believes government needs multiple perspectives and competitive elections, not entrenched rule by a handful of insiders. I deplore the tendency whereby the rare Democrats in local office were pressured or enticed to become Republicans. One committee member switched parties; I won’t.

A Wyckoff resident since 2007, I’ve built a family here with my wife and son. I’m a longtime science journalist who’s analyzed and reported on complex issues involving energy, the environment, and technology, editing and writing for major publications. A three-time and current member of my church’s vestry, as well as a diocesan delegate, I’m experienced in serving on deliberative committees. As a Committee Member, I’d bring an emphasis on innovation and communication, with priorities such as:

Promote clean energy, environmental protection, and resilient systems. Electric-vehicle charging stations and solar panels are hard to find in Wyckoff, including at Town Hall and other municipal properties. Fostering renewable energy, sustainable technology, and resilient infrastructure should be priorities of Wyckoff’s government.

Prepare for tech changes that will challenge local government. With municipal services now often accessed via online portals, local governments must be nimble in managing complex technologies. AI can improve government transparency—or be a threat to data security and residents’ privacy. Municipal services must be protected against hurricanes and hackers alike.

Ensure open communication between local government and residents. Exacerbated by the one-party political culture, residents of Wyckoff often have little awareness about the local government’s actions or who’s making the decisions. Though some positive steps have been taken, such as videoing Township Committee meetings and placing them on YouTube, one gets little sense that the members welcome ideas from outside. Even the government advisory committees that have been set up, on environmental or other issues, don’t seem to have a lot of input into decisions by the town government.

That means problems fester, and opportunities are missed.

Consider the problem of deer overpopulation in Wyckoff, and the road hazards it presents. Technology is enabling new solutions. Acoustic and scent deterrents can help channel deer traffic at critical junctures (I use them to protect plants on our property, which is highly vulnerable to deer as we are next to the McFaul Environmental Center). Sensor-activated signs, AI-trained to recognize wildlife, could warn drivers of nearby deer. Similarly, tech could mitigate the reported problem of rat infestations, tracking and predicting the animals’ movements.

But to implement such solutions, you first need to know about them. You must actively be on the lookout for ideas. A one-party system is not up to the task.

My write-in candidacy can’t be expected to win, but it can send a message that will shape Wyckoff politics as soon as the votes are counted. Let that message be clear: the era of one-party rule in Wyckoff’s politics must and will end. In coming years, let’s have more people with their names printed on the ballot, to ensure real competition for the Wyckoff Township Committee. Writing in "Kenneth Silber" (and to ensure your vote counts, please use "Kenneth," not "Ken") will help make that happen. Thank you for your consideration.