Uniting Teaneck Survey Part#2

Is it election season already?

When Barbara Toffler the students came up with her their survey a few months back, I presented the results here free of comment. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone made use of it. That time is apparently today.

This survey is currently floating around in mailboxes:

Dear Teaneck Community Resident,

Recently there has been a lot of turmoil between Councilwoman Barbara Toffler and several Teaneck residents and Councilmember's.
There are many preconceived notions between some Teaneck residents and people who attend or watch council meetings. We, concerned Teaneck residents, have created a survey to help us learn about the different perspectives on Barbara Toffler from both sides among Teaneck families. This survey will help us try to find ways to establish a mutual understanding between the public about Councilwoman Barbara Toffler. The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes. We ask that you complete it before September 22, if possible.

Authors Note: NO high school students were paid by any politicians (or their husbands) to compile this survey.

David Lerer



Please do put your name on this survey. We will separate survey responses from email addresses to maintain anonymity and your confidentiality. We will send a copy of the survey results to everyone who received a survey. Please answer survey questions honestly. When you have completed this survey, please send it to me. The survey is below.


Please answer all questions applicable to you. Most questions are yes/no questions but feel free to elaborate on any of them.

Who are you (check one):____ Parent _____Senior ______ Resident _____ Taxpayer


1. Do you feel Councilwoman Toffler has accomplished anything in her time on Council?


2. Do you feel Councilwoman Toffler is divisive and disruptive at Council meetings?


3. In a public email sent to Toffler by Mrs. Helen Ickowitz on 5/18/2010, Toffler was told that she belittled the Councilmember's and all citizens of Teaneck by "comparing Teaneck to Cry My Beloved Country" at a Council meeting the night before. Mrs. Ickowitz calls her a race baiter, do you think Toffler is a race baiter?

4. In the Record article by Jo Ax of April 2008, Mr. Ax states that in a PBS interview, Toffler describes (from her book) a project (while at Arthur Anderson) in which her group set up a $ 250,000 monthly plan to do work for a client. She later explains "it should have been a $ 50,000 to $ 75,000 engagement, Toffler wrote "it wasn't. We took advantage of our neophyte and steadily built a dependency on our team." Do you feel that this is ethical?


5. Councilwoman Toffler supported a resolution for the 2010 Council election condemning negative campaign literature. The only negative campaign literature in the last election was paid for by Chuck Powers (Toffler's husband).

a) Do you feel that Toffler should have publically condemned her husbands negative campaign ads?

b) If it was paid for by Mr. Powers, do you feel that means it was also paid for by Toffler?

c) Do you feel Councilwoman Toffler knew about or participated in the compiling and/or dissemination of the negative campaign literature?

6. Toffler voted for Township Manager William Broughton and at the next meeting entered an public objection about the Manager's vote, do you feel that was wrong on her part?

7. Toffler sent a public email to a resident named David on May 11, 2011. In the email she states "I am eager for all our public schools to clean up their acts" do you feel she is insulting the Teaneck Public Schools?

8. Councilwoman Toffler met with the former Teaneck web designer in her home. This is the same web designer that Toffler recommended to Teaneck. The same web designer that met with the Township Attorney and agreed to dissolve the relationship because of "a disconnect that was unsolvable" in Toffler's own words. Do you feel it was appropriate for Councilwoman Toffler to meet that vendor in her private home?


9. Toffler supported the dog park and then withdrew her support. Do you agree with her actions?

10. Toffler was asked if she has been telling people that "there are many of Parker's supporters that are extremely upset at Parker". Toffler refused to answer this question when called out. If Toffler has been telling people this, do you agree with Toffler? Do you know why they would be upset?

11.In 2009, Councilwoman Toffler wanted to move the Teaneck July 4th celebration to July 3rd, do you feel that was appropriate?

12. Would you vote for Toffler?

13. Do you feel Toffler cares about (please check one):

_____ Toffler Only _____ Teaneck Residents _____Mix of Both


Any other thoughts, comments, or concerns:

If anyone has any other e-mails like this - please forward a copy to swiggle.blog@gmail.com