Allendale Artworks And Artifacts

10/12/2026

DEAR ALLENDALE. What do you think? Share it here!

Many thanks to the candidates for their statements and to our viewers for your comments. Now, I'd like to know what you think about local policies and events. You don't need to be a candidate for office. You've watched me do it. Now, it's your turn (don't worry, I'm not going to stop).

In the style of a Letter to the Editor, let's call it DEAR ALLENDALE, I am offering to publish your 300-word policy statement on local issues. No national politics, no party talking points, no name calling.

Read through the candidate statements. They all followed the rules and did a great job, and the public is now better off knowing their policies. Follow their lead.

Send me an email ([email protected]) with your portrait, 300 words (text only), your name, address, email, and phone. You can make a statement without going to a meeting, without being criticized (maybe later), and you can make sure you get all of your points across.

I have been a local advocate for democracy and transparency for almost three decades. It started with a fight against an outdoor gun range in the 1990s that was located on the border of Oakwood Road in Allendale and a children's park in Waldwick. I had the opportunity to come face to face with politics and professional politicians. I testified before a NJ Senate Committee to restrict outdoor gun ranges immediately adjacent to a public park and residential community. It sounds nutty, but sometimes the laws are nutty and have to be changed. It was my trial by fire.

After forty years of life, business, and public service in Allendale, this has grown into senior advocacy, with an emphasis on accessibility and pedestrian safety.

In the late 1990s, I started probably Allendale's first website to share public meeting minutes - and ask for public comments on local issues. I made all of this available on Allendale2000.com, my first website and transparency project.

My existing audience of history enthusiasts is the perfect place for this. This page is followed by families that really know Allendale. Generations of families follow this page. Government officials, volunteers, and people who grew up here and have first hand experience with life in Allendale.

I started Allendale Artworks and Artifacts almost 10 years ago. According to Facebook, I have posted 9,500 comments and have had millions of views. Currently, 1,700 Facebook fans follow my work, and many more visit every now and then.

The Letter to the Editor is pretty dead, but it doesn't have to be and shouldn't be. Your comments may start a new discussion or be the catalyst for change. You now know my story. It may take a while, but advocacy can result in dramatic change.

The attached clip from the Town Journal is from June 7, 2000, over 26 years ago. As I discovered, if you keep at it, a little advocacy can go a long way.

I ask that you offer your comments here, starting with DEAR ALLENDALE.

Finally, what does this have to do with Allendale history? In a word - EVERYTHING. You are Allendale history.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Enjoy.

Fred Litt, Allendale Artworks and Artifacts,
[email protected]

10/12/2026

In an effort to support democracy and transparency, I asked the Allendale candidates for a personal statement. Your very polite comments are encouraged. As I stated in a previous post, I urge every candidate, whether they have a challenger or not, to inform their future constituents how they will govern. If you find these comments informative and important, please SHARE them.

Candidate for Mayor, Borough of Allendale - Phil Cicchetti

My name is Phil Cicchetti, and I’m running as an Independent candidate for Mayor of Allendale.

I’m a proud husband and father of three children in our schools, a longtime youth coach, and community volunteer. I’m active in our church and serving on the Allendale Holiday Observers and Allendale Recreation Commission boards.

Allendale is a wonderful town. My vision is to preserve what makes it special while bringing fresh perspectives, new ideas, and greater collaboration to Borough Hall.

My priorities include:

• Safer Streets & Public Safety: Address traffic and pedestrian safety near schools, parks, and downtown through coordination with County officials and emergency services.

• Infrastructure & Flooding: Develop long-term plans for roads, sidewalks, drainage, water, and sewer, with clear priorities, costs, and timelines.

• Community Spaces: Explore new ways to use Crestwood Lake, our Community Center, and recreational facilities for all ages.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Prioritize essential improvements, pursue grants and alternative funding, and make Borough spending easier to understand.

• Responsible Development: Address Fair Share Housing requirements while considering impacts on infrastructure, traffic, schools, and our town’s character.

• Transparency & Collaboration: Engage residents early, share information openly, and welcome different perspectives.

Being Mayor isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, listening to different perspectives, and bringing people together to move our town forward. By drawing on the expertise of Council members, Borough professionals, and residents, we can strengthen our committees and make better-informed decisions. Residents shouldn’t feel like they’re on the outside looking in. They should feel informed, included, and confident that their voices matter. Borough government should be open, collaborative, and transparent.

Experience matters, but so does listening to residents and seeing things from their perspective. I want every resident to have a voice in Allendale’s future.

10/12/2026

Many thanks to the candidates that are participating in this process of democracy and transparency - and thank you for your comments.

Any candidate for Allendale elected office is invited to participate here. If your candidate has not yet sent me anything to post, please encourage them to do so.

Allendale Artworks and Artifacts has an amazing audience of informed, thoughtful, and respectful viewers.

Given the support here, I'd like to ask our audience if there are specific topics of interest you'd like to learn more about from these candidates. Post them here. Maybe we can do another round of candidate policy statements. This is a wonderful conversation to have between candidates and constituents.

Thank you for supporting democracy, transparency, and Allendale history. If you find candidate comments important, please SHARE them.

Everyone is welcome here. Your comments make this page important to the Allendale community, past, present, and future.

Fred Litt, Allendale Artworks and Artifacts

10/11/2026

In an effort to support democracy and transparency, I asked the Allendale candidates for a personal statement. Your very polite comments are encouraged. As I stated in a previous post, I urge every candidate, whether they have a challenger or not, to inform their future constituents how they will govern. If you find these comments informative and important, please SHARE them.

Candidate for Council, Borough of Allendale - David Rahal

My name is David Rahal, and I am running for Allendale Borough Council. My wife, Alicia, and I have lived in Allendale since 2015, and we are raising our three children here. This town means a lot to our family, and that is really why I decided to run.

The three areas I think deserve the most attention are managing development and long-term planning, keeping our roads and pedestrian areas safe, and continuing to invest in infrastructure and community assets without putting unnecessary pressure on taxpayers. Those issues all require balance. We need to protect the character of Allendale, but we also need to plan ahead and deal responsibly with the obligations and costs that come with running a town.

Professionally, I help run a third-generation family business, where budgeting, long-term planning, managing people, negotiating contracts, and making difficult decisions are part of my everyday work. I think that experience translates well to local government.
On the operating budget, my priority would be controlling recurring costs, looking for efficiencies and shared services where they make sense, and continuing to pursue grants. On the capital side, I would focus on roads, drainage, recreation facilities, public safety needs, and projects that have a real long-term benefit to residents.

I also think we need to keep looking at ways to improve walkability and pedestrian safety, especially given recent incidents in town. On environmental issues, I would support practical measures like better stormwater management, protecting trees and open space, improving energy efficiency in municipal facilities, and taking advantage of outside funding where available.

I am not running because I think Allendale needs to be changed dramatically. I am running because I want to help protect what works, improve where we can, and make thoughtful decisions for the future.

10/11/2026

In an effort to support democracy and transparency, I asked the Allendale candidates for a personal statement. Your very polite comments are encouraged. As I stated in a previous post, I urge every candidate, whether they have a challenger or not, to inform their future constituents how they will govern. If you find these comments informative and important, please SHARE them.

Candidate for Council, Borough of Allendale - Donald McKenna

Hello, Allendale neighbors!

My name is Donald McKenna. In 2019, my wife Crista and I proudly made Allendale our home with our three children, Carolina, Teagan, and Patrick.

My connection to Allendale began long before that. As a five-year- old learning to swim at Crestwood Lake, I created memories that have stayed with me throughout my life. When Crista and I searched for a place to raise our family, we wanted strong schools, shared values, and a genuine sense of community. We found that in Allendale.

Recently, a good friend shared a story that captures what makes our town special. After returning home on the train from New York City, three neighbors waved to him, and another offered him a ride home. Simple gestures that speak volumes. That’s the
community I want my children to grow up in.

Four years ago, I decided it was time to give back. Attending council meetings, speaking with community leaders, and participating in town events gave me a deeper appreciation for the dedication required to keep Allendale special.

I didn’t get involved for political reasons or personal gain. I got involved because making a difference requires participation and a willingness to listen.

My career in logistics and transportation has taught me planning, accountability, communication, and finding practical solutions. With rising costs and evolving challenges, fiscal responsibility is essential.

My father taught me that the only constant in life is change. We must approach change thoughtfully, embracing new ideas while protecting our small-town character.

I don’t pretend to have every answer. Leadership begins with listening, learning, and working together.

My commitment is simple: to serve our neighbors and preserve the Allendale we love for generations to come.

10/11/2026

In an effort to support democracy and transparency, I asked the Allendale candidates for a personal statement. Your very polite comments are encouraged. As I stated in a previous post, I urge every candidate, whether they have a challenger or not, to inform their future constituents how they will govern. If you find these comments informative and important, please SHARE them.

Candidate for Mayor, Borough of Allendale - Amy Wilczynski

My name is Amy Wilczynski and I am running for my second term as Mayor. Serving Allendale has been one of the greatest honors of my life. My hands on approach to leadership has translated into tangible results for Allendale. From managing major projects to securing millions in grants to protect taxpayers, to maintaining infrastructure, all while preserving the character and quality of life that make Allendale special. Below are the results of how my efforts brought value to Allendale residents:

• Fiscal Responsibility: Maintained fiscal discipline, with municipal tax increase of less than 1% in all four years. Written grants that have saved residents money while funding improvements around the borough.

• Fair Share Housing: Negotiated an extremely favorable settlement requiring no new building in the 4th round while protecting our downtown from overlay zone and securing $1 MM from Saddle River developers.

• Public Safety: Working with traffic engineer and APD to add a transportation element to our master plan. This will examine safety concern for walking and vehicular safety.

• Community Center: Served as Project Manager, guiding the new community center from concept through completion during COVID and securing a $750,000 grant.

• Transparency & Tech: Modernized Borough operations. Launched several modes of communication to engage and inform residents.

I am committed to building on the progress Allendale has made while planning responsibly for the future. First and foremost is to continue to protect taxpayers, especially our seniors by continuing to pursue outside funding while maintaining essential services and infrastructure. The challenges ahead require experienced leadership: double-digit increases in healthcare, state funding changes, and executive orders for more housing that will impact our town.

Future projects in the horizon include New multi-sport courts, transit lot revitalization, open space acquisition, and library expansion + more!

My record shows that I have delivered results and shown a great commitment to Allendale. I am ready to keep working for Allendale forward with my running mates and current council!

10/08/2026

A word or two about being a senior pedestrian.

I am typically in my office before 7am. This morning, October 8, 2026, about 6:17am, I needed to walk from my office at 70 West Allendale Ave to TD Bank. It's early morning/dark. Needed to cross West Allendale Ave. Pressed the LED button (behind the camera), entered the crosswalk, began walking, a car was speeding towards me east to west. I thought the driver would slow with sign flashing. Driver didn't slow. I'm now in the roadway, too late to run back, I dash across, car never slows, driver honks after passing through crosswalk, full speed. Just another day crossing West Allendale Ave.

I write about these events when something needs to change. I am a senior and a pedestrian advocate. I thought I would continue the discussion about the perils of crossing West Allendale Ave, day or, very soon, dark at early evening. Here's an article I just wrote that represents my current thinking.

You, Your Parents, or Your Grandparents Use This Crosswalk. Take a Look at What They're Up Against.

To everyone who walks in the Allendale shopping district, and to the people who plan and install our traffic safety devices: thank you for working to make West Allendale Avenue safer. The new camera at the crosswalk near 70 West Allendale Avenue is meant to keep cars out of the yellow no-parking zones, and that's a good goal. But please look at these two photos through the eyes of a senior trying to cross.

PHOTO 1: What a pedestrian sees

This is the north-side curb, right where you start crossing. The yellow button turns on the flashing warning lights. A new gray camera post now stands right next to it, between the button and the curb ramp (the gray bumpy mat on the right), with a trash can on the other side.

To press the button, you have to reach around the post. Then you have to walk around the post to get to the ramp before you can start across. There's no open space beside the button where a wheelchair can pull up, and no straight path from the button to the ramp.

PHOTO 2: What a driver sees

This is the view from a car heading west. The yellow lines mark the no-parking zone that keeps the crosswalk visible. But look at the tree: its leaves sit right in front of the yellow crossing sign and its flashing lights. A driver may not see the warning until it's too late to stop.

What the rules say

The national traffic rulebook (the MUTCD) says a crosswalk button should be unobstructed, within easy reach, and connected to the curb ramp by a path a wheelchair can use.

Federal accessibility guidelines call for a clear space at least 30 by 48 inches beside the button, so a wheelchair can pull up next to it. They also say the button must work with one hand, without tight grasping or twisting, and take no more than 5 pounds of force to press.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, public agencies must keep accessible features like this in working condition.

The same traffic rulebook says trees should not hide the face of any traffic sign.

New Jersey law says drivers must STOP, and stay stopped, for anyone in a marked crosswalk. That has been the law since 2010. Breaking it means 2 points on your license and a $200 fine.

Why this matters most for seniors

When you press the button, the lights flash for 15 seconds. The street is about 37 feet across.

The traffic rulebook says a crossing should give someone who starts at the button enough time to reach the other side walking at 3 feet per second. It also says slower walking speeds should be considered where slower pedestrians regularly cross.

Here's the math: from a button about 5 feet back from the curb, the walk is about 42 feet. At 3 feet per second, that takes 14 seconds. That leaves about 1 second to spare.

Anyone who walks slower than that will still be in the street when the lights stop. And walking around a camera post to reach the ramp uses up that 1 spare second before anyone even leaves the curb.

Why waiting makes it worse

Clocks fall back on Sunday, November 1. By December, the sun sets in Allendale before 4:30 p.m., right when people are walking to dinner and the shops. In the dark, drivers depend on those flashing lights even more.

Snow piled around the camera post will make the button even harder to reach, and icy curbs slow everyone down. A 1-second margin disappears fast.

Holiday shopping means more cars and more people on foot.
The tree will lose its leaves this winter, but they'll be back in spring, hiding the sign again.

Every week these problems stay in place is another week our older neighbors cross with less protection than they deserve.

What needs to be done

Move the camera post so the button has open space beside it and a clear path to the curb ramp.

Add a few more seconds to the flashing lights for slower pedestrians. Even better, add a sensor that turns the lights on automatically when someone is waiting.

Trim the tree, or move the sign, so drivers can see the flashing lights.

Add "STOP HERE FOR PEDESTRIANS" signs with a painted stop line, or a "STATE LAW: STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS" sign in the middle of the street, so drivers know the law.

Before anything new goes in near a crosswalk, check that it won't block the button, the sign, or the path.

None of these are big or expensive fixes, and everyone involved wants the same thing: a crosswalk that works for every neighbor, at every age. Let's get it done before winter.

Finally, New Jersey is spending real money to keep older residents here. The state created the Stay NJ program in 2023 to encourage residents to remain in the Garden State. Homeowners 65 and older with incomes up to $200,000 can receive up to $6,500 a year toward their property taxes, depending on income. The state's ANCHOR program adds up to $1,500 for homeowners, and $700 for renters 65 and older.

But money alone doesn't keep people in a community. Seniors stay where they feel safe, where they can walk to a shop, meet a friend for lunch, or run an errand on their own without worrying whether a driver will see them. When a crossing feels risky, many older residents simply stop making the trip. They lose a little independence, and the Allendale shopping district loses neighbors and customers.

If New Jersey is paying seniors to stay, the least we can do is make sure they (i.e., we) feel safe crossing the street once they're here.

As always, your comments are welcome here.

Fred Litt

10/08/2026