Adrian Febre

Jon A. Perconti – May 17, 1969 – September 11, 2001

As a coach of my own team, I know how hard the volunteer coaches work and how much pride we take in seeing our kids progress throughout the season. So I was very honored to give the following address in front of those coaches, players and parents at the 2011 MYAA Opening Day ceremony.

“They told me that this public speaking would get easier the more
I did it and they were right. I was so nervous when I first started
that all I saw was a big dark blurry crowd. It’s gotten better now and
I can see a few colors here and there.

I know he couldn’t be here today, but I’d like to thank Tommy
DeSimone for all the work that he’s done in helping to make this
program what it is.

Next I’d like to thank Frank Messar for taking over and doing
such a great job. The transition’s really been seamless.

I will say that I’ve noticed some subtle differences in their
management style. For instance, the MYAA is selling magnets that go on
the back of your car for $5 apiece. So the other night Frank asked me
if I wanted to help support the MYAA, and I said sure I’ll take one.
And Frank says “Okay, so Adrian’s taking two for $10.”

Now with Tommy I would have just woken up in the morning and they
would have been on the back of every car in my driveway. And there
would have been a note in the mailbox saying I put a magnet on each of
your cars. And oh yeah, I put one on your neighbor’s car too. $15.

They have different management styles but in the end it’s the same result.

You know, if you take a look at this group of people, this is
what Maywood is about, people that devote their time and energy so
that our kids have such a wonderful learning experience every season
no matter what the sport. Because that’s really what we’re doing, we
are teaching these guys. We’re teaching them all the wonderful life
lessons that go with competition at every level.

When I was campaigning last year and would have to introduce
myself to the one or two people in town who didn’t already know me,
what I was most proud to tell them about myself was that I was a
coach. Because I might not remember all the teachers that I’ve had
growing up but I remember every one of my coaches.

So I salute all of you who step up every year to coach these
kids, as well as all the parents who help out, because you guys have
such a huge part in making Maywood such a great place to live.”

Yesterday I went to the annual Senior Picnic held at Van Saun Park, and I was very happy to meet with the Maywood seniors that were in attendance. I told them a little bit about myself and I explained why I was running and I got some real positive feedback from them. I also met with some of the other Republican candidates that were there like Kathleen Donovan (Bergen County Executive candidate) and Chief Michael Saudino (Bergen County Sheriff candidate). In the next few weeks they will both be going door to door with me meeting with the residents of Maywood.

Platform

Tax Relief – My goal is for Maywood to have a stabilized budget with a zero percent tax increase for at least the next three years.

Transparency – The details of my efforts to maintain a stable budget will be open to the public for review. If the Council’s Democratic majority will not join me in passing such a budget, then I will let you know why the people you elected to represent you continue to spend money without any regard for the taxpayers who are footing the bill.

Checks and Balances – I will see to it that all the residents of Maywood are represented on the Council as opposed to only those who belong to a particular political party. That type of representation is philosophically opposed to what the founders of our democracy intended. With one-party rule, only one segment of our community is represented and it becomes nearly impossible for differing opinions to enter the discussion.

Volunteerism – As an active volunteer in our community, I understand the importance of supporting and maintaining the morale of our volunteers while still maintaining fiscal responsibility. The men and women who give their time and risk their safety for this town deserve the complete support of the Council.

Defend Maywood – When elected, I will stand up to entrenched politicians like County Executive Dennis McNerney who seek to strip Maywood of its sovereignty by merging our town with another municipality.

One Voice Can Make A Difference!