Government to the tune of Harmony

Where there’s music, you can bet on finding Ray Grabowski. In some cases, it’s the other way around. Yet climbing the stairs to the second floor of City Hall, you still may not expect to hear the soft tunes nearby.

The second floor was quiet. Municipal employees went about their business, almost seeming to orbit one office that carried a faint tune. The memorable “MAYOR” sign that projects into the hall lets you know where you are. But the face behind the desk is a new one.

The office, like the city, is in transition. Its occupant, Ray Grabowski, has ideas on how to make it his own. The dark paneling is gone. The walls — for now — are mostly bare with some diplomas hung near the door. The glass cabinet across from his desk holds some awards.

There’s work to be done, but there’s time. The new Mayor of Clifton’s focus is hitting the ground running where the city and City Council are concerned. “I wear a lot of hats,” said Grabowski. He paused. “Even though I refuse to ever wear a hat.” He grinned and chuckled at his own joke: “Don’t want to get my hair messed up.”

He’s owned Ray Grabowski Landscaping for over 30 years and is the president of the Athenia Business Associa-

By Ariana Puzzo

tion. Grabowski’s also a performer and a cable tv host as he presents Meet Clifton on Channel 77, a program that spotlights people and events within the city. He also leads a band, Swingman & the Misfit-Mutts, which performs the third Friday of every month at the Grande Saloon, as well as at the concerts in the parks, and other area venues.

Music is a significant part of this mayor’s life, as evidenced by his office playlist. Yet despite the potentially distracting presence of music, there’s a focus to his words as he describes his vision.

Grabowski wants to bring harmony to his hometown. He wants to emphasize that our differences are the city’s strength. Grabowski also hopes to change the perception of the Council, which many residents have criticized in recent months for its in-fighting.

Some changes may be more hard-fought than others, but he embraces the challenges in a new position that was farfrom-guaranteed. Grabowski acknowledged that some of what we know of him and his role in Clifton will remain the same. “[My band] jokingly said they are going to change [our name] to The Mayor & the Misfit-Mutts,” quipped Grabowski, 69. “That’s not happening.”

Always Marching Forward

Born to late parents Chester and Jean, Grabowski grew up and still lives in Athenia. He attended St. John Kanty and Woodrow Wilson Junior High, graduating CHS in 1971. Grabowski grew up with sisters Christine (CHS 1970) and Valerie (CHS 1974) and his late brother, Matt (CHS 1979).

It was Clifton that turned him into a musician. At CHS, he played tenor drums and was the Marching Mustangs file sergeant during his senior year.

“When I was in high school,” said Grabowski, “my neighbor... [John] Kasica) told my mother, ‘Why don’t you let your son play the drums? They’ll be going to Europe in a couple of years. It’s a great opportunity. He became my drum teacher,” added Grabowski. “And I did. In 1970, we went to Holland. Then I kept playing, and it became my living for years.”

Grabowski attended Fairleigh Dickinson in Rutherford, got a bachelor’s degree in K-8 education and taught briefly before starting his landscaping business. As he shares his story, people pop their heads in and the new mayor waves or nods, without missing a beat. Visibility is part of the job.

Since winning a Council seat in 2015, Grabowski has continued to make a conscientious effort to spend time in different sections of the city. One of the ways that he does it is by eating out at different restaurants for his meals.

“I’ll eat breakfast here, I’ll go across town to Botany to George’s, I’ll go to Hot Grill, I’ll go to the Mexican res- taurants,” said Grabowski. “I’m friends with most of the owners of the restaurants.”

From meetings with the Athenia Vets and the Elks to various senior groups, he also sings in the choirs of St. John Kanty and St. Andrew’s. He attends celebrations for Diwali, the Chinese New Year and flag raisings. He is also making plans for 2023’s Van Houten Ave. Street Fair. “I want to be involved in everything. You learn a lot of things from the people,” said Grabowski. “I don’t sit still or stay home.”

Two Fused Into One

Grabowski didn’t always plan to run for a seat on the Council. It was his younger brother Matt’s goal. A goal that he hoped to share with Ray and even went as far as envisioning one of them as Clifton’s mayor one day. When Matt went to him with the idea of running for a seat in 2010, Grabowski was ready to support him.

“He said, ‘We should run for Council’, and I said, ‘Oh, yeah, Matt. You’re the choice,’” recalled Grabowski. “He said, ‘No, no, no. Let’s do it together.’ And I’m thinking, how crazy is that? He said, ‘Yeah, but we’ll be brothers. You know, it’ll be great. We’ll be on the Council. We don’t agree on everything, which is a good thing.’”

Grabowski had reservations, but agreed “because he’s my brother” and “of course I’ll stand by his side.” It was something that they had done all of their lives — music, motorcycles, or being in business together.

“He was like my best friend and, because he was (seven) younger, he was like a son,” said Grabowski, adding, yet, “he was a mentor because he was ahead of the times with everything. Matt was the guy that knew what was cool and what wasn’t,” he added. “Even with motorcycles, we rode side-by-side. He was right there, all the time. We depended on each other constantly.”

In that first election, Matt finished fifth and won a seat. Although Ray finished in ninth, he stayed active and supported his brother. The voters re-elected Matt in 2014 but, shortly after, he passed away on Feb. 25, 2015.

Encouragement from others motivated Grabowski to step forward for the special election to fill Matt’s seat. He took home more than half of the 6,979 ballots cast, with 3,702 votes. But a separate contributor in his decision to run was that the Council was part of Matt’s identity.

“He was on the Council, and it was a part of him that he loved,” said Grabowski. “Then I got on, and I loved it. Now, here I am [as the mayor]. I still can feel him. I know his ideas because we felt the same about the city,” he continued. “We’re equal in that, so it’s almost like the two of us fused into one. Unfortunately, it’s me, but I still know his ideas for the city, which is the love of the community.”

Seeking Harmony

Grabowski felt that love leading up to his appointment as mayor. Ahead of the Nov. 8, 2022 election, the question on many minds was: “Who will be Clifton’s next mayor?” For the first time in 32 years, it would be someone besides James Anzaldi. The general expectation? The mayor would be the top vote-getter.

It isn’t law, but it was tradition with one exception — by now, many are familiar with what people characterize as the rail-roading of former Councilman William Bate in 1966. Fast forward to the present day, many felt Grabowski was almost similarly rail-roaded in the weeks leading up to his Jan. 3 appointment by the Council.

Online and at meetings, the public responded to the possibility of some council members wanting to nominate the second highest vote-getter, Councilman Bill Gibson.

In the end, the 4-3 vote in Grabowski’s favor was split between him and fourth-place finisher Antonio Latona. Grabowski learned a great deal from it.

“People assume when they go to the polls that their vote counts and the [highest vote-getter] will be picked as the mayor. That’s always been tradition,” said Grabowski. “One lesson I learned out of this is that sometimes, because of the way things are structured, it doesn’t have to follow the will of the people.”

Grabowski expressed gratitude for the support shown by residents and how many came to the December Council meetings to have their voices heard.

Although tradition prevailed, the vote was still 4-3. Grabowski said he’s not angry by the three votes against him, but he’s “a little hurt and upset” that people he knows would go against that long-standing public expectation.

“I know if they were the highest vote-getter,” said Grabowski, “and we tried to take it away from them, they would object more fiercely than I would.”

The time between the election and his appointment was grueling. He described going to otherwise cheerful holiday functions and receiving congratulations, yet needing to remind people that nothing is guaranteed.

“It took the wind out of my sails,” he said. “I was prepared to accept whatever happened, and I would because I believe in the process.” Now, he feels great. Grabowski said he believes he and his colleagues are focused on working better together. “Obviously there will be problems, but we don’t need to fight about it,” he said. “We need to find solutions.”

Finding Solutions

Most pressing, for all seven council members, is finding a solution to balance the city’s roughly $10 million budget deficit without affecting services and taxpayers.

Shortfalls extend beyond Clifton and certain tax-raising aspects are outside of the city’s control. “We do not have any control over the Board of Education taxes, which is approximately 50% of your tax bill,” said Grabowski.

The 2022 tax distribution was: District School, 47.37%; Local Municipal, 27.74%, County Taxes, 23.26%; Library Tax, 1.23%; and County Open Space, 0.40%.

Boiling down an example, Grabowski used a figure of $12,000. He explained how far that roughly $3,000 portion—27.74%— in city taxes stretches.

“We have a paid fire department. Many towns are volunteer,” said Grabowski. “For $3,000, we’ve got a great DPW and you’re getting four ambulances [through the Fire Department].”

The plan is to find alternate methods to bring revenue into the city. Projects like the On3 redevelopment of the Hoffman-LaRoche campus will provide revenue upon completion. But the city could also look at selling bonds, and there are still many moving parts to consider.

In a separate discussion, Councilman Joe Kolodziej explained other factors that can influence the city’s budget outlook for 2023. “Pensions … and the cost of health benefits went up significantly,” said Kolodziej. “The last Council added $1.3 million to the police salary and wages, and the garbage contract is the last really big piece of what pushes the budget to where it’s at.”

Kolodziej said the typical tax point in Clifton is roughly $550,000. If nothing is done, there could be an increase of 20 tax points (for the average homeowner, $17 per point). Without factoring in any union contractual increases for the FMBA, DPW, and city hall workers, it could translate to an average home increase of about $340.

Grabowski reiterated that the Council will “do the best we can for the city.”

“We always do that,” stated Grabowski. “We’re all taxpayers. I wouldn’t do anything that would hurt myself.”

A Mayor of the People

Collaboration is the key in meeting all of Grabowski’s goals — whether it relates to the budget, community harmony, or Council unity. Which is why Grabowski’s not afraid to seek the expertise of others, including his fellow council members.

“As council people, we talk. [We] need to have a rapport,” he said. “I like to be on top of things.”

Grabowski also stays connected with people in different departments. If it’s a topic related to the police, he’ll call Chief Thomas Rinaldi. If it’s a question about the city, Grabowski will reach out to City Manager Dominick Villano. He also has a direct line to congressional aides, who keep him informed about state and county circumstances.

Leaning into the Council’s diversity of experience also helps. Grabowski said that while personal differences should be set aside, differences in outlooks and problemsolving approaches should be encouraged.

“[Mayor Anzaldi] always said, ‘Compromise and consensus.’ At the end of the day, if you have a problem, you find a solution. That’s how I want the Council to work,” said Grabowski. “Together.”

On a personal level, Grabowski wants to become a “Mayor of the People” — as it relates to his involvement in many social areas, including business and the arts.

As far his six colleagues, he wants to orchestrate a harmonious elected team. “I want the Council to have integrity. I want it to be respected within the community as leaders of this city,” said Grabowski. “My job as the mayor is to make sure personalities don’t conflict.”

“Obviously you can’t please everyone,” he added, “but you have to do what’s best for the most people, and hopefully the other side will understand that.”

To Grabowski, it goes back to the belief that he held with his brother, Matt. That instinct to keep Clifton as the hometown they loved during their youths. A community where all cultures and people of all backgrounds have a voice.

“If Matt was still here, the first goal he would have had wanted was to incorporate everybody. Which is what I try to do now,” said Grabowski. “We’re all Cliftonites. We just have something different to offer and we [should] take advantage of that. It’s very important.”

From gym and swim to technology and academics, the Boys & Girls Club came from humble beginnings. Once for boys only, Clifton kids were brought together in a former Botany Village tavern. Today, the club has expanded but still builds great futures.