Tuesday June 4, 2019 is primary day and Upper Saddle River has new Republican candidate for mayor Erik Friis who is running for office. A longtime resident of town Erik is a powerhouse of knowledge, energy and enthusiasm and has been one of the most vocal critics of the Toll Brothers mess and the mayor and councils handling of it, and numerous other issues that have arisen. Not afraid to speak out and be a change maker his commitment to Upper Saddle River makes him a formidable candidate. Here is a little bit about him – in his words.
My name is Erik S. Friis, and I’m running for mayor of Upper Saddle River in the Republican Primary on June 4, 2019.
I am a 14-year resident of Upper Saddle River and a proud 50+ year resident of the Saddle River Valley. I have two school-age children attending Bogert School. I graduated cum laude from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and have over 25 years of Wall St. experience as an algorithmic developer and algorithmic trader with Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Bank of America, ABN Amro, and Liquidnet.
In addition to my professional experience I have considerable involvement in civic and community activities. I founded and run the successful Facebook group “Citizens for a Better Upper Saddle River” which has circa 2,000 members and growing. I spearheaded the arsenic investigation at Toll Brothers Apple Ridge (now known as Preserve at Upper Saddle River) and have been a vocal opponent and prolific investigator of the toxic contamination. To that end, I researched and authored a white paper “The Toxicological Impact of the Toll Brothers’ Apple Ridge Development to the Saddle River Valley Ecosystem and its Residents.” Prior to this I helped restore the Upper Saddle River Slave Cemetery in conjunction with Pastor Fretz of the Old Stone Church and the Eagle Scouts and have volunteered my time teaching courses in local history at the Hopper-Goetschius museum and authored the article “The Saddle River Valley History Beneath Our Feet.” Additionally I have worked with third graders at Bogert School teaching the basics of array programming.
It is time for Upper Saddle River to be represented by someone with a plan and a clear vision for improving and preserving this beautiful town. My specific agenda goals are:
- To reduce property taxes by slashing frivolous spending.
- To hold Toll Brothers fully accountable for the toxic contamination of the Pleasant Brook ecosystem.
- To ensure that soft targets such as our schools have metal detectors as a first line of defense.
- To enforce our ordinances and never again engage in failed litigation such as the eruv litigation which cost the town over $1MM dollars in legal expenses.
- To minimize the impact of affordable housing on our schools and infrastructure. I will oppose all high density development.
- To support the arts by encouraging free performances, including plays and summer concerts, as well as establishing extra curricular activities for our children such as low cost summer camp.
My administration will endeavor to heal the ills that have been perpetrated on our citizens by the prior Administration. A Friis Administration will run our town like an efficient and strategic business and not a charity. Together, we will establish a new path and a new vision for the betterment of Upper Saddle River. Together, we will make the right choices and eschew the wrong. And, together, we will transform these bold new ideas into reality.