TEANECK, N.J. — George Fernandez says Teaneck needs to spend less, listen more and stop handing major decisions to developers without enough public scrutiny.

Fernandez, a clinical social worker, union representative and small-business owner, is running with the TEANECK FIRST slate.

At the League of Women Voters forum, he came out swinging on government spending.

Fernandez called for a full audit of township finances, including a look at no-bid contracts, overtime and outside services. He argued that money could be redirected toward basic municipal services.

He also went after the condition of the Department of Public Works, saying workers should not be operating in what he described as unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

“Workers’ rights are human rights,” Fernandez said.

Development was another major target.

Fernandez opposes the Crossroads project at the former Stop & Shop site and questioned the township’s approach to development, including traffic, flooding, shadows and parking.

He also said municipal land should not simply be turned over to developers.

Fernandez's message was blunt: Teaneck should invest in itself rather than allowing its assets to deteriorate.

That same approach showed up in his position on the Municipal Green.

Fernandez said he does not believe community-specific monuments belong on the Green because the property belongs to all taxpayers. He also argued that the Holocaust memorial and Enslaved African Memorial projects began together and should be completed together rather than allowing one to move ahead while the other is still raising money.

The two projects, however, have been raising money separately. The Holocaust memorial recently announced a $100,000 donation, its largest announced gift to date, while the Enslaved African Memorial Committee continues to seek donations.

That raises another question: Is the widening fundraising gap part of what is driving the TEANECK FIRST position on the Green?

Fernandez did not say that was his motivation. His stated argument was that projects that began together should not be allowed to race each other.

Fernandez repeatedly returned to the idea that residents need more control over what happens in their town.

“This is not two Teanecks,” he said at the forum. “It’s Teaneck First!, and Teaneck is not for sale.”

That is the message Fernandez is taking to voters as he pushes for tighter spending, more transparency and a different approach to development.