TEANECK, N.J. — Howard Rose is making experience the centerpiece of his campaign, arguing that Teaneck needs someone who knows the town, knows government and is willing to show up.

Rose has lived in Teaneck for 46 years and has spent decades involved in local government and civic life. He served nine years on the Board of Education and 17 years on the Planning Board, along with stints on the Financial Advisory Board and Teaneck Comes Together. He also chaired the Cedar Lane Special Improvement District.

At the League of Women Voters forum, Rose used that experience to push back against easy answers to Teaneck’s budget problems.

He said the township should look for savings in non-mandated services and pursue outside funding where possible.

But he rejected simply cutting capital spending to make the numbers look better.

Rose argued that putting off maintenance can create bigger bills later, pointing to the condition of municipal facilities and infrastructure.

Development is another major focus.

Rose said Teaneck’s single-family character is being threatened by overdevelopment, a concern he also identified in his written candidate response.

That puts him squarely in the debate over Crossroads at the former Stop & Shop site.

Rose opposes the current approach and said the township should consider a different redevelopment plan, including affordable housing and a possible PILOT arrangement.

He also raised concerns about flooding and drainage.

But Rose’s message to residents was perhaps the simplest of all.

“Show up,” he said.

He argued that residents need to participate in the process if they want their voices heard and that elected officials need to listen when they do.

His campaign slogan, “Make Teaneck Our Field Of Dreams,” reflects the same theme: use the town’s resources carefully, plan for the future and avoid short-term fixes that create bigger problems later.

For Rose, the argument comes down to experience and planning. He says Teaneck has plenty of challenges, but the answers require knowing the town and understanding how the pieces fit together.