Experience Matters

Ryan has worked in and with government for nearly half of his life. Ryan has known what it's like to make a difference in his community ever since, as a teenager, he began advocating for and building what is now the Jill Schwertfeger Memorial Dog Park. Ryan has led the Communications Commission since 2018 and knows about the Council's budget process, working with volunteers, and how to set forth a vision of the future and then act on it.

Ryan has worked for the Borough of Roseland since October 2019, handling a wide range of duties and learning about other positions and their job functions in his roles as Public Information Officer and Office Manager. Though strong in his convictions, Ryan consistently exhibits respect and kindness to all. He is always open to hearing other points of view and working with people who see things differently from him. Ryan can work well across the aisle too. He is a conservative Republican, but he has worked effectively at Roseland under a Democratic mayor and a split 3-3 council.

Ryan combines youthful energy with experience and demonstrated competence, making him an ideal candidate to become a fresh voice on Oakland Council.

Ryan's Promises

Improve Communications Between the Borough & Residents

As Chairman of the Oakland Communications Commission, Ryan has done his part to bring Oakland into the 21st century. Since becoming Chairman, Ryan led the charge to create a digital Borough newsletter, transition Oakland TV from SD to HD broadcasting, and launch online streaming of the channel. He also updated the TV channel's bulletin board and advised the Borough during its initial creation of the town calendar. In Roseland, Ryan has become a trusted, respected, and go-to person across departments and among the public to ensure that people are well-notified and connected with the Borough.

As Councilman, Ryan will advocate for creating the position of Public Information Officer so one central person can handle the Borough's communications needs at Borough Hall, improve and expand upon the Borough's communications platforms, and work effectively with the Communications Commission to leverage volunteer work and input toward a full and well-rounded approach to communicating with residents.

Ryan will be fully hands-on to ensure that the first person to hold this position will set a standard of excellence and accomplishment to quickly deliver immediate improvements that residents will notice and appreciate. To be crystal clear, this is NOT a job Ryan is creating for himself as he is pleased working in his current position with his current employer and Ryan attests that he will not take this position when created.

Ryan will also be vocal in his support for any projects that would increase transparency, expand the Borough's communications abilities, and would perform a service or bring a benefit to bring together residents of all ages and backgrounds. Ryan will also work with both sides in an effort to forge a compromise and bring back a second open public session to Borough Council meetings.

Ryan's Taxpayer Pledge

Ryan makes less than the median household income compared to the average person in the Borough of Oakland, so he knows the importance of spending money carefully, limiting and preventing undue tax increases, and ensuring that funds are spent where needed and on the best return for investment. Ryan will not vote to approve of a Borough budget that raises taxes more than the percentage cost of living increase that he received the previous year at his own job, with the exception of exemptions allowed under the current 2% tax levy cap, other contractual and/or forced increases the Borough must budget for, or any expenses that stem from Trenton-imposed mandates that are out of our local control and that the Borough must comply with.

Quarterly Office Hours

Ryan plans to pick one day each quarter to hold open office hours for residents to meet one-on-one with him in a public location to bring their questions, comments, and concerns - to make himself open and available especially for residents who could not normally go to Council Meetings or get to Borough Hall during the day. He will aim to choose different days of the week at different times to accommodate the different schedules of residents. Ryan believes meeting face-to-face with residents is important to effectively hear their concerns and break down any communication barriers that could be perceived between local government and the people they are elected to serve.

Long-Term Problems Require New Approaches

Ryan has grown up in Oakland for almost his entire life, and now as a homeowner, he does not plan to leave any time soon. Ryan has heard many of the same problems for many years - if not decades - and is willing to think big, be creative, and get productive town-wide discussions started on issues so that efforts can be made to find the best solutions to problems and then actually implement them! From exploring additional ways to improve traffic flow on Ramapo Valley Road, to reducing the overwhelming deer population, to finding ways to support and encourage volunteerism, to seeking creative solutions to address the affordable housing mandates the Borough must comply with, Ryan will work to solve problems both big and small that impact our community and are at the top of residents' minds.

Follow the Campaign!

Follow our social media to see the latest news and action from the campaign trail!

Email:

russandryan2026 at gmail.com

© 2026 All rights reserved.

Paid for by Ryan for Oakland, NJ,
130 Hiawatha Blvd, Oakland, NJ 07436.

Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. The inclusion of any individual does not constitute or imply their direct endorsement unless specified.