Matt Dvorin for West Orange
Matt Dvorin has called West Orange home since 2018, when he and his wife Kiki moved back to New Jersey from NYC and planted roots in a town they quickly came to love. A Rutgers University alumnus and graduate of CUNY Baruch College’s Master of Public Administration program, Matt works as a paralegal at a major academic medical center in New York City, where he specializes in health research compliance and contract analysis, carefully reviewing agreements and identifying potential problems before they become costly mistakes.
That same attention to detail and commitment to getting things right drives his campaign for Town Council. Matt believes West Orange deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and focused on the long term: smart development that benefits residents, infrastructure investment that keeps our town functioning for decades to come, and financial planning that keeps taxes under control without cutting corners.
He is running because he loves this town and believes it can do even better.
FAQ
Why are you running for Town Council?
I’m running because I believe our town needs transparent, accountable leadership that plans for the future while protecting what makes our town great. I am also a big believer in the principle of public service, and that the government works best when it strives to humbly serve the people it represents.
What are your top priorities?
My focus is on three key areas:
- Long-term planning so our town is financially stable and well-prepared for the future
- Encouraging smart, responsible development
- Improving our infrastructure so our town continues to function for decades to come
What is your position on development?
I support thoughtful, well-planned development that fits our community and benefits residents and not rushed projects that prioritize short-term gains over long-term impact.
Why do you talk so much about sewers?
Sewers and storm drains are a critical piece of infrastructure that most people don’t think about, until they have to. Our storm drains and sanitary sewers have not received as much attention and resources as they require. As development and climate change continue to place burdens on our sewers, we need to be prepared.
How will you keep taxes under control?
Given ongoing cost-of-living pressures, there is little appetite for increased taxes. We keep taxes under control by improving long-term financial planning, increasing transparency in budgeting, and making smarter decisions about development that grow our tax base without unfairly shifting costs to residents.
How will you be different from current leadership?
I will prioritize transparency, open communication, and data-driven decision-making. While it is easy to blame individuals, members of our municipal government are often doing their best to remedy dysfunction that precedes their tenure. Residents deserve to understand what’s happening and have a real opportunity to be heard.
Also, I believe strongly in “Principles before personalities,” meaning that honesty, respect, civility, and compromise are absolutely central if we wish to properly serve the public.
How can residents get involved or share their concerns?
I want to hear from you! You can reach out directly, attend local meetings, or connect with me online. Your input will shape my priorities.
How do you pronounce “Dvorin”?
“Dee-VOR-in” or “Da-VOR-in” works! It almost rhymes with “Orange.” In fact I was considering making my campaign slogan “West Dvorange” but my campaign manager/wife said that was a bad idea.
What is your background?
My wife Kiki and I moved to West Orange in 2018 after spending many years in New York City. We both grew up in New Jersey and earned our undergraduate degrees from Rutgers University in New Brunswick. We fell in love with West Orange for its charm, dynamism, values and people.
I hold a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Baruch College (CUNY), and for the past several years I have worked as a paralegal at a large academic medical center in NYC where my focus is on health research and compliance. Much of my work involves scrutinizing research contracts and identifying potential pitfalls, exactly the kind of skill that is needed if we want to act in the residents’ best interests and avoid the costly mistakes of the past.
How can I support your campaign?
You can help by spreading the word and volunteering! I also would be grateful for any financial support. Please click here to donate to my campaign!
