On one block in Westwood in Bergen County, New Jersey, concerns about affordability and taxes were top of mind among neighbors who gathered recently to talk issues ahead of the election of a new governor on Nov. 7. 

Joseph Abou-Daoud said he wanted politicians to keep taxes low enough so he could afford to raise his kids in Westwood.

"I’m going to pay two college tuitions, and a few years after that, three college tuitions," said Abou-Daoud. "I don’t know if Bergen County is going to be where I can stay. The higher the taxes go, the less we can afford living in this town."

This group has been participating in Voting Block, a statewide project to get New Jersey residents together to not only discuss the governor's race but also consider how to have more constructive conversations about politics. 

One thing that helps is good information. That's why WNYC is asking people to share questions they have for the leading candidates for governor. The Voting Block reporters intend to get answers.

Abou-Daoud said he was a registered Republican, but he told NorthJersey.com's Catherine Carrera that he might vote for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Phil Murphy, even though Murphy may end up raising taxes. 

During recent conversations with this group of Westwood neighbors, Carrera found that as frustrated as they may be with taxes, they've also done some research about where their tax dollars go, and the answer didn't necessarily disappoint. Much of that money, they realized, went to public schools. And they were okay with that, Carrera said.

Carrera spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake.