The Jersey City Planning Board took an unexpected turn last night after Board Chair Christopher Langston and Vice Chair Dr. Orlando Gonzalez stepped down after serving in their roles for more than 14 years.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“So I’ve been on this board since August of 2013, and I’ve been chair of this since July of 2014 … My work life has gotten pretty hectic in the recent couple of years. I’ve been missing meetings. This year coming up is going to be worse … I don’t like to miss meetings,” Langston said at the meeting.
“There’s been things that we’ve voted on that personally I couldn’t stand! But it was the law. Our personal feelings are outside this… Follow the law. Bottom line. One of my proudest achievements is [Board attorney] Santo [Alampi] never lost a lawsuit because of us,” he said to applause.
He added that the board needs to follow the law and keep politics out of their decision.
“Do we want 20 percent affordable housing across the board? Of course! Fix the law. I encourage this administration to give us the tools that we need … to make this city a better place,” Langston declared.
He added that he’s served under two different mayors, four planning directors, five board attorneys, but just one vice chair before saying thank you and giving his colleagues well wishes.
Orlando said Langston “is a very good man” and that the end is his tenure is a big deal for the entire city, which he really cares about.
Gonzalez noted that it’s time for change as he recalled being appointed by then-Mayor Jerramiah Health in July 2012. He said he called Healy about his decision to finally vacate his seat, to which he joked he was surprised he was still there.
“These people have been amazing … 14 years on this board is a long time. It’s time because a new administration has come in, and quite frankly, we need to let other people come up. We do. We need fresh ideas,” he explained, noting that he wanted to focus on his medical practice as well.
“We just figured it was about that time, I’m sorry I didn’t get to know the new people coming in … It’s hard, but it’s time. With that, I say adios,” he said to applause.
Department of Infrastructure Director Andy Kaplan joked that he wasn’t stepping down before praising both Langston and Gonzalez for their legacies on the board.
“Thank you guys both for your leadership qualities … This board will definitely miss both of you,” noted Commissioner Vidya Gangadin, also a former board of education president.
After Alampi asked for nominations for chair, Langston enthusiastically nominated Gangadin.
“I don’t think there’s anybody more fit for this job,” he asserted before the measure passed 7-0(1) with Gangadin abstaining to applause.
“Thank you Chris for nominating me. I look forward to continuing that leadership role that you set,” Gangadin said before nominating Commissioner Elizabeth Wick to be vice chair.
“Liz you are amazing … Don’t emulate me because I wasn’t that good,” Gonzalez joked before Langston said she deserved this.
Wick said she was “deeply honored” before she expressed she felt it would be appropriate for her to abstain.
The governing body passed the motion 7-0(1), with Wick abstaining.
“This is a bittersweet moment for me: I am very sorry to see you guys go,” Supervising Planning Matt Ward admitted.
“I am going to look forward to not talking so much,” Langston joked.
