Former Bayonne Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski was sworn in today as the first female mayor in city history alongside her newly-elected council, noting that the city will have a new new master plan and outright ban data centers once and for all.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
Following that, the new council members were administered the oath of office by City Clerk Madelene Medina: 1st Ward Councilman Gene Perry, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez, 3rd Ward Councilman Tommy Gillen, Councilman At-Large Mark Bottino, and Councilman At-Large Mariam Salama.
Ashe-Nadrowski followed, thanking her family for their love and support, as well as her running mates, volunteers, and supporters.
“Today, our community gathers to mark a new beginning, a fresh start, and a chance to make things right. I’m honored to have your support and truly appreciate the gravity of being the first female mayor of the City of Bayonne,” she began.
“Today is not about me. Today is not about the people sitting up on this stage. Today is not even about the people in this room. Today is about the future of Bayonne. It’s about restoring the public’s trust in local government. It’s about the hard work we need to overcome, the challenges that have plagued our city for years.”
According to Ashe-Nadrowski, the city needs to not only confront the challenges that they’ve inherited from previous administrations, but also look more intently on the future together to actively make a better Bayonne.
“That starts with leadership that does not just hear concerns, but actually listens and takes actions,” Ashe-Nadrowski said.
“From 1st Street to 63 Street, the new City Council and I have spoken to hundreds of residents, and we hear about out-of-control development and the ongoing deterioration of our neighborhood character.”
With that in mind, Ashe-Nadrowski announced that her administration will immediately begin the process of developing a new Master Plan for the city, shaped through extensive public participation.
“Bayonne’s future should be determined by Bayonne residents, the people who live here, not special interests. Together, we will create a roadmap for responsible development that reflects the wants, needs, and value of our community,” she declared.
In addition, in a few weeks her administration with support from the new City Council, will introduce an ordinance to ban all future data centers in Bayonne, which was a hot button issue on the campaign trail.
This also comes on the heels of it coming to light that recent development that they’re allowed in three redevelopment plans based on the parameters of their zoning, as HCV first reported.
“Our residents deserve certainty about the future of their neighborhoods. It’s time to take a clear position, eliminate uncertainty, and preserve our ability to shape Bayonne’s future on our terms,” Ashe-Nadrowski declared.
On top of development, the newly minted mayor said she wants to address regular concerns about how the city looks and feels, committing to improve street cleaning, park maintenance, and litter collection.
“Plain and simple, everyone must be held accountable, and that means everyone. However, it’s important to note that the city cannot do it alone,” she continued.
“All Bayonne stakeholders must do their part. So whether you’re an absentee landlord, a business owner, or a resident, if you choose to blight your neighborhood and disrupt the quality of life or disturb your neighbors by failure to maintain your property, you’re going to be in for a rude awakening.”
According to Ashe-Nadrowski, her administration will also be advancing a plan in the upcoming weeks to restore property maintenance and code enforcement
Further, over the next four years, her administration seeks to prove that government can again be responsive, transparent, and accountable.
“It is my honor to finally give residents back their seat at the table,” Ashe-Nadrowski concluded.
Following her remarks, Medina called to order the reorganization meeting of the new Bayonne City Council, which first unanimously (5-0) approved several resolutions.
They voted to move the July council caucus meeting from July 8th to July 15 and the regular council meeting from July 15th to July 22nd, both to still be held at 6 p.m.
The brand new governing body also appointed Ashe-Nadrowski’s brother James Ashe as public safety director and naming ex-Mayor James Davis Chief of Staff Andrew Casais as Business Administrator, both as HCV first reported.
Further, former Board of Education Trustee Jan Patrick Egan is now the director of municipal services, Land Use Administrator Alicia Losonczy is the new director of planning, zoning, and development.
Finally, Bayonne Police Sgt. Steven Rhodes was reappointed as a class two member of the Bayonne Planning Board, O’Connor was appointed as a class one member, Brian Beebe as a class four member, and Salama as a class three member of the governing body.
Then, Godesky-Rodriguez was nominated and unanimously elected Council President, and was subsequently sworn in to the role by Medina.
“Melissa is a hard worker. I don’t know how she does it, but she’s a bit of a ball of energy. She puts her heart and soul into everything. She always has resources, she always comes prepared, and I really look forward to working with her,” Ashe-Nadrowski told HCV.
The inauguration closed out with a benediction from the Very Rev. Fr. Antonious Emil Takla from St. Abanoub & St. Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church as the Bees Knees ended the ceremony with “God Bless America.”
Other dignitaries in attendance included U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-08), state Senator Angela McKnight (D-31), Assemblyman Will Sampson, Assemblyman Jerry Walker (both D-31), Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla (D-32), Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, Commissioner Kenny Kopacz (D-1), and Commissioner Bob Baselice (D-8), among others.
“It was a great day to welcome in the new administration. We’re really looking forward to working at all levels of government with her and the city council to drive the most meaningful change for the City of Bayonne,” stated Menendez.
“Today is a historic day. First woman mayor for Bayonne- that is something that is priceless and it just shows that anyone can become mayor. And if you’re born and raised in a city where now you look at the mayor, that is something that you can be excited about,” expressed McKnight.
Further, Guy pointed out that Hudson County now has four female mayors, with the others being Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo, and Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour.
And just in that perspective, its historic. And we’re all facing a lot of challenges. Obviously the state passed our budget last night. We’re very grateful for the governor and the speaker and the senate president,” he declared.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in Hudson County. My job is to assist the residents of the mayor in whatever capacity I can. I’ll let her get her feet wet for a couple of weeks and I’ll come down and see how we can help out.”
Usual suspects taking turns. WCGW?