Bayonne Mayor-elect Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski unveiled John Minella as the chair of her transition team, with Maria Valado to serve as the vice chair, today after a historic landslide victory earlier this month.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
“John Minella and Maria Valado each bring an incredible amount of experience, leadership, and commitment to public service to our effort to deliver a more effective and responsive local government for Bayonne residents,” Ashe-Nadrowski said in a statement.
“I am very excited to have such talented and respected individuals helping lead this transition effort, and I am confident their knowledge of government, education, and community engagement will ensure our administration is prepared to hit the ground running on day one to deliver for the people of Bayonne.”
Minella is a veteran public administrator with more than 40 years of experience in municipal and county government.
He has previously served as the chief of staff to former Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, executive director of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), and as the chair of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
As for Valado, she currently the vice chair and acting secretary of the Bayonne Planning Board, as well as a former Bayonne Board of Education president with more than 30 years of experience in Newark Public Schools.
Further, Ashe-Nadrowski stated that the transition team will focus on evaluating city operations, identifying immediate priorities, and building an administration centered on transparency, accountability, and responsive government.
She said additional transition team announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
Ashe-Nadrowski was elected mayor in a decisive three-way race, defeating Councilman at-Large Loyad Booker and City Business Administrator Mary Jane Desmond in the May 12th race, making her poised to be the first woman to lead the Peninsula City, as HCV first reported.
Following her victory, she thanked supporters and emphasized her commitment to delivering transparent, ethical, and responsive leadership for Bayonne residents.
Ashe-Nadrowski’s council slate also pulled off a clean sweep, with Council President Gary La Pelusa, the 3rd Ward representative, and Omar Elgarhi deciding to forgo June 9th runoff elections.
