Bob Baselice, the North Bergen Parking Authority executive director, was selected to succeed Anthony Vainieri on the Hudson County Board of Commissioners by the Democratic committee members of the 8th District.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am honored to be selected to serve on the Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to make Hudson County an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” Baselice said in a statement.
“I am grateful for the confidence that the members of the Democratic committee in North Bergen and Secaucus have shown in me and eager to begin working right away on behalf of my constituents.”
Baselice, who assumed the top role at the NBPA in 2004, has previously worked in the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services and had also been the chief of staff for Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari – a post he could not hold as a county elected.
Vainieri, who resigned from the county board last Thursday as he gears up for the May 9th non-partisan municipal elections, remains the chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and vocalized his support for Baselice.
“Bob Baselice is a dedicated public servant and I’m certain that he will continue the work I have done delivering for the people of North Bergen, Secaucus, and all of Hudson County,” Vainieri stated.
“Commissioner Baselice has consistently demonstrated his commitment to making a positive impact in our community and his vast experience in County government make him a perfect fit for this role. I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor and am confident he and my colleagues on the County Commission Board will continue leading Hudson County forward.”
His appointment comes as no surprise, given that he was on the slate of nine county candidates, the only non-incumbent, endorsed by the HCDO last month.
Additionally, he was introduced as a county commissioner candidate at Mayor Nick Sacco’s campaign kickoff on March 7th.
He will face a June 6th primary challenge in Stephanie Martinez, a first time candidate running on a progressive slate that has five other Hudson County commissioner candidates headed by county executive hopeful Eleana Little.
The last time there was an open county seat in the 8th District, the North Bergen Democratic Committee took care of business, with Vainieri winning the 2014 primary with about 83 percent of the vote after Freeholder Thomas Leggio decided to retire.
“I’m very proud of Bob Baselice for receiving this appointment as well as for the tremendous work he has done throughout his years in North Bergen,” added Sacco, also the state senator of the 32nd Legislative District.
“He has been an invaluable asset and under his leadership, the North Bergen Parking Authority has made tremendous strides in achieving our goal of making parking easier and more convenient for our residents and visitors. I look forward to working with him on the county level to continue delivering excellent services to North Bergen residents.”
