Several Jersey City Council members said goodbye at their last meeting of the Mayor Steven Fulop administration, though several in attendance said change was long overdue.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
City Clerk Sean Gallagher noted that six of the nine council members terms are expiring next week, while Ward E Councilman James Solomon is set to succeed Fulop at the January 15th inauguration ceremony.
“Congratulations to the ones who are returning, especially Mayor-Elect Solomon, and it’s never goodbye. It’s always see ya later. Okay? There’s always an open door in the Clerk’s Office and City Hall,” he said.
Following public comment, the council members all reflected on their tenure as municipal legislators.
Solomon noted he has developed close relationships with all of his colleagues.
“We disagree, but we know each person here truly cares about Jersey City … I just want to say thank you,” he stated.
“There’s a new council coming. Continue to hold us accountable … I’m grateful we’re going to have a new administration,” noted Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore, who was re-elected in November.
He added that affordable housing and rent control issues are widespread in the city and need to be addressed immediately.
“It has been a pleasure serving with each and every one of you … I might be calling for some support,” declared Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, who won a third term in the December 2nd runoff as part of Solomon’s slate.
Ward B Councilwoman Maureen Hulings was appointed in April after Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey resigned to become executive director of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), both as HCV first reported.
She did not seek a full term in November and will be succeeded by Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Joel Brooks. Hulings, who will still the chair the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), wished Solomon well as mayor.
“ … It’s been a pleasure working with everybody, especially you, Sean. I’ve really enjoyed all these years … I’m going to be around,” noted Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano, who lost to Tom Zuppa in the runoff after winning three straight December races.
“Kevin [Weller], I’m not going to miss you also,” he joked.
Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh opted not to seek another term shortly after an unsuccessful bid for state Assembly in the June 10th primary.
“To say this has been the honor of my life is an understatement …I left my Wall Street career to serve the people,” he exclaimed.
“It’s been a real honor … I’m very excited to go back on the other side of the microphone,” added Councilwoman-at-Large Amy DeGise, who also didn’t seek another term.
“For 12 years, the longest Latino elected official in the history of Jersey City, I have sat up here representing a city that raised me, shaped me, and trusted me …I never changed who I was to fit politics. I stayed me,” added Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera.
He sought a fourth term and made it to the December 2nd runoff, but was unable to spoil a Team Solomon sweep.
Finally, Council President Joyce Watterman, who finished in fifth place in the November mayoral race before endorsing former Gov. Jim McGreevey in the runoff, noted that she always tried to put what’s best for residents first.
“I would like to thank Mayor Fulop. I know he gets a bad rap … He was not scared to move the needle,” Watterman added, before touting affordable housing and park renovations she was a part of.
“ … James has his hands full … We want him to succeed … When he succeeds, all of us succeeds.”
During public comment, Portside Towers Tenant Association East President Kevin Weller criticized the current administration for not making significant progress on the issues they have been protesting at every Council meeting since spring 2022.
“We close one chapter and open another. This Council passed four landmark tenant protection ordinances … For that I thank you sincerely. But laws without enforcement… protect landlords and not tenants,” he noted.
He added that he’s looking forward to working with Mayor Solomon and the new council, as well as hopefully Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D).
“You’ve given us the tools necessary to protect our homes. However, a tool is only effective as the person who wields it,” Portside tenant activist Jessica Brann noted.
She said Portside Towers owes $10 million in fines that haven’t been collected due to negligence.
“It is a fiduciary failure that is pushed onto the taxpayers of the city,” Brann exclaimed.
She added that she is eager for Solomon to become mayor, adding that she is expecting Gilmore to spearhead an investigation into the matter.
Additionally, Portside Towers Tenants Association West President Michelle Hirsch criticized former Business Administrator John Metro, former Corporation Counsel Peter Baker, and Chief Municipal Prosecutor Jake Hudnut for perceived negligence.
“You ran out the clock … We will continue to investigate why this administration protected Equity Residential … Casual corruption is still corruption. You sat idle while something far darker unfolded,” she exclaimed.
Nobody will miss the egotistical man child James Shea. Not a single did he ever address the dept or its members. It was always just take, punish and try to destroy a working man’s family while you sat in your tower and hid. At least he cant waste your tax dollars losing in court anymore against the JCFD. Hope your time here was as miserable as you tried to make it. Shame on the council for not following through with a vote of NO confidence against Dir. Shea. That’s cute you guys had a little meeting to pat yourselves on the back on the way out the door.