Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos, first elected to the post in 1999, is seeking re-election with four council members ahead of a primary where he’s facing the first potential challenger since 2003.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
This morning, Santos submitted his petitions for nomination for his eighth term as mayor and was joined by 1st Ward Councilwoman Marytrine DeCastro, 2nd Ward Councilman Richard Konopka, 3rd Ward Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle, and 4th Ward Councilman Gerald Ficeto.
“Kearny is the home of an incredibly diverse community and it has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve this town,” Santos said in a statement.
“In the past four years alone, we’ve witnessed our small but mighty community rally together to fight against injustices and help our neighbors in their time of need. Kearny is now experiencing its own rebirth and along with my running mates, we look forward to continue serving our community with honesty, integrity and compassion.”
During his most recent term,Santos led a grassroots movement to permanently close the Keegan Landfill that was releasing unsafe toxins into the air.
He also touts the successfully completed renovations at the Gunnell Oval Municipal Sports and Recreational Complex, which includes modern turf playing surfaces, a new stormwater management system to reduce flooding, two field houses, a playground, volleyball court, outdoor fitness area, tennis courts, basketball courts and a skatepark.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor also successfully lobbied county and state officials to open a municipal vaccination site at Kearny High School.
Santos is also the chair of the Kearny Democratic Committee and the clerk for the Hudson County Board of Commissioners.
Last week, real estate professional Sydney Ferreira announced that he would be challenging Santos in the June 8th primary after mentioning the possibility earlier this year.
“I am running for mayor of our town, because I see the untapped potential of this great place that we all love and call home. I plan to roll up my sleeves and get to work, committing myself on a full time basis to homeowners and tenants, large and small businesses, and developers of all sizes,” he said in a statement.
“Our progress cannot only benefit a select few; instead, it should benefit all of us collectively as a town. And, as we progress forward, we have to commit to not leave anyone behind.”
The filing deadline for all primary elections across New Jersey is this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Santos has been there too long. Time to let go!
The Kearny Taxes are insanely high and his refusal to bring light rail or any alternative through the old Boonton line shows he doesn’t care about Kearny’s future.
Turning Passaic Avenue into a strip mall for Newark and all the car traffic…