In a letter to the editor, Jersey City resident Joseph Ferrera explains why he’s voting for Jim McGreevey for mayor, citing his record of executive experience.
Dear Editor,
As a Jersey City resident I see the Mayoral Election runoff as an important crossroads in the leadership of Jersey City that should not be dismissed as just another mayoral election on December 2, 2025.
We have two candidates remaining of the seven original candidates after the November 4 Election.
One who is a honorable eight-year councilman serving the Downtown Ward E and another candidate Jim McGreevey who has spent most of his adult life serving the public at large in a number of capacities.
First as New Jersey Woodbridge Mayor in 1991 then as New Jersey State Legislator followed by being The State Of New Jersey Governor in 2002 and since 2014 a Reentry Workforce Leader for New Jersey residents who are reentering the real world again from prison and drug addiction providing the human links for treatment, training, and jobs.
Jim McGreevey is also one of the principals of the McGreevey Civic Association that has in recent years sponsored Job Fairs for recent graduates, veterans and other job seekers looking for a new door to open for them which is really needed in today’s changing world.
Some residents might say well we need a young mayor just like New York City but is that the answer?
Definitely Not.
I do not believe a less experienced younger leader is the answer at this important juncture in Jersey City’s history.
It is very important just like flying a large commercial plane do you want the most experienced pilot at the cockpit to get us through unpredictable storms yet unseen or a pilot with relatively limited government experience being responsible for the life in the case of Jersey City of over 300,000 residents?
Just like the “Miracle on the Hudson” in 2009 where the commercial plane lost both engines it needed a veteran pilot of over 40 years to make a emergency landing on the Hudson River with all people on board surviving after his picture perfect landing.
As we learned from COVID in recent years we need a New Jersey City mayor who can prepare and lead us as decision maker through any contingencies that might come our way.
When Jim Mc Greevey was New Jersey’s Governor in 2002 he was responsible for over 8,800,000 residents of New Jersey at that time and managed with his team all the important Departments and Agencies of the State of New Jersey which some were individually much larger budgets than a City of Jersey City government.
Proven experience and associated wisdom from many years in public life is a very valuable asset to all of us residents of Jersey City.
I believe after my very comprehensive review including his extensive TV interviews Jim McGreevey past solid long time leadership experience with his team can do the following.
Increase affordable housing that is sorely needed, find creative ways to reduce resident every day costs, stabilize property taxes to make home ownership a reality and help lower rents, expand the Social Services to families and seniors, give our police, fire and other city emergency responders full support to do their jobs and make our Jersey City schools a true learning experience to prepare our children for the future!
Finally based on observations made by many people in New Jersey who interacted or worked with Jim McGreevey over the years they all say he has a “heart” for people as demonstrated in his life long work ethic.
Jim McGreevey I believe has a unique combination that few candidates have of a proven government leadership experience over the years and a “heart” for all people to help bring everyone together as Jersey City’s Mayor.
Joseph Ferrara
Jersey City resident
The argument in this article is a total straw man. It hinges on the claim that “some residents might say we need a young mayor just like New York City—but is that the answer?” But who exactly ever said that? Virtually no one is opposing McGreevey because of Solomon’s age. They’re opposing him because he represents the same old Democratic political machine.
People aren’t fixated on how old Solomon is—they’re looking for a different vision for the city. A mayor doesn’t govern alone, and it’s obvious that both Solomon and Mamdani would surround themselves with experienced, capable people. The difference is that they’d be able to lead with a new, independent vision instead of the developer- and donor-driven politics the McGreevey camp is tied to.