Former Gov. Jim McGreevey (D) sent out a letter to Jersey City homeowners, noting that he is developing “working groups” on key issues, ahead of a potential mayoral run in 2025.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“After resigning from the Governor’s Office, attending seminary, and building a reentry organization dedicated to those searching for Second Chances, whether from prison, jail, addiction treatment, or combat veterans, I am considering pursuing candidacy for Mayor of Jersey City,” he wrote in a letter that hit mailboxes on Saturday.
“As I make this decision, I hear time and time again from working families of the cost of property taxes. A home is among the most precious belongings of a family, of an individual. Not to belabor the point, but for most families, a home is their most considerable and expensive asset.”
While there aren’t any declared candidates for mayor, a race that’s still 25 months away, the early field could include McGreevey, Council President Joyce Watterman, Ward E Councilman James Solomon, and Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea.
In the likely scenario where affordability becomes a key issue in the race, Solomon and O’Dea will certainly lean on the fact that they have both voted against city and county budgets, respectively, for putting an added burden on taxpayers.
Furthermore, McGreevey, who resigned as governor in August 2004 after coming out as gay and admitting to having an affair with a man, said he will decide if he will run for mayor in the coming months.
He continued that his focus groups will hone in on seven key issues: public safety, community well-being, economic development, education, housing affordability, responsible government and taxes, and quality of life.
“If you would be interested in joining with us, I ask if you would kindly forward your email to researchmcgcivassn@ gmail.com and indicate which Working Group with which you would like to participate, so that we may invite you to those meetings,” he concluded.
“Again, thank you for taking the time to read this letter, to hopefully have faith that government can do more and better, and to be engaged with our community’s future. Please contact me anytime at (908) 433-4654. I welcome your comments and feedback.”
McGreevey currently has support of nine of the 12 Hudson County mayors, with the exceptions being Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and Kearny Acting Mayor Peter Santana.
Therefore, he is currently seen as a sure thing to get the endorsement of the Hudson County Democratic Organization if he runs, however, that hasn’t seemed to phase O’Dea at this point.
The letter was paid for by the Jack and Ronnie McGreevey Civic Association.
Hopefully Jersey City will have a much better candidate that they can vote for as mayor.
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McGreevey is in JC? I thought he moved to Tel Aviv with that Israeli guy he put on the payroll as a NJ homeland security guy.
2004 – Golan Cipel, an Israeli national, a former Israeli Defence soldier, who briefly served as then Gov. McGreevey’s newly created taxpayer paid $110,000 homeland security advisor. McGreevey resigned his office after he had an extramarital affair with an unnamed man believed to be Cipel.
There is a reckoning coming. And it’s gonna happen in 2025. Read that last statement John wrote. Than man has built an army… it’s an army of PISSED OFF RESIDENTS.
Whaaaaaa? Wait I thought he and his husband Mark were in Plainfield NJ?
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/fashion/this-side-of-redemption.html
“Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, standing, and his partner, Mark O’Donnell, with two of their four German shepherds in their home in Plainfield, N. J.”
“Cloaked in ivy, the Wedgwood-blue Georgian Revival in Plainfield, N.J., has the air of an upper-crust fortress. Surrounded by 1.7 leafy acres landscaped by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted, the 17-room house offers few clues about its owners. On a recent afternoon, a black Prius is parked in the drive and Easter-bunny cutouts romp across a lawn that slopes down to the quiet street.
As it happens, this $1.4 million retreat is home to one of Plainfield’s — if not New Jersey’s — most notable couples. James McGreevey is best known as the self-described “gay American” who, threatened with blackmail by a lover whom he’d placed on the state payroll, resigned as New Jersey’s governor in 2004. His partner, Mark O’Donnell, is an Australian financier with a taste for modern art and adventure travel.
Are we to believe he moved from a mansion to a mediocre house on Garrison Ave?
“https://www.nj.com/hudson/2016/08/mcgreevey_moves_to_journal_square_area.html”
How dare you question Jimmy on anything even if it is true…you anyone else who does are now to be considered homophobic.
Assemblyman, mayor, senator, governor, maybe mayor again. What’s next. Challenging Menendez? Talk about an ambitious politician?
Assemblyman, mayor, senator, governor, maybe mayor again. What’s next. Challenging Menendez? Talk about an ambitious politician?
McGreevey has not changed one bit he is still a self-serving. lying dirtbag he has always been ust his campaign rhetoric has changed to
Perhaps McGreevey’s new partner Australian financier Mark O’Donnell money will help advance his career as he touts affordable housing from their 17 room mansion on 1.7 acres of lush Olmsted designed gardens, swimming pool etc..in the elite historic district of Plainfield.
Just no. If JC residents let the HCDO get away with this, we’ll deserve every disaster that comes with it. And every punchline.