Former state Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell exclaims that “if we put Bayonne first, together we can accomplish anything” in his latest campaign commercial, where he again takes some shots at Mayor Jimmy Davis over development.Â
“My opponent has a plan to bring tens of thousands of new residents in Bayonne further congesting our streets, adding more students to our schools and putting a heavier strain on our municipal services,” O’Donnell said in the video.
“My opponent also believes that by giving thirty-year tax abatements to wealthy developers it will somehow trickle down and help Bayonne residents already crushed by high property taxes.”
The challenger also talks about decreasing spending, fixing parking, fully funding schools and giving construction jobs to local unions.
The bitter battle for the mayor’s seat in the Peninsula City takes place on Tuesday and the forefront of the campaign is whether or not residents are satisfied with the direction development is heading.
O’Donnell has been critical of the Davis administration approving 40 tax breaks for developers, a move the mayor has defended by saying it is essential to lower the city’s multi-million dollar budget deficit.
The Jersey Journal agrees with the former, calling for a change and endorsing O’Donnell for mayor this morning.
While the Hudson County newspaper is calling for new leadership in Bayonne, they favor a split council ticket: backing O’Donnell’s candidates in the 1st and 2nd Wards, Sharma Montgomery and Kevin Kuhl, respectively.
Meanwhile, the publication endorsed 3rd Ward Councilman Gary La Pelusa for re-election and opting for a split at-large: supporting Council President Sharon Nadrowski and Melissa Enriquez-Rada – the latter running with O’Donnell.
