In an editorial, Jersey City Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore explains why he felt the job of Department of Recreation and Youth Development director was more than just an appointment.
Over the past several weeks, I have taken time to reflect deeply on the administration’s search for a new Director of Recreation and Youth Development for the City of Jersey City.
This is not a statement I wanted to rush—because the role of recreation is too important to our young people, our families, and the future of our city to respond without clarity, purpose, and conviction.
Let me be clear: I respect the Mayor’s authority to make appointments and I remain committed to working collaboratively where it benefits the people of Jersey City.
However, I would be doing a disservice to my constituents—and to the many residents who have reached out to me—if I did not acknowledge the disappointment and concern surrounding this decision.
For months, the community (including myself and other close comrades) have spoken with consistency and conviction in support of Thomas “Tommy” Best.
This was not a political movement—it was a grassroots affirmation of a man who has spent decades investing in our youth, building programs, creating opportunity, and serving as a mentor and role model across generations.
Many of us believed, based on early signals and conversations, that this administration understood that value. The shift away from that expectation has left many residents questioning not just this decision, but the process behind it.
This moment is bigger than one appointment. It raises real concerns about how we value authentic, homegrown talent in Jersey City. We are a city filled with qualified, experienced, and dedicated individuals who have committed their lives to public service right here.
Yet, we continue to see a pattern—whether through outside appointments or the use of residency waivers—where that local talent is overlooked. That is a direction I fundamentally disagree with.
I believe firmly that Jersey City should invest in Jersey City —in the people who know our neighborhoods, who have lived our challenges, and who have already proven their commitment to our residents.
This is not about exclusion; it is about equity, opportunity, and trust.
As an elected official, I also take responsibility for my role in this process. I hear those who have said I should have spoken sooner or louder. They are not wrong to expect that from me.
And I want my community to know this: I am listening, I am reflecting, and I am recommitting myself to showing up with the clarity, strength, and leadership that you deserve.
At the upcoming City Council meeting, I will be voting “no” on this appointment.
That vote is not personal—it is principled. It is a vote in recognition of Tommy Best’s decades of service, his unmatched impact on youth development, and the belief that he represents exactly what this position should stand for.
His work will continue to stand as a blueprint for what it means to lead with purpose, discipline, and heart.
But this is not the end of the conversation—it is the beginning of a renewed commitment.
Moving forward, I will be more intentional about staying connected with our community, more vocal when our values are at stake, and more strategic in ensuring that the voices of Ward F—and Jersey City as a whole—are not just heard, but respected.
The message I carry forward is simple: “Let’s finish what we started.”
We will continue to advocate for fairness in hiring, transparency in decision-making, and real investment in the people who have always invested in us.
Frank “Educational” Gilmore
Jersey City Ward F councilman