Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Romano (D-5) was named to his second full term to lead the governing body, with Commissioner Fanny Cedeno (D-7) named vice chair and Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) as chair pro tempore.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
The reorganization meeting began with some literal reorganization of the agenda.
The commissioners, starting out of order, first appointed Commissioner Bob Baselice (D-8) as the voting member to the New Jersey Association of Counties, Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4) as the Alternate Voting Member, and Abe Antun as the second alternate voting member, all approved unanimously (9-0).
Next, O’Dea was appointed as the chairman pro tempore, also with a unanimous vote.
He quoted Groucho Marx that “he would never join a club that would have him as a member” and joked that he wasn’t sure what the position does before expressing gratitude in earnest.
“It’s always nice to just add one more title. It’s also leadership too … Of course I was hoping it was going to be my last year,” O’Dea said at the meeting.
After finishing in third place in the Jersey City mayoral race in November, he parlayed his endorsement of eventual winner James Solomon in the December 2nd runoff election into co-chair of the transition team – a post he also held for Mayor Steven Fulop in 2013.
After the meeting, O’Dea told HCV that this was a good sign of cooperation between the county and the incoming mayoral administration in Jersey City.
“The selection to a leadership position on the commissioner board is a positive, symbolic indicator of the county’s willingness to be supportive and helpful to the new administration coming into Jersey City led by Mayor-Elect James Solomon,” O’Dea declared.
O’Dea replaces Cedeno as chair pro tempore, who was appointed to vice chair after he was sworn in.
Cedeno, who held that position for several years before getting promoted to vice chair, thanked colleagues for their votes and support to succeed outgoing Commissioner Jerry Walker in the role.
He who was elected in November to represent the 31st Legislative District in Trenton, and therefore, this was his last meeting as a commissioner.
“It’s a privilege for me to sit on this board to now be your vice chair,” Cedeno noted.
After Cedeno was sworn in, Romano was reappointed as the chair, highlighting that his top priority is to work with his colleagues as a team.
“Jerry Walker’s moving on. He’s the definition of a team and of a friend. Kenny Kopacz likewise. Mentors Al Cifelli and Bill O’Dea: You couldn’t get more wiser than they are,” Romano said after taking the oath of office.
“And my Aunt Carrie and Fanny and I have become so close working together. And Yraida and Bobby Basilice have a wealth of knowledge in so many different areas. I think that’s what makes the team go.”
Romano also thanked the department directors, their staff, Hudson County workers, the officers from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Corrections, and Prosecutor’s Office, and county mayors.
In a brief interview with HCV, he expressed his desire to continue the board’s collaboration with all levels of government in 2026 to get results for constituents.
“I look forward to working together, whatever ends of the political spectrum, to get through tough economic times, to serve all our people, and ensure that we’re well represented by different nationalities, different races, different ethnic groupings,” Romano said.
“And to be accessible, that’s important. I feel I’m always accessible, whether it be the fourth estate, whether it be residents, or my colleagues. And I look forward to working with all the new electeds. It’s four levels of government, you got federal, state, county, and municipal. And that’s the key.”
Hoboken Mayor-elect Emily Jabbour was present for the meeting and expressed enthusiasm to see Romano, a retired Hoboken police captain, retain his post – which he served for most of 2023 and all of 2024.
“It’s great for Hoboken to see Commissioner Romano continue to be in the chair’s role. I think it’s been a great working relationship. The county is obviously a really essential partner to Hoboken’s operations on a regular basis, so I’m excited for him,” she expressed.
In addition to reorganization, the board also approved their schedule of meetings for the year, as well as some 2026 temporary appropriations, and a cash management plan. R
Rounding out the agenda was a resolution appointing Edoardo Ferrante, Jr. as Hudson County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinator, replacing former OEM Coordinator Jim Woods.
He had previously served in the same role in Bayonne under Mayor Jimmy Davis, who left his third term on January 1st after being elected Hudson County sheriff in November.
Editor’s note: Dan Israel ran for the Jersey City Ward E council seat on Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea’s ticket in November.
This guy is going for a SIXTH term as an HCDO tool. He had a real challenger when he ran for the first time, but Dawn Zimmer split the vote when she endorsed Frank Raia. Now Jabbour, another fake “progressive,” is set to support Romano again, leaving Ron Bautista in the dust, after he endorsed her for mayor. Dumb move on Bautista’s part.
You’re quite a blast from the past “Resident.” Brings back memories of the glory days of Hoboken 411.
”A real challenger” — why not name this formidable gladiator? Surely it can’t be Inept Garcia Keim of which you speak. Anyone with half a clue knows the only thing that “split the vote” in that election was the strain of her neck muscles carrying around that massive box of rocks.
She must have hurt you badly, to trigger you so deeply. Romano seems nice, but is no great intellect.
Zing! Good one, *keyboard* warrior! I’m not the one still butthurt over an endorsement made nearly two decades ago. Seems like you’re the one with skin in the game.
Bottom line — if she was truly “a real challenger” worth bringing up to fault a former mayor for Romano’s tenure, why not name her?
Romano is no Mensa candidate, that’s for sure, nor is he someone I’ve ever voted for and don’t plan to. But he is something you and your “real challenger” have never been — a winner.
How many county jobs has he got for his son over the years?
Welcome back to writing articles Dan! You’re much more suited to write for blogs and news versus politics but there’s always 2028 and beyonddddddddd!! So great you’re back after your big break from writing since February 2025! Looking forward to seeing what else you put out in the future!! Hopefully some more NJSPJ titles under your belt since it was very radio silent last year 🙁