The swearing in of Robert Janiszewski as county executive, Donald De Leo as county surrogate and the full slate of country freeholders on Jan. 6 was the show of shows for county politics, one that started late and lasted too long, yet still managed to shower loyal followers with loads of pomp.
Everyone who was anyone in county politics showed up at Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City to share in what largely resembled a Democratic pep rally, with a few state and federal Democratic hopefuls coming to court the strong Democratic base that Hudson County boasts.
Former Gov. Jim Florio sat in the front row with his rival for this year’s senate bid, Jon Cozine. In between sat former gubernatorial hopeful Jim McGreevey to – as the remarkably fluent Masters of Ceremonies Mayor Nicholas Sacco put it – keep the peace.
For several hours before the event, the loyal masses trickled in, many apparently unaccustomed to the grandeur of the courthouse, yet awed at the red, white and blue bunting that hung down three stories from the circular balconies leading up to the dome.
Some came in mink coats, but most wore what Richard Nixon once called "good Republican cloth coats," though if there were any Republicans present, none admitted it.
As dignitaries took their seats, chatter and talk echoed throughout the marble chamber. Even thought seating was reserved for invited guests, the masses of supporters gathered outside the circle of still-empty chairs and along the railing above, looking down, their faces full of expectation that would later turn to cheers.
The Carter Jazz Quartet, stationed on the second floor, provided entertainment. The room vibrated by the time the West New York Police Color Guard arrived, politicians parading behind them like a sports team taking the field.
There was a sense that the whole thing had been done before, an idea that the dignitaries had stood in the same places before, saying the same things. Since 1988, the principle figure in this parade has been Janiszewski. That year, now-retiring Supreme Court judge Marie Garibaldi swore him in.
The real soundtrack for this event, however, was supplied by the Weehawken Marching Band that paraded into the room and up the stairs in blue uniforms and tufted hats.
Getting sworn in
Sal Vega of West New York, who was sworn in for his second term as freeholder and who will serve as the chairman again for the year 2000, said he was paying the public back for the opportunities given to his family as immigrants. He praised Janiszewski and the remarkable transformation accomplished in schools operated by the county.
"Hudson County College was once a joke," Vega said. "Now it is among the best and fastest growing in the country."
Albert Cifelli, a freeholder from Kearny, recalled the memory of former Democratic chairman Hank Gallo, saying he learned a lot from Gallo and claiming that many of the same issues that faced the county in 1908 when the first freeholders took office face Hudson County in the year 2000. He cited sweat shops and health care as major issues.
William Braker of Jersey City, in his speech, cited education as a great accomplishment of the current administration. He said and that the county has been instrumental in providing people with the potential for getting jobs in the new millennium.
"But the best part is still ahead of us," Braker said, "and we must come up with bold ideas and address issues like gun control, providing a quality education, and increasing the minimum wage."
Barry Dugan of Bayonne, one of the new freeholders, recalled his family’s immigrant past, and how hard work and opportunity had made it possible to be where he was today.
William O’Dea of Jersey City, taking a poke at Vega, his rival on the board, claimed half of Vega’s ideas came out of Janiszewski’s speech.
"I wanted to get a copy of the speech ahead of time so I could claim credit for the other half," O’Dea said. "But I was told I voted against almost half of those things."
Perhaps the most moving moment of the night came during Jersey City Nidia Davila-Colon’s speech, which was full of praise for her mother, whose death in December had dimmed the pleasure of Davila-Colon’s victory. Davila-Colon promised to become "a builder" of the community and praised the county’s college as one of the best in the state.
Hoboken’s Maurice Fitzgibbons came on with all the savvy of a stand-up comic, but thanked the Heights section of Jersey City for support that put him over the top during his election.
By far, the biggest star of the night short of Janiszewski was freeholder Brian Stack of Union City, whose Robert F. Kennedy-like sound seemed to reverberate through the crowd. He thanked North Hudson’s residents and politicians for his victory.
North Bergen’s Tom Liggio credited Sacco for encouraging him to run, and said he would dedicate himself to helping make sure taxes were stabilized and educational opportunities were made available.
Surrogate Don De Leo sang the praises of Janiszewski, saying that over the years, he and Janiszewski and others had had great times and hard times, and yet persevered.
"Then, in 1987," DeLeo said, "Janiszewski came in like iron into a flame, and became steel, and has led this county fantastically.".