On a cool, windy Friday night, almost 200 people gathered outside the Doric Recreation Center on Palisade Avenue for Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack’s inauguration.
A mobile stage, large enough to fit 20 people, was set up on the street for Stack and other city dignitaries. Police blocked the street with barricades, and chairs were positioned in front of the stage. Red, white and blue balloons decorated the surroundings, creating a patriotic atmosphere.
Manuel Jimenez, a long-time Union City resident, came out not so much to support the mayor but to meet with friends whom he had not seen in a while. Although he does not speak English well, Jimenez said he could make out the important stuff Stack was talking about, like taxes and crime.
"He’s a good mayor," Jimenez said. "We feel safe here in the community. I hope he doesn’t mess up."
Maria Nieves said she really doesn’t know much about Stack’s agenda for governing the city, but she said she would be happy with him as long as nobody messes with her flowers outside her home on 10th Street.
"I heard so many things about [Stack] that I came out to see what he looked like," Nieves said, smiling.
Stack was appointed to his job as mayor last year after the previous mayor, Raul "Rudy" Garcia, resigned in October of last year. Garcia had faced allegations that he did not do a good job of fiscally managing the city. The law required Stack to run for the position during the next general election.
In Union City, the public does not actually elect a mayor. They elect someone to the five-member Board of Commissioners, and that board selects one person as mayor. So Nov. 6, Stack was elected to the board. At a meeting immediately afterward, the Board of Commissioners voted him mayor.
Stack also ran unopposed for the city’s public safety commissioner post. Each commissioner is in charge of such a field.
"I am proud the people gave me such a tremendous vote of confidence," Stack said. "I want to share this special occasion and this proud moment with those who put their trust in me. I thank you all."
U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez, D-Union City, administered the oath of office to Stack. However, his term as mayor expires in May.
During the ceremony, Stack said he is confident he will be re-elected to a full term in the spring. His focus will be on property taxes and quality-of-life concerns.
"We will continue quality-of-life programs, including volunteer sweeping, the educational campaign against litter with merchants and school kids, and we introduced an ordinance to close bars an hour earlier," he said. "And for property taxes, no unnecessary purchasing is being done anymore."
He added that there is a hiring freeze in City Hall and employees are not taking home city cars anymore.
"We will also seek the city’s fair share of state aid, and we believe the new governor will be responsive. The people in this city can’t afford another tax increase," he said.
Stack first ran for office in 1997, winning a vacant commissioner seat, which he lost in 1998. A year later, he was elected to the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Then he was selected to be mayor in October of 2000 by city commissioners to fill Garcia’s term.
Menendez, who flew in from Washington D.C., received an ovation from the crowd. "I am very pleased my flight made it here in time for me to swear Brian in," said Menendez, who was the city’s mayor from 1986 to 1992. "I will be here in May to swear him in to a full four-year term. I join with all of you and the public officials here to say that Brian has my support and my friendship."
Menendez added that Union City is "a tough city to govern," because it does not have a port like Hoboken or other means of income like some other cities.
"Brian is working hard on the financial issues facing the city, with police and with all of you to make it work. I am proud to be working with him," Menendez said.