Who is James P. King?
If you’re from the Journal Square area of Jersey City, the name may ring a bell. In a small basement office in the Hudson County administration building at 595 Newark Ave., King sits at his desk and makes phone calls to some of the more than 85 employees he supervises in the county, as well as officials from the Jersey City Incinerator Authority or Democratic leaders throughout the state.
While on the phone, the first-generation Irish-American lifelong Jersey City resident is surrounded by more than a dozen plaques honoring his service in the community, for which he is well known.
“I’m not in it for the awards,” King said recently. “I work hard at what I do because I want to help people.” The assistant director for Public Resources in the Division of Buildings and Grounds for almost five years in Hudson County, King has been managing the housekeeping and security staff for all of the county’s buildings, including the Brennan Courthouse, The Power House and the Duncan Avenue Complex, as well as the administration building where he works.
In addition, he is responsible for overseeing his division’s budget and he works with the judges every day to resolve their security concerns so the courts can function safely. He is a self-described security specialist with more than 20 years of experience.
“I like what I do. I work with county officials and we keep things in order,” King said.
But that’s not all King does.
In addition to ensuring the cleanliness and security of the county’s buildings, he was recently appointed chairman of the Jersey City Incinerator Authority (JCIA), where he attends meetings and communicates with the authority’s directors to ensure that the more than 100 employees that work there focus on the betterment and beautification of the city.
“At the Authority, we have to make sure Jersey City is kept looking clean,” King said.
The JCIA has been going through some changes in management recently. Oren K. Dabney, a long time JCIA employee, became its chief director three weeks ago, and King has been chairman for only several months. The JCIA is responsible for the maintenance of all of the city’s roads and lots, and they also assist firefighters and police with safety issues.
“Those guys do a nice job keeping our streets clean,” Dabney said, during an interview last week. “King gives us the guidance and support we need to fulfill our mission.”
For King, working for the county and the JCIA are his day jobs. Being a devout Democratic leader in the community is his passion.
“To survive in politics you have to remain loyal to your party,” he said.
As the county’s vice-chairman for the Democratic Party, King is the person to go to for Democratic support in Jersey City. He has campaigned for everyone from U.S. Senator Jon Corzine to Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham. King admits he enjoys the door-to-door campaigning and interaction with neighborhood residents. “Cunningham asked me to run for City Council, but I felt that wasn’t the right move for me,” King said. “I’m happy where I am now. I’m a people person. Dealing, talking, being with the people is what I do.”
Jersey City Ward E Councilman Junior Maldonado said King is one of the main campaigners for Democrats in the densely populated Ward C section of the city, which includes the Journal Square and “five corners” areas. “He is a main player in the Democratic political machine of the city,” Maldonado said.
What King does well is hosting fundraisers for Democratic candidates and campaigning for candidates during election time. He enjoys discussing public concerns like taxes and crime with residents and he is always preaching about the need for more police presence in the city, he said.
King also helps out people from the school for the blind and senior citizens, providing meals and transportation for them. During Thanksgiving he coordinates free meals for the public at local restaurants.
Law man
His political aspirations are modest, given that he has had opportunities for higher political office. He is waiting for the right time to run for the Hudson County sheriff’s position, a job that handles the court system, warrants squad, detective bureau, and the patrolling of all county parks.
“I want to be sheriff in the near future,” King said. “I can bridge many groups together and provide adequate leadership in the county.”
King, a Ferris High School graduate, began working for the county with the sheriff’s office in 1976. There, as a detective, he conducted investigations, apprehended criminals with outstanding warrants and as a court officer, he provided security for judges, jurors and spectators, and maintained order in the courtrooms at all times.
In 1980 he was promoted to the position of undersheriff, where he supervised the chief of detectives, and the court officers. Then he worked as the chief of security at the Pollack Hospital on 100 Clifton Place in Jersey City for eight years. He was responsible for the safety of the people at the hospital and he conducted internal investigations.
“I gained valuable managerial experience while at the hospital,” he said.
At 59, King still has plenty of years of service left in him, he said. When he is not working or coordinating fundraisers, King spends quality time with his wife Cookie at their home on Kennedy Boulevard and plays with his grandchildren. He may also play basketball with his son or friends.
“The kids keep me busy. They’re fun to be with,” he said.
One thing has never changed in more than 20 years of public service – his love affair for Jersey City and his work ethic.
“Never turn anybody away and always address problems immediately,” he said. “That way everything gets done.”