“Once you get it in your blood, it’s probably always there,” said former Mayor Anthony Russo Wednesday afternoon.
Russo, 10 months removed from City Hall, said he is starting to get the itch to run for office again. “Right now, I’m enjoying a respite from the political forum,” he mused, “but if the current political situation remains the same or worsens, I would imagine that I would look to seek office again.”
After Russo was defeated by Mayor David Roberts in May, the former special education teacher was able to slide back into the Hoboken school system with a full-time position, earning approximately $78,000 a year. His official title is teacher, but he is serving the school district in more of an administrative role as head recruiter for the district’s “school choice” program, he said.
Before becoming mayor in 1993, Russo had 22 years of experience as a special education teacher in the Hoboken school system, and for several years during the 1980s, he worked as the city’s director of special education.
Superintendent of Schools Patrick Gagliardi said two weeks ago that Russo re-entered the pay scale where he left off in 1993. He added that the re-hiring of Russo had no political impetus but was simply the reinstatement of an employee after an extended leave of absence.
“It’s a full-time job,” said Russo. “I spend my day interacting with parents and dealing directly with the special ed. kids that are in real difficult situations.”
Russo added that he has been courted and is considering running for Hudson County freeholder against incumbent Maurice Fitzgibbons in the county’s 5th District. The 5th District covers all of Hoboken and portions of Jersey City.
The possibility came up as part of a nasty countywide political war. U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez (D-13th Dist.) wants former Jersey City councilman and former mayoral candidate Tom DeGise to run for county executive in the June Democratic primary. Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham wants current County Executive Bernard Hartnett to continue in his position. The power struggle has affected the upcoming freeholder races, and now Cunningham is seeking candidates who might oppose those backed by Menendez. While Cunningham searches for anyone who might already have lost power to a Menendez-backed candidate, Russo’s name has come up.
The primaries will be held on June 4.
“It’s something that I’m considering,” said Russo. “Since the election is quickly approaching, I only have a short period of time to think about it, but it is definitely one of the things I’m looking at.”
Russo said he has been approached by many Hoboken residents who have asked if he is going to run. “I’m very encouraged by what people have said to me,” said Russo. “I can hardly walk down the street without someone asking me if I’m going to run again. I think it shows that people understand what this administration has been doing and what it hasn’t been doing. I also believe that what people are saying confirms that I did a good job as mayor.”
During Russo’s last campaign, achievements like parks on the waterfront and a stabilized tax rate were not able to remove the sour taste left by traffic crunches, a belief among some residents that there was too much development, and Russo’s reputation for vendettas against those who opposed him.
School days
Russo said that his school position is a full-time job. He said that besides overseeing special education programs, he recruits special needs children from other towns for Hoboken’s district. Hoboken is a “school choice” district. The School Choice Pilot Program enables students to attend schools outside their districts at no cost to parents. The district receives extra state aid when they come.
“It’s good for Hoboken because the school district receives money in the form of tuition, and it’s good for the students because they may be able to receive special services in Hoboken that are not available in their home district,” said Russo.
Some have contended that Russo’s hiring was political patronage by those who are sympathetic to the former mayor. Russo contended that he has over 20 years of experience, with a master’s degree in special education. “People who would say that, quite frankly, don’t know what they are talking about,” Russo said. “It’s not like this is a job they can just put anybody in. If you look at the background I have in education and the certifications that I hold, you will clearly see that I was given this job because of my qualifications and experience and not because I was mayor.”
Russo, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, has since had tumors removed from his brain and half of one of his lungs extracted. He said that now he’s in good shape. “Everything is good,” said Russo. “I go to the doctor’s every four months for a full check-up, and the results of those visits have been positive. I’m working out three to four times a week and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life.”