Dear Editor:
This is an open public letter praising the first anniversary of Mayor Glen D. Cunningham. Glen campaigned on issues of 1. Golden Communities, not just the Gold Coast Water Front. In just over one (1) year, we see our debilitated neighborhoods being improved, house by house. This has created an economy for many local contractors and homes for many residents. They increase the ratables on the tax rolls and create a real sense of well being. We see many new businesses springing up, creating the same aforementioned benefits, but also creating jobs and economic stability on major thru ways, like MLK, Ocean, Monticello, Bergen Square, Journal Square, Central Avenue and the like. 2. Community policing – like never before open air drug markets are being closed down. Thanks to combining federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, people feel like they can walk the streets again. Director James Carter, Chief Behrens are to be credited with coordinating an effective police force, never equaled in Jersey City. If Mayor Cunningham’s Police Team Council make such drastic changes in a little over one (1) year, why couldn’t Schundler do it in over ten (10) years? Mayor Cunningham is not just filling the jails with our children, he put Lt. Charles Mainor to work on 2nd Chance initiatives, which are helping to clean our streets like never before. Officers like Sgt. Ed Shinnicks work with community based organizations like the Mosque at MLK and Grant Avenue, and Wegman Avenue Block Association have created a new respect and dignity in the community. Everyone is talking about the magnificent job Wegman did with the lot on MLK and Wegman Parkway.
I have seen the Mayor’s efforts to unify the block associations as a major force for quality of life issues. I have approached Bidwell Avenue Block Association President Lonnie Hagens, and Ms. White to do the same with the filty lot at Bidwell and MLK. Wegman Avenue work has been respected. Community people are not throwing waste on the beautified site. The Mayor knows all our community’s ills are solved by respect. I, therefore, request the City Council offer support to our Mayor’s missions as an olive branch to change the negative images of this administration. I look at the way recreation is growing in Jersey City. Everybody’s hero, Bob Hurley Sr., has expanded recreation via consolidating the armory and military personnel, former Marquette National Champion, Mandy Johnson, the Governor’s funding $250,000 and dozen of computers; Caven Point Road has expanded football from high schools to Jersey City Recreation via Former Rutgers Football Star, Ed McMichael, Attorney Bill Perkins, the FAA, to name a few (and there are many I haven’t named). The Ice Rink and Community Pool at Pershing Field are expanded under special Olympics is operating nicely at school #40, via the police P.A.L. participation via Sgt. Williams and Sgt. Mike Francis, and I hear Municipal Pool on Communipaw may be reopened.
What more of a start to completing his campaign goals are needed to prove the Mayor’s ongoing success in meeting his promise to the people. He has proven that you can support all people without racism. We may not be happy with our own personal goals for the Mayor, but putting them aside, we should be respectful of the state of the city.
Steve Pinkney