Politics was the name of the game last week when Union City Mayor Brian Stack hosted his “Union City First” organization meeting at the Schuetzen Park banquet hall in Union City.
The gathering was billed as an “informational” meeting, with the various Union City commissioners giving their constituents updates on projects going on around the city. However, at various points during the meeting, politics were brought to the forefront, though always in a guarded, oblique manner.
As evidenced by the plethora of posters hung around the hall, the meeting was also a chance for Stack and his commissioners to get out the word about Stack’s upcoming run for the State Assembly. Posters containing the names “Kenny,” “Sires,” “Stack,” “DeGise,” and “Haynes” dotted every wall and flat surface. And judging from comments heard amongst the crowd before the mayor’s arrival, many Union City residents were excited about the political clout that Stack’s possible Assembly seat will give Union City. It is an acknowledged fact that as a freeholder, Stack has been able to secure funds and grants for various projects in Union City that wouldn’t have been possible without the pull that his role as a county freeholder affords him. As an assemblyman, Stack would be a political force to be reckoned with, on par with Albio Sires, who holds the dual seats of Mayor of West New York and State Assembly Speaker.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Stanley Sanger emceed the event and in his opening remarks announced that the “Union City First” political organization will be opening its headquarters officially as of May 12, 2003. The location of the headquarters is, conveniently, directly across from City Hall on the corner of 38th Street and Palisade Avenue. Sanger also announced that as of that date, door-to-door campaigning will commence. This wouldn’t be worth mentioning except that with the withdrawal of the Republican slate recently, the Democratic Assembly ticket will be running unopposed. The Republican Assembly ticket, led by current Democratic Assemblyman Rafael Fraguela, was forced to withdraw after the Democrats threatened to prove that petition signature fraud had occurred.
Each Union City commissioner was brought to the podium with the intent of updating the constituents present on various projects.
Department of Public Works Commissioner Luis Martin, in his opening remarks, said, “Campaign season is here. We’re ready for any challenge that comes our way. A year ago, the people of Union City elected us. I am happy to say that we have accomplished a lot.”
Martin went on to urge the residents of Union City to be conscious of keeping their blocks clean and to throw away any garbage that they may see in their travels. Martin also referred to the “quality-of-life” campaign that Stack has become known, and in some cases, criticized for.
Next up was Parks Commissioner Michael Leggiero who updated the members of the audience on the plethora of park renovation projects that are currently underway. The completion of a sprinkler system at the 17th Street Park drew raucous applause.
Leggiero stunned the room by announcing publicly for the first time that he is battling cancer.
Said Leggiero, “On January 29, the first surgery was performed, and today I had my last chemotherapy treatment. Both were successful. June 4 will be the final surgery, and I anticipate that that will be successful as well.”
Leggiro went on to thank “the many people who knew but respected my privacy.”
A minute-long standing ovation greeted the culmination of Leggiero’s speech.
Finance Commissioner Christopher Irizarry was next up to the podium, and if there were any doubts about Irizarry’s political aspirations, one had to look no further than his impassioned speech which covered many topics but always returned to the man that put him on the political map, Brian Stack.
Irizarry talked up Union City’s recent “fiscal responsibility” and made mention of the tax rate remaining the same as it has for the past few years. Irizary said, “The mayor always says, ‘If you have $100,000 in the bank, you don’t go and spend $200,000.'”
But Irizarry became truly effusive when he said, “People have always asked me, ‘Chris, why do you get involved?’ And recently, I’ve had a lot of different answers, but lately, I figured it out.” Irizarry went on to tell a story of a man who lives in his building who was in a bad car accident and was left partially paralyzed. The man questioned Irizarry at the recent groundbreaking for the 47th Street pool and asked Irizarry, “Will I be able to use this pool?” Evidently, Iraizarry’ ability to tell the man that, yes, he could use the pool, was quite inspiring to both men.
Continued Irizarry, “There’s something beautiful about getting involved with someone who has a vision. It was like a drawing. You see the desire and the fire in his eyes. It makes you follow, it makes you go door-to-door and say, “You’ve got to check this Stack out – this kid is incredible.”
Irizarry then announced that it was Stack’s birthday. At that, three large cakes were wheeled out. Said Irizarry, “what better way to wish the mayor a happy birthday than to make sure he gets elected as Assemblyman for the 33rd district!”
Mayor Brian Stack was the next up to the podium and wasted no time in attacking the unnamed Republican factions that have attempted to trip up his rise to power. Stack also made sure to ensure that the assembled constituents felt that they were part of the process, not pawns in a vicious political game. Said the mayor, “No one is shut out of the process in Union City. We want everyone to participate, even if they aren’t citizens. This is why we move the commissioners’ meetings around the city.” The mayor made sure that the assembled voters understood that a problem to them was a problem to him and would be rectified “in due time. Maybe not in a week, maybe not even in a month, but you will get a follow up call on it.”
Stack referred obliquely to the recall attempt that has been in the news lately. And while he was reticent to mention the responsible parties by name, Stack didn’t hesitate to give credit to State Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-Hoboken) who, according to the mayor, “has been a true friend to Union City. He has delivered again and again for us and I am proud to be running with him on the Assembly ticket.”
Stack finished his speech by promising that “my work ethic will not change.”