The site was Memorial High School in West New York, and the occasion was the official swearing-in of current West New York Mayor Albio Sires and his slate of commissioners, who last week won re-election. Gov. James McGreevey made a return trip to the city to officially inaugurate Sires to his third term as mayor.
The event brought out a number of powerful state-level elected officials and was perhaps a testament to Sires’ power in the state legislature in Trenton. Sires, besides being the Mayor of West New York, is also the speaker of the State Assembly.
Present at the ceremony were State Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-Hoboken), Hoboken Mayor David Roberts, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, Bayonne Mayor Joe Doria, and State Assemblywoman Joan Quigley. Representatives from Sen. Jon Corzine and Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s offices were also on hand. Obviously, the Hudson County Democratic Organization wanted a strong public showing of solidarity in the face of the upcoming legislative elections, to be held June 3.
West New York’s Board of Commissioners were also sworn in by the governor. Commissioner Sal Vega was sworn in for his fourth term, Gerald Lange for his third. Lawrence Riccardi accepted his post for a sixth consecutive term and Ercides Aquavivas, who replaced Jose “Pepe” Miquelli, was sworn in for his first term as commissioner.
Jose Miquelli has moved to the position of deputy mayor, a move questioned by the Republican opposition led by West New York resident Jose Carlos Munoz, who thinks there is no need for Miquelli to serve in the paid position.
The appointment of Miquelli to the deputy mayor position was defended by Town Administrator Richard Turner in a recent Reporter article. Said Turner, “As the community improves and more activities happen, people want to see the mayor, a government representative. And it is impossible for Mayor Sires to be everywhere at once.”
Lopsided victory, but…
According to West New York officials, Sires gathered 4,107 votes. His only competition, Munoz, garnered 990. Though Sires’ win could be considered a “landslide” from a numerical standpoint, the fact that Munoz gathered almost a thousand votes does seem to indicate that there is a small but significant faction of voters in West New York who may not necessarily share Sires’ “vision” for the town.
In a telephone interview, Munoz was excited by the numbers. “I think that shows that a number of people in West New York are unhappy with Sires, and felt I had something to offer, no?” said Munoz. He is trying to get a write-in vote for state assembly.
Watching out
And in what was perhaps a reaction to last weeks’ elevation of the nation’s terror alert status, the Memorial Auditorium was positively crawling with plainclothes State Police personnel, uniformed West New York Police Officers and other various state officials.
Joseph Simunovich, chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and a former Hudson County Freeholder, acted as the Master of Ceremonies. In his initial comments, he made it known that he was born and raised in West New York. Said Simunovich, “West New York has been through tough times in the past, but it’s a great town once again, and that is due to Mayor Sires and his commissioners.” Added Simunovich, “As a freeholder years ago, it was nothing better than watching Albio Sires develop into a seasoned elected official.”
Assemblywoman and chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee Bonnie Watson-Coleman introduced McGreevey and in her introductory comments, said, “We know that New Jersey is facing tough times and we need somebody to lead us through the turbulent waters. I stand with my governor.”
Greeted by thunderous applause, McGreevey approached the podium, and in his usual style cracked a joke to open the proceedings. McGreevey looked around the perimeter of Memorial’s auditorium ceiling, which is adorned with names such as Voltaire, Pasteur, Washington, Lincoln and the like, and said, “I’m waiting for the name ‘Sires’ to be added up there!”
McGreevey, effusive in his support of Sires as usual, said, “The journey of Albio Sires is the journey of America. The overwhelming vote is a statement of love and affection by the people of West New York. The municipal tax rate has dropped 33 percent, overall crime has dropped 27 percent, and the largest affordable housing projects in the state are right here in West New York. And that is because of Speaker Sires.”
McGreevey went on to taut West New York’s school test scores that “are beyond the state average” and West New York’s pre-school programs.
Added McGreevey, “In Trenton, it’s [Sires’ understanding of] the importance of tackling racial profiling, tackling the DMV and auto insurance reform. It’s supporting sweeping handgun control to get guns off the streets of New Jersey. What we do here today is not only recognize West New York, but recognize Albio Sires. Remember, Albio Sires’ first love and responsibility is and always will be West New York.”
Within his acceptance speech, Sires was careful to thank all that have supported him in his journey to the halls of the State House.
Said Sires, “When I first ran almost 20 years ago, I never dreamed I would be standing here today taking the oath of office for my third term. We have much to be thankful for. Come to think of it, I’m starting to like this job.” Sires got hearty laughs at that.
Added the Mayor, “Eight years ago, we promised to restore West New York financially. Today, I am proud to say that we have kept that promise. We pledged to improve the schools, restore the parks and completely restructure the police department. I think we can say that we have kept all those promises. But we will not rest on our laurels.”
Sires then announced that, “By the time this term is up, you have my word that we will have built an all new, state-of-the-art public library.”
In a post-ceremony interview, McGreevey told The Reporter, “This is a tremendous victory. It’s an overwhelming mandate. There are few officials that receive this kind of vote and mandate from the people. Mayor Sires has done great things for West New York.”
For his part, Mayor Albio Sires deflected praise off himself and reflected it toward his commissioners and his supporters. Said the Mayor, “I am really proud of the administration. All of the commissioners should be commended. There are great things on the horizon for West New York.”
Said Albio Sires’ brother, Richard, who joined the mayor and his wife at the swearing-in, “He’s the jewel, the light of the clan.”