Dear Editor:
On June 3rd primary elections will be held throughout the state of New Jersey. The Hudson County primaries take on heightened significance this year, especially in the 31st legislative district that consists basically of the southern portion of Jersey City and the entire municipality of Bayonne. It is in this district that Mayor Cunningham’s battle with the Democratic leadership is being waged. At stake in this election are two New Jersey state assembly seats and one state senate seat. Assemblyman Mr. Joseph V. Doria and Assemblywoman Mrs. Elba Perez-Cinciarelli presently serve in the 31st district and are being supported by the county Democratic leadership, which Mr. L. Harvey Smith, Jersey City Council President is the leadership’s candidate for the Senate.
I know and have had the opportunity to observe Mr. Doria, Mrs. Perez-Cinciarelli and Mr. Smith for many years, and they have all served admirably as educators, lawmakers and community leaders. Mr. Doria both as Mayor of Bayonne and Assemblyman, has been a major supporter of legislation designed to advance all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to college. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that children and adults of all socioeconomic backgrounds have opportunities to receive a quality education. During his 24 years as Assemblyman he has sponsored hundreds of pieces of legislation that would benefit the people of Jersey City and Bayonne. He certainly has earned your support for reelection.
Mrs. Perez-Cinciarelli, an educator for 30 years, has an outstanding record as a teacher. She is loved by her students and respected by her peers. Much of her energy and community activism has focused on issues of fair and affordable housing and education of children. She is seeking a second term in the State Assembly in order to continue her fight for affordable housing, the protection and expansion of medical benefits for seniors and the promotion of legislation to improve education, fight crime and lower property taxes. As a woman and Latina, Mrs. Perez-Cinciarelli lends a unique and vital perspective to the State Assembly and the legislative process. Hudson County needs to return Mrs. Perez-Cinciarelli to the New Jersey Legislative Assembly.
Mr. L. Harvey Smith is an educator with about 30 years experience. He is highly respected by the staff and students of Dickinson High School where he is a Crisis Intervention Teacher. He has guided many students toward successful and productive career choices and serves as an excellent role model for our young men and women. As Jersey City Municipal Council President, Mr. Smith has plied his considerable leadership skills to fashion a council that actually functions as a team with common goals and joint efforts crafted to benefit residents of Jersey City. As a State Senator, he will bring his talents as a successful leader to Trenton and provide strength to our 31st district legislative delegation.
What I have found to be special about the Doria, Perez-Cinciarelli and Smith team is that they are not in the political process for their own self-aggrandizement; they care about their constituents, and they understand the importance of teamwork and cooperation in order to best serve the people they represent. I ask you to contrast this with the orientation of their opponents in the 31st district race. This cast of characters has no record of previously working together, they are not aligned with the county Democratic leadership and have come together as a matter of expediency to advance their own individual personal interests. They lack common goals and shared vision and appear to be opportunists who are willing to break away from the leadership of the Democratic party. If these individuals are elected, there will be serious consequences to the people of the county and state.
In the June primaries we will also be electing a candidate for the office of County Executive of Hudson County. Mr. Thomas DeGise, another fine veteran educator is running for re-election to this office. Mr. DeGise has distinguished himself as an educator and community leader. He served as Council President of the Municipal Council of Jersey City and has earned a reputation as an honest, hard-working government official who cares for people and gets the job done. We need Mr. DeGise as County Executive. To round off this ticket, Ms. Janet Haynes is running for the position of County Clerk, an office in which she has served with efficiency and pride for several terms. Her records speaks for itself, and she is an integral part of the Democratic team and deserves our support on June 3rd.
In closing, I ask that you not be distracted by the unwarranted criticism being spread about by opponents of the Democratic leadership. They have started an unnecessary war, and they attack fellow Democrats to advance their own careers.
On June 3rd I urge you to support all Row A Regular Democratic Organization candidates and specifically, Mr. Doria, Mrs. Perez-Cinciarelli, Mr. L. Harvey Smith, Mr. DeGise and Ms. Haynes.
Bob Cecchini