Although Union City Mayor Brian Stack’s three-year term of office as Hudson County freeholder was not the longest in history, colleagues said he had left an indelible impression even on those who opposed him politically.
Grinning with embarrassment, Stack sat on the freeholder dais for the last time at the Jan. 7 freeholder meeting as the other freeholders took turns singing his praises, followed by speakers during the public session who heaped on compliments and offered best wishes for his new role as a state assemblyman in the 33rd District.
Stack did make modern history with his recent election to the Assembly becoming the second Hudson County political figure to hold three elected seats on three different levels of government at once. Until his resignation as freeholder on Jan. 8, Stack had the distinction of being mayor, freeholder and assemblyman-elect.
Stack began his career as a public servant in 1983 as a legislative aide to then-Assemblyman Ronald Dario in the 33rd Assembly district. In 1985, he served as a Union City tenant advocate and in 1986 was an administrative assistant to Union City Commissioner of Parks and Public Property. In 1987, he became the sponsor and organizers of Downtown Children’s Christmas fund and the standard bearer of the Brian Stack Civic Association. In 1994, he served then-Union City Mayor Bruce Walter as a confidential aide. Stack was deputy director of Public Affairs in 1995. In 1996, he received the Community Service Award from the Kiwanis Club of North Hudson and honored by a joint resolution by both houses of the state legislature.
Stack was appointed commissioner in Union City to fill the unexpired term of Joseph Marini, and then won the spot in a special election. He became mayor in 2000 after Mayor Raul Garcia resigned, and he won re-election in 2002.
Freeholders speak out
Freeholder Al Cifelli called Stack’s leaving “a bittersweet moment.”
“Brian was not here that long, and yet his presence was felt,” Cifelli said. “His was a strong voice for his constituency, but he is going on to a far better place.”
Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons said Stack brought “passion and compassion” to the board, and that represented the whole of Hudson County as well as Union City, especially in areas such as caring for the homeless.
“The state is lucky to get him,” Fitzgibbons said. “And he won’t be a legislator that will only represent his district. People from Salem to Sussex will benefit.”
Freeholder Thomas Liggerio told Stack not to lose his passion.
“You’re going to be a fresh of breath air down there,” he said.
Sometime political ally Freeholder Bill O’Dea joked about losing Stack as “a second” for his resolutions.
“I’ve always considered Brian a good friend, and it has been an honor working with him,” O’Dea said. “I am going to miss him a lot. He did a great job, and I admire his passion for people. His idea of politics is to help people, and he is what politics is all about.”
Freeholder Radames Velazquez, the newest freeholder, recalled the cheers Stack got from the Latino community in Union City.
“That was all that needed to be said,” Velazquez said. “Brian Stack is a man of the people.”
Freeholder Chairman Sal Vega called working with Stack an honor, despite the fact that they sometimes disagreed on issues.
“As mayor of one of the 12 municipalities, Brian Stack has had one of the most challenging tasks in Hudson County,” Vega said. “Being the mayor of a municipality is a tough job. Mayors are the last line of defense, and Brian did a great job while here, and it was an honor to serve with him. I have learned a lot from Brian, and though we were sometimes on the opposite sides of an issue, I gave always respected his tenacity and his determination.”
Stack, in responding to these accolades, called the current board “the greatest in the state.”
“Being a freeholder was an eye-opener,” Stack said. “It gave me an opportunity to bring government to the people.”
He said he was indebted to the freeholders and also people like Margaret and Irene Clark – residents of Harrison who frequently spoke up about issues. He also said he was very pleased working with County Executive Tom DeGise.
“His is the best administration anyone could want,” he said.