Dear Editor:
I met Tilo Rivas almost seven years ago in the midst of perhaps the most competitive political campaign Union City has ever seen. Neither time nor politics have changed his humble and humanitarian ways. He’s a soft-spoken man who projects overwhelming moral authority, an indispensable quality in leadership. He is a man that thorough his conduct and work ethic has been able to cross ethnic, social and political barriers earning the friendship of many whom he is always ready to serve. Human respect and helping others is more than a priority of Tilo Rivas; it’s a way of life.
Mr. Rivas is now seeking the support of the voters of the 6th district for the Freeholder seat that he now holds. As a Union City commissioner, Mr. Rivas has worked diligently with Mayor Stack to restore trust at City Hall, keep taxes stable and rebuild Union City. Mr. Rivas’ hard work and dedication is well known; his plans for the next Freeholder term illustrate the measure of his commitment to civil service. As Chairman of the County Education Committee, he leads an initiative, not only to keep our youth in school, trying to decrease the high drop-out rates, but to facilitate their enrollment in higher education Schools of Technology and by building a brand new state-of-the-art Hudson County Community College building on 49th St. Rivas’ efforts, along with State Assemblyman Brian Stack’s, are concentrated in providing an opportunity to students with a C average or better who are interested in seeking higher education in technology and in careers offered at HCCC. This is a major concern for both leaders who are dedicating long hours to address the future of our children.
Presently Mr. Rivas is trying to allocate funds to Union City for the purpose of solving the traffic problem on 32nd St. and Kennedy Blvd by building a pedestrian bridge to protect children and senior citizens from that potentially dangerous intersection and placing highly visible traffic signals in key points. This initiative is directly linked to plans for the improvement of traffic fluency, the environment and the safety of our children and senior citizens.
Mr. Rivas believes that Union City’s significant contribution to the county deserves to be recognized by bringing the county government to this city, where his work as a commissioner and the leadership of Mr. Stack are bringing positive and palpable results. In uptown Union City, Mr. Rivas is a strong supporter of the Light Rail system and of providing county funds to pave and maintain Union City streets, improving the conditioning and safety of Washington Park by bringing light to the tennis courts so the residents could play at night and maintaining police presence for the safety of our residents, especially our children. He is also working side by side with Mayor Brian Stack to build a new bridge between the Doric Apartments and Washington Park, replacing the old one with a modern, much safer one with plenty of light. Mr. Rivas is very concerned about the homeless problem in his district and is planning a new initiative to address this serious social problem.
A leader, a man who reserves to answer his political rivals’ attacks with deeds rather than words, Tilo Rivas has earned the trust of his constituency and the admiration of her peers by the unwavering dedication he displays in his characteristically efficient “do now, talk later” manner.
Rafael Martel