Since the head of a local non-profit health agency died earlier this year, Hudson’s mayors are wondering who should next get the job, especially after finding out that the former head was earning $185,000 per year.
The North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) provides valuable health services and screening for local low-income residents.
Earlier this year, former president and CEO Michael Leggiero, the well-respected leader of the agency, passed away from cancer. Local mayors did not realize how high his salary had gotten. Even the state’s governor does not earn $185,000 per year.
Currently serving as acting President and CEO on a month-to-month basis is Michael Shabab, who served as an assistant to Leggiero for many years and who is well respected by the agency’s board of directors. Shabab is continuing at his regular salary of $100,000 for the time being.
The NHCAC receives funding from the state, county and municipal levels. Their biggest supporters and partners include the elected officials of the surrounding municipalities. They also have partnerships with some of the leading health organizations in the state.
Despite Shabab’s experience, some of the mayors of Hudson County, who provide budgeted amount for the organization, have begun complaining that Shabab lives outside the county, and may want their own favorites to succeed Leggiero.
Mayors at odds
According to the Reporter’s political Between the Lines column (see letters page) by Al Sullivan, who broke the story earlier this week, state Sen. and local Mayor Nicholas Sacco is leading the opposition to Shabab getting the job and raise. But Sacco’s public relations firm, Vision Media, said Wednesday that the mayor would not comment on the matter.
According to Between the Lines, members of the NHCAC organization believe Shabab is qualified for the job, but the mayors don’t want to appoint him permanently just yet.
Shabab himself was unavailable for comment, as he is currently away on vacation.
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said last week that the mayors’ concern is over the procedure for replacing Leggiero. “The mayors’ questions are of compensation and residency,” Turner said Thursday.
The ensuing political feud has some NHCAC board members fearing that it will jeopardize the organization’s funding. But Turner said the funding will continue “While we’re dealing with the succession issue.”
Mayor Albio Sires of West New York, also an assemblyman, said Wednesday, “I am just as concerned [about the issue] as the other mayors. We also have the NHCAC’s largest facility, located in West New York.”
Sires and Union City Mayor Brian Stack said that they will continue to provide funding to the NHCAC no matter who is in charge.
“My only goal is that the NHCAC continues to provide its services; it really doesn’t matter who is at the top,” said Stack. “Our donations will continue and we will continue to thank the NHCAC for its services.”
NHCAC’s history
The North Hudson Community Action Corporation was established in 1965 by a group of individuals who were striving to improve the quality of life and health care in Hudson County. With the assistance of the then newly established Office of Economic Opportunity, the NHCAC was created and over the past 40 years has become Hudson County’s primary source for health and social services, especially serving the community of low-income residents.
The NHCAC is said to be the largest and most comprehensive of only three organizations in the county that is both a Community Action Agency and Federally Qualified Health Center.
NHCAC also provides social services programs serving both children and adults. These include the WIC program, Emergency Food and Shelter, Transitional Housing, Head Start, Day Care, Immigration and Naturalization, Safe Housing Maintenance, Job Placement and Development, and Mental Health and Addiction services.
Its primary facility located at 5301 Broadway, West New York, and additional satellite facilities are located in the North Hudson area.
In addition to those facilities, the NHCAC also has a Mobile Health Center which visits different areas of the Hudson County community throughout the year. This helps provide education, health screenings, and specialized care services for individuals.
Some believe Shabab is the most experienced person to take the reins, while others say they should look at all the contenders.
“He’s very qualified,” Sires said. “He’s been there a long time. But there are [also] other people who are qualified.”