It was over a year and half ago that Mayor Brian Stack of Union City was sworn into office as assemblyman of the 33rd District. Since then, he has been able to sponsor numerous new laws, with many more that are pending before the state legislature.
The 33rd District includes West New York, Union City, Weehawken, Guttenberg, Hoboken, and part of Jersey City.
Stack is one of two Democratic assemblymen running for re-election in the 33rd District on Nov. 8. The other is Assemblyman (and West New York Mayor) Albio Sires. They face two Republicans – Alejandria Rodriguez and Richard Valdes – and independent Christopher Mango.
Stack’s tenure
Stack said last week that he is running on his record of representing the people of the 33rd District.
“I wish to take a moment to thank [all the constituents of the 33rd District] for their support throughout the past two years my first term as state assemblyman,” said Stack. “Your overwhelming support humbles me and encourages me to work even harder for you and your family.”
Here for the people
As mayor of Union City, Stack has prided himself on being accessible to all the citizens of his municipality. He has continued to maintain that same approach to his role as Assemblyman, and has been able to utilize his offices in Union City Municipal Hall, which is a public building, as center for all his constituents.
“Since taking office, I have made it a point to ensure my office is open and accessible to every resident of the 33rd Legislative District no matter where they live,” said Stack.
Stack sent letters out to all the residents of the 33rd District about his open door policy in Union City within two months of his first term.
Since then Stack’s offices have received numerous letters and answer about 200 to 300 calls a day from the entire district. He has been able to help constituents with a variety of issues from quality of life and health care to residency and naturalization.
“I read every single letter that comes through my office, and respond to every phone call,” said Stack. “Time is not an issue for me when it comes to serving the residents I represent.”
In communities where a high percentage of residents are new come Hispanic immigrants, Stack’s bilingual staff in his Union City offices has been of major importance to these constituents, especially in the explanation of their governmental rights.
“We have been very successful in being a liaison to state services surpassing the language barriers,” said Stack.
Aid for the district
Stack credits the strong legislative team, including Sen. Bernard Kenny and Assembly Speaker Albio Sires, who will be profiled in next Sunday’s Reporter, for the amount of aid they have been able to bring to the 33rd District.
“Together with Senator Kenny and Assembly Speaker Sires, we have been able to get money to better serve and update the physical infrastructure of the 33rd District, as well as further transportation projects such as the Light Rail Station,” said Stack. “We have also been successful in gathering more open space funding for parks and recreational spaces.”
Some of his major accomplishments have been attaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for the district, which included streetscape improvements and paving, and landscaping around the municipalities.
The 43rd Street Public Library in Union City secured a grant of $70,000, and hundreds more were issued to Union City Day Care, the Department of Public Works, Union City’s Master Plan, and the Parks Department.
“As assemblyman, I have sponsored over 24 new adopted laws, and I have over 100 pending right now, which includes a whole array of topics [such as] consumer protection,” said Stack.
Stack has also been a strong proponent of pedestrians. Two of his most recent bills that have been signed into law include increased penalties for failing to yield at crosswalks by $50, money which will go to a pedestrian safety program, and a bill that permits NJ Transit to acquire and operate passenger ferries and ferry operations, and construct ferry capital facilities.
Other pending laws in which he took the lead include making lockouts of tenants by landlords a disorderly persons offense, and a bill to establish a 1,000-foot drug free zone around playgrounds and other public parks, buildings, and housing facilities.
Republican opposition
This election season has also seen the powerful united front of the Republican Party behind all their candidates, who have challenged the performance New Jersey’s reigning Democratic officials.
“I do not like the Democratic/Republican Party label in politics,” said Stack. “I am a serious proponent of voting for the person that will best represent the interests of the district, and I consider myself to be an elected official who strives to address the needs of each and every resident no matter their political ideology.”
In the last two years, the Democratic party has been subjected to some scrutiny by the press from the governor’s office down to municipal levels, due to statewide corruption scandals.
Stack was also questioned about some previous contributions made to his campaign by Luisa Medrano of Union City, who was the owner of the sex slave bars that were shut down earlier the this year. Stack maintained that he was unaware of Medrano’s contributions and immediately donated the money to a local shelter for battered women when he found out.
Challengers to New Jersey’s incumbents have highlighted these events as examples of the state’s corruption, and reasons that immediate change is needed in the government.
However, despite the recent negativity thrown unto the Democratic Party, Stack stands by his record.
“Just look at my record; the same work I have done serving as a mayor in Union City, I have applied to my role in the Assembly,” said Stack. “Serving the people is my way of life, and I don’t know any other way but to work hard, and I will continue to do just that.”
Even mailed to Republicans
He recently mailed out a letter to his Republican constituents to reaffirm that he works for the interest of the people.
“I serve as your Assemblyman in 33rd Legislative District, and I am a registered Democrat,” wrote Stack. “Although we are not affiliated with the same political party, it should have no bearing on our relationship, as I serve all residents regardless of their party affiliation. I want to provide you with the best services and assistance that you deserve at all times. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have a complaint, suggestion, comment or problem.”