By Matthew Amato
A PUBLIC SERVICE VOLUNTEER AT HEART!!! Secaucus 2nd Ward Councilman Michael J. Gonnelli tells us that his love for the town of Secaucus has driven his volunteerism in life, and this is the major reason why he has been a member of the Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department since 1974 and now is its deputy fire chief!
A graduate of Weehawken High School, Councilman Gonnelli is a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute, Newark, with a two-year Auto and Diesel Mechanics Diploma Certification.
Councilman Gonnelli went on to Rutgers University/Cook College in New Brunswick and earned a Public Works Management Certification and also a Master Gardener Certification for Parks and Public Property Facilitation.
Councilman Gonnelli, who was raised in Secaucus, is married to his lovely wife Linda, who was originally from Hoboken. They have four children; two sons named Michael Jr. and Joseph and two daughters named Lauren and Meryl. Serving his first term as a town councilman, Mr. Gonnelli also tells us that he is a member of both Secaucus UNICO and the Knights of Columbus.
In 1996 Councilman Gonnelli further tells us that he was “very proud” to be a Hudson County Torch Bearer for the United States Olympics!
Moreover, as a commissioner on the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, he proudly states that he has served under governors Christine Todd Whitman, James McGreevey, and Richard Codey, who is now the state Senate president!
As for sports, Councilman Gonnelli is a fan of the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and also the New Jersey Nets!
When asked what Councilman Gonnelli seeks to achieve on the Town Council, he states that he is pushing for cable TV televising of Town Council meetings and that he was in favor of the changing of council meeting hours to 7 p.m. to allow for public participation. Mr. Gonnelli states that this has already been accomplished by the council!
Councilman Gonnelli also seeks more open government, along with specific meetings for the public, such as question and answer sessions on specific issues!
Councilman Gonnelli, who admits to having a “volunteer personality,” tells us in a way that was downplayed that he did save the life of a baby in 1990 when he carried the baby out a window because of a housing fire emergency! It was part of his job of being a volunteer fireman. But the rescue took bravery, and the councilman shies away from self-aggrandizement. However, in 1990 he received the Secaucus Fire Department Heroism and the New Jersey Fireman’s Valor awards for the rescue, and Councilman Gonnelli was very humbled by the experience. The only conclusion to arrive to is that there should be more public servants with such a mindset!
Councilman Gonnelli, keep up the great work! The public rewards its own heroes! All the best!!!…
Guttenberg’s athletic living legend Brian Guaschino tells us that his son Thomas, a North Bergen High School student, continues to follow in his dad’s footsteps! Thomas came in second place in the Javelin Throw, which qualified him to go on to the recent Track North New Jersey State Group IV Sectionals! Moreover, the Hudson County Track Coaches Association (HCTCA), All-County Track and Field Teams selected Thomas for second team in the Javelin Throw! Wow, the Guaschino family’s legend continues!…
Former Weehawken Mayor Stanley Iacono tells us that he is presently attending to his lovely wife Anna Marie, who is recuperating from illness. Send her get well cards, and Mrs. Iacono, feel better sooner!…
The Reverend Francisco Siguenza, O.A.R., has been appointed a member of the Community at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery in Union City, and Reverend Mariano N. Dellagiovanna has been appointed parochial vicar at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church/Holy Redeemer Parish in West New York, as announced by Archbishop John J. Myers of the Archdiocese of Newark. Congratulations!…
North Bergenites Eric Crafton, Sharday Figueroa, Casey Mironis, Tayna Murriagui, and Bhumika Parekh were all named to the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society recently at Hudson County Community College. Best wishes!!!…
Readers, if there were ever an award for the best public official in Hudson County, no doubt Hudson County Surrogate-Judge Donald DeLeo of North Bergen would win! Surrogate-Judge DeLeo has received many accolades from the public, which appeared in this column, one of which for his accessibility to the public he serves! Furthermore, Surrogate-Judge DeLeo performs countywide workshops and seminars regarding probate, wills, and general legal advice. Truly, Surrogate-Judge Donald DeLeo is a man of the people! Mr. DeLeo can always be reached at (201) 795-6377 to book a conference and so forth. Surrogate-Judge DeLeo, congratulations on being such a great public servant. You are the greatest!!!…
And so it goes, until next time, see you around town. – Matt
Please note: Readers who would like to contribute to this column can do so by mailing your news items and photographs along with your name, address, and telephone number to Matthew Amato, columnist, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Thank you.