A total of 42 candidates are running for nine seats on the Jersey City council this May 12, including three council-at-large seats and six seats representing Wards A through F. Five candidates are running for mayor.
This week, the Jersey City Reporter will profile the nine candidates running in Wards C and D. In upcoming weeks, the newspaper will profile the other candidates.
The candidates answered two questions – Which issue(s) will you address first when you get into office, and why should the voters vote for you?
Ward C: Encompasses much of the Journal Square section and part of the Heights section. It’s bounded by Franklin Street to the north and Mercer Street to the south.
Jimmy King
King was born and raised in Jersey City. He graduated from Public School 37 and Ferris High School. He managed a bar in Downtown Jersey City. King worked in Hudson County government for over 26 years, including as undersheriff and as director of public resources. King served as the executive director of the Jersey City Parking Authority. He also runs the Jimmy King Civic Association. He is married with two sons and five grandchildren. He is running on Louis Manzo’s ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“The issue of Dickinson High School because the student population there is too large. I don’t know why the school system allows for a school to have over 3,000 students. I want to work with the city and the school system to get one or two more high schools in the Journal Square-Heights area.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“I think I earned a shot to become councilman, because my civic association after six years has addressed over 4,000 quality-of-life issues. I can do so much more without going through red tape.”
Craig Bailey
Bailey is a businessman and marketing executive. He graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a degree in journalism. He serves on the Board of Directors of Summit Condominiums, and has long been involved in youth issues and as a counselor for troubled teens. Throughout his career, he has worked with some of the largest corporations in the country, and is determined to stabilize taxes here in Jersey City.
Which issue will you address first?
“My top priority will be crime. During the day, Journal Square is relatively safe, but at night, it can be very intimidating. We need to have a strong police presence throughout the day, not just to protect the Square but all of the neighborhoods that surround the Square.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“I’m not a politician, in the traditional sense. I’m running for office because I see the incredible potential for Journal Square. This is a historic part of Jersey City.”
Asim Usman
Usman was born in Pakistan and has lived in Jersey City since he was six months old. He graduated from Public School 6 and McNair Academic High School, and graduated from a six-year pharmacy studies program at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and Rutgers University-Newark. Usman works as a pharmacist at the Target Store in Jersey City. He is single. He is running on mayoral candidate Phil Webb’s ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“The most important issues to me are taxes, education, and public safety.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“Basically, for my entire life I have lived in this city, and see the city has a lot of potential. I have no previous experience with politics and I have no hidden agenda. I just want to do what’s right.”
Norrice Raymaker
Born and raised in South Milwaukee, Wisc., Raymaker has lived in Jersey City since 1990. Raymaker works full time as a compliance assistant for a firm at Harborside Financial Center. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and is certified in New Jersey to teach Speech Communications. She is running on Dan Levin’s ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“I will restore the voice of Ward C residents. I will work for your interests – not special interests. The city has catered to developers and people seeking lucrative city contracts instead of listening to the residents and addressing our concerns. It’s time to step up and take back our city.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“Ward C is poised to change dramatically, and now is the time to answer the call to service and become a decision-maker. Our elected leaders should take public transportation and the parking spots at City Hall should be reserved for constituents, not politicians and employees.”
Nidia Rivera Lopez
Lopez is the third of four children born in Puerto Rico. Her parents settled in Jersey City in 1954. She attended Public School 9, Dickinson High School in 1973, Newark Dental College, St. Peter’s College and New Jersey City University. She has run several businesses including N.B.C., a modern and progressive consulting firm. Lopez is married and is the proud mother of three children: George, Karl, and Kristin. She is running on Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“Upon assuming office, I will address the quality of life issues with which the residents of my ward are most concerned. In a city like ours that continues to grow, issues such as parking, crime, taxes and especially our beloved seniors will be the main focus once I am elected.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“As a professional businesswoman, educated and raised in Jersey City since 1954, I have met many challenges and gained invaluable experience that has helped me to be the catalyst that brings efficiency, profits, and success to my clients.”
Adela Rohena
Rohena is a St. Peter’s College student, married and mother of two, working as a teacher’s aide at Public School 16. She is running as an independent. She is a native of Puerto Rico. She is a member of the Jersey City Peace Movement. She is also a member of the immigrant advocacy group, NJ Action 21. Also, Rohena is a member of the Jersey City-based Professional Women’s Group.
Which issue will you address first?
“If elected, I plan to address issues such as more affordable housing and more assistance for the homeless. I am delighted to represent my distinguished constituents in Ward C and in all of Jersey City. It’s simple to take care of the problems in this community; you don’t need a million dollars to do the job.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“I don’t think the people who represent us, really represent us. They don’t read the [newspaper], and instead they tell you everything is great, and it is not.”
Ward D: Spans most of the Heights section of the city and is located between Van Keuren Avenue to the south and the Union City/North Bergen and Jersey City border to the north.
Bill Gaughan
Gaughan was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He is married and has two daughters. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Wilkes-Barre, Rutgers University-Newark, and the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. He is the President and Funeral Director of the Houghton Funeral Home in Jersey City. Gaughan is currently the Ward D Councilman, and also Chief of Staff to Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise. He is running on Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“I will continue to concentrate on the safety of our citizens by supporting proactive police strategies and putting more police on the street. I will also get paved more of our streets and create a pilot program to prevent the blocking of multiple parking spots by painting spaces on side blocks.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“The voters should vote for me because I have much more experience than the other candidates, and I have a plan to make Jersey City greener, provide more open space, create affordable housing and hire more cops for safer streets.”
James Carroll
Carroll is a lifelong Jersey City resident and a fourth generation Jersey City resident. He is a Jersey City police officer in 1995, and an attorney. He is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep, Seton Hall University and New York Law School. Carroll is married and has two children. He is running on Lou Manzo’s mayoral ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“The first issue I will address as councilman is budgetary spending. I bring this issue before crime for the simple reason that past abuse of tax dollars has cost the police department significant resources.”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“I am running for Ward D councilman to make the Heights a better place to live and to work. For me, the Heights section is not only a place where I work as a police sergeant, and where I maintain my law practice; it is where my wife and I raise our children. It is where my daughter attends school, in the public school system.”
Christian Araujo
Araujo is a retired lieutenant from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. Born in El Salvador and has lived in Jersey City since the age of eight. He attended Public School 25, St. Anthony’s High School and Hudson County Community College. He is married with two children, and running on L. Harvey Smith’s ticket.
Which issue will you address first?
“As a former law enforcement officer, who was shot in the line of duty, I can tell you firsthand what my main issue is, but crime is the number one issue that I talk about when I walk along the streets in the Heights. Gangs are the scourge of the Heights and the incumbent councilman, who’s been on the job for almost two decades, denies there’s a gang problem or even a crime problem!”
Why should the voters vote for you?
“I have demonstrated my commitment to this community. My blood is on its sidewalks. I care about the Heights because I remember when this was the premier neighborhood in Jersey City.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonrreporter.com.