Dear Editor:
Last week Secaucus lost a longtime fixture and well known personality with the passing of Nelson “Howie” Elwell.
I will always remember Howie as an extremely hard worker who founded and expanded the family trucking business which still bears his name. I was always impressed with his unwavering drive and determination that helped make him successful in business and politics.
Howie and the late Jimmy Moore were the first to defeat council candidates aligned with the longtime administration of Mayor John J. Kane in 1955. The following year the late Herman Pope and I were elected to the council, ending the Kane regime. Moore became Mayor and Howie became the backbone of the Moore Administration for six years, and later minority leader for six years during the early years of my administration.
He was a very worthy adversary and active, popular councilman as evidenced by his winning every election until he gave up his council seat, serving 14 consecutive years. Although we were on opposite political sides and opposed each other for mayor, I always had great respect for him and appointed him to our utilities authority where he served for a number of years. His contribution to our community spanned decades.
He will be remembered and missed by a great many of our residents.
Paul Amico
Former Mayor