Dear Editor:
I would like to express my heartfelt and undying gratitude by thanking everyone responsible for electing me to the Board of Education on April 20. It was a wonderful and incredible experience to see Jersey City residents turn out in historic numbers to vote. It demonstrates a referendum for change! Indeed, now is the time for change at the Board of Education. It is time to give our children the education they deserve and be careful custodians of taxpayers’ dollars.
The journey on which I embarked several months ago with just a handful of believers has taken many twists and turns; but more than anything else, I’ll remember the remarkable people I met at every junction. They motivated and invigorated me with their own dedication to the children and our fair city. That list includes parents, residents, teachers, their students, clergymen and – of course – my fellow candidates.
I must make special mention of Steve Fulop for his endorsement and especially the team of truly unbelievable volunteers who wore pavement to dust in pursuit of potential voters. They were astonishing in their tenacity, insight, and generosity. I will always be humbled and extremely grateful.
Finally, I’d like to thank my campaign manager, Matt Schapiro, who planned this victory from the very start, and forged and maintained the allegiances to make it possible.
Our campaign encompassed very diverse supporters from all of Jersey City, sometimes with varied points of view, however, we came together with a common goal: to improve education and create better opportunities for our children and accountability to our residents. I ask that you all keep the faith with which you pulled the lever for me; and I will use that same faith – along with an unswerving work ethic and copious research – to make decisions I pray will create a better future for our children and our city. With this election, the work has only begun; and the system will only continue to improve if we all remain committed to improving it. Please continue to support Jersey City’s education, it is worth saving.
Sincerely,
Sterling Waterman