BAYONNE AND BEYOND — It’s been a busy three weeks for Jason O’Donnell of Bayonne. The Democratic committee people in the 31st District (which covers Bayonne and part of Jersey City) recently elected O’Donnell, an ally of Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, to replace Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone, who resigned after pleading guilty in a state investigation.
And this week, Bayonne’s City Hall was expected to announce changes in three key department directors. O’Donnell, who is a fire captain and director of municipal services, will be named the new director of public safety, overseeing both the police and fire departments.
City officials also said that Joseph Waks, one time aide to former state Senator and Mayor Joseph Doria as well as legislative aide to Rep. Bill Pascrell, will replace O’Donnell as director of municipal services.
Until the O’Donnell appointment, the fire director position had been vacant for several years. Mayor Mark Smith was serving as police director.
Steve Gallo, who currently serves as chief of staff to Mayor Mark Smith and executive director of the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority, will replace Terrence Malloy as the city’s business administrator. Malloy will remain the city’s chief finance officer.
New assemblyman also gets promotion to public safety director
