JERSEY CITY – Faced with a backlash of disapproval from a speech he made as a college student, Muhammed Akil has announced his resignation as chief of staff for Mayor Steven Fulop
“Effective immediately, I am resigning as Chief of Staff of the City of Jersey City,” he said in his letter of Oct. 16
Mark Albiez will serve as chief of staff effective Friday, Oct. 17, the mayor’s office confirmed.
Akil went on to say, “Comments I made as a college student twenty years ago were recently reported in the media as if they reflect my current thinking This is simply untrue. Throughout my personal life and professional career, I have worked on behalf of individuals from all beliefs and backgrounds. However, these comments made two decades ago have become a distraction to the administration and all the important work that city employees undertake daily.”
He thanked Fulop for giving him the chance to serve as chief of staff.
“As a dedicated public servant, I will continue to work in all communities to improve the quality of life for Jersey City residents,” he said.
Who is Mark Albiez?
Albiez, who recently joined Fulop’s team, has a public service career that has spanned more than a decade and covered numerous municipal operations.
Beginning in 2003 as a program coordinator with the Jersey City Department of Recreation, Albiez later assumed the role of chief of staff to New Jersey Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, Jr. in 2008. He worked for State Sen. Brian P. Stack as chief of staff, focusing on constituent services, drafting of legislation, legislative processes, and interaction with government offices, public agencies and members of the media.
Albiez was later employed as deputy director of the Union City Department of Recreation, Parks and Public Property, advancing the creation and refurbishment of parks and recreational facilities and securing funding streams for respective projects.
Since July 2014, Albiez has served as the deputy chief of staff for Fulop. – Al Sullivan