While many of Hudson County’s most influential people remain relevant year to year, their impact waxes and wanes. Influence can mean different things, not only political power. Artists, activists, and not-for-profits influence the lives of the public over the course of the year, sometimes more significantly than it would appear on the surface.
Each January, our editorial staff spends several grueling meetings ranking the county’s most influential people. This is our fourth annual list. Last year saw dramatic changes in nearly every way – shifts in influence, scandals, and truces – setting the stage for events that are to unfold in 2015. We believe our list reflects those shifts.
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1 – U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez – (No. 2 last year) has once again taken a lead role in Hudson County, from lending support during the mayoral election upset in Bayonne to the reconstruction of the internal workings in West New York. With the recent moves by Pres. Barack Obama to normalize relations with Cuba, Menendez has become a powerful voice for Cuban Americans. He has been the power behind a number of key leaders including Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Rep. Albio Sires, Rep. Donald Payne, and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. Although an invisible hand, Menendez – a native of Union City – exerts a huge influence in North Hudson through his trusted ally, attorney Donald Scarinci.
2 – Gov. Christopher Christie (No. 1 last year) lost some influence in the county from last year but still remains the man many politicians in Hudson County love to hate. His control over the state budget and aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy gives him a significant amount of influence in various municipalities. While unable to get out from under the cloud cast by the four-day traffic jam at the George Washington Bridge commonly called Bridgegate, Christie is expected to announce his plans to run for president in 2016. This will set a lot of things into motion as Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop makes his move to run for governor on the Democratic side. In New Jersey a governor can only serve two terms.
3 – Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop (No. 4 last year) has lost some of his luster from when first elected as mayor in 2013, partly because he’s been forced to back off of questionable initiatives such as the trash transfer for Greenville Yards. But he still moves up partly because of the network of power he is building in order to run for governor in 2017. Also, Jersey City is expected to move up from the second most populated city in the state to the first some time in 2016. Development in his city is flourishing, including away from the waterfront in Journal Square, and the Fulop Administration has introduced a number of social innovations from expanded farmers’ markets to bicycle sharing that will make the city and the county into a truly contemporary urban oasis for the future.
4 – State Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco (No. 3 last year) moved down on the list only because others moved up. Sacco retains a powerful presence in Hudson County with powerful allies such as Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Fulop, Rep. Albio Sires, and most if not all of the North Hudson mayors. His peace with his neighbor, State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack, helped bring about political stability. With Prieto as chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, the longtime county political machine, Sacco continues to have a strong voice on who gets selected to serve in public office throughout the county.
5 – Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (No. 6 last year) moved up on the list this year largely because of the number of bills he has introduced that have impact countywide, including bills that would restore some Urban Enterprise Zone funding, expand the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, and defend PATH services against cuts by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), this Secaucus native of Cuban extraction has final say on Democratic candidates on all levels of government.
6 – The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (No. 7 last year) continued to dominate discussion in Hudson County. With rumors circulating that they might give up ownership of the Military Ocean Terminal property they bought in Bayonne in 2010, the PA has the potential to revitalize development along the lower portion of the Gold Coast. On the other hand, proposals to eliminate overnight PATH service threatened to undermine development in Jersey City, Hoboken, and western Hudson County. This only heightened disputes with municipalities such as Jersey City, which claims the PA has not paid its fair share of taxes over the years. While reform of the Port Authority is on everybody’s agenda, disagreements continue over just how, especially with the recent veto of reform legislation in New York and New Jersey by both Gov. Christopher Christie and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
7 – State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack (No. 16 last year) has done a lot to improve his stature in the political community. His support for the reelection of Tom DeGise as county executive and his cooperative agreements with North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco helped usher in a new era of cooperation that has not been evident for almost a decade. The redistricting of his state Senate seat gives him a much larger portion of Jersey City and the last say in who runs in the state Assembly in the 33rd District that also includes Hoboken, Guttenberg, Weehawken, and Union City. But perhaps most importantly, Stack has an unfailing loyalty to Gov. Christopher Christie, bringing into his district resources not normally available to other Democratic legislators.
8 – Local health care companies and hospitals (new) CarePoint – which owns Bayonne Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center, and Christ Hospital of Jersey City – was listed as No. 8 last year as a result of its aggressive push to expand its services throughout Hudson County. There has also been pushback from some of the more traditional not-for-profit medical providers, in particular, Jersey City Medical Center. CarePoint is a for-profit entity that has developed a number of innovative new programs and has gobbled up a number of private practices. JCMC has brought new programs of its own, opening new healthcare centers and instituting improvements in technology.
9 – Mother Nature (new). Most experts claim superstorms like Sandy, which struck the East Coast in late 2012, will happen again sooner than later. Preparations for such a disaster have affected nearly every aspect of life in Hudson County from preparedness to changes in development standards. Configured into many plans for flood control are new standards established after the 2012 event. Emergency services must be adjusted, and the cost impacts must be considered when devising budgets for businesses, not-for-profits, and governments. How politicians react to and prepare for these storms also affects their futures.
10 – Hudson County development companies (No. 9 last year) are transforming this side of the Hudson River into a modern urban mecca. Ironstate of Hoboken is constructing towers along the waterfront in Jersey City; KRE is building towers inland in Journal Square, and other developers such as Hartz Mountain Industries and Roseland Properties continued to develop on both Hudson County coasts, in Weehawken and Secaucus. These projects and the scores of smaller ones not only increase ratables in the Hudson County but create a wealth of jobs, both temporary construction jobs and permanent jobs later. Their influence is felt on every level.
11—Rep. Albio Sires and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner (No. 10 and 11 last year) work closely together to provide a level of influence that includes federal and local resources, we’ve put them together. As former mayor of West New York, Sires retains a large say in local government – most recently supporting the election of Caridad Rodriguez as freeholder – while also helping to provide federal funding to vast segments of Hudson County and beyond. In his separate part-time role as Sires’ chief of staff, Turner provides on-the-ground local assessments of district needs, while also managing the needs of Weehawken as mayor. Both will have a significant say in the makeup of a West New York commission ticket headed by Mayor Felix Roque this year.
12 – Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli (No. 21 last year) is a quieter behind-the-scenes influence on Hudson County, especially through his connection with Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and state Senator Sacco. A former member of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, Gonnelli will have a significant say in the upcoming plans to consolidate that commission with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which oversees off-track wagering facilities in Bayonne as well as elsewhere. Gonnelli’s persistent lobbying on his own tax related issues could also help put control of Liberty State Park under the new Meadowlands Regional Commission. Like Union City Mayor Brian Stack, Gonnelli is on friendly terms with Gov. Christopher Christie. In his own town, Gonnelli has encouraged a bevy of community events and festivals to give the county’s most suburban community a folksy flavor.
13 – Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise (No. 19 last year) is the standard bearer for Hudson County’s old guard. Seen as a lame duck last year facing stiff political challenges, DeGise has quietly and effectively garnered his forces and has managed to get if not all, then a majority of the political power brokers to support his reelection. Since his election as county executive more than a decade ago, DeGise has been seen as a stabilizing political force, someone who brings people together.
14 – Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer (No. 5 last year) has seen her political fortunes wane somewhat from their high after Superstorm Sandy and after her confrontations with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. In 2013, she gained national exposure after standing up to the governor over alleged pressure to support a politically-favored development in Hoboken if she wanted more Sandy aid. Zimmer’s reelection victory in late 2013 and her moves to consolidate government after that have shown her influence largely inside Hoboken. However, she has also become a team player on other issues countywide. With rumors swirling around that she might resign to take another post outside the town, she has the potential to influence political decisions in and out of Hoboken over the next year.
15 – School boards (new) have reasserted their power in a number of Hudson County municipalities over the last year. Prior to this, the trend seemed to be shifting towards more and more powerful school superintendents. But voters in Jersey City and Hoboken supported candidates who ran with the desire to rein in superintendents there. Bayonne is expected to have its first school board election (rather than mayoral appointees) since the 1970s this year. West New York just saw its first school board election as well. The school boards are also flexing their political muscles in other ways as well, often leading to conflicts with the mayors of their municipalities.
16 – The Hudson County Freeholder Board (not collectively on list last year) with four newly elected members looked radically different from what it did a year ago. Under Chairman Junior Maldonado, the new board is poised to advance an agenda of being an equal partner with the county executive’s office. Maldonado, who himself is a relatively new face on the board, is joined by newly elected Gerald Balmir, Anthony Vainieri, Kenneth Kopacz, and Caridad Rodriguez– in what is expected to be a very progressive board.
17 – Development activists (not collectively on list last year) such as Sam Pesin (Jersey City), Ron Hine (Hoboken), Joshua Breakstone (West New York/Boulevard East area), and Mary Ondrejka (Hoboken) have had a huge influence in directing public policy on various development issues, proving their ability to muster public opinion in their favor to give pause or halt development they deem as detrimental to the community. Also see no. 21.
18 – Hudson County arts community (No. 23 last year) more than flexed its own muscles over the last year, especially with the new progressive leadership being elected in places like Jersey City and Bayonne. People and organizations Elizabeth Caine, Christine Goodman, Silverman, Mana, White Eagle Hall, and Desha Jackson were active in Jersey City. The North Hudson arts programs, and some all county arts and other programs that originate in Bayonne are helping to shape the culture of a new urbanism in an attempt to rival New York City as a center for emerging arts. While some groups such as the Arts Circle in Bayonne have withered away, many others continue to expand such as the Union City Chamber Players, the Park Players, the Hudson River Performing Arts Center, keeping concerts and plays alive. Film festivals like the Golden Door in Jersey City and a Hoboken comedy festival draw arts lovers, as do the studio tours in both communities. The NoHo in Union City and theater groups like Hoboken’s Mile Square Theatre and Weehawken’s Hudson Theatre Group also keep the arts alive, as do a group of local galleries in those towns. Union City and Secaucus have hosted art shows and plays in their relatively new arts centers.
19 – Vision Media and Axiom Communications (new) While somewhat less potent over the last year, these local public relations firms continue to work behind the scenes, one in the political and governmental realm, and other primarily in development sphere. They have evolved to become consistent players in the rapidly changing landscape of Hudson County.
20 – State Sen. Sandra Cunningham (No. 18 last year) still has strong connections to Gov. Christie and state Sen. Ray Lesniak, as well as some key local officials such as Freeholder Bill O’Dea. But her local influence is largely concentrated in the southern half of Jersey City. Her legislation has often been coordinated with former Gov. Jim McGreevey and Mayor Steven Fulop in an attempt to help broaden the positive impacts of redevelopment in the city. Her influence will likely grow as the gubernatorial election heats up later this year and she becomes an ally of Mayor Steven Fulop.
21 –Riaz Wahid and Esther Wintner, Jersey City activists (No. 29 last year) flexed their collective muscles in a number of areas during the year, helping to derail projects such as the proposed trash transfer for the Greenville rail yards in Jersey City. But they had their most impact in helping the homeless, and were instrumental in getting the county to establish an overnight shelter in Kearny for the overflow from existing shelters that become filled up during cold nights.
22 – Freeholder Anthony Romano and Hoboken Councilman Ravi Bhalla (new) appear to be rivals for mayor of Hoboken if rumors are true that Dawn Zimmer plans to step down. Romano proved he could generate support in labor and in various Hudson County communities to win his reelection as freeholder over a candidate backed by Zimmer. This has positioned him as the natural challenger for mayor. Bhalla’s election as president of the City Council in Hoboken puts him in line to inherit the mayoral position if Zimmer leaves. This rivalry can expect to embroil political people county wide as both men seek support. Bhalla may also seek an Assembly seat as he did last time around.
23 – North Hudson Community Action Corporation (new) remains one of the most powerful and influential agencies in North Hudson serving people who need low-cost health services from Jersey City to Secaucus. In some ways, the offices in West New York, Union City, Jersey City, and Hoboken provide resources that are often unavailable on a municipal level. Its services – like that of the Bayonne Equal Opportunity Foundation in Bayonne – makes local leaders look good.
24 – State senators Ray Lesniak and Steve Sweeney (new) are rivals not just in Hudson County but throughout the state. Their influence is felt in every aspect of government, but especially involving development. With Sweeney expected to run against Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for governor in 2017, this rivalry requires local political people to choose sides.
25 – Joe DeMarco (new) is the current business administrator in Bayonne. He appears to have larger ambitions that include a possible future career as a state-level lobbyist. Until last year, DeMarco worked in West New York under Mayor Felix Roque. DeMarco has a remarkable track record for political upsets. He helped Roque beat former Mayor Sal Vega in 2011, and then helped Bayonne Mayor James Davis beat Mayor Mark Smith.
Honorable Mention: Bayonne Mayor James Davis, who is making great inroads in development and the arts; West New York Mayor Felix Roque, who survived several law enforcement investigations and will run again this year; Mark Albiez, who went from being chief of staff of Mayor Brian Stack to chief of staff for Mayor Steven Fulop; Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff who is quietly getting things done; Hoboken Councilwoman Beth Mason, who may seek higher office and seems to have unlimited funds at her disposal; Hoboken Councilman Michael Russo, stalwart of the 3rd Ward and sometimes the swing vote on the council; Dana Wefer, the woman behind the termination of Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia as director of the Hoboken Housing Authority; Carmelo Garcia, who hopes to keep his Assembly seat this year, David Donnelly, the new head of the JC Redevelopment Agency, who has a huge say in development in Jersey City; former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who, although instrumental in a number of city and countywide job programs, appears to really draw strength as the man behind Fulop’s gubernatorial plans; and Bayonne’s Nicholas Chiaravalloti, who becomes the candidate for 31st District Assembly spot in the next Democratic primary.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.