Frank Perrucci could not have known how big an impact the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne would have when he founded the group in 1970.
“I was running for council in the Third Ward,” he said during a recent interview.
Envisioning this as a start of a political career, Perrucci soon discovered a new role as the organization evolved into something bigger and more significant than the mere political platform he originally intended. In some ways, it has taken over his life, becoming one of the critical pieces in the city’s social network.
“After a while, we stopped being a political organization and became a non-profit,” he said.
Perrucci founded the Concerned Citizens in 1970 as part of a political effort to improve the quality of life for city residents. In some ways, the organization challenged the public to get involved, even establishing a motto that asked, “We care, do you?”
“After a while, we stopped being a political organization and became non-profit.” – Frank Perrucci
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When founded, the organization struggled against some of the tough issues of the day, including an apparent degrading in morality and the rising popularity of illegal drug use. But the group also had a focus on smaller issues, such as traffic lights and controlling unbridled development. While sponsoring local sports teams, conducting turkey raffles, holding picnics and collecting toys for needy kids during the holidays, the organization was also very active in pushing its political agenda, such as establishing an elected Board of Education.
“We got it done, too,” Perrucci said, although later realized that the effort was in vain since political forces always managed to put in the same people regardless of elections.
Over the years, however, the organization grew in membership and influence, and Perrucci realized that it had outgrown its roots as a political organization.
In 1992, Perrucci decided the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne would change their character and no longer be a political organization. He felt the group was doing so much good in the community and for its residents that their efforts would be enhanced and appreciated by being strictly a civic organization.
“We had all kinds of people involved, and we couldn’t support one over the other, so we became a non-profit,” he said.
This didn’t mean the organization stopped advocating on issues. Voter registration drives, civic projects, help for veterans and the elderly became staples in its agenda. On some issues, the organization prevailed.
Throughout the last 40 years, the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne has taken stands in favor of fines and jail terms for those convicted of ocean dumping. They came out against self-service gas stations in New Jersey, and opposed extreme wrestling in Bayonne. They opposed toxic waste tanks and a garbage transfer station in Bayonne. Early on, they took a proactive stand in support of the light rail system.
The organization sponsors a Little League baseball team, a PAL basketball team, and a bocce team. The organization has also sponsored some activities on an annual basis for the past 40 years. These include visits to the veteran’s hospital in East Orange, N.J., for a night of bingo, a mini-auction for senior citizens at the Pamrapo Gardens residence, and the collection of toys for the Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots Program.
Other noteworthy annual activities of the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne include the group’s annual Easter bunny parties at the Felician School for Exceptional Children in Lodi, at the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, at the Bayonne Community Day Nursery and at the Bayonne Youth Center. Santa Claus joins the group each year to deliver gifts to several needy families each Christmas. They also hold an annual spelling bee for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students in Bayonne.
Over the years, the Concerned Citizens organization has helped many organizations, such the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children, Bayonne Babe Ruth Baseball League, Bayonne Family YMCA, Bayonne Fire Canteen, Bayonne Little League Baseball, Bayonne Medical Center Cancer Treatment Program, Bayonne PAL, Bayonne Youth Hockey, Deborah Heart and Lung Center Children of the World Program, the Jean and Frank Perrucci After School Academic Achievement Program, the Simpson Baber Foundation for the Autistic, and the Windmill Alliance, to name a few.
Unlike many other civic organizations, the Concerned Citizens still maintains its numbers.
“I’m amazed at how many people show up for our meetings,” Perrucci said.
To commemorate significant anniversaries of the organization, members established continuing programs, such as the $1,000 Frank P. Perrucci Scholarship for a high school senior living in Bayonne, and the Frank P. Perrucci Civic Achievement Award to recognize an individual who volunteers his or her time to worthwhile causes that have a positive impact on the community. In 2000, for the 13th anniversary, the Jean and Frank Perrucci Academic Achievement Program was established to serve as an after-school program for students who need assistance with their homework and studies.
While Perrucci and his wife, Jean, are often recognized as the public face of the Concerned Citizens, a number of other people have been involved over the years, including charter members John Baccarella, Penny Covella, the late Sal Covella, the late Theresa Mione, the late Chester Nowicki, Jean Perrucci and Vinnie Perrucci.
Besides Perrucci and Kelly, current officers of the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne include First Vice President Alice Rooth, Second Vice President Pat Polera, Treasurer Marie Shahpazian, Recording Secretary Angela Martorano, Corresponding Secretary Jean Perrucci, and Sergeant at Arms Carol Bednarski. Trustees are Jean Connolly, Penny Covella and Henry Sanchez. Appointed officers are Historian Beverly Clark and Welfare Officer Loretta Cerullo. Joanne E. Kosakowski is the group’s honorary president for her 20 years service as president.
To mark the 40th anniversary, a celebration of the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne will take place during a cocktail party and dinner dance on April 17 at 6 p.m. at the Chandelier Restaurant. A souvenir journal will be printed to commemorate the event.
Yet, even all these years later, Perrucci still regrets losing that Third Ward election in 1970.
“I really felt I could have made a contribution to the community,” he said.
Many people would say he already has.