First of two parts.
Steve Lipski sat in a booth last week at the Brownstone Restaurant in downtown Jersey City a relaxed man.
The former city councilman was in a very different place a year ago, when he was going through one of the darkest periods in both his personal and professional lives.
On Nov. 7, 2008, he was arrested for simple assault for allegedly urinating from a balcony during a Grateful Dead tribute concert at Washington D.C.’s “Nightclub 9:30.” Lipski later admitted that he had had several drinks before the concert and some during.
“I feel I am in a very good place.” – Steve Lipski
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Eventually, he decided not to run for a third term as Ward C Councilman after he was asked by Mayor Jerramiah Healy to not be part of his election ticket. His seat is now filled by Nidia Lopez.
Since then, Lipski has continued running the CREATE Charter High School on Lembeck Avenue in Jersey City as well the new CREATE middle school located on Canal Street in downtown Jersey City (occupying the old Learning Community Charter School space). He is also vice-president of the Board of Directors for Partners in Prevention, the anti-drug and alcohol resource center based in Jersey City, and he serves on several other boards.
But most importantly, he has been sober since the day after his arrest, having gone in for counseling and treatment.
“I haven’t touched a drink in over a year, and I am getting the help I need,” Lipski said. “I feel I am in a very good place.”
A new life, a new day
Lipski engages in one of his favorite meals, a tuna melt and a Coke, while talking about changing his regimen. He goes to a gym, has been eating healthier, and sees a naturopath. The changes also include the way he approaches each new day.
“Every day I wake up I say my prayers and read positive affirmations,” Lipski said. “I no longer have negative thoughts.”
What has also uplifted him is his marriage to his wife Yraida, as they will be celebrating 16 years together on New Year’s Eve. He said his wife didn’t look to leave him after his arrest. He said she was “disappointed” yet supportive. Lipski said it was their strong religious beliefs that also kept them bonded.
Support of friends, both in and out of the political realm, also helped Lipski resist the temptation of alcohol. This was especially helpful to him during the time after the arrest when there were calls from some people to step down from his council post.
“What I find is, most people are extremely supportive, that they are truly empathetic,” Lipski said. “Most people looked at what I had done as being disgusting, but they see that I am getting help, that I am working to run two schools and being responsible as possible.”
Lipski said he had to examine what he had been doing to his body for years, going back to his childhood, including the impact of alcohol upon his brain’s temporal lobe.
He lost his father at the age of 12 in a hit-and-run accident, and says that traumatic incident started him on his drinking problem. He said looking back on his youth has enabled him as an educator to do more for his school and the students.
“Let me just say when one door opens, another one closes,” Lipski said. “Running the school, it really challenged me in terms of being the leader and how would I take this as a leadership moment. But after the arrest, I came back and shared with students and staff, which was painful.”
And Lipski saw other doors opening as some were beginning to close.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.