Meet the candidates – part two Profiles of candidates from wards C and D

The mayoral candidates will be incumbent Mayor Jerramiah Healy and attorney Alfred Marc Pine. Former candidate Melissa Holloway was disqualified by the state Superior Court on April 6 but was still battling to return to the ballot last week.

Each of the six ward council seats serves a specific region of the city. There is a $24,500 annual salary for the City Council president and $22,500 for the other eight members of the council.

This week’s issue of the Jersey City Reporter features the second in a series of articles profiling the candidates for the May 10 council and mayoral elections. The profiles include wards C and D.

In the previous edition, a total of nine candidates from Ward A and Ward B were profiled in the Jersey City Reporter. To see those candidates already profiled, visit www.jerseycityreporter.com.

Additionally, a profile of one Ward A candidate and one Ward B candidate are included at the end this week, as their information was not received in time last week to run. Where are wards C and D?

Ward C encompasses much of the Journal Square section and part of the Heights section of the city. It’s bounded by Franklin Street to the north and Mercer Street to the south.

Ward D is most of the Heights section of the city and is located between Van Keuren Avenue to the south and the Union City/North Bergen and Jersey City border to the north.

The incumbents in wards C and D are Steve Lipski and Bill Gaughan respectively, both running on Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s re-election ticket.Ward C Candidates Dr. Joseph A. Buttigheri – ‘Healthy Government’

Dr. Joseph Buttigheri is a lifelong member of the Jersey City community and the third generation of Buttigheri doctors to care for the residents of Ward C.
“Dr. Joe” is board certified in podiatric surgery and is on staff at Christ and Greenville hospitals and Meadowlands Medical Center. After attending P.S. 23, Mt. Carmel School and Hudson Catholic, Buttigheri attended Monmouth College and received his DPM degree from the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Since then, Buttigheri has practiced in the same office on Kennedy Boulevard as his father and grandfather before him. Buttigheri is the proud father of three children. Why are you running for City Council?

“My father taught me that caring for a patient means more than just treating pains or problems. Caring for a person means caring for every part of his or her life. Each day in my office I hear my patients telling me of how city government is failing to provide essential services to improve their quality of life. I am seeking office to change that and make city government work for the people of Ward C. I answer to no political boss or special interest. I will fight to make open, honest government a reality in Jersey City.” What will you do if elected to the City Council?

“First, I intend to focus on the revitalization of Journal Square as a commercial center and economic engine for the region. I also plan to investigate ways to improve parking and the traffic flow in the area.
I will fight to enhance public safety and develop a partnership with our police to institute a more focused community watch. A curfew hurts small businesses.
The voters say we need a more attentive councilman. As a doctor, I know what it means to be on call and I will be open and accessible to the people of Ward C.” James P. King Sr. – ‘Jimmy King Gets the Job Done’

James King is a Jersey City native who has resided in the Journal Square area for over 42 years. Most recently, he was the executive director of the Jersey City Parking Authority. Before that, he was the director of public resources for Hudson County and former Hudson County undersheriff. Also, he serves as a board member of Hudson Cradle and an usher at St. John’s Church. He also runs the Jimmy King Civic Association, which he founded two and a half years ago. He has been married to his wife Cookie for 42 years and has two sons and five grandchildren. Why are you running for City Council?

“For more than 40 years I have been serving the residents of Jersey City and particularly Ward C, the Journal Square Ward, in a non-elective position, except that I was the Hudson County Democratic Committeeperson, an elected position, for a number of years.
“I came to the realization after the untimely death of our beloved Mayor, Glenn D. Cunningham, on May 25, 2004, that I might be able to achieve more for the citizens of Jersey City, especially the residents of Ward C, if I was their representative on the Municipal Council.” What will you do if elected to the City Council?

“Restore the beauty and pride of Journal Square by working with all concerned advocacy groups. Work with the Jersey City Police Department to remove vagrants and undesirables from “The Square” to improve safety. Provide more housing, recreation and other services for senior citizens. Improve the maintenance and cleaning of all streets in Ward C; get the Neighborhood Improvement District involved. Be available one morning, afternoon and night weekly to hear the concerns of Ward C residents. Work with the Journal Square UEZ to obtain more funding for improvements and other projects.” Steven S. Lipski – ‘Team Healy 2005’

Born and raised in Jersey City, Steve Lipski has served in the City Council since 2001. He is a graduate of Dickinson High School. Lipski enrolled in Seton Hall University where he earned bachelor’s degrees in English literature and philosophy and a master’s degree in English literature and education. Lipski spent 10 years in the New York City school system, moving from teaching to becoming union representative. He founded the CREATE Charter School in the Greenville section of the city in 2001. Lipski also is currently the co-chairman of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency. He currently lives in the Journal Square section of the city with his wife. What am I running for City Council?

I’m running because I believe with my experience, my passion and people skills that I would be best suited to serve the people of Ward C. I believe that I started a number of projects, including State Theatre and Hotel On The Square, that I would like to see come to fruition as well as other projects. Lastly, I am highly encouraged by the reception of people in Ward C, especially their generosity and their desire to want to see Journal square and Jersey City to continue prospering. What will you do if elected to the City Council?

I hope to continue my work with other community leaders in a team effort to improve the daily quality of life in our neighborhoods. I will continue to hold the line on taxes by keeping a close eye on city expenditures and luring in more ratables. I will continue to look for funding to increase police protection, to repave streets, to accelerate the improvements to Pershing Field and to make Reservoir #3 accessible to the general public. Lastly, I will continue to work with city officials and the owners of the Hotel on the Square to demolish it and to bring new and improved mixed-use development in its place. Ward D Candidates William A. Gaughan – ‘Team Healy 2005’

William Gaughan has served in the City Council since 1993. He is currently chief of staff for Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and the chairman of the Jersey City Democratic Organization. He also serves as the president and funeral director of Houghton Funeral Home in Jersey City. Gaughan served in the U.S. Navy as a petty officer and received his Bachelor of Science degree in management from Rutgers University – Newark and is a graduate of the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services. He is also been active member of St. Anne’s Church. Why are you running for City Council?

“Well, at times I do think maybe I should think about not running and then I get in my car and ride around the beautiful neighborhood I love and represent, and drive by the two new firehouses I had a part in building. I go up to the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Thorne Street, and I go into the Star Light Community Center, and I know that my efforts to open the community center that serves about 2,500 kids a month is why I want to run again. I know that these buildings and programs are all the reason why I loved serving for 12 years.” What will you do if elected to the City Council?

“New housing on Western Avenue and Summit Avenue between Hague Street and Secaucus Road, and considering a plan by some developers who want to build new townhouses on Summit Avenue between Laidlaw and Jefferson avenues. Seeing that parks such Riverview, Leonard Gordon, Pershing Field and Washington Park are renovated, and that a dog run is built in all four parks. Making sure the worst streets in the Heights are paved this spring.” Lennart Nilsson – ‘Community Unity-Jobs-Housing-Safety-Respect’

Lennart Nilsson was born in Clifton. A graduate of Clifton High School and New York University, Nilsson has resided in Jersey City for the past 12 years.
Nilsson is the co-founder of the Jersey City Peace Movement, a peace and justice organization known for their teach-ins concerning: Racism in the Media; the U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act; and the Cost of War to Your Community. JCPM also helped to pass a City Council Resolution Against War two years ago. Nilsson is a proud Union Actor by profession where he is known as Eric-Anders Nilsson.
Nilsson has had numerous appearances in motion pictures and TV, including the movie “Analyze That” and the TV series “Rescue Me.”
Why are you running for City Council?

“To change the way our ultra right-wing government is going – by starting at the council level. To help Jersey City’s citizens of every race, color, religion, age, sex, sexuality and nationality get the basic needs, safety and respect they deserve. To ensure tax money gets spent here at home and not on illegal, brutal wars and occupations.
That means $82 billion for Jersey City – not to prolong war on Iraq and other countries. To end the neglect I’ve seen throughout Ward ‘D’ and all of Jersey City. Because I am a proud American citizen who knows Jersey City can do much better.”

What will you do if elected to the City Council?

“To end the ‘tax abatement-happy’ council. More parks; better roads; and books for libraries. Safe community centers and help for youth, troubled teens, seniors and homeless. Better equipment for our firefighters.
Police/community meetings. Safety with respect on the streets.
I’d work to get free parking back in the heights. I support Ward D businesses and would like fellow citizens to do the same – and to look for union made items. Money must be spent here in Jersey City – not on endless wars based on lies. (Bush and others should be impeached! And the troops should be brought home now!)” Ward A and B (see last week’s paper for the other Ward A and Ward B candidates) Ward A Candidate Karen DeSoto – ‘Reform Government Now’

Karen DeSoto grew up in Hunterdon County. She served as the head corporation counsel for Jersey City during the administration of late Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham. She currently resides with her husband and son in the Society Hill condominium complex off Route 440 in Jersey City. Why are you running for City Council?

“I am the only candidate for council with a proven record of fighting for your quality of life in Jersey City. I served as chief counsel to Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham as his administration fought for stable taxes, reform against corruption, pollution clean-up throughout Ward A, more police officers, and an 11 p.m. curfew to prevent crime. I’ll put city government back on the side of our seniors, working families and children, and continue the legacy of Mayor Cunningham’s Golden Neighborhoods program. As councilwoman, Ward A will have a real voice in City Hall.” What will you do if elected to the City Council?

“A major plank in my agenda is to give back to my community by utilizing my skills as a manager to closely monitor the budgetary process and the utilization of our city’s resources. It will be a hallmark of my tenure, and a guidepost by which you can measure my effectiveness. I will gladly submit this community’s evaluation of my performance, because I will make it my fundamental goal to assure an honest and effective representation for each and every constituent in my ward.” Ward B Candidate Mary Spinello – ‘Team Healy 2005’

Mary Spinello is a graduate of St. Aloysius High School in Jersey City and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
She is currently deputy executive director of administration for the Jersey City Incinerator Authority.
Spinello is the former Deputy Division Chief of the Hudson County Housing and Community Development Agency, and former director of Marketing and Community-Based Employment for the Occupational Center of Hudson County, Inc. She previously ran for the Ward B City Council seat in the 2001 election. Why are you running for City Council?

“I am running for City Council because I am eager to work with the mayor and Jersey City to address the quality of life issues that have affected Ward B. I am a strong advocate of Mayor Healy’s campaign platform, and also will do all I can to execute the initiatives he has set forth, particularly with regards to crime, public safety, and clean streets…” What will you do if elected to the City Council?

“If elected to a four-year term, during my tenure, I hope to work with the city to make sure that street resurfacing continues along Westside Avenue. I am also eager to bridge the gap between the City Council and block and community associations in Ward B, with the hope to collectively work together to increase awareness of the issues that are important to and directly affect the quality of life in this community.”