Singer. Actor. Dancer. Musician. Deputy Director of Public Affairs…
Add to that hodgepodge of titles “Commissioner of the Union City Housing Authority” and consider that they are all held by one man – Lucio Fernandez.
Fernandez was named a commissioner of the Union City Housing Authority at last week’s commissioners’ meeting held at Union City’s City Hall.
Anyone who knows him would not have been surprised to find that he wasn’t able to attend the meeting, as he had prior commitments. But one must ask the question – is a man of such disparate interests really qualified to help oversee Union City’s housing issues?
“I know I am involved in a lot of stuff,” said Fernandez in a City Hall interview last week. “But I think that’s part of the reason that Mayor Stack chose me – I am not afraid to work, and work hard.”
Fernandez’ impressive resume is a testament to that statement. When not at City Hall overseeing the various public affairs events that Union City holds, Fernandez can be found fronting his Latin Jazz band CuJazz and hosting a Cablevision show entitled “Live on Stage.” Fernandez has worked with some of the biggest names in theater and film including Marc Anthony, Shirley MacLaine, Gene Kelly, The Pointer Sisters, Tommy Tune, Susan Lucci, Shirley Verrett, Lupita Ferrer, and Lorna Luft.
And while Fernandez’ skills and talents have taken him around the world, he always winds up back in Union City.
Said Ferendez, “I took this job because it deals with seniors and veterans. I have direct access to these people. I know how they live. I see the necessity of bettering these people’s lives.”
The housing authority position, which is unpaid, will require Fernandez to take a battery of courses at Rutgers University. Housing Authority commissioners are required by state law to complete several courses (Ethics, Financial Issues and Procedures, Public Housing Management Assessment Systems (PHAS), the Section 8 Management System Program (SEMAP), Skills for Commissioners, and an elective. These courses must be completed with 18 months of the commissioner’s appointment to the post.
Fernandez is well aware that his appointment has some folks around town scratching their heads.
“People ask me – ‘You’re a performer; how does this [the housing authority position] have anything to do with what you do?’ ” said Fernandez. “And the way I answer that is that everything to me is interconnected. Culture drives everything, and I know the culture.”
Union City Mayor Brian Stack is confident in his appointment of Fernandez. When asked if he expected any backlash from appointing someone who already works for him, Stack answered with a simple but emphatic “no.”
Continued Stack, “Lucio truly represents what community activism is all about. He will serve the commission well.”
Fernandez, who upon hearing Stack’s glowing assessment of him, blushed and attempted to deflect any attention from himself.
“I think Brian simply sees me as someone who is a hard worker and who wants to help people,” he said. “This has nothing to do with politics. I have no political aspirations whatsoever. I support Brian and he supports me. That’s really it.”
Added Fernandez, “Very simply, I have taken this position because I want to help people.”