Edward Geiger swallowed hard. Around him, a hundred voices murmured. The vote was deadlocked at 4-4. His was the final vote.
“Nay,” he said.
The council chambers erupted with cheers. Saturday morning cartoons had been saved.
Explaining his vote afterwards, Edward, an 11-year-old P.S. 39 student, put it this way: “They were depending on me,” he said.
The council-president-for-a-day voted against the contentious ordinance to end cartoons, along with a measure that would have made mandatory school uniforms across the city, and a proposal to move the curfew hour up from 9 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“I think we should have a curfew,” said Ashley, a fourth grader speaking during the public portion of the debate, “because at certain times people start to shoot guns.”
While none of those issues are likely to come before the adult City Council, one matter, whether to put a “water park” in Liberty State Park, will be considered by a state panel in January.
The trip to City Hall is part of a citywide program entering its 21st year. School children from across the city participate throughout the year in numerous events designed to get them to interact with kids they might not meet until high school.
The Joint Activities Program selects children out of Jersey City schools to learn about city government, nature, camping and the theater. The program had its genesis in a court order looking to desegregate the city schools.
“They have complete respect for each other and friendships that list the rest of their lives,” said Program Coordinator Roy Beeler of the children in the program.
On Wednesday, children from schools 5, 6, 23 and 39 took time off from class to learn about the workings of city government. City Clerk Robert Byrne hosted the event.
Byrne explained to the children the pressures a councilperson faces in a public forum, much like what Edward faced in the cartoon vote.
“What if he had voted the other way?” asked Byrne, of Edward. “He wouldn’t have been very popular, would he?”
Responded the children: “Noooo.”
A wall of white men
Earlier in the day, Byrne pointed out the pictures of the city mayors that lined the back wall of the chambers.
“What do they all have in common?” he asked.
Said one student: “They’re all men.”
Said another, “They’re all different looking.”
One young boy finally said, “They’re all white.” Giggles rose from the crowd.
“He’s right,” Byrne said. He explained that only after 1960 did city residents begin voting for their mayors. Before that, they were appointed.
Byrne clearly enjoyed himself.
“This is like getting out of work,” said Byrne. “This is fun.”
The votes
In the end, a curfew ordinance and the waterpark won approval from the council, even though the students who spoke were split down the middle on the measure. The council had even clapped when one spoke out against the park.
“I don’t think they should put a waterpark there,” said Richard, from P.S. 23, “because animals live there and that’s their home.”
Contended Jose, “I think you should make a theme park with rides.”
Said Patrick, “It’s a good idea – so kids don’t put fire hydrants on.”
Another student suggested that the construction of a park would lure more people to New Jersey, and the park would make money.