In a chant that reverberated for blocks, supporters of Mayor Dr. Felix Roque shouted “Four more years!” over and over after polls closed for the West New York municipal election on May 12.
In the town’s form of government, voters elect five commissioners who choose a mayor from among themselves. It’s generally announced ahead of time who will be mayor; in this case, Roque.
Roque, Cosmo Cirillo, Gabriel Rodriguez, Susan Colacurcio, and Margarita Guzman won election to four-year terms from a field of 19 candidates, defying the belief by some political observers that opposing candidates might win one or two of the five open seats.
The race was won despite the fact that Roque was indicted in 2012 for allegedly trying to hack into a political opponent’s web site. Roque was cleared, although his son was convicted of a misdemeanor.
Bittersweet moment
With his mother and father hospitalized and reportedly near to death, Roque basked in a bittersweet moment, paying tribute to his supporters while acknowledging his personal sadness.
“This isn’t my victory; this is your victory,” he told his supporters.
Roque’s candidates defeated two opposing tickets plus several independents by more than a two-to-one margin, securing for the mayor his second four-year term in office.
The mayor led voting with 2,871, followed by Rodriguez with 2,796, Cirillo with 2,755, Colacurcio with 2,734, and Guzman with 2,589.
“This isn’t my victory, this is your victory.” – Mayor Felix Roque
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The results do not include provisional or emergency ballots, which will be calculated later this week, according to the town clerk’s office.
Among those at the celebration were Rep. Albio Sires, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, Freeholder Caridad Rodriguez, Assemblywoman Angelica M. Jimenez, Erica Daughterly, Raphael Chavez Menendez, and West New York Parking Authority Director Jamie Cryan.
Roque vs. Wiley
“We had a great team,” Roque told his supporters. But he gave a huge amount of credit to his campaign manager, Pablo Fonseca, who he called “the surgeon.”
Roque took a shot at Commissioner Count Wiley during the celebrations, saying he was glad they drove Wiley out of office.
“It has been a rough ride over the last three years,” Roque said. “I couldn’t deal with that commissioner for another four years.”
Although Wiley ran and won with Roque in 2011, the two broke with each other in 2012, and have had a contentious relationship, often bickering at public meetings, resulting in conflicts among their supporters.
The Wiley camp complained about dirty campaigning, attributing a variety of negative pamphlets to the Roque camp.
The Roque campaign had filed suit challenging Wiley’s residency, but Wiley prevailed.
The Wiley camp claimed someone in the Roque camp had illegally obtained information about his son’s school activities.
The conflicts spilled over into Election Day activities when Roque’s son, Joseph, accused Wiley of assault after a confrontation over removing or desecrating campaign signs. Wiley campaign people claim Joseph was the aggressor.
Roque said his son had filed a police report and that he intended to follow up by filing charges against Wiley.
Not an easy first term
Roque has had a turbulent first term after having defeated former Mayor Sal Vega in 2011.
During his first term, Roque managed to alienate some of the political allies that helped him win, including U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Roque was also charged along with his son with conspiring to hack into a website run by Jose Munoz, an outspoken critic of Roque. While Roque was acquitted, the allegations cast a pall over the administration.
Roque was also the subject of a report by the state Department of Education pointing to possible political manipulation by the Roque administration in the school district. The state has not brought charges.
Although Roque lost his 2013 bid to stop a change from an appointed school board to an elected one, his administration managed to retain control of the board in a critical 2014 election, marking a significant turn around in his political fortunes.
Roque also managed to mend fences with a number of political people inside and outside West New York including former Mayor Vega, North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, and others.
In a major shakeup inside his administration, Roque replaced a number of key positions including leadership on the West New York Parking Authority, and ran with a new group of candidates that included some of his previously harshest critics.
On to the future
During the celebration, Roque said he was looking to move ahead with a number of new initiatives including the construction of a new marina on the waterfront, establishing at least four new parking lots, and the creation of a military charter school.
“I have a military background,” he said. “I wanted to do this before but it was not the right time. Now it is.”
Roque cut the celebration short to rush back to the hospital to meet with his mother and father, both of whom he said are terminally ill.
“My mother is dying,” he said. “We almost lost her last night. Fortunately, my sister has been there to take care of her. My mother wanted to be with me to see me win. I’m going there to tell her. She wants to live long enough to see me sworn in. I hope this can happen.”
He said he may hold the swearing in ceremony next week at the hospital.
Dr. Hilda Roque, the mayor’s sister, said their mother had not spoken for weeks, but suddenly spoke again just before Roque’s victory.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.