Dear Editor:
My name is Steven Pinkney Sr. I have been a lifelong resident of District 3 which is in the heart of the African American community. The upcoming election is essential for the following reasons.
There is a vibrant effort to create a jobs program which is meant to affect not only the long term unemployed but the ex-offender community. We all know that African Americans are disproportionately under employed and in the prisons so we need leaders who know how to bring training & employment dollars into the community. I have been a friend to the current Freeholder Jeff Dublin for many years. I love him as a person but question whether his leadership has successfully met the needs of the community. One of the major roles of a freeholder is overseeing the prison system. If Jeff has had a plan it is a secret to me. I have heard the plans of Freeholder Candidate Gerard Balmir and find him to be extraordinarily insightful about working with others in the area of employing his constituents.
The fact of the matter is what he does now. Gerard has promised to hold meetings with the community after the election which is something that Jeff has failed to do. District 3 needs a change and I am throwing my support behind Gerard Balmir. I believe Jersey City is changing from its crony image to a corporate balanced machine that knows that it must deal with the least of these. I Believe Gerard is the needed.
Steven Pinkney Sr.