Clock ticking on Jersey City’s Ward F vacancy

JERSEY CITY – With the clock ticking, there is still no word on who might fill the Ward F vacancy on the City Council.
The vacancy, created when former Ward F City Councilwoman Viola Richardson won an at-large seat during last month’s special election, currently leaves the governing body with eight members.
According to a spokeswoman for Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, by law the vacancy must be filled within 30 days of the election certification.
To fill the vacancy, the mayor will make a recommendation to the eight members of the council; the council will then vote on Healy’s recommended appointee. In the event of a 4-4 tie, Healy gets to cast the tie-breaking vote.
Since results of the Nov. 8 election were certified by Hudson County Clerk Barbara Netchert on Tuesday, Nov. 15, the mayor and council have just two weeks to fill the vacancy.
When asked when they mayor might make an announcement regarding his choice for the Ward F seat, Healy spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said, “discussions and interviews to fill the Ward F vacancy on the City Council are underway.”
Due to the holidays, the City Council has only one public meeting this month, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, with a caucus meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 12. – E. Assata Wright