Local Talk has begun interviewing candidates for various upcoming elections. One of the candidates for Essex County Freeholder is incumbent D. Bilal Beasley, who is running for a fourth term.
Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. Why did you run for Freeholder the first time and now?
Bilal Beasley: I ran the first time due to the result of a letter I wrote to the Essex County Democratic Party. I wanted good representation from our district and what types of urban votes the Democratic Party was receiving. I requested they consider Irvington representation for a party nomination. We did not have a representative on the Freeholder board. They selected me to represent.
In the last election in 2008, due to Obama on the ballot, there was a large turnout. I received more than 40,000 votes. In the Primary, there were a total of 37,682 voters, and of that 6,373 voted. I received 3,640 and won the election. My opponent keeps on saying I have won unopposed. I always have an opponent.
DS: What have you accomplished so far?
BB: I believe that I chair the most important committee, the affirmative action committee, since 2003. We have done a disparity study and completed it through our committee. We found results beyond our thoughts. Immediately, we started working and started to call quarterly meeting and study reports given by Debar Collins updated every quarter. We do give contracts to woman, minority and small businesses. We have a very low percentile (under 2%) minority and women owned contracts. Recently, we have awarded $20 million out of $61 million to women and minority owned contracts, which is 33% approximately. We had an outstanding accomplishment. We have established a number of education and business forums. Doing business with the county is easy, but the county requires insurance and other requirements. We organize workshops on how to qualify for bonding, how to understand RFP (request for proposal), insurance needs and how to compete with other vendors. I visit schools, residences, and houses of worships in District 2.
Various parks are of great importance to District 2. We have organized events about drug awareness, testing for hearing and eye care and much more. In the last five years, we have spent over $26 millions on parks. Freeholders are taking to programs for seniors like a wellness discount program, discount prescriptions, and much more. A Freeholder supports good programs the administration proposes. Recently, we gave a big help to the City of Newark. I was the first one who casted a vote to ECIA, Essex County Lease Buy Back Program. This helped Newark to cut the high increase of tax and stop layoffs. The county has recognized a great educator, Charlie Johnson from the South Ward, for African American History Month.
DS: What is the role of the county compared to the city?
BB: The county is responsible for education in vocational schools. Right now, there are five vocational schools, and the county is in the process of making a campus for three schools.
The county deals with correctional facilities. Within the last nine years, we have transferred all prisoners to a new facility. We provide senior citizen services which cities will not be able to provide. We provide social services and welfare services. We have accomplished our amusement park as a flagship park. We have improved Irvington, Weequahic, West Side, Ivy Hill and Vailsburg Parks in District 2. There is always room for improvement. So, we keep on trying new ways.
DS: Your opponent claims that they found you sleeping at a Freeholders’ meeting? What is your comment?
BB: I never sleep during the meeting. The accusation is somewhat political. It’s demeaning. In the meeting, they take roll call, vote on various resolutions, and other business. The whole idea of that statement is inaccurate. They are trying a lot of distortion in this campaign. As a legislator, your job is to check accountability of the administration. I am working with friends of Irvington Park. We will announce the enhancement of the Irvington Park Soccer Field with three entrances, which will give a chance for residents to take advantage. We will be announcing that on April 26. It’s is a result of our hard work for the activities of Irvington.
DS: What is lacking in Essex County in your opinion?
BB: The maintaining of parks after so much has been done is a challenge. Due to the economy, we have less number of staff. I am proposing to encourage a committee of volunteers and private organizations who can take ownership to the park, like conservatory has done it in Newark. I invite you to join in the committees, soccer leagues, different age groups, block associations.
DS: Do you have any message for your voters?
BB: I would say to Essex County residents, through the administration and Freeholder board, we have done excellent service through our tax dollars. We have improved roads and maintained road in the last bad winter. We have upgraded the parka and repaired and maintained them as quickly as possible. We have numerous county activities. On the 12th of April, we had a youth job fair at Essex County College. We will have another one on the 26th of April for the general public. The citizens can visit my website at www.dbilal.com and vote for Line A.
I opposed manipulation. I don’t want to criticize my opponent. I want to stay positive. My opponent’s criticizing is an outright lie. I enjoy support within my South Ward and Irvington. I’ve worked with community leaders for more than 25 years. Vote for the Democratic Line A candidates.
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