IRVINGTON - Mayor Wayne Smith and Township Council Members D. Bilal Beasley, Lebby C. Jones and Andrea C. McElroy more than carried out a July 1 tradition with their re-inauguration and reorganization here at University Elementary School Auditorium.
Smith, Beasley, Jones and McElroy took vows to uphold and defend the U.S. and state constitutions and to deal with official matters in a fair and unbiased manner before an auditorium audience of 220. The three council members rejoined their four colleagues to re-select West Ward Councilman John Sowell as Council President, among other key appointments.
Their swearing-in was repeated in Newark, Orange, West Orange, Belleville and other municipalities that have their held elections May 11. All winners of non-partisan municipal elections in New Jersey are to take their offices on or just after July 1. Municipalities who hold partisan elections in November are to be inaugurated on or just after Jan. 1.
Smith was sworn into his third consecutive term by Municipal Clerk Harold Wiener at 6:17 p.m.
The mayor, in his subsequent remarks, referred to July 1 being the 25th Biennial Irvington Inauguration and Reorganization Meeting. He also noted his record-setting tenure, courtesy of May 11 voters.
"This is the anniversary of Irvington's government under the Faulkner Act," said Smith in his 20-minute address. "Under Faulkner, I'm the first mayor to be elected to three consecutive terms."
Smith was referring to the state law that outlines the mayor-council form of municipal government. Irvington, prior to 1960, operated on a mayor-commissioner government - where commissioners double as department heads and who select a mayor from amongst themselves.
Smith opened his remarks by repeating his election night refrain "You haven't seen the best of me yet!" The mayor then took note of the 10 protestors decrying the 17 percent property tax increase and layoff of four police officers across University Place.
"Let me get right to the topic no elected official wants to talk about first in an address: taxes," said Smith. "We were first handed a $4 million reduction in state aid. Then we were directed to contribute $1 million to the state employee pension fund."
Smith said he, the council and department heads had to make decisions that led to worker layoffs.
"There may be more layoffs to come as we look at this year's budget," said Smith. "I express my appreciation for the township's hard working employees, who had 12 furlough days this past fiscal year, for it's through their tireless efforts that we stand before you tonight."
Smith thanked the coalition of residents, community and business leaders and clergy in making Irvington "a Community of Opportunity." He praised the township's ethnic and religious diversity - "African, Caribbean, Haitian and Latino" - before turning to crime fighting.
"I'm happy to report that last year we ended with a 25 percent overall crime rate and, as of May, 28 percent," said Smith. "Director (Joseph) Santiago has done a marvelous job with the Police Department."
Smith praised the establishment of the Crime Control Strategies Office to map and coordinate crime fighting efforts, command and supervisor crime strategy conferences, daily and weekly crime reports, patrol playbooks and after-action reports on quality of life crimes. The IPD Community Affairs Office, added Smith, has been enhancing police-citizen relations through partnerships and public programs. Eight new patrol cars have been added to the 30 that are equipped with laptop computers and GPS devices.
Smith pointed to last year's completion of "the largest street paving project in our township in 20 years," and redeveloping "over eight acres of residential and commercial properties in the last eight years." On the latter count, he listed development that brought in Auto Zone, the Stuyvesant Avenue IHOP, "the new car wash and lube where the Tattletales go-go bar used to be" and 50 East Ward residences.
"We'll be paving additional streets in the new year," said Smith. "Current development projects include the Mill Run Shopping Center, the Valley (Fair) Plaza Mall and more new homes."
Smith's next topic concerned youth in recreational and educational terms. He outlines steps that included introducing the Phoenix anti-gang/crime curriculum in township public schools, establishing four after school programs, building the Irvington Skate Park and refurbishing Burgess, Chancellor and Orange Avenue parks.
"In today's times you have to think beyond our borders," said Smith. "That's why I've taken on the task as president of the Urban Mayors, as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Re-Entry Task Force and as a N.J. State League of Municipality Advisory Board member. I get to look at policies and other things that'll affect our community, keeping my eye on bettering Irvington."
Irvington's latest council appointed East Ward Councilman Quinzell R. McKenzie and Beasley as first and second council vice presidents. They also reappointed L. Jones as the Joint Meeting Representative, McKenzie as ABC Chairman, South Ward Councilwoman Sandra R. Jones as planning board member ,and Rashidah N. Hasan, Esq. as legislative research officer.
Irvington's elders adopted at temporary 2010-22 budget and set a preliminary tax levy thereof.
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