Rosemarie Martinez former Chief of Staff to Bayonne Mayor James Davis made history recently when the City Council of Bayonne unanimously voted to name her Bayonne’s City Tax Collector, giving her the distinct title as the first Hispanic to hold that position.

In her capacity as Chief of Staff to Mayor Davis she learned the inner working of the City, giving her experience with working with many departments and Leaders within Bayonne’s city government.

According to an article by Al Sullivan in TAPinto Bayonne, Mayor Jimmy Davis said that he appointed Martinez to the position, formerly filled by Joanne Sisk, because she is “extremely qualified for the job.” 

Her education background is impressive, earning her a degree in Applied Sciences from Jersey City University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University and her resume is equally impressive besides working as Chief of Staff for Mayor Davis, Martinez, was administrative assistant for then Hudson County Sheriff Juan Perez, and also assistant director of Rutgers Business School.

Working in the Tax Office since 2019 Martinez has passed all required courses and she said her priority as Tax Collector is to provide Bayonne residents with a more efficient service.

$6.7 Million Overhaul to make it One of NJ’s Premier Business Corridors  JNewark Ave Pedestrian Plaza Permanency Follows Major Streetscape Upgrades to West Side and Central Avenues that Commenced in 2021  

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Municipal Council announced today a $6.7 million upgrade to the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, finally giving it the permanency to create one of New Jersey’s premier destinations.  

 The Pedestrian Mall was first closed to vehicles in 2015 as an experiment to limit traffic and create a pedestrian destination. The plaza was expanded to a second block in 2018. Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was expanded further to Grove Street between Montgomery Street and Christopher Columbus Drive as well as 1st Street and Newark Avenue. 

“The creation of the Pedestrian Plaza was a risk our administration took when first elected as there was significant pushback, but I think over time it has become clear to everyone that the changes we made there have attracted more people, allowed more businesses to open, and created a destination spot for visitors and residents,” Mayor Fulop said.  

By Joe Calamito

How did you get here?

How far did you fly?

All speckled white and large with big yellow eyes

It is easy to see you don’t belong

In a city park with not much going on

Your majestic, and regal and you know it, you do

Watching from a high as they take pictures of you

Long lenses, snapping, snapping away

And I wondered as I watched, did you eat today?

The tundra, I read, you’re chosen spot, but here you sat

occupying a light post in a Bayonne park , parking lot

You made me laugh when you’d turn your head

Their eyes in their lenses their faces of dread

Hoping you wouldn’t move, for the perfect shot

And when they clicked you turned, you turned a lot

On purpose I guess, a small price to pay

To watch and observe a snowy owl today

The crowds are gone now they had their fill

And the media, well, just like the media always will

News today, and gone tomorrow

Yet I feel a sense of deep lasting sorrow

Not knowing your destination

Or if you survived

 The piece of pizza

I left for your flight