Today is the final day to register to vote in New Jersey if you want to participate in the June 10th primary.
If you haven’t done it yet, please click: https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register
If you’re already registered but unaffiliated, you can still vote in the primary by declaring a party at your polling place on Election Day.
The endorsement positions him as the progressive, climate-centered candidate in the race for Mayor.
Today, Jersey City Councilmember James Solomon received the endorsement of Climate Cabinet Action, a national advocacy organization for comprehensive climate policy in states and cities across the country. Climate Cabinet Action focuses on local candidates in high-impact races, and this is a top-priority race for Climate Cabinet Action.
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Climate Cabinet Action, and I am proud to be the climate candidate in the race for Jersey City Mayor,” said Councilmember Solomon. “From Hurricane Sandy to Tropical Storm Ida to the torrential downpours we’re receiving even this week, climate change is already making life in Jersey City much harder. On the City Council, I’ve led on climate resiliency to protect us from what’s coming. As your Mayor, I will ensure our most vulnerable communities are protected from the devastating effects of the climate crisis while continuing to stand up to the state’s wasteful turnpike expansion – and I will fight for more mass transit options, more green infrastructure, and more open spaces across our city.”
Reminder: Join Jersey City Free Public Library, I Love Greenville, and SafeStreetsJC for the 31st District 2025 Assembly Candidate Forum!  Cunningham Branch Library (275 Martin Luther King Drive) Monday, May 12 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, learn where they stand on key issues, and ask your questions. It’s a great way to stay informed and engaged in your community! You can submit your questions for the candidates to address using this link Gillian Sarjeant-Allen, the Secretary of the Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation and founder of Radical Solutions LLC, and Lewis Spears, Director of the Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center at New Jersey City University, will serve as moderators for the forum. DID YOU KNOW? Jersey City is split between two different state Assembly districts. Not sure which district you’re in? Look for your address on this map. Please register to attend this event with the link below.? |
Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato (D) who represents the 31st Legislative District strongly condemned the state’s proposed $4 million cut to Jersey City schools, criticizing the ongoing underfunding of the city’s education system. The proposal comes at a time when Bayonne, another historically underfunded district, still requires additional resources to meet the needs of its students.
“Budgets are about priorities, and by cutting another $4 million from Jersey City schools, the state is once again showing that our students and teachers are not a high priority,” said Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato. “This decision undermines the progress we’ve worked so hard to make in improving our schools, and it is especially damaging for Jersey City’s students, who already face significant challenges. At the same time, we must not forget that Bayonne, another district in need, continues to be underfunded and should be a focus of additional investment, not cuts.”
As a strong advocate for education, Assemblywoman McCann Stamato is committed to taking action to restore this critical funding. “As a member of the State Assembly, I will do everything I can to ensure these cuts are reversed. Our schools deserve adequate funding, and our students must have the necessary resources to succeed.”
Assemblywoman McCann Stamato has also made it clear that if these cuts are not restored, she will not support the State Budget. “We cannot allow these cuts to stand. If the state does not prioritize our students and their education, I will not support the state’s budget.”
Assemblywoman McCann Stamato remains committed to fighting for fair and equitable funding for Jersey City schools, Bayonne, and all schools across New Jersey, advocating for policies that ensure every child has access to a high-quality education.
About Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato:
njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/484/assemblywoman-mccann-stamato
Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato represents Legislative District 31 in the New Jersey State Assembly, where she works tirelessly to advocate for fair education funding, economic justice, and policies that support the well-being of her constituents and their families.
By Ricardo Kaulessar
Who will be the next Bayonne Mayor will be decided by a runoff between incumbent Mark Smith and challenger James Davis on June 10.
Smith, who has been mayor since November 2008, is running for a second four-year term. Before becoming mayor, Smith served In the Bayonne Police Department for 25 years where he rose through the ranks to deputy chief. He is married and has two daughters.
Davis has been on the police force for over 25 years, currently holding the title of captain. His work has included leading a task force from 2007 to 2008 that made a number of arrests while dismantling a burglary and motor vehicle theft ring, and later helping to shut down cocaine distribution network operating partly out of Bayonne. He is married and is the father of three sons.
The River View Observer posed questions to both candidates about dealing with a prolonged campaign season in the Peninsula City, strategies the city’s highest office, and their respective plans for governing their hometown if one of them prevails.
Why do you think you ended up in a runoff with your opponent rather than had won the election outright?
 Smith: We always knew this was going to be a challenging race. While we won the popular vote, there’s still some lingering effects from the national recession. People are still struggling. The outcome may have reflected a bit of that. We heard their concerns. Some people are still restless and we need to communicate our plan with them. We’re going to show them that our team has the plan and the ability to continue revitalizing or community.
Davis: When you combat a war chest of $1 million collectively and numerous outside entities attacking from different flanks, I feel making it into the runoff was our first win. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and know our drive will pull us all over the finish line in the end. Continue reading Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Mayoral Challenger Jimmy Davis Answer Our 5 Questions Before the Bayonne June 10th Mayoral Run-Off
On Wednesday, February 12th Mayor Mark Smith of Bayonne and supporters gathered at the Chandelier Restaurant to kick off Smith’s 2014 run for Mayor.
With the threat of a major snow storm looming an enthusiastic crowd of  supporters  were on hand to hear  Mayor Smith  announce his 2014 Council running mates which did not change from his current administration and to hear Former NJ Governor Richard Codey speak of  the accomplishments of Mayor Smith’s current administration and the promise to  “Move Bayonne Forward” for the next four years.
Photos by River View Observer photographer Steve A MackÂ
Agnes Gillespie and Ray Greaves Council people- elect give the high sign as winners of Tuesday’s Primay in Bayonne 
Photo by Joe Calamito
The 1st and 3rd Wards in Bayonne have two new Council people elect. Agnes Gillespie and Ray Greaves both won tonight in Bayonne’s Primary. Two of Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith’s Council running mates; Gillespie, and Greaves fell short of a first ballot victory in the May election forcing them into a run- off against Thomas Cotter in the first ward and Gary La Pelussa in the third ward.
Winning tonights primary with Gillespie totalling  1408 votes to Cotter’s 1155 and Greaves with a total of 1623 to LaPelusa’s 1570 gives Mayor Smith’ a cohessive Council and with 6 of his running mates on the City  Council Mayor Smith can now push forth his agenda for the city.
A happy Mayor Mark Smith addresses the audience at the Knights of Columbus in Bayonne after Agnes Gillespie and Ray Greaves won their council seats.
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 A jubilant Mayor Mark Smith thanks his supporters at Bayonne’s Chandelier Restaurant after winning the May 11th election for Mayor. Smith beat out New Jersey State Assemblyman and former Bayonne Councilman Anthony Chiappone and former Bayonne Policeman Leonard Kantor to serve as Mayor for the next four years.
7,402 votes were tallied for the Smith column over Chiappone’s 2, 503 vote count -roughly  66% for Smith, 22% for Chiappone  and 1, 239 votes 11% were counted forLenoard Kantor.
(Photo Steve A. Mack. com )Â Â
Smith originally won the Mayor ship 17 months ago to fulfill the remaining term of former Mayor Joe Doria who at that time left his position as Mayor to work in the administration of then Governor Jon Corzine as Commissioner  of the Department of Community Affairs.
Smith’s “Moving Bayonne Forward” campaign resonated with Bayonne voters especially in the areas of holding down property taxes, reducing city government through attrition which was a promise he made and kept and his campaign promise in the coming four years to preserve Bayonne’s small town charm.
The Mayor said in his closing remarks at his celebration party “Tonight we party and celebrate, tomorrow we get down to work in creating the dream to move  Bayonne forward”
Three  of Mayor Smith running mates Council at Large candidate and current Councilman Terry Ruane won re-election as did Debra Czerwienski and first time council candidate Joe Hurley won in the second ward, and Mayor Mark Smiths’ other two council picks Ray Greeves of the third ward will be in a run- off against current Councilman Gary La Pelusa and Agnes Gillespie will be in a run -off with independent Candidate Thomas Cotter for the First ward.
Late Saturday night the House of Representatives approved a historic bill to remake the U.S. health-care system, Giving President  Barack Obama a key procedural victory having made Health Care as one of his top priorities.
The Bill passed 220-215 after a lengthy and sometimes emotional day of debate on the nearly 2,000-page measure.
The action on health reform  now moves to the Senate.
 read more here  HISTORIC HEATH CARE BILL PASSES – Source US Market Watch
