Photo of Mayor -Elect  Jimmy Davis by Ricardo Kaulessar  

 Photo of Mayor Mark Smith and Team by Steve A Mack 

James Davis walked into the Villa Maria restaurant in Bayonne on Tuesday night like the conquering hero, with hundreds of supporters cheering him on as soon as he entered the place.

There was good reason for the elation as Davis won the mayoral runoff election in his hometown over the incumbent Mark Smith by a 51% to 49% margin as of election night.

Davis greeted the numerous tired and sweaty followers like himself who were energized by seeing their leader give his victory speech.

“Tonight we enjoy but tomorrow we get to work,” said Davis to raucous applause. “Itâ€s going to take everybody in this city to change this city, whether they voted for us or against us.”

Davis also thanked his parents, his family and everyone else who campaigned for him to enable an upset over a formidable opponent. And he called for forgiveness and unity with the other side after a tough, and at times, nasty campaign that saw accusations of voter fraud and other election-related violations get thrown around by both sides.

But it was not just Davis who had something to celebrate as members of his council slate also in the runoff were jubilant about their election night sweep into office.

Sharon Ashe Nadrowski and Juan Perez won at-large seats each with 26% of the vote over their rivals Terrence Ruane and Debra Czerwienski while 2nd Ward candidate Salvatore Gullace and Third Ward candidate Gary LaPelusa hold thin leads over Joseph Hurley and Raymond Greaves respectively as of Tuesday night (pending the count of provisional ballots). Thomas Cotter won the First Ward seat in the May 13 municipal election over Agnes Gillespie.

Nadrowski wished Smith “good luck” but then said “now itâ€s on with Davis.” LaPelusa thanked his campaign team for “putting up with him” during the election and commented about Smith and his team that “if you nothing nice to say, donâ€t say anything at all.”

The grand evening for Davis was made more so by the appearance of various big-name politicians such as state Senators Ray Lesniak (D-Union), who also addressed the crowd, and Sandra Cunningham (D-Hudson). Lesniak, in an interview with the River View Observer after the Davis speech, said that he saw Davis as “the future of Bayonne politics” and compared him to recently elected Newark Mayor Ras Baraka as “new blood” in the Democratic Party.

It was also a great night for 20-year Bayonne resident and local business owner Zoila Yunes, who said the Davis†win was “the best thing that ever happened in Bayonne,” and cited high taxes as one of the major reasons she did not go with Smith.

No regrets for Smith

A more subdued scene was found on election night at the Chandelier Restaurant near the Bayonne-Jersey City border, the locale where Mark Smith was supposed to proclaim victory in the runoff.

Instead, friends and longtime acquaintances commiserated with each other over his loss, standing at the bar or seated at tables. When they saw Smith, they gave him a hug or wished him the best as he thanked them for their efforts in trying to get him back into City Hall.

Smith, in an exclusive interview, did not display the mannerisms of a defeated pol but was rather philosophical and even proud of his time in office.

“The people of Bayonne spoke but now we continue what we started five years ago,” Smith said. “When we began this mission, the city was on the brink of financial ruin. We did all the things necessary to bring this city back, to put it in shape, to put it in the position to prosper.”

He then ticked off some of the accomplishments and accolades that came during his time in office: the upgrading of the cityâ€s bond rating by Moodyâ€s, a 43% reduction of the cityâ€s debt, and the designation of Bayonne as a “hotspot” by NJBIZ Magazine.

When asked why voters chose to overlook the things that occurred during his tenure and instead elected him and his entire council team out of office, Smith saw it as anti-incumbent sentiment that has occurred in Bayonne elections for as long as he can remember. He also said “taxes is always the issue” even though his administration implemented no tax increase in the past year and was planning to go the same route for the coming year if he got back into office.

Smith said in the remaining days in office, until his term ends on July 1, he will work with Davis to ensure a smooth transition between outgoing mayor and incoming mayor.

As far as his future plans, Smith said he will sit down with his wife and two daughters to assess how he will go forward. However that conversation goes with his family, one thing that probably will not be discussed is the topic of regret.

“I have no regrets, no regrets at all. I went to sleep every night with a clear head because I knew at the end of the day I did my level best, and I gave 110 percent of my efforts to put the people of Bayonne first.”

The post BAYONNE ELECTS A NEW MAYOR first appeared on River View Observer.

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 cityâ€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, thereâ€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. Weâ€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.

What is one advantage that you believe you have over your opponent that will enable you to prevail in the runoff?

 Smith: Well to begin with, we have a plan thatâ€s working to bring Bayonne back. The facts support that. Weâ€re going to better communicate the successes we have had and the fact that all the work we have done getting our finances in order are starting to bear fruit. Weâ€ve delivered a zero tax increase this year, property values are up for the first time in nine years, and our bond rating has improved. We have a great story to tell and weâ€re prepared to get our message out.

 Davis: Our team’s honesty and integrity has shined since the first day we announced that we will run for office. We never instilled fear into the citizens of Bayonne like our opponent has. We delivered our message that unity in the City of the Bayonne will prevail.

Do you think you will be able to maintain enough of a cordial relationship with your opponent after the election that you will consult him on any issues if you become mayor?

 Smith: Iâ€ve known Jimmy Davis for decades. Iâ€m certainly willing to work with him and anyone else at any time to make our community better.

Davis: After we win, I am sure we will be able to converse civilly and do what is best for the City of Bayonne.

If you win, what will be the first issue(s) you will tackle within the first year of the new term?

 Smith: I think we will continue to work our plan to encourage new development on Broadway, the Peninsula and elsewhere in town. Our focus has been on getting Bayonneâ€s finances under control, controlling municipal expenses and developing more ratables so we can broaden our tax base to provide property tax relief for our citizens. We need to find a way to resolve the teachers†contract impasse in a way thatâ€s fair to both the teacher and the taxpayer.

 Davis: The first issue we will tackle is to review all land sales associated with the Military Ocean Terminal and the revitalization of Broadway.

What is the one major goal that you want to accomplish in the next four years as mayor?

Smith:I grew up in this town. I had a wonderful childhood here. I had the best job in the world working as a policeman. I met my wife and ow we’re raising out daughters here. I want for them, what we had growing up. I want a great community for all of our children.  I’m working hard to bring Bayonne back.

In everything that we do, Iâ€ve always had one eye on property taxes. By working to bring city finances under control, limit the growth of city spending and increasing our ratable base, we will finally see property taxes stabilize remain under control. I want to continue to build a great community while taking less money out of homeowners†and renters†pockets.

 Davis: One major goal is to unify Bayonne and bring back the feeling we had growing up in this great city, to insure quality services to all our residents, and to develop community centers for our senior citizens and our youth.

The River View Observer would like to thank Mayor Mark Smith and Jimmy Davis for taking the time out of their busy schedules to answer our five questions.

The post Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Mayoral Challenger Jimmy Davis Answer Our 5 Questions Before the Bayonne June 10th Mayoral Run-Off first appeared on River View Observer.