Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter because I observed something disturbing over the weekend. Let me first start off by saying that I am a life long resident of Jersey City. I first grew up in our Marion section and then after getting married I moved into our Lafayette section. As I watched the Puerto Rican Day Parade with my two daughters and many friends outside of Saint Bridget’s Church I was glade to see many of our elected officials participating with the parade and our culture. I saw Mayor Healy, State Senator Cunningham, our wonderful Senator Bob Mendendez, and even Sean Connors who I had no idea was a sheriff’s officer marching and running over to people on both sides of the street. The kids that were there, and even for that matter the adults loved interacting with our leaders. What I did not like was when I saw Councilman Steven Fulop standing on the top of a float, as if he was king with all of his knights walking by his side as it went by. He was totally grandstanding by wearing a guyaberas and a hat that is worn by men in our culture. This was not impressive at all!

If this is how Councilman Fulop would be as our mayor, not engaging in our culture and dictating high above the people on a pulpit, then he is better off going back to the town in which he grew up in. Whether I like this current administration or not, I can say that they totally interact with the community and the residents. We do not need a king being the leader of our city!

Traci Sanchez
Lafayette resident