Once again it is an election year. Not only is it an election for the president and congressional seats, in Jersey City it is a Special Election for the mayors seat to fill the remaining term of the late Honorable Glenn Cunningham.As with any election people pick and choose who they feel will be the best candidate to lead our city. That goes for both elected officials and the general voter. Once again former Mayor Gerald McCann has taken an active role for one candidate. This candidate is Lou Manzo whom I also support and believe in. Now both Mr. McCann and Mr. Manzo are being criticized by the elected officials who support mayoral candidate Jeremiah Healy. These are the same elected officials who I think are nice people that opened their arms and warmly welcomed Mr. McCann and his intense, tireless and aggressive campaign skills and knowledge during the Mayoral and Council run-off election in June of 2001 while supporting candidate Thomas DeGise. Now that he is not on their side he is this dark villain that brings nothing to our governing body!
This I disagree with. Although not an "Elected Official" since 1992, Mr. McCann has a passion and love for Jersey City. He does a lot for our city that never goes published. For instance, back in June of this year in the Heights section were faced with an issue of a proposal of a public school being built in a flourishing neighborhood. An activist, Joy Jawrowski set up a public hearing with officials from the Board of Education to voice opposition to this project. Mr. McCann then went to work walking the neighborhood alerting residents of said proposal and garnered support. On the night of this meeting, Mr. McCann voiced his opinion on how this project would be detrimental to this neighborhood. At this meeting's conclusion around 9 p.m., I had the opportunity of going to City Hall with Mr. McCann. On this same, the Jersey City Planning Board held an open hearing on the proposal to build a garbage transfer station on Lewis Avenue in Ward C. Mr. McCann made it to the meeting and spoke out highlighting the reasons why this site was illegal and detrimental to this neighborhood too. After this meeting he was overwhelmingly thanked by the people in attendance as being the only "one" to show up and speak out. He did these things, as a person who cares for our neighborhoods, not as a paid elected official who should be there.
In closing I would like to say that although Mr. McCann is not a saint and was punished for his sins, still comes out for the people of Jersey City. If our elected officials did half of what former Mayor Gerald McCann does, we would be in much better shape. I applaud Lou Manzo for teaming up with Mr. McCann. Together they re making Jersey City First! Sean Connors A friend and Heights resident
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