Mayor Wayne Smith's Speeches

Six-Month State of the Township Address
Delivered on Thursday, January 9, 2003 at Irvington Town Hall

"From Promise to Progress"

Good evening. It is with deep joy and privilege that I come before you—my family, colleagues, friends, supporters and concerned citizens—to deliver the Six-Month State of the Township Address for Irvington.  

Some of you may have wondered why an address is being made at this time, as such an event is traditionally held at annual intervals. Well…fortunately…there has been nothing conventional about the past six months in the Township of Irvington. In light of our community’s intense struggles and challenges, change was not only necessary, it was critical. Change was not an empty promise…it was the pathway to progress.  

When I stood before you six months ago as Irvington’s new Mayor, I named public safety as our most serious problem—and in this regard—we have made serious strides.  

Several months of lobbying the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Attorney General—which, by the way, began before I was elected—has resulted in the dispatch of 25 state troopers to Irvington. The troopers will provide a tremendous boost to our law enforcement efforts. After weeks of gathering intelligence and performing undercover surveillances, the troopers—in conjunction with our local officers—will be strategically deployed throughout Irvington to take on the criminals and protect our law-abiding citizens. Let me emphasize that the alliance between the Irvington Police Department and the New Jersey State Police will be a permanent partnership—in varying degrees—as conditions dictate. So, my advice to the bad guys is this: You better quit, because we’re coming!

Let me share with you the simple philosophy that drives our determination to attract any and all assistance from every level of government: the federal, state and county taxes you pay entitle you to these services.  

Based upon this premise, we initiated the formation of a law enforcement task force composed of officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency, the FBI, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Police, who are raiding the homes of suspected drug dealers and gang members. One such raid in September captured eight members of some of Essex County’s most notorious gangs. In a related development, we are in discussions to have additional FBI officers dispatched here to Irvington, as we have done with the state troopers.  

On the local front, 14 recruits were sworn in last month as Irvington’s newest police officers. Two weeks later, we installed two more, raising the ranks of the police force to 202 members. The officers—who all reside in Irvington—are receiving instruction at the training bureau in the South Ward Police Mini-Precinct. As promised, we have made progress by opening the site of the former welfare office at Union and Chancellor Avenues as a mini-precinct, increasing police presence in this high visibility—but previously neglected—area. Citizens can file police reports, call for police intervention, and secure community-based services at this facility. The site also serves as the new home of the Office of Emergency Management, which works closely with the police department in times of natural disasters and other crises. Later this month, the new officers will be sent to the Essex County Police Academy for six months of intensive training. They will begin permanent duty in Irvington upon graduation.  

New computerized police cars will allow our officers to track suspected criminals more effectively than ever before. The terminals are linked to law enforcement agencies throughout the country, providing our police with quick and easy access to profiles, from outstanding arrest warrants to motor vehicle violations. This technology bypasses the centralized dispatch system that sophisticated criminals monitor, enabling each unit to communicate individually with the appropriate agency and throw the suspects off track.  

As with many of our other initiatives, there is no cost to the taxpayers, as we obtained a $437,000 Law Enforcement Block Grant from the U. S. Department of Commerce. With another grant, we have hired three police aides and will soon add twelve for desk duty, freeing up our officers for patrol assignments. At the South Ward mini-precinct, we have launched the civilian police academy to train the public, as a fulfillment of the promise to restore the auxiliary police force.  

We are sending a clear message not only to the criminals but to neglectful property owners. The days of tolerating the arrogant, disrespectful dismissal of our housing codes are over. Imagine the surprise of one owner, whom the police arrested at her Livingston home for failure to appear in court after we uncovered a host of violations on her Irvington property. A $10,000 fine was levied against her, and if the conditions are not rectified, fines of $1000 per day will be added. Consider the “sticker shock” of another, when we socked him with $30,000 in fines—that’s right—$30,000. Wisely, he chose not to fight and is paying the price---so to speak. These two examples refer to long-standing conditions; however, we are also stopping these scofflaws dead in their tracks during improper rehabilitation work and new construction. We have issued about 35 stop work orders and are imposing fines of $500 for each day of non-compliance. Six months ago, I vowed that illegal and irresponsible behavior would be subject to appropriate penalties. To date, we have imposed more than $100,000 in fines. From promise comes progress.

For cases that reach the courtroom, the legal showdowns are spelling defeat for the offenders and scoring victories for you—the good citizens of Irvington. You win—because shoddy, incomplete or hazardous work is being corrected; and the fines we collect will help us to hire additional code enforcement officers.      

As for abandoned properties, numerous residential and some commercial structures have been demolished, due to both private funding and an $825,000 grant we acquired from the New Jersey State Department of Community Affairs.              

Private investment backed the first demolition—which, I am proud to report—was performed just one month after I assumed office. That building—the site of the defunct Roxy Theatre—will be reborn in the next few months as a mini mall that houses an eatery, a pharmacy, a jewelry store and other establishments. The company that funded the recent demolition of the Eagle’s Nest bar—a notorious hot spot—will relocate its construction business to the site.              

Demolition work has begun on a massive building in the industrial sector on Lyons Avenue. The property has long been an eyesore, especially to viable area businesses, and the source of steady complaints—but no more.  

No longer will these buildings harbor the unsanitary and unsafe conditions that have existed for far too long. We will prosecute offenders and help the disadvantaged. But, we will not allow our neighborhoods to succumb to these sanctuaries of crime and despair.  

The highlight of the demolitions so far was in November, when we tore down eight houses in one day. In the past, there was no systematic procedure to execute demolitions on a meaningful scale. But now, they are continuing at a steady pace throughout the township and are contributing to the improved appearance of our community.  

For the last several years, unsatisfactory sanitation and maintenance services have ranked near the top of residents’ complaints and concerns. My administration has heard you loud and clear—and, as promised—we are cleaning up the community. Our citizens are no longer placed in limbo among various departments when calling about debris-filled lots, overgrown weeds, tree removal, or other concerns. Feedback is immediate and action is swift.          

 Among the major accomplishments so far are: the resurfacing of such well-traveled streets as Union Avenue and Myrtle Avenue; the repair of over 20 potholes throughout the township; and the installation of new or replacement traffic signs at Chancellor Avenue School, Sacred Heart School, Grove Street School, Berkeley Terrace School, St. Paul’s School and Union Avenue School, in addition to repainted crosswalks at these locations. Furthermore, over 100 trees have been either removed or trimmed—and we have cut the response time for tree services from three months to four weeks.  

In addition, six lights that remained damaged for several years at the Orange Avenue Parking Lot were fixed in a few weeks. This was essential to the safety and security of the shoppers in “the Center” during the holiday season.  

We are on the move with the Irvington Bus Terminal, since our announcement of its upcoming $4.4 million reconstruction. The project is being funded by a grant from the New Jersey State Department of Transportation. New Jersey Transit recently approved the purchase of the land on which the current facility and adjacent parking lot are situated; this is a crucial next step in the project. The modernized Irvington Bus Terminal—at twice its present size—will feature such amenities as new lighting, signage and shelters; and brick paving. In addition, bus lanes will be widened to ensure safe passage; a new parking lot will be built; and a walkway will connect pedestrians from the terminal to the Nye Avenue Parking Garage. Groundbreaking will take place in August 2003, and construction will be complete in August 2004.  

While New Jersey Transit gives the terminal a new look, our Department of Community Development revitalizes homes for low- and moderate-income citizens. We cover the costs of repairs to roofs, windows, interior walls, floors, bathrooms and porches; in addition to the installation of heating systems and vinyl siding. We are proud to be able to help our citizens maintain and protect one of their most important assets. About $330,000 in work has been funded to date.   We have completed over $700,000 in substantial residential rehabilitation for multiple units. Another $700,000 has been committed for additional projects.  

Renovations are ongoing at the Irvington Senior Citizen Center, the “home away from home” for our seniors. The $330,000 project includes such improvements as: a new façade; new signs; wider entrance doors to accommodate the disabled; a new vestibule, floors, ceilings and lighting; and upgraded heating and ventilation systems. The renovation will be complete next month.  

In May 2003, New Jersey-American Water Company will sponsor its annual senior citizen festival right here in Irvington. We are honored that Irvington is the chosen community for the festival’s first foray into northern New Jersey. This event will be a one-stop shopping and information center, where our seniors can buy a variety of merchandise and access resources on important services.  

In another public/private partnership, we will celebrate the grand opening of the Senior Wellness Resource Center at the end of this month. It will be operated by Irvington General Hospital and located at the senior citizens’ center. Health screenings for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and other diseases and ailments will be held monthly, in addition to educational presentations and workshops covering health; legal and social issues; stress management; and other issues affecting the overall well-being of our senior citizen population.  

We are committed to providing our children with the safe, sound and structured environments that are fundamental to their successful development. Toward this end, we acquired a $500,000 grant from the Green Acres Trust Program—administered by the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection—to upgrade our parks and playgrounds. New playground equipment will soon grace the 40th Street Playground, Green Terrace Park, Parkway Playground, Eberhardt Playground, Civic Center Playground and Montgomery Park. Slide systems, swing sets and other recreational equipment will arrive at the end of next month and be installed shortly thereafter. We will have new basketball courts at Eberhardt, Parkway and Montgomery, the latter of which will also feature stone tables for traditional board games. Landscaping and new benches will enhance the beauty of all our parks and playgrounds. I am proud to announce that we have been awarded $500,000 in matching funds for further improvements.  

For inside play, the Chris Gatling Recreation Center is brimming with activity. Currently, we operate three basketball leagues; a cheerleading team; cardiovascular kickboxing aerobics classes; martial arts classes; and weekly children’s movies. Last Saturday, we celebrated the grand reopening of the center with a new $40,000 wood floor, which replaced the concrete surface that was uncomfortable and potentially hazardous for our children. The event also featured cheerleading performances and basketball competitions—showcasing the talents of our young people.  

We recently launched a year-long initiative, called “Irvington…The Township That Reads in 2003.” We are encouraging both children and adults to spend more time reading—one of the few activities that is enjoyable, educational and family-oriented. As an avid reader, I am excited about this project and am grateful to the United Way of Essex & West Hudson for its donation of $5000 toward this endeavor.  

In what I consider a defining moment in my administration, we paid one million dollars to the Irvington Board of Education toward a 3.9 million dollar debt incurred by my predecessor. This payment was made early in my administration, because few concerns are more important than the education of our children. What they learn now—during the formative years—will serve them positively or negatively for the rest of their lives. It is our responsibility to teach them the right lessons.   Six months ago, I vowed that we would correct accounting problems to accurately track revenues and help stabilize our finances; we have kept this promise.        

The accomplishments of the past six months would not have materialized without the support of the Irvington Municipal Council. In this new era of governmental unity, there is constant, consistent communication between the council and administration. My directors and I have attended every council caucus meeting—as I pledged—and we have been well-prepared to answer questions or concerns. Maintaining this strong relationship will be crucial, as we go forward.            

We have also established close ties with the Irvington Board of Education and the Irvington Housing Authority. We are working together to identify solutions to common problems, concerns and challenges. Specifically, we are examining ways to institute a joint purchasing system to acquire universal goods and services. We will keep you informed about our progress in launching shared initiatives.  

During my inaugural address, I asked that you—the residents—work with my administration to make our community better. And, I am pleased to say that you have done so. You have been reporting suspicious or illegal activity, and our police officers are responding to your tips. It was a resident who alerted the housing department to the violations leading to the $30,000 fine I previously discussed. Our block associations and community-based organizations have sponsored block parties, sports tournaments, concerts, and other events to enhance the living experience in our township.  

I would also like to acknowledge such stakeholders as Verizon, Comcast, PSE&G, the Irvington Chamber of Commerce, the Irvington Post Office, the Irvington Clergy Association, the Irvington Counseling Center, the Bridge, the Irvington Family Development Center, New Jersey Citizen Action and others who are actively engaged in the revitalization of our community. The airwaves of our public access station—ITV34—and our Internet site—www.irvington.net—are open to those who are involved and concerned about the growth of our community. As a matter of fact, the rebroadcast of this event tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 12:00 noon will mark the debut of full-length programs on ITV34. Stay tuned for future shows with the Mayor, Council and various community sectors.  

Early on in this address, I relayed a message to the criminals. Now, I have a closing one for you—our honest, hardworking residents. Hold on tight, because many more exciting things are in store for our community during the next three and a half years.  

It has been my honor to serve as your Mayor thus far, and I look forward to your sustained support, as we continue to move from promise to progress. May God richly bless you and your families.

Speech written by Jacqueline Andrews

   

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