List of mayors of Jersey City

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Mayor of the City of Jersey City
JerseyCityFlag.png
Flag of Jersey City, New Jersey
A white man with glasses wearing a suit and a tie
Incumbent
Jerramiah Healy
since 2004
Term length Four years
Inaugural holder Dudley S. Gregory
Formation 1838
Salary $117,782
Website Office of the Mayor

The Mayor of the City of Jersey City is the head of the executive branch of the government of Jersey City, New Jersey. The mayor has the duty to enforce the municipal charter and ordinances; prepare the annual budget; appoint Deputies, department heads, and aides; and approve or veto ordinances passed by the City Council. The mayor serves a four-year term without term limits.

42 individuals have held the office of mayor since the City of Jersey City was chartered on February 22, 1838. Dudley S. Gregory was the inaugural mayor of the city, and served on three separate occasions for a total of five years. The current mayor is Jerramiah Healy; he was first elected in a special election to fill an unexpired term on November 2, 2004. Healy was elected to a full term on May 10, 2005. His current term will end on June 30, 2013.

Contents

[edit] Duties and powers

The City of Jersey City is organized as a Mayor-Council form of government under the Optional Municipal Charter Law. This form provides for a city-wide elected mayor in a nonpartisan municipal election. All terms are four years.[1] Under state law (N.J.S.A. 40:69A-40), the mayor has the duty to enforce the charter and ordinances of the city, and all applicable state laws; report annually to the council and the public on the state of the city; supervise and control all departments of the government; prepare and submit to the council annual operating and capital budgets; supervise all city property, institutions and agencies; sign all contracts and bonds requiring the approval of the city; negotiate all contracts; and serve as a member, either voting or ex-officio, of all appointive bodies.[2]

The mayor has the power to appoint departments heads with the approval of the City Council; to remove department heads subject to a 2/3 disapproval by the City Council; approve or veto ordinances subject to an override vote of 2/3 of the council; and appoint Deputy Mayors. The mayor is permitted to attend and participate in meetings of the City Council, without a vote, except in the case of a tie on the question of fill a council vacancy.[2]

[edit] Succession

In the event of an absence, disability, or other cause preventing the mayor from performing his duties, the mayor may designate the Business Administrator or any other department head as Acting Mayor for up to 60 days.[2] In the event of a vacancy in the office, the President of the City Council becomes Acting Mayor, and the council has 30 days to name an Interim Mayor.[3] If no Interim Mayor is named, the Council President continues as Acting Mayor until a successor is elected, or the council reorganizes and selects a new President.[3]

[edit] Elections

Main articles: Jersey City mayoral election, 2001, Jersey City mayoral special election, 2004, Jersey City mayoral election, 2005, and Jersey City mayoral election, 2009

Under the original 1838 charter, mayors were elected city-wide for a term of one year. In 1868 the State Legislature extended the term of office to two years.[4] In 1892, the Legislature again changed the term of office, extending it to five years.[5] The city adopted a commission form of government under the Walsh Act in 1913.[6] This form provided for five commissioners elected city-wide. The Commissioners decided from among themselves which would serve as mayor. All terms were four years. Jersey City adopted its current form of government on May 7, 1961.

Under the non-partisan form of municipal government, elections for mayor are held every four years on the second Tuesday in May.[7] If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election is held on the fourth Tuesday following the general election.[8] The term of office commences on July 1.[9] The next Jersey City mayoral election is scheduled to be held in 2013.

[edit] List of mayors

Back and white drawing of a white man wearing a dark jacket and bow tie
Dudley S. Gregory, 1st mayor of Jersey City
Back and white drawing of a white man wearing a high collared blouse and dark jacket
Robert Gilchrist, 8th mayor of Jersey City
Back and white photograph of a white man wearing a and dark jacket and tie
H. Otto Wittpenn, 28th mayor of Jersey City
Back and white photograph of a white man wearing a high collared shirt, tie, and dark jacket
Frank Hague, 30th mayor of Jersey City


# Mayor Term start Term end   Party
1 Gregory, Dudley S.Dudley S. Gregory 01838-04 April 1838 01840-04 April 1840 Whig
2 McMartin, PeterPeter McMartin 01840-04 April 1840 01841-04 April 1841 Unknown
3 Gregory, Dudley S.Dudley S. Gregory 01841-04 April 1841 01842-04 April 1842 Whig
4 Alexander, Thomas A.Thomas A. Alexander 01842-04 April 1842 01843-04 April 1843 Unknown
5 Peter, BentleyBentley Peter 01843-04 April 1843 01844-04 April 1844 Democratic
6 Dummer, Phineas C.Phineas C. Dummer 01844-04 April 1844 01848-04-20 April 20, 1848 Whig
7 Taylor, HenryHenry Taylor 01848-04-21 April 21, 1848 01850-04-18 April 18, 1850 Whig
8 Gilchrist, RobertRobert Gilchrist 01850-04-19 April 19, 1850 01852-05-02 May 2, 1852 Whig
9 Manners, David S.David S. Manners 01852-05-03 May 3, 1852 01857-05-03 May 3, 1857 Whig
10 Wescott, SamuelSamuel Wescott 01857-05-04 May 4, 1857 01858-05-02 May 2, 1858 Democratic
11 Gregory, Dudley S.Dudley S. Gregory 01858-05-03 May 3, 1858 01860-05-06 May 6, 1860 Republican
12 Van Vorst, CorneliusCornelius Van Vorst 01860-05-07 May 7, 1860 01862-05-04 May 4, 1862 Democratic
13 Romar, John B.John B. Romar 01861-05-05 May 5, 1861 01864-05-01 May 1, 1864 Democratic
14 Cleveland, OrestesOrestes Cleveland 01864-05-02 May 2, 1864 01867-05-05 May 5, 1867 Democratic
15 Gopsill, JamesJames Gopsill 01867-05-06 May 6, 1867 01868-05-03 May 3, 1868 Republican
16 O'Neill, Charles H.Charles H. O'Neill[a] 01868-05-04 May 4, 1868 01869-04-10 April 10, 1869 Democratic
17 Clarke, WilliamWilliam Clarke[a] 01869-04-11 April 11, 1869 01870-05-01 May 1, 1870 Democratic
18 O'Neill, Charles H.Charles H. O'Neill 01870-05-02 May 2, 1870 01874-05-03 May 3, 1874 Democratic
19 Traphagen, HenryHenry Traphagen 01874-05-04 May 4, 1874 01876-04-30 April 30, 1876 Democratic
20 Seidler, CharlesCharles Seidler 01876-05-01 May 1, 1876 01878-05-05 May 5, 1878 Republican
21 Hopper, Henry J.Henry J. Hopper 01878-05-06 May 6, 1878 01880-05-02 May 2, 1880 Democratic
22 Taussig, Isaac W.Isaac W. Taussig 01880-05-03 May 3, 1880 01884-05-04 May 4, 1884 Democratic
23 Collins, GilbertGilbert Collins 01884-05-05 May 5, 1884 01886-05-02 May 2, 1886 Republican
24 Cleveland, OrestesOrestes Cleveland 01886-05-03 May 3, 1886 01892-05-01 May 1, 1892 Democratic
25 Wanser, Peter F.Peter F. Wanser 01892-05-02 May 2, 1892 01897-05-02 May 2, 1897 Republican
26 Hoos, EdwardEdward Hoos 01897-05-03 May 3, 1897 01901-12-31 December 31, 1901 Democratic
27 Fagan, Mark M.Mark M. Fagan 01902-01-01 January 1, 1902 01907-12-31 December 31, 1907 Republican
28 Wittpenn, H. OttoH. Otto Wittpenn 01908-01-01 January 1, 1908 01913-06-16 June 16, 1913 Democratic
29 Fagan, Mark M.Mark M. Fagan 01913-06-17 June 17, 1913 01917-05-14 May 14, 1917 Republican
30 Hague, FrankFrank Hague[b] 01917-05-15 May 15, 1917 01947-06-17 June 17, 1947 Democratic
31 Eggers, Frank H.Frank H. Eggers[b] 01947-06-17 June 17, 1947 01949-05-16 May 16, 1949 Democratic
32 Kenny, John V.John V. Kenny 01949-07-01 July 1, 1949 01953-06-30 June 30, 1953 Democratic
33 Berry, Bernard J.Bernard J. Berry 01953-07-01 July 1, 1953 01957-06-30 June 30, 1957 Democratic
34 Witkowski, Charles S.Charles S. Witkowski 01957-07-01 July 1, 1957 01961-06-30 June 30, 1961 Democratic
35 Gangemi, ThomasThomas Gangemi[c] 01961-07-01 July 1, 1961 01963-09-26 September 26, 1963 Democratic
36 Whelan, Thomas J.Thomas J. Whelan[d] 01963-11-13 November 13, 1963 01971-07-06 July 6, 1971 Democratic
37 Krieger, Charles K.Charles K. Krieger[e] 01971-08-05 August 5, 1971 01971-11-08 November 8, 1971 Democratic
38 Jordan, Paul T.Paul T. Jordan 01971-11-09 November 9, 1971 01977-06-30 June 30, 1977 Democratic
39 Smith, Thomas F.X.Thomas F.X. Smith[f] 01977-07-01 July 1, 1977 01981-05-12 May 12, 1981 Democratic
40 McCann, GeraldGerald McCann 01981-07-01 July 1, 1981 01985-06-30 June 30, 1985 Democratic
41 Cucci, Anthony R.Anthony R. Cucci 01985-07-01 July 1, 1985 01989-06-30 June 30, 1989 Democratic
42 McCann, GeraldGerald McCann[g] 01989-07-01 July 1, 1989 01992-02-13 February 13, 1992 Democratic
43 Roman, MarilynMarilyn Roman[h] 01992-02-14 February 14, 1992 01992-06-30 June 30, 1992 Democratic
44 Rakowski, JosephJoseph Rakowski[h] 01992-07-01 July 1, 1992 01992-11-10 November 10, 1992 Democratic
45 Schundler, BretBret Schundler 01992-11-11 November 11, 1992 02001-06-30 June 30, 2001 Republican
46 Cunningham, Glenn DaleGlenn Dale Cunningham[i] 02001-07-01 July 1, 2001 02004-05-25 May 25, 2004 Democratic
47 Smith, L. HarveyL. Harvey Smith[h] 02004-05-26 May 26, 2004 02004-11-11 November 11, 2004 Democratic
48 Healy, JerramiahJerramiah Healy 02004-11-12 November 12, 2004 incumbent Democratic

[edit] Notes

  • a  In 1868, the New Jersey State Legislature passed an act changing the term of office from one to two years. Having been elected a few days before that act was passed, O'Neill refused to serve longer than the term to which he was elected and resigned after one year. Clarke was appointed as Interim Mayor by the City Council.[4]
  • b  Hague retired during his eighth term and asked the City Council to appoint Eggers, his nephew.[10]
  • c  Gangemi resigned from office when it was determined that he was not a United States Citizen, and was ineligible to serve.[11]
  • d  Whelan was removed from office after being convicted of conspiracy and extortion.[12]
  • e  Krieger was appointed Interim Mayor by the City Council[13]
  • f  Smith resigned from office to seek the Democratic nomination for Governor.[14]
  • g  McCann was removed from office during his second term after being convicted of bank fraud[15]
  • h  Acting Mayor; Held the office as a result of being President of the City Council at the time of a vacancy
  • i  Cunningham, the city's first African American mayor, died of a heart attack on May 25, 2004.[16]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Faulkner Act (OMCL) Mayor-Council". Types And Forms Of New Jersey Municipal Government. New Jersey State League of Municipalities. http://njslom.org/types.html#Mayor-Council. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c "Optional Municipal Charter Law". New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services. State of New Jersey. 2003. http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/miscpubs/other/optional_muni_charter_law.pdf. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  3. ^ a b Sullivan, Joseph (March 9, 1992). "Clock Ticking on Search For Mayor in Jersey City". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/09/nyregion/clock-ticking-on-search-for-mayor-in-jersey-city.html. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  4. ^ a b Winfield, Charles (1874). History of the County of Hudson, New Jersey: from its earliest settlement to the present time. Kennard & Hay Stationery M'fg and Print. Co.. p. 289. 
  5. ^ "Some Legislative Jobs; The New Jersey Legislature at Work on Several of Them". The New York Times: p. 3. March 2, 1892. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B04E2D81631E033A25751C0A9659C94639ED7CF. Retrieved November 14, 2009. 
  6. ^ "COMMISSION RULE FOR JERSEY CITY; Citizens Decide in Favor of New Government by Vote of 11,368 to 7,078". The New York Times: p. 1. April 16, 1916. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C07E2DE103BE633A25755C1A9629C946296D6CF. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  7. ^ "Frequently Asked Voter Questions". www.njelections.org. State of New Jersey Department of State. http://www.njelections.org/faq_voter_doe.html#a3. Retrieved November 1, 2009. 
  8. ^ N.J.S.A. 40:45-19
  9. ^ N.J.S.A. 40:45-17
  10. ^ "When the Big Boy Goes...". TIME. January 16, 1956. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,861807,00.html. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  11. ^ "MAYOR GANGEMI QUITS IN JERSEY; Resigns After U.S. Declares He is Not a Citizen". The New York Times: p. 1. September 26, 1964. 
  12. ^ Strumm, Charles (December 19, 1991), "Another Milepost on the Long Trail of Corruption in Hudson County", The New York Times 
  13. ^ "Jersey City's Interim Mayor; Charles Kiva Krieger". The New York Times: p. 38. August 6, 1971. 
  14. ^ Goodnough, Abby (June 5, 1996). "Thomas Smith, 68, Ex-Jersey City Mayor, Dies". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01E2D91F39F936A35755C0A960958260. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  15. ^ Miller, Jonathan (May 27, 2007). "You Throw Mud, He’ll Throw a Mountain". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/27jerseynj.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1258304404-buhwpK/76rGiYcqh2oIcaw. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 
  16. ^ Smothers, Ronald (June 2, 2004). "Before 5,000, Mayor of Jersey City Is Eulogized for a 'Life Well Lived'". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/02/nyregion/before-5000-mayor-of-jersey-city-is-eulogized-for-a-life-well-lived.html. Retrieved November 15, 2009. 

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Mayors of Jersey City, New Jersey
Gregory • McMartin • Gregory • Alexander • Bentley • Dummer • Taylor • Gilchrist • Manners • Wescott • Gregory • Van Vorst • Romar • Cleveland • Gopsill • O'Neill • Clarke • O'Neill • Traphagen • Seidler • Hopper • Taussig • Collins • Cleveland • Wanser • Hoos • Fagan • Wittpenn • Fagan • Hague • Eggers • Kenny • Berry • Witkowski • Gangemi • Whelan • Krieger • Jordan • T. Smith • McCann • Cucci • McCann • Roman • Rakowski • Schundler • Cunningham • L. Smith • Healy
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
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