Jun Choi
Jun H. Choi is the current Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, a community of over 100,000 people and the fifth largest municipality in the state. He was sworn-in on January 1, 2006 as the youngest mayor in Edison history[1]. In 2006, Edison was rated the 28th most livable “Small City in America” based on the quality of its great public schools, safe streets, affordability and proximity to good jobs and leisure activities. His administration is focused on rebuilding public trust, fiscal responsibility, more responsible development and land use, education, economic development and bringing together the diverse and dynamic communities of Edison. Prior to becoming Mayor of Edison, Mayor Choi worked on education policy as a senior official with the New Jersey Department of Education. He also served in the White House Office of Management and Budget and worked in the private sector as a management consultant for Ernst & Young.
Mayor Choi graduated from J.P. Stevens High School in Edison. He earned a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Columbia University. Mayor Choi is also a Leadership New Jersey Fellow (Class of 2003).
Election 2005
Running on a good government platform and a call to reform the Democratic Party, Jun Choi won the June 2005 primary by a 56-44% margin, defeating longtime incumbent Mayor George A. Spadoro. This was the first time in Edison history that a challenger won the Democratic primary. Mayor Choi won endorsements from mainstream Democratic leaders including Bill Bradley, for whom he worked on the 2000 presidential campaign, and was unexpectedly endorsed by a number of traditionally candidate- neutral unions in Edison. Union representatives have made clear that their break with neutrality is because of Mayor Choi’s commitment to fight for middle income families. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), IUC, and Teamsters all put their forces behind Choi. Choi also received the national endorsement of Democracy for America (DFA).
In the ensuing general election, Choi did not face a Republican candidate, but instead faced a former Democrat turned Independent. Choi had a large grassroots following of new, independent and younger voters.
The 2005 Edison Mayoral campaign brought together four key factors that helped Choi win both the primary and general elections. An American Prospect article details these findings. They include 1) attracting new voters into the process, 2) a good government message, 3) anti-Wal-Mart or economic justice theme and 4) an effective Internet-based progressive mobilization. These dynamics, the article argues, can be a model for progressive candidates in developing a winning campaign[2].
During the campaign, Choi's candidacy was at the center of "Jersey Guys" controversy involving local radio shock jocks who made anti-Asian remarks on the air[3]. The controversy drew national attention and seven major advertisers withdrew their support of Millennium Radio. The notorious “Jersey Guys” have also insulted Senate President Dick Codey and Governor Jon Corzine.
Bringing Good Government Reforms to Edison
A mature community with nearly all of its available land developed and an aging infrastructure, Edison Township is in a period of transition. Citizens faced rising property taxes, increased traffic congestion, irresponsible development and an under-performing municipal government when Mayor Choi took office. His first significant challenge was bringing fiscal discipline to municipal operations. Downsizing government by more than 40 full-time employees (800 total) and $3.5 million in annual operating expenses, the new administration was able to avoid layoffs and major cuts in services. Runaway spending for more than a decade, primarily through giveaway labor contracts to the Police and other municipal unions have left the community in hard fiscal times while property taxes have soared 200% in the last 12 years. Mayor Choi introduced his first budget ($108 million) on July 10, 2006 which advocated a multi-year fiscal recovery plan and fiscal discipline. The proposal called for significant downsizing over several years and enhanced revenues through an active Economic Development program and investments in key programs that would generate new income. The plan also calls for new investments in technology to bring accountability and performance measures to government. The plan also called for restructuring approximately $17 million our of $65 million in Township debt that would help stabilize tax rates in FY 2007-2009 until the Township was in better fiscal condition. As of November 7, the Council led by the Finance Committee has yet to introduce an amendment to the budget or response.
Irresponsible development also added to increased burdens on the infrastructure of the community including overcrowded schools and a strained sewer system. Mayor Choi brought top planners and other professionals to revamp the overall planning, land-use and redevelopment process. Receiving a $300,000 grant from the State, Mayor Choi kicked off the Edison Smart Growth Planning Initiative which focuses on revitalizing the Route 1 and 27 corridors of the Township with a new blueprint for redevelopment and beautifying a significant section of the community.
Since Mayor Choi won the Democratic primary in June 2005, significant milestones in good government were instituted. A pay-to-play and redevelopers’ pay-to-play reform measures, both endorsed by the Citizens’ Campaign and Common Cause New Jersey, were enacted significantly limiting the corrupt influence of political contributions for contracts. An open appointments ordinance went into effect which makes the government appointments process more open and transparent. Given the negative reputation of New Jersey government, Edison Township now leads the way in ethics reform and setting a standard for public trust in the State.
The challenges to implementing these reforms have not come easily. The entrenched special interests have fought the new administration at every turn. In a major attempt to sabotage the new administration and prevent police reform, former Mayor George Spadoro working with Assemblyman Peter Barnes and other political opponents promoted a new Chief of Police George Mieczkowski – a tenured position in New Jersey) – two weeks before the new administration began their term. This move was a major disrespect to Edison voters who gave the new administration their vote of confidence.
The major influence working against the new administration was longtime powerbroker John Lynch, a former State Senate President, and Arthur Cifelli, former Chief of Staff to George Spadoro, who pushed significant development deals with Jack Morris while backing George Spadoro. Closely tied to Arthur Cifelli are Councilmen Tony Massaro and Sal Pizzi who have repeatedly given the Mayor a difficult time this year. John Lynch pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges and will be sentenced to prison in December 2005.
In an strange coalition, former Councilman Bill Stephens and Independent candidate for Mayor who lost to Mayor Choi in November 2005 formed a political alliance with George Spadoro. Bill Stephens was a longtime critic of George Spadoro’s policies and ran against him in 2001. Highlighting the challenges of truly reforming Edison government and politics, different factions of the old guard have been obstructionists to the policies of the new administration. Closely tied to Bill Stephens is Councilwoman Antonio Ricigliano.
Police Reform
In bringing greater accountability to the Edison Police Department, Mayor Choi has sent a clear message to entrenched interest in Edison that he will not kowtow to bullying tactics and demands that prevent Edison Township from moving forward as a community.
On July 4, an Indian resident was arrested for disorderly conduct by an Edison police officer. Although Mayor Choi has stood by the officer involved, who was ultimately cleared, there have nevertheless been calls for his resignation from the President of the Police PBA union Michael Schwarz as a result of an investigation the Mayor requested looking into the events of the incident. The Indian resident turned out to be an illegal immigrant who is scheduled to be deported. With no legitimate basis for calling for his resignation, local newspapers including the Sentinel have called for Michael Schwarz’ resignation - <ref>[1]
References
- ^ Choi sworn in as mayor - Edison inaugurates its youngest leader. Home News Tribune article January 2, 2006
- ^ Jersey Boy: The election of a Korean-American mayor in Edison, New Jersey may offer a blueprint for Democrats nationwide in 2006, American Prospect article January 9, 2006
- ^ Coalition and NJ 101.5 FM/Millennium Reach Mutual Understanding, Asian Media Watch press release May 27, 2005