The election season is not in full swing yet, but some candidates are already talking about bringing change to Irvington Township. Incumbent Mayor Wayne Smith is running for his third term, while Gene E. Etchison, David Lyons and several others are expected to join the race. The deadline for the petition is March 18, but negative campaigning may start early in this election.
Local Talk News Editor-in-Chief Dhiren Shah sits down with mayoral candidate Gene E. Etchison.
Dhiren Shah: Why have you decided to run for mayor?
Gene E. Etchison: Lots of people came to me and ask me to run. Many of them said that I am the best candidate and I am approachable, which Irvington needs. My answer to them was, let me think about it. I spoke to my wife, my family and my friends including Duwan Johnson. They all have said that city has been run down to the ground under Mayor Smith. I have the support of the Haitian Community. Right now, the Mayor and Council are padding their salaries and family members' salaries. Elected officials are padding their salaries by accepting county jobs for themselves and their family members.
DS: In your opinion what do you think went wrong in Irvington under Mayor Smith?
GE: He lost focus in the direction he started for the first three years he was in office. Wayne stopped listening to human cries of citizens and listened to the beat of his own drum. For instance, many investors attempted to buy the hospital and were turned away. The offer was for $7 million, now we might get $3 million if everything goes through without any hurdles. The Brownfield properties are the same for the past eight consecutive years.
Prostitution and vandalism are still ongoing. Some of the same blighted areas did not change or progress at all; like Coit Street, 21st Street, 22nd Street, 18th Avenue corridor, Mills Run, Grove Street coming from Newark. There are no new developments in Irvington. His developments are cookies. He dropped the Grove Street School project because he had a deadline to finish with his proposal for the development of the area and he failed to finish the project. It never went through because he missed the deadline. There was a time when you left Newark and entered in Irvington, you felt better. Now, see the difference. Newark is developing and Irvington is declining. There is a public outcry that they want change. Why is the mayor making $80,000 a year and having layoffs and furloughs for the other employees? There are people working in administration that do not live in the township, but do not get layoffs or furloughs and those who live in Irvington get the heat.
DS: What is your goal as mayor?
GE: My main goal is to unify and bring back the integrity of Irvington amongst the community. I want to bring people to the table, which includes forming community advisory committees. We will be like a family and sit in a family roundtable like back in the day what families used to do. Someone at the table must have a solution. We will bring the Irvington family together and bring your ideas and your suggestions to the table. As mayor, I would ride throughout the town. Irvington's City Hall is over-politicized. I am an advocate, not a politician.
DS: Can you elaborate about the development you are trying to bring in Irvington?
GE: I will bring new businesses which are not in Irvington, like department stores, white linen restaurants, multiplex cinema. I will go to the economic advisory board and make the best feasible development for the town. I will bring businesses that will hire adults from Irvington to support local families other than fast food restaurants. I will promote more regular activities for senior citizens. I am not perfect, but my intentions are pure.
DS: Do you have any message for your constituents?
GE: Tuesday, May 11, vote for Gene Etchison, Teleous Brazier, Linda Vann Dupree, Harry Paden.
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written by Craig Garner, February 22, 2010
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written by Kisha B , April 27, 2010
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