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Hudson County Politics Message Board |
Posted by Satan on September 14, 2004 at 10:54:27:
In Reply to: Re: FLOOD OF SUPPORT posted by Satan on September 14, 2004 at 10:50:18:
Sharpton & Flood perfect together. : Farrakhan & Flood perfect together. : : FLOOD OF SUPPORT : : Urban Times News : : by Arnold Stovell : : A partly cloudy Monday seemed a little brighter this week as former Cunningham aide, Willie Flood held a press conference at the site of the Cunningham Ward F headquarters on Claremont Ave and Martin Luther King Drive. Ms. Flood addressed reporters and friends confirming her intention to run for Mayor of Jersey City in the November special elections. : : The enthusiastic crowd cheered her entrance as Ms. Flood arrived, shaking hands and greeting well-wishers with well-practiced grace. Dozens of supporters eagerly awaited her arrival in the crowded ward office. The Reverend Edward Allen was first introduced. He rose to the podium stoic yet enthused. The announcement of his withdrawl from the mayoral race came as a disappointment to many of those listening until he explained his actions in a rousing support for Mrs. Flood. : : "Several weeks ago I announced my decision to enter the mayor's race for Jersey City. I did so because the nightmare of our beloved mayor Glenn D. Cunningham's passing left a void in leadership. We could not afford to allow the work for which Glenn gave his life's blood be eroded by the poor leadership of the current administration. We thank God that there is someone, someone who we believe fills the bill for what we need here in Jersey City. So today I am very pleased to withdraw from the race and support Willie Flood." : : Applause punctuated the bitter-sweet revelation as the Reverend reminisced with the crowd, adding further clarity to his explanation. "I had the privilege in 1989 working with Bobby Jackson to go to Willie who was then a public school teacher in Jersey City and asked Willie when Maureen Collier our council-woman died in office if she would consider filling her unexpired term. Willie indicated so graciously that she would and did in fact serve out that term and did so with integrity and dedication. This time we're going to Willie Flood in a very similar situation to ask her if she would fill out the term, the unexpired term of Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham. And when that term expires in May, we're going to be there to support Willie for her own term." : : Another vocal supporter was Jeff Dublin, newly elected representative of the Third Freeholder District. "It is an honor for me to be here today and support Mrs. Flood. Jersey City needs honest people to lead our government. I have known her as a teacher and Board of Education member, and I know that she will do what she can to make sure our children have a good education here in Jersey City. We know Mrs. Flood is going to be a wonderful mayor because she has it in her heart. She loves Jersey City and is not a person that hates anyone. She also has the strength to bring people together. And that's what this city needs, togetherness. I am throwing my support behind Mrs. Flood because it's the right thing to do. We need everyone in this room to work hard and to make sure that Glenn Cunningham's legacy is carried on come November 2nd. Today I'd like to introduce the next mayor of Jersey City, Mrs. Willie Flood." : : "It is not an easy job to do but I am ready, I am willing, healthy and able. My heart is really. happy to see so many people here today. I kept saying I won't do it, unless the polls showed that I can do it because Jersey City doesn't need anyone out there doing anything to upset this emotional community anymore." : : "But thank God he said go ahead, and I have you and your prayers to thank for it. My name is Willie Flood and I am running for the office of the Mayor of Jersey City." : : Thanking friends, family and supporters, Mrs. Flood explained her considerations in running for office. "I am offering you something that our late mayor gave to us every single day of his life - integrity, honesty and pride. He gave us stable taxes for homeowners. He gave us cleaner neighborhoods, and you know what else he created? He saw everybody talk about golden neighborhoods on the waterfront, but Glenn gave us golden neighborhoods right here and all over Jersey City. I offer you a City Hall where meanness is no more; where a geteven attitude is no more; where taxpayers money cannot pay off people. That money belongs to the taxpayer and I am going to make sure that every penny goes to the people of Jersey City. We will sit and know that Glenn D. Cunningham was about integrity. He was about honesty, and he was about pride. He also was got elected by the people to do the business for people of Jersey City. Not only did this City Council block things for the Mayor, they blocked things for the people of Jersey City, and Glenn was for the people of Jersey City." : : "Untold stress was placed upon Glenn D. Cunningham as he continued to toil as mayor of Jersey City against the City Council," she continued. "I pledge to you that program that he began, The Second Chance program, that I will continue that program and help the people who have previously gotten into some trouble, that feel the need for a second chance. He created the Second Chance program at the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, and I hear rumblings that it is going to be dismantled. But under my leadership and yours, because you're the people, we'll continue to give a second chance. I ask you to call me by name in your prayers." : : As she closed her remarks, Mrs. Flood introduced and thanked her husband and youngest son, Philip Flood and Philip Flood II. "I believe that every human being on this earth is important. We can do this together. My priority is to unite this city and its people. Therefore I'm calling on Acting Mayor Harvey Smith to drop out of the race and help heal this city. Lou Manzo, I am calling on you to drop out of this race, and continue to be a good assemblyman. And I'm also asking Ron Buonocore. Mr. Buonocore has been a very good chief. For the security of this city and this nation, I am asking him to drop out of this race. I am also asking Healy and Carol, drop out of the race, and let's heal this city. We are about bringing this synergy together, and you can help us, and they can help us. I want to thank you so much for coming and on November 2nd 2004, we will continue Glenn's legacy because the polls will be Flood-ed with you at the polling place and at the voting booth. I want you there voting for Flood. Let's bring integrity; let's bring honesty; let's bring pride, back to our City Hall. My name is Willie Flood and I am running for Mayor of Jersey City." : : Mrs. Flood stepped off the podium, shaking hands, greeting reporters, and ready to begin the political odyssey before her. Supporters moved to make Ms. Floods's acquaintance quickly, reassuring their allegiance, interrupting interviews for less than brief moments, while she cheerfully accommodated their intrusions. It was almost a nostalgic pleasantness, one not seen since the demise of beloved Mayor Cunningham. More than a few people mentioned their faith and excitement in her plan to re-install a citizen rather than crony-friendly administration. They were enthused and resolute in a mission that now seems almost holy. Their responses captured the new mood of hope in this mayoral race. These supporters seem determined to keep the tide of Flood supporters strong; to wash away the current administration, and to leave other candidates in their wake. Welcome to Jersey City mayoral race.
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