Green is sworn in as mayor of East Orange

Photo by Chris Sykes
East Orange Mayor Ted Green, right, symbolically removes his suit jacket and rolls up his sleeves as he promises to get to work promoting progress on all his constituents behalf during his Inauguration speech on New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, after he was officially sworn in as the city’s 14th mayor.EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange native and former 3rd Ward Councilman and City Council Chairman Ted Green was sworn in as the city’s 14th mayor on New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, inside the Cicely Tyson School of the Performing and Fine Arts theater.

“Let me say that all praises are due to God and I’m only here because of the many, many prayers that people prayed and people that have been a part of my life and supported me in this community. So I want to personally thank all of you for that. Give yourselves a round of applause for that,” said Green on Monday, Jan. 1. “Sen. (Cory) Booker, I am deeply honored that you took time out of your schedule today to swear me in. As a member of your administration during your tenure as Newark mayor, I was inspired by your energy, your visionary leadership and I will never forget this moment today by you swearing me in.”

Booker wasn’t the only political attendee for Green’s inauguration, which included U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., Assemblyman Tom Giblin, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., East Orange Democratic Committee Chairman and Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman Leroy Jones and his wife, Essex County Surrogate Judge Ted Stevens, Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss, Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren, Orange at large Councilwoman Donna K. Williams, outgoing East Orange Mayor Lester Taylor and many others.

Many celebrities were also in attendance, including East Orange natives Keir “DJ Kay Gee” Gist and Vinnie “Vin Rock” Brown of the famous music group Naughty By Nature. The last time Gist and Brown were in this theater was Saturday, Nov. 25, when they were part of the inaugural class inducted into the new East Orange Hall of Fame, along with actor John Amos, singers Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick, rapper Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens, Dr. Zain Abdullah, Kathy Baker, Linda Baker, Toya Beasley, Paulette Bigelow, Clyde Bradshaw, Mike Brown, Brigadier Gen. Richard Cardillo, Judge Robert Carter, Michael Dabney, Robert Davenport, Gale Fitzgerald, Mayor William S. Hart, Fred Hill, John Hooper, Gary Garland Houston, David Humphrey, Greg James, Baruti Kafele, Dr. James Oliver, Scott Patterson, Jerome Pierce, Col. Clyde Richards, Glenn F. Scotland, Fidelia Sturdivant, Norman Tate, Al Volpe, Janice Walker, Darryl White and the Rev. Russell White.

Al and Rachel Thompson, who are the co-owners of the Legendary Kutz barber shop on Rhode Island Avenue in the city’s 3rd Ward, have been giving haircuts next to Green’s karate dojo, the Green School of Martial Arts, for years, so they know firsthand about his good works and personal struggles that led to him becoming the city’s mayor.

“It means a lot to me to see a brother who comes from humble beginnings to where his now. He’s always been for the people; that’s why I support him,” said Al Thompson on Monday, Jan. 1. His business is also adjacent to the 3rd Ward Community Information Center that Green and his 3rd Ward council partner, Councilwoman Quilla Talmadge, opened for community constituents. “From the day I met him, when I moved next door to the barber shop, right next to his karate school, he’s always been for the people and that’s why I support him. Go, Green!”

Al Thompson said the only thing anyone needs to know about Green is that he’s a genuine person. He and his wife said the best thing about Green is “it’s not about what you do out in public, it’s about what you do in the dark when nobody’s looking and that’s why God had blessed him to become who he is.”

“We definitely give Ted support, because he’s definitely supported Legendary Cuts barber shop, which is right next door to his karate school,” said Rachel Thompson on Monday, Jan. 1. “We did make sure that we participated and co-sponsored with him in giving back to the kids with Back to School, giving out coats or turkeys at Thanksgiving, Community Night, bikes on Easter; whatever it is that we can give back to our community, we do that, because I’ve told Ted before, it takes a village to raise a child. When God blesses you, you’re supposed to bless others and share and let other people partake in the blessing. And that’s why it has been a blessing for him to be in our lives, as well as us being a blessing in his life.”

Green’s longtime friend, fellow martial artist, Muslim and political ally and supporter Muzammil Mohammed-Stevens agreed with Al and Rachel.

“I can say that I love the brother and he’s going to do well,” said Mohammed-Stevens on Monday, Jan. 1. “He’s a community person that rose through the ranks that has worked in government, from the bottom level to the top level. Mayor Green will be a great mayor for all the citizens and residents of the city of East Orange. He’s put in the work, he’s a hard working person and he will not let the residents of the city of East Orange down.”

Stevens and Green said he won’t be able to do what he wants to do, however, by putting the city on the right road to greater progress alone. They both agreed that he’s going to need help from all his constituents, in order to make his administration a success, which is why Green ended his inaugural speech by symbolically taking off his suit jacket and performing the trademark rolling up his sleeves, to let everyone know he’s going to get to work right away, making East Orange the best city it can possibly be.

“It was an honor and a privilege to be present, as my good friend was sworn in as mayor of East Orange,” said Vauss on Tuesday, Jan. 2. “I think he will have a tremendous future and do an excellent job as he leads the city. Going forward, Irvington joins together with East Orange as sister cities to make things better for not only Irvington and East Orange, but for the entire county and state.”

“Great thing happen in this building. Great things happen in this city, man,” said Gist on Monday, Jan. 1. “It’s a great day for the city of East Orange. Ted Green, our new mayor, is homegrown from the city of East Orange. I’m from East Orange; my group, my boys are from East Orange. It’s East Orange all day with us. Word up. Peace.”