Mayor presents fourth State of the Township Address

Photo by Chris Sykes
From left, Irvington Fire Division Lt. Mike Scott, Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers and Detective and Irvington Police Division PBA Local 29 President Maurice Gattison stand outside Christian Pentecostal Church on Friday, Feb. 23, after Mayor Tony Vauss’ fourth annual State of the Township Address. Scott and several other Irvington firefighters were officially promoted at the ceremony.IRVINGTON, NJ — Mayor Tony Vauss’ fourth annual State of the Township Address in Christian Pentecostal Church on Clinton Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, featured an invocation by Christian Pentecostal Church Pastor Jerry Smith, a performance by the Berkeley Terrace School Choir, the presentation of the U.S. flag by the Irvington High School Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and an upbeat performance by the Irvington High School Dance Team.

Vauss also screened his leadership video, footage from last year’s annual Christmas Tree-Lighting Gift Giveaway and Holiday Spectacular, and a video tribute to former President Barack Obama, interspersed with Vauss speaking at the protest rally on Thursday, Jan. 18, on the steps of Newark City Hall, where President Donald Trump’s alleged recent remarks about Haitians, Africans and other Third World countries were denounced.

“As you see, here in Irvington, we believe in ‘One Team One Dream.’ That’s why we do this together as one unit. There’s no separation here. We’re all family and we work as one in the township of Irvington,” said Vauss on Friday, Feb. 23, prior to playing the Obama tribute video. “You know, it’s been a troubling time in our country. We see what’s going on in Washington, D.C., and everyone being as divided as we are in this country. It seems like we promote more hate than love and it’s getting out of control. The things that No. 45 (Trump) has said and done since he’s been in office should be condemned and, anytime you make a racist statement about anyone anywhere, good people in this country should stand up and say that it’s wrong. Kind of makes you miss No. 44 (Obama), doesn’t it? So we have a tribute to No. 44.”

The most poignant moment of the event may have been when Vauss led the entire audience in a moment of silence to honor of the victims of the recent shooting at a Florida high school.

“In light of the tragedies that happened in Florida, I’d like to take a minute out, to give a moment of silence for everyone who lost their life or lost their loved ones in Florida,” Vauss said.

“Now we get to the special part of the evening,” continued the mayor. “You know, it takes a team to accomplish what we’ve accomplished here in the township of Irvington and no one man is on an island, no one woman is on an island. It takes a partnership and, every opportunity I get, I like to thank the council members for working hand in hand with me and doing what we all love: making the township a better place to live and grow and raise a family. So let’s give them a big round of applause.”

Vauss’ presentation was scored to hip-hop music beats, which Leroy Jones, chairman of both the East Orange and Essex County Democratic committees, acknowledged.

“You know, the Academy Awards are coming March 4, and I would not be surprised if there is a nomination for film editing and style and who else would be a recipient but our good mayor, Tony Vauss. I do have to say that,” said Jones on Friday, Feb. 23. “I marvel at these young people. We got a little taste of what tomorrow brings. We got a little taste of ‘Wakanda’ for those of you that have been able to see ‘Black Panther.’ And it’s a celebratory moment for all of us to be able to revel in.”

Jones also serve as an awards presenter for one of the biggest stars of the night, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

“Essex County is a wonderful county that separates itself from the 21 other counties that make up the state of New Jersey … And the reason that has been accomplished is because we have had a leader that has had a vision and had, much like Tony Vauss, a passion to serve people,” Jones said in his introduction of DiVincenzo.

Jones said DiVincenzo, in his fifth term, was “receiving this special achievement award for all his commitment and all his desire and his simple passion to just do what’s right.”

DiVincenzo mounted the stage to thunderous applause from a standing ovation and admitted he was surprised to be honored.

“First of all, I’m a little surprised. I didn’t expect this, but I accept this on behalf of the 3,500 county employees that truly deserve the credit in what we’ve done in Essex County. It takes a team and I have the best team in the state of New Jersey, just like Tony Vauss,” DiVincenzo said. “Tony Vauss has got the best team in the state of New Jersey.

“I just want to say one thing tonight to the clergy, to the entire staff, to the council, to Irvington. Chairwoman Beasley, nine years ago, Bilal Beasley, freeholder at that time, came to me and he says: ‘There’s this young leader that I want to introduce you to. I believe this guy could be the next mayor. I think he can take Irvington where it needs to go.’ I didn’t know who Tony Vauss was. Then my son comes up to me he said: ‘Dad, you got to meet this young guy, Tony Vauss.’ He says: ‘This guy’s a true leader.’ Now my son’s not a politician, but he was absolutely right. Bilal Beasley was absolutely right.”

DiVincenzo lauded Vauss for his leadership and successful team-building efforts in Irvington, urging voters to re-elect him so he can continue in his role for four more years.

“Tony, I am so proud of you and what you have done with this town. You lead Irvington. You put the residents first all the time. And, as we sit here, we see what’s been done here and he never takes the credit himself,” DiVincenzo said. “It’s always about the people in Irvington and the people that work for him. All I’m asking is for the council and the mayor to stick together and be one and always put Irvington first. Thank you.”

Awards were also presented to Sgt. Sheyla Marquez-Cepeda of the Irvington Police Division, Municipal Clerk and Master Clerk Harold Wiener, developer Adenah Bayoh and East Orange Mayor Ted Green. Then Vauss and Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers, Deputy Director John Brown and fire Chief Gary Brown officially promoted and swore in 13 new lieutenants for the Irvington Fire Division.

  County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Mayor Tony Vauss