GMA NEWS: JULY 11, 2013 Fil-Am councilman elected president of Jersey city council Special to the Filipino Reporter, a content partner of GMA News Online JERSEY CITY — Filipino-American Councilman-at-Large Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr. was unanimously elected president of this city’s City Council during the new council’s first session on July 1, 2013. The election of Lavarro took place immediately after the council members were sworn into office before a standing room only crowd of relatives, friends and supporters at the council chamber of City Hall. Councilman Lavarro took his oath of office before Mayor Steven Fulop. The councilman’s wife, Veronica, held the Bible while her husband recited the oath. Lavarro was the only official who was sworn in by Mayor Fulop, who was also sworn in as new executive of Jersey City a few hours earlier. With his election as Council President, Lavarro earned another historic “first” for himself and for Filipino-Americans in Jersey City, the second largest city in New Jersey. It is estimated that around 20,000 Fil-Ams reside in this city, one of the biggest concentrations of Pinoys in the East Coast. “I am honored that my colleagues chose me,” said Lavarro in a statement. “I intend to bring urgency, accountability and transparency to the council business. I will work to forge consensus with the rest of the Council to transform our city and government and get results. This is what the people of Jersey City demanded and deserve.” After trying for over 25 years to send a Pinoy to their city government through election (a good number of Filipinos had been appointed in the past to various positions and commissions), the Filipino-Americans here in a united front, unlike in previous elections, supported and successfully made a fellow Fil-Am the second highest city official, next only to the mayor, in this city of 250,000. Lavarro now holds the following distinctions: (1) first Filipino-American to win an elective position in Jersey City (2011); (2) first Filipino-American elected to a full four-year term in Jersey City (2013); and (3) first Filipino-American president of Jersey City’s City Council (2013). Lavarro and majority of members of his political group, led by the city’s new chief executive, Mayor Fulop, won in the May 14 and June 11 (run off) elections. Thus, Team Fulop gained a 7-2 majority in the City Council. Later that afternoon on July 1, Fulop and the Council members were ceremonially inaugurated. Fulop officially became mayor in a private swearing in ceremony at 12:01 a.m. Fulop’s term of office started on July 1, 2013 until 2017. Some 4,000 people attended the block party-style inauguration. Top New Jersey officials led by Gov. Chris Christie were in attendance. Also around were Senators Bob Menendez and Barbara Buono, the Democratic Party candidate who will run against Christie in the November polls. Filipinos from New Jersey and around the United States were quick in their praises for this latest achievement by a fellow Filipino-American. Some of them are quoted below. Domingo “Jun” Hornilla, Jr. of Jersey City said, “At long last we can show our Filipino pride in this part of the world...” Demi Cornelio, also of Jersey City, “Congratulations again to our dear Councilman-At-Large Rolando Lavarro, Jr. with his wife Veronica on his oathtaking.” Merit Salud, a New Jersey attorney: “Mabuhay ang Fil-Am sa Jersey City! Mabuhay si Councilor Rolando Lavarro as the new President-elect of the City Council of Jersey City!” Luz Micabalo of Las Vegas, Nevada: “Another feather in the cap of Filipinos in New Jersey!” Liza Lustre Makk, formerly of Jersey City who now lives in Indonesia, “Hmmmmm historic moment...Go go Pinoys!” Ros Ilagan of West Palm Beach, Florida: “Stay united Pinoys!” Lavarro is the son of Drs. Rolando and Rizalina Lavarro, both Filipino immigrants to the U.S. in the late 60s. The Jersey City councilman grew up and was educated in Jersey City. He works as assistant director for the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs at New Jersey City University (NJCU). He is married to Veronica, who has also been his tireless political partner and campaigner. They have a young daughter. — Filipino Reporter
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 07:05:55 +0000
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