Edison mayor's first
year was baptism by fire
By GINA VERGEL, Home
News Tribune Online, January 7, 2007
EDISON, NJ -- Unlike his
freshman years in high school, college and grad school, Mayor Jun Choi's first
year in office hasn't been a walk in the park.
The latter half of his first 12 months in office, some would say, were probably
the toughest: He faced periods of racial tension between the police
department and the Asian Indian community after the controversial arrest of a
resident by federal immigration officers; a rally to get him thrown out of
office led by the police union; a more recent threat of a recall by a local
businessman; and the invalidation of a computer contract he awarded by a
Superior Court judge, who called the bid process used to award the job "faulty"
and "improper."
But that's not all.
He faces criticism on almost a daily basis from watchdog residents, some council
members, and others who focus on his every move. In late December, for
example, a couple of Choi's critics told a reporter the mayor had changed the
locks to his office on more than one occasion, a move they felt was an
unwarranted expense. Upon further review, however, they realized the
information they received was inaccurate; that the expense was for a new
security system for the police department.
And at an August council meeting, a resident asked an independent consultant
hired by the council to review a refinancing plan — an Asian woman — if she was
related to Choi. The consultant, who appeared floored by the question,
quietly explained that she was of Chinese descent and that Choi was Korean.
Despite the intense scrutiny from his opponents, Choi said he loves the job.
"It has its moments, but this is an exciting period," he said with a smile,
choosing to focus on the positives.
"We have passed 60 ordinances," Choi said. "We have directly tackled the
biggest issues our community faces. We've set a course for Edison and are
committed to complete our reform agenda."
When running in the Democratic primary and then for mayor, Choi, 35, campaigned
as a reformer. Has he begun to reform Edison? Did the young
politician hailed by some as a rising star have a good first year?
That depends on whom you ask.
Resident Burton Gimelstob, one of Choi's staunchest critics, characterized the
mayor's first year as a "dismal failure."
Bill Stephens, who ran unsuccessfully against Choi in the race for mayor, said
Choi has surpassed former Mayor George Spadoro in having the worst first year in
Edison's modern history. And Councilwoman Antonia Ricigliano classified
his freshman year as "disappointing."
All three point to a misstep involving the computer contract as his biggest
mistake.
"What an absolute embarrassment for the township," said Ricigliano.
The controversy involved a contract that was awarded to a firm that had worked
for the township under a different company name only months before.
Further fanning the flames was the fact that Choi had appointed a principal of
that company to his volunteer Economic Advisory Group only five months before
the firm was awarded the contract.
In an op-ed piece published in the Home News Tribune in October, Choi admitted
he goofed. But a lawsuit by a snubbed vendor, the request by a councilman
for the U.S. Attorney General to investigate the matter, and the Township
Council's decision to withhold payment from the computer contractor despite its
having completed work have made it difficult for the freshman mayor to put the
episode behind him.
Choi said he didn't expect his first year as mayor of the fifth-largest
municipality in the state to be a cakewalk.
"Being mayor of a large community is one of the toughest jobs in New Jersey," he
said. "I've enjoyed the experience and challenge. I've learned a lot
and am much more determined than ever to complete the job my administration
began last year."
Ingrid Reed, director of the Eagleton Institute on Politics at Rutgers
University, said it is important to look at what the mayor set out to accomplish
versus what he has accomplished and, more importantly, the challenges he faced
while doing them.
"It wasn't all smooth sailing and it was done in a highly charged political
environment," Reed said. "You look at how many hours he works in a week,
whether it's 40, 60, or 80, and at least a third of that time was spent dealing
with political problems, which is part of democracy. But it was his first
year and he was learning about the laws, staffing and what it takes to run local
government."
Whatever Choi sets out to do in year two, it'll be done with a little more
experience, which is what some say will benefit the mayor.
"He had some missteps in his first year but I think that's due to lack of life
experience in public office," said Councilman Anthony Tomaro. "That was
only the first year of four so there's much more to see."
Resident Joe Petrucelli, a certified public accountant who spent many hours
scrutinizing and suggesting ways to cut Choi's first municipal budget, said the
mayor experienced a learning curve in year one.
"You saw a lot of his inexperience — obviously there was not a deficit like he
claimed there was going to be (in fiscal year 2007) his first day of office,"
Petrucelli said. "But I want to give him a chance."
"What he needs to do is reach across to people he thinks are his adversaries,"
Petrucelli said. "People don't always agree and not everything is
political. We live in this town and we care about it, that's all."
Councilman Peter Barnes said Choi has made some good administrative appointments
in his first year. He also praised the mayor's "enthusiasm and passion"
for the job.
Barnes chose to focus on what is to come.
"I would like to see the mayor and council make a sincere effort to put our
differences aside to serve Edison," Barnes said, adding that reading and
watching coverage on the death of former President Gerald R. Ford reminded him
of a time when politicians respected each other's differences.
Councilman Sal Pizzi, who sent a request to the U.S. Attorney General for a
probe into that botched computer contract, said he looks forward to working with
Choi.
"I think it's going to be a better year," Pizzi said.
Meanwhile, Councilman Charles Tomaro said he sees more challenges ahead for the
mayor.
"It's an election year, there are four council seats which are up for
re-election," he said.
"It's not going to be easy," Tomaro said. "Change is rough no matter how
you slice and dice it."
gvergel@thnt.com
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