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If there are 500 jobs to go around, and there are 5 wards, then 100 from each ward should be hired and that hiring should coincide with the demographics from each ward. It isn't rocket science, it is actually quite simple.

You must be a recreation employee since you seem to have inside information about the technology that is being used by Mr. Strother. Can you tell me, is there an office or a web site that the public can go to to view this info? I haven't seen anything about it on the Jersey City website. You say he is doing this to be open, but when he approached and questioned (at least in my experience with him) he is curt and condescending.

You also claim that patronage workers are disgruntled because now they actually have to work. That's a big statement, implying that they didn't work under other directors. If that's the case, who ran the programs before Mr. Strother came? I have children of various ages and have had them involved in recreation programs over the years. The programs were always run well, by people who were helpful and seemed happy to be there.

Lastly you say that he has added programs that the department has received money for. That may be true, but he has also taken away programs, like the ski trip that my family looked forward to each year. And he has raised prices or added a fee for others. Like a party room at the ice rink at Pershing Field used to be free, now there is a fee. All of the prices at the concession stand have also been raised. So, since you seem to have the inside track, can you explain why this is?

Lastly, as for the issue at hand, the hiring practices, no matter what the job is, it should be available to all youth of Jersey City, broken up by ward and demographics. That is the way schools like County Prep and Mc Nair and the charter schools do it.

You are who your friends are, or so they say. If Akil and Ryan are friends, then Ryan most likely feels the same way as Akil, the same as if he made the hate speeches himself.

The real problem here is Mayor Fulop and his poor judgement. I voted for him because while he was with the council he always seemed to have the best interest of Jersey City in mind. He was friendly and approachable. Since being elected he has become aloof and even condescending. He is no longer friendly, and doesn't want to hear about any problems in the neighborhood. I tried speaking with him at an event but he wasn't interested in my concerns.
Also, he has made terrible choices of whom to put in charge. That is why he had to replace the Chief of Police, the DPW director, and the Chief of Staff. He is a poor judge of character.
If you read this entire article, you can see that he was aware of this situation for over a year, but instead of dealing with it, he just swept it under the rug. Poor judgement.
Joe Macchi was a great director and never should have been moved from that position. Maryanne Kelleher of Cultural Affairs should also have remained in charge, because it is obvious that Cultural Affairs has gone down hill since she was replaced.
Even without this incident, or the 6-8 other complaints that have heard have been put in against the recreation director for abusive behavior, it is easy to see that the department has gone down hill.

Anyone who would actually choose to move her from somewhere else, didn't do their homework.