Announcing his run for Ward B seat on Jersey City council, pastor says joblessness and rising crime are his main concerns

Thursday, September 02, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Rev. Earlin Thomas has added himself to the growing list of candidates seeking the Ward B City Council seat in Jersey City in the November special election.

Thomas, 49, held a press conference on the steps of City Hall yesterday to announce his candidacy.

Thomas, who has lived in Jersey City for 14 years, is pastor at Shield of Faith Ministries on Duncan Avenue. He said his major concern is the number of residents without work. His church held a job fair in May that drew over 600 attendees and he's planning another fair this month.

"On the waterfront there has been vast development and a new frontier has been discovered," Thomas said. "Yet where I reside on the West Side there is only the continuous rising of crime rates, lack of recreation and people without jobs and without hope."

Thomas called himself a "candidate for the people" and presented a five-point platform.

He said he would work to increase police patrols and combat crime; work with merchants and homeowners to make the neighborhood cleaner; work with the city's Recreation Department to provide quality programs for children; work with businesses to spur economic growth and create jobs for community members; and would be accessible to constituents.

According to the Division of Elections in the Office of the Hudson County Clerk, 11 people have picked up nominating petitions for the Ward B race.

Among those are Richard McCormack, a freelance photographer who is a senior clerk at the Hudson County Welfare Department, and Esther Wintner, who led tax revolt rallies in Jersey City last year.

In addition, Diane Verlingo, Nizam Kamal, Raymond Skop, Isaiah Gadsen, Matthew Feeney, Angel Florentino and Khemraj Ramchal have picked up petitions; however, registered voters can pick up petitions for other people.

The incumbent, Councilman David Donnelly, is running for re-election. He was appointed in October to fill the seat vacated by Phil Kenny, who resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges.