Jersey City mayor's speedy announcement of his choice to replace councilwoman who retired draws criticism from Civic JC group

Tuesday, February 15, 2011
By TERRENCE T. McDONALD
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Jersey City good-government group is criticizing the process Mayor Jerramiah Healy used to select the City Council's newest member.

Last week, the council unanimously approved the appointment of city native Kalimah Ahmad to replace Willie Flood, who retired abruptly two weeks ago.

Healy announced his selection of Ahmad, who will serve only until the Nov. 8 general election, hours after news of Flood's retirement had leaked. Healy said he knew Ahmad from her time as Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin's chief of staff.

Civic JC President Andrew Hubsch said there should be a process that allows citizens to express their interest in a vacant council seat before the mayor makes his choice.

"I and Civic JC would like to see as transparent and inclusive a process as possible," Hubsch said.

Ahmad is the third council member Healy has appointed since the 2009 municipal election. Mariano Vega stepped down from the council more than a year after being arrested in the 2009 federal corruption sweep, and was replaced by Councilman Ray Velazquez last September.

Previously, Councilman David Donnelly was tapped in October 2009 for the Ward B seat to replace Phil Kenny, who resigned after pleading guilty to accepting bribes.

Complaints about the selection process have surfaced all three times.

Asked to explain how he had a candidate ready to go so soon after Flood announced her retirement, Healy responded that timing was key.

"This is an important position and we felt it imperative to fill this position promptly without any undue delay so that the business of the city can move forward in the hands of a full governing body," he said in a statement.

Hubsch said he understands the council has a short timeline - the council must name a replacement within 30 days. But the council can work in that timeline and include citizens, too, he said.

"Inviting the public to participate is, in our estimation, always the best course," he said.

Ahmad is another county hack, of the Cunningham variety. Amazing how the Healy people kiss Sandy's behind while the HCDO folks are plotting to get rid the Widow Cunningham.

At the end of the day, Ahmad is a place holder much like Councilman Velazquez.

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/jerse ... 29678630664530.xml&coll=3


Jersey City mayor's choice for Flood successor is 35-year-old lawyer who works for Hudson County and always expected to work behind the scenes

Friday, February 04, 2011

The woman tapped by Mayor Jerramiah Healy to fill the seat vacated this week when Councilwoman Willie Flood abruptly resigned is a Jersey City native who said she always thought she'd be a "behind-the-scenes" player.

Kalimah Ahmad, 35, works full-time as the Hudson County assistant county counsel, with a salary of $75,000 annually. She also has a part-time law practice with an office in Journal Square.

Ahmad said she was "shocked" when she learned Healy wanted her to fill Flood's seat. With experience working with politicians and election law - she has done legal work for Healy - Ahmad thought she'd remain out of the spotlight.

"I've just always been involved behind the scenes," she said. "But I'm willing to do it. I think I can do it."

In a statement, Healy said he met Ahmad when she was chief of staff to Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin, and has seen her many times since then at various public events.

"This is an important position and we felt it imperative to fill this position promptly without any undue delay so that the business of the city can go forward," the mayor said.

Ahmad, who is single with no children, lives in Ward F, near Pacific Avenue. She was born and raised in Jersey City, growing up in the Lafayette Gardens housing complex.

Her family has long ties to the city.

Her uncle Charles Mays, a track star on the 1968 U.S. Olympics team, served two terms as an assemblyman for the 31st District from 1978 to 1982, while another uncle, the Rev. Henry Mays, was pastor at Mt. Sinai Full Gospel Church.

Ahmad's appointment must be approved by the City Council.

The council has 30 days to fill Flood's seat or it will remain vacant until November.

TERRENCE T. McDONALD

Jersey City's newest council member says she's a "public servant, not a politician"
Friday, February 11, 2011
By TERRENCE T. McDONALD
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Jersey City native Kalimah Ahmad, who became what officials believe is the city's first Muslim councilwoman at a swearing-in ceremony yesterday, says she doesn't see herself as a politician.

Ahmad, 35, replaces former Councilwoman at large Willie Flood, who resigned abruptly last week. Ahmad's appointment, put forward last week by Mayor Jerramiah Healy, was approved unanimously by the City Council on Wednesday night.

During a brief speech after being sworn in by Judge Cynthia Jackson, Ahmad thanked her family, friends and colleagues, saying she couldn't have succeeded without them.

"For me to get here, it wasn't done alone," she said. "It takes a village."

Later, Ahmad told The Jersey Journal she doesn't want to become a city politico.

"I am not a politician. I am a public servant," she said.

Healy praised Ahmad, calling her a "welcome addition" to the City Council. The mayor pointed out that Ahmad is a city native, having grown up in the Lafayette Gardens public-housing complex.

"She's going to be a big asset in helping the business of Jersey City and the governing body move forward," Healy said.

Ahmad said she plans to focus on two big issues, education and jobs. Though crime is an important issue, she said, she feels the city must get a handle on the first two issues.

"Once we solve the issues of education and employment, crime will handle itself," she said.

Ahmad's father and mother, Rafiq and Ameerah Ahmad, were on hand to watch their daughter become the city's newest council member. Ameerah Ahmad called her daughter a "sincere, compassionate" person, while Rafiq Ahmad said it wouldn't be the last big moment in her career.

"This is the first step, this isn't the last step," he said.

Ahmad will sit in Flood's seat at least until November's general election, when voters will elect two at-large council members. Councilman at large Ray Velazquez was appointed last October after former Councilman at large Mariano Vega gave up his seat before pleading guilty to federal corruption charges.

If Ahmad and Velazquez run and win in November, their terms will last until the May 2013 municipal elections.

Jersey City gets new councilwoman at large as council approves Kalimah Ahmad for seat Willie Flood held for nearly a decade

Thursday, February 10, 2011
By TERRENCE T. McDONALD
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City, meet your new councilwoman.

The City Council last night unanimously approved Mayor Jerramiah Healy's choice of city native Kalimah Ahmad to replace former Councilwoman at large Willie Flood, who retired abruptly last week after nearly a decade on the council.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you very much," Ahmad said after her selection was approved by the council. "I'm very excited."

Ahmad, who grew up in the Lafayette Gardens housing complex, works full time as a Hudson County assistant county counsel, earning $75,000 annually. She also has a part-time law practice located in Journal Square.

Council President Peter Brennan, after joking that he wasn't sure he wanted two lawyers sitting with him on the council, said he has great confidence in Ahmad.

"I know you're going to do a great job, not just for us but for your community," Brennan said.

Councilman at large Ray Velazquez is also an attorney.

A parade of Ahmad's friends and colleagues lavished Ahmad with praise before the council vote. Tish Jackson thanked Healy for choosing "someone from the Lafayette section" to sit in Flood's seat.

"She knows what Jersey City is about. She knows Jersey City from the north, the east, the south and the west," Jackson said.

Syrete Oglesby, a friend of Ahmad, called the new councilwoman dependable, dedicated, honest, and "a true catalyst for positive change."

"She is a fine example of what Jersey City has to offer. She is the rose that came from the concrete," Oglesby said.

Ahmad - who must run in a special election in November if she wants to fill out the remainder of Flood's term, which expires in 2013 - is scheduled to be sworn in today at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.