If only Healy would resign!!!

Healy's spokeswoman resigns, takes NYC job

Tuesday, June 05, 2007
By JARRETT RENSHAW
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's press secretary has resigned and returned to the private sector after serving for more than two years as the city's mouthpiece.

Maria Pignataro, who worked for Healy since he won a special election in 2004 to replace the late Glenn D. Cunningham, spent her last day at City Hall last week.

"We thank her for her two years-plus service," said Stan H. Eason, a city spokesman.

Pignataro, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, will work for a public relations and governmental affairs firm in New York City. City officials would not disclose the name of the company.

As press secretary and as a spokeswoman for Healy's campaign in 2004 and for the regular election campaign a year later, Pignataro was forced to respond to a number of controversial situations.

She came under fire herself when it was revealed she was doing part-time work for a local developer. When that job was revealed she cut ties to the developer, but she defended the relationship by pointing to the fact that she was granted permission to do the work by the mayor.

Eason will assume the additional responsibilities while Healy considers whether to fill the vacant position.