ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On Jan. 2, incumbent Englewood Councilmen Michael Cohen and Wayne Hamer were sworn in to begin their new terms of office at the 2020 Englewood Reorganization Meeting.
Cohen began his fourth term representing the city’s Second Ward, while Hamer began his third term representing the Fourth Ward.
Cohen was administered the Oath of Office by Mayor Michael Wildes and Hamer was administered the Oath of Office by U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell.
Councilman Charles Cobb was elected council president and sworn in by Pascrell, while Councilwoman Cheryl Rosenberg was elected president pro tempore and sworn in by Wildes.
Sitting Council President Katharine Glynn opened the proceedings, and following the Pledge of Allegiance led by Police Chief Lawrence Suffern and a soulful rendition of the National Anthem by Nick Galluci, Rabbi Poupko gave the invocation, calling for peace, tolerance, and a stop to anti-Semitism.
That theme reverberated in all of the speeches that evening, beginning with Wildes’ State of the City Address.
“It is always a pleasure for me to look in Englewood and take in the amazing mix of people that make up our community, all the people from different schools, walks of life, ethnicities and religions are part of what makes our city so special, and we are honored to have you here tonight,” he began.
Wildes proceeded to thank the dignitaries present as well as the wide range of the city’s employees and his family.
Wildes then took a moment to pay tribute to revered Englewood residents who passed away in 2019—former Mayor Ned Feldman, lifelong volunteer Joan Van Alstyne Johnson, former Councilman Rev. Stanley Dennison and “other treasured members of the community.”
He addressed many key issues, including the challenges to Englewood’s economy, the return of the ArtWalk to highlight the artistic community, and the need to make downtown parking easier and facilitate pedestrian traffic to the shopping and restaurant scene.
Other main topics included: Investing in children and seniors; public safety; federal grants for the fire department; smart development, with emphasis on designated federal “Opportunity Zones” in commercial areas that offer capital gains tax abatements as an additional enticement for people to come and build in the city; community engagement; and the development of a community center.
Wildes thanked the council, saying, “I hold each of my colleagues on the City Council in the highest esteem, and I know that they carry only the best intentions for Englewood.”
State Assemblyman Gordon Johnson also praised the council for “ensuring that our city of under 5 square miles goes forth with prosperity and vision.”
“I’ve been in Englewood for 60 years now, and it is and always will be a great city, but we have to work together!” he said.
Former Mayor Frank Huttle III made reference to the fact that Cobb is the first council president who was born and raised in Englewood, which solicited a huge round of applause. Huttle also spoke to the rash of hate crimes and the need to work together for peace.
Another heartfelt plea for peace was made by Rev. John Givens of Shiloh AME Zion Church.
“We have our differences, but we also have unity and as we embark upon this next year and this new decade, we pray that whatever our differences may be in this new year and in the decade, that we can find common ground in peace, unity and love for the betterment of our community, our people and our city,” said Givens. “With love, we can do it!”
The council members took turns expressing their thoughts as well.
Councilwoman Rosenberg related proudly, “I had just the great honor under [state] Sen. Loretta Weinberg at a meeting of 40 of the top Jewish leaders across the state on how to combat anti-Semitism. It was a really promising meeting, because everyone recognized that we were there for the same reason, to address the rapid rise of anti-Semitism and that we have more in common than divides us. We have incredible diverseness in our council, and that should be a feather in our cap instead of constant challenges, as we come together and pursue love and peace.”
Councilwoman Glynn quoted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in her remarks: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
As the eastern regional director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Councilman Cohen brings an informed opinion of the state of anti-Semitism in the country.
“I was on site at the Jersey City shooting, stepping on broken glass, looking at bullet holes and attending services for the victims. I thank our Englewood police chief and the deputy police chief for making sure that we are safe. But, as I discussed with the deputy director in Monsey, [N.Y.], there is no amount of police presence that can keep us safe without community participation.”
Hamer also congratulated all the appointees and said, “The new year and new decade are full of opportunities and possibilities and we need to take advantage of them.”
He said that he and hopefully the council will focus on five key issues: safety in different forms, such as hate crimes and fire safety; jobs, particularly job opportunities for Englewood residents; housing; and establishing a community center.
“It starts with a conversation, but we have to make it happen with action,” said Hamer.
Cobb said he will seek to bring transparency in the year ahead. He also reinforced the need for community involvement. He mentioned that council meetings are now recorded and encouraged everyone to come to the microphone at meetings and to also send emails to himself and the other council members.
“Encourage your neighbors to do so as well,” he exclaimed. “Englewood is a great town and we’re all in this together. You have a stake!”
The meeting concluded with a benediction by Rev. Preston Thompson of the Ebenezer Baptist Church.