Councilman Andre Sayegh (center) and his campaign team.
Launching from church basement, Sayegh vows grassroots campaign for Paterson unity
By Max Pizarro | December 17th, 2009 - 9:46pmPATERSON - Reveling in his Paterson roots and running on a slogan of unity, Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh tonight promised a gym packed with supporters that they would be part of a "grassroots campaign of historic proportions" as he formally kicked off his 2010 mayoral run.
"They say we're trying to divide the vote," said Sayegh, evidently a reference to the jagged demographic lines occupied by incumbent Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres and Council President Jeffrey Jones.
"Look around this room," the councilman urged a crowd of blacks, whites, Latinos and Arabs gathered in the basement gym of St. Anthony's Church. "We're not dividing. We're here to unite. There's been too much division. Now it's time for some vision. This race is not about race. ...It's time to unite, for a new quality of life. From Lakeview to River Drive, from Crooks Avenue to Straight Street."
With each delivered line the crowd cheered the 35-year old first term councilman, a former School Board president who teaches at William Paterson University in addition to running a coalition of nonprofits in his hometown.
"Do you remember what the city was once?" said Sayegh of Passaic County's county seat, where residents voted in favor of a curfew to clamp down on crime.
"Do you remember what it was?"
An older woman groaned with the memory next to the current reality.
He reminded residents of his successful rallying cry to close two go go bars: Charlie's Angels and Alex's Playground.
"We need playgrounds in Paterson, but not that kind of playground," said the mayoral candidate, prompting claps.
If elected mayor, he said he wants to wage a war on gangs, build a recreation center and a senior center.
Having won his Ward 6 seat two years ago to succeed veteran Councilman Thomas C. Rooney on an old school shoe leather campaign, Sayegh vowed to manage the same kind of energized effort from now until May 11th of next year.
His organizational ability showed early at this church a few blocks from the train tracks, which Sayegh called a spiritual crossroads of the city's various ethnic groups.
Unlike a lot of these kickoff events in which the candidate is virtually sequestered in bubble wrap while underlings drum up the crowd for a big entrance, Sayegh was ubiquitous from the beginning: greeting, hugging, touching, grooving, schmoozing, finding the connecting point in people with no forced effort.
Tan trenchcoat. Earpiece phone.
He moved from table to table as a blend of MJ, Spanish language hits, Kenny G and Donna Summer harmonized the candidate's effort to reach a mosaic of the city's residents.
"Why couldn't you have done this in the daytime? It's cold," an older woman crowed as she blew down the stairs and into the festivities.
If it was a grievance blasted at close range into the smiling face of the man of the hour, it was also the only complaint among those otherwise happily descending supporters who made straight for the petition sign-up table overseen by Sayegh's fiance before bee-lining to the catered barbecue.
Sayegh went to City Hall at 8:30 this morning to pick up the petitions his team members now wielded on clipboards at the door and presented to guests. The mayoral candidate needs 666 signatures. He estimated he could knock out over a third of those tonight.
A big boxing fan, Sayegh entered to ally Charles Hill's Michael Buffer build-up.
"He weighs 195 and a half pounds and stands six foot two and a half - out of Paterson, New Jersey," Hill thundered into the microphone at the start of the rally, just after the anthem, pledge and local rendition of "I Want One Moment in Time."
"The new heavyweight champion of Paterson!"
The "Rocky" theme blasted the crowd.
Loosening up in the wings, Sayegh ran to the front of the room and shadow boxed combinations before squaring up against Hill, who threw a futile swing before Sayegh playfully laid him out.
"Paterson: Arabs, Jamaicans, Dominicans, African Americans, Columbians, Puerto Ricans, Italians, Jews, Irish, Koreans, Japanese!"
A woman in the front row piped, "French! What about the French?"
"Oui, oui," Sayegh said. "I had a croissant this morning - and my name is Andre!"
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TALK OF THE TOWN
This event is now the talk of the town. I was not there but from all reports Andre entered the race with a bang. Big turn out, with a mix that truly represents the diversity of the Paterson population. As per Herald News - a turn out of about 500. Some people told me they were very pleased about his message of unity and fairness. Look, the guy is qualified - Columbia University educated. Hss a great vision, honest politician and has the necessary experience to run this city because HE IS IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY. Good luck Andre!
Time to Unite
I was there last night and was very impressed with the dept of Sayegh's support on such a cold night.The crowd was larger than I anticpated and represented Patersonians from all 6 wards.Andre's theme was time to unite and by the look on people's faces it looks like they are ready to unite behind who I feel is the most intelligent,motivated canidate for mayor.
Diversity is beautiful
Last nights event was a success! It is amazing to see the beauty in the diversity that Paterson already has. This was just one event. Imagine what can happen if we elect someone as qualified and as motivated as Andre Sayegh. Good luck Andre!
yikes!
I am supporting him! I apologize for the second response. I DID NOT write that one. I have no clue how that got there...something went wrong. sorry!
Response to Ip.paterson
As you mentioned, Andre is bright, qualified and motivated but your two posts are contradictory. He indeed attracted a very diverse gathering but this is a reflection of Paterson and the Paterson he envisions - a united people working together. This is evidence that he can unite people. Unity is needed in Paterson. This is one area where Torres has failed badly. His rethoric is not fluffy. The things he talked about last night according to all the reports are achievable and measurable. I am sure that you will hear more solutions as the campaign unfolds. I think you are supporting him.
Time to Unite!
After witnessing the passion and enthusiasm of not only the volunteers, but the roughly 500 attendees, I have to say that Andre has what it takes to be Mayor. A city can't thrive on the work of one person - rather, that person needs to be able to work hard AND motivate others to help improve the city. The incumbent does not have the ability to spark the same fire, nor have I seen him work as hard as Sayegh.
He's got my vote and I'm willing to go door-to-door to garner support from all wards.
He's young. He's bright.
He's young. He's bright. He's inexperienced. Andre could not get us out of tough economic times. He should stay on the council and learn how a city works first before he moves onto higher office.
Confused - Ip.paterson
You seem very confused to me as evidenced by your 3 posts - one now removed from this site. For some experience comes after many years. For others, even though they are experienced, they are out of touch and make poor decisions. For those who are intelligent, sharp and honest with a real passion to do good are the ones we need as leaders. Andre is in this group. He is way beyond his cohorts at the city council and city hall. Watch him during this campaign, I am sure he will put together the best team that will result in victory next may. Dont be on the fence, come out and volunteer for him. ANDRE WILL BE OUR NEXT MAYOR.
Sayegh has heart!
Today like most people, I stayed home from work due to the storm that was about to hit Paterson. I went outside to get my mail and I couldn't help but notice a few people going door to door around my neighborhood. I found it odd to see people on such a cold day walking around as if it was a warm Spring day. I went back into my house, and within a few minutes my doorbell rang. I figured it was the people that were going door to door and was curious as to what it was for. To my surprise when I opened the door, there stood Andre Sayegh and I assume one of his supporters. Apparently Andre was going door to door introducing himself to the citizens of Paterson. I thought to myself, wow this guy has heart! I barely knew anything about him other than his name and his face but the fact that he was out there, on such a cold day, taking the time to meet the citizens of Paterson one door at a time, really impressed me. I've lived in Paterson for over 18 years, two blocks away from Mayor Torres, and in all those years, this was the first time a candidate for the mayoral race had ever come to my house to introduce himself. This showed me that he cared. He wants to know the citizens of Paterson and what they have to say. If I had to vote today, Andre would surely have my vote!
Andre is young,honest & trustworthy!
AT first I thought Andre was a phoney because he is every where at all culture/ethnic events in Paterson but that is just his nature. Andre is personable, honest and trustworthy!
very annoyed
Somehow, someone is logging on using my name to write posts that do not support Andre. I am already volunteering for him and I am just going to delete this account. Whoever is doing this needs to grow up and get his/her own account.