Rigo Rodriguez

Up for re-election next year, veteran Paterson Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres expects imminent contact with Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie.

"Whether he initiates it or we do, at the end of the day we have to work together," Torres said. "If we shun each other, it will only get worse. We're going to have to have bipartisan support to get over the major hurdles of a financial crisis. The people have spoken.

"I've never looked for handouts, but have sought state aid to respond to definite needs in Paterson," added the mayor. "There is no pork barrel here."

Mayor for the past seven plus years, Torres is seeking a third term in 2010 and faces an emergent field of challengers, including Council President Jeffrey Jones and, potentially, At-Large Councilman Rigo Rodriguez and Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh.

Councilman Julio Tavarez

Paterson - New Jersey's third largest city and now on the brink of a mayoral election next year - delivered the same voter turnout for Gov. Jon Corzine that he received four years ago in his first bid for governor.

These results are unofficial and don't include provisionals: Corzine received 16,038 votes in the Silk City, to Republican candidate (now Gov.-elect) Chris Christie's 2,040.

Those numbers almost mirror Corzine's 2005 performance against Mercer buisnessman Doug Forrester: 17,000 to 1,600 votes.

State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), center, campaigns with Trenton Councilman Manny Segura and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Eliabeth) at the annual Dominican Parade in Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH - State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), the Democrats' candidate for lieutenant governor, walked the entirety of a long parade route as grand marshal of the Dominican Festival, a colorful, merengue-textured event that today was marred by violence.  

"There are always going to be some knuckleheads out there," said Paterson At-Large Councilman Rigo Rodriguez.

The incident - not connected to the campaign - occurred a few minutes after Weinberg criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie for failing to disclose his $46,000 mortgage loan to U.S. Attorney underling Michele Brown.

"He forgot that he's receiving $500 a month?" wondered Gov. Jon Corzine's running mate, who capped a weekend of Latino outreach with this Dominican spectacle.

It got rough once Weinberg climbed into a car and departed after completing the parade on foot with Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth), and Trenton Councilman Manny Segura.

Paterson Council President Jeff Jones, right, and Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh.

WAYNE - A cavalcade of definite and maybe Paterson 2010 mayoral candidates showed up at yesterday's swearing-in ceremony of new Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, including incumbent Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres, Council President Jeffrey Jones, Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh, and at-Large Councilman Rigo Rodriguez.

Of those four men, Torres and Jones are definitely running.

Sayegh appears close to getting in the race, while Rodriguez, who's at-large council seat is up this year, appears least likely to challenge Torres.

"No comment yet," Rodriguez said about next year's already unfolding contest.

Paterson Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres wants a third term in office and believes he can turn back the challenges of Council President Jeffrey Jones and whoever else tries to knock him out next year.

"Obviously, I'm running," Torres told PolitickerNJ.com. "I want to do everything I can to reelect this governor this year, but after November I'll put my own campaign hat back on."

To today's news that Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh is mulling a run for mayor, Torres said, "We live in a democracy and whoever wants to run can run. That is the process.

"The thing about Andre is Andre wants to be president and everyone knows that," the mayor added. "This is about how fast he can climb up the ladder. I don't know the answer to that question. I dont know how fast he can climb. I just hope he doesn't burn himself out, because as you know, this business is beyond telling jokes and kissing babies. Andre - with just a year on the council - is not prepared to be mayor. He's still (wet) behind the ears."

Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh, right, with supporter (Deputy Mayor) Elsa Mantilla during his successful 2008 council race.

Most observers figure the 2010 Paterson mayor's race will feature at least a two-man showdown between incumbent Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres and Council President Jeffrey Jones.

If he decides to run, Torres would be aiming for his third term as mayor. 

An ex-Marine and college professor, Jones has served on the city council since 1996 and announced his 2010 citywide candidacy as early as last year.

Assuming Torres runs, the intriguing question is who will be the third person to step forward to try to mount a credible campaign.

Sixth Ward Councilman Andre Sayegh today told PolitickerNJ.com that he may be the man to find an opening between Torres's Puerto Rican base and Jones's African American base for a play at the affections of the whole city as a new generation unity candidate.

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Contact: Julio Tavarez
862-262-8621
ESPAÑOL

Paterson, NJ - Councilman at Large Rigo Rodriguez and 5th Ward Councilman Julio Tavarez were delighted, as well as other council members, by the project presented by the Plaza Juan Pablo Duarte Committee at the Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting.  The committee, lead by Deputy Mayor Elsa Mantilla, is proposing to adopt and rename the pocket park located on the corner of Straight Street and Market Street Juan Pablo Duarte Plaza (see map below).

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Paterson, NJ - Councilman-at-Large Rigo Rodriguez is sponsoring an ordinance allowing a section of Park Avenue to be known as Juan Pablo Duarte Drive.  The ordinance is being co-sponsored by 5th Ward Councilman Julio Tavarez and serves to highlight the many contributions and positive impact the Dominican-American Community have had on the City of Paterson.

Dominicans and allies celebrated Dr. Alex Blanco’s victory in the Passaic mayoral race last week as a first in the annals of American politics. As far as they know, he’s the first Dominican elected mayor in the United States.

“There’s an assemblyman in New York, but concerning mayors, none,” said Blanco, a product of the Passaic public school system who earned college and medical degrees locally and works in the city as a podiatrist.

“I was shocked when I found out I was the first,” added the mayor-elect, who figures to be sworn into office before the end of November.

PASSAIC – Among Dr. Alex Blanco’s street presence in the city on Election Day walks Paterson City At Large Councilman Rigo Rodriguez, who’s excited about his fellow Dominican American and his chances here today in the special mayoral contest.

“He’s a good candidate, and I believe he would be the right person to fight corruption in City Hall, which has been very bad here in Passaic,” said Rodriguez.

The councilman had success in his hometown in the last municipal election, as he sent an ally head-to-head with Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres’s candidate, Councilman Juan Torres.