Silverio Vega
Encyclopedia
Silverio "Sal" A. Vega is a Cuban American
Democratic Party
politician
, who served in the New Jersey
General Assembly
from 2006–2008, where he represented the 33rd legislative district and served on the Law and Public Safety Committee. He also served as the Mayor of West New York
. Vega lost a re-election bid May 10th, 2011 to challenger Dr. Felix Roque.
with his family. He received a Bachelors of Science
degree from the University of Tennessee
in Physical Education. Vega has served a school administrator for the West New York School District
. Since 1987, he has been Athletic Director for his alma mater, Memorial High School
.
Vega had served as a Legislative Aide to New Jersey State Senator
Bernard Kenny
. Previously, Vega had been appointed to the Board of Adjustments and the Rent Control Board by the Town of West New York, and to the Board of Trustees of the Hudson County Schools of Technology
(formerly Hudson County Vocational-Technical). Vega was a Commissioner for the Town of West New York, serving as Public Safety Director from 1995 until 2006. Previously, Vega was the director of the Department of Revenue & Finance, from 1991 to 1995.
After Albio Sires
was elected to fill the seat in New Jersey's 13th congressional district
that had been vacated by Bob Menendez, Sires stepped down from his positions as Mayor of West New York and in the General Assembly
, where he represented the 33rd legislative district. Vega was chosen to replace Sires as mayor of West New York. The Democratic district committee voted on November 21, 2006 to choose Vega to replace Sires in the Assembly, with Vega taking office on December 11, 2006.
Board of School Estimate. He also serves as Chairman of the following committees: Finance, Budget and Administration; Insurance Commission; Public Safety and Department of Corrections; and as Alternate on the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC). He serves as a Member on the Economic Development and Housing Committee.
Before being named to the Assembly, Vega represented District 7 on the Hudson County
, New Jersey
Board of Chosen Freeholders
. District 7 includes the Town of Guttenberg
, the Township of Weehawken
and the Town of West New York. Vega served his eighth year as Chairman of the Board of Freeholders, the longest serving chairman in county history. Vega resigned from his position as Freeholder as of 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2006, and West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange, Jr.
replaced Vega as Freeholder.
On April 27, 2010, official court proceedings began regarding the case of Committee To Recall Silverio A. Vega; Gerald A Lange; Lawrence Riccardi; Alberto Rodriguez, Michelle Fernandez-Lopez From The Office Of Commissioner Against Carmela Riccie, In The Capacity Of Recall Election Official of The Town Of West New York. During the first day of trial, appointed judge Hon. Maurice Gallipoli, adhered to the fact that the recall committee had successfully acquired more than enough signatures required to initiate a recall based on the testimony and lengthy analysis of the single witness Carlos Diego J. Perez Monasterio. Numerous challenges were raised by the defense with the inclusion of resident's signatures not matching the Statewide Voter Registration Database which prompted Judge Gallipoli to grant the Recall Committee a second day of proceedings to fix affidavit forms required to include the names of the 110 registered voters deemed invalid by Town Clerk Carmela Riccie.
During the second day of trial, after the acceptance of the fixed affidavit forms, the 110 registered voter's signatures were granted to the committee only to have a number of other issues introduced by the defense with the supporting testimony of Town Clerk Carmela Riccie. These new challenges disallowed the submission of over 400 valid signatures into the total therefore reducing the number below the mark needed to initiate the recall. The lack of a timed evidence submission to the contrary by the committee's attorney, Arthur Neiss, into court prompted Gallipoli to disallow any testimony that would have reinstated the number of signatures in question back in the final total. Based on this decision to disallow any new testimony, Judge Gallipoli ruled that regardless of the amount of signatures above the number required, the committee was being penalized for the failure to comply with the case management order. 444 signatures that would otherwise had been counted, were to be deducted from the grand total. This proved to be the fatal blow in the Committee's, case which reduced all totals below the needed mark and being granted a dismissal by Judge Gallipoli.
Cuban American
A Cuban American is a United States citizen who traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. Cuban Americans are also considered native born Americans with Cuban parents or Cuban-born persons who were raised and educated in US...
Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who served in the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
from 2006–2008, where he represented the 33rd legislative district and served on the Law and Public Safety Committee. He also served as the Mayor of West New York
West New York, New Jersey
West New York is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 49,708.-Geography:...
. Vega lost a re-election bid May 10th, 2011 to challenger Dr. Felix Roque.
Career
Vega has been a resident of the Town of West New York since 1967, when he emigrated from CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
with his family. He received a Bachelors of Science
Bachelors Of Science
Bachelors of Science is the stage name of Phil "Rene", Chris and Lukeino. They met in California and formed a successful act, quickly becoming one of the top drum and bass producers in the electronic music scene...
degree from the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
in Physical Education. Vega has served a school administrator for the West New York School District
West New York School District
West New York School District is a public school district serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade in West New York, New Jersey, United States...
. Since 1987, he has been Athletic Director for his alma mater, Memorial High School
Memorial High School (West New York, New Jersey)
Memorial High School is a four-year public high school that serves students from West New York, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the West New York School District. WNYSD, an Abbott District, serves all of the city of West New York...
.
Vega had served as a Legislative Aide to New Jersey State Senator
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
Bernard Kenny
Bernard Kenny
Bernard F. Kenny, Jr. is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey State Senate from 1993 to 2008, where he represented the 33rd Legislative District...
. Previously, Vega had been appointed to the Board of Adjustments and the Rent Control Board by the Town of West New York, and to the Board of Trustees of the Hudson County Schools of Technology
Hudson County Schools of Technology
The Hudson County Schools of Technology offer career and vocational training for public high school and adult students in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States....
(formerly Hudson County Vocational-Technical). Vega was a Commissioner for the Town of West New York, serving as Public Safety Director from 1995 until 2006. Previously, Vega was the director of the Department of Revenue & Finance, from 1991 to 1995.
After Albio Sires
Albio Sires
Albio Sires is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2006. The district includes most of Jersey City, as well as most of the Latino neighborhoods of Newark. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
was elected to fill the seat in New Jersey's 13th congressional district
New Jersey's 13th congressional district
New Jersey's Thirteenth Congressional District was created starting with the 73rd United States Congress in 1933, based on redistricting following the United States Census, 1930. It is currently represented by Democrat Albio Sires...
that had been vacated by Bob Menendez, Sires stepped down from his positions as Mayor of West New York and in the General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
, where he represented the 33rd legislative district. Vega was chosen to replace Sires as mayor of West New York. The Democratic district committee voted on November 21, 2006 to choose Vega to replace Sires in the Assembly, with Vega taking office on December 11, 2006.
Freeholder
Chairman Vega represented the freeholder interests for the Hudson County Schools of Technology as a Member of the Hudson County Board of School Estimate, and for the Community College as a Member of the Hudson County Community CollegeHudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Hudson County, New Jersey.-Locations:...
Board of School Estimate. He also serves as Chairman of the following committees: Finance, Budget and Administration; Insurance Commission; Public Safety and Department of Corrections; and as Alternate on the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC). He serves as a Member on the Economic Development and Housing Committee.
Before being named to the Assembly, Vega represented District 7 on the Hudson County
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
Board of Chosen Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
. District 7 includes the Town of Guttenberg
Guttenberg, New Jersey
Guttenberg , is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 11,176. Only four blocks wide, Guttenberg is one of the smallest municipalities in New Jersey and the most densely populated incorporated place in the...
, the Township of Weehawken
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
and the Town of West New York. Vega served his eighth year as Chairman of the Board of Freeholders, the longest serving chairman in county history. Vega resigned from his position as Freeholder as of 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2006, and West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange, Jr.
Gerald Lange, Jr.
Gerald Lange Jr. is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the representative on the Hudson County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders, one of nine members who serve in a legislative role administering all county business...
replaced Vega as Freeholder.
Recall of Mayor Vega
On June 9, 2009, West New York physician and resident Dr. Felix Roque, along with a group of 20 supporters filed petition papers with the West New York town clerk to recall Mayor Vega and his four commissioners. Dr. Roque's movement, also known as the "Together We Can" campaign, was given a period of 160 days to collect signatures from 25% of the registered voter population. Together We Can Pending a successful recall petition, Dr. Roque intended to run against Mayor Vega during the upcoming Mayoral elections. Roque was spurred to this action by the town's high taxes.On April 27, 2010, official court proceedings began regarding the case of Committee To Recall Silverio A. Vega; Gerald A Lange; Lawrence Riccardi; Alberto Rodriguez, Michelle Fernandez-Lopez From The Office Of Commissioner Against Carmela Riccie, In The Capacity Of Recall Election Official of The Town Of West New York. During the first day of trial, appointed judge Hon. Maurice Gallipoli, adhered to the fact that the recall committee had successfully acquired more than enough signatures required to initiate a recall based on the testimony and lengthy analysis of the single witness Carlos Diego J. Perez Monasterio. Numerous challenges were raised by the defense with the inclusion of resident's signatures not matching the Statewide Voter Registration Database which prompted Judge Gallipoli to grant the Recall Committee a second day of proceedings to fix affidavit forms required to include the names of the 110 registered voters deemed invalid by Town Clerk Carmela Riccie.
During the second day of trial, after the acceptance of the fixed affidavit forms, the 110 registered voter's signatures were granted to the committee only to have a number of other issues introduced by the defense with the supporting testimony of Town Clerk Carmela Riccie. These new challenges disallowed the submission of over 400 valid signatures into the total therefore reducing the number below the mark needed to initiate the recall. The lack of a timed evidence submission to the contrary by the committee's attorney, Arthur Neiss, into court prompted Gallipoli to disallow any testimony that would have reinstated the number of signatures in question back in the final total. Based on this decision to disallow any new testimony, Judge Gallipoli ruled that regardless of the amount of signatures above the number required, the committee was being penalized for the failure to comply with the case management order. 444 signatures that would otherwise had been counted, were to be deducted from the grand total. This proved to be the fatal blow in the Committee's, case which reduced all totals below the needed mark and being granted a dismissal by Judge Gallipoli.
2011 election
On May 10, 2011, Vega and his Board of Commissioners lost the election to Roque and his commissioners, surprising many in the community. Vega's spokesman and political consultant Paul Swibinski attributed the election results to the raising of taxes in February 2009, while other sources felt that results were attributable to the fact that the Hudson County Democratic Organization did not assist Vega in fending off Roque's challenge.External links
- Assemblyman Vega's Legislative Website, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
- Hudson County Freeholder biography
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure form for 2006 (PDF)
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure form for 2005 (PDF)