TED R. GREEN DECLARES CANDIDACY FOR EAST ORANGE MAYOR
Lifelong Resident, Council Chairman, Business Owner & Public Servant
Seeks City’s Highest Office

EAST ORANGE, New Jersey, February 21, 2017 – Lifelong East Orange resident, a product of the East Orange School District, business owner and City Council Chairman, Ted R. Green today announced his candidacy for Mayor of the city of East Orange before a crowd of supporters, including East Orange City Council colleagues, State, County, and municipal elected officials, family members and friends.  Chairman Green was introduced by Honorary Campaign Chairwoman Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, 34th Legislative District/Speaker Emerita, NJ General Assembly.  The Assemblywoman is a resident of East Orange.

“Today I am officially declaring my candidacy for Mayor of the great city of East Orange,” said Council Chairman Ted R. Green. “East Orange is the only home I have ever known. My life began here at 91 Steuben Street, near Winthrop Place – this is where I dreamed of making a difference one day. The people of East Orange have allowed me to do that and today, I ask you to join me to continue to rebuild, restore and revive our great city.”

Chairman Green has a long history of accomplishments in East Orange, having started working with East Orange City Hall more than 25 years ago,  Over the years, he has built a distinguished career in the field of property maintenance and housing revitalization in East Orange, Newark and Irvington.   In 2006, Green was elected to represent the East Orange City Council, being re-elected before being selected as Chairman, where he has served for the last two years.

He has sponsored or co-sponsored legislation and programs protecting homeowners from foreclosure and tax abatement assistance for East Orange residents, job training and apprenticeship programming, gun control legislation and mental health initiatives, prohibition of the sale of toy guns and imitation firearms, expungement programs for ex-offenders and a Back to School initiative called Father’s Walk to give fathers an opportunity to walk their children to school to encourage engagement with their child’s school activities and teachers.

“When a candidate for office possesses government and municipal experience, coupled with legislative action on a local and state level – all of which serve to improve the quality of life for the citizens they serve, then I would commit that they stand ready for higher office,” added Essex County Democratic and East Orange Democratic Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.  “Ted has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt his commitment, dedication, and compassion and enthusiasm for the people of this great city.  Ted is synonymous with East Orange’s past, present and future and the best and most qualified person to serve as Mayor.”

Joining Chairman Green at the podium were current and incumbent members of the City Council, Chris James of the First Ward, Romal Bullock of the Second Ward, Tyshammie Cooper of the Fourth Ward and Alicia Holman of the Fifth Ward.  Green also introduced Third Ward candidate for City Council Bergson Leneous who serves as President of the Board of Education and would be the first Haitian American elected to the East Orange City Council.

In addition to his municipal work, Green also founded Green’s School of Martial Arts, where in addition to karate, he also offers enrichment, mentoring and cultural awareness programs for participants.  More than 2,000 children have participated in the school since it opened, including five East Orange police officers, who trained with the school as children.

“More than any other time in history, our citizens are seeking servant-leaders,” said Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, 34th Legislative District/Speaker Emerita, NJ General Assembly – Resident of the City of East Orange.   The Assemblywoman continued, “Servant-leaders focus on the well-being and growth of people within the community, and prioritize inclusion.  Such leaders possess the ability to always walk in another person’s shoes.  Ted’s proven role as a civic and elected leader demonstrates that philosophy and his ability to lead our city as Mayor will benefit the entire East Orange community.”

Chairman Green said he will begin his campaign for Mayor by going on a listening tour throughout the city to hear citizen’s ideas and concerns on ways to improve their quality of life.  Green said, “Citizens deserve a voice in the city’s priorities.  I look forward to meeting with individuals and groups; and stakeholders of all ages about their ideas on making East Orange the best it can be.  Green said while there are a number of challenges ahead, he believes there are more opportunities for East Orange to experience greater progress.

Chairman Green has received numerous citations for exemplary service to the community, including honors from the NAACP of the Oranges and Maplewood, the Todd Warner Foundation, HANDS, Inc., Golconda Temple #24, the New Jersey Governors State Public Service Recognition Award and recognition from the New Jersey State and General Assembly.

In closing, Chairman Green said, “I want to thank the people of East Orange, particularly the Third Ward, for their vote of confidence for me to serve the citizens of our great city as a member of the City Council, as Chairman, and with your help and vote, as Mayor.”

Council Chairman Green and his wife, June, are the parents of two sons, Eric and Salahudyin.