As your South Ward Councilman, I've been working diligently to improve the quality of life in Newark.

Newark Councilman John Sharpe James’ Record in Office

Public Safety in South Ward

  • South Ward experienced largest drop in crime during 2020 than any other ward.
  • Crime in N.J.’s largest city continues to drop – nj.com
  • Ensured South Ward received majority of graduating Police recruits from every class.
  • Councilman James approved experienced and competent 5th Precinct Captains to lead Ward; Broner, McPhee, Lopez, Spencer, Peppers and current Commander CPT Wilson.
  • Support for Street Academy and Newark Street Team – Programs geared to steer youth in the community away from violence towards education and improving their opportunities in life. https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/newark-street-team-gets-915k-help-fight-violence-city
  • Supported South Ward Clergy Alliance and their collaboration with the Newark Police Department.

Housing in South Ward

Recreation in South Ward

Education in South Ward

  • Supported quality education and safety in all South Ward schools.
  • Hired Elaine Lee, a former Newark Public Schools Parent Liason as my Chief of Staff.
  • Hired Hasani Council, a current elected Newark Public School Board member.
  • Corresponded with Superintendent Roger Leon directly with concerns of residents regarding the educational environment in our public and charter schools.
  • Promoted renovations and repairs in all existing South Ward Schools.
    Supported Construction of new $30.7 Million Dollar Pre-K Educational Center on Demarest Street.
  • Maher Foundation Plans Large New Preschool in Newark’s South Ward | Jersey Digs
  • Supported renovation of Maple Avenue School from an abandoned building containing asbestos to a new educational facility.
  • FY22_Seek_onePager.pdf (kippnj.org)
  • Attended numerous School Career Days, Coat drives, educational events and supported Principals directly whenever possible.

New Businesses in South Ward (Partial List)

  • Popeye/Burger King Combo –Elizabeth Ave
  • Weequahic Family Success Center – Bergen St
  • Clinton BBQ – Clinton Ave
  • Save A Lot – Springfield Ave
  • Salaam’s Ice Cream Parlor – Bergen Street
  • Sweets Candy Shop – Bergen Street
  • Popeye’s- Lyons Plaza
  • Metro PCS – Lyons Plaza
  • At Newark Beth Israel – Ron Christian Community Health & Wellness Center
  • Showcase Laundromat – Chancellor Ave & Leslie St
  • Lisa’s Delicious Delights – Hawthorne Ave
  • Torch Cigar Bar – Bergen St
  • New 7-Eleven at 240 Elizabeth Avenue

New Development and Resouces in the South Ward (Partial List)

  • Supported New Bronze Shields Headquarters at 168 Brunswick Street.
  • Supported Beth Israel Medical Center $150 Million Dollar renovation to modernize and increase hospitals resources.
  • Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Expansion Project (rwjbh.org)
  • Supported Robert Woods Johnson project to construct $27.5 Million Dollar Patient housing and medical services building on Bergen Street. (70 Units). State unveils Newark affordable housing project with Pennrose, RWJBarnabas – Real Estate NJ (re-nj.com)
  • Supported multiple Housing Projects by Engineer and Newark Native Siree Morris
  • Newark Affordable Housing Project Is ‘American Dream’ In Action | Newark, NJ Patch
  • Newark native set on rebuilding the neighborhood where he was raised – YouTube
  • 20-Unit Development Proposed for Newark’s Astor Street | Jersey Digs
  • Fought to stop City National Bank from leaving ward and assisted in merger with Industrial Bank which will have two (2) new branches in the South Ward.
  • Industrial Bank Looks to Open Branch Along Frelinghuysen Ave, Newark | Jersey Digs
  • New Soccer Field at George Washington Carver School
  • New Playground at Team Academy – Custer Ave
  • Badger Ave Housing Development
  • Newark Liberty International Airport – Grand Opening of the USO Center for Veterans
  • New Veterans Homes being built on Hawthorne and Badger Ave. NFL Commissioner Goodall Participated
  • Grand Opening of the Early Childhood School South Playground-Chancellor Annex School
  • Ribbon Cutting Clinton Commons 611 Clinton Avenue (Corner of Shanley)
  • Ribbon Cutting of Apostle House – 515 Avon Avenue
  • Creation of Shani Baraka Women’s Health and Wellness Clinic – Clinton Ave
  • Creation of Bergen Lyons Clinton Ave Special Improvement District
  • Reconstruction and Renaming of Bo Porter Sports Complex
  • Woodland Cemetery Cleaning Project
  • Shutting down of Strafford Ave and Foxes Properties – Relocation of families
  • Renovation of Hampton Valley Apartments
  • Grand Opening of Chadwick Homes Phase I & II
  • Industrial Bank Looks to Open Branch Along Frelinghuysen Ave, Newark | Jersey Digs
  • Supported Renovation and restoration of Old Boys and Girls Club into NAN Tech Center along with Al Sharpton and Panasonic Corporation at 400 Hawthorne Avenue.
  • Al Sharpton christens Newark tech center to bridge digital gap – nj.com
  • Assisted Newark Knights Motorcycle Club with plans to build a new Clubhouse
  • Supported New United Muslim Center construction on Bergen Street and Hawthorne Avenue.
  • Supported New Senior housing at 230 Jelliff Avenue.
  • Supported New School by Brick Education Network at Jelliff and Clinton Avenue
  • Supported New Home construction on vacant lots throughout the Ward.
  • Supported reconstruction of American Legion Hall at 212 Elizabeth Avenue after fire.
  • Supported Renovation of Housing on Irving Turner Boulevard (Near Madison)
  • Supported NJ Transit Access facility at 896 Frelinghuysen Avenue.
  • Transportation Services and Solutions | First Transit
  • Supported Newark Community Health Care Center operations at 101 Ludlow Street.
  • Supported renovations and rehabilitation of Hampton Valley Apartments on Elizabeth Avenue.
  • Supported demolition and construction of a new Used Car Dealership at Lyons Avenue and Stetcher Street.

Donations to South Ward Organizations (Partial List)

Access to Councilman and Staff

  • Hosted monthly community meetings.
  • Councilman gave two cell numbers and personal email to the public for direct communication with him. Responded to citizen concerns 24 hours a day.
  • Councilman and Staff monitored and attended all regularly scheduled block association and tenant association meetings.
  • Hosted over forty (40) street renamings and dedications.
  • Held awards ceremonies for local Community Leaders and achievers.
  • Held annual Christmas Tree lighting celebrations.
  • Supported Port Jobs for More Newark Residents
  • Supported for Fresh Air in and around the Port
  • Shut down a Methadone Clinic on Frelinghuysen Avenue – Concerns of Homeowners not wanting it in their Community- Stood with the Residents
  • Supported Newark Parents against One Newark Plan and pushed for local control
  • Supported South Ward Businesses
  • Purchased home in the Heart of the South Ward Clinton Hill Area (283 Madison Avenue)
  • Support SW Non Profit Organizations
  • Support the Hiring of over 300 Police Officers within 2 years and Promotions of NPD and NFD
  • Support SW Jackie Robinson Little League
  • Supported all SW community based associations for the Safety, revitalization and betterment for all residents
  • Support of Coalition of Homeless Prevention for Veterans – Appointed by the Mayor
  • Support of Multiple Dedications renovations and improvements in Weequahic Park
  • Support of Weequahic Senior Café
  • Support of Renovations to Weequahic Park walking trail
  • Support for NJ Breast Center at Newark Beth Israel and other Community outreach projects

 

South Ward Projects Under Councilman James

Support of New York & New Jersey Port Authority Path Expansion

Support for Newark Parents against One Newark Plan and pushed for local control of our Schools

  • Host Monthly South Ward Community Meetings at 400 Hawthorne Avenue
  • Support of Multiple dedications, renovations and improvements in Weequahic Park
  • Support of renovations to Weequahic Park walking trail
  • Support for NJ Breast Center at Newark Beth Israel and other Community outreach projects

Support for My Brothers Keeper

Program Created by the Barack Obama Foundation

Support for Street Academy – Program Geared to Steer Youth in the Community away from Violence Towards Education

  • New Soccer Field at George Washington Carver School
  • New Playground at Team Academy – 85 Custer Ave
  • Purchased home in the heart of the South Ward Clinton Hill Area – Proudly residing at 283 Madison Ave
  • Grand Opening of Chadwick Homes Phase I & II (Chadwick and West Bigelow)
  • Support for Fresh Air and Environmental Safeguards in and around Port Newark

Support for Port Newark Jobs for Newark Residents

  • Support of Weequahic Park Senior Café at Fieldhouse
  • Ribbon Cutting for Clinton Commons at 611 Clinton Avenue (Corner of Shanley Avenue)
  • Ribbon Cutting for Apostle House – 515 Avon Avenue

Shutting Down of a Proposed Methadone Clinic on 15 Fenwick Street

Stood with concerned Homeowners and Residents
  • Renovation and Renaming of Green Acres Park at Lyons Avenue and Leslie Street to the Bo Porter Sports Complex
  • Bergen Lyons Clinton Ave Corridor Special Improvement District
  • Woodland Cemetery Cleanup Project along Rose Terrace
  • Shutting down and relocation of families from 2 & 18 Strafford Avenue
  • Renovation of Hampton Valley Apartment at 138 Elizabeth Avenue

Supported the Hiring of over 450 Newark Police Officers Within the Last 3 Years and Promotions of Newark Police and Fire Personnel

Support for Coalition of Homeless Prevention for Veterans

Appointed by Mayor Ras J. Baraka
  • Support for South Ward Jackie Robinson Little League Pop Warner
  • Newark Liberty International Airport – Grand Opening of the United Service Organization Center for Veterans
  • New Veterans Homes being built on Hawthorne and Badger Avenue –  NFL Commissioner Goodall Participated
SOUTH WARD Ordinances and Funding Sponsored & Supported
  • Supported BAN THE BOX Ordinance (Employment applications cannot initially ask whether someone has been arrested or has a criminal history)
  • Voted for a Grant for International Youth Organization $18K
  • Voted for a Grant for Jackie Robinson Little League $10K
  • Voted for 30 year tax abatement for Hampton Valley Renovation Project
  • Voted for an audit of the Port Authority gross revenue
  • Voted to extend the grant for Homeless residents with disabilities $843k
  • Voted for a grant for the Bergen Street Redevelopment LLC
  • Voted to provide services to coordinate, manage and administer the Newark Model Neighborhood initiative
  • Voted in support of the Mural projects throughout the South Ward and City of Newark
  • Voted in support of the 2015-17 Annual budgets for the BLC Special Improvement District Budget amount $401k
  • Voted to support NJHMFA – A Low income Housing tax Credit Application for 27 rental units to be located at 505 Clinton Ave
  • Voted in support of the Noah’s Ark Community Development Corp $100k
  • Voted in support of the Municipal ID’s to help residents apply for resources which require Identification documents
  • Voted in favor of creating a Public Safety Department by merging Police and Fire Departments to cut cost and improve response time and efficient use of equipment
  • Supported Weequahic High School winning the Soul Bowl and State GROUP 1 Championship
  • Supported Malcolm X Shabazz High School Football Team
  • Supported Malcolm X Shabazz High School Honor Society
  • Supported and Spoke at University High School Mock Trial Day
  • Honor Ceremony for the Veterans residing at Genesis Building at 570 Clinton Ave
  • Supported the Dayton Area Coalition Seminars
  • Support and work with the South Ward Clergy Alliance providing faith based assistance throughout the South Ward
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PO Box 22107, 2 Federal Sq.
Newark, NJ 07102
Office // 973.733.3753
Mobile // 973.991.8876
info @ johnsharpejames.com

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