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

• Property values increased for all maintained properties in the ward while City taxes were not increased in 2022 for first time in decades.
• Over 400 new/renovated homes and construction projects during eight (8) years in office.
  Voted to extend the grant ($843K) for homeless residents with disabilities.
• Supported creation of Office of Tenant Legal Services which assisted thousands of South Ward families facing housing issues.
• Spoke before Port Authority of NY/NJ (PA) to get $2 billion dollar PATH extension project funding placed into Port Authority Capital Improvement budget.
• Newark councilman defends proposed $1.5B PATH extension after ‘attack’ by state pols – NJ.com
• Advocates push for PATH line to Newark Airport (northjersey.com)
• Coordinated with Newark Housing Authority Director and NJPAC representatives to support demolition of Seth Boyden and construction of new housing with six (6) movie studios.
• Movie Studios Might Come to Part of Newark’s Seth Boyden Terrace Site | Jersey Digs
• Supported transformation of shuddered Miller Street School into state of the art facility for those residents without addresses.
• Newark To Transform Former Elementary School Into 24,000-Square-Foot Homeless Shelter And Services Center – CBS New York (cbslocal.com)

Recreation in South Ward

• Supported renovations of all City owned Ward Parks.
• Supported Weequahic Park field renovations, Children play area renovations and brand New $4.5 Million Dollar Senior Community Center.
• New Community Center Building Could Help Weequahic Park Become Epicenter of South Ward | Newark, NJ News TAPinto
• Supported renovation and transformation of Green Acres Park into Bo Porter Sports Complex.
• Cards: Marquis ”Bo” Porter Sports Complex (newarknj.gov)
• Supported construction of $11 Million Dollar Newark Housing Authority Training and Recreation Center on Ludlow Street.
• Newark Opens $11M Community Center In South Ward [PHOTOS] | Newark, NJ Patch
• Supported positive programs at all Ward recreation locations including transportation from Bo Porter Complex to JFK Pool and Recreation Center

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)

• Donated $1,500 to Weequahic Sports Authority for a Bouncy House.
• Donated over $1,000 to Leaders for Life for computers and training.
• Donated $2,200 To University High School for Student Scholarships
• Donated $2,000 To Shabazz High School 2021 Senior Class
• South Ward Councilman John Sharpe James Donates $2,000 to the Shabazz Senior Class of 2021 – Newark Board of Education (nps.k12.nj.us)
• Donated $2,250 To University High School for Student Scholarship Program
• Donated $800.00 to Weequahic High School Marching Band for instruments
• Donated $42,000 to IYO – International Youth Organization to cover replacement of stolen air conditioners and repairs for broken boilers so that education programs could continue.
• Supported Brick Education Network in obtaining Millions in grants dollars for South Ward students and resident services.
• South Ward Promise Neighborhood | Brick Academy (brickeducation.org)
• Brick Education Network Receives $2 Million Grant from Harlem Children’s Zone | Newark, NJ News TAPinto
• Supported Working Kitchens program which delivered over 200,000 meals to South Ward residents during Covid 19 Pandemic.

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

• 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