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The original item was published from 2/2/2017 4:38:00 PM to 6/6/2017 8:05:00 AM.

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Posted on: February 2, 2017

[ARCHIVED] East Orange Mayor Lester Taylor Will Not Seek Re-Election

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February 2, 2017, East Orange, NJ: Mayor Lester Taylor has announced his intention not to run for re-election and will step down at the end of his four-year term. 


Taylor cited a commitment to his family as the principal reason for his decision:

“Over the past 4 years, there hasn't been a night that my children didn't ask Daddy will you be home before we go to bed; Daddy can you take us ice skating or to the park; or Daddy can you go on my field trip. Too often I let them down as my staff and I worked long hours to ensure we were getting our city back on the right track.   After some soul-searching and many conversations with my wife, I decided nothing should come before my family.


Taylor cited the progress the city has made during his tenure:

“We helped deliver a safer city – with the crime rate dropping by an average of 20% below the prior year for the past 3 years. We inherited a financial mess, but have since closed a $10 million deficit and stabilized taxes for the first time in over two decades. We created a $10 million fund balance which can provide much needed tax relief to our citizenry. Private investment in our city has more than quadrupled from $100 million to $400 million – increasing needed tax revenue and allowing us to clean up our city dramatically.  We are building in every ward of the city – ensuring that no community is left behind. We’ve revitalized recreational and health services – with a new golf course and a new hospital. We’ve turned a dysfunctional water commission into a fine utility.


Taylor underlined the need for the city to continue to its transformative efforts well into the future:

“While we have made great strides, there is still much to be done and I know we can keep making East Orange an even better place to live.  We must still work toward reducing crime, improving our schools, and making East Orange a destination city. I will do my best to work with my successor to ensure the transition is smooth and real progress continues into the future. I have been honored and humbled by the opportunity to represent our city – and look forward to proudly serving as a concerned citizen willing to contribute to finishing the path to “urban excellence.”


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