New mayor deserves a chance but one man will not change Trenton alone
Mayor Reed Gusciora posed for a photo Sunday with church member, Linda Gundy, and myself then offered his joke.
“People are gonna see this photo and think that it’s fake news,” Gusciora offered, as an attendee for the Triumphant Life Community Church “Community Day” barbecue.
The first-term mayor alluded likely to several columns written about his early performance. It’s early and any jury deliberations about Gusciora will need a year or perhaps longer. This mayor hustles and that’s always a positive.
A personal truth connects to the fact that Trenton has been my home for almost 35 years. It’s been in steady decline for most of that time although our digression gained speed during the latter years of former Mayor Douglas H. Palmer a pathetic effort by Mayor Tony Mack and an uninspiring performance by his successor, Mayor Eric Jackson.
I never root against Trenton, based on a belief that one day residents will understand their power and turn this place into a beautiful city.
Skepticism and cynicism have attempted invasions but for the most part, Mr. Gusciora enjoys a wide berth regarding his election and mission to move Trenton forward.
New leaders almost always cultivate dreams of revitalization and positive outcomes. Essentially, an election parallels marriage which gives Mayor Gusciora a 50-50 chance of accomplishing his campaign promises.
What rankles is this idea that one man will change Trenton. So many people placed their faith in Mack, mind you, he received about 7,300 votes in his 2010 runoff election win against Manny Segura.
Gusciora earned 4524 votes in defeating challenger Paul Perez, not exactly a mandate in this capital city of an alleged 39,000 registered voters where residents have detached from government.
Mayor Jackson held power to push a number of envelopes yet he never produced an energy necessary for effective change. Residents felt disappointed, almost abandoned by a man they had offered support for.
People should realize that we have the power for immediate revitalization in our homes, on our streets and in our lives. We place such significance in individuals based on the sheer fact that many of us refuse to take responsibility for our human condition.
Of course, governments have a significant role in offering safety, employment opportunities and recreation for citizens but at the end of the day, most positive changes result in individuals taking control of their life.
Mayor Reed Gusciora will end up as a scapegoat should his administration not deliver real change although we should adhere to that wonderful Michael Jackson anthem where change starts with the “Man (Woman) in the Mirror.”
“And no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.