Another new candidate enters Trenton mayoral race
TRENTON » Michael Silvestri is not a known commodity in city politics.
But the Trenton resident announced his candidacy for mayor on Friday, after seeing the city the past eight years suffer “excessive damage at the hands of the previous and current administration.”
“Essential positions pertaining to public safety and health and the well-being of the residents suffered as these positions are not fully staffed since the mass lay off in 2011,” Silvestri said in a statement. “If I am so fortunate to become the mayor of Trenton I intend to fully staff Trenton Police, Public Works and Trenton Water Works Departments.” Silvestri joins a race that so far includes Trenton Councilman Alex Bethea, 2014 mayoral runner-up Paul Perez, and most likely current Mayor Eric Jackson. First-term Mayor Jackson has yet to formally announce his re-election bid but he has told The Trentonian he plans to run.
Other issues on Silvestri’s mind are education, redevelopment and public safety.
“The Trenton public education system is broken,” the newest mayoral candidate said. “Our children deserve quality education that is ‘state of the art’ and the school buildings need to be updated. No longer will the Trenton public school system be considered second class.”
Silvestri said the city needs to “handle the high crime, violence, drug activity and gang activity” in order increase jobs and education. He pledges to hire an additional 100 cops if elected.
“We are jeopardizing the future of our city while the activity is consuming our streets, neighborhoods, residents and children,” he said. “The time is now for us to take back our city, 2018 is the time for a real change and that change begins with the voters deciding if they want the city to remain the same or have the city be resurrected.”
The Trenton municipal elections will take place in May.