February 28, 2008 - 1:33pm
Political insider Sayegh goes for council in his hometown
By Max Pizarro
Ward Six Council candidate Andre Sayegh addresses the governing body on Tuesday evening.
PATERSON - Among those lining up in the Sixth Ward to succeed Councilman Thomas C. Rooney, Jr., 33-year old Andre Sayegh has the coveted endorsement of the departing ward icon.
President of the Paterson School Board and a native Patersonian who has lived in the ward his whole life, Sayegh is one in a field of prospective candidates that includes Javier Fernandez, Eddie Gonzalez, Cunnur Kalaksiz, Jose Moore and Illia Villanueva (who’s run for council and lost four times), according to the Paterson City Clerk’s office. Eliacar Montoya has also filed, sources say.
"I’m already certified," said Sayegh. "I have over 1,000 signatures, when 93 were required."
A Lebanese Catholic who graduated summa cum laude from Seton Hall University before receiving a Master’s degree in public policy and administration from Columbia University, Sayegh teaches history at William Paterson University and psychology at Passaic County Community College. He has served as chief of staff to state Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) from 2004-22007, and as a field worker for U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8).
Broken into three sections, Paterson’s Sixth Ward contains the Lakview section, which is a mixture of Latinos, Italians, Jamaicans and Arabs; People’s Park, which is mostly Latino; and South Paterson, which has the country’s second largest concentration of Arab-Americans after Dearborn, MI.
Proud to have Rooney’s endorsement, Sayegh said of the retiring councilman, "He’s a paragon of civic virtue. People ask me if I’m going to be the next Tom Rooney, and I tell them that’s impossible. When I get on the council, I’m going to propose we legally change his first name to ‘councilman.’"
Rooney has great faith in the young man he backs to succeed him. "I’ve known Andre for years, through his involvement in the community as president of the Sixth Ward Neighborhood Association and other activities," said Rooney. "He’s very intelligent, and wrapped up in Paterson in a way very few people are. I don’t know if he’s as conservative as I am - but then, no one is."
Sayegh’s educational background particularly impresses the 80-year old councilman.
"The thing about this job that’s important to remember is that people can be highly emotional," said Rooney. " You must be careful not to make a commitment to anyone before you hear the other side of the story. You have to reserve judgement until you get all of the facts."
Sayegh said he wants to continue Rooney’s legacy of holding the line against tax abatements and working to get rateables for the city. He wants to find ways to improve Paterson’s thriving business district and encourage residents to shop locally at the farmer’s market.
"I’m appealing to people in all areas," said the candidate. "We may speak many languages, but we have to speak in one voice."
Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres said he will likely remain neutral in the Ward Six race, which happens to be his home ward.
"Andre’s very admirable," said the mayor. "He has a good resume. But it’s street smarts that get you the win in local races. It comes down to knocking on doors and letting people feel you."
Sayegh points out that he was the top vote getter in School Board races last year, and claims he has already worn out six pairs of shoes as he gathers signatures for his council run. "Our goal is to amass 2008 signatures," said the candidate.
None of Sayegh’s prospective opponents returned phone calls. The deadline for petitions is March 20.
"If Andre sinks his teeth into this, he can do a very good job," said Rooney. "He will work until he drops."
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Sayegh the Hack
As Paterson's School Board President he avidly supported and came to the defense of an inept carpetbagger in District Superintendent Michael Glascoe and was ejected from a Passaic Couty Democratic Organization rally last year for attempting to sell tickets to a rally of his own last year to State Senator John Girgenti while he was at the podium!
Oh yeah, now there's the right man for the job!
"Liberals are people who will believe anything...twice."- William F. Buckley
Sayegh IS the right man for the job
For the record, under Dr. Glascoe test scores and graduation rates increased. Moreover, for the first time in over a decade a standard curriculum was adopted and summarily implemented. The aforementioned facts are irrefutable and indisputable therefore the word "inept" is inappropriate in this matter.
In addition, Andre Sayegh did not attempt to sell Senator Girgenti tickets to his own rally while the State legislator was at the podium - nor was he ejected from the event. Let's stop the dissemination of erroneous information.
I am looking forward to the day that Andre Sayegh is sworn in as the next Sixth Ward City Councilman!
Hanna from Manassas, VA.
Andre Sayegh did not attempt to sell Senator Girgenti tickets to his own rally while the State legislator was at the podium - nor was he ejected from the event. Let's stop the dissemination of erroneous information.
Yes, he did. I'm not in the business of making stuff up. I've been covering the Paterson Public School System for a long time and I state nothing but the facts.
Furthermore, how would you know any of this from all the way in Manassas, Virginia? Of what interest is his candidacy for a council seat in Paterson to someone like you?
You must be one of Michael Glascoe's carpetbagger friends.
"Liberals are people who will believe anything...twice."- William F. Buckley
Street smarts?
Andre got his street smarts from wearing a uniform at St Brendan's in Clifton and Depaul HS in Wayne. However, he is smart. Andre has put his education out there for the public record. He works hard. But, he needs to listen more to a greater number of people and act accordingly. The 6th Ward field has a wealth of talent. One would hope that the candidates who are not elected continue to make Paterson better by using their individual skills. Good luck to all of the folks who put their name on the ballot at any level of government. This democracy is serious business and sure beats the hell out of armed revolution to overthrow the people in power.
Andre Sayegh - Fraud, Fake and Corruption
He abandoned is position at the senator's office in a crucial time, He is abandoning the kids at a crucial time. He wants to use the Sixth ward as a stepping stone to get to a higher office. The school system under his care is a failure. He knew the budget had cut after school and Arab programs: he got a "vote of confidence" from the city council for Dr. Glascoe after the budget, then he turned and vote against Dr. Glascoe to let the voters believe he is against Dr. Glascoe. He is a hypocrite! He tried to get the City Council to past a bill where his Alliance will gain control of the abandoned houses in Paterson and rent or resell it for a higher price. They rejected it. A week ago Ex. Newark mayor was sentence for this kind of corruption. He goes to the Muslims and pretended to be one of them for their votes then he came and stated to the Christian he is not one of them he is a catholic. In a local newspaper (Paterson pulse) he was asked a question and said Jesus is not the way to God...he was asked again, but that's not what the bible said. He stated that's not true, the paper quoted him as saying "I don't believe that no one get to God by Jesus, no. I believe the Muslim is going to heaven, I believe the Jews are going to heaven and if you are a good person you are going to heaven," Mr. Sayegh said. The reporter said but if you are a true Christian that's not what the bible said. He refuses to admit it. The newspaper has a number (212 340 1862) where they posted his live comments about Jesus in a recording. He is a hypocrite evens to (not his) but the Christian faith. People like him is the reason, the Christian faith is removed for everywhere as he dosent want Jesus to offend other religions. He is a Muslim in Christian clothing. At least be honest. But speaking this way against the bible gets him his Muslim votes which in turn will get them favor. Lets remember 4 years ago, Councilman Rooney was caught in a web where he appointed one of his other best friend (who has raped a young child) to government office, he was caught and never removed his friend, he then appointed another alleged child molester to the position, both resigned when discovered. Now he is endorsing a person who is a clear failure and a blasphemer of the bible, who made himself above God. When would the corruption and favoritism in Paterson end? As far as Illia Villanueva and since we are on the bible. Was it not the bible that said "I did not pick you because you are better that they (he) I picked you because they (he) are (is) worst that you". Lastly, not listed in this post is Mayor Torres's statement that Illia is a very crediable person, her work for the poor and the community speaks for itself, she has done an excellent job. I am supprise why this writer left that out and since Illia's direct number is now public info, how come he stated he could not reach her for a comment? humm... Good luck to both candidates.