CHIAPPONE, SMITH TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE ON JANUARY 8

CHIAPPONE, SMITH TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE ON JANUARY 8
New Legislative Teammates Strong Advocates for Hudson County

(TRENTON) – Hudson County residents gained two new advocates in state government when Assemblymen-elect Anthony Chiappone and Harvey Smith took their oaths of office on January 8 to represent the 31st Legislative District in the General Assembly.

Chiappone, 50, and Smith, 60, were sworn-in at the War Memorial, across the street from the State House in Trenton.  They are among 12 first-term Assembly Democrats to take their oaths at the noontime organization proceedings for the 213 Legislature.

The Assemblymen bring proven experience and leadership skills to the Legislature; Smith is a former state Senator and Chiappone is a former Assemblyman. They will serve alongside Senator-elect Sandra Cunningham (D-Jersey City).

“It’s exciting to once again have an opportunity to serve Hudson County in state government,” said Smith (D-Jersey City), who served in the Senate in 2003. “It’s an honor and privilege to have the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of state residents.”

“It’s a good feeling to return to the Legislature where so many important decisions are made to help senior citizens, families with school-aged children and the business community,” said Chiappone (D-Bayonne), who served in the Assembly during the 2004-2005 session. “Working together, there are many things that we can accomplish in the months and years ahead.”

Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden) praised the new legislative team’s profession credentials and their shared experience in public service and civic circles.

“Assemblymen Chiappone and Smith have already distinguished themselves in government service and they bring proven leadership skills to their respective offices,” said Roberts. “I  welcome them to the 213th Legislature and am confident they will serve with dedication and distinction.”

Smith currently serves as a Hudson County under sheriff, a position he has held since 2004.

He was a member of the Jersey City Municipal Council from 1993 to 2005, serving four of those years as council president.

Smith was selected to fill a state Senate vacancy in November 2003, following former Senator Joseph Charles’ resignation to become a state Superior Court judge. Smith served until January 2004.

He also served as Acting Mayor of Jersey City from May to November 2004, following the death of Glenn Cunningham.

A teacher by profession and a former assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, Smith received a bachelor’s degree in 1973 from Long Island University, where he concentrated on health and physical education. He received a master’s degree in counseling from Jersey City State College – now New Jersey City University – in 1993.

An at-large member of the Bayonne City Council, Chiappone currently serves as a Commissioner of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, Chairman of the council’s Cable  TV Committee and is a member of the Community Development Block Grant Committee and the Urban Enterprise Zone Committee. He also serves on the Bayonne Economic Development Corporation, the Board of School Estimate, and the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation. He founded the civic watchdog group REACT (REsponsible ACTion in Government, the First Ward Civic Association, and the Bayonne Civic Association.

As a member of the Assembly in the 2004-2005 session, Chiappone served on committees  for Housing and Local Government, Senior Issues, and Telecommunications and Utilities. He also has been actively involved in local issues in his capacity as producer of a cable television program, “Bayonne Sunnyside Up,” and "Bayonne Public Forum" which cover local community events and issues.

Chiappone attended York College in New York and Jersey City State College, where he majored in media arts

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