Mayor Healy Taps Kalimah Ahmad as Councilwoman Willie Flood’s Preferred Replacement

By • Feb 3rd, 2011 • Category: Blog, News, Politics

In a statement released a few minutes ago, Jersey City mayor Jerramiah Healy confirmed the news of At-Large councilwoman Willie Flood’s resignation, which we broke this morning, and said he is recommending Jersey City attorney Kalimah Ahmad to fill the vacancy.

“After a lengthy deliberation and consultation with my family, I have come to the decision that at this time I will step down from my position as an At-Large councilperson on the Jersey City Municipal Council effective immediately,” Flood’s resignation letter reads. “The reason for this decision is to focus on my personal health, family, and other responsibilities as the Hudson County Registrar.”

“I want to first thank Councilwoman Flood for her many years of service to the people of Jersey City,” Healy says in a statement. “She has been a great advocate for the city and we are grateful for her hard work and dedication.”

Ahmad is a lifelong resident of Jersey City who owns a solo legal practice based in Journal Square, The Law Office of Kalimah H. Ahmad, Esq., where she specializes in civil rights, entertainment, criminal and redevelopment law. She currently serves as Hudson County’s assistant counsel, and as counsel for Irvington’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Hudson County Schools of Technology Foundation. Ahmad is also the regional director of the Garden State Bar Association and is a trustee for the Jersey City-based Educational Arts Team.

“I am honored that Mayor Healy and the City Council are considering me for this position, and if confirmed, look forward to continuing to serve the community and work along with the council on the important issues facing our city,” Ahmad says in a statement. “Councilwoman Flood is a legendary pillar in the Jersey City community and someone who I’ve looked up to and would be honored to follow in her footsteps.”

Ahmad must be confirmed by the City Council. By law, the council is given 30 days from the date of Flood’s resignation to appoint a replacement, or they could leave the seat vacant until November. If an appointee is chosen, he or she will serve until November, at which point a special election for the seat will be held.

“Kalimah not only has an excellent resume and extensive experience as an attorney, she also has been active in her community for many years,” Healy says his statement. “We believe that she is an excellent candidate for this important seat on the City Council and are hopeful that she will be confirmed.”

Photo of Ahmad via her Twitter account

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is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.
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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CFAAIUOGOKT6SCIDNSTUXMYTJI Anonymous

    So they are not even going through the motions of having people apply this time.

  • http://twitter.com/seamussullivan seamus sullivan

    hmmm how many candidates did Healy even meet with prior to recommending Ms. Ahmad to fill the vacancy?! this is just more back room politics we’ve been forced to accept by this bumbling administration.
    VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ARMDS3EYX46K2BZC6GRRCNCUEI Riaz W

      if people VOTE, we won’t be in this situation. CivicJC or similar organization should have meetings with community activists to find solutions to encourage people to vote.

      • http://www.google.com/profiles/jpifer Jayson

        Can we move past the rote VOTE pleas? Voting is a necessary but insufficient condition to improve our plight. People voted and we are still in this situation. Next suggestion, please.

  • Anonymous

    Wonderful. Another crony is born. Another Jersey City Council member who owes their seat, and allegiance, to Mayor Healy.
    And now we see that, apparently, race and gender are the most important factors guiding the Mayor’s decision-making process when selecting replacement council members. Kenny resigns, and Donnelly replaces him. Vega resigns, and Velazquez is the replacement. Flood resigns, and Ahmad is the replacement. Merit, then, takes a back seat to appeasing voting blocs. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with the workings of Healy and the HCDO.