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After 23 years of service as the city’s clerk, Robert Byrne is being honored by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey for his work ensuring the rights of residents and government transparency in a time when transparency seems to be missing at all levels of government.

Ever humble, Byrne says he’s honored by the award, but adds, “I’m just the face of my office. It’s really the people in my office who are pulling on the rope every day.”

On their website, the ACLU-NJ website explains of the award, “For every official who gets called out for public misdeeds, there are scores of unsung heroes working for our government who quietly do their best to ensure the rights of the citizens they serve.”

The ACLU-NJ notes how Byrne ensures public records are made available in a timely manner– an essential feature of a transparent government– while also posting the city council agenda in its entirety along with minutes from meetings on the city’s website. His stewardship of council meetings, where he ensures residents are able to maintain communication with their local representatives, was also cited as deserving of praise.

Byrne, meanwhile, continues to work towards these goals even outside of his personal professional responsibilities. Recalling a recent meeting at the Eagleton Institute of Politics– an organization out of Rutgers University that assesses the state of politics– he says he heard stories about how residents of different municipalities couldn’t get a copy of council resolutions that were under discussion. Despite having to rush down to the meeting that day, Byrne says he made sure every resolution and ordinance was posted online that day, six days ahead of the meeting.

The ACLU-NJ is also recommending Byrne be involved in a statewide initiative undertaken by Senator Loretta Weinberg to increase government transparency, including tightening up the Open Public Records Act.

By her proposed standards, “Jersey City is already tightened up,” he explained. “We’re not going to feel any constrictions by [Weinberg's] proposed law.”