A.J., as he is known, came to City Hall in 2006 with the administration of Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs. Jalloh and Barbara James, who had both worked in Assemblyman Jerry Green's office, began employment in City Hall under a newly-created title, confidential aide. James became the confidential aide of the mayor and Jalloh was the aide of City Administrator Carlton McGee.
McGee left at the end of October 2006 and was succeeded in January 2007 by Marc Dashield, who apparently did not require a confidential aide. Eventually Jalloh joined the clerk's office and earned his credentials as a Registered Municipal Clerk. Public service seems to be a family value, as Jalloh's brother, Mohamed S. Jalloh, won a Union County freeholder seat in the November 2009 general election and took office for a three-year term Jan. 1.
The handsome and personable A.J. has by now had a few local elections under his belt, as well as some of the other major tasks of the clerk's office, such as dealing with annual reviews of more than three dozen liquor licenses. While some get renewed without problems, the process can drag on as stragglers pay up their state tax arrears or resolve other issues.
It remains to be seen whether he wants to become the municipal clerk, a daunting and relentless job for a young man. Retiring City Clerk Laddie Wyatt came to the job after more than 20 years' service with the Board of Education. Her predecessor, Emilia Stahura, had served in City Hall for many years before rising to the title of municipal clerk.
The coming year seems to be shaping up as one that will hold many transitions. We will all just have to wait and see how things unfold. Meanwhile, running the clerk's office day to day is on the shoulders of Deputy Clerk Abubakar Jalloh. If you're in City Hall, stop by and give him a word of encouragement. It's not an easy job.
--Bernice
Again, congratulations to Laddie Wyatt for her decades of service to the City of Plainfield. Good luck to A.J. with whatever he decides to do.
ReplyDeleteHere's some words for AJ... RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN! GET OUT!
ReplyDeleteThis is nice Bernice. In a City with so much negativity, I imagine it can get pretty stressful working down at City Hall. I'll take it one step further If you are down at City Hall you should give EVERY city employee some words of encouragement, they ALL need it!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck AJ, there isn't anything you can't handle! We all are very proud of you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats AJ, You are the man, I wish you the very best in any and all endeavors. I know you will be successful. May I be the first to say "Mr. Clerk".
ReplyDeleteA young successful positive black male = JEALOUSY & HATE!!! Be careful, people will talk about you, throw mud on your name! You name it they will try it! Keep your head up and keep that Million Dollar smile and no one will ever be able to keep you down!
ReplyDeleteTo 10:11: Your comment may be right on target but also libelous. Your name was not on it, but my name is on this blog and if your comment is actionable, guess who will catch hell for it.
ReplyDeleteBernice, you rule!
ReplyDeleteSiddeeq W. El-Amin
There were SEVERAL qualified black persons who would have handled the job well. I wish them all the best, but they will now probably move to bigger and better things
ReplyDeleteI think AJ is a great addition to City Hall. While Laddie deserves much credit for her hard work, it is now time for fresh perspective, and hopefully some new and updated ideas of how to run the City Clerk's office. Hope it includes updated technology. Good luck AJ, you were fortunate to have a wonderful mentor in Ms. Wyatt.
ReplyDeleteWhile A.J. holds certification as a Registered Municipal Clerk, I think he still has to be appointed to the title of Municipal Clerk by the governing body. So far, he just gets to have his name on the legal notices and deal with all the aggravation of day-to-day life in the City Clerk's office. So save some congratulations for later on, if he goes on to attain the title.
ReplyDelete