Torres submits appointments to newly established recreation commission
By Jayed Rahman
Published: July 9, 2015
Eight people have been picked to serve on the city’s newly created recreation commission. The city council has selected two people while mayor Jose “Joey” Torres has picked five residents.
Torres has also selected Benjie Wimberly as the chairman of the board. The commission which was created with the intention to bring in more money for the city’s recreation programs by charging folks who utilize the municipal parks and fields is made up of seven members and one chairperson.
The nominations are as follows:
• Tamra Scudder appointed term from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2016.
• Roberto Maldonado appointed term from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2017
• Carlos R. Rufino, alternate, appointed term from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2017
• Yunior Fermin, alternate, appointed term from July 1st, 2015 to June 30th 2016
• Kevin Benjamin appointed term from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2018
• Anthony Carter appointed term from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2019
• Keith Davis appointed term from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2019
• And Wimberly as chairperson for the board from July 1st, 2015 through June 30th, 2016.
The council which gets two appointments and both alternate commissioners selected Rufino and Fermin. Rufino is the owner of Bravo Supermarket on East 15th Street and Fermin is an engineering technician at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Scudder is a contract coordinator for Northstar Media in Secaucus.
Maldonado is a 30-year city resident who works at the Spencer Savings Bank. He is also a musician specializing in South American music and art.
Benjamin is a fitness professional and a neighbor to the mayor. Carter is a child therapist and is a longtime little league coach, according to his resume.
Davis is a basketball coach and serves as the president of the Paterson Midget Basketball League (PMBL).
Wimberly is the city’s recreation coordinator, longtime football coach, and New Jersey assemblyman.
Torres’ appointments to the commission which was created last October require approval from the council. The appointments are up for approval during the next regular session of the governing body.