City council approves mayor Torres’ appointments to the new recreation commission
By Jayed Rahman
Published: July 15, 2015
Eight people have been approved to serve on the city’s newly created recreation commission which seeks to collect fees at municipal parks and fields to boost recreation spending in the municipality.
The commission consists of a seven-member board and a chairman. Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres appointed Benjie Wimberly, recreation coordinator, to serve as chairman, while charging five others to serve as commissioners.
Two alternative members were selected by the council.
The appointments 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 appointed Rufino and Fermin both of whom will serve as alternatives on the board. Rufino owns the Bravo Supermarket on East 15th Street and Fermin is an engineering technician at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, according to their respective resumes.
Scudder works as 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, who lives on Arlington Avenue, 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 a longtime football coach and New Jersey assemblyman who represents the state’s 35th Legislative District which includes Paterson.
Torres’ appointments were made in cooperation with the mayor, said city officials. City council president William McKoy said the mayor took recommendations from members of the governing body prior to making appointments.
Law director Dominick Stampone explained on Tuesday evening that the manner in which the commission was created requires the mayor make the appointments with the consent and advise of the council.
Many of the appointments were put forward by council members and simply appointed by Torres.
“Are all the members being appointed by the mayor?” asked community leader Waheeda Muhammed.
McKoy answered the mayor graciously allowed council members to submit their recommendations which were mostly taken into account. Muhammed wanted to know which council members selected which of the appointees, but council members did not voluntarily reveal that information.
Torres’ five appointments and the council’s two appointments to the commission which was created late last year were approved on Tuesday evening.