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Abdelaziz, once an arch-enemy, backs Sayegh for Paterson mayor | Paterson Times

Abdelaziz, once an arch-enemy, backs Sayegh for Paterson mayor

Al-Abdelaziz

South Paterson community leader Al Abdelaziz, who ran a ferocious campaign against councilman Andre Sayegh two years ago, has decided to back him for mayor. His endorsement significantly boosts the mayoral candidate’s chances of capturing the entire Arab voting bloc.

“We buried the hatched to work for what’s best for the 6th Ward,” said Abdelaziz on Thursday morning. He said Sayegh has agreed to take on some of his ideas like running a police substation out of the South Paterson Library on Main Street. “I know firsthand his work ethic and his passion for Paterson. It is time for Paterson to have a mayor who believes in Paterson’s future and who will fight for that future.”

Sayegh said he was “very proud” to have Abdelaziz in his “corner.”

“Al was a formidable opponent in 2016 and I know he cares deeply about the future of our city. Even as opponents, we shared a love for Paterson and a commitment to its people,” said Sayegh.

Abdelaziz backed Sayegh in his abortive 2014 mayoral run. Two years later, he received the moral and financial support of former mayor Jose “Joey” Torres to oust Sayegh from the 6th Ward council seat.

Both men had a tough time piecing together their relationship following the election. If Sayegh gets elected as mayor, Abdelaziz has the chance to run again for the 6th Ward council seat.

“I think it’s too premature,” said Abdelaziz when asked if he plans to run for the 6th Ward in the event of a vacancy. “You don’t count your chickens before the eggs hatch.”

Sayegh will have to give up his council seat if elected mayor which will trigger a special election.

Abdelaziz plans to work on getting the votes out for Sayegh. He is also known for running successful fundraisers. “We’re going to hit the ground running,” he said.

There is no clear way to measure how much support each of the six men running for mayor have among the city’s Arab community. However, Sayegh has an upper hand, for he is ethnically Arab.

Sayegh though is not Muslim. Majority of the Arabs in South Paterson are Muslim. His wife is Muslim.

When asked which candidates are likely to get the biggest portions of the Arab vote, Abdelaziz replied, “I don’t know.”

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  • jack frost

    FIRST OFF YOU HAVE TO CLEAN HOUSE FROM THE DPW ON DOWN TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT
    WORKERS. 2. START PAYING A LIVING WAGE SO THE TOWN WORKERS CARE.3. START DOING THINGS IN HOUSE WITH ROAD REPAIRS LIKE OTHER TOWNS DO. 4TH. DON'T HOLD ON TO THE DPW TRUCKS FOR SO LONG.**** OTHER TOWNS SELL THEM AT AUCTIONS WHEN THEY ARE STILL WORTH SOMETHING AND NOT READY FOR THE SCRAP YARD.5TH. HOLD DPW WORKERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE TRUCKS AND NOT SMASH THEM UP WHEN THERE BRAND NEW. THESE TRUCKS RUN IN THE $50,000 + RANGE. 6TH. CLEAN THE CITY UP AT ALL ENTRANCES TO THE CITY OF PATERSON. WHEN SOMEONE ENTERS PATERSON JUST LOOK AT WHAT THEY SEE: GARBAGE,WE BY HOUSES FOR CASH AND WE BUY JUNK CARS. THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT. ***
    GO TO FAIRLAWN, ELMWOOD PARK AND HAWTHORNE. DO YOU SEE THAT? NO
    PATERSON IS GOOD WITH ALOT OF GOOD FOOD AND HARD WORKING PEOPLE. HEY EVERY TOWN HAS BAD APPLES IN THEM. PATERSON IS 15 MIN FOR NY AND LOOK AT NEWARK: CHANGING THERE GAME AND GROWING.

    • Dave Gilmore

      Gotta love your analysis…

      • jack frost

        DAVE ITS TRUE. 10 TO 15 MIN FROM NY. PATERSON SHOULD BE BUILDING LIKE CRAZY AND BRINGING JOBS THERE. NY RENT IS HIGH AND COMPANIES HAVE BEEN MOVING TO BERGEN COUNTY AND NOT PATERSON. NEWARK IS IN THE TOP 3 FOR A NEW CORP0RATE OFFICE FOR AMAZON. WHY NOT PATERSON . HERE IS THE REASON WHY: THEY NEVER PUT PATERSON IN THE HAT FOR AMAZON TO OPEN A CORPORATE OFFICE. I HATE TO TELL YOU YOU MAY NEED A OUTSIDER TO CHANGE PATERSON. A REAL SHAME. I WAS THERE TODAY JUST FOR THE FOOD AND LOOK AT THE GREAT WOMEN. MAIN STREET 2 YRS AGO I HIT SOMEONE IN THE REAR BUMPER OF THERE CAR DO TO YOU KNOW WHAT. **ALLLLLLL GOOOOOOD. WORTH THE SURCHARGE FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

      • jack frost

        DAVE ALSO. I LOVE PATERSON SO MUCH AND I HAVE BEEN IN CONSTRUCTION FROM ROAD CONSTRUCTION, BRIDGE BUILDING AND INTERIOR BUILDING THAT I WOULD MOVE THERE. LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT WHERE I LIVE. 40 MIN FROM PATERSON ALL ALL MY WORK IS IN BERGEN COUNTY. SO I PASS P-TOWN EVERYDAY ON RT.80. WHEN I COME HOME I OPEN THE GARAGE OPENER AND GO INSIDE. GUESS WHAT THE KEYS ARE IN THE CAR. NP AT ALL. NONE OF MY DOORS ARE LOCKED IN MY HOUSE. I AM WILLING TO GIVE ALL THIS UP FOR PATERSON. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I SEE A VISION FOR PATERSON AND IT CAN HAPPEN. NEVER SAY CAN'T. IT CAN

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