MADISON, NJ - Assemblyman John F. McKeon recently called on constituents to consider his offices as their offices, during a four-hour open house in which he hosted residents and local officials from across the 27th Legislative District.
McKeon moved his Assembly offices to 250 Main Street in Madison earlier this year, following last year's legislative redistricting in which several Morris municipalities were added to the 27th Legislative District that he represents, along with Senator Richard J. Codey and Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey.
Jasey attended the open house and grand opening.
Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley and Borough Council President Jeannie Tsukamoto, Livingston Mayor Stephen Santola and Deputy Mayor Rudy Fernandez, South Orange Village President Alex Torpey and Maplewood Deputy Mayor Kathleen Leventhal were among the local officials who attended.
West Orange Council Members Sal Anderson, Susan McCartney and Victor Cirilo, Madison Borough Councilwoman Carmela Vitale, and East Hanover Councilman Michael Martorelli were also present.
Mayor Conley cut the ceremonial red ribbon for the grand opening.
"I am very proud to have John McKeon represent Madison in Trenton and truly honored that he chose our community for his Assembly legislative office. We share our love for the environment including for open space and protecting trees. The Borough of Madison is actively engaged in pro-environmental initiatives like Arbor Day and May Day, of which Assemblyman McKeon has been very supportive. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship and to working together on a wide range of issues and to better serve the residents of Madison," Conley said.
"My offices are also your offices," McKeon (D-Morris\Essex) told his constituents. "Our doors are open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and we invite you to stop by our offices and to call on us for assistance and information. We also look forward to your phone calls and emails to let us know your thoughts and ideas on statewide and local issues including bills advancing into law. We are honored to represent Morris County in the Legislature and look forward to serving our new constituents as well as the residents of Essex."
Assemblyman McKeon's offices were previously located in South Orange on Sloan Street.
"I am happy to be here for Assemblyman McKeon's new office opening... John has been an advocate for South Orange residents, from marriage equality to the environment, and I know he will continue to champion our cause from his new offices in Madison for a long time," South Orange Village President Alex Torpey said.
"The residents of Chatham, Madison and the other new communities in the 27th District will be very pleased with Assemblyman McKeon's representation in the New Jersey General Assembly. I know first hand how effective and available he is to all the towns in his district," Santola said.
Following the ribbon cutting, there was a ceremonial lighting of the lamp for good luck, initiated by a Livingston resident and member of AILIV (Asian Indians in Livingston), Dr. Asha Samant.
"With the lighting of this lamp, we wish Assemblyman McKeon good luck in his new offices as he continues his public service," Samant said. "We commend him on his outreach to diverse communities including the Asian Indians in Livingston (AILIV)."
Livingston is home to one of the state's fastest-growing populations of Indian-Americans.
McKeon was joined by Jasey, Conley and Torpey for the lighting of the lamp. Dr. Sudhir Parikh, an Indian-American community leader and publisher of News India-Times and Desi Talk also participated.
"It is fitting that we light a lamp in keeping with our wish that Assemblyman McKeon's enlightened leadership continues to evolve, for the benefit of the people of New Jersey," Parikh said.
McKeon thanked his team headed by chief-of-staff Ronald P. Botelho for organizing a wonderful celebration. During the open house, he also introduced his recently appointed legislative director Lloyd Naideck to local officials and constituents.
Three student interns with the Office of Assemblyman McKeon, Emily Bary, Rob Coleman and William Abajian, also participated in the open house and the grand opening.
"Following redistricting, we felt it was important to move our legislative offices to Morris County to ensure that district-wide, residents have easy access to constituent services, by having an office located in their area," McKeon (D-Morris\Essex) said.
The redrawn District 27 comprises municipalities of Caldwell, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Essex Fells, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Livingston, Madison, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange, and West Orange.
Assemblywoman Jasey's office is located on 511 Valley Street in Maplewood. Senator Codey's office is at 66 W. Mount Pleasant Avenue in Livingston.
