Jersey City CFO/Finance Director Bill Viqueira, Deputy Mayor of Housing and Urban Development Keshav Poddar, and Acting Communications Director Megan Malloy all submitted their resignations as the administration looks to chart a new path.
From left to right: Jersey City CFO Bill VIqueira photo via YouTube, Deputy Mayor Keshav Patel via City of Jersey City, and Acting Communications DIrector Megan Malloy via LinkedIn.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Jersey City is experiencing an affordability crisis which requires nothing short of excellence from my leadership team at City Hall. One that is laser focused on ensuring our city finances stabilize, keeping the people of this city in their homes, and ensuring we are improving city services in every corner of this city, Mayor James Solomon said in a statement.
“I appreciate the work Bill, Keshav, and Megan have done during their tenure and wish them well in their next chapter. We are now focused on a new vision and leadership needed for the work ahead.”
Solomon also noted that with the Canal Crossing project approved by the City Council, the administration is going to prioritize more immediate affordable housing construction.
Viqueira, a former NJ Transit CFO/treasurer and Gateway Development Commission senior advisor, was hired at the end of January, as HCV first reported, and had the unenviable task of being a focal point in remedying the city’s quarter billion dollar deficit.
Recently, he explained the city’s Corrective Action Plan to the City Council, where he said “the city does not have an accounting of its fixed assets,” recently dealing with some angry electeds at Monday’s caucus meeting over accelerated tax sales.
Viqueira was hired at the beginning of the year for a salary of $190,000, according to public records.
“It has been a privilege to serve Jersey City and to have worked alongside Mayor Solomon during an important time for the City,” Viqueira noted.
“ I am confident the work underway will continue to create opportunities for Jersey City to grow while delivering for its residents.”
Poddar, the executive director of Solomon’s transition team and one of the administration’s earliest hires, was in charge of leading development projects throughout the city, with a focus on building affordable housing on projects such as Canal Crossing.
“Serving the people of Jersey City has been a privilege. I have appreciated working alongside so many dedicated public servants and being a part of the City’s work to build more affordable housing,” he said Thursday morning.
The first high-profile departure at Jersey City City Hall this week was Corporation Counsel Sarah Levine, who submitted her resignation on Tuesday and will stay on board until November 20th, as HCV first reported.
Two weeks prior, Communications Director Nathaniel Styer and the city parted ways, with Malloy briefly stepping in as Styer’s successor before leaving City Hall. Malloy was previously the city’s digital director.
“I’m thankful to Mayor Solomon for the opportunity to serve as Jersey City’s Digital Director,” she said.
“It’s been a privilege to uplift the stories of residents at a time when transparency and responsiveness is of the utmost importance. I am grateful for my time with the City and to have been a part of that work.”
In the interim, Kyle Greaves will serve as acting finance director, Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione will be the acting press secretary, and Housing and Economic Development Director Annisia Cialone will continue leading the city’s housing efforts.
Therefore, Poddar will not be replaced on an interim basis, if at all.
The city will launch a search for its next finance director, with the administration focused on building on the progress made and finding the right leader to continue strengthening the city’s finances, identifying new sources of revenue, and addressing outstanding financial and audit matters.
Those interested can research job opportunities here.
