Ceremony matters.
Despite an Op-Ed by Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora that dismisses the value of ceremony, an opinion connected to Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill holding her inauguration in Newark and not in Trenton, ending a tradition that dates back to 1790, the Sherrill walk-off hurts the capital city.
For 235 years every newly elected New Jersey governor started off in Trenton. Of course, Sherrill can jumpstart governance in her home county of Essex but this decision adds volume to a gurgled death rattle being heard in this city.
“I couldn’t be more honored to be sworn-in as your next governor and begin my administration in the Gateway City – and as governor, I will continue showing up for Newark, Trenton, and all of New Jersey’s communities,” said Governor-elect Sherrill.
“As the founding Executive Director of the Newark Alliance, I’m always excited to come back. I will also be forever grateful to the faith community in Newark that helped elect the first pastor to the office of Lt. Governor……It’s an honor to come back to Newark to take my oath and start delivering for New Jersey,” said Lt. Governor-elect and Transition Chair Dr. Dale Caldwell.
“It is such an honor that Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill has chosen to be sworn into office in her home county of Essex. The Governor-Elect is just the second woman in the history of our state to be elected governor and it’s exciting that this momentous occasion will be taking place here. NJPAC is a state-of-the-art entertainment mecca and destination, and it will be an excellent opportunity to display all that Newark and Essex have to offer,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
“It is a high honor for our city to be selected to host the inauguration of Mikie Sherrill. As New Jersey’s largest city, Newark is an appropriate setting for such a momentous occasion, bringing to bear its history of immigration, diversity, and shared democratic values. As the crowning jewel of our downtown district, NJPAC always shines bright – but on January 20, it will showcase the city’s radiance for all the world to see. Newark is proud and grateful today, and looks forward to enjoying the benefits of Mikie Sherrill’s governance with all our neighbors in the Garden State,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Mayor Gusciora wrote, “Governor-elect Sherrill can take the oath of office anywhere she chooses. What matters far more to Trenton is whether her administration is willing to roll up its sleeves and work with us on the challenges our residents face every day. One of the heaviest lifts is addressing the remaining dangerous, abandoned housing stock that threatens public safety, depresses neighborhoods, and sends a damaging message to our children that neglect is normal.”
The Gusciora response aligns with a brilliant story from Aesop’s Fables, a collection of short tales featuring animals with human characteristics. Stories offered moral lessons that connect to human virtues and vices. In “The Fox and the Grapes”, a fox eyes one delicious-looking bunch of grapes hanging on a tree limb. Repeated jumps to obtain the grapes not only proved futile, but the failed leaps delivered exhaustion and frustration. The fox departs and laments the grapes were likely sour.
Gov-Elect Sherrill lists as sweet history worth sustained efforts to gain her support, attendance, and interest. Her inauguration in Trenton would have helped our image and produced pride.
Read the Baraka comment again, please. “Newark is an appropriate setting for such a momentous occasion, bringing to bear its history of immigration, diversity, and shared democratic values.”
Enjoy the ceremony, celebration, and inauguration of New Jersey’s 57th governor in Newark. Embrace the energy, audacious hope, and dreams that accompany this first-stepped journey that we share.
Pardon the prejudice — Trenton, the Birthplace of Democracy, identifies as a better starting point.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.