3 Key Members Of Jersey City Mayor Solomon's Team Resign

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Mayor James Solomon's new spokesperson is leaving after only four days, and two other key administration figures announced their resignations as well this week, the city said.

The change comes amid controversy over high taxes and other issues in Jersey City.

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A press release from Solomon's office on Thursday said that he's restructuring the team "to deliver on his agenda."

"With these priorities in mind, the mayor has accepted the resignations of Jersey City Finance Director Bill Viqueira, Deputy Mayor Keshav Poddar, and Digital Director Megan Malloy," the city announced in a release. "All are committed to ensuring an orderly and seamless transition as Mayor Solomon restructures his team."

Megan Malloy was the city's spokesperson as of Monday, after spokesperson Nathaniel Styer left the administration last week.

But Malloy's time as spokesperson will apparently be short-lived.

A release said, "The mayor is committed to not just stabilizing Jersey City's finances but strengthening them by finding new, innovative ways to bring in revenue for Jersey City residents without negatively impacting their pockets. In addition, after the City Council recently approved the first piece of his 'Building for Working Families' agenda with the Canal Crossing project, he knows Jersey City must speed up the rate of affordable housing construction immediately."

The city did not respond immediately to a question of when the resignations take effect.

'Affordability Crisis'

Solomon said, "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. I appreciate the work Bill, Keshav, and Megan have done."

"It has been a privilege to serve Jersey City and to have worked alongside Mayor Solomon during an important time for the city," said Viqueira.

"Serving the people of Jersey City has been a privilege," said Poddar.

"I'm thankful to Mayor Solomon for the opportunity to serve as Jersey City's Digital Director," said Malloy. "It's been a privilege to uplift the stories of residents at a time when transparency and responsiveness is of the utmost importance."

In the interim, Kyle Greaves will serve as acting finance director, Kimberly Wallace Scalcione will serve as acting press secretary, and Director of Housing and Economic Development Annisia Cialone will continue leading the city's housing efforts, advancing Solomon's "Building for Working Families" agenda, the city said.

The city will launch a search for its next finance director. Those interested in opportunities with the city of Jersey City can learn more by visiting https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/jobs.