08 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES MEMORIAL PLAQUES ALONG ESSEX COUNTY LEGENDS WAY IN HONOR OF LAGUARDIA ENTERTAINMENT CO-OWNER JOHN M. ALATI, NJ STATE SENATOR WYNONA MOORE LIPMAN, FOCUS PRESIDENT/CEO CASTO MALDONADO, AND NEWARK AT-LARGE COUNCILMAN CALVIN D. WEST Bronze Plaques Recognize Community Leaders who Impacted Essex County
Published on October 8, 2021
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated four bronze plaques in honor of the late John M. Alati, the late Wynona Moore Lipman, the late Casto Maldonado and the late Calvin D. West on Wednesday, October 6th. Alati was a former government official and co-owner of LaGuardia Entertainment, Lipman was the first female African American to serve in the NJ State Senate, Maldonado was the President and CEO of FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development, Inc. and West was the first African American to serve as an At-Large Councilman in Newark. The plaques are located along Essex County Legends Way at the Essex County Government Complex in Newark.
“John Alati, Wynona Lipman, Casto Maldonado and Calvin West each dedicated their lives to helping others, improving their community and putting the needs of others before their own. They each impacted the lives of many,” DiVincenzo said. “They are deserving of being remembered as Essex County legends and having their names at our government complex will remind people of their contributions,” he added.
The plaque for John M. Alati begins with a quote from playwright George Bernard Shaw: “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.” It continues: “John M. Alati brought joy, laughter and a convivial spirit to generations of Essex County residents and beyond. As co-owner of his entertainment production company, he produced more than 200 performances each year, including the Annual Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series. Well respected in the music industry, John launched and supported the careers of countless musicians, bands and entertainers. Before making his mark in the entertainment business, John was active in government and politics, serving in a variety of roles with Essex County and as Chairman of the Irvington Democratic Committee. While he enjoyed serving as an elected official, John took great pride in working behind the scenes to help others and was a mentor to many younger politicians. John also was very proud of his Italian heritage and worked diligently to promote Italian American culture and history. As UNICO National President, he joined with other Italian American organizations and the Government of Italy on issues of common interest, elevating the status of UNICO and Italian Americans nationwide. We thank John for always Putting Essex County First.”
“Thank you, Joe DiVincenzo, for this wonderful memorial. It was wonderful to hear how much John was loved and respected,” said Linda-Gail Alati, John Alati’s wife.
“I knew John for over 55 years. He was a great friend. He had the tireless ability to get the best out of people,” former Freeholder President Joseph Parlavecchio said.
The plaque for Lipman begins with her own quote: “If you really want to stand out from the crowd and be recognized by society, then it is the quality of contribution which you make to others that counts.” It continues: “Evelyn Wynona Moore Lipman was the first African American woman to serve as a NJ State Senator. Her election was a milestone event that shattered the glass ceiling and paved the way for African American and Latina women to view themselves as public servants. Senator Lipman gained the reputation as a “Steel Magnolia” because of her tenacity to get legislation passed while maintaining her courteous demeanor. She had over 145 bills signed into law, with many of them focusing on improving the lives and interests of women, children, families, small businesses and minorities. Notable were the Prevention of Domestic Violence Acts of 1981 and 1991, which at the time were the toughest domestic violence laws in the country, as well as legislation supporting family leave, pay equity and child support enforcement, which serve as the foundation for current laws. Her work to help others came full circle at Essex County College where, as a teacher, she tied her legislative interests to help women, minorities and small businesses gain business contracts. Her 27 years in the State Senate made her the most tenured member at the time of her death in 1999. Senator Lipman’s pioneering achievements and commitment to the residents of New Jersey are her legacy.”
“When you first meet someone, you don’t know their life will have historical implications, but Senator Lipman was that person. She was never afraid to the first one out on an issue and was never afraid of any opposition. I can tell you how honored she would have been today,” said Alma Savaria, an attorney who served as the Executive Director of the Commission on Sex Discrimination in the Statutes at the same time that Lipman was the Commission’s Chairperson.
“Senator Wynona Lipman was a trailblazer and I am in awe of how intimately tied into her endeavors without ever meeting her,” NJ State Senator and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said about her legislative agenda being very similar to Lipman’s and how they both represent the same district. “She was a bridge builder and whose shoulders many of us stand on today,” she added.
The plaque for Casto Maldonado begins with a quote from baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente: “If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don’t do that, you are wasting your time on this earth.” It continues: “Casto Maldonado enjoyed a successful career at Prudential, where he strengthened their volunteerism program, created a minority purchasing program and engaged in urban and community development initiatives. He carried his interest of helping people to the non-profit sector and, in 1967, was part of a grassroots movement to create FOCUS. This community-minded non-profit organization’s original mission was to provide education, food and job training to Newark’s growing Puerto Rican population. He always remained active with FOCUS, serving at various times as the agency’s Executive Director, Board Member, President & CEO and consultant. Because of his efforts, FOCUS grew and evolved into a major safety net providing a wide range of programs and services to assist all residents from youth to senior citizens. Casto also recognized Latinos needed a greater voice in politics and government and he helped to organize Latin communities in various cities. He encouraged younger generations to get involved in the political process and his leadership in this area was recognized at the Federal and State levels. His legacy rests in the many lives he touched and the new leaders he cultivated.”
“Mr. County Executive, we are inspired by your idea to honor Mr. Maldonado. It takes a great leader to recognize other leaders and the honor being presented today will make us work with the community even harder than before,” said, Dr. Francisco Dillon, Chairman of the FOCUS Board of Trustees.
“I want to thank the County Executive for honoring someone who is very special to me. My first job after college was working for FOCUS with Casto Maldonado as my boss. For the Latino community, Casto represented the American Dream,” said Newark Councilman Anibal Ramos, who also served as Director of Citizen Services for Essex County.
The plaque for West begins with a quote from baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives.” It continues: “In 1966, Calvin West became the first African American to be elected as an At-Large Newark City Council member. Although slight of stature, West was recognized as a Democratic political giant throughout the State for close to 70 years. Dignified, dapper and always engaging, he was a legendary figure. Product of the Newark Public Schools, his heart was always with the people of his beloved City, beginning in 1954 when he founded the Central Ward Young Democrats. The point person for every Newark Mayor and N.J. Governor, West mentored and nourished generations of Democratic political figures. Elected as a member of the Addonizio slate when he won his Council seat, he flourished through all administrations, smoothly bringing people together. Calvin had broad experience, including as a reporter for the Newark Evening News, the New Jersey Afro-American newspapers, and as a member of the U.S. Army. His greatest contribution was the development of our modern political ethos, one of positive progress for all people in the state, and economic development and growth in Newark. No doubt, his well-spent life deserves the glory it receives.”
“All four people being honored today impacted other people’s lives positively,” former Major League Baseball National League President Leonard Coleman said. “Calvin West treated everyone like family and everyone sought he counsel. His contribution was great and he’s much deserving of this honor,” he added.
Miles Berger, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Berger Organization, commented about the different facets of West’s life – as a loving husband, as someone devoted to his family, as someone who advised NJ Governors, mayors and politicians.
The former 13th Avenue on the southern side of the Essex County Hall of Records was transformed into a tree-lined promenade when the Jurors’ parking garage was opened in 2008. It was later named “Legends Way” and features bronze plaques recognizing people who have made significant contributions to Essex County. The plaques feature Major League Baseball Hall of Fame players Yogi Berra, Larry Doby and Monte Irvin; the late Pearl Beatty, who was the first Freeholder President under the current form of County government; the late Kenneth A. Gibson, who was the first African American Mayor of Newark; the late Lebby Jones, who was a member of the Board of Freeholders and Irvington Township Council; the late Trish Morris-Yamba, who was the Executive Director of The Newark Day Center and the Fresh Air Fund; the late Ramon Rivera, who was the founder and former Executive Director of La Casa de Don Pedro; the late Monsignor William Lindor, founder and director of New Community Corporation; the late author and Newark native Philip Roth; the late Balozi Harvey, who was Director of the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action & the Essex County Economic Development Corporation; the late Dr. Leon Smith, who was an infectious disease specialist; the late Lawrence “Lonnie” Wright, who was a two-sport professional athlete and Director of Minority and Underrepresented Student Recruitment at UMDNJ; the late John J. Clancy, who served as the first Director of the Essex County Division of Youth Services; the late Adrian M. Foley, Jr., who served as Essex County Surrogate; the late Samuel Brummer, owner of Hobby’s Delicatessen and veteran who landed at D-Day during World War II; the late Cephas Bowles, longtime WBGO Executive Director; the late Larrie West Stalks, former Essex County Register; the late Clement A. Price, Rutgers University History Professor and Newark and Essex County Historian; the late D. Bilal Beasley, Irvington City Councilman and Essex County Freeholder; the late Raymond Durkin, long-time Chairman of the Essex County Democratic Committee and New Jersey Democratic Party; the late Philip Thigpen, Essex County Register and long-time Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman; the late Thomas Durkin, a prominent Essex County attorney; the late Lena Donaldson Griffith, a cultural arts and civil rights pioneer in Newark and Essex County; the late Raymond Brown, a civil rights leader and long-time attorney; and the late Superior Court Justice Thomas “Timmy” McCormack, who was one of the authors of the County’s current Administrative Code and Freeholder By-Laws.
In addition, several buildings and open spaces in the Essex County Government Complex have been named after prominent people who have influenced the development of Essex County. The plaza in front of the Hall of Records and a bronze statue honor Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the park next to the Historic Courthouse and statue in front of the Hall of Records honor Barringer High School graduate and U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.; a plaza in front of the Essex County Veterans Courthouse and a statue honor Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks; the plaza in front of the LeRoy Smith Public Safety Building and a statue honor the late Congressman Donald M. Payne, who was the first African American Congressman in New Jersey; the plaza at the south entrance of the Veterans Courthouse and a statue honor former New Jersey Governor and Essex County Prosecutor Brendan Byrne; and the plaza in the Essex County Veterans Memorial Park and a statue honor the late Jorge Oliveira, a 10-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan. The Veterans Courthouse and the Essex County Veterans Memorial Park are named as a tribute to the men and women who have defended our country and freedoms while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Essex County LeRoy F. Smith, Jr., Public Safety Building is named for LeRoy Smith, a Newark resident who served as Deputy Director of Emergency Medical Services for the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey for 38 years before retiring in 2007. In Brennan Park is a monument recognizing the late Charles Cummings, who served as the official Newark historian and librarian with the Newark Public Library for over 40 years. The plaza in front of the Historic Courthouse is named for former Essex County Prosecutor James Lordi.
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