Bob Russo Honored by Essex County Freeholders at Annual Italian Heritage Month Celebration

Montclair Deputy Mayor Robert J. Russo was honored by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders during its Italian Heritage Month Celebration held at the Hall of Records on Wednesday, October 1, 2014.

The event was co-sponsored by Freeholders Brendan Gill of Montclair (District 5) and Leonard Luciano of West Caldwell (District 4), who also honored Bloomfield Mayor Michael J. Venezia and former West Caldwell Councilman Dominick J. Aiello.

“Bob Russo, who hails from my hometown of Montclair, is the longest-serving public servant among tonight’s honorees”, said Freeholder Gill, “having served as a Councilman, Deputy Mayor and formerly as the first Italian-American directly elected Mayor.”

Gill stated that Russo never forgets those he was elected to serve and recounted the fact that early in his career he was highlighted in a 1994 New York Times article for his record of effective constituent response, “a work ethic I take lessons from, and try to emulate, every day.”

He went on to say, “Bob, it was my honor to select you to be honored today, not only for you commitment to public service, but also for serving and representing the Italian-American community of Montclair.”

Freeholder Luciano spoke of Deputy Mayor Russo’s long career as an educator from the elementary school through college levels, noting that Russo began his career at Newark’s Roseville Avenue School, “…where I also began my career as a teacher 10 years ago.” He also lauded Russo for his professional career in consumer affairs and his active participation in, and support of local community organizations. “Bob, it truly is our privilege to honor you tonight as an outstanding Italian-American, public servant, community activist and educator.”

Russo thanked Freeholders Gill and Luciano for honoring him, credited his wife, Christine, for engineering his election to the various positions he’s held over the years, and thanked the residents of Montclair who have returned him to office so many times, saying “Montclair is such a great and diverse town, and I’m so proud to serve it.”

He spoke of all he’s learned from young people, including his students at Rutgers and Montclair State, as well as “both Louise Palagano and Brendan Gill, who I helped win elections for District 5 freeholder”, the seat for which he has been a candidate himself many times. In concluding his remarks he joked that he hoped “that sometime before I retire, someone will swear me in as District 5 freeholder, even if only for a day.”

Russo currently serves as Montclair’s Deputy Mayor and as a Councilman-at-Large. Previously, he was elected First Ward Councilman in 1992, was re-elected in 1996, and in 2000 became the first Italian-American directly elected Mayor of Montclair. He is a leader in national consumer organizations, served as President of the International Association of Lemon Law Administrators and is currently President of the Consumers League of New Jersey.

Russo has served as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers-Newark for nearly 30 years and has taught American, state and local government at Montclair State for the past 13 years. He earned his M. A. degree in American Government at Rutgers, but began his professional career as a teacher at Newark’s Roseville Avenue School. He has also held various positions in government and business during his 40-year career including Director of Development for the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, culminating with Director of Mediation/Lemon Laws for the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

Russo is an active member of Montclair UNICO, the Essex Running Club, the Sierra Club, Blue Wave NJ, the League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area, the Giblin Association and the CWA and AFTNJ unions, and is a strong supporter of the Brookdale Park Conservancy and Friends of Anderson Park. Deputy Mayor Russo has resided in Montclair with his wife, Christine, for 26 years.

The celebration also included welcoming remarks from Freeholder President Blonnie Watson and County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo. Father Joseph D’Amico, Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona, offered the opening and closing prayers, and Italian tenor Vincent Ricciardi entertained the attendees with his renditions of “O Solo Mio” and “Nessun Dorma”, who also enjoyed a catered reception at the conclusion of the program.

Freeholder Gill has served as District 5 Freeholder since 2012 and represents Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair and Nutley. Freeholder Luciano has served District 4 since August of 2011 and represents the towns of Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.