Dec 08, 2011- Dec 08, 2011- MAYOR BOOKER SWEARS IN CENTRAL WARD RESIDENT ALMA RIVERA COTTO AS 2011

Newark, NJ – December 8, 2011 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, Municipal Council President Donald M. Payne, Jr., Deputy City Clerk Kenneth Louis, and other city dignitaries gathered today to swear in Central Ward resident Alma Rivera Cotto as Newark’s “Senior Council President for a Day” during a morning ceremony in the First Floor Rotunda in City Hall. At the same ceremony, East Ward resident Edith Guevara was recognized as “Senior Mayor For A Day” for 2011 and South Ward resident Janice Emptage was honored for her service as 2010 “Senior Mayor For A Day” with a proclamation.

This annual ceremony salutes Newark’s senior citizens for their achievements and continuing contributions to the City’s transformation. Ms. Cotto received a proclamation from Mayor Booker and a resolution from the Newark Municipal Council, which was presented by Council President Payne. Ms. Emptage received a proclamation from Mayor Booker. Ms. Guevara was out of town and unable to attend today’s event.

“The title of ‘Senior Mayor for a Day’ is one of our City’s most profound traditions,” Mayor Booker said. “Today we are honoring Alma Rivera Cotto for her steadfast commitment and contributions as a senior community volunteer. We all stand on the shoulders of the people who have come before us, going all the way back to Seth Boyden. I stand on the shoulders of the generation of Newark residents who are here today.”

“It is truly fitting that we honor today’s seniors and truly a privilege to interact with them today,” said Council President Payne. “I am just glad that I can give back to our ‘seasoned citizens’ today and show them the respect that they deserve.”

Ms. Cotto and Ms. Guevara earned their one-day appointments as Newark’s chief executive by winning the Living Legacy Fashion Extravaganza in May, a City-wide fashion show for senior citizens, organized by the administration and Councilwoman-at-Large Mildred Crump. Members of both the Senior Citizens Extravaganza Committee and the Mayor’s Senior Citizen Commission were present during the swearing-in ceremony.

Ms. Cotto, born in Puerto Rico, came to America at age two, and lived in Brooklyn before moving to Newark. She worked teaching Hebrew in a Brooklyn temple and as a medical receptionist after her husband died. She is the vice president of Newark Community Tenants’ Association, and has three living children, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

“I am very proud to have gained this honor. I want to thank Councilwoman Crump for setting up the Fashion Extravaganza and thank the Mayor and the Council Members for their support of it,” said Ms. Cotto, after taking her oath of office from Deputy City Clerk Louis.

A New York City native, Ms. Emptage grew up in Newark and has lived here for more than 50 years. She worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 10 years, as well as Federal Express and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She is an active member of the Trinity Union A.M.E. Church, where she sings in the Senior Choir, and is a child care provider with Programs for Parents in her South Ward neighborhood. She has one daughter and two grandchildren.

“I am truly grateful for this honor, and I thank God, Councilwoman Crump, and the Mayor for this privilege. In life, all that we do is accomplished by having loved ones to be there for us and to encourage us. And I feel truly blessed to have my talents acknowledged,” Ms. Emptage said.

The Booker Administration has stressed the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of senior citizens and their importance as role models, mentors, and active members of the community. Since 2006, Mayor Booker has sworn in the City’s Senior Citizen Commission and in partnership with The Salvation Army, has opened the Grand Family Success Center to assist grandparents raising children. Mayor Booker also launched the NewarkHealthPlus and Newark Rx plan, which helps Newark’s uninsured and under-insured residents receive quality, affordable medical care and prescription medication. Mayor Booker has also supported programs like the Senior Citizens Police Academy, which empowers Newark’s senior residents as auxiliaries to the Police Department and its crime prevention strategies.

For more information about the City of Newark’s programs for seniors or any of its other programs or policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

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Contact:         Newark Press Information Office – (973) 733-8004

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.