Coleman

Jersey City Ward F City Councilwoman Diane Coleman, seen here at the Jan. 12 opening of Councilman Steve Fulop's campaign headquarters, joked Monday night that a job-training program that bars individuals with a criminal past from applying would exclude everyone in her ward. (Photo by The Jersey Journal)

Ward F Councilwoman Diane Coleman addressed members of the public at tonight's meeting, defending her comments that "everyone" in Ward F has a criminal record.

"My statement was taken out of context," Coleman told the crowd tonight. "I was saying that I wished the program could provide the same ability for people who have criminal records like they do for the other smart people in Ward F."

The comment, which Coleman has called a "joke," was said during Monday night's council caucus as the governing body discussed a federally-funded jobs program that is up for a vote at tonight's meeting at City Hall.

Keith Davis, who runs a jobs program that works with the city, told the council that applicants with a criminal history are prohibited from applying for the program.

Coleman said Monday, "So that means everybody in Ward F?" and laughed.

Councilwoman-at-Large Viola Richardson immediately shot back, saying, "No, it does not," Coleman responded that she was only kidding.

Freeholder Jeff Dublin addressed Coleman at tonight's meeting, telling the councilwoman that the statement "should have never been said."

"Not everybody in Jersey City has a criminal record," Dublin said. "As elected officials, we shouldn't make statements like that."

Coleman was backed up by Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez, who said, "Her comment was not to degrade the ward, it was meant to help the people in Ward F."

Coleman runs Building an Empire, a nonprofit that connects needy residents with social-service programs. She announced that she plans to seek a full term on the council in the May 14 city election as the Ward F candidate on mayoral hopeful on Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop's ticket.

Today, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy demanded that Coleman apologize for the statement and he and Fulop traded barbs.



Journal Staff Writer Terrence McDonald contributed to this story.