Sierra Leonean Abubakarr Jalloh becomes first City Clerk of Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
The City Council gave unanimous approval Monday to the appointment of Abubakar Jalloh as City Clerk and the action drew a standing ovation from residents and officials in the audience. (Abubakar Jalloh being sworn in as City Clerk of Plainfield, NJ, USA)
Union County Freeholder Linda Carter, a former city councilwoman, administered the oath of office as Jalloh’s parents and his brother Mohamed, also a Union County freeholder, looked on.
Jalloh, known familiarly in City Hall as “A.J.,” will serve an initial three-year term. He was previously the deputy clerk under City Clerk Laddie Wyatt, who retired on Dec. 31.
Councilman William Reid praised Jalloh for already having taken steps toward a paperless office by sending out agendas electronically, calling it “a first step to helping us reduce the cost of running this city.” Citing layoffs that have “decimated” city departments, Reid called on officials to see to it that Jalloh gets “some really, really good help” in running the office.
Council President Annie McWilliams also congratulated Jalloh, saying, “The baton has been passed.”
McWilliams also thanked Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs for offering Jalloh’s name for council advice and consent. Robinson-Briggs called it “my absolute pleasure and privilege” to do so.
Jalloh is the first African-American male to hold the office of city clerk in Plainfield. While it was not mentioned at the meeting, a commenter to Plaintalker II on his pending appointment said Monday before the meeting, “How fitting, right in time for Black History Month!”
Bernice Paglia
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