THE TREND NJ JULY 2023

New Jersey

A

A

Mayor Mark J. Sokolich

Mayor Mark J. Sokolich

1, What inspired you to become a Mayor?

I was raised by parents that instilled in me that it is always “better to give then to receive”. Serving as Mayor allows me to be of service to a community that I love and to assist people that are a very important part of my life.

2. How has Fort Lee changed since you became the Mayor?

Since becoming Mayor, I have little to no spare time however at the end of each day, I feel enriched knowing that in some small way, I have served my community.

3. What is the most rewarding and challenging part of your job as Mayor, especially governing a town like Fort Lee with so much diversity?

By far, the most rewarding aspect of serving as Mayor is that during the course of my tenure, I truly believe that at this point in Fort Lee’s history, our residents have never been more proud of their community and I would like to think that in some small way, I played a role in that outlook. In the beginning of my tenure, diversity was a challenge and it was my job to make sure that our many groups from all over the world worked together and today I believe we have a unified community all working towards the same goals.

4. What are the future plans for Fort Lee? Any new developments or additional parks? When do you anticipate the new park on Main Street to be completed?

with me as Mayor, there are always “future plans” for Fort Lee. We are about to start construction on our Main Street park where our old post office stood. We expect to complete the park by end of 2023.

We will also be developing a new senior citizen center and housing for our seniors and a refurbishment of all of our parks across the Borough.

Councilman Bryan Drumgoole Council President Paul K. Yoon

1. What inspired you to become a Councilman?

I was always interested in elected office since I was in grade school. But it wasn't until I got into office that I realized that elected office really is about service. If you find it a chore to help other people with their problems, then elected office is probably not for you. Without getting too much into my religious beliefs here, elected office fits my philosophy where I try to live with a love God, love your neighbor mentality.

2. What is the most rewarding and challenging part of being a councilman in a town with a big Korean American community?

It's very rewarding for me to be able to help people in general. It is an act of service that I find rewarding and fulfilling. And to be able to help the Korean American community navigate government and use the resources that are offered to them. I especially find it rewarding to help bring the Korean American community closer to the mainstream community by getting them more involved politically and more plugged in to be a part of the town that they live in.

A challenging part is balancing my commitments to work, family, and community. Elected office can be time consuming and like everything else in life, you need to find a good balance.

3. What advice would you give to the younger Korean American generation wanting to get involved in politics?

My advice would be to really ask yourself why you want to get involved in the first place. If it's not about service, then you should really reflect on it because if you want to get involved in politics, at your core, it has to be about helping others achieve their goals. And without that mentality to serve, it will be tough to make it in the long run because if you can't deliver for your constituents, then nobody will ask you for help. And if nobody asks you for help, then it will be difficult to ask them for their votes.

My other advice would be to be at peace with yourself and find true joy in whatever you do. I think it's tough to motivate others when you don't have that excitement and enthusiasm within you. You will never be able to fake it in the long run.

1. What is your background ?

For the past 19 years I have been a police officer where I am currently working for the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department. I have been a member of the Fort Lee volunteer fire department for 22 years and served as the Fort Lee Office of Emergency Management Coordinator for approximately 3 years before being appointed to my current council position. I also own various small business that revolve around General Contracting, Construction Management, & Development.

2. How long have you lived in Fort Lee and how do you like living in Fort Lee with so much diversity ? What do you find most challenging or rewarding ?

I was born and raised in Fort Lee where I continue to reside and now, along with my wife Nadine, are raising our two children Ivy & Eli. I often tell people that diversity is one of Fort Lee’s greatest assets. I have witnessed the transformation of our great town and it has been very heart warming to see how so much diversity comes together to make up one of, if not the greatest, places to raise a family and enjoy all aspects that come along with forming a community. By far the most frustrating aspect is the traffic. With that said we have learned to not let it ruin our daily routine and Fort Lee has so much more to offer which is why I love this community so much!

3. As a new member of the Fort Lee councilman, what aspired you to join ?

As a new councilman what drove me to serve is my love for my community and my love to serve my fellow community members. For nearly my entire life I have devoted myself to serving my community through the emergency services. This new role allows me to serve the same community in a much broader way which is what drove me to join the council and one of the many reasons I already love being a councilman.

4. What is you political aspiration for the future if any ?

As for the future no one ever knows. If you asked me however many years ago if I would be in this current position I would have told you, you are crazy (laughing). Right now I want to continue to learn from my fellow council members, Mayor Sokolich, and all members of our community so I can be the best possible council member for my community. This is truly an honor of a lifetime and no matter what the future holds I will always love serving Fort Lee!

Mayor & Council

Physical Address: 309 Main Street Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Phone: 201-592-3500

Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

10%

The 9 Best Foods That Melt Belly Fat

New York

Closer communication with Korean compatriots… Let’s find out about Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City

Eric Leroy Adams is an African-American former police officer who has served as the 110th mayor of New York City since January 2022. He is the second African-American mayor of New York City, following David Dinkins (who served from 1990 to 1993), both from the Democratic Party. Adams served for over 20 years in the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department, retiring as a captain. He worked as a New York State Senator from 2006 to 2013 and served as Brooklyn’s first African-American mayor from 2014 to 2021, before being elected for a second term.

In the 2021 general election, Adams overwhelmingly defeated Curtis Sliwa of the Republican Party with a vote share of 67.4%. He took office immediately after midnight on January 1, 2022. During his inauguration ceremony, he made a strong impression by holding a photo of his late mother, Dorothy, while taking the oath of office. As mayor, he has taken a tough approach to combating gun violence and crime by reintroducing plainclothes policing that was abolished by the previous administration. As part of his efforts to improve the quality of life in the city, he has focused on strengthening law enforcement, implementing a zero-tolerance policy towards homeless individuals sleeping in the subway, and prioritizing the improvement of safety, public health, and the city's economy.

Childhood growth process and realization of future dreams

Adams was born on September 1, 1960 in Brownsville, Brooklyn. His mother, who received education only up until the third grade, worked as a janitor doing shift work. And his father owned a butcher shop but struggled with alcohol abuse. Adams' parents immigrated from Alabama to New York in the 1950s, and he grew up in a bustling tenement building in Bushwick, Brooklyn. His family was so poor that he often carried a bag of clothes to school in case they were suddenly evicted from their home.

In 1968, with money saved by his mother, the family moved to Queens, specifically the southern part of Jamaica. Adams spent an unconventional period during his youth, being involved with gangs

when he was the fourth youngest among six siblings. At the age of 15, he and his brother were arrested for unlawful entry, and he endured severe beatings from the NYPD police until a Black officer intervened. Unfortunately, he still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the arrest. He then heard advice from a local pastor to become a police officer and reform the police culture from within. After that, Adams started attending church regularly. In January 1979, he graduated from Bayside High School in Queens, but he struggled to maintain good grades. Adams began working as a mechanic and a mail carrier at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office while attending college. He obtained an Associate's degree from the City University of New York, a Bachelor's degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. He eventually graduated from Marist College. However, Adams faced the challenge of being a struggling student with a diagnosed learning disability in college and experienced the trial of making it onto the Dean's List. Adams stated that he wanted to serve in the NYPD as a response to the abuse he suffered during his youth and received encouragement from within to enlist separately to lead reforms. He attended the New York City Police Academy and graduated as the second-highest ranking student in his class in 1984. He became a police officer the same year and while working as a police officer, he also led an organization opposing racial profiling in 1995.

Eric Adams’ Actions for the Korean and Asian Communities New York also enjoys the popularity of Hallyu

On July 13, 2022, Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, stated, "Korea and Seoul are important global partners to New York, and we welcome active investments from Korean companies as many Korean contents are gaining popularity in New York." He made these remarks during his virtual participation at the Asian Leadership Conference (ALC), where he engaged in a discussion with James Kim, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). Adams expressed deep admiration for the innovative technology, kindness of the people, and cooperative spirit he witnessed during his visit to Korea, stating that Korea is a top priority trading partner for New York. He highlighted the presence of many Korean companies with headquarters or branches in New York and emphasized that trade and collaboration with Korea will drive New York's economy forward, solidifying the position of Korea as a global partner.

Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City: “American Dream is wide open to Korean companies”

Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, opened a welcoming reception for the "Hankyung Global Market Conference NYC 2022" at his residence, Gracie Mansion, on the 7th of this month and made the following remarks. This is the first time that the mayor has invited participants from a Korean media-hosted event for a welcoming reception. Mayor Adams expressed gratitude to Hankyung Economy Newspaper for bringing together Korean business leaders who contribute to the development of New York City. He mentioned his previous visit to Korea during his time as a New York State Senator he was impressed by the culture of respecting elders. He also mentioned that he asked his Korean friends about ways to engage with the Korean community, and since then, his journey with Korea began.

On January 13, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams attended the 63rd Anniversary of New York Korean Night and the 120th Anniversary of Korean-American Day event as well. In his speech on that day, Mayor Adams congratulated the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration, praised the contributions of Korean immigrants throughout the history of immigration, and urged for the continued interest and participation of Korean-Americans in striving for a better immigrant life.

First visit to the Consulate General of Korea in New York by the Mayor of New York Mayor urges for a Korean-American police precinct commander.

On February 1, 2023, the Mayor of New York City visited the Consulate General of Korea. It was the first time a sitting mayor visited the consulate. During the approximately two-hour meal, Mayor Adams was asked to pay special attention to Korean-American safety and emphasized the need for more outstanding Korean individuals to serve in public office. Furthermore, in response to the discussion about a 50% increase in crime rates in heavily Korean-populated areas like Flushing and Bayside, Mayor Adams stated, "During my term, at least one of Flushing or Bayside should have a Korean-American police precinct commander," highlighting the importance of the Korean community. He also expressed gratitude to the Korean-American community, stating, "During the election, the Korean community played a crucial role by actively supporting and contributing. Outstanding Korean individuals are making valuable contributions to the local community.”

“New York Korean Americans attend the ‘63rd Anniversary of New York Korean Night and 120th Anniversary of Korean-American Day Commemorative Event’.”

(Korean Wave: influence of South Korean culture) --- Korea is the coolest partner

‘2023 Lunar New Year Event’ held at Gracie Mansion

On February 2, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams hosted the '2023 Lunar New Year Event' at his residence, Gracie Mansion. This event brought together leaders from the Asian community, local politicians, and prominent figures from various sectors to celebrate and commemorate the Lunar New Year. On this day, Charles Yoon, former president of the New York Korean Association, was recognized for his community service contributions and received a personal proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams. Mayor Eric Adams declared February 2, 2023, as 'Charles Yoon Day' in the proclamation.

SPC, New York City, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea signed Agreement for Support of Marginalized Groups. Street events were held to commemorate APPI cultural heritage

On February 2, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams hosted the '2023 Lunar New Year Event' at his residence, Gracie Mansion. This event brought together leaders from the Asian community, local politicians, and prominent figures from various sectors to celebrate and commemorate the Lunar New Year. On this day, Charles Yoon, former president of the New York Korean Association, was recognized for his community service contributions and received a personal proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams. Mayor Eric Adams declared February 2, 2023, as 'Charles Yoon Day' in the proclamation.

As part of the event commemorating the heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, a street parade took place on May 21, 2023. The AAPI Cultural Heritage Parade proceeded through Midtown, starting from 44th Street and continuing up to 55th Street, passing through 6th Avenue.

Grace Mansion hosts an event to commemorate APPI cultural heritage, inviting Korean compatriots

On May 23, 2023, as part of the APPI event, Mayor Eric Adams hosted a gathering at his residence, Gracie Mansion, inviting Korean diaspora, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. The event included a garden party and the presentation of commendations. In his speech, Mayor Adams emphasized the historical significance and value of Asian Americans in the immigration history of the United States, highlighting unity for a better future.

At the event, Cani Kim, Director of the Small Business Services (SBS), conveyed words of pride and encouragement to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. There they acknowledged that Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, mandated the inclusion of Asian American history as a compulsory subject in public schools for the first time during his tenure. She also announced that this year marks the first implementation of Asian American history classes, emphasizing the importance of unity, effort, learning, and love among all ethnicities. Additionally, she stated that it is a historically significant achievement for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

A street event commemorating APPI cultural heritage takes place in Manhattan

For the first time during his tenure as mayor, Eric Adams mandated the inclusion of Asian American history as a subject in public schools in New York City.

Come visit us in Korea Town at: 30 West 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001

(212) 629-6450

Chef Tora shares his 20+ years of restaurant experience with New York City. Come join him and enjoy all the delightful flavors of Shanghai Mong!

Shanghai Mong continues to be a fundamental place for dining in Korea Town within the concrete jungle of New York City. In 2016, a new team acquired Shanghai Mong rapidly improving the establishment and their dishes. We focus on providing authentic flavors of the Asian culture by carefully selecting the best ingredients.

We are also enthusiasts of the performing arts. Occasionally, musicians and singers gather together and have opera nights to share musical talents with performers and our lovingly dear customers.

With endless research and improvements, our team at Shanghai Mong continue to provide customers with tasty Asian foods.

Please note: Opera nights will not be available until further notice as we are enhancing our dishes and improving operations to better serve our customers and community.