Press Release

NEWARK, NJ — Don Cresitello, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, will visit Delaney Hall in Newark today at 1:00 PM to call for immediate local enforcement of health, safety, fire, zoning and code standards at the facility.

Cresitello brings firsthand experience to the issue. He served eight years as Mayor of Morristown, more than 30 years on the Morristown Town Council, 14 years on the Planning Board and Redevelopment Agency, and more than 30 years as a licensed Construction Code Official and Electrical Inspector.

Cresitello said the issue is not only about immigration policy, but about basic government accountability.

"If a private operator is running a facility inside the City of Newark, then that facility must meet Newark's health, fire, safety, zoning and code requirements," said Cresitello. "No private contractor should be allowed to operate behind a federal shield while local inspectors are kept out and basic standards remain unanswered."

Cresitello said that as a former mayor, planning board member, redevelopment official, construction code official and electrical inspector, he understands the authority and responsibility municipal governments have to protect public health and safety.

"I served eight years as Mayor of Morristown, spent 14 years on the Planning Board and Redevelopment Agency, and worked for more than 30 years as a licensed Construction Code Official and Electrical Inspector," Cresitello said. "I know what local government is supposed to do. When there are questions about occupancy, food, sanitation, fire safety, electrical systems, medical care, building conditions, or code compliance, the city has a responsibility to inspect and enforce the law."

Cresitello said he will call upon the City of Newark and Mayor Ras Baraka to use every lawful municipal tool available to enforce local standards against the independent operator of Delaney Hall and ensure that all occupants are being housed under conditions that meet applicable health and safety requirements.

"This is where experience matters," Cresitello said. "I am not coming to this as a spectator. I am coming as someone who has run a municipality, served on a planning board, managed redevelopment issues, worked directly with construction codes, and enforced building and electrical standards. Government has a job to do. The people inside that facility, the surrounding community, and the City of Newark all deserve answers."

Cresitello said the public deserves transparency.

"If everything is fine inside Delaney Hall, then let Newark's Health Department, Fire Division, Code Enforcement officials, and appropriate inspectors inspect it," Cresitello said. "If standards are being met, prove it. If they are not, fix it."

Cresitello said the moment shows the kind of leadership NJ-11 needs in Congress: practical, experienced, and focused on results.

"Washington is full of people who talk. I have spent my career getting things done," Cresitello said. "Whether it is affordability, housing, public safety, code enforcement, or basic accountability, government must work for people. Delaney Hall is a test of whether public officials are willing to stand up, enforce the rules, and demand transparency."

Cresitello is running in the June 2 Democratic primary for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.