On New Year’s Day, the Township of Union held its annual reorganization meeting at Town Hall where newly reelected committeewoman Michele Delisfort was selected as the Township’s new mayor. Delisfort is the first black female mayor in the Township’s history and the first Haitian female Mayor in the State.
Union’s newest mayor was sworn into office in a packed Town Hall meeting room during the Township’s Reorganization meeting. Michele Delisfort began her remarks by acknowledging her family and colleagues. “It is a given that none of us ascends to elected office without the sacrifices and support of others,” she said. “So, I’d like to dedicate this moment to those whose sacrifices and support made it possible for me to appear before you today as the first Black female and first Haitian-American mayor of the great Township of Union.”
Delisfort acknowledged her husband George and sons. “My amazing family has supported my journey in service from the very beginning,” she said, “from my years serving on the Union Planning Board, my first term as Committeeperson, and now as your Mayor.”
Delisfort said her parents, Guy and Suzette Delisfort, immigrated from Haiti and established their medical practice in Newark, before “choosing the Township of Union as the ideal community in which to raise their children.”
As part of her speech to the hundreds of residents in attendance, she lauded her predecessor, Committeewoman Suzette Cavadas, for all of the accomplishments realized during her two years as Mayor, and highlighted some of the initiatives in store under her leadership for 2019.
“As a woman, I believe women should encourage and help each other rise up,” said the former mayor and Township Committeewoman Suzette Cavadas. “During my two years as mayor, Michele was nothing but supportive and encouraging. I will be there with her to help her succeed at every level.”
Delisfort is a small business owner of an urban planning consultancy firm and has over 20 years of professional experience in land use planning, redevelopment planning, and community development. She is a licensed professional planner and nationally certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. She also serves as Chairperson of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Redevelopment Planning Committee. Most recently, she was appointed as a member of the Ethics Committee for the National American Planning Association.
Prior to being elected as Committeewoman, Delisfort served on the Township of Union Planning Board, not only as an active member but as Vice Chairperson.
Photo Source: Township of Union, New Jersey – Government
