IRVINGTON, NJ — John Sowell — a former West Ward councilman, Municipal Council president, Team Irvington stalwart and 2013 mayoral candidate — is back working for the township, according to Mayor Tony Vauss.
Sowell is now working for Vauss, who also leads Team Irvington Strong, the successor to the Team Irvington group they were both a part of when it was organized by the late Essex County Freeholder and Municipal Council President D. Bilal Beasley, and current Essex County Freeholder Lebby Jones. Beasley, a mentor to both Vauss and Sowell, anointed the former to succeed him.
Vauss said on Tuesday, Sept. 1, that his former political opponent, “believes in what we’re doing. … likes what he sees and he wants to be a part of what we’re doing.”
Vauss said he appreciates that, adding, “I believe everyone brings something to the table,” which is why he tapped Sowell to come back to work for Irvington, so that he could give back to the community that both men love.
“I reached out to John and had a
conversation with him last year,” Vauss said. “I thought, with him being a resident, he could add something to the administration. I brought him in as an aide to the mayor. One of his duties will be supervising the community service officers, among a host of other things.”
Vauss said he also reached out to Sowell because he wanted to continue building bridges of cooperation and understanding within the town, especially among his former political rivals. He said having a former opponent in the 2014 municipal election for mayor come aboard is a good thing for everyone in town.
“This town is more unified than ever before,” Vauss said. “I reached out to him and I think all of my opponents in the 2014 election are now in support of my administration. I can’t speak for Wayne Smith or Jameson Vincent, but pretty much everyone is aboard.”
Sowell did not comment directly about his new job in the Vauss administration, but did indirectly confirm he is back working for the township as a paid employee. In a text message to the Irvington Herald, in response to a request for comment and verification about his job status, Sowell said, “As a township employee, I am prohibited from talking with the press.”
An aide to the mayor, Stephanie R. Bush-Baskette, confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 1, that Sowell has been hired by the township as a confidential aide to Vauss.