Jenny on Our Block: Flooding and Political Theater

A Community Left Behind

Photo taken by the author after Hurricane Ida (2021).

Yesterday, March 19, we were all treated to a classic case of pre-election theater. Politicians who had previously ignored our concerns about flooding suddenly took center stage, releasing a press statement and an “article” in Tap Into Bloomfield, proclaiming their deep commitment to storm mitigation. The announcement hailed the formation of a Regional Flood Mitigation Committee to address growing storm risks.

The most prominently featured photo in this political rollout? My block—Maolis Avenue. That felt like a personal signal.

A Community Abandoned in the Aftermath of Disaster

For those unfamiliar with our fight, let me provide some history. Bloomfield has faced devastating flooding in recent years, with the worst occurring during Hurricane Ida’s remnants in September 2021. My neighbors and I on Maolis Avenue saw six feet of water swallow our homes, leaving us stranded with no municipal, county, or state assistance for recovery. FEMA offered financial aid to those without flood insurance, but beyond that, we were on our own.

With no leadership stepping up, we—the community—stepped in. Tracy Toler-Phillips, other neighbors, and I banded together, organizing a petition and advocating at both local and federal levels. We reached out to the late Congressman Donald Payne’s office, seeking real solutions. Yet, the local power players—Mayor Michael Venezia and then-Councilwoman Jenny Mundell — showed little interest in addressing our concerns. Or rather our concerns made a convenient excuse to hire a politically connected engineering firm. Remington & Vernick Engineers, Inc. (RVE) was ultimately awarded this contract in early 2022 (as a professional service under a fair-and-open process). RVE’s Bloomfield Stormwater Drainage Study was not completed until September 2024, nearly three years after the contract award. The three-year duration of RVE’s study raised questions about efficiency. Many municipal flood studies typically conclude within a year or so; for example, New York State’s Resilient NY program reports that such watershed studies are usually finished in “eight to 10 months” (State-funded studies to offer blueprint to reduce flood risk - Adirondack Explorer). Even a large-scale city flood resilience plan in Davenport, Iowa was wrapped up in about two years of planning ( Davenport Flood Study 2020 - 2021 - City of Davenport ). In contrast, RVE’s prolonged timeline in Bloomfield appears excessive. There was no public explanation of the delay, and only on the insistence from the former mayor Ted Gamble, RVE presented their findings at a Town Council meeting.

So, the change in how Bloomfield approached (or failed to approach flooding) didn’t come until Ted Gamble became mayor. It was only under his administration, and with significant pressure from our community, that the Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee was established. That didn’t happen easily, however. The resolution passed despite active opposition from Jenny Mundell and Sarah Cruz, who delayed, abstained, or outright refused to vote for it. It took a packed September town meeting, where residents poured out their trauma and frustration, to force action.

The Press Release and Political Opportunism

Fast forward to yesterday’s press release, and we are suddenly supposed to believe these same politicians are champions of flood mitigation. But let’s take a closer look.

The timing of this announcement feels strategic. Michael Venezia was mayor during Hurricane Ida. He ignored the crisis in its aftermath, only visiting flooded neighborhoods five days later in Septmeber of 2021. Now, as he campaigns for re-election, he’s suddenly concerned about storm risks. Jenny Mundell, who was a council member when Bloomfield experienced its worst flooding, voted against the advisory board meant to tackle these issues. But now, as she seeks another term, she’s positioning herself as a leader in flood mitigation. Carmen Theresa Morales called the committee “long overdue,” an understatement given how long the community has been asking for action. Mikie Sherrill, who is preparing a gubernatorial run, is now prominently engaging in local flood issues, raising questions about whether this is about securing federal resources or securing votes (surprisingly or unsurprisingly, she keeps mentioning Bloomfield in her public forums and debates).

The press release focuses on future collaboration but conveniently omits past failures. It doesn’t mention that Hurricane Ida devastated Bloomfield in 2021 while Venezia was mayor. It doesn’t acknowledge that Mundell and Venezia did little to address the issue when they had the power to act. The Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee only exists because of relentless community pressure, not because of any proactive government initiative.

This deliberate silence on past inaction is strategic. It allows these officials to frame themselves as problem-solvers instead of admitting they were part of the problem.

The optics of regional collaboration look great in campaign materials. “Bringing together municipalities,” “securing federal funding,” “working with the Army Corps of Engineers”—these are all well-worn political talking points. But where’s the substance? We’ve seen no concrete flood mitigation plans. There’s no detailed funding roadmap, no timeline for execution, and no commitment to addressing the structural issues that made past floods so catastrophic. Instead, we get a press release—not a policy.

If this issue was truly urgent, why wait until an election year to act? Why were flood mitigation efforts delayed when solutions were proposed in 2021? What concrete steps will this committee take to protect residents? Is this about real flood solutions, or is it just another campaign strategy?

Finally, their claim of a “regional approach” is puzzling. In the press release, they only included the town in LD 34. However, Bloomfield actually borders other towns outside LD 34—such as Newark, Montclair, and Clifton. Why weren’t the mayors of those towns included in this supposed “regional collaboration”? It appears to be an artificially created committee designed to satisfy LD 34 incumbents, the mayor who is up for re-election, and a congresswoman looking to secure votes for her endorsement for governor before the Essex County Convention on March 22.

Final Thoughts: A Community That Remembers

Bloomfield residents are not naïve. We remember who showed up when we were drowning — and it wasn’t the politicians now grandstanding in press photos on Maolis Avenue. The real work of flood mitigation was forced into existence by residents, not elected officials.

We will not be swayed by last-minute election-year promises. We deserve real solutions, not political theater. Read our platform on Bloomfield Democrats for Change to see what we offer instead.

By Satenik Margaryan, Ph.D., A Candidate for Town Council At Large