In the November election, Hillside Councilman Gerald Pateesh Freedman, a local political icon, was defeated.
Freedman, who represented Hillside’s 4th Ward for more than two decades including a two-year run as council president, was on the losing end of a contentious battle that remains unresolved.
Fourth Ward voters will cast ballots again on December 5 to decide whether they should be represented by David Feuerstein or Marjorie Hargrave, a vocal critic of the current administration.
Reflecting on the outcome, Freedman says he is undecided about how he would vote in the runoff but he revealed strong sentiments that suggest his inclination.
Freedman suspects that Feuerstein betrayed him and would be a lackey for Mayor Dahlia Vertreese if he is elected to the council.
By contrast, he expressed admiration for the other contender, Marjorie Hargrave, who shared his concerns about issues like road conditions, garbage disposal, and code enforcement.
Freedman, a man known for his outspoken nature and commitment to the well-being of Hillside, said he is concerned about the town’s direction. “There’s a great deal of apathy around the country,” he said. As he campaigned, Freedman noticed a palpable discontent among the residents, who, in his words, seemed “disgusted” with the state of affairs in Hillside.
According to Freedman, the town faced challenges such as a lack of improvements, stalled development, and questionable decisions by the Vertreese administration, which closed essential facilities including town hall, the swimming pool, and Channel 35.
“This is the worst administration that I ever sat with,” said Freedman, a vocal critic of the current administration who blames Mayor Dahlia Vertreese for leaving the town in worse shape than ever.
Freedman likes that Hargrave is emphasizing the need for change and dedication to the taxpayers but he still needs convincing.
He lamented that his list of proposed projects and improvements remained unaddressed, illustrating his frustration with the perceived lack of progress under Vertreese.
Freedman found himself on the losing side of the election and expressed disappointment with the political maneuvering that led to his defeat.
Freedman claimed that his opponent, David Feuerstein, was once a close ally who had betrayed him in a political conspiracy orchestrated by the mayor.
Gerald “Pateesh” Freedman is currently in his sixth term on the Hillside Township Council.
His 24 years on the council span several mayors, an uprising in government from the commission format to the Faulkner format and includes a two-year run as council president.
Freedman’s initial interest in local government was in his area of expertise, on the Hillside Recreation Board. By profession, he has been director of the health and physical education department at Essex County College in Newark for 51 years.
Initially, he was asked to reorganize recreation in Hillside and set about the task.
When the fourth ward councilman resigned, Freedman was asked to run, and won the seat, which he has held ever since.
In the aftermath of his defeat, Freedman revealed plans to return to his first love—boxing.
A former boxer, trainer, and referee, he expressed a desire to train kids and stay in shape, reconnecting with the sport that played a significant role in his life.
Throughout his political career, Freedman remained nonpartisan, emphasizing his dedication to serving the community rather than aligning with a specific political ideology. His dedication to Hillside extended beyond politics, as he served on various committees and contributed to the betterment of the township.
Freedman is an Associate Professor in the Division of Social Sciences and Supervisor of Physical Education at Essex County College where he has worked for more than five decades.
He is a former boxer, boxing trainer, and referee.
His educational background includes East Stroudsburg State College, Newark State College, and New York University (NYU).
Freedman is a proud father and grandfather and is a Robert Street homeowner in Hillside’s Fourth Ward.
As the community contemplates the end of an era with Freedman’s defeat, his legacy as a committed and vocal advocate for Hillside will endure.
Whether or not the new council can address the issues he raised remains to be seen, but Gerald Pateesh Freedman’s impact on Hillside is indelible, leaving an imprint on local politics and the hearts of those he served for over two decades.