02 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO PRESENTS 2026 STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS
Published on March 2, 2026
Cedar Grove, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. presented his 2026 State of the County Address at the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove on Thursday, February 26th. The speech is an opportunity for the County Executive to share accomplishments of the past year and outline initiatives planned for the coming year.
The evening presentation started with a three-and-a-half-minute music video about Essex County created by students at Essex County Donald Payne, Sr. School of Technology. The rap song featured a variety of programs and services offered by Essex County as well as improvements made throughout the Parks System and the Vocational School District. At the end of the song, DiVincenzo joked that “government accomplishments are not exactly things you expect to hear in a song,” but he knew the students would create something special.
The County Executive pointed out numerous national issues are affecting the country right now. “In addition to rising costs and federal cut mayhem, Essex County has continued to meet our residents’ needs. In November, the Federal shutdown left 120,000 Essex County residents without access to SNAP,” DiVincenzo said. “We responded by hosting five food distribution events in two weeks to provide the resources to put food on the table for our families,” he said, thanking the Community FoodBank, RWJBarnabas Health and County employees making these events possible.
“We are Essex County! We are a good government that has worked hard and demonstrated that we show up. We can’t address every national, state, and municipal issue, but we can do what we have been doing for the past 23 years. We have strengthened our departments, responded to residents, and we are always Putting Essex County First,” he said.
DiVincenzo then told the story of how two Community Health Quick Response Team members, Chris Rojas and Matt Robinson, went above and beyond to help a client. They set her up with housing, made sure she followed through on her treatment and, when she had to appear in court on a DUI charge, Rojas drove all the way to South Jersey so she did not have to appear before the judge alone. The client now has a permanent apartment in East Orange, received a voucher for furniture and “is an example of the change that is possible with support from a network of compassionate professionals,” he noted.
Another heartwarming story was about Youth Services Commission members Alicia Holman, Floisha Johnson and Nayellie Collazo helping a 17-year-old and her family. The teen thanked his advisors for always being available to help with tutoring and life skills and checking in with him and his family at least once a week to see how he was doing. Now that student has a full scholarship to MIT, the County Executive noted.
Other area highlighted included the Office of Public Health Management partnering with Montclair State University, the continued partnership with RWJBarnabas Health on the Mobile Health Unit initiative and using AI and GIS to hone services. Training and Employment and the Workforce Development Board are providing free laptops to clients to assist with professional development and car repair and insurance assistance to overcome transportation issues.
A renaissance at Essex County College continued with new facilities opening, including the new West Essex Campus, an updated Library and Innovation Center and the modernization of the cafeteria. Students at the Essex County Schools of Technology continue to excel by earning an Associate’s Degree from ECC at the same time as their high school diploma and are being accepted into Ivy League schools. Accomplishments by the West Caldwell Tech Robotics Team was highlighted as well as Payne graduate Zion Rosembert who worked with political and television professionals when the NJ gubernatorial primary debates were held at the school.
As always, DiVincenzo listed numerous infrastructure projects from new bridges and intersection upgrades that were made as well as the opening of the Wynona Lipman Family Courthouse in Newark. Regarding improvements in the Parks System, the County Executive talked about the athletic fields and picnic areas that were modernized as well as opening the Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Community Center. “This is the ninth building of its kind that we have opened, offering seniors nutritious lunches and residents with welcoming spaces. They have expanded the role of our parks, made them a focal point of the community, and provided more reasons to enjoy our open spaces,” he said. He also mentioned dedicating the Wilbur McNeil Walking Track in Weequahic Park after the Weequahic Park Association founding and the Patricia Chambers Cherry Blossom Grove in Branch Brook Park named for one of the founders of the Branch Brook Park Alliance. The updated Outback Adventure and the new Barry Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center were opened and newborn lion cubs, Anga and Kito, were welcomed. Weequahic Golf Course received a comprehensive renovation and the Parks Administration Building was updated. DiVincenzo promised more of the same in 2026 with projects planned to updated playgrounds, baseball fields, basketball courts and restroom buildings.
“This past year was filled with challenges and 2026 will be more of the same. Families will still be struggling with affordability. Mothers whose children were born here and beyond our borders will still be fighting for a better quality of life. National headlines will still spell out injustice and fears,” DiVincenzo said. “But, here in Essex County, our diversity will continue to be our strength. Our agenda for the people will continue to thrive and progress. Our commitment to environmental justice will continue to advance. As your County Executive, I am just as energized today as I was 23 years ago. And I know Essex County, our employees and staff are up for the challenge too. We are now entering our 24th year in office and our one commitment remains strong – to continue Putting Essex County First,” he concluded.
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