O’Dea dumped as Hudson Board of Commissioners vice chair

Bill O’Dea, one of three Hudson County Commissioners who opposed a contract to allow the U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) to keep jailing immigrant detainees, was dumped today from his post as vice chairman.

He was replaced by Anthony “Stick” Romano, a commissioner from Hoboken.

Anthony Vainieri, Jr., who has led the board for the last few years, was again named chairman.

O’Dea was recently re-elected to a 9th term.  He won the Jersey City district seat in 1997 following the death of incumbent Hank Gallo.

The newest county commissioner, Yraida Aponte-Lipski, took office.  She replaced Joel Torres, who lost support from the Hudson County Democratic Organization for his re-election bid.