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Passaic honors longtime public‑works superintendent and retiring councilman at June 17 meeting
Summary
The Passaic City Council held proclamations recognizing Mark Anthony Watkins Sr. on his retirement and Councilman Daniel Schwartz on his 28 years of service; the council also presented certificates to a local military family.
The Passaic City Council held a ceremony June 17 that included proclamations honoring Mark Anthony Watkins Sr., superintendent of public works, and Councilman Daniel Schwartz on the occasion of their retirements.
The mayor, Hector C. Laura, introduced Watkins’s proclamation, reading a summary of his career and noting his 36 years with the Department of Public Works. The mayor said Watkins oversaw a team “of more than 60 employees” as superintendent and praised his responsiveness to emergencies and daily public‑works operations. Mark Anthony Watkins Sr. told the council he appreciates the mayor’s confidence and recalled being asked to take the superintendent post: “You said, Mark, give me 2 to 3 months. If you can't handle it, come back to me, and I'll get somebody else to do the job,” Watkins said. He said he accepted the challenge and thanked the mayor and his family.
The council read a proclamation honoring Councilman Daniel Schwartz for 28 years on the council and 25 years on the planning board. Schwartz, who spoke briefly, called his service “an honor and a privilege” and thanked colleagues and staff. The mayor noted that Schwartz will serve as the mayor’s delegate to the planning board after leaving elected office.
The meeting also included a presentation recognizing Juanita Garcia Lopez and members of her family for military service; Guillermo Cruz accepted on Garcia Lopez’s behalf. The mayor cited the family’s service during the council’s remarks and presented certificates.
Council members and staff offered personal remarks about both Watkins and Schwartz. Several council members and the mayor highlighted Watkins’s hands‑on leadership in public‑works operations — including snow removal, storm response and interdepartmental support — and the positive morale shift in the department under his supervision. Remarks about Schwartz emphasized his long tenure, institutional knowledge and steady approach to governance.
The council recessed for about 10 minutes after the proclamations and returned to regular business.
The recognitions were ceremonial; no formal legislation related to the retirements was introduced or enacted during the meeting.
