By Anthony Olszewski
Copyright 2004

Mayor Thomas Gangemi held court each night at a posh local restaurant. One evening, Hudson County Boss J. V. Kenny ("The Little Guy"), came to see the Mayor there. Instead of immediately greeting Kenny, Gangemi continued conversing with a pair of minor flunkies. After a few minutes, beginning to become annoyed, JVK approached Gangemi.

"Mayor, there's a couple of papers here I'd like you to take a look at . . ."

"Hey you, I'M THE MAYOR NOW! YOU SIT DOWN! I'LL SEE YOU WHEN I'M GOOD AND READY!"

An electric tension filled the air. After the fall of Hague, no one dared raise their voice to John V. Kenny.

Kenny just mumbled softly, "That's right. You're the Mayor now." Then the elderly little man took a seat off to the side and patiently waited for the tall distinguished Gangemi to finish talking.

Nobody could believe what they were witnessing. JVK silently sat there. Even Mayor Gangemi began to appear nervous. After a few minutes, in a friendly voice, Thomas Gangemi asked Kenny what it was that he wanted. Without saying a word JVK got up and produced some papers from a folder.

After glancing at the documents, Mayor Gangemi said OK and began to apologize.

John V. Kenny turned and walked away, just mumbling softly, "You were right. You're the Mayor now."

The next day the whole city talked about the confrontation. Some wondered how JVK ever let someone like Gangemi get in a position to lord it over him. Others thought that perhaps after all Kenny might be getting old.

The day after that the Mayor's Office got a letter from the Justice Department. The Feds had proof that Thomas Gangemi was not a U. S. citizen. Gangemi had to immediately resign as Mayor of Jersey City.