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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 14, 2022 | The Indian Eye 18

Edison, nJ, Mayor

Sam Joshi, 32, sworn to office

as youngest and first Indian-American

At the ceremony attended by 200 people, Joshi announced two main goals for himself and

his administration – the need for unity and a government that works for its people

OUR BUREAU
Edison, NJ
n New Year’s Day, Samip
“Sam” Joshi, 32, became
Othe youngest and first Indi-
an-American to be sworn in Mayor of
Edison Township in New Jersey. The
swearing-in ceremony was held at the
J.P. Stevens High School, Joshi’s alma
mater. “The demographics of Edison
reflect greater America and because
of this, we are uniquely positioned to
be a catalyst of unity in our society –
but it is up to us to bring that change,”
he said during the event.
“We need to focus on how we
can bring each other’s communities munity because nothing is more
together, what we can learn from important to me than our collective
one another, and what we appreci- success,” he said. “Every decision
ate about each other. We can’t allow my administration will make will
ourselves to get bogged down by pa- prioritize the improvement of our
rochial interests, or to see progress quality of life. We need to have an
in one area as an affront to some- Edison that we are proud of for now
thing else that also needs to be ad- and in the future.”
dressed. We have to see the bigger Joshi said he plans to deliver his
picture and move forward collec- first State of the Township address
tively.” on Feb. 22, during which he will an-
Joshi, 32, is the township’s nounce timelines for goals and make
youngest mayor and the first South appointments to key positions.
Asian to hold the position. With some 200 people, includ-
Joshi, a Democrat, defeated ing Joshi’s parents and relatives
Republican candidate Keith Hahn there to watch the ceremony, the
and Christo Makropoulos, an inde- young man sounded a businesslike
pendent, to win the hotly contest- tone in his pointed speech about
ed race in November. He replaced announcing timelines to meet all
Mayor Thomas Lankey who did not the goals he had been talking about
seek reelection. Joshi’s Democratic during his campaign, and investing
Township Council running mates in unity and diversity of the town
Margot Harris, Nishith Patel and that boasts the highest concentra-
John Poyner also emerged victori- goals for himself and his adminis- The mayor’s campaign focused tion of Asians, particularly those of
ous and were sworn into office. tration – the need for unity and a on supporting Edison’s open space South Asian origin.
Joshi’s parents immigrated government that works for its peo- referendum, changing the local gov- But Joshi was emotional and
from India 34 years ago and settled ple. “And because of this, we have ernment to a township council ward had some poignant words about his
in Edison, where they opened a con- a multitude of different viewpoints system, opposing warehouses being roots recounting how his parents
venience store and worked to buy a and different priorities that we must built in residential neighborhoods, came to the United States 34 years
home and raise a family where their navigate. The demographics of Edi- launching municipal broadband for ago, settled in Edison where they
children would have countless op- son reflect greater America and be- faster internet service and updating opened a small convenience store,
portunities. “Now just a few decades cause of this, we are uniquely posi- the township’s master plan. “earning enough money to buy a
later we’re here in this room, on this tioned to be a catalyst of unity in our “Edison, as your mayor I will home and raise a family in hopes
day, making history,” he said. society – but it is up to us to bring never give up, and I will never stop that their children would have the
Joshi has announced two main that change,” he said. working for you and for our com- opportunities that they never did.”

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