Irvine I. Turner (1914–1974)[1][2] politician who was the first Black official in Newark, New Jersey elected to the Municipal Council when he took office in 1954.[3][4] He was also publisher and co-editor of a Black weekly newspaper The New Jersey Record.[5] He was known for his "flamboyant personality and fiery rhetoric".[5] Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson called him "a man who paved the way for black people to be elected to public office."[6] Irvine Turner Boulevard, a large street in Newark, is named after him.[3]
Irvine Turner was born in Newark in 1914 and educated in the city,[6] including at Barringer High School.[7] He attended the New York School of Journalism and joined the staff of the New Jersey Guardian.[6] When the Guardian suspended publication he co-founded The New Jersey Record with Fred R. Clark.[6] In 1941 was appointed a member of the Newark Fair Employment Practices Committee under Mayor Vincent J. Murphy, becoming its youngest member.[3][6] In the same year he served on a committee to study one way streets under Public Safety Director John B Keenan.[3][6] Turner ran unsuccessfully for City Commissioner in 1949 and 1953.[6]
1954 electionedit
In 1954 Newark adopted a new government system involving a Municipal Council and five wards.[8] Turner ran against Roger Yancy a lawyer advanced by the professional African American community and Italian Johnny Savado.[5][8] Turner, as a newspaperman, was popular in the community.[8] He also had financial support from Jewish gangster Abner Zwillman and Mayor Ralph A. Villani[8] He had support from the unions. Civil Rights Congress and Negro Labor Vanguard.[8] The New Jersey Afro American, however, endorsed Yancey.[5] Turner won the election beating Savado by 2-1, with Yancy in third.[5][8]
Historian Robert Curvin wrote, "With his victory, a common man with intriguing connections and one-time neighborhood hustler was transformed into one of the most important politicians in New Jersey."[5]Amiri Baraka wrote, 'Mr. Turner's breakthrough into American politics was made possible by getting into political shape the Black Central Ward and establishing a leadership category for Black People going for the Democratic party".[9]
Council careeredit
Cummings was elected again through the 1966 election.[3] During his career, Turner aligned with Mayors Meyer C. Ellenstein and Ralph A. Villani.[3] He helped appoint African Americans for Newark city positions, using these jobs in exchange for the support of voters which he could then provide to other politicians including Hugh Joseph Addonizio.[3][5] He pushed for more opportunities for African Americans in employment, housing, the police force and government.[3][5] He had a wide-ranging career and was involved with many issues in the Central Ward and citywide.[3] He criticized the white establishment including slumlords and officials.[5]
During his career he was featured in national magazines like Jet and Ebony.[10][11]
However, by the 1960s, many in Newark were looking for change. George C. Richardson, under the banner of the United Freedom Democratic Party. ran against Turner in 1966, along with Kenneth A. Gibson's first bid for Mayor.[5] Richardson received only 10,000 votes.[5] In 1967, Amiri Baraka wrote, "Where once [Turner] offered some actual inspiration to Black People in Newark, now he represents the impotence and incompetence of one traditional area of Negro leadership."[9]
As new organizers began to present a challenge to established politicians Turner began criticizing the civil rights activists in Newark.[5] He said, "Violence, rash words, or insulting remarks are not going to get my race any further ahead than they have come.”[5]
In December 1969, Turner was indicted along with Mayor Hugh Joseph Addonizio.[12] In 1970, with growing opposition to the mayor, Dennis Westbrooks ran against Turner, on the ticket of Kenneth A. Gibson.[5] He beat Turner in a runoff.[5]
Later life and legacyedit
Irvine Turner had been hospitalized on numerous occasions since the 1950s and sustained numerous strokes.[6] He died on September 9, 1974, leaving a wife and three children.[6] Irvine I. Turner Boulevard was named after Turner.[3]
Referencesedit
^Sterling, Guy G. (2014). The Famous, the Familiar and the Forgotten. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN978-1-4990-7990-6.
^"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JK16-PMF : 8 January 2021), Irvine Turner, Sep 1974; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
^ abcdefghijCummings, Charles F. . Charles Cummings. Archived from the original on 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
^Mumford, Kevin (2008-11-01). Newark: A History of Race, Rights, and Riots in America. NYU Press. ISBN978-0-8147-5989-9.
^ abcdefghijklmnoCurvin, Robert (2014-07-09). Inside Newark: Decline, Rebellion, and the Search for Transformation. Rutgers University Press. ISBN978-0-8135-6572-9.
^ abcdefghiTerrell, Stanley E (1974-09-10). "Irvine Turner, 59, ex-Newark official". Star Ledger.
^"Sketches of Others Indicted in Newark". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
^ abcdef"Electing the first Black Power Leader". The North | Newark. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
^ abLeRoi., Jones (1971). Raise, race, rays, raze; essays since 1965. Random House. ISBN0-394-46222-X. OCLC 773517316.
^Grutzner, Charles. "U.S. INDICTS MAYOR OF NEWARK, 9 PRESENT OR FORMER OFFICIALS ON $253,000 EXTORTION CHARGES; ADDONIZIO ON BAIL Evasion of Tax Also Charged -- Boiardo Among Accused Mayor Addonizio Is Indicted on Extortion Charge", The New York Times, December 18, 1969. Accessed November 13, 2016. "Mayor Hugh J. Addonizio and nine present or former officials of the municipal administration in Newark were indicted yesterday by a Federal grand jury with five other persons, among whom was Anthony (Tony Boy) Boiardo, a reputed member of the Mafia."
January 01, 1970
irvine, turner, 1914, 1974, politician, first, black, official, newark, jersey, elected, municipal, council, when, took, office, 1954, also, publisher, editor, black, weekly, newspaper, jersey, record, known, flamboyant, personality, fiery, rhetoric, mayor, ke. Irvine I Turner 1914 1974 1 2 politician who was the first Black official in Newark New Jersey elected to the Municipal Council when he took office in 1954 3 4 He was also publisher and co editor of a Black weekly newspaper The New Jersey Record 5 He was known for his flamboyant personality and fiery rhetoric 5 Mayor Kenneth A Gibson called him a man who paved the way for black people to be elected to public office 6 Irvine Turner Boulevard a large street in Newark is named after him 3 CouncilmanIrvine TurnerBorn1914Newark New Jersey U S Died 1974 09 09 September 9 1974Newark New Jersey U S OccupationPolitician Contents 1 Early life 2 1954 election 3 Council career 4 Later life and legacy 5 ReferencesEarly life editIrvine Turner was born in Newark in 1914 and educated in the city 6 including at Barringer High School 7 He attended the New York School of Journalism and joined the staff of the New Jersey Guardian 6 When the Guardian suspended publication he co founded The New Jersey Record with Fred R Clark 6 In 1941 was appointed a member of the Newark Fair Employment Practices Committee under Mayor Vincent J Murphy becoming its youngest member 3 6 In the same year he served on a committee to study one way streets under Public Safety Director John B Keenan 3 6 Turner ran unsuccessfully for City Commissioner in 1949 and 1953 6 1954 election editIn 1954 Newark adopted a new government system involving a Municipal Council and five wards 8 Turner ran against Roger Yancy a lawyer advanced by the professional African American community and Italian Johnny Savado 5 8 Turner as a newspaperman was popular in the community 8 He also had financial support from Jewish gangster Abner Zwillman and Mayor Ralph A Villani 8 He had support from the unions Civil Rights Congress and Negro Labor Vanguard 8 The New Jersey Afro American however endorsed Yancey 5 Turner won the election beating Savado by 2 1 with Yancy in third 5 8 Historian Robert Curvin wrote With his victory a common man with intriguing connections and one time neighborhood hustler was transformed into one of the most important politicians in New Jersey 5 Amiri Baraka wrote Mr Turner s breakthrough into American politics was made possible by getting into political shape the Black Central Ward and establishing a leadership category for Black People going for the Democratic party 9 Council career editCummings was elected again through the 1966 election 3 During his career Turner aligned with Mayors Meyer C Ellenstein and Ralph A Villani 3 He helped appoint African Americans for Newark city positions using these jobs in exchange for the support of voters which he could then provide to other politicians including Hugh Joseph Addonizio 3 5 He pushed for more opportunities for African Americans in employment housing the police force and government 3 5 He had a wide ranging career and was involved with many issues in the Central Ward and citywide 3 He criticized the white establishment including slumlords and officials 5 During his career he was featured in national magazines like Jet and Ebony 10 11 However by the 1960s many in Newark were looking for change George C Richardson under the banner of the United Freedom Democratic Party ran against Turner in 1966 along with Kenneth A Gibson s first bid for Mayor 5 Richardson received only 10 000 votes 5 In 1967 Amiri Baraka wrote Where once Turner offered some actual inspiration to Black People in Newark now he represents the impotence and incompetence of one traditional area of Negro leadership 9 As new organizers began to present a challenge to established politicians Turner began criticizing the civil rights activists in Newark 5 He said Violence rash words or insulting remarks are not going to get my race any further ahead than they have come 5 In December 1969 Turner was indicted along with Mayor Hugh Joseph Addonizio 12 In 1970 with growing opposition to the mayor Dennis Westbrooks ran against Turner on the ticket of Kenneth A Gibson 5 He beat Turner in a runoff 5 Later life and legacy editIrvine Turner had been hospitalized on numerous occasions since the 1950s and sustained numerous strokes 6 He died on September 9 1974 leaving a wife and three children 6 Irvine I Turner Boulevard was named after Turner 3 References edit Sterling Guy G 2014 The Famous the Familiar and the Forgotten Xlibris Corporation ISBN 978 1 4990 7990 6 United States Social Security Death Index database FamilySearch https familysearch org ark 61903 1 1 JK16 PMF 8 January 2021 Irvine Turner Sep 1974 citing U S Social Security Administration Death Master File database Alexandria Virginia National Technical Information Service ongoing a b c d e f g h i j Cummings Charles F Irvine I Turner Politician Extraordinaire and Champion of Poor Charles Cummings Archived from the original on 2022 02 22 Retrieved 2022 02 22 Mumford Kevin 2008 11 01 Newark A History of Race Rights and Riots in America NYU Press ISBN 978 0 8147 5989 9 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Curvin Robert 2014 07 09 Inside Newark Decline Rebellion and the Search for Transformation Rutgers University Press ISBN 978 0 8135 6572 9 a b c d e f g h i Terrell Stanley E 1974 09 10 Irvine Turner 59 ex Newark official Star Ledger Sketches of Others Indicted in Newark timesmachine nytimes com a b c d e f Electing the first Black Power Leader The North Newark Retrieved 2022 02 22 a b LeRoi Jones 1971 Raise race rays raze essays since 1965 Random House ISBN 0 394 46222 X OCLC 773517316 Ebony Johnson Publishing Company 1965 Jet Johnson Publishing Company 1955 06 30 Grutzner Charles U S INDICTS MAYOR OF NEWARK 9 PRESENT OR FORMER OFFICIALS ON 253 000 EXTORTION CHARGES ADDONIZIO ON BAIL Evasion of Tax Also Charged Boiardo Among Accused Mayor Addonizio Is Indicted on Extortion Charge The New York Times December 18 1969 Accessed November 13 2016 Mayor Hugh J Addonizio and nine present or former officials of the municipal administration in Newark were indicted yesterday by a Federal grand jury with five other persons among whom was Anthony Tony Boy Boiardo a reputed member of the Mafia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Irvine I Turner amp oldid 1219667064, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
