Tony Vauss traffics in ambulatory cheer, and it's weird.
Only in New Jersey would a politician try to convert a garbage truck into a vanity venture.
But Irvington mayor Tony Vauss, who has been facing a recall effort, figured it was time to boost his public profile by using three city vehicles as moving billboards.
Two new street sweepers - yes, those rolling refuse sprayers - and one city bus have eye-catching portraits of the mayor on three sides, with inspirational messages such as "Tony Vauss Cares for our Seniors," and "Tony Vauss' Clean Team."
Maybe a few of Irvington's 54,000 residents find it unnerving to see the mayor's beaming countenance peering down at them when the bus rolls by, but it's hard to argue with promoting civic tidiness and respect for seniors - especially if the graphics, as Vauss claims, came at no extra cost.
We're just fear it might catch on in.
Governor. PATH Trains. Cape May Ferry. The NJT 319 Express to AC.
Endless possibilities, just one face. The only hitch: It could stop traffic.
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