When I took office as the South Ward Councilwoman in December 2022, I made a solemn vow: to faithfully and impartially serve the people of Trenton to the best of my ability. Since then, I have worked tirelessly to honor that promise, always putting Trenton and its residents first. The issues I face every day as your representative are those that affect the quality of life of all Trentonians — the everyday concerns that have long gone unanswered, but which I am determined to address. Whether it’s managing overgrown trees, repairing sidewalks, repaving streets, resolving street light outages, or implementing traffic calming measures, I take every concern seriously. These are the issues that make a difference in the lives of our residents, and I have made sure that these concerns are not overlooked. My office has been a place of action — responding to every call, email, letter, or social media message. As the South Ward’s representative, I have worked with my colleagues to increase fines for illegal trash disposal and improve the city’s garbage ordinance. I have also fought for the repaving of over two dozen streets in the South Ward, and I’ve ensured that dozens more are slated for the 2025 repaving schedule. Thanks to your feedback and my advocacy, we’ve even addressed the illegal dumping of debris in several key areas. The improvements don’t stop there. I’ve worked alongside Mayor Gusciora to identify and demolish the most dilapidated and dangerous properties in the South Ward. Eight such properties have already been razed, and there are plans for more. Additionally, thanks to the hard work of my constituents and the support of my fellow Council members, we’ve successfully implemented traffic calming measures, including speed bumps and new stop signs on our busiest streets. As someone born and raised in the South Ward, I understand the struggles our community has faced for decades. This neighborhood, like so many others, was neglected for too long. But today, I see a South Ward that is stronger and safer than before. We’ve made real progress, but there is still much more work to do, and I am committed to seeing it through. Looking ahead, I am excited about the reopening of the South Ward Senior Center. This cherished space will soon be available for our seniors to enjoy once again. My aide and I have been working diligently to bring this about, and the day when our elders can gather, engage, and feel safe is one step closer. I also remain dedicated to the reopening of the Skelton Library. Although the city is considering repurposing it into a community center, I continue to advocate for it to remain a library — the place where I spent so many hours as a child. Regardless of the outcome, I am excited to see a safe place for our children to go after school and on weekends, something our community desperately needs. Another victory I’m proud to highlight is the revitalization of Orange Street Park. Thanks to advocacy and funding from the city, this park has been transformed into a modern, vibrant playground for our children. Students from the International Charter School now have a safe and inviting space to play, and it has become a cornerstone of the neighborhood. This work, this progress, is what drives me. It’s the work I love, and it’s the work I want to continue. But there is so much more to do. As we look toward 2025, I am particularly excited about the continued rehabilitation of our parks, with more than 60 across Trenton being improved. I’m especially proud to have pushed for Orange Street Park’s revitalization to be on the list. Additionally, I’m a proud advocate for labor, and I’ve supported the city’s first Project Labor Agreement. This ensures that labor contracts for city projects exceeding $5 million are handled responsibly, while prioritizing local hires and supporting our community’s workforce. When I took the oath of office, I swore to represent all Trentonians, not just those who voted for me. Every day, I strive to fulfill that promise by working for the betterment of all residents of the South Ward and Trenton at large. Whether you voted for me or not, I am here for you, working on your behalf, listening to your concerns, and fighting for what matters most to you. On Tuesday, December 3, I humbly ask for your continued support. Together, we can keep pushing forward, improving the South Ward, and creating a safer, stronger, and more vibrant Trenton for all. — Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg, Trenton South Ward Councilwoman, Incumbent, and Trenton Council Vice President