Jersey City Mayor Faces Backlash Over Snowplowing Failures

New mayor blames predecessor for lack of modern snow removal plan as schools remain closed

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:23pm

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Jersey City's new mayor, James Solomon, is facing criticism from residents over the city's failure to adequately plow streets after a recent snowstorm, forcing public schools to remain closed. Solomon has blamed his predecessor, Steven Fulop, for not having a modern snow removal plan in place, but locals are frustrated by the lack of effort to clear roads and sidewalks.

Why it matters

Effective snow removal is a critical service that local governments must provide, especially in winter-heavy regions like the Northeast. The inability to clear streets and sidewalks in a timely manner can disrupt transportation, school schedules, and daily life for residents. This incident highlights the importance of having a comprehensive and well-executed snow removal plan in place.

The details

After Winter Storm Fern hit the area, Jersey City's public schools were forced to remain closed on Tuesday due to the unplowed streets. Residents took to social media to criticize the lack of effort by the city, with one Reddit user calling the situation "infuriating" and "ridiculous." Mayor Solomon acknowledged the problems, saying the prior administration's snow removal plan was outdated and lacked features like GPS tracking for plows. He promised an "after action review" to improve the city's response, but some residents questioned whether he was aware of these recurring issues from his time as a city councilor.

  • Winter Storm Fern hit the area over the weekend.
  • Jersey City public schools were forced to remain closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

The players

James Solomon

The new mayor of Jersey City who is facing backlash over the city's snowplowing failures.

Steven Fulop

The former mayor of Jersey City, whose administration is being blamed by Solomon for not having a modern snow removal plan in place.

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What they’re saying

“You deserve a city government that gets things right AND improves. We'll be making the review public.”

— James Solomon, Mayor of Jersey City (Facebook)

What’s next

In-person instruction is set to resume in Jersey City on Wednesday, according to Solomon's office. The mayor has promised an 'after action review' to work on improving the city's snow removal response for future storms.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of having a comprehensive and well-executed snow removal plan in place, especially for cities in winter-heavy regions. The failure to clear streets and sidewalks in a timely manner can disrupt daily life for residents and undermine public trust in local government. As Jersey City works to address these issues, it serves as a reminder that effective snow removal is a critical service that municipalities must prioritize.