Douglas Palmer

Douglas Harold Palmer (born October 19, 1951) was the first African-American mayor of Trenton, New Jersey.

Douglas Harold Palmer
Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey
In office
July 1, 1990  June 30, 2010
Preceded byCarmen Armenti
Succeeded byTony F. Mack
Personal details
Born(1951-10-19)October 19, 1951
Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Christiana Foglio-Palmer
ChildrenLaila Rose (born 2002)
ResidenceTrenton, New Jersey
Alma materHampton University

Biography

Palmer was born in Trenton and attended Trenton public schools. He then graduated from the Bordentown Military Institute in Bordentown, New Jersey. He is a graduate of Virginia's private black college Hampton University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 1973. He took office as mayor of Trenton on July 1, 1990, having defeated former city council president and mayor Carmen Armenti.[1]

Palmer helped to initiate the Trenton Office of Policy Studies, now the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy,[2] at Thomas Edison State University a unique think tank representing a partnership among the Mayor's Office, the University, and foundations to provide high quality focused research to the administration of a small city.

Palmer assembled a talented cabinet, including William Bill Watson as Chief of Staff, Alan Mallach as Director of Housing and Urban Development[3], and Elizabeth Johnson as Director of Recreation, Natural Resources, and Culture.

Palmer was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[4] a bipartisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Palmer announced at a press conference December 7, 2009, that he would not seek a sixth term as mayor of Trenton.

References


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