Retiring Councilwomen Portuondo Calls Service On Council 'Rewarding'

Retiring Councilwomen Nuris Portuondo, who served one term with Summit Common Council, was honored during the city’s reorganization meeting last Thursday.

Portuondo, the Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for JP Morgan Chase, chaired General Services and Law during her years of service on Common Council.

“Nuris and I joined council three years ago. We first met four years ago,” said Council President Rich Madden, who presented Portuondo with her Council Chair. “Over the years, we’ve developed a good family friendship and we’ve developed a mutual respect for one another. She has been a fantastic councilperson.”

In addition to her Council Chair, Madden also presented Portuondo with two commemorative plaques for her positions held with Common Council — one for President Pro Tem and the other for Councilwoman First Ward.

Sen. Tom Kean and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz presented Portuondo with a Joint Resolution for her three years of service to Summit.

"On a personal basis, as Sen. Kean said, you did indeed make this a far better place because of your service and we appreciate all that you did,” said Munoz, a long-time resident of Summit. “We will certainly miss you here. Congratulations and good luck and all the best to you.”

Madden said he hates to see Portuondo go, but knows that Common Council has a very well qualified replacement. But he said a few things bother him about Portuondo leaving.

“She is our youngest council member and she’s leaving us,” Madden said. “I’m looking to get younger people aboard in the future. She’s the only female we’ve had on council. I put a plea out to the ladies of Summit: we need your help. Coming down the line, step up to the plate. We’re looking forward to some good women serving on council in the years down the line.”

Portuondo said she encourages individuals who have the temperament and inclination to run for Common Council.

“It is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life. I have met possibly every police officer, every firefighter, and everyone who works on staff,” Portuondo said. “It gives me great pleasure to say that Summit is my home.”