TRENTON – Missing in action.
Mayor Reed Gusciora blamed COVID-19 for missing out on Trenton Central High School’s graduation last week.
His name appeared as an invited guest on the commencement program, but he no-showed the event, and later released a statement on Facebook blaming his unexpected absence on the virus that has killed more than 140,000 in the U.S.
“Just another reminder to wear your mask,” he wrote in a post Sunday. “This past week, I came into contact with someone who may have had COVID. Although I took precautions and social distanced, I was not feeling well Monday night. I went for a COVID test on Tuesday at Henry J. Austin after a tele-medicine consultation. I was looking forward to TCHS graduation as I helped arrange the move to Thunder Stadium.
“I was also excited it was the first graduating class from the new high school that we all fought so hard to get. Unfortunately, I was still in self-quarantine and had to miss the festivities.”
Gusciora did not respond to a Trentonian phone call Monday, but further explained his no-show during an interview with Peterson’s Breaking News.
“A big congratulations to all of the high school grads,” he said. “It’s exciting. This is a big milestone in their life. It’s unfortunate that the first graduation class from the new high school, which we all fought so hard to get, was only a half-a-year effort. … I unfortunately missed it, and I really apologize to everyone who I did. I had a scare with COVID.”
Gusciora – who some critics lambasted as a “clown” for apparently not even sending someone in his place – revealed he didn’t get back the negative COVID-19 results until Saturday, a day too late.
Must’ve been the “summer flu,” Gusciora said.
“The focus should be all about the kids, not the mayor’s absence,” he said. “It was a real tight program, so I don’t think anyone needed to hear a written letter from me.”
Each graduate received a written letter from the mayor, he said during the interview, to ensure they weren’t forgotten.
“I can understand the anger that people felt I was neglecting the students,” he said.
The $155 million new school opened in the fall, but classes were interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Seniors missed out on countless events like prom and spring sports.
Once Gov. Phil Murphy green-lighted graduation ceremonies statewide with social-distancing precautions, Trenton officials kicked it into overdrive to salvage a ceremony, finally settling on Arm & Hammer Park.
Officials also found alternative ways to celebrate the class of 2020’s 416 seniors, putting up lawn signs with each graduate’s photo outside the school. The city also partnered to put up a handful of billboards around the capital.
The virus has infected more than 3,700 people and killed more than 100 Trentonians. The figure includes deaths of those who lived at one of the four capital city nursing homes.
It was at least the second time Gusciora was tested for COVID-19, both times coming back negative.
He also told this newspaper he planned to get retested after his police director Sheilah Coley came back positive, but was asymptomatic, for the killer respiratory disease.
