On Monday, Mayor Andre Sayegh raised the Italian Flag in honor of Paterson’s rich Italian immigrant history. In the early 1900s, thousands of Italian immigrants came to Paterson to work in the city’s silk mills. “We are proud to celebrate Italian Heritage Day on Columbus Day here in the City of Paterson,” Sayegh said. “Today we are celebrating all Italian-Americans.” 

Sayegh also honored County Commissioner Pat Lepore, an Italian immigrant first elected to the County government in 2004. Lepore led the County through 10 credit upgrades and was able to keep taxes flat for a number of years as he served as the budget chair, Sayegh said.