Council - Regular Meeting

Resolution commemoratively renaming the intersection of Beach Street and Second Street to Gordon Scooter Whiting Way. Whereas Gordon Scooter Whiting was a devoted member of the Hackensack community, a proud Comet for life, whose career in service to the city of Hackensack and its young people spanned decades and left an enduring mark on countless lives. And whereas, Mr. Whiting served with distinction as a football and basketball coach and as athletic director for the Hackensack School District, dedicating himself tirelessly to the development of student athletes, both on and off the field. And whereas as a coach, Gordon Scooter Whiting was far more than a tactician. He was a mentor who believed in young people before they believed in themselves, pushing student athletes to be tougher, more disciplined, more accountable, and better prepared for the challenges of life beyond sports. And whereas Mr. Whiting embodied the core values of Hackensack football, pride, toughness, and brotherhood, and was widely regarded by generations of student athletes as someone who represented everything those values stand for, And whereas, as athletic director, Mr. Whiting provided steady and principled leadership over the district's athletic programs, supporting coaches, student athletes, and the broader school community with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. And whereas Mr. Whiting served as an assistant principal within the Hackensack School District, extending his influence beyond athletics and into the full academic life of the community he loved. And whereas Gordon Scooter Whiting was a lifelong Hackensack resident whose family is deeply rooted in this community and who, together with his wife, Hackensack Middle School Principal Dr. Joy Whiting, represent the very best of public service and commitment to the city of Hackensack. And whereas Mr. Whiting passed away on May 15th, 2026, just two days after the Hackensack Board of Education accepted his retirement, A poignant reminder of a life given wholly in service to this community and his passing has been mourned deeply across Hackensack and beyond. And whereas it is both fitting and proper that the city of Hackensack honor the memory of Gordon Scooter Whiting by commemoratively designating a portion of a street in his name so that future generations may know and remember his remarkable contributions to this community. And now, therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and council of the city of Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey, as follows. The intersection of Beach Street and Second Street in the city of Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey, is hereby commemoratively designated as Gordon Scooter Whiting Way in honor of the life, legacy, and extraordinary service of Gordon Scooter Whiting. be it further resolved that the appropriate officials of the city are directed to determine an appropriate manner to reflect this commemorative renaming, and be it further resolved that the city clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Gordon Scooter Whiting, to the Hackensack Board of Education, and to such other offices as it may be appropriate. Can I have a motion?

I'll offer. Second.

If you can call the roll, please.

Deputy Mayor Toomey.

Aye.

Council Member Clark Collins. Aye. Council Member Carroll.

Yes, sir.

Councilman Diaz. Aye. Mayor Gaines. Aye. Resolution passes.

Good evening, everyone. I'm flooded with emotion right now, gratitude, and just humility for this amazing honor in honor of my husband, Gordon Scooter Whiting. I stand before you representing our children, Camille, our son Curtis, and my husband's dear parents, Gordon and Martha Whiting, my mother-in-law is here. My husband was a proud Comet. lover of this community. We proudly live here. He's lived here all his life. And when Mayor Gaines announced the street naming at his funeral services, I was overcome with emotion, shock, just disbelief and gratitude for him being honored in such an amazing way. My husband was a humble man. He was a man of few words, but he lived loudly. He lived for us as a family. He lived loudly for the children of Hackensack. He loved this city. He often talked about what pride he had growing up here, and he would often say, it's not where you're from, it's where you're at. And so that's the message that I hope that his life resounds, that regardless of where you come from or regardless of where you land in the city of Hackensack, that it's where you plant your feet to bloom where you've been planted that will speak volumes to your legacy. And so I'm grateful for this opportunity. I'm humbled by it. And I will forever be indebted to all of you who made it possible for this amazing honor in honor of my husband. Thank you to the community, our family, the Hackensack residents. I often say we are framily because it's a mixture of family and friends. So thank you so much. And tomorrow at the Hackensack Sports Dinner, we will present two scholarships in honor of the Gordon School of the Whiting, once a comment, always a comment. And so that just speaks to living loudly and being a proud Hackensack resident. So thank you. And I wanna end with this quote, it says, your life is a better sermon than your lips. And so it is my prayer and it is my desire that we all live a life so that our sermon will be lived by our lives and not just by our lips. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity.