The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1984-08-01 / 8. szám

PROFILES IN FOCUS- by - Paul Pulitzer

Anthony M. Yelencsics, the American-Hungarian Mayor of Edison, New Jersey,

ANTHONY M. YELENCSICS:

The Hungarian Mayor-by-Joseph E. Horvath

When Anthony M. Yelencsics was elected Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, in 1958, he was the first American- Hungarian in the State of New Jersey ever to achieve such a public office of municipal responsibility. Although proud that he did, very few, if any, of his fellow American-Hungarians would have wagered at that time that five terms, or 26 years, later Edison would emerge under his mayoral management as one of the most important residential, business, and industrial communities in Middlesex County and the state. Today, of course, all bets are off because he has proven that he is a man endowed with vision, capability, dedication, determination, and drive. He has also demonstrated that he is a man who has never forgotten his Hungarian heritage.

“Whatever I may have accomplished as Mayor of Edison and as a businessman, or whatever I have done, and am still doing, to help foster my Hungarian heritage,” he said, ” is my way of expresing my eternal gratitude for the help my parents gave me.”

“Tony” was bom in Bonhamtown, New Jersey, the son of Antaland Mary (nee Lukacs) Yelencsics, who emigrated from Sopronmegye to the United States in 1908. He attended Metuchen High School and was awarded an athletic scholarship to Rider College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economies.

During World War II, he served with distinction in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a Tank Commander with the First Marine division. Achieving the rank of Captain, he was honorably discharged from active service in 1945.

Upon his return home, “Tony” obtained several automobile dealerships and then opened Boro Motors (Metuchen) in 1953. Three years later, he helped to conduct a “Charter Study” designed to effect a change in his municipality’s form of government. Then, in 1957, he ran for Mayor and won the election. Sworn into office in 1958, he served three terms until 1970, stepped down for eight years, and then ran again for office in 1978. He is now serving his fifth term.

As Mayor of Edison, his achievements have been remarkable. He was instrumen- August, 1984

tal in the establishment of the Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, the development of the Municipal Complex, the development of the Raritan Center, the upgrading of the Edison Public School System, which now ranks among the best in New Jersey, and many other successful projects. But what he is most proud of, it the fact that, while tax rates in other communities have increased considerably inrecent years, he has managed to keep Edison tax rates under control.

“My greatest satisfaction as Mayor,” he said, “was being able to attract good, clean, ratables to Edison. Consequently, our property owners have one of the lowest tax rates in Middlesex County.”

Although a very busy man, “Tony” finds time to be actively involved with such organizations as the American- Hungarian Democratic Association of Middlesex County, the East Jersey Olde Towne Association (the sponsors of the Hungarian House), and the American Hungarian Foundation. He also support a number of Hungarian activities.

In 1975, the American Hungarian Foundation awarded Anthony M. Yelencsics its Distinguished Service Award for his "professional accomplishments, communityand civic leadership, and for promoting appreciation for and understanding of the Hungarian cultural heritage in America”.

Tony’s” Boro Motors in Metuchen, N.J.

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