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The Arm-Twisting Continues

by: carolh

Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 02:51:15 PM EST

Today, I received a letter from Mike Kasparian about his "candidacy" for Chairman of the BCDO. The format is similar to many letters from the BCDO in the past. It lists all the elected officials whom Joe has "requested" to support his hand-picked candidate. Here is the text:

Dear Democratic Leader,
Since announcing my candidacy for Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman, I have been overwhelmed by the kind words of encouragement and positive feedback that I have received. Though my candidacy is of short duration, I am humbled by the ample and enthusiastic grassroots support it has garnered so far.
Attached is a list of distinguished elected and party officials who have endorsed my candidacy which includes several State Legislators, a majority of the countywide elected officials and a significant number of municipal party leaders.
I have been a longtime County Committee Member, candidate for the State Assembly and a Democratic fundraiser for local, state and national campaigns. I believe that by working together to implement an aggressive platform of ethical reforms we will unify our party and improve our operations. Change is in the air this week and we must strive to meet President Obama's challenge as faithful Democrats!
It is my hope that you will join us on Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm at the Hackensack Middle School, 360 Union Street, Hackensack and vote in support of my candidacy, thank you.

It is on Mike Kasparian's letterhead, but is not actually signed by him. I bet this was sent out by the BCDO on his behalf.

I have a few comments on the text of the letter:

1) Substitute the word "coronation" for "candidacy". That is nearer the mark.
2) What "grassroots" support is he talking about? The letter of folks supporting him reads like a who's who of Bergen County Pay-To-Play folks. Not only are many counted TWICE, but at least one is INDICTED.
3) Ethics REFORM? Is he kidding? See #2.
4) FAITHFUL was an interesting choice of words to come before Democrat. Substitute the word LOYAL and you get a better picture of the state of the BCDO right now. They are circling the wagons.
5) Obama talked about the creeps that would squash dissent, which is what happens at elections where only one guy is on every damn ballot.
What Obama ACTUALLY said yesterday was this:

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

By continuing to cancel meetings or use Parliamentary maneuvers to make sure our voices remain unheard at the BCDO, the supporters of Kasparian are not only keeping their fists clenched, they are smashing the very idea of democracy into a thousand pieces with them. How dare they use Obama's words to make loyalty to the idea of legalized bribery seem not just OK but part of the Democratic platform.

The only really fun part of the letter is WHO is on the list of supporters:

County Executive Dennis McNerney
Sherriff Leo McGuire
Freeholder Calabrese
Freeholder Ganz
Freeholder McPherson
Freeholder O'Brien
Freeholder Walton

District Chair Robert Riccardella
District Chair Ralph Rivera
District Chair Janice Anzevino
District Chair John Susino
District Chair Frank DelVecchio

Democratic State Party Chairman Joe Cryan

State Senator Robert Gordonanointed by Joe
State Senator Paul Sarlo of the Encap debacle, who is also Borough Engineer in Carlstadt
Assemblywoman Joan Voss
Assemblywoman and former Freeholder Connie Wagner

State Committee Members:
June Montag
Karl Rove, sorry, I meant Lynne Hurwitz wife of Howard Hurwitz, Executive Director of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority
Vi Etler
Disgraced indicted alleged forger Elaine Rabbitt
Kevin O'Conner
John Susinocounted TWICE as he is a District Chair
Omar Rodriguez
Vernon Walton ( he's counted twice - I guess that's par for the course)

Next Come folks listed as elected officials, even though some are simply County Committee members:
Allendale - Michael Monaghan
Alpine - Mayor Paul Tomasko
Bergenfield - (this cracked me up - they use the word HONORABLE in front of all the names on the list even the INDICTED ones) - the HONORABLE former Bergenfield Councilwoman Elaine Rabbitt, girlfriend of Keven Clancy who as Director of Veteran Services had to step down as Bergenfield Municipal Chair when WWII Veteran Tim Driscoll's name was forged on BCDO resignation letters, again another flunkie counted TWICE and an indicted one at that on charges of forgery.
Bogota - Mayor Pat McHale
Cliffside Park - Mayor Gerald Calabrese and his junior, the Councilman
Closter - the HONORABLE Municipal Chairman Jack Kelly who doesn't allow ANY challengers for County Committee in HIS town.
Cresskill - Borough Administrator Andrew Vaccaro
Demarest - Karen Whritner
Dumont - Irwin Buchheister
Englewood - Councilman Jack Drakeford
East Rutherford - Richard DeLauro
Edgewater - Annamarie O'Connor
Emerson - the HONORABLE Willie Ortiz - heir apparent to the Oury octopus title, who is poster child for Hudson County style Pay-To-Play attorney appointments in places like Hasbrouck Heights (Just ask Carol Skiba...)
Fair Lawn - Barry Winston
Fairview - Paul Juliano
Fort Lee - Catherine Nest
Franklin Lakes - Christine Ordway
Garfield - Joseph Delaney
Glen Rock - Irene Brown
Hackensack - Phylis Diller, sorry, I mean Lynne Hurwitz,chief Joe Ferriero cheerleader and enforcer, wife of Howie who works at a shadow government utilities authority, Bergen County Employee, and also counted TWICE in the list since she is on the State Commitee
Harrington Park - Mary Grillo
Hasbrouck Heights - Alice Vega
Haworth - Peggy Blumenthal
HoHoKus - Dennis Mcnerney again counted TWICE in the list
Leonia - Robert Pacicco
Little Ferry - Mayor Mauro Raguseo
Lodi - Councilman Marc Schrieks
Lyndhhurst - Louis Stellato, Jr.
Mahwah - Todd Sherer
Maywood - Clara Krejsa
Midland Park - Councilwoman Marion Plumley
Montvale - Laurena Marte Organ
New Milford - the HONORABLE Eilleen DeBari - who is currently the subject of a lawsuit in Teaneck for illegally firing poll workers who attemped to enforce THE LAW when the BCDO interefered in NON-PARTISAN municipal elections.
North Arlington - Nick Antonicello
Northvale - Russell Kunz
Norwood - George Hertzberg
Oakland - John Biale
Old Tappan - John Shahdanian
Palisades Park - Mike Pallotta
Paramus - Pete Caminiti
Ramsey - Julie O'Brien - counted TWICE - she is also a Freeholder
Ridgefield - Steve Pellino
Ridgewood - Frank DelVeccio - counted TWICE - since he is also district Chair.
River Edge - Esther Fletcher
Rockleigh - Brendan McAleer
Rutherford - Denise Ross
Saddle Brook - Omar Rodriguez, counted TWICE since he is a State Committee member
Saddle River - Joseph Ariyan
South Hackensack - Janice Anzevino, counted TWICE - she is ALSO a district chair
Teaneck - Yitz Stern
Upper Saddle River - Ronald O'Malley
Waldwick - Laura Litchult
Wallington - Katherine Polten
Washington Township - Jackie Grillo
Wood Ridge - Robert Riccardella, counted TWICE, due to also being a district Chair.

Check back. I will be also adding indicators of WHO on the list has a county job. I found it telling that Corzine is NOT on the list even though his campaign caused a one man race. Wonder if they are too worried about Joe being shipped off to prison right around election time. I'd be. Especially running against the man who got Joe indicted - Chris Christie.

carolh :: The Arm-Twisting Continues

Tags: Mike Kasparian, Coronation, "Election", BCDO, chairman, Joe Ferriero, Elaine Rabbitt, (All Tags)

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The Arm-Twisting Continues | 6 comments

Where Does Jon Corzine Stand??? (0.00 / 0)

In his SOS speech he decried pay to play and called for it's elimination at every level. Yet it is Carol's assertion (and I believe her) that Corzine's "campaign caused a one man race". If Jon Corzine is genuinely enthusiastic about the Ferriero appointee; then why is he seemingly ashamed to back him publicly? The public stance of a "mugwump" won't wash on this one Mr Governor.

The rationale of the Democratic party establishment for being soft on legalized corruption is that we need the money/campaign contributions to win elections so we can do good things. That's bullshit on its face. Pay to play is a corrosive and counterproductive system; the ends don't justify the means. The proof of that last statement is all around us. Look at our environment, look at our finances, look at our schools, look at our forein policy and look at our politics. No wonder most New Jerseyans are disillusioned with their governance................Corzine's tacit support of Ferriero's pick is virtually the same as supporting Ferriero himself. So far, folks haven't associated Jon Corzine with the pay to play corruption http://www.newsday.com/news/lo... but this situation hands them an issue. Corzine's stealthy de factro support of the Ferrierocrat BCDO stinks of hypocrisy. He hasn't yet taken a strong public stand against the Ferriero appointee; there's still time to show a courageous profile. Come on guv, the future of the Democratic party in NJ isn't Kasparian's Ferrierocrat modus operandi it's Weinberg's reformist values and ideals.....and in your heart of hearts you know that's true.

by: Nick Lento @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 01:28:07 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Who's Watch? (0.00 / 0)

Dear Carol,
First let me say Thank You for putting yourself in the line of fire. You have surely made enemies illuminating US to the corruption beneath our feet. One man's pay to play may have been another man's good government but those days have past. Barak Obama's inaugural speech spoke to our perdicament and those of US who focused on the primary/election will now have to find the time to turn our attention elsewhere.

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply." (B.O. Inaugural Address)

Those who stand against this tide will find themselves on the wrong side of history, again.

by: Got Kids @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 16:09:25 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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What tide? (0.00 / 0)

This day is the greatest opportunity to put a reformer in charge of the BCDO that we've had since I started paying attention to such things. A Chairman is stepping down, he and one of his closest allies under indictment. His chosen successor, with numerous ties to him and his past practices, stands ready to assume leadership of the organization. We've known for at least several months that this day was on the horizon.
And there's no candidate challenging him.
For years I've said that the best thing the Bergen County Democrats have going for them is the Bergen County Republicans. I'll add a corollary to that -- the best thing that the present BCDO leadership has going for them is the fact that the party's reform movement looks like the gang that couldn't shoot straight.

by: Bill W @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 16:45:02 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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It's Not That Simple.... (0.00 / 0)

Yes, of course you're right in that there is cause to be frustrated with the scenario you accurately paint. I share your feelings. But this didn't "just happen" by accident. There are reasons and causes behind the lack of "straight shooting" you describe.

The whole story is yet to be written (nor have all the facts yet emerged), and this comment space allocated to me is too small to contain such an exposition. For now it must suffice to say that the hand of Ferriero's manipulations and Jon Corzine's passive aggression have given us this corrupt sham of coronation. Stay strong Bill, I assure you; the tide is turning.

This is my message to Joseph Ferriero and those poor pathetic lost souls who have stood with him and with the corrupt/evil pay to play system for which he stands.

by: Nick Lento @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 17:03:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I refuse to (4.00 / 1)

legitimize a process with no legitimacy. I will not be going to the coronation tonite.

There is no other candidate because we only had one week to find one and vet one, and the Governor's camp has interfered and MADE it a one man race.

With many of our friends who were Obama supporters still making their way home from DC, it is the height of irresponsibility to hold the election tonite for a position so important to the Democrats of Bergen County.

I would rather the "election" be postponed than to be conducted in haste. Our attempts to even request this at an Executive Committee meeting were even prevented by Boss Joe himself when he canceled the meeting.

I will NOT be there to give even the appearance that I condone this "election". I won't even be there to protest and vote. It is an insult to ask me to vote at a sham election such as this.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 18:32:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

We have won (4.00 / 1)

nearly every single battle in the fight against Boss Joe since 2005. Some of those battles involved NOT going to coronations that occurred when Joe called them. The night Michael Wildes was coronated to run against Loretta was one of them. We had the campaign HQ opening in Englewood - (with Howard Dean's brother yet) the same nite Michael Wildes was being coronated in Hackensack.

We didn't go to Hackensack that night, and Senator Weinberg is still our state senator.

You may think we can't shoot straight, simply because we haven't drawn any weapons.

Yet.

All I can say is..... stay tuned.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 18:46:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]