Surprise: Republican rules for Republicans in Rockaway

by: Jason Springer

Sat Jan 24, 2009 at 12:53:25 PM EST

Like we didn't see this coming when the seat opened up. After the newly elected Democrat on council resigned before being sworn in, this is what the Republican Borough Attorney in Rockaway had to say a few weeks ago:

Since Hiler wasn't sworn in, borough Attorney Edward Wacks said the seat remains Republican, and the term will be filled after the local Republican Party submits three names for the council to consider. One will be appointed, and then there will be an election in November to fill the unexpired term.

So he kept an open mind, carefully considered the arguments and.... ruled the exact same way he said before he even examined the issue:

Before the council went behind closed doors to discuss who should fill the vacant seat, borough attorney Edward Wacks told members it should be filled by a Republican since it was last officially held by one.

This is what I said at the time:

So the Borough Attorney says he will hear what both sides say, even though he seems to have decided he likes the Republican argument more before they start. Does it matter what the voters said, or do we just disregard their opinion? The guy was the 2nd highest vote getter in an election where nearly 3/4 of the voters turned out. The next highest vote getter was also a Democrat. The voters sent a message and someone needs to listen.

Apparently the answer is we disregard the fact that Democrats were the 2nd and 3rd highest vote getter. All the Democrat had to do was get sworn in and none of this would be an issue. The Democrats would have been the last party that held the seat and therefore have a name chose from their list of three. Now they are left to possibly challenge the ruling in court. The Morris County Democratic Chair has already indicated they may pursue that course of action. Nobody really wins though, because both the town and county party will have to pay legal fees to solve this problem. After twenty years, Democrats are going to have to wait longer to get some representation on Council in Rockaway.

Jason Springer :: Surprise: Republican rules for Republicans in Rockaway