Big Lou Puts His Foot on Prince Charlie's Throat

by: Thurman Hart

Tue May 23, 2006 at 08:07:49 AM EDT

Charles T. Epps Jr. should return some or all of the money he received as reimbursement for his expenses during his 2004 trip to England, said fellow 31st District Assemblyman Louis Manzo of Jersey City.

Epps, an Assemblyman as well as the state-appointed superintendent for Jersey City Public Schools, violated the district's policies regarding travel expenses and overnight stays that were in effect when he went to London and Oxford, and therefore should return the money, Manzo said.

"In light of the fact that he broke his own policy, he should do the right thing and give the money back," Manzo said.

Unfortunately, "doing the right thing" is something of a rarity in Hudson County.  Kudos to Assymn Manzo for pushing the issue when he so obviously doesn't have to:

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Union City Mayor and Assemblyman Brian Stack, West New York Mayor and Assemblyman Albio Sires, state Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco and state Sen. Bernard Kenny of Hoboken all did not return phone calls for comment.

Yeah, that's more like it.  Now things feel normal again. 

Damnit.