Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle will forever be credited with introducing Ferriero-crat to the english language.
Who is a Ferriero-crat? What do they do?
I can tell you what they do, they work for the County. Some of them proudly signed their names to these two letters. I've only included excerpts because it is too painful to retype their crap.
I was going to save this comment for the end as a conclusion to my post, but I will write it now because most of us are lazy readers.
I still don't understand all the details behind this little game with the By-laws and the repercussions of tonight's vote as far as the upcoming primaries and convention are concerned. I don't think I ever will and I don't ever hope to, BUT, there is one thing that I did understand. Had this amendment passed, not a single minority would ever have the chance to represent us at this level of public office in Bergen County. Remember, I do live in a County that elected Steve Lonnegan as Mayor and in northern New Jersey, where Scott Garrett proudly serves our state's 5th congressional district. Blacks and Hispanics are heavily concentrated in a few select and blessed municipalities in Bergen County. Most in Hackensack, Englewood, Teaneck and Bergenfield among others. What has been most telling of this entire experience is the frightening realization that I am witnessing just exactly how fucked blacks and hispanics are in Bergen County. And how much more so we would have been had the little man had his way tonight in the magnificient city of Hackensack.
Yes, this has now become an angry rant and Yes, it is easy to thrash and criticize, but you know, sometimes a man needs to vent.
A few nights ago I had the pleasure of attending a gathering of our most liberal and progressive voices. They ARE liberal and progressive. They ARE good people. They DO mean well. They've given me the opportunity to peek into their world. They are opening many doors and opportunities and I am learning much. And all of this I appreciate very much. They spoke of reform, protest, boycotts and the beginning of a new movement. But as I drank entirely too much wine and ate entirely too much of gourmet everything, I began to feel my body temperature rise and had to resist an urge to simply walk out. One of the kinder and most compassionate and sensitive of those present noticed something odd about me and asked me if I was overwhelmed. I wanted to answer her honestly, but I couldn't, I simply said that it was too hot, that the room was too crowded and that I needed some air.
Here I was in the presence of a concerned gathering of wealthy and highly educated individuals professing to save democracy and something was not right.
Could this be possible? I asked myself. Can a true movement exist and be formulated, crafted, planned and almost choreagraphed while atop on the hill with fine wine and cheeses, in honorable company, while my people, while my community slept far below in soon to be redeveloped (erased) low income housing and overcrowded illegal homes (inhabited by equally illegal aliens, because some people are simply illegal and that's just the way it is)?
I am an expert at run-on sentences/questions, but I won't rephrase. I'm afraid I am too ignorant to answer my own questions.
To their credit, I wasn't the only "minority" in the room, there was another Hispanic person in the room and maybe five or six African-Americans. In my entries I will use the word minority to refer to low income blacks and hispanics.
And this is why I am particularly troubled and confused by the Hispanic leadership in Bergen County. Every single major Hispanic organization in Bergen County has fallen in line with Ferriero and all he stands for. And I am going to try to stop picking on Joe. Joe is but a small small man. He is just another puppet, another buffoon produced and ordered about by forces that I cannot see nor understand. Joe Ferriero is a meaningless man in a state where municipalities are so blatantly racist as to do absolutely everything to prevent low-income housing in their communities. God forbid low-income black and hispanic families lived in my community!
In my continuing education I recently learned of Regional Contribution Agreements (RCA) and the Council on Affordable Housing.
NJ Department of Community Affairs, Regional Contribution Agreements (RCA)
At some point I will explore this further in depth. But back to tonight's historical vote!
Here are the excerpts from the two letters I had promised earlier.
January 27, 2007
Dear County Committee Member,
As you may well be aware, the Bergen County Democratic Organization has taken on the task of updating its By-laws. As legislators representing this county, we commend the organization for taking on this task and whole heartedly support the proposed changes, for we believe it will move our organization away from the outdated policies in place. Furthermore, we are confident these modifications will continue to foster the open and democratic process our organization utilizes when selecting candidates.
May of the policies in place today fail to reflect the dynamics of the current county layout. In fact, the organization's By-laws were established decades ago when Bergen County had as little as five legislative districts within its borders. Today, the number of districts has grown. Because of factors like redistricting, many of today's legislative districts do not receive the same representation as other districts.
[Skip a paragraph]
As committee members, you have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring our Party's candidates embody the ideas of the county Democratic organization. We believe that through these By-law changes we can carry out that goal. We thank you for supporting the recommended changes and appreciate your continued commitment to a fair and open process.
[Skipping along some more]
County Executive Dennis McNerney
Sheriff Leo P. McGuire
Freeholder Elizabeth Calabrese
Freeholder James M. Carroll
Freeholder David L. Ganz
Freeholder Bernadette P. McPherson
Freeholder Julie O'Brien
Freeholder Tomas J. Padilla
Freeholder Connie Wagner
Senator Joseph Coniglio
Senator Paul Sarlo
Assemblyman Bob Gordon
Assemblyman Fred Scalera
Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer
Assemblywoman Joan Voss
I will continue to focus on my thoughts as a Colombian-American. Tomas, Tomas, Tomas! Why do you do this to me? Now you are Tomas and not Tommy or Tom. You are also Colombian. You were born in Colombia and arrived at a young age as I did. You are the leader of the Hispanic community in Bergen County. Yet you and those that support you were all present tonight in favor of changes to these By-laws! You stand side by side with Joe Ferriero! Please tell me that this is all part of a master plan to educate our community. Every instinct in my body questions why I am not part of the many Hispanic organizations assembled in Bergen County. I can't help but feel that I am betraying those that share my heritage and history. And now I will speak to not only Tomas, but to our other elected officials in Bergen County and Hispanic organizations. Yo se muy pero muy bien que "olivos y aceitunos todos son unos", pero, what has your loyalty to Joe Ferriero brought you besides County jobs and "contributions"? How has this brought forth true and meaningful aid to our community as we struggle in failing schools and dead end jobs while we can no longer afford to live in our communities? I welcome any and all answers to that question.
Moving on. Those are some of our most distinguished Ferriero-crats. These Municipal Chairs signed another similar document.
January 29, 2007
Dear County Committee Member,
Recently you received a letter regarding the proposed Bergen County Democratic Organiation By-laws changes. As representatives in Bergen County, we commend the proposed amendments put before the County Committee. By putting these changes in place, the Party can update outdated policies and continue our commitment to keeping the process of nominating legislative candidates open and democratic.
[Skip two paragraphs]
It is our responsibility as a Party to ensure that our candidate's best represent the ideas of the County Democratic Organization. We strongly urge you to join us in supporting these By-law changes.
Karakian Bedrosian, Alpine
Gerald Calabrese, Jr., Cliffside Park
Karen Whritner, Demarest
Annamarie O'Connor, Edgewater
Barry Winston, Fair Lawn
Christine Ordway, Franklin Lakes
Elaine Rabbitt, Bergenfield
Joel Zelnik, Closter
Irwin Buchheister, Dumont
Estelle Rondello, Elmwood Park
Paul Juliano, Fairview
Lou Ann Visotcky, Garfield
Lorraine Joewono, Carlstadt
Andrew Vaccaro, Cresskill
Richard DeLauro, East Rutherford
Wilfredo Ortiz, Emerson
Catherine Nest, Fort Lee
Lynne Hurwitz, Hackensack
Mary, M. Grillo, Harrington Park
Kenneth Rush, Hillsdale
Marc Schrieks, Lodi
Clara Krejsa, Maywood
Nicholas Antonicello, Sr., North Arlington
George Hertzberg, Norwood
Susan Hayes, Oradell
Julie O'Brien, Ramsey
Frank DelVecchio, Ridgewood
Brendan McAleer, Rockleigh
Joseph Ariyan, Saddle River
Angela Gorga, Westwood
Alice Vega, Hasbrouck Heights
Dennis McNerney, Hohokus
Louis Stellato, Jr., Lyndhurst
Marion Plumley, Midland Park
Eileen DeBari, New Milford
Thomas Rossi, Oakland
Michael Pallotta, Palisades Park
Stephen Pellino, Ridgefield
Dennis Testa, River Vale
Denise Ross, Rutherford
Ronald O'Malley, Upper Saddle River
Robert Riccardella, Wood Ridge
Jeanne Rothman, Wyckoff
Peggy Blumenthal, Haworth
Mauro Raguseo, Little Ferry
Todd Sherer, Mahwah
Laurena Marte Organ, Montvale
Russell Kunz, Northvale
John Shedanian, Old Tappan
Peter Caminiti, Paramus
Ralph Rivera, Ridgefield Park
William Provost, Rochelle Park
John Thorn, South Hackensack
Christopher Eilert, Wallington
Robert Rosenblatt, Woodcliff Lake
I arrived at the Hackensack Middle School a little after 5p.m. As I walked up to the street I could hear the chants of a crowd that had already assembled with signs and stickers urging, begging, pleading some of the many clueless County Committeepeople to think before they voted. The Lynne Hurwitz's of the world were already inside frantically and madly moving to and fro pulling and tugging Committeepeople kindly guiding them as to how to vote. Those in the 'NO' camp braved the weather (it was really cold), most were seasoned veterans, and I was overwhelmend and in awe of their commitment to this cause. Some of these had also been present at the gathering on the hill I described earlier. And this is why I have to refrain from blanket stereotypical bigotted statements. The reality is that it is sometimes the highly educated and wealthy that have the access to the information to know what is really going on. And that they also enjoy the leisure of spending an afternoon chanting "Say NO to Joe!" These moments are encouraging. As a Committeeperson would walk up the stairs he or she would walk through this crowd of activists distributing the following flyer:
Just Vote NO!!
Questions to ASK as You Prepare to VOTE Toay!
What is the RUSH Appropriate Notice was not given and Changes were NOT VETTED by the by-laws committee. Forcing a by-laws vote today VIOLATES the procedures required by the existing by-laws!
Ferriero has made conflicting statements
about the effective date of the changes! What is True? To some he has said that the effective date of the changes is IMMEDIATE, and to others, specifically, in a 1/25/07 memo to Sen. Weinberg, that they do not apply to this year's elections!! NOTE: Article IX:1 states that these changes are effective immediately upon adoption!!
Should Wyckoff Really Choose Representatives for Wallington? NO! Of Course NOT!
Should Dist. 37 Choos for Dist. 36? But PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE BY-LAWS would allow just that to happen! Representative Governemnt is the foundation of a Democracy. The By-Laws Changes DILUTE the votes of ALL County Commitee people and shortchange our constituents who have voted for CCs to Represent THEM and THEIR Communities!
Ask for a Postponement of Today's Vote
These are major changes and require both discussion and reflection in ALL districts - both for CCs and constituents.
Would the Changes Disenfranchise CC Members AND the VOTERS in your MUNICIPALITIES! YES! CC Members supporting Democratic candidates not supported by BCDO would LOSE some VOTING Priviliges (See S5:A-B of the Proposed Changes.)
If Postponement Fails - JUST VOTE NO to the By-Laws Changes!
Once past this lively crowd, Committeepeople were met by an assembly line of what someone in the crowd described as "Joe's newly hired goons" handing out this flyer.
I should probably be somewhat careful when writing about anyone that allegedly hires goons. Jebus!
The Rhetoric is Flying...
They Accuse YOU of Playing Insider Baseball and Manipulating the Convention
YET THEIR Words Speak for Themselves.
"Create as Much Tumult 'Violent Commotion' as Possible." - Debbie Francica, paid staffer to Sen. Weinberg.
Don't Let Their Scare Tactics Deter You.
KEEP OUR Party United!!
It was fairly easy to differentiate which group was working as concerned volunteers and which group was amused by all the commotion and incredulous that they were being paid to hand out flyers.
Once past the activists (both the volunteer and the paid), Committeepeople were met by my main man Kenny, Mayor Mike and El Cid.
Why do I do this, you ask? Catullus would best explain this.
"Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris?
nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior."
Petitions were flying, signatures thrown about, the press was there, a young man with a camera braved Ferriero's Foot Clan. Apparently only they had been informed by school officials that any taping of the events was illegal. As such they took it upon themselves (Ms. Hurwitz once again) to physically threaten this gentle soul if he insisted in ensuring the integrity of the meeting/convention by recording the events for the public. Good thing for them that he captured all of them on tape. I am sure that this video will soon be readily made available for the world to see Bergen County democracy at work. It is worth noting that around this time an overwhelmed school official attempted to clear the halls for the students that were soon to be dismissed. A live action lesson in civics and government!
And all the while I was there. Urging voters to think before they voted. If you haven't figured it out already I was in the 'NO' camp. And all the while I could not help but to feel dismayed as I realized that all my Hispanic brethren pledged their allegiance to Ferriero. And I questioned what the hell it was that I was doing? Was I any different? Am I any different?
Pawns. I have been playing much chess lately.
Someone announced that voting was officially closed. I ventured into the room as soon as the general public was allowed to do so to see as the carton boxes with the votes were taken to a room where only a few could follow. Well, many Ferriero-crats followed and only two brave dissenters muscled their way in to ensure proper count. Three percent. THREE PERCENT! That is by how much Joe Ferriero missed meeting the required two-thirds vote to adopt the amendment. A victory?
HELL YEAH!
But what now? What is the score? What comes next?
On his way out of the school Joe Ferriero spoke and said that now the world could see that the electoral process was fair and that the upcoming convention to determine the June primaries would be equally fair.
I can't believe that I am forgetting his name at this point. Robert Gulack from Fair Lawn! (I hope I'm right) If I had to give credit to one person for that three percent victory, it would be to Mr. Gulack. Of all those present, Bob Gulack of Fair Lawn was by far the most active, relentless and determined individual to make sure that every Committeeperson that walked inside that school was informed about the significance of their vote.
It was also great to witness the quoted Debbie Francica arrive in all her glory. True to her quiet demeanor, she informed any and all that Debbie was here to vote NO and that just about everyone else inside that building was a paid staffer to Joe Ferriero, I mean the County.
What else? I'm sure I'm forgetting many other things. But that was the evening. My first experience with the voting process of the Democratic Committee of Bergen County.
Madness. |
