Speak for Yourself, Mr. Oury

by: carolh

Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 11:16:43 PM EDT

In response, Senator Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle wrote the following letter and sent it to Chairman Joseph A. Ferriero.

August 28, 2007

Joseph A. Ferriero, Chairman
Bergen County Democratic Organization
50 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601

Dear Joe,

We were quite amazed to read the Charles Stile Record article, "Lawyer asks: What's wrong with pay-to-play? http://www.northjers...

According to this article, Dennis Oury will be going into court on behalf of the Bergen County Democratic Organization to strike down the state's landmark pay-to-play legislation.

As sponsors of this "landmark legislation" and as members of the Bergen County Democratic Legislative Delegation, all of whom voted for it, we wondered if we missed the Executive Committee meeting that authorized Mr. Oury to go into court on behalf of our organization?

Again, according to the article, "Pay-to-play is a myth, manufactured by the press and government do-gooders who never ran a race for dogcatcher, let alone a costly street fight for a county freeholder seat."  As three people who have run races in primaries and general elections from our district and county-wide, and as card carrying members of the "government do-gooders", we wonder what experience Mr. Oury has in any of these areas?

We are particularly concerned about our party taking a stand on this issue without the input of our leadership and rank and file. It is bad government, bad politics and bad timing just before an election.

Mr. Oury is entitled to do anything he wishes as a private citizen. However, as the party's lawyer and Chair of its Bylaws Committee, he has no right to take action on our behalf without full discussion.

We know that our constituents are concerned about important issues like property taxes, health care and the war in Iraq. We also know that pay-to-play adds to the increased cost of running government and our constituents know that too. For example, more than 2,000 Teaneck residents signed a petition to put a banning pay-to-play ordinance on the ballot this November. The Teaneck Council is now deciding whether to follow the leadership of their constituents.

Before this lawsuit progresses any further, we are requesting a full discussion within our party regarding this important issue.

Sincerely,

Loretta Weinberg, Senator, LD37
Gordon M. Johnson, Assemblyman, LD37
Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Assemblywoman, LD37

REAL DEMOCRATS. REALLY HELPING PEOPLE.

cc: Members of the Bergen County Democratic Organization

The folks that benefit from Pay-To-Play are afraid. Afraid they'll lose money.  Afraid that you all are starting to know how they do business.  Afraid of letting down Joe Ferriero and all the politicians that expect big donations from contractors and engineers and lawyers.  They are so afraid, they are actually trying to use the law to make their way of doing business legal everywhere in NJ even though it is ethical NOWHERE. 

Nevermind that it leads to kickbacks and political appointments and people like Heckuvajob Brownie.  Loyalty and $$$ should not ever be a substitute for competence.  Not in government. Not when lives are at stake.  At the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I would hope this makes sense to NJ voters. 

Nevermind that it also leads to higher property taxes.  While NJ slips from being the wealthiest state - I would hope people paying their property taxes would not want to pay a lot for a borough professional no bid contract just so that professional can fork over part of that right to the BCDO as a thank you for getting the job. 

Here you have it out in the open and in broad daylight.  Dennis Oury tells us all what he really thinks about Pay-To-Play. 

As an engineer myself - who is an elected official - I am completely against Pay-To-Play.  I know what engineers and lawyers cost - hundreds of dollars an hour.  I donate to political causes in small amounts because I know that large donations corrupt the whole system.  How many more times do you need to hear about contractors getting jobs after giving thousands of dollars of free services and home additions and renovations to local officials?  It's what gets those officials put in jail. 

As the liasson to the building dept in my town, I was appalled to find out when talking to a local contractor that he had done work for our Mayor and offered to do it for free.  I hope the Mayor paid him for that - it just doesn't look good.  I was literally shocked to find out that State Senator Paul Sarlo is actually the hired Borough Engineer for towns AT THE SAME TIME he is a sitting state senator.  Can that be ethical?  I know I wouldn't do it.  Doesn't matter the intent - it isn't a good idea. 

We have to take the money out of politics.  The thing is this - if contractors CAN'T donate more than average citizens do to EITHER party, the playing field gets leveled and it becomes a battle of ideas.  The same people - Dennis Oury, Joe Ferriero, etc who firmly believe in Pay-To-Play are the same folks who look at elections the same way:  that loyalty should be rewarded - the voters be damned.  Who cares that Loretta Weinberg got more votes than Ken Zisa?  Ferriero wanted his boy in.  Period.  End of story. 

Unless NJ voters want the last word.