Michael Gartland of The Record writes: Governor Corzine has requested through surrogates that Joseph A. Ferriero step down as chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, party sources confirmed today.
The governor had been noncommittal in recent weeks about Ferriero's leadership in the state's most-populous county, even as the county chairman's legal position deteriorated.
But with Ferriero's indictment Tuesday, Corzine has been quietly lobbying for him to quit, the sources said.
I wouldn't say that Corzine was non-commital. As I recall it, he outright defended Ferriero. Said he had a right to go to Denver and represent Bergen County.
More good news: "I called for his resignation the day after the indictment," Rep. Steve Rothman said, referring to Ferriero's leadership of BCDO. "I did so with a heavy heart ... I find these allegations extremely hard to believe."
Rothman added that BCDO should now concentrate on getting its finances in order.
I'm glad my old boss is getting on the right side of this issue. I really wish he would have done so weeks ago.
But there always has to be one asshat in the group: State Sen. Paul Sarlo of Wood-Ridge stopped short of calling for Ferriero's resignation.
"Since there has been a flurry of phone calls, e-mails, and with our congressman (Rothman) in Washington, it's been quite frustrating," Sarlo said when asked whether Ferriero should step down.
"All of the Bergen Democratic leaders, all the elected officials and district chairs, are going to be getting together on a mutually convenient location ... to discuss the upcoming campaign season and the future direction of the party."
Uh. Rothman held a press conference in Hackensack earlier today. He's been criticized by his token opponent for taking vacation and not being in Washington. But all of that aside, Senator Sarlo, you have a brain for a reason - you are expected to use it. You shouldn't be taking your marching orders from Congressman Rothman anymore than you should have been taking them from Joe Ferriero.
As far as discussing the "future direction of the party" - it should be far away from Joe Ferriero and the tactics he used.
Of course, there are other apologists, too: Bergen County Freeholder David Ganz said many people are waiting for the case to develop.
"There's a strong presumption of innocence," he said. "It was appropriate for him to step aside (take a leave). I don't think there's anything that warrants a resignation."
Kay Nest, the BCDO vice chairwoman who replaced Ferriero after he announced his leave, said that no local Democrats had told her that Ferriero should step down.
"There's no discussion of that right now and no need for discussion," she said. "Nobody has called for his resignation, as far as I know."
Kay Nest needs to get her head out of her rectum. If she doesn't know people are calling for Joe Ferriero to step down; then she is too stupid to hold the Party Chair position for two hours.
Leave it to our own Carol Hoernlein to tell it like it is: Tenafly Councilwoman Carol Hoernlein also called for Ferriero's resignation as a way to roll back the "pay-to-play" system of politics common in North Jersey.
"I don't believe in pay-to-play," she said. "It's corrupting everything."
Hoernlein, too, said many Democrats are afraid of political or professional retribution. Several Democrats who were contacted to comment for this story would not speak on the record for that reason.
And thanks to Tim Driscoll for being brave enough to say the truth: Bergenfield Mayor Tim Driscoll represents a borough that employed GGC as its grants writer and Oury as its borough attorney. He said Ferriero should step down immediately.
"It just shows the party is corrupt at the top," he said. "A lot of people are very upset with this and want him out."
Driscoll noted some Democrats remained silent because many hold county jobs that were directly or indirectly secured through Ferriero.
"...many hold county jobs that were directly or indirectly secured through Ferriero." Those people are known collectively as "the soon-to-be-implicated".
Hey, Bergen County Democrats, it's time to grow a pair. Joe Ferriero is holding onto power like a mountain climber clinging to a ledge. It's time to stomp on his fingers. If he's found innocent, he can come back to the sandbox and learn to play nice. But he can't come back until he goes - and it's time for him to go. |
