HUMC reverses course on Record ban

by: Jason Springer

Sat May 02, 2009 at 02:40:41 PM EDT

"The leadership of the Hackensack University Medical Center Board of Governors consulted with the hospital administration and everyone agreed to reverse the decision regarding The Record. We apologize to our patients and our staff for any inconvenience, and we apologize to The Record.  We are putting this incident behind us and moving forward."

Ethics training still 'optional' for Bergen Democrats

by: Jason Springer

Thu Apr 30, 2009 at 03:45:00 PM EDT

When he was running for Bergen County Democratic Chairman after Joseph Ferriero resigned, Michael Kasparian pledged a series of reforms which would "first and foremost include the implementation of an ethics training program for all candidates who desire the support of our party.  This commitment will be similar to the state mandated program that all commissioners and authority members, myself included, must complete annually."

Now Kasparian has changed his mind.  He's still offering the ethics training, which includes a written test, but he's making it optional.  There will be no penalty for party leaders who decline to complete the training, take the test, or fail the test.

The lawyer for the BCDO says they can't compel County Committee members to take ethics training.  But they really can: Kasparian can agree to deny the organization line to any candidate who does not pass the ethics training.

I think all public officials should have to go through ethics training. A bright line needs to be drawn through much of the grey area in this state. In addition, this would ensure that if they do break the law like many that have come before them, they can't say if only they would have known.  

Update on Bergen County Democratic Organization

by: Bill W

Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 02:34:29 PM EDT

Promoted by Jason Springer: The BCDO gets an A for effort putting up the bylaws, but their "html version" isn't very clear or searchable. A helpful reader has posted a real html version.

County Committee members should have received a letter from BCDO Chairman Michael Kasparian detailing his progress with the programs he promised to implement back in January.

Here are the highlights:
A BCDO ethics training, spearheaded by retired Superior Court Judge Daniel Mecca, will be held on May 20th. Governor Corzine has been invited, and plans to participate. The BCDO web site is up and running. (It looks a little wonky on Firefox, but it works.) Looks like they've got a decent bit of content there, including the BCDO bylaws and a list of all County Committee members and Municipal Chairs. (Addresses are not included, and I think that's an understandable precaution.) An independent financial assessment is being conducted by Bederson Associates. An Executive Committee meeting was held in March, and another will take place in June. A fundraiser will be held on May 21 at Le Jardin in Edgewater; invitations will be forthcoming. Executive Director Daniel Ortega, Fund Raiser Marissa Heluk and Treasurer Mat McCarter are leaving their positions. The new executive staff includes Executive Director Matt McHale, Fundraiser Allison Zayas and Treasurer Donald Lenner.

I like that the web site is up, and overall it looks like progress has been made. I'm not familiar with most of the individuals named in this letter, though, so I can't speak to what sort of direction the staffing choices suggest.

Any other thoughts?

Change is coming to the BCDO

by: carolh

Sun Feb 15, 2009 at 09:28:43 PM EST

http://www.northjersey.com/new...

I actually met Mike Kasparian at Senator Loretta Weinberg's Fundraiser last week. It meant a lot to folks to see him there. I know I appreciated it.   I got the chance to speak with him. Governor Corzine and Senate President Codey also appeared and showed their support for our Senator.

It was a really nice event and it was a positive sign that we may actually get more unity at 50 Main Street in Hackensack.  He was extremely gracious and polite.  It is difficult not to immediately like Mr. Kasparian.  He does seem to be acting in good faith.  I thanked him for taking on a difficult task.

And so I am relieved.  We should be supporting our popular incumbents for re-election.  It looks as if that just may happen in District 37.  Cid Wilson is apparently dropping his bid to run for seats that are already held by Johnson and Huttle in District 37.  

For a few years now, I have felt like the parent who has to yell "Now, don't make me come back there!" to Joe Ferriero's supporters who tried at every opportunity to punish Loretta Weinberg and her team for winning against Ken Zisa in 2005.  It was exhausting every time we had to fight when Joe kicked us off the BCDO line for (gasp!) actually voting for our LD37 team.  Every time Joe and his supporters acted up, I felt we had to fight like hell to preserve some semblance of democracy.  THAT is why the Real Bergen Dems formed in the first place.  It all started with rebelling against the tyranny of Joe Ferriero and his petty vindictiveness.

Well, now that Joe is gone, I am hoping like many Dems in Bergen County that it was all a bad dream and we can proceed forward where the ideas of 1100 folks can be pooled together instead of the dictates of just one guy named Joe.

It has been a good start for Mike Kasparian.  I hope this new sense of civility continues.  The call to get an accurate accounting of the BCDO finances will be a great start as well.  We all need to know the situation so we can plan for the future.  But we have to be honest.  We also have to end Pay-to-Play.  

If Mike Kasparian is serious about ending Pay-to-Play and running a leaner operation, we can spend more money on finding great candidates and helping them win.  Maybe even in the 5th Congressional District (Pretty please?)

THAT will be a very good thing.

Another new general counsel at BCDO

by: Blue Jersey

Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:57:20 PM EST

Former BCDO attorney Dennis Oury was replaced by Paul Kaufman on September 11. Joe Ferriero fired Kaufman on January 15 and replaced him with Joseph Marinello.

Quote of the Day: It's like Israel trying to deal with Hamas

by: Jason Springer

Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 02:30:00 PM EST

However, a source who is a longtime observer of Bergen County politics believes that more days of dissension and disunion lie ahead as the BCDO leadership struggle plays out.

"Everybody has gone to such extremes," said the source, who asked not to be named. "You can't negotiate with people who want to get rid of you. It's like Israel trying to deal with Hamas. There is no negotiation, because they just don't want you to exist. But like they said in the movie "The Godfather": every now and then you need a war to clear out all the bad blood."

Meet the New Boss - Same as the Old Boss

by: carolh

Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:23:47 PM EST

Underneath a ginormous picture and article on the front page of the Opinion section about President Obama and the new generation and vision coming to America, it has Mike Kelly's article which is so well written and dead on that I am hard pressed to say it better than he has.  

Our "elections" have become farces and the "deciders" inside the BCDO don't realize just how out of step with the rest of America they are now.

The juxtaposition of the hopeful positive article about Obama's generation, with the accurate depiction of the throwbacks to Boss Tweed that are running government in Bergen County and how they run an "election" is priceless, and devastating.  

I do need to clarify what actually happened prior to the election which was laid out in detail in my previous diaries on this:

We did discuss replacing Joe and felt the most democratic way to do it would be to POSTPONE the election to be able to field more candidates.  I organized a group of protestors who showed up at the BCDO on the frigid night when the BCDO was to hold their Executive Committee meeting to request a postponement for such an important election.  Apparently we scared Joe silly - so much that the Executive meeting was canceled shortly before it was to take place.

Originally, Buzzy and many of us were offended by how the "election" was called, and he refused to run in a what was rightly deemed a farce.  However, he was so disgusted that the Executive Committee cancelled their meeting out of fear, that he threw his hat back in the race that very same night one week before the election.

Governor Corzine's people then interceded on Saturday before the election to get Buzzy to drop out.  Then Paul Eisenmann sent a misleading email out MONDAY before the election saying that Paul Aronsohn is replacing Buzzy.  So, up until very late MONDAY, we thought we HAD more than one candidate.  Now, instead of trying to get a replacement for Chairman of the BCDO in LESS THAN 3 DAYS, during which many of our Obama supporters are still returning from DC, our actual tactic turned to boycotting the election and denying them a quorum.

Unfortunately, 30 persons showed up to vote AGAINST Kasparian, thus validating the election which WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEGAL if they had BOYCOTTED like we had requested.  If they had listened we would be able to wait, field real candidates and have a proper and democratic election.

So, I find it offensive that Paul Eisenmann is blaming us, because his efforts to get people to the "election" defeated the purpose of the boycott, since 537 votes is not a quorum. Without the 30 anti-Kasparian votes, there would have been no quorum and Kasparian could not have been elected at all, let alone "overwhelmingly".

There is always a method to our "madness".  

BCDO "Election" to Replace Ferriero

by: carolh

Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:06:04 PM EST

http://www.northjersey.com/ber...

According to the Record 567 people showed up.  There are over 1,100 members of the BCDO, so a quorum is at least 550.  It was a close call for the friends of Joe.  They began the "election" early but had to call every single last friend of Joe Ferriero and twist enough arms to get people there.  They actually had to extend the time to vote by a half hour.  Which tells me they were really close to not having a quorum. In fact the 30 people who showed up to vote against Kasparian, actually legitimized the election, by simply being present.  He would NOT have had enough CC members there for a quorum and Kasparian could not have won.

I know that 30 anti-Kasparian folks will be kicking themselves tomorrow.

The one new CC member I spoke to who went was furious that there wasn't even a speech by the "candidate".  He showed up to vote in a one man contest where no expense was spared plastering signs for the guy all over the room.  (Classic BCDO - campaign posters for a one man race).  He was also offended by the fact that when he arrived pro-Ferriero "goons" intimidated him at the door. He refused to wear the Kasparian sticker they were handing out at the door to the "secret" vote.  He was quite offended and upset by the undemocratic way the whole event was handled.  I could imagine it so well, I didn't even have to be there.  It wasn't a convention. It was a rubber stamp.  Kasparian was in a one man race and he couldn't even get half of the entire County Committee to support him.

What I found surprising is that we have a brand spanking new BCDO Attorney. Did you know that? Paul Kaufman was unceremoniously dumped for giving a roadmap on how to dump Ferriero. New BCDO attorney Joseph Mariniello apparently is much more Ferriero-crat friendly.

Here is a quote from the Record Article that gives a little more background on Kasparian and why he has close ties to Ferriero, and why we are not hopeful:

Kasparian is a developer who also serves as chairman of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority and as a public officer with the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority. The name of his development company is MDK Development LLC.
Kasparian also once served as the president of Hekemian Kasparian Troast LLC, which worked on the Englewood Commons project. Ferriero served as a lawyer for HKT.

From PolitickerNJ:
http://www.politickernj.com/ma...

The item that sticks out to me in PolitickerNJ's is this:

However, he wouldn't commit to changing a system in which county employees occupy committee seats in the party, another reform measure Weinberg publicly demanded of the new chairman.

And so, all is status quo at the BCDO.  It appears that by not actually changing anything but paying lipservice to reform, they hope to re-elect Corzine.  

I got news for you.  If Corzine actually distanced himself from Joe the Indicted instead of just pretending he did, he would win a lot more support from the anti-Pay-to-Play crowd.  Making our democracy less democratic by taking our choices away in elections while not having the actual guts to sign Kasparian's campaign letter is telling.  Telling us you are still NOT SERIOUS ABOUT ETHICS REFORM.  Even when Obama's first day resulted in change at the Federal level.  

If you put action behind your words and you want our support, you will help pass the Bi-Partisan Party Democracy Act.  Because right now, our party isn't very Democratic, Governor.  And you are a good part of the reason why.

The Arm-Twisting Continues

by: carolh

Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 02:51:15 PM EST

Dear Democratic Leader,

Since announcing my candidacy for Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman, I have been overwhelmed by the kind words of encouragement and positive feedback that I have received.  Though my candidacy is of short duration, I am humbled by the ample and enthusiastic grassroots support it has garnered so far.

Attached is a list of distinguished elected and party officials who have endorsed my candidacy which includes several State Legislators, a majority of the countywide elected officials and a significant number of municipal party leaders.

I have been a longtime County Committee Member, candidate for the State Assembly and a Democratic fundraiser for local, state and national campaigns.  I believe that by working together to implement an aggressive platform of ethical reforms we will unify our party and improve our operations.  Change is in the air this week and we must strive to meet President Obama's challenge as faithful Democrats!

It is my hope that you will join us on Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm at the Hackensack Middle School, 360 Union Street, Hackensack and vote in support of my candidacy, thank you.

It is on Mike Kasparian's letterhead, but is not actually signed by him.  I bet this was sent out by the BCDO on his behalf.  

I have a few comments on the text of the letter:

1) Substitute the word "coronation" for "candidacy". That is nearer the mark.
2) What "grassroots" support is he talking about?  The letter of folks supporting him reads like a who's who of Bergen County Pay-To-Play folks.  Not only are many counted TWICE, but at least one is INDICTED.
3) Ethics REFORM?  Is he kidding?  See #2.
4) FAITHFUL was an interesting choice of words to come before Democrat.  Substitute the word LOYAL and you get a better picture of the state of the BCDO right now.  They are circling the wagons.  
5) Obama talked about the creeps that would squash dissent, which is what happens at elections where only one guy is on every damn ballot.  
What Obama ACTUALLY said yesterday was this:

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.  

The only really fun part of the letter is WHO is on the list of supporters:

County Executive Dennis McNerney
Sherriff Leo McGuire
Freeholder Calabrese
Freeholder Ganz
Freeholder McPherson
Freeholder O'Brien
Freeholder Walton

District Chair Robert Riccardella
District Chair Ralph Rivera
District Chair Janice Anzevino
District Chair John Susino
District Chair Frank DelVecchio

Democratic State Party Chairman Joe Cryan

State Senator Robert Gordonanointed by Joe
State Senator Paul Sarlo of the Encap debacle, who is also Borough Engineer in Carlstadt
Assemblywoman Joan Voss
Assemblywoman and former Freeholder Connie Wagner

State Committee Members:
June Montag
Karl Rove, sorry, I meant Lynne Hurwitz wife of Howard Hurwitz, Executive Director of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority
Vi Etler
Disgraced indicted alleged forger Elaine Rabbitt
Kevin O'Conner
John Susinocounted TWICE as he is a District Chair
Omar Rodriguez
Vernon Walton ( he's counted twice - I guess that's par for the course)

Next Come folks listed as elected officials, even though some are simply County Committee members:
Allendale - Michael Monaghan
Alpine - Mayor Paul Tomasko
Bergenfield - (this cracked me up  - they use the word HONORABLE in front of all the names on the list even the INDICTED ones) - the HONORABLE former Bergenfield Councilwoman Elaine Rabbitt, girlfriend of Keven Clancy who as Director of Veteran Services had to step down as Bergenfield Municipal Chair when WWII Veteran Tim Driscoll's name was forged on BCDO resignation letters, again another flunkie counted TWICE and an indicted one at that on charges of forgery.
Bogota - Mayor Pat McHale
Cliffside Park - Mayor Gerald Calabrese and his junior, the Councilman
Closter - the HONORABLE Municipal Chairman Jack Kelly who doesn't allow ANY challengers for County Committee in HIS town.
Cresskill - Borough Administrator Andrew Vaccaro
Demarest - Karen Whritner
Dumont - Irwin Buchheister
Englewood - Councilman Jack Drakeford
East Rutherford  - Richard DeLauro
Edgewater - Annamarie O'Connor
Emerson - the HONORABLE Willie Ortiz - heir apparent to the Oury octopus title, who is poster child for Hudson County style Pay-To-Play attorney appointments in places like Hasbrouck Heights (Just ask Carol Skiba...)
Fair Lawn - Barry Winston
Fairview - Paul Juliano
Fort Lee - Catherine Nest
Franklin Lakes - Christine Ordway
Garfield - Joseph Delaney
Glen Rock - Irene Brown
Hackensack - Phylis Diller, sorry, I mean Lynne Hurwitz,chief Joe Ferriero cheerleader and enforcer, wife of Howie who works at a shadow government utilities authority, Bergen County Employee, and also counted TWICE in the list since she is on the State Commitee
Harrington Park - Mary Grillo
Hasbrouck Heights - Alice Vega
Haworth - Peggy Blumenthal
HoHoKus - Dennis Mcnerney again counted TWICE in the list
Leonia - Robert Pacicco
Little Ferry - Mayor Mauro Raguseo
Lodi - Councilman Marc Schrieks
Lyndhhurst - Louis Stellato, Jr.
Mahwah - Todd Sherer
Maywood - Clara Krejsa
Midland Park - Councilwoman Marion Plumley
Montvale - Laurena Marte Organ
New Milford - the HONORABLE Eilleen DeBari - who is currently the subject of a lawsuit in Teaneck for illegally firing poll workers who attemped to enforce THE LAW when the BCDO interefered in NON-PARTISAN municipal elections.
North Arlington - Nick Antonicello
Northvale - Russell Kunz
Norwood - George Hertzberg
Oakland - John Biale
Old Tappan - John Shahdanian
Palisades Park - Mike Pallotta
Paramus - Pete Caminiti
Ramsey - Julie O'Brien - counted TWICE - she is also a Freeholder
Ridgefield - Steve Pellino
Ridgewood - Frank DelVeccio - counted TWICE - since he is also district Chair.
River Edge - Esther Fletcher
Rockleigh - Brendan McAleer
Rutherford - Denise Ross
Saddle Brook - Omar Rodriguez, counted TWICE since he is a State Committee member
Saddle River - Joseph Ariyan
South Hackensack - Janice Anzevino, counted TWICE  - she is ALSO a district chair
Teaneck - Yitz Stern
Upper Saddle River - Ronald O'Malley
Waldwick - Laura Litchult
Wallington - Katherine Polten
Washington Township - Jackie Grillo
Wood Ridge - Robert Riccardella, counted TWICE, due to also being a district Chair.

Check back.  I will be also adding indicators of WHO on the list has a county job.  I found it telling that Corzine is NOT on the list even though his campaign caused a one man race.  Wonder if they are too worried about Joe being shipped off to prison right around election time.  I'd be.  Especially running against the man who got Joe indicted  - Chris Christie.  

A Tale of Two Cities

by: Paul Aronsohn

Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:54:54 PM EST

For many Bergen Democrats, this week is turning out to be a study in contrasts.

On the federal level, we are excited about a dream realized with the inauguration of the first African American President.  On the county level, however, we are concerned about a hope deferred with another seemingly uncontested election for our Party?s leadership.

On the federal level, we are celebrating a democratic process that gave rise to one of the most robust, most engaging, most accessible elections in American history.  On the county level, however, we are lamenting an undemocratic process that gave rise to cancelled meetings, hastily called conventions, and a questionable firing.

On the federal level, we are ushering in an era of much-needed change.  On the county level, however, we are anticipating another era of status quo.

In other words, for many Bergen Democrats, this week represents the best of times and the worst of times.  We are thrilled about the inauguration of Barack Obama on Tuesday, but we are troubled about the convention of the Bergen County Democratic Organization on Thursday.

Our reasons are essentially three-fold:

1. The convention was hastily scheduled ... not by the Executive Committee, but by the outgoing Chairman, who was directed to resign by January 15 by the Executive Committee due to his indictment on corruption charges.

2. The organization's lawyer was summarily fired ... not by the Executive Committee, but by the outgoing Chairman, who was directed to resign by January 15 by the Executive Committee due to his indictment on corruption charges.

3. The presumed winner of Thursday's convention was hand-picked ... not by the rank-and- file, but by the outgoing Chairman, who was directed to resign by January 15 by the Executive Committee due to his indictment on corruption charges.

And while there are certain personalities at the center of these issues, our concerns are not personal.  At the end of the day, this is not about Joe Ferriero or Mike Kasparian or anyone else.  (In fact, many of us appreciate all that Kasparian did to help get Barack Obama and other Democrats elected.)  

Rather, this is about our values ... our principles ... and our belief that our party  -  the Democratic Party  -  should stand for something larger than itself.  It should stand for integrity.  It should stand for inclusiveness.  And it should stand for the many individuals who work hard, live right, and try to make our community a better place.

Again, this week will be a study in contrasts for us Bergen Democrats  -  a real-life tale of two cities.  But it is incumbent upon us to view the historical events in the city of Washington as a reminder that we can do better and must do better here in the city of Hackensack.

Michael Kasparian Releases Party Reform Platform

by: Bill W

Sat Jan 17, 2009 at 12:09:16 PM EST

Bergen County Democratic Committee members should be receiving a correspondence from Mike Kasparian outlining his platform for party reform should he be elected BCDO Chair. Skipping to the meat of the matter, here are the six points he lists :  (retyped by me, so I'll take credit for any typos)

1. Mandatory ethics training: Our reform package must start with Ethics Reform. All BCDO Officers, members of the Executive Committee, staffers and candidates must receive mandatory ethics training similar to that which Governor Corzine mandated for all State Commission and Advisory Board members.

2. Internet Accessibility of BCDO Information: Posting on the Internet of all County Committee members names, along with all BCDO by-laws, governing documents and notices.

3. Independent Audit: We must conduct an independent third party audit of BCDO finances and make that information available to all members.

4. Open and Fair Conventions: All special conventions will be admnistered by an impartial third party, such as a retired member of the judiciary.

5. Charitable Outreach: BCDO should establish a fund in support of outreach organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, YMCA/YWCA and the Red Cross as examples.

6. A Committee Process: In accordance with our by-laws we must conduct regularly scheduled sub-committee meetings and seek the input of the full County Committee on all issues including fundraising, candidate selection, and policy issues.

Now, you can count me as skeptical of a candidate who seems to be drawing the support of all the wrong people, and lacking the support of many of the right people, but if he did manage to implement these six ideas, and if they were carried out conscientiously and fairly, I think it would be a good step in the right direction. I know, though, that's a couple of big "ifs".

One I find somewhat puzzling is the "Charitable Outreach" business -- it doesn't seem to me something that a party organization would typically involve itself in. Do other County Committees do this?

Any other thoughts on these proposals?

Quote of the Day: A benevolent dictator

by: Jason Springer

Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 05:55:45 PM EST

"In light of the fact that Ferriero cancelled tonight?s long awaited Executive Committee meeting, I cannot in good faith walk away," said Dressel. "This is just another example of how the 'process' is so screwed up.  You have a chairman that spoke of his resignation last week, then called for a meeting this evening, fired the legal counsel that the party put in when Oury and Ferrireo were indicted, and then cancelled tonight?s meeting.

"As I understand the 'rules,' the meeting tonight was to vote on having the county convention next week," Dressel added. "Now, the committee does not vote, and an indicted, resigning chairman merely puts a convention in place to vote in his puppet.  He is starting to make Sadam Hussein look like a benevolent dictator."

The candidate said in the wake of Sarlo's candidacy going nowhere, state party leadership has been, in his words, "strangely missing."

"I think that's a poor choice on their part," Dressel added, "because the party is factionalized."  

Joe Ferrierevich

by: Juan Melli

Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 12:19:13 AM EST

As he departs office in advance of a Jan. 22nd convention - a date he selected -sources also say he fired Paul Kaufman, new general counsel for the BCDO and the replacement for Ferriero ally Dennis Oury, who also faces corruption charges.

Kaufman wrote the legal opinion used to oust the chairman when Ferriero tried to cling to his post. Sources said his firing, coming days before Ferriero's departure, was last shot payback from the boss.

Just say "NO" to the "Joe Show"

by: carolh

Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 10:23:43 AM EST

I can't quite figure out if it is Joe's crushing guilt for leaving the BCDO in the financial lurch and hiding the treasurer reports I asked for last year, (like Madoff keeping his Ponzi scheme secret all these years), and in a fit of lame duck pique Joe is afraid his legacy as an amazing fundraiser will be overshadowed by his spending other peoples money like a drunken sailor while enriching himself at taxpayer expense.  OR if it is simply the hubris and arrogance that he feels we can't get along without him steering the ship.  OR if it is just simply wanting to be in CONTROL till the bitter end of his reign.  OR all of the above.  Or maybe just being a bag man for the Governmental Grants Consulting firm he got indicted for, means Joe likes to be around money and the folks who use it to buy influence.

But then again, I DON'T CARE about Joe's feelings.  This is about who will be the new head of the Bergen County Democrats.  It is a decision that Joe thinks we should only have 7 days to mull over, while he cajoles, threatens, and rounds up the votes (the county committee members who have county jobs) he needs to pick a successor.  Joe is a lawyer, and lawyers never ask a question unless they already know the answer. Joe would never have called a "convention" if he didn't twist all the arms he needs to win the seat for a handpicked clone.  

That said.  We have a choice.  We can demand to postpone the convention to have the time necessary to choose a successor.  We can ask the Executive Committee that meets this Thursday nite to postpone any convention to choose a Chairman because we need time to vet candidates  and for those candidates to tell us their positions.  Democracy demands no less than a full, fair process. Our main complaint with the Ferriero-crats is that they aren't so good at fair elections:

Let me tell you all a little story.  Unfortunately for two honest poll workers, this story is true.  Once upon a time, in a Borough named Teaneck, there were a few kindly elderly women who loved participating in democracy.  In fact they loved it so much, they worked as poll workers every year for thirty (30!) years. These pillars of the community in their voting district in Teaneck, faithfully rendered their service to the community by carefully guarding the process of democracy all these long years, years long after the public ceased their vigilant watch over our most precious right - the right to vote.

Now Teaneck is a very special place.  It is a vibrant place, an exciting place, a beautiful place. The lively Cedar lane, the gorgeous shaded tree-lined avenues, the most diverse town in the county, truly an interesting, fascinating, welcoming place.  And most unusual of all - it is a non-partisan place.  Or, well, it USED to be.  You see, we suspected it was under attack from outside forces, but on May 13, 2008, all illusions of  nonpartisan municipal elections were completely and totally shattered by three individuals on the Board of elections with ties to Joe Ferriero.  Sadly, the two elderly ladies who attempted to enforce the voting laws they could recite in their sleep and backwards (after 30 years doing this - you all know women like this - I have them in my district too) these two longstanding pillars of the community, were FIRED for trying to prevent shenanigans in their Precinct.  Keith Carbone of NEW MILFORD attempted at 10 am that morning to swagger in to the Bryant School voting district polling place, and demand to see the count and to have access to the back of the machines to just help himself.

Town-wide challenger status DOES NOT EXIST in Bergen County municipal elections.  When the husband of a candidate in the election questioned Eileen DeBari about these fraudulent town wide certificate holders one of whom showed him his NEW MILFORD badge with the date and time scribbled out, Eileen DiBari then asked to look at HIS (legal) certificate which she then scribbled all over scratching out the date and time to make "more fair".  You can't make this stuff up, folks.

Eileen DeBari gave out these phony credentials AFTER, Keith Carbone of NEW MILFORD had attempted to enter the Bryant school district and was stopped by the two poll workers.  He then ran outside to speak with Candidate Elnatan Rudolf, the developer from Teaneck who was Joe Ferriero's candidate (in a non-partisan town, mind you) who was waiting in his illegally parked Hummer (Seriously).  Rudolph and Carbone re-enter the polling place where Rudolph, makes a scene - phoning DiBari himself (illegally) from INSIDE the polling room.  Whereapon, DeBari warns the poll workers that there are new rules not out yet that say Carbone and Rudolph HAVE THE AUTHORITY to be challengers and that the poll workers will be FIRED if they don't let these creeps have access to the voting machines.  DiBari made good on her threat the very next day by FIRING the two poll workers who attempted to enforce the law.  Later election day, Carbone and Rudolph come back with phony credentials - probably scribbled all over by DeBari - lacking times and dates, and they were permitted access to the voting machines for the rest of the day.

When the honest candidate's husband called Chairman of the elections Board, Peter Incardone, Incardone said that the DeBari should have given the poll workers "more training" and that the term non-partisan for Teaneck was a "misnomer".  After Rudoph made his phone call, Eileen DeBari and  Ken Zisa himself show up to back the fraudulent challengers. Yikes.

In fact, forty two (42!) "townwide challenger" badges were given to BCDO flunkies  - most of whom had county jobs - by Eileen DeBari of the Bergen County Board of Elections.  Now the other Commissioner from the BOE you may remember.  A certain Charles "Ken" Zisa, who almost won a state senate seat due to 4 forgeries in Bergenfield.  Now did I forget to mention where else you may have heard of the Bergen County BOE and forgeries in the same breath?  Kevin Clancy, who was on the Board of Elections was long suspected of being the Bergenfiled forger, until his live-in girlfriend, sitting Councilwoman Elaine Rabbitt was indicted for that illegal act this fall.  And so the Board of Elections is staffed with Joe Ferriero supporters who let Team Teaneck's Ferriero candidate for Council not only make a scene at a polling place but illegally use his cell phone - in the voting room - to call DeBari who told the women to let Keith Carbone conduct his illegal inspection behind the voting machines.  It appears its OKEY DOKEY for the BCDO to interfere in an election in a NON-PARTISAN town.  In fact it is CONDONED by the Bergen County Board of Elections.

Long story short: it appears in Bergen County it is OKEY DOKEY for folks from NEW MILFORD to sit in on an election in TEANECK without a properly certified challenger certificate and screw around with the voting machines WITH THE BLESSING OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.  If you speak up about the illegality of that, after 30 years of experience, then YOU will be fired.  The illegal, carpet-bagger out of town challengers from the BCDO who have COUNTY jobs, the petulant, obstructive candidate, the Bergen County Commissioners who WON"T LET YOU EVEN call your Municipal Clerk who is charge of the election, THEY won't go to jail, nothing happens to them.  You, the honest poll workers who try to keep the process honest - YOU get immediately FIRED the next day.  

Toto, we're not in Bergen County anymore.  I feel like I am in Hudson County, in Jersey City where dead folks can vote - more than once, might I add.  The problem with the BCDO is that this is so much bigger and worse than people realize.  The illegal and corrupt election process was perfected in practice at the BCDO "conventions" and "special elections"  however, and this is crucial, the pilot test phase is over. They are now moving into full production.  Forty Two (42!)  illegal town-wide challenger badges were given by Joe's buddies at the BOE to crooks and liars who work at the County or the BCDO and are Joe Ferriero apologists and supporters to derail what should have been a non-partisan election in Teaneck.  Keith Carbone was from New Milford  and Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa and Elections Commissioner Eilleen DiBari stood and watched it all go down.  

THAT is how emboldened these creeps are.  Do I trust these guys to run an honest, fair election at the BCDO, when they do THIS to honest hardworking poll workers who serve their communities in NON-PARTISAN towns?  

Do You?

We need to make the BCDO Executive Committee hear us loud and clear.  We want fair honest elections, and ethics reform.  Democracy starts at home - in our own house - at 50 Main Street. Lets start by DEMANDING a proper election for our next Bergen County Democratic Chairman.  Or we can wait until the next hand picked pay-to-play BCDO Chairman winds up indicted while YOU all are running for Governor, or Senator, or Congressman, or state office.  Remember last November.

I plan on asking the Executive Committee to accept Ferriero's resignation and postpone the election to replace him until we can vet candidates properly.  Don't let Ferriero continue the circus.  Say "NO!" to the Joe show.  How much money do you think he is gonna raise now that he has been indicted?  I know I don't have the stomach to go to a fundraiser where INDICTED Joe Ferriero is holding court.

Consider, if we let bogus elections continue at the BCDO, it isn't long before ALL the polling places in Bergen County are tainted by corruption. THAT has already begun in Teaneck - what SHOULD BE a non-partisan town.  Imagine if it were the Republicans doing it.  Would you stand for that?  

BTW, If you want to help the poll workers who have suffered public humiliation and embarassment at he hands of the BCDO illegally interfering in municipal elections, contact Teaneck Stands Up who are assisting the poll workers in their legal fight.  

If you want to help defend Eileen DeBari and Ken Zisa, don't worry, you already are.  The Bergen County Freeholders who are all in Joe's pocket are sparing no expense at throwing many lawyers to defend the illegal actions of the Elections Commissioners.  So, once again, we are all paying a corruption tax.  To defend criminals who would dismantle our democracy.  Sorry this story didn't have a happy ending.  Yet.

Joe Ferriero, Dennis Oury, Elaine Rabbitt, and Dennis Mulligan aren't the ONLY BCDO dems to embarass our party.  We need to clean house NOW.  Now its personal.  We ALL are footing the bill for the way the BCDO runs the entire county.  

The Real Bergen Dems originally began because we did not trust Joe Ferriero to run an honest BCDO convention.  Based on what occurred on May 13 in municipal elections in Teaneck, it appears those fears are well founded.

We need CHANGE.  Inauguration week is a great time to begin it.  I will be at 50 Main Street in Hackensack on Thursday nite to ask for a postponement so that WE and not Joe Ferriero chart a new course for the BCDO.  

Who is with me?

State of Insanity

by: carolh

Fri Jan 09, 2009 at 10:29:49 PM EST

He was trying to influence the selection process at the outset.  He thinks HE can call the election for his own successor, before anyone barely has a chance to notice how he forced his will on the BCDO yet again.  

I have seen how this guy runs elections, and I can tell you, it feels like being in a country where Jimmy Carter has to visit to keep an eye on the ballot boxes.  If Joe conducted ethical elections, the Real Bergen Dems would never have been formed in the first place.  It was because we did not trust Boss Joe and his friends to carry out an honest election.  THAT is why we asked Loretta Weinberg and her team to run OFF the BCDO line.  Joe's elections.  So if you think I'm going to jump for joy, because Joe called another election in 12 days,  I'm gonna have to disabuse you of that notion.

When Joe calls a BCDO election - especially a "special" election, the hairs on the back of my neck stand STRAIGHT up.

And I do have to call attention to the reporters who continue to say that ANY dem that won in Bergen County did it with Joe's help.  Tenafly turned bright blue WITHOUT any help from the BCDO.  In fact we won DESPITE Joe's best efforts to throw us ALL off the BCDO line.  Joe has that rooster taking credit for the sunrise problem and the reporters are feeding right into it.

So, in Bizarro world, Joe Ferriero might be a swell guy who is always honest and ethical and allows for folks to speak their minds at meetings, and might be for ethics reform and might believe that free speech is what I'm doing here and that Pay-To-Play is legalized bribery and has been outlawed, but we ain't in Bizarro world.  We're in New Jersey.  New Jersey, folks.  You know, it's like Blagovovich Land, except with a Jersey accent.  

Bravo, Joe

by: Adam L

Fri Jan 09, 2009 at 02:52:19 PM EST

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero, under indictment on federal corruption charges, will resign on January 22, and has called a special election to pick a successor.  Ferriero says he is ending his leave of absence effective immediately so that he can help raise money for the party's January 17 fundraising event.

---snip---

Ferriero says that while he had "strenuous disagreements with a few members of the party including (State Sen.) Loretta Weinberg and (U.S. Rep.) Steve Rothman," he said "we are all Democrats that want what is in the best interest of the party."

He's also calling for a special county committee meeting on January 22 and a special election for his successor.  What is interesting is that earlier today, the Record noted that Buzzy Dressel and Loretta Weinberg were not too thrilled with the idea of Michael Kasparian (who has close and longstanding ties to Ferriero) being elected as the next BCDO Chariman.

While I am not sure that there is as strong of an overall dissent as the Record noted earlier - especially because I have no idea whether this includes or is in addition to the Real Bergen Democrats  - we will now at least know the outcome in a few weeks.

As I've been pretty vocal about what a dragged out process would lead to in terms of morale and potential electoral disaster, Ferriero's statement points out that doing what is right for the party is the most important thing.  He may very well be found not guilty.  But guilt or innocence should have no bearing on what the overall process would do to tarnish the Democratic Party's image here in an area that the Party is making some good gains.

I'm sure committee members will quickly support one of the two (or maybe more) candidates, and things will get pretty tense before the 22nd.  As it should, because the future direction as well as the reputation of the BCDO is at stake here - which could very well have an impact on the Gubernatorial race in addition to the local races.

Good on you, Joe.  For now.  

A reverse Jedi-mind trick at the BCDO?

by: Adam L

Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 02:49:38 PM EST

In a memorandum to members of the Bergen County Democratic Organization's Executive Committee, the party's general counsel legally opined that a special meeting can be called for committee members to vote on whether to remove indicted Chairman Joe Ferriero.

---snip---

"The BCDO By-Laws do not restrict the members from replacing its chairman at any time and do not require that cause be demonstrated," wrote Kaufman, who in September became general counsel to replace Dennis Oury, who was indicted along with Ferriero.

Kaufman wrote that the BCDO can call a meeting of the county committee with the object of removing Ferriero. Once a quorum of 50% plus one is reached, the party needs only a simple majority of votes to oust Ferriero (other party members have wondered whether that vote would have required a two-thirds threshold).

Additionally, I would think that Kaufman knew this as well, and the hurdles that are set here (call a county committee meeting, get a quorum, have a majority vote to oust Ferriero) make this something that still seems like pie-in-the-sky.  And while it does provide clear and concrete procedures to oust Ferriero without amending the bylaws (which would still require the process of removing Ferriero anyway), it is almost looking like the ball is now in the court of the BCDO committee to either step up and vote Ferriero out, blink and do nothing (setting the stage for a lesser of two evils decision for Bergen County voters) or fall on their collective face by holding a vote and keeping Ferriero on anyway.

Another step has been taken, but you have to wonder if this is just a set up or a game of chicken.

Two evils

by: Adam L

Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:36:41 AM EST

Unless the BCDO leadership gets its act together and figures out a way to remove Joe Ferriero (without replacing him with one of his ardent supporters), that is the choice that most Bergen Democrats will face in 2009 and 2010.

Does the BCDO leadership even see this?  Do they even care?  In a county that has been trending blue over the past few years, will it take an electoral ass kicking in order for the organization to see that the republican model of protecting corruption - or even protecting the cloud of potential corruption - is a political death sentence?

When the leading vote getting Bergen Freeholder saw a 20% dropoff in support from Obama, that is a sign of trouble.  When a Congressional campaign that had more money and more exposure then years past and an incumbent whose support was declining actually LOST ground in Bergen, is that not a sign that maybe, just maybe the BCDO corruption and investigations had something to do with it?

It is no secret that the BCDO gave little to no support (and maybe negative support) to the last 2 Democratic Congressional candidates.  Does this mean that a Bergen Democrat can't run for Congress in 2010 (even with no material support from the BCDO), since there would be, at a minimum, a "guilt by association" anchor around his or her neck?  And if there is a Bergen County candidate for Congress, would the smart move of distancing him/herself majorly from an organization that has a cloud of corruption surrounding itself be feasible in a district wide election?

Or would the best thing long term be a complete ass kicking in the upcoming elections and a Congressional candidate from Sussex or Warren County?

Both are filled with potential dangers - the gains made in Bergen can be lost for years (and who knows where Bergen will end up in a redistricting).

Either way, the BCDO is playing with fire, and most certainly will get burned one way or another.  The only saving grace is to force Ferriero out (and there certainly doesn't seem to be the will for that) or the likelihood of an electoral embarrassment may be staring at Bergen County Democrats over the next few years.

Pay-to-Play and Senate Seats

by: carolh

Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 03:34:16 PM EST

The year was 2005, and I was excited to participate in my very first special election to help choose a NJ State Senator.  Byron Baer was retiring and his seat was open.  Before the next election, the County Committee of District 37 got to choose who replaced him before the next general election.  That is how a lot of NJ legislators get their seats.  The folks retiring wait till their party can replace them without the possibility of the other party winning an election.  The incumbents always have the edge.  Anyway, Joe Ferriero thought he had it made.  He PROMISED Baer's seat to Ken Zisa.

Only a few folks stood in the way.  The folks who openly endorsed Loretta Weinberg for the seat who actually (gasp!) planned on voting for her.  Some folks from Bergenfield.  A few upstarts from Englewood who had been thrown off the line for dissenting. A few upstarts from Teaneck. The entire Tenafly Municipal Committee (Tenafly had already been soaked by Mr. Oury for a half million during COAH battle where he was a court appointed attorney, and the Dems here were told that if they wanted $$$ help from the BCDO they would have to let Joe pick their Attorney and their Engineer- appalled, they said no to Joe), and the Black Caucus.

Less than 250 votes were needed.  It didn't take long for the Pro-Ferriero forces to realize, they could just go after the BCDO folks who didn't have County Jobs, African American voters from District 37, The entire Tenafly County Committee, and the few Pro-Loretta voters from Bergenfield.  

Soooo, Tim Driscoll gets a call not to show up at the election by Clancy (Rabbit's live-in boyfriend), because of the resignation letter. (To paraphrase Yosemite Sam - "Criminals is SO stupid!") Why would Clancy call Driscoll to tell him he (Driscoll) resigned? At the election, 5 of the Tenafly committee - including 3 sitting Councilmen and our Treasurer were challenged at the election.  In a month long legal effort to get the votes of the "Tenafly 5" counted, instead of losing by 1 vote, Loretta Weinberg wins by 4.  All 5 Tenafly votes were for her.  

To fill Loretta's seat, Valerie Huttle steps up to the plate, and we endorse her against Michael Wildes.  At THAT election nearly ALL the Tenafy folks including ME and the folks already declared eligible to vote by the Courts, are challenged.  After about 5:30 - every African American voter gets pulled out of line. The ENTIRE Teaneck Committee gets challenged too.  Anyone who even LOOKS like they will vote for Valerie gets challenged.

Rothman, to his credit, corrects the horrendous assault on decency and lets our Committee and the Teaneck Committee vote.  Even though many votes are still provisional, Valerie wins enough so we don't need to head to court.

In 2006, to get rid of the insurgency of folks against Pay-to-Play and any open supporters of Loretta and Valerie, Joe throws us on Column 4 in the election.  We work like hell to keep our seats.  Most of us do.  

I nominate an opponent to Joe Ferriero at his re-election because being from Tenafly - the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, our vote actually means something precious to us here and Joe's attempts to take that from us, infuriate us.  

Then Joe and Oury cook up a plot to make the County Committee votes for District State Senator County-wide instead of District wide.  He hopes to get enough help from creeps OUTSIDE D37 to unseat his honest nemesis, Senator Weinberg.  In an insta-protest we stage with the help of Blue Jersey, we get enough votes to kill that effort to give folks outside our district Representation without Representation (it would be like NJ residents voting for Gov of NY)

After that nonsense, we lose faith in the unsecret County Committee "elections" enough to ask Loretta Weinberg and team to run off the line.  They do and the Real Bergen Democrats are born.  To give a voice to the opposition slate opposed to Pay-to-Play and to create a vehicle that allows Tim Driscoll and his team of anti-corruption Dems to win the Mayor's seat and kick Oury out of his comfy Borough Attorney's position - which by the way is another sad corruption story responsible for Oury's current unhappiness with the justice system - his September indictment with Joe Ferriero.

All this time, these three years we spent fighting Joe and Oury and Elaine Rabbit and Mulligan and their attempts to run a write in campaign after losing the Primary to Tim Driscoll and his team of Real Bergen Democrats.  We fought through the sham BCDO "elections", the Bylaws attacks and Bylaws breaches by Ferriero, and the attempts to bring in the heavy hitters to kick more of us out of our County Committee seats in 2008.  We withstood it all.  Tim Driscoll and Bruce Carlson holding down the fort for us in Bergenfield, Charlotte Bennett Schoen and her team holding the fort for us and Theresa Thomas keeping us informed  from Englewood, the entire Tenafly Municipal Commitee led by Shama Haider keeping us Ferriero-free and Pay-to-Play free in Tenafly, and the Teaneck Committee fending off attacks on their non-partisan town by Ferriero's "Team Teaneck" who play the "religion card", while also fending off Dennis Oury's "Master Plans" for real estate deals in Teaneck.  Some of our favorite Real Bergen Dems in Teaneck lost due to a concerted effort by Joe to get rid of them in the Primary, but we withstood many attacks on our seats when many folks said it couldn't be done.  We kept them at bay.  

I give great Kudos to Driscoll and Carlson, particularly for having to actually sit at the Council mtgs and deal with Mulligan and Rabbit.  I am so happy to see that Christmas came early for Bergenfield.  Tim Driscoll finally gets some justice.

Although the Blagojevich story unfolded in Illinois, it at least is educating folks in NJ what Pay-to-play is and why they should care.  I was startled to hear folks on Chris Matthews show saying that this doesn't happen a lot.  I sat up and said "Hello! It does in NJ!" at the TV. Mathews was shocked that Blagojevich used the term Pay-to-Play, but he doesn't realize - Joe and Oury almost sued NJ because they equate it with "free speech".  I guess they figure if they say it enough here in NJ it will lose its shock value.

And so this indictment is vindicating.  When the public finally now knows what Pay-to-Play is.  After Dennis Oury and Joe Ferriero are already indicted. In a shadenfreud- like stupor, I imagine Dennis, Joe, Mulligan, Rabbit and Joe Coniglio all in a Good Fellas style prison where Joe is making the Sunday gravy and serving it over some stuffed peppers - cause that's all they can get there (and I know how much Ferriero hates stuffed peppers).  

It all started with a Senate Seat.  And a mentality that it was up for sale - or it was OWED to someone, or PROMISED to someone.  This happened here in Bergen County, not Illinois, but it IS more common than the average voter would like to think.  

Well, it's off to daydream about which Pay-to-Play Party Boss or corrupt elected official my all-time favorite hero Warren Monroe will catch next........ :)

Tightening the noose

by: Thurman Hart

Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 11:49:20 AM EST

When the history of Joe Ferriero's reign as Overlord and Master of the Bergen County Democrats is written, his failure to place Ken Zisa in the State Senate seat of Byron Baer will likely be used to mark the beginning of his eventual demise.  With Ferriero under federal indictment, the state AG has now taken action connected to Ferriero's failure:

The indictment states that in 2005, Mulligan forged the signature of Timothy Driscoll, who would later become mayor, on a letter offering Driscoll’s resignation from the municipal party committee. It also accuses Rabbitt of forging Marie Gillman’s signature on a letter declaring Gillman’s resignation from the same committee. Gillman’s husband, Robert Gillman, now serves as a Bergenfield councilman.

The fourth-degree charges carry a maximum penalty of 18 months in state prison and a $10,000 fine.

“We charge that the defendants forged resignation letters for democratic committee members in an effort to influence a special election to fill a vacancy in the state senate,” said Attorney General Anne Milgram in a written statement. “This had the potential to impact the election of a senator.”

The heavy-handed - and illegal - use of county power was uncovered when Congressman Steve Rothman refused to count the votes associated with the fake resignations until a court ruled on the legality of the matter.  Rothman's decision to do what is ethically and legally right foiled Ferriero's plans.  The resulting scrutiny has led inexoribly to two indictments, and countless subpoenas.  What does it take to beat corruption?  A contested election, committeemembers who can't be steamrolled, and a Congressman who refuses to engage in shady behavior.