How ConVENient!

by: carolh

Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 12:45:51 PM EST

Well, in Englewood, a Planning Board assembled by the Mayor himself, Michael Wildes, made sure the City found out what the "Or Else" meant.  You see, the City Council made sure they sent their COAH plan to the Planning Board in time to meet the deadline. ( In Tenafly we realized our plan wouldn't be perfect either, but we had to meet the unrealistic deadline - we would definitely have to revise and amend the plan later due to the extremely unreasonable pressure placed on us by the incompetent Keystone Cops of COAH in Trenton.) Well, because the Planning Board decided not to hurry, the City missed the COAH deadline.  And so, guess who was waiting in the wings to profit from the "apparent" oversight and late filing?

Hekemian.  Business partner of one Mike Kasparian former President of the company.

http://www.northjersey.com/new...  

Before you could blink, they hit Englewood with a lawsuit - a builder's remedy lawsuit, about not having a COAH plan.  Now remember, TRENTON dictated the unrealistic deadline and Englewood missed it by mere days. "How ConVENient!" the church lady would say.

The reason why this is SO infuriating to Englewood Dems and the reason they voted to REJECT the election of Kasparian to the BCDO Chairman is that they have a history with these guys. HKT attempted to take over downtown with emininent domain.  The K in HKT stands for Kasparian.

Here is a little story about Englewood and emminent domain from 1999, just ten years ago:

Englewood
In 1999, the City of Englewood designated a 60-acre redevelopment zone, and began working with developer Hekemian Kasparian Troast LLC (HKT) on a plan to replace an industrial area with an office/retail/residential development. Under the $500-million proposal, HKT would cover all of the City's costs in condemning properties and relocating the displaced businesses. Also, the developer would own and manage the development. In order to accommodate HKT, City officials claimed that the properties targeted for condemnation were blighted and had caused a steady erosion of Englewood's tax base. However, the City's own study of the area found that active businesses occupied, or had plans to develop in the near future, more than 97 percent of the properties within the redevelopment area. The study also determined that only three of the 37 properties were poorly maintained, and only one building was not occupied and productive. Furthermore, most of the disputed land was located within one single office-industrial park that generated 1.2 million per year in property taxes. In June 2001, 19 of the targeted property owners sued Englewood, seeking to reverse its 1999 designation and stop HKT's attempt to steal their land. The owners argued that the City's own findings contradicted the claim that there was 'lack of proper utilization of land, which was necessary to justify eminent domain.  Those issues never got decided, however, because the owners discovered that the City had failed to publish a proper notice of its 1999 hearings. The lack of notice was a "fatal defect," ruled Judge Jonathan N. Harris, a New Jersey Superior Court judge. The judge dismissed the condemnation actions.
At first, City officials retaliated with a smear campaign in which they distributed fliers portraying the challenging property owners as greedy individuals willing to use "scare tactics" to preserve their "tax haven." David Ulrich, one of the owners, explained why he brought the lawsuit: "I don't think anybody down here is against the concept of redevelopment. Our concern from the beginning is, "Do not threaten to take away our properties."  City leaders implied that they would simply approve another plan, without making any technical mistakes this time. In the end, however, HKT came up with a modified development proposal, one that won't require condemning property. This project features 350 apartments, an 11-story office building, three retail structures and a parking garage, and can be accomplished without the City resorting to eminent domain.

It was just a technicality that saved Englewood property owners temporarily from condemnation of their properties for the private gain of Mr. Kasparian.  Some Democrat.

You also may remember why Hekemian was in the news recently in Englewood:

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

Michael Wildes got to help dispense "gifts" from Hekemian to his favorite charities in Englewood just a month or two before these same "humanitarians" slapped the very same city with a COAH builder's remedy lawsuit they apparently had in the works BEFORE the City even missed the Dec 31 deadline. For land located in a COMMERCIAL zone.

Like I said - "How ConVENient!"

So, how is Joe Ferriero related to this story?  He was HKT's land use attorney.

What is really sad and infuriating about this whole saga for Englewood is that they have actually built affordable housing there.  They were acting in good faith to submit their plan on time.  But the Mayor's minions saw fit to leave the door wide open for the fox to get into the henhouse.

I don't care if Kasparian supported Obama.  I hardly think Obama, who was a community organizer in Chicago, would approve of the way, Mr. Kasparian and his friends treat a City's residents and business owners so cavilierly for profit. It shows to me a willingness to profit off of others backs, to twist government for that aim and to take from those who have less than you.  That is not a Democrat, my friend.  THAT is a Republican.  

If the Rs were in control right now, how much would you bet, Kasparian would be one?

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.  

BCDO Update

by: carolh

Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 04:59:28 PM EST

Its is hard to turn down the Governor's camp when they ask you to do something before an election.  I don't blame Buzzy for stepping down.  This whole thing is a farce, a badly written one at that.  What value is the Chairmanship with the cast of characters that rules the BCDO now? There are just too many BCDO members with county jobs and Lynne Hurwitz watches these "elections" like a hawk for defectors. Too many BCDO members are beholden to Joe and afraid to lose their jobs - especially in this economy.  

The fact that Joe unilaterally fired the BCDO counsel Paul Kaufman and called this convention without the approval of the Executive Committee, goes to show just how arrogant Joe has become.  

And so, right now, the guy at the top of the ticket (Corzine) wants Joe Ferriero's new best friend, Mike Kasparian to run the BCDO.  As a sweetener for Buzzy to drop out of the race, the Governor's campaign promised NOT to run BCDO challengers against Valerie Huttle and Gordon Johnson in the 37th, which has been Joe Ferriero's reason for living the past few years - to get even with Loretta Weinberg by breaking up her team.  

I find it hilarious that Freedom Tower Coin Collector Freeholder Ganz is still mad that we ran against him in the Primary because he thought it was evil to challenge an incumbent, when the whole reason for the Real Bergen Democrats in the first place was due to Joe Ferriero like a tiny Captain Ahab, unilaterally plotting to remove popular incumbents in the 37th since 2005.

And so, probably afraid that Ferriero will see to it that he outspends any challengers by 13 to 1 again in a PRIMARY, the Governor is interceding early.  We all remember two years ago, the day of his terrible accident that he came all the way up to Bergen to head off an expensive Primary fight between the Incumbent LD37 team and Joe's picks.  Last year, Ferriero drained the coffers to keep control.  I guess Corzine may be afraid to see what happened last year happen again - because THIS time, it isn't Hillary campaigning here, or Democratic Freeholders running on Obama's coat-tails but Corzine himself running for re-election.  This time, it's personal.

And so, currently we stand with no challenger to Kasparian, because the Governor himself has seen to it.  All is status quo at the BCDO.  We get to have an "election".  Yay!  But we get absolutely no choice.  Once again, Bergen is like the Old Soviet Union.  Dissent is squashed.  Only one guy is on the ballot, and all is right in Ferriero land.  

For now, I will be boycotting the January 22 Kasparian Coronation called unilaterally by Joe Ferriero the week we should be celebrating new leadership of the United States.

I will be going tomorrow to the BergenPAC celebration and Inauguration event.  I WON'T be going to Hackensack to the Joe and Mike show on Thursday.  Maybe I will throw an end to tyranny party instead.  

Connecting the Dots

by: carolh

Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 06:17:09 PM EST

http://www.northjersey.com/opi...

Not many folks realized that Kevin Clancy is alleged forger and former Councilwoman Elaine Rabbitt's live-in.  

Kelly muses on how large a net was cast in the hunt for the forgers who hoped to rig the NJ State Senate District 37 special election in 2005 in favor of Ken Zisa, who is now on the Bergen County Board of Elections, and against Loretta Weinberg, who won after all the real votes were counted.

At the time, Kevin Clancy was Municipal Chair of the Bergenfield Democrats and staunch Ferriero-crat.  He was also on the Board of Elections too.  What you'd call IRONY if you realize Clancy knew enough about the fact that these were forgeries to TELL Tim Driscoll not to show up at the election because he was no longer on the CC. If Clancy simply received these forgeries FROM Driscoll, why the need to tell Driscoll what he already should know??

Thank you, Mr. Kelly.  There IS more to this story than footnotes.  If we don't find out the rest of this story soon, more embarassment for the BCDO and Democrats in Bergen County may be on the way during the NEXT election.

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.

The Wizard is Back

by: Senator Loretta Weinberg

Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 12:16:20 AM EST

Our own Wizard of Bergen, Joe Ferriero is back.  He's announced he's canceling his leave of absence so he can preside over a "smooth transition".

His first action was to "fire" the Party Counsel (Paul Kaufman) because he didn't like Mr. Kaufman's legal opinion.  He then appointed a replacement. After all, why leave that action to a new leader?  He has to show that he's really in charge!   Guess it's all part of the "smooth transition" idea.

He then announced that he would run a "gala" this Saturday in honor of the Democratic Freeholders.  How appropriate. The indicted leader will be in charge of selling tickets to contractors and county employees.  Maybe he'll even raise enough money from his adoring audience to pay off some of the debts he's leaving behind.

Next he authorized and apparently set the rules for a "special meeting" on January 22nd to select his own anointed successor.

None of these actions were presented to or approved by the governing body of our organization.  The BCDO executive committee met on December 8th and with the leadership of our elected public officials voted overwhelmingly to demand his resignation by January 15th.  That same group set a meeting for tonight.  Perhaps together we can find the heart, the brains and the courage to really send the Wizard packing.   Let's repudiate his unilateral actions and set our own timetables.  Let's give folks a chance to question and "vet" any candidates for county leader.  Let the leadership of the party set the date and the rules for this meeting.  Call, email or stop by tonight and let our Freeholders and Legislators know how you feel.

Next Tuesday, let's really celebrate the inauguration of our new President with a new and changed Bergen Democratic Party!  Let's stand up for all those new Obama voters and give them some good reasons to join with us.  It's time.  We have much work to do.    

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?

Joe Still Wants To Do It "His Way".

by: Senator Loretta Weinberg

Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 12:03:10 AM EST

So Joe Ferriero still wants to do it "his way".  Resign as requested on January 15th?  Hell no!  Mr. Ferriero chose January 22nd.  He wants a "smooth transition" and chooses to be in charge of a January 17th Bergen Democrat fundraising gala.  He wants to chair the event and I'm sure plans to receive a standing ovation from his adoring patronage appointees.  Then HE decides to have a January 22nd convention to select his own successor.  Vintage Ferriero!

Well I have some better ideas.  I hope our Executive Committee will gladly accept Mr. Ferriero's resignation.  Then I would suggest that we put the fundraiser off for a week or two along with the convention.  A postponed convention will also give rank and file committee members time to actually meet and/or question any people who are putting themselves forth for the leader position.   Let's not run either event with Joe Ferriero center stage.   We've waited this long for his resignation, we can wait another week or two to have a real Bergen Democratic Organization "smooth transition" with plans for new leadership.

I know that the Bergen Dems are composed of many principled folks who will be happy to see the Ferriero taint removed from our party. So let's send a message to all those new Obama democrats that we in Bergen leadership are really turning over a new page.   Make the gala and the convention our own - not Joe Ferriero's.

Mr. Ferriero is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.  I sincerely wish him well in his quest to clear his name.   But it's time that we demand he let go on our terms - not his.  The time is now for us to take back and to rebuild our party.  We should start with a fundraiser and a convention with new leadership who will help us join together.

We have much work to do.  Let's get on with it!  

Quote of the Day: It would adversely affect our party

by: Jason Springer

Sat Jan 10, 2009 at 09:41:54 PM EST

"I believe that it would adversely affect our party and our candidates if I were to continue to serve as chairman while on trial several weeks before the November election,"

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.  

Boss Joe in the NYT

by: carolh

Sat Jan 03, 2009 at 10:49:30 AM EST

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01...

Bet Boss Joe is gonna hate this.   He hates to be called a Boss, you know.  But that is exactly what he is.  And his minions - like Lynne Hurwitz certainly owe him everything.  

And so I pulled out a little ode to our Boss Joe that I wrote a while ago:

The recent article in the newspapers where Joe Ferriero had a sit down like Dick Cheney has sometimes with Tim Russert really cracked me up.  The Chairman has a lot of problems with the Boss title.

Oh, but he has earned it.  Why deprive the man of the honor of elevating Pay to Play to an art not even dreamed of in Tammany Hall?

I was watching the History channel when the story of Boss Tweed was on.  I was struck by just how similar these stories are.  Tweed had begun as a humble civil servant - a volunteer firefighter but soon realized his inner politician and capitalized on it in a big way.

I thought as a fun little thought experiment I would compare the two men and their legacy:

Tweed: initially a volunteer firefighter
Joe: the son of a firefighter.

Tweed: Progressed from alderman in New York city in 1851 and to NY State Senator.
Joe: Dumont Councilman at age 20 - failed in run for Assembly - but liked the behind-the-scenes action much better and became Chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization at the age of 45.

Tweed: In 1868 he handpicked a slate including Governor of NY and Mayor of NYC
Joe: Handpicks ALL candidates down AND UP the ticket.  He is a Kingmaker in NJ politics.

Tweed:  took kickbacks from contractors after awarding them contracts.  Allowed them to overcharge for services and the City footed the bill.
Joe:  Is publicly in favor of Pay to Play where contributors to the Bergen County Democratic Organization are often granted no bid contracts for bond work, insurance, engineering, construction, and borough Attorney.  He calls Pay-to-Play  Free Speech.

For example:
Schoor DePalma, a Monmouth County engineering firm, gave $10,000 to the BCDO and $1,000 to Democrats Council candidates in Rutherford in 1999. Barely a year later, Schoor DePalma became borough engineer in Rutherford AND Ridgefield after Dems won election there too.  That $11,000 investment netted them $771,857 from Rutherford and Ridgefield.  It worked so well - Schoor DePalma has donated $100,000 to local and county Democrats since 1999.

Tweed: Commissioner of Public Works
Joe:  Influences who gets appointed to Utilities Authorities and quasi-governmental bodies who spend lots of taxpayer dollars for bonds, and insurance, and large capital projects in NJ  (NJ's modern form of shadow government.)  Think Bergen County Improvement Authority, Passiac Valley Sewer Commission, etc.

Comic Relief
Tweed: the subject of Thomas Nast's cartoons that finally swayed public opinion. Folks who couldn't read could get the gist.
Joe:  Jimmy Marguiles 2007 cartoons of Boss Joe are legendary already

Tweed: bribed opposition Republicans not to vote
Joe:  has folks elected to Council flip allegiance to him - as in Hasbrouck Heights immediately after taking office on Republican platforms.  He uses Republicans when he needs to.

Tweed: Controlled Democratic nominations of both the State and NY City by various means:  Intimidating and bribing Republicans, paying crooks and drifters to vote. Controlled all Democratic New York state and city nominations from 1860-1870.

Joe: Folks ineligible to vote, wound up casting votes at County Committee elections for his handpicked candidates.  He has challenged legally seated County Committee members to prevent their votes from being cast. His henchmen have actually forged the signatures of county committee members to get them off the Committee.  He routinely throws incumbents who dissent (like me) from the BCDO line on the ballot even though they received tremendous public support in general elections..  He has done this to sitting Council members like Real Bergen Dems County Clerk candidate Gail Frasco.  He has failed to allow Committee Members to speak from the floor.  He has denied calling a convention although the proper signatures were obtained by the required number of Committee members.

Tweed: Contractors overcharged for work done, false bills presented, no show jobs were granted
Joe:  Will not release records of financial transactions as is required by the Bylaws and requested by Committee members.   A majority of the County Committee Municipal Chairs now have County jobs.  Engineering firms who get no-bid contracts with the county charge a lot for their services - then donate $$$ to the BCDO.

Tweed: Cost of doing business was passed on to the city - 1869 - 1870 the debt was $97 million and he responded by making his flunkies auditors.  Municipal services went down.
Joe: His attack on the government of Englewood is nearly complete.  He took over the government in Englewood and supported Mayor Michael Wildes at the same time Wildes dismantled an effective planning board.  Buildings with extra floors got built, right across the street from the Borough Hall. Contracts got awarded, zoning applications got passed and government services failed in early 2008.  Streets were not salted during snow storms resulting in dozens of accidents and calls for aid to surrounding towns.  Bergenfield struggled under the weight of Pay to Play until last year when several of Joe's cronies were ousted and the Borough got rid of Joe's favorite Borough Attorney.  

In 1999 any freeholder candidates were required to sign over all control over fundraising and campaign spending to the BCDO.  He encouraged money to be dumped into the BCDO from outside the county in return for help in statewide elections.    He put all funds into one big pot instead of having candidates raise and spend their own money.  Individuals can contribute a limit of 2,200 to a candidate's campaign, but can contribute up to $37,000 to the party coffers.

Tweed: Patronage was only given to loyal supporters. The effect was that anyone who gave money to an opponent - like the Republicans were denied gov't contracts and jobs.
Joe:  You get help from Joe for an election, you are asked to promise to let him or his cronies choose the Borough Attorney or Borough Engineer.  This happened in Tenafly.  We manage our own fundraising and spending without BCDO help so we were able to tell Joe "No thank you. You've done enough.  Really".  Bergen County government is completely controlled by Joe now.  He spent $3 million to keep McNerney's seat.  Why so much?

Tammany came from an Indian name and was a sort of social club.
Ferriero holds court in restaurants in the Hackensack area.  A sort of boys club where things get decided.  Pity the poor Bergen County Democrat who gets called to a meeting at a North Jersey diner with Boss Joe.  

Joe gives jobs to people to get their loyalty.  And he offers jobs to people to buy their silence.  It's sort of like getting a bribe BEFORE you are a government employee.  Gordon Johnson was offered a job to drop out of the Assembly race recently.  He refused and ran for office without Joe's help and won handily.  Joe runs an operation mostly on what was affectionately called "honest graft".  Basically legalized bribery. You know it as Pay to Play.

Tweed:  The Tammany Hall honest graft method was to buy land up before the government needed it and sell it back at a high profit.
Joe:  He and his consigliere Dennis Oury are both land use attorneys who have profited mightily in this era of real estate fever.   Zoning variances wanted were mostly zoning variances granted in Bergen County for both Dennis and Joe - especially if the attorneys and engineers involved got their jobs thanks to the BCDO.

Tweed:  Conned and plundered the city of New York out of between 30-200 million dollars
Joe:  The cost of taxes in NJ is out of control and going higher.  Patronage jobs DON'T help the property tax situation on either a County or LOCAL level.  Ask the folks in Bergenfield who overpaid for land thanks to Governmental Grants Consulting, the firm that got Joe and Oury in hot water with the Feds.

Tweed: Elected a New York State Senator in 1867
Joe:  Not a state Senator himself but controls several State Senators by withholding or granting financial support.  Senatorial courtesy is a huge incentive for Ferriero to control the appointment of anyone from districts that are served by that Senator.  Disgraced Joe Coniglio was one of those Senators.  Paul Sarlo is another.  Ken Zisa would have been another if our votes from Tenafly were not counted in 2005.  Lautenberg even needed Joe's support to win re-election.  Everyone need to kiss Joe's ring at one time or other - no matter how high up the political food chain.

Tweed:  Built his power in Tammany Hall through the appointment and election of his friends (called the 'Tweed Ring')
Joe:  has a loyal and loud group of supporters who think he is a Democratic god because he made sure they got high paying county jobs.  

Tweed:  Elected into the US House of Representatives in 1852
Joe:  Enjoys being kingmaker for Congressmen and Senators alike.  Rubbed shoulders with Hillary Clinton on stage last year while she extolled the virtues of getting rid of "crony capitalism".  What you'd call "IRONY".

Tweed: Used illegal means to force election of his choice for New York governor, New York City mayor, and speaker of the assembly.
Joe:  Joe and his Friend Dennis Oury stand indicted while His loyal supporters Elaine Rabbitt and Dennis Mulligan from Bergenfield stand indicted on forgery charges.  Forgeries that surfaced in 2005 to aid the Chairman's candidate for State Senate to replace Byron Baer in D37.  

Tweed:  Raised public indignation against graft and was convicted and sentenced to prison (Note: He was also sued by the city of New York in a civil suit. He escaped from jail and fled to Spain. He was identified there from a cartoon drawn by Thomas Nast. He was returned to New York and died in jail there.
Joe:  Recently indicted on corruption charges for concealing interest in a firm he founded to make money off grants obtained by pressuring elected officials around the state to give his firm business and $$$.  But he is still supported by his loyal flunkies afraid to lose patronage jobs, even while Joe stands indicted.

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

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.

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.

Alas, a democratic BCDO is not to be....

by: carolh

Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 11:31:20 PM EST

I stand guilty as charged.  I wouldn't have had to air the dirty laundry in the first place if Boss Joe ran the BCDO like it bore even a passing resemblance to a democratic institution instead of a dictatorship.  The very fact that the District 37 meeting - the first one called in 2 years, BTW, was called AFTER the Executive committee met last nite.  They just wanted us peons to feel important by letting us know what the Executive Committee decided for us.  While the Chair of District 37 - Mr. Rivera tried to dance around the 8,000 lb elephant in the room - the fact that Boss Joe was INDICTED and a lot of folks in the room didn't have a problem with it.

Ferrierocrats complained about the fact that people were being "stabbed in the back" by folks who spoke to the press.  Don't worry.  You'll see me coming.  I sign my name.  I'm not shy.  WE don't sneak up on folks and work in the shadows.  That's Joe and Oury.

One concerned Dem mentioned that this was like what is going on in Illinois.  For all the times that I've heard Oury and apologists for Ferriero say that nobody knows what pay-to-play is and nobody cares - I heard Chris Mathews mention Pay-To-Play many times while reporting on the story today from Illinois.  After today - Pay-To-Play WILL be on the average voter's radar.  

Another misguided Dem said we should keep Ferriero on because we get a lot of Press from the Record and the continued hounding of the BCDO will make the Record look bad.  Scuse Me???  That got a round of outright laughs.

Jack Savage, who I nominated to replace Joe at his re-election (the only legal way to replace Joe currently), stood up and stated that the fish stinks from the top down, and that Joe is making us all tainted by association. Joe has to go.  

What happened next was PURE unadulterated foolishness of the classic kind that only happens at the BCDO.  They are so used to not having fair elections that a motion was called to second the recommendation of the Executive Committee to ask Joe to step down by Jan 15.  The motion was seconded, but before a vote could be taken in the packed room, a Ferrierocrat stood up - true to form and motioned to table discussion - to basically prevent a vote.  (I instantly was overwhelmed by deja vu) When the usual goons stood up to vote to table, the District Chair accepted the cessation of any discussion.  Regina O'Neill then rightly pointed out that it wasn't a proper vote - folks who aren't even county committee were voting and no one actually counted the folks standing up.  It was a farce and someone in the room said so - loudly.  I felt the mood of the room turning ugly as once again the honest Dems were robbed of having a voice - AGAIN but started to balk and demand a proper vote.

As I left to go to a real council meeting of honest folks in my Ferriero-free town -  Lynne Hurwitz stood up to plead the case for keeping the status quo. Apparently after that, according to my sources, someone then made a motion to adjourn the meeting - it was seconded, and Palisades Park and Hackensack Committees (remember - Lynne Hurwitz is the Chair in Hackensack, and the County Deputy Chief of Staff and this was NOT a secret vote) all voted to end the meeting.  And so, long story short - even discussion of how to carry out a fair vote to end the discussion of the "Joe Problem" was cut short by Lynne Hurwitz and her minions. Need I say more?

The reason I am telling you folks is this:   It is up to all of us.  We can't do it alone - we NEED your help. DEMOCRATS vote for these folks during the Primary in District 37.

Time to really clean house.  Joe is just the biggest bug in the house - not the only one.  We have to wait another year and a half to get some more ethical folks in the BCDO.  Till then we'll have to use the press to keep these folks honest.  They sure have trouble telling the difference between the real criminals and the 4th estate who informs the public.

If I had a voice to speak up to the Executive Committee - Here is what I would say:  New bylaws should include the ten items that Robert Gulack and I tried to get a convention to vote on.  We got the proper # of signatures and true to form, Joe Ferriero refused to call a convention like he was obligated to do.  He refused to share the books, as he was obligated to do.  New Bylaws should have a means to remove a chair - term limits, and the ten items we asked for over a year ago.  

Next, we should lobby our legislators in Trenton to pass Senator Weinberg's Party Democracy act.  That will be a major start.  Today Illinois Pay-To-Play was the news, it could easily have been NJ.  

One Dem put it well - we want a Democratic Democratic Party.  We want a voice.  If you don't listen to us, we will find folks who will.  Oh, and stop doing illegal, unethical stuff, and we'll stop calling you on it. Period.  

Ditch Joe!

by: Thurman Hart

Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 12:22:02 PM EST

Sandman is the poster child of the Pyrrhic victory.  He had always been popular among Republicans in New Jersey.  He won four terms in the State Senate and served as the Majority Leader of that House in 1964-5.  He served as a delegate to the national GOP convention four consecutive times from the mid-fifties to the late sixties.  He was elected to represent the Second Congressional District and served on the House Judiciary Committee - and it was in that position that Sandman served NJ Dems so well.