A Town Hall Epilogue

by: Matthew Jordan

Mon Mar 02, 2009 at 09:15:15 PM EST

As many of you know we had our first official Take Back the 5th Town Hall yesterday.  Although there was a threat of snow, we still had a fairly good turn out (nearly 40 people on a Sunday afternoon), and a distinguished panel of speakers.  The most encouraging sign in my opinion was the diverse group of elected officials that came out to speak.  Freeholders Vernon Walton & Jim Carroll, Sheriff Leo McGuire, Ridgewood Councilman (and 2006 Democratic Nominee) Paul Aronsohn, Former Closter Councilman Jack Kelly, and Ogdensburg Mayor Jim Sekelsky, all were on hand to discuss why Scott Garrett was an ineffective Congressman and the work that needs to be done to unseat him in 2010.      

Another thing that became very evident to me is how different the voters are in each county of NJ-5.  A message that could work in Warren and Sussex probably won?t work in Bergen, and the geographic challenges that a candidate faces in the district make it very difficult for him/her to connect with voters.  New ideas and methods need to be implemented in order to win in 2010, and this event opened a new dialogue for organization and message development throughout NJ-5.

In my opinion alternate campaign tactics to be utilized to address these challenges.  When Paul Aronsohn spoke about how he walked across the district in 2006 knocking on doors and engaging voters in made me realize how great of an idea that was.  If we could organize people to walk in their respective towns in the district, knocking on doors, distributing literature, and just opening a dialogue with voters on why Garrett is not representing them, we could really begin a grassroots movement.      

Instead of Wii, AC trip & Prius, fugitives get arrested

by: Jason Springer

Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 05:08:54 PM EST

Seventy-five people with active arrest warrants have been arrested during a sting operation in which the Bergen County Sheriff's Office offered prizes for participating in an imaginary Meadowlands seminar, authorities said today.

The alleged fugitives were caught in Operation Bait and Hook when they registered for the seminar on a Web site set up by law-enforcement officials, called a special toll-free number or attended the seminar, Sheriff Leo P. McGuire said.

The fake invitation offered a chance to win a two-night stay at an Atlantic City hotel and a Toyota Prius hybrid car. The first 100 people to attend the seminar would get a free Nintendo Wii entertainment system, the invitation said.

Only those who held an invitation were allowed in, so no innocent people were caught in the sting, McGuire said. One man brought his mother, who was denied entrance, he said. A representative from the Division of Youth and Family Services was on call in case an attendee brought a child, he said.

Not everyone wants Joe to go

by: Jason Springer

Sun Sep 14, 2008 at 11:57:26 PM EDT

All three officials pointed to a similar message: that Ferriero has only been charged with a crime, not convicted of one.

"We all have the presumption of innocence and I?m sure that this investigation will take its course and certainly we know that Ferriero is not an elected official," said McGuire.  "It's a little bit different from the Al Steeles, Wayne Bryants, Etc. who were elected by the people. This is a little more of a family matter.

"Steve Rothman ought to know better. He's a lawyer, a former surrogate, and he knows the constitutional presumption of innocence. A resignation implies guilt, and to that extent I'm surprised that the Governor and Cryan would say that as well. I don't feel that way," said Ganz.  "The Governor's not a lawyer, but he should know better too. And I have to tell you, I feel very strongly about that."

"You get somewhat concerned when people start asking for resignations in a case like this. What makes this system here in the United States different than the British system - we fought a revolution for representative government. There's a difference with our system and the British system - there's a presumption of innocence until the person is proven guilty.  We have a situation here where yes there's been an indictment and the chairman has taken a leave of absence until he has his day in court, and he's entitled to his day in court. Everybody's presumed innocent, including the Bergen County Democratic Chairman," Dressler explained.  "The revolution was fought over this, and for people to start saying this person should resign, that person should resign, there is the presumption of innocence."

Real Bergen Democrats Sweep Bergenfield, Englewood

by: Juan Melli

Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:54:41 AM EDT

His running mates - Barry Doll and Councilman Bruce Carlson - defeated BCDO candidates Carlos Aguasvivas and John Person.

In Ward 2 of Englewood, Council President Charlotte Bennett Schoen defeated BCDO candidate Marvin Anault.

In Fort Lee, Councilman Michael Villano - the Real Bergen Democrats mayoral candidate - lost to the current mayor Jack Alter.

Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire (BCDO) held on to his seat by defeating Allen Gailes, Jr (RBD).

Bergenfield
 
Mayor
Timothy Driscoll  (RBD)  623
Dolores Butler    (BCDO) 529

Council
Bruce Carlson     (RBD)  644
Barry Doll        (RBD)  588
Carlos Aguasvivas (BCDO) 511
John Person       (BCDO) 468

Englewood, Ward 2


Council
Charlotte Bennett Schoen (RBD)  411
Marvin Anault            (BCDO) 335

Allen Gailes Jr.: You are our only hope.

by: quimbaya

Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 06:49:17 AM EDT

I am not sure how long this entry will be, so this is my essay topic:

Re-elect Charlotte Bennett Schoen for 2nd Ward Councilwoman in Englewood. Say no to Michael Wildes? puppets.

Vote Lieutenant Allen Gailes Jr., for Bergen County Sheriff. Say yes to diverse and independent government.

This is my conclusion:

Vote for the Real Bergen Democrats, Column 1. Vote for the Weinberg/Johnson/Huttle team.

Englewood Report Interviews Lt. Allen Gailes Jr.

Englewood Report Endorses Charlotte Bennett Schoen for Reelection

Bergen Grassroots Endorsements

Exhibit D: From noon to 8pm this day, you can support the Real Bergen Democrats candidates who are opposed by Boss Ferriero's hand-picked candidates in the June 5 primary. They are Englewood Council President Charlotte Bennett Schoen; Bergenfield Council incumbent Bruce Carlson, Timothy Driscoll for Mayor and Barry Doll for Council, and County Sheriff candidate Allen Gailes, Jr. All have the endorsement of Bergen Grassroots.

The polls open soon, so I have not had the time to write this in Spanish. I will add this post to my "to translate" list. And I should have probably written this post last night or maybe a couple nights ago, but I tend to procrastinate. But for the record, my two centavos.

An Interview with Allen Gailes

by: The Englewood Report

Fri May 25, 2007 at 05:49:58 PM EDT

While The Englewood Report's primary focus is local news, we do post stories that Blue Jerseyans may find of interest. Our latest entry is one such example.

In the Englewood Report's first ever podcast, Bob Stern interviews Lt. Allen Gailes, who is heading the Real Bergen Democrats ticket in June's Democratic Primary.  Gailes is challenging BCDO candidate and current incumbent Leo McGuire for the position of Bergen County Sheriff.

This is an important election.  The winner will run the largest law enforcement agency in the county with a budget that has grown to more than $50 million a year.

There's a New Sheriff in Bergen County. (Meet Allen J. Gailes, Jr.)

by: lsanchez490

Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 02:40:49 AM EST

They're also big on preparing early. About  a year ago, Ferriero and McGuire held hands in victory.

Like Ferriero did Tuesday night. A drink in his hand, the victory party still raging at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton, he grabbed Sherriff Leo McGuire by the arm and reminded him of his upcoming 2007 election race.
"Three hundred sixty-four days," he said told McGuire. "We started three hours ago."

The Bergen County Sheriff's Office must be free and independent of Joe Ferriero's lackeys. A stint as a councilman and police sergeant does not qualify you to be sheriff. And dressing up like a five star generalissimo feathered with an ever growing ensemble of glittery badges and medals from head to toe for every single camera in the county is not my definition of a man hard at work in law enforcement.

Twenty four years in the Bergen County Sheriff's Department are a testament to Allen Gailes' qualifications, experience, knowledge and dedication to our community. Lieutenant Allen Gailes, Jr. is the Sheriff that Bergen County deserves.