Does NJ DOE Commish Cerf REALLY Want A Hearing?

by: Jersey Jazzman

Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 07:47:23 PM EST

There's a pissing contest going on right now between Governor Christie and NJ Senator Ron Rice. Christie wants a confirmation hearing for his ACTING Education Commissioner, Chris Cerf, but Rice is holding up the process. So Christie is holding up judicial nominations in Rice's county in retaliation; it's already affecting trials. And now former Governor and current Senator Dick Codey is being dragged into the battle.

What I fail to understand is why Christie is so hellbent on getting a hearing for Cerf. The ugly truth is that the ACTING Commissioner is likely to be asked some very pointed and embarrassing questions at a confirmation hearing. For example:

A Night of Comedy Supporting Newark Councilman Ronald C. Rice

by: vingopal

Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 06:58:42 PM EST

June 2011

by: Matthew Jordan

Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:41:42 PM EST

Senator Van Drew is honestly the only person on this list who deserves a pass, his district is just overwhelmingly Republican.  

I've never been more disgusted and embarrassed than I was today to be a Democrat.  

Can we make this the official primary candidate suggestion list?  

Supporting New Jersey's progressive champion - Councilman Ron Rice on November 10

by: vingopal

Sun Nov 01, 2009 at 08:10:35 PM EST

As an early endorser for Barack Obama for President, he joined Mayor Booker in being an Obama surrogate throughout New Jersey - widely increasing his profile. He was an early and strong endorser of Sen. Frank Lautenberg's re-election campaign during the 2008 Democratic primaries - working hard to deliver a a strong turnout for Lautenberg in Newark's West Ward.

Many of us admire his strong independence - in 2007, Ron supported and worked hard for his father - State Sen. Ronald Rice - who was successfully re-elected to the state senate despite opposition from the entire Newark political establishment.

Right now, Ron is working hard to re-elect Jon Corzine as our Governor and elect Loretta Weinberg as our first Lt. Governor.

His progressive ideals, commitment to justice and his depth of integrity are the reasons why Ron Rice has a following, not only in Newark, but across New Jersey. Just last month he was the keynote speaker at the Lacey Township Democratic Party's Annual Fish Fry in Ocean County - where over 150 people gave several standing ovations for the rising star city councilman.

Now the primary reason for this blog post - one week after the election, Ron will be having a major re-election reception at The Spot in Newark with a great host committee.

I've had the pleasure of working for Ron since before he was elected to the city council. I remember writing press releases for the launch of his campaign in 2005 to dropping door hangers at 3am on election eve in May of 2006. I can tell you first-hand there are few elected officials in New Jersey who match Ron's integrity. Ron represents a new generation of leadership in New Jersey politics.

This major re-election event will be a great time to not only meet the rising star councilman but mingle with a fantastic host committee.

The event is affordable and will be a great way to get ready for the 2010 municipal elections. Over 150 people have already RSVP'ed to help kick off Ron's re-election...we hope that you will be able to join us!

Vin

Wally Edge's Primary Targets

by: JRB

Wed Dec 20, 2006 at 12:43:50 PM EST

At the top of the list of potential targets is the Rev. Alfred Steele, the Assembly State Government Committee Chairman who is seeking a seventh term in the solidly-Democratic 35th district next year. Steele abstained on the Civil Union vote, and the conservative New Jersey Family Policy Council said that Steele will sponsor the "Equal Benefits Act" -- legislation that would offer civil benefits to same-sex couples but also define marriage as being between a man and a woman. (Steele has not confirmed or denied his agreement to sponsor this bill.)

Also on the possible target list is Assemblyman Joseph Egan, the Assembly Labor Committee Chairman. Egan's political base, New Brunswick (where he has been a City Councilman since 1981), has a large gay population, and Democratic primary voters in Highland Park are considered fairly liberal.

Nilsa Cruz-Perez, a Camden County Democrat, and Gary Schaer, a freshman Democrat who represents parts of Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties, were the other two Democrats to abstain on Civil Unions.

Democratic State Senators Wayne Bryant, Joseph Doria and Ronald Rice also abstained on the vote. There is a strong chance that all three could lose Democratic Party support for re-election next year, but not because of Civil Unions. Bryant is reportedly under investigation by federal prosecutors, Doria has local political problems in Hudson County, and Rice is expected to be replaced at the request of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who won 75% of the vote against Rice in the May 2006 mayoral election.

Ron Rice - Gaming the System

by: Media In Trouble

Tue Feb 28, 2006 at 03:48:47 PM EST

Senator Rice's justification is that tax assessors are apparently overwhelmed with requests for these records since they are the keepers of the cards.

We should be moving towards more open government not a more secretive one. If tax assessors are overwhelmed then put these records on the internet and be done with it.

It is extremely rare that I agree with things that appear on the Asbury Park Press editorial page but in this case they hit a bullseye. Go read the whole thing.

Then call Ron Rice's Office at (973) 371-5665 and tell him he is supposed to be serving his constituents in Newark, not himself and his buddies in the Real Estate business.

Oh... While you have him on the horn, ask him why he keeps letting NJ be in the dark ages when it comes to our AIDS policy, which happens to affect his district disproportionately.

AIDS and Needle Exchange Program

by: Media In Trouble

Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 02:51:01 PM EST

Where do NJ AIDS statistics stand?:

In NJ nearly half of all new HIV cases in the state are related to injection drug use, nearly twice the national average, New Jersey is one of only five states that require a prescription to purchase a syringe and, along with neighboring Delaware, one of only two states that have not passed laws explicitly allowing needle exchange programs (NEPs).