Cory Booker Blogs

by: Media In Trouble

Tue Mar 21, 2006 at 03:45:41 PM EST

Cory, you can always sign up for an account and post something here if you want! Consider this an open invitation. Besides, you are running for mayor of Newark, NJ right? Not Los Angeles!

No shame

by: Thurman Hart

Sun Oct 26, 2008 at 05:48:08 PM EDT

Two days after James reported to jail, Central Ward Council candidate Charles Bell received a $5,000 donation to his campaign fund from James, according to campaign records filed with the State Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Oh, but it gets "better":

"I'm a little disappointed Sharpe James didn't give me more money," Bell said. "He must be sitting on a million dollars he can use for political purposes. I need money and what he did was perfectly legal."

But Bell said there's nothing wrong with older generation politicians like Sharpe James- or his money.

"I'm hoping he can find some way to give me more money," said Bell.

Geez.

Weekly Top Three

by: Thurman Hart

Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:38:25 AM EDT

Number Three:
 Aaron wants you to know that some guys have all the luck (yeah, I know, that isn't a Springsteen song, but he's not even two - give him a break).  

Fresh on the heels of our senior senior Senator dusting up the all-but-dead news-cycle, we find out that the Sports and Exposition Authority held a whole buttload of tickets in reserve for VIPs.  One of the VIPs is an unnamed Broadway theatre employee (probably not in the chorus line) who promptly listed the tickets on Craigs List.  

This isn't as bad as it could be - at least people were paying for the tickets:

More than 150 tickets went to sports authority commissioners, including Michael Neglia, who bought a total of 52 tickets to the three shows, and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, who purchased 48 tickets for tonight's concert.

For the money quote of why Jersey is so screwed from stem to stern, we go to Gary Bongiovanni:

"You want to take care of people as much as you can, within reason," said Gary Bongiovanni, editor in chief of Pollstar, a concert industry magazine. "It's just easier to say yes than to say no."

Wasn't that Sharpe James' re-election slogan?  Which brings us to...

Jailbird James

by: Thurman Hart

Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:38:51 PM EDT

Chris Christie is appealing the decision for more jail time.

Martini said the ex-mayor defrauded citizens of his honest services by not disclosing his relationship with James and signing contracts to sell her city land. But he said James' crime wasn't one of greed, didn't cost the city any money and wasn't part of an ongoing pattern of a corruption.

That's the judge.  I guess the judge didn't read my column at NJ Voices that points out that there is always a victim - even if you can't put a face to it.

Creepy Thought of the Day

by: Thurman Hart

Mon May 12, 2008 at 12:30:09 PM EDT

The dismissal spares the government the expense and effort of a second trial and spares James potential embarrassment regarding salacious details. For example, pre-trial court papers filed in the case showed prosecutors planned to introduce evidence James billed the city for pornographic movies and body lotions while staying at a Miami hotel, an allegation he vehemently denies.

I think I just threw up a little.

Sharpe James guilty on all charges

by: Juan Melli

Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 10:23:53 AM EDT

A federal jury today convicted former Newark Mayor Sharpe James of fraud for conspiring to rig the sale of nine city lots to his mistress, who quickly resold them for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit.

Ending a five-week trial, the jury returned its verdict in a courtroom just a block from the City Hall office that James occupied for two decades. On its sixth day of deliberations, they jury found James guilty of all counts in the 13-count indictment.

Under federal guidelines, James and Riley could each face several years in prison. U.S. District Judge William Martini is expected to allow the 72-year-old former mayor to remain free on bail until sentencing, which was set for July 29 at 10 a.m. James' co-defendant and former girlfriend, Tamika Riley, was also found guilty on all counts.

See ya, Wouldn't wanna be Ya

by: Jay Lassiter

Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 09:11:21 PM EST

If you have any personal messages you'd like me to pass onto them on their way out, kindly leave it in the comments section. The sentiments will be lovingly transcribed onto parchment by yours truly and given to them in an elaborate ceremony in the Statehouse rotunda.

Just kidding.

But go ahead and take a thoughtful poke at the outgoing Senators. It's ok to have a little fun at their expense.

God knows they've had fun at ours.

Does James Attorney have a conflict of interest?

by: Jason Springer

Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 09:54:45 PM EDT

Thomas R. Ashley, one of four attorneys who attended James' arraignment last month, is already representing two other people involved in the case against James and co-defendant Tamika Riley, prosecutors said.

In a brief filed Thursday, prosecutors also said Ashley himself could be called as a trial witness.

"I don't see that there is a significant conflict, and Sharpe James has the right to the counsel of his choice," Ashley said.

William Payne Forges Independent "Up with Racism and Corruption" Ticket

by: Hudson Observer

Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 11:22:12 AM EDT

Payne, whose name is like tarnished gold in Essex County, is miffed that he was dumped from the Democratic slate when they decided that they would try some democracy.  But he will not go softly into that good night - no, he's going to go screaming and crying like a little girl whose lollipop was stolen.

Join me after the flip.

Some Observations

by: mikeshapiro

Thu Jul 19, 2007 at 10:49:29 PM EDT

Right on, Cryan

by: Juan Melli

Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 12:27:51 PM EDT

PoliticsNJ is reporting that Democratic State Chairman and Assemblyman Joe Cryan is calling for Senator Sharpe James to step down:

"Enough's enough," Cryan said.  "I believe he should resign." [...]

"Why not bring in somebody new and have them represent the district," said Cryan.  "Teresa Ruiz would be excellent in that role.  Why not step in now."

Whether Bryant will spend time in prison, and how much, is up to a jury and judge.  But his continued presence in the legislature taints every action taken by good and honest legislators.  Better Bryant cast no votes than potentially corrupt votes.

The Irony of the James Indictment

by: William Weber (WjcW)

Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 09:09:05 AM EDT

But that's not what concerns me. What concerns me is that apparently the bulk of his public benefits were earned at Essex Community College. As I understand it, he was not corrupt in his job at Essex Community.

Which leads me to believe that he will conveniently benefit from that meaningless reform passed a few months ago that states in the event of a public official convicted of corruption, they only forfeit those benefits gained at the job in which the corruption took place.

Many complained about the law when it was first passed, and we see they had good reason to complain.

Please Gov., close this loophole via executive order until the legislature can address it properly.

40 Years After the Newark, er, Stuff

by: Jeff Gardner

Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 02:23:52 PM EDT

Many of us either remember or have seen the images of disorder and law enforcement (over)reaction that occurred across six days in Newark in the summer of '67. By week's end, 26 local residents were killed, and New Jersey's largest city would never be the same.

I caught the new documentary on PBS, part of a series of events and resources marking the anniversary. (It was great.) One thing that really struck me was the discussion of Newark's long history of corruption, which was fascinating (and not merely thanks to the juxtaposition of commentary by Sharpe James woven throughout). It left me thinking: in many ways, Newark has been the same - and that's the problem.

I've spent the better part of the last 15 years coming to downtown Newark for school and/or work, and some of the images from 1967 look disturbingly familiar, even today. There are abandoned blocks in the city that look like they very well may have gone untouched in the last 40 years. And the number of people I see on any given day in obvious distress - whether homeless, or begging, or catatonic, or urinating in broad daylight - is stunning. And that's just in the cleaned-up downtown!

Commuting into a city by day is no substitute for living there. So, I don't know the half of what living in one of Newark's lamented tougher neighborhoods might have been like for the last few decades. It cannot have been easy. And, of course, I realize there is no single source of blame for any city's problems.

But, I believe corruption is, and has been, a huge part of the problem - syphoning public money and stifling private investment that ought to have been making a difference. And this, too, in broad daylight. There's a reason absolutely no one is surprised about the former mayor's looming indictment - the real question is why it took so long.

It got me thinking. By turning a blind eye toward corruption in Newark for so long, has New Jersey really been turning a blind eye toward Newark itself?

Christie About To Take Down James

by: huntsu

Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:53:49 AM EDT

Looks like today Christie is going to announce that the grand jury is indicting former Newark Mayor and current State Senator Sharpe James.

Federal authorities plan to announce "a major development" Thursday in the long-running FBI corruption investigation into former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, according to two law enforcement sources.

For weeks, a federal grand jury has been considering evidence involving city land deals and travel expenses that James billed to the city while he was mayor, The Star-Ledger has reported.

We do not deny that Christie has nailed a lot of corrupt pols, though everyone who disagrees with us always suggests that we do.  It's nice to see the Janizewskis and James and Bryants of the world booted out so better -- hopefully -- people can represent us.

But these good acts do no more to obviate Christie's partisan use of the office than James' successful efforts to bring NJPAC, the Newark Bears and the NJ Devils to his city to help in economic development.  Or any of the other good work he did.

So we applaud Christie for his efforts to indict people for misusing their public positions for private or partisan gain.  We just think that someone should be looking at Christie's actions with the same tough eye.

Feds Subpoena more records in Sharpe James probe

by: Jason Springer

Tue Jul 03, 2007 at 07:22:42 PM EDT

The bill he sponsored as a senator mandated that a city council could not convey property unless first presented to the council by the mayor, "recognizing the authority of the mayor, as the chief executive officer of the municipality, to initiate those land purchase and sales decisions and determine the terms and conditions for acquisition and sale." The change only covered municipalities with populations of 265,000 or more as of the last Census (only Newark qualified.)

The subpoena to the Senate -- a copy of which was obtained by The Star-Ledger -- seeks all documents and communications related to Senate Bill S-967, as well as any correspondence from the two primary sponsors of the legislation, James and the late Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham.

In Interest of Completeness
A couple of stories could be connected - in the first, the City of Newark cannot account for federal funds that were supposed to be used for community block grants.  In the second, Cory Booker is trying to reclaim land the previous administration sold at less-than-market rates.

Quote of the Day

by: Juan Melli

Thu Jun 21, 2007 at 06:16:39 PM EDT

"New Jersey is not brain damaged to the point that one person needs to hold two elected positions."

            - Senator Sharpe James

Senator Karcher's bill to ban future dual office holding, after just one more election, passed 32-2. It passed 69-3 in the Assembly last week and now goes to the Governor.

A New Day for New Jersey Politics?

by: mikeshapiro

Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 10:20:18 PM EDT

The New Jersey State Senate is composed of forty individuals who serve part-time.  The Senate currently houses twenty-two Democrats and eighteen Republicans.  In the past few weeks, eleven Senators have announced that they will not seek re-election; others may soon follow. Interestingly, eight of the ten Senators who are not seeking re-election are Republicans: Martha Bark, Leonard Connors, Bill Gormley, Walter Kavanaugh, Robert Littell, Robert Martin, Henry McNamara, and Joseph Palaia.  The three Democrats are: Wayne Bryant, Joseph Doria and Bernard Kenny. 

Why did Sharpe James change the effective date on his own bill?

by: Adam L a/k/a clammyc

Tue Feb 06, 2007 at 01:08:57 PM EST

While the Assembly passed a similar version last month - the effective date on the legislation was February 1, 2008.  Up until very recently, the Senate version had a similar effective date.  That is, until State Senator Sharpe James changed the effective date on his own proposal from February 1, 2008 to an "effective immediately" date.  In addition to holding up the process, which now requires the Senate to vote on the new proposal, send it to the Assembly and see if the Assembly will vote on the same effective date, it raises a question as to why James made the change to his own bill.

I Challenge You To A Dual!

by: Juan Melli

Mon Feb 05, 2007 at 11:55:24 PM EST

Spelling errors aside, the article is pretty hilarious and you can tell the reporter had fun with it. Sharpe James made the job easy. The punch lines practically write themselves. Watch as the reporter sets him up (emphasis mine):

The Senate amendment is being sponsored by longtime duel-office [sic] holder Sharpe James, who less than a year ago was also mayor of Newark _ the state's largest city _ in addition to serving as a state senator.

"New Jersey, the Garden State, the second wealthiest state in America, is not brain-damaged to the point that we need one person to hold two elected offices. Hello!" James said Monday night.

Anyway, she's not done. There's more:

James first sponsored legislation to ban duel-office holding in 1999 when he arrived at the Legislature. However, he didn't relinquish his mayoral post until last year, when he faced what was expected to be a close race against newcomer Cory Booker.

"I never wanted to be a dual-office holder. But if I resigned as mayor, it doesn't solve the problem," James said, before claiming that he quit his post to prove a point. "I voluntarily quit one to lead by example. Hello!"

News Round-up and Open Thread for Tuesday, January 23, 2007

by: Sharon GR

Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 09:33:40 AM EST

• The Senate passed a bill to create a commission to study town mergers and a bill to eliminate (at least partially) pensions for elected officials convicted of corruption charges. Action on the proposed 20% propTax cut and the 4% cap on propTax increases stalled. Voting on the comptroller bill also stalled when, according to Senate Pres. Codey, the Republicans refused to vote for it. Sen. Barbara Buono also refused support because it had been too watered down.
• The pot calling the kettle: also in the Star-Ledger article, Sen. Sharpe James, who held the office of mayor of Newark for six of his seven years serving in the Senate, will re-introduce a bill to ban the holding of two elected offices at once.
• A compromise is being proposed so that Atlantic City could ban smoking in casinos but allow up to 25% of the gambling floor to be designated a smoking section, enclosed and with separate ventilation. Councilman Bruce Ward pointed out that there will still have to be people who have to work in the smoking sections.
• The mayor and two councilmen of Logan Twp. left the Republican party and became Democrats due to dissatisfaction with their local party leaders. Apparently the move was a surprise to Gloucester County Dem officials.
• In an effort to improve science education in high schools, tests on specific sciences will be added to the high school graduation requirement, starting with biology in 2008.
• The Corporation for Enterprise Development, an economic development research group, has given Our Fair State a grade of B for quality of life and work for 2006. We ranked high in education, personal income and job quality, but lower in pay growth, income distribution, and the number of people moving away.
• But starting this year, you can get divorced quickly! Irreconcilable differences divorces can be completed in six months, according to a new law signed by Gov. Corzine yesterday. The AP reports that "It was supported by the New Jersey Bar Association and opposed by the New Jersey Catholic Conference." No kidding!
• You're on candid camera: new buses which NJ Transit plans to purchase will come equipped with security cameras. Big Brother is always watching.

Open Thread: What's on your mind today, Blue Jersey?