Party Democracy Act - Filed Today

by: carolh

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 07:48:35 PM EST

Will this be the start of a new era?

If The Party Democracy Act passes - it could be the very first official nail in the coffin of party boss politics in the State of NJ.

If the Party Democracy Act passes - NJ may no longer be the poster child for political corruption, but a model for ethics reform in the US.

If the Party Democracy Act passes - it will be easier for ANY democrat with a passion for serving the public to choose who winds up on the ballot.

If the Party Democracy Act passes - I won't have to wonder if my county committee vote actually was counted or not.

If the Party Democracy Act passes - I won't have to worry about my entire Tenafly Municipal Committee - including the entire Elected Town Council being challenged at the BCDO special elections.

If the Party Democracy Act passes, I will be able to blog more about other things than what my Party Boss is up to THIS time.  

If the Party Democracy Act passes, I won't have to worry about forged resignation letters turning up with my name on them.  

If the Party Democracy Act passes, I will be able to sleep at night, knowing that democracy is alive and well in my beloved state, and that the voices of my fellow NJ voters are actually - finally - heard.

Lets help this Bill PASS.  Please.

Here is the official press release:

January 24th, 2008 Contact: Heather Taylor, 732-548-9798 x.1

Sponsors Pledge to Fight for Adoption of Party Democracy Act Bill filed today.

While filing the Party Democracy Act for the 2008-2009 session, the Senate and Assembly sponsors renewed their pledge to seeing the bills adoption in the new legislative session. The Party Democracy Act guarantees county political parties operate under a constitution and bylaws and sets a fair process for the filling vacancies in public office. The sponsors of the Act are Senators Loretta Weinberg and Diane Allen, and Assemblywomen Linda Greenstein, Amy Handlin, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Charlotte Vandervalk, and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson. The legislation was developed by the Citizen's Campaign Legal Task Force.

For far too often County Political Parties have operated in a closed and undemocratic manner with party chairs wielding immeasurable power over the award of ballot lines, campaign cash, and the filling of vacancies in public office. The legislation lays the groundwork for the county committeepeople---the elected neighborhood party representatives - to have clearly spelled out and fundamentally fair set of rules.

Senator Loretta Weinberg said, "This is really a step to protect the rights of the most grassroots members of our two party system. Party leaders should support and lead the way on this bill."

Senator Diane Allen said, "This bill empowers our county committee people to do what they were elected to do so decisions are made by the people not by a single party boss."

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein said, "As a candidate who ran for Assembly in 1999 as a relative political outsider, I appreciated the open process in both Mercer and Middlesex counties that allowed me to build support among county committee-people without the threat of backroom deals. I would like to see a similar open convention process in all counties to encourage women, minorities and others to participate in the political process."

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin said, "This bill will open doors to new talent. It will encourage the development of independent thinkers in both parties -- exactly what New Jersey needs at every level of government."

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle said, "Government reform begins with political reform. Keeping our political party system honest and transparent will help ensure the integrity of our democracy here in New Jersey."

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson said, "It is amazing that in a Country that is the beacon of democracy to the world, there are institutions that do not function democratically. It is the responsibility of the state and national government to foster democracy and insure its proper function in its institutions. That responsibility extends to the political party apparatus of New Jersey. It falls to us to make sure that this most basic platform of democracy operates democratically."

Citizen's Campaign spokeswoman Heather Taylor said, "We are pleased to have such strong sponsors behind this effort to restore democracy to the political parties, we plan to lead an aggressive grassroots campaign to see this bill's adoption."

The legislation:

*Mandates county political parties adopt constitution and bylaws. Currently, it is optional for county political parties to have a constitution or by-laws. Constitutions and by-laws ensure fundamental fairness and allow all participants to know the rules of the game. Without them, political parties operate under clubhouse rules which are known by few and often result in domination by the chair. The actual content of the constitution and bylaws will still be determined by each individual county political party in a manner they choose.

* Because County Party Constitutions and bylaws are currently optional, it can be very difficult to obtain valid copies of the bylaws and constitution. It is critical to maintain a political culture where the rules are the rules, and they are available to all participants. In the case of a vote to fill a vacancy, it is even more important that those who wish to run for a vacancy be able to obtain the rules immediately.

*Requires voting machines for party committee votes to fill vacancies in public office. Voting machines are critical to enabling county committeemembers to vote their conscience, free from the threat or perception of intimidation from party bosses who in many cases control their livelihood. County Committees elect to vacancies in the legislature and board of freeholders.

*Requires the County clerk to maintain a list of the county party committees. For candidates seeking nomination or election in a committee vote to fill a vacancy in public office, it is critical to know who are the eligible voters. In the case of Senator Weinberg's special election, she was unable to get an official list for several days while the list was being changed last minute. By establishing a standard list which must be updated and a public record, last minute replacements will not be allowed.

*Provides for resignation, vacancy and appointment records to be maintained by County Clerk to ensure the lists accuracy. Notarized resignation letters to be submitted to the clerk. Persons selected to fill a va cancy on the county committee will also file a certificate of acceptance which regularly elected county committeepersons file. The Citizen's Campaign is a non-partisan organization which devises innovative government reforms and promotes citizen leadership.

The actual Bill filed just today - in black and white and hot off the presses!

AN ACT concerning county political party committees and amending R.S.19:5-3 and R.S.19:13-20.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. R.S.19:5-3 is amended to read as follows: 19:5-3. The members of the county committees of political parties shall be elected annually at the primary for the general election in the manner provided in this Title for the selection of party candidates to be voted for at the general election by voters of a municipality. The county committee shall consist of one male and one female member from each unit of representation in the county. The male receiving the highest number of votes among the male candidates and the female receiving the highest number of votes among the female candidates shall be declared elected. Members of the county committee shall actually reside in the districts or units which they respectively represent. The county committee shall determine by its bylaws the units into which the county shall be divided for purpose of representation in the county committee.

The members of the county committee of each of the political parties shall take office on the first Saturday following their election, on which day the terms of all members of such committees theretofore elected shall terminate. The annual meeting of each county committee shall be held on the first Tuesday following the primary election, except that when such meeting day falls on a legal holiday then the said meeting shall be held on the day following, and when such meeting day falls on the day of a municipal runoff election within the county then said meeting may be held on the day following, at an hour and place to be designated in a notice in writing to be mailed by the chairperson of the outgoing county committee to each member-elect, at which annual meeting the members of such committee shall elect some suitable person as chairperson who shall be a resident of such county to hold office for 1 year, or until a successor is elected. The chairperson of the outgoing county committee shall transmit, with the notice of the annual meeting, a copy of the constitution and bylaws to any newly elected committee member. The members shall also elect a vice-chairperson of the opposite sex of the chairperson to hold office for 1 year or until a successor is elected and the vice-chairperson shall perform all duties required by law and the constitution and bylaws of such committee. The members of the county committee shall adopt a constitution and bylaws, ensuring fundamental fairness and the rights of the members of the county committee in the governance of the county party. Any person elected or appointed to membership on the county committee pursuant to R.S.19:5-2 may request, in writing and by certified mail to the county chairperson, such constitution or bylaws. The committee member requesting the constitution or bylaws shall receive the constitution or bylaws within 48 hours of the receipt of the request by the chairperson. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the committee and shall perform all duties required by law and the constitution and bylaws of such committee.

When a member of a county committee ceases to be a resident of the district or unit from which elected, a vacancy on the county committee shall exist. A member of a county committee of any political party may resign his or her office to the committee of which he or she is a member, and upon acceptance thereof by the committee, a vacancy shall exist. A vacancy in the office of a member of the county committee of any political party, caused by death, resignation, failure to elect, or removal for cause, shall be filled for the unexpired term by the municipal committee of the municipality wherein the vacancy occurs, if there is such committee, and if not, by the remaining members of the county committee of such political party representing the territory in the county in which such vacancy occurs. The chairperson of the outgoing county committee shall provide a copy of the constitution and bylaws to any committee member appointed pursuant to R.S.19:5-2 to fill a vacancy within three business days of the committee member's selection.

The chairperson of the county committee of the several political parties shall, before April 1, certify to the clerk of each municipality in the county the unit of representation in such municipality, together with the enumeration of the election district or districts embraced within such unit.
(cf: P.L.1980, c.105, s.3)

2. R.S.19:13-20 is amended to read as follows:
19:13-20. In the event of a vacancy, howsoever caused, among candidates nominated at a primary election for the general election, which vacancy shall occur not later than the 51st day before the general election, or in the event of inability to select a candidate because of a tie vote at such primary, a candidate shall be selected in the following manner:

a. (1) In the case of an office to be filled by the voters of the entire State, the candidate shall be selected by the State committee of the political party wherein such vacancy has occurred.
  (2) In the case of an office to be filled by the voters of a single and entire county, the candidate shall be selected by the county committee in such county of the political party wherein such vacancy has occurred.
  (3) In the case of an office to be filled by the voters of a portion of the State comprising all or part of two or more counties, the candidate shall be selected by those members of the county committees of the party wherein the vacancy has occurred who represent those portions of the respective counties which are comprised in the district from which the candidate is to be elected.
  (4) In the case of an office to be filled by the voters of a portion of a single county, the candidate shall be selected by those members of the county committee of the party wherein the vacancy has occurred who represent those portions of the county which are comprised in the district from which the candidate is to be elected. At any meeting held for the selection of a candidate under this subsection, a majority of the persons eligible to vote thereat shall be required to be present for the conduct of any business, and no person shall be entitled to vote at that meeting who is appointed to the State committee or county committee after the seventh day preceding the date of the meeting. Within 20 days after the meeting of each county committee that is held on the first Tuesday following the primary election at which committee members are elected, the municipal clerk shall certify to the county clerk an official list of the duly elected county committee members. The county party chairperson shall have a continuing duty to report to the county clerk any vacancies, resignations, and committee positions filled pursuant to R.S.19:5-2 or 19:5-3. A report of a resignation shall be accompanied by a notarized letter of resignation signed by the resigning committee member. Notice of vacancies in the membership of a county committee that are filled pursuant to R.S.19:5-2 or 19:5-3 shall be accompanied by a certificate of acceptance signed by the newly selected member. The official list of the county committee members maintained by the county clerk shall be deemed to be a government record and only those county committee members listed thereon seven days prior to a selection to fill a vacancy and otherwise qualified to vote on the vacancy shall be entitled to vote on filling a vacancy pursuant to this section. In addition, every person appointed to the county committee shall file with the county clerk a certificate of acceptance which shall be preserved by the county clerk as a government record. In the case of a meeting held to select a candidate for other than a Statewide office, the chairperson of the meeting shall be chosen by majority vote of the persons present and entitled to vote thereat. The chairperson so chosen may propose rules to govern the determination of credentials and the procedures under which the meeting shall be conducted, and those rules shall be adopted upon a majority vote of the persons entitled to vote upon the selection. If a majority vote is not obtained for those rules, the delegates shall determine credentials and conduct the business of the meeting under such other rules as may be adopted by a majority vote. All contested votes taken at the selection meeting, as referenced in subsections a. and b. of this section, shall be by secret ballot in a voting booth of the type used in primary and general elections.

b. (1) Whenever in accordance with subsection a. of this section members of two or more county committees are empowered to select a candidate to fill a vacancy, it shall be the responsibility of the chairpersons of said county committees, acting jointly not later in any case than the seventh day following the occurrence of the vacancy, to give notice to each of the members of their respective committees, as certified by the county clerk, who are so empowered of the date, time and place of the meeting at which the selection will be made, that meeting to be held at least one day following the date on which the notice is given.
  (2) Whenever in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section members of a county committee are empowered to select a candidate to fill a vacancy, it shall be the responsibility of the chairperson of such county committee, not later in any case than the seventh day following the occurrence of the vacancy, to give notice to each of the members of the committee, as certified by the county clerk, who are so empowered of the date, time and place of the meeting at which the selection will be made, that meeting to be held at least one day following the date on which the notice is given.    
  (3) A county committee chairperson or chairpersons who call a meeting pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection shall not be entitled to vote upon the selection of a candidate at such meeting unless he or she or they are so entitled pursuant to subsection a.
  (4) Whenever in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section the State committee of a political party is empowered to select a candidate to fill a vacancy, it shall be the responsibility of the chairperson of that State committee to give notice to each of the members of the committee of the date, time and place of the meeting at which the selection will be made, that meeting to be held at least one day following the date on which the notice is given.

c. Whenever a selection is to be made pursuant to this section to fill a vacancy resulting from inability to select a candidate because of a tie vote at a primary election for the general election, the selection shall be made from among those who have thus received the same number of votes at the primary.

d. A selection made pursuant to this section shall be made not later than the 48th day preceding the date of the general election, and a statement of such selection shall be filed with the Attorney General or the appropriate county clerk, as the case may be, not later than that day, and in the following manner:
  (1) A selection made by a State committee of a political party shall be certified to the Secretary of State by the State chairperson of the political party.
  (2) A selection made by a county committee of a political party, or a portion of the members thereof, shall be certified to the county clerk of the county by the county chairperson of such political party; except that when such selection is of a candidate for the Senate or General Assembly or the United States House of Representatives the county chairperson shall certify the selection to the State chairperson of such political party, who shall certify the same to the Secretary of State.
  (3) A selection made by members of two or more county committees of a political party acting jointly shall be certified by the chairpersons of said committees, acting jointly, to the State chairperson of such political party, who shall certify the same to the Attorney General.

e. A statement filed pursuant to subsection d. of this section shall state the residence and post office address of the person so selected, and shall certify that the person so selected is qualified under the laws of this State to be a candidate for such office, and is a member of the political party filling the vacancy. Accompanying the statement, the person endorsed therein shall file a certificate stating that he or she is qualified under the laws of this State to be a candidate for the office mentioned in the statement, that he or she consents to stand as a candidate at the ensuing general election and that he or she is a member of the political party named in said statement, and further that he or she is not a member of, or identified with, any other political party or any political organization espousing the cause of candidates of any other political party, to which shall be annexed the oath of allegiance prescribed in R.S.41:1-1 duly taken and subscribed by him or her before an officer authorized to take oaths in this State. The person so selected shall be the candidate of the party for such office at the ensuing general election. Each candidate for the office of Governor or the office of member of the Senate or General Assembly filing a certification shall annex thereto a statement signed by the candidate that he or she:
  (1) has not been convicted of any offense graded by Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes as a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, or any offense in any other jurisdiction which, if committed in this State, would constitute such a crime; or
  (2) has been so convicted, in which case, the candidate shall disclose on the statement the crime for which convicted, the date and place of the conviction and the penalties imposed for the conviction. Such a candidate may, as an alternative, submit with the statement a copy of an official document that provides such information. If the candidate has been convicted of more than one criminal offense, such information about each conviction shall be provided. Records expunged pursuant to chapter 52 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes shall not be subject to disclosure.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.136, s.21)

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill requires county political party committees to adopt and distribute a constitution and bylaws. The bill requires the constitution and bylaws to ensure the representative rights of members of the county committee in the governance of the county party. In addition, the bill provides that within 20 days of the first county committee meeting after a primary election, the municipal clerk will certify to the county clerk an official list of the county committee members. The bill provides the chair of a county committee will have a continuing duty to report changes in the committee membership, with appropriate documentation, to the county clerk. It also provides that the official list of the county committee members maintained by the county clerk will be a government record that is accessible to the public and only those county committee members listed thereon seven days prior to a selection to fill a vacancy and otherwise qualified to vote on the vacancy will be entitled to vote on filling a vacancy. In addition, every person appointed to the county committee will be required to file with the county clerk a certificate of acceptance.

Requires adoption and distribution of constitutions and bylaws by county political party committees; requires certified list of committee members to be filed with county clerk.

Party Democracy Act

by: carolh

Sun Oct 28, 2007 at 10:02:37 PM EDT

http://www.nj.com/co...

Most folks can't understand why women are in the minority in the NJ State House when precisely half the County Committee Seats  - the ones who actually vote for who gets on the ticket - in the state are reserved for women.  They can't understand it, that is, until they consider the very undemocratic actions like we have seen up here in Bergen County. 

This new bill was announced in New Brunswick on October 16.  On hand were Joan Verplanck of the NJ Chamber of Commerce, Sharon Weiner of the Women's Political Caucus, and Ingrid Reed of the Eagleton Institute as well as the 5  sponsors: 
Senator Diane Allen
Senator Loretta Weinberg
Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein,
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin,
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle

I was privileged to accompany Senator Weinberg and Assemblywoman Huttle to the event where they announced this bill.  The nickname for this particlular bill was jokingly called the "Stick It to the Chairman" Bill to ruefull but knowing laughter.  My own.  When the County Chairmen consider the Bylaws of their County Organizations optional rules and they make policy in the backrooms with their male colleagues only, the County Committee votes of women can mean literally nothing. 

This bill is to stop the corruption and actually bring democracy back to the operation of the 2 party system in NJ.  The bill was bipartisan in nature because members of both parties are sponsoring this bill to end corruption in NJ. 

Please help get this passed.  The Citizen's Campaign is very active in supporting this bill which will be formally announced in Trenton in December. 

As a person who wanted to participate in democracy here in NJ and because of that, and my support of Senator Weinberg, I personally witnessed the worst kind of Party Boss politics firsthand,  I would appreciate it if you all would really get behind this effort.  It WILL help clean up corruption in NJ by bringing democracy back to the people. 

The Main parts of the act:
Mandates Party Constitutions and Bylaws
Requires the County Clerk to maintain a list of the County Committee members
Requires Voting Machines to fill Legislative vacancies
Guarantees a Committee member's right to obtain Party Constitution & Bylaws.

This is so necessary because when a Senate or Assembly seat is suddenly vacant - that ELECTED position should not be left up to the Chairman to fill.  It should be a democratic process to fill that very important elected seat.  The folks that vote to fill it - like me - should not be retaliated against by a petulant Party Boss who doesn't agree with my vote.

First Clean Elections Debate in LD37

by: carolh

Mon Oct 15, 2007 at 05:57:33 PM EDT

Where - at the Civic Center in Hackensack, located behind the Hackensack Municipal Complex.  This debate will be moderated by Citizen Action and NJN and will feature all six legislative candidates for LD37.

Come show your support for Clean Elections!

Shadow Governments and Pay-to-Play: the LD37 Connection

by: BlueBergen

Thu Oct 11, 2007 at 07:23:39 PM EDT

Shouldn't we expect more from our District 37 Team? 

Those who live in glass houses......

Reform Begins At Home

by: BlueBergen

Thu Oct 11, 2007 at 01:11:54 PM EDT

Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle has got a lot to say about ethics.  Her husband is a partner at DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Wisler.  Perhaps, while Assemblywoman Huttle is throwing stones at  contributors and contractors in her own party, she should look at her own glass house.

I enjoyed reading the Lorettacrats' "Clean Up New Jersey"  proposal: especially this part "The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Government: 2. Part-time Legislature - A fulltime legislature to eliminate dual job holding and any outside employment."

Assemblyman-Councilman-Mr. Pension Padder Himself- Gordon Johnson wants to eliminate dual office holding.  He thinks that a part time legislature makes for idle hands.  If he had had more to do in the Assembly, perhaps he wouldn't have taken on the hobby of running a primary campaign against an incumbent Democratic Councilman.  Does Assemblyman/Councilman Johnson have enough to do now that he has sought lower office?
(NOTE:  Mr. Johnson's wife receives a check from the Township of Teaneck)

As for 37th District Boss Loretta "Pay-to-play" Weinberg??.
"It not the trip, it's the association with somebody who's under investigation," said state Sen. Gerald Cardinale , a Republican from Bergen County. "I have the same concerns that Loretta Weinberg has. I did not know about that before I signed off on him, but it is very troubling because he should be the first line of defense."

Her decision to join forces with Senator Cardinale 4 weeks before Election Day has got me puzzled.  Is right now really the time to attack other Democrats?  Does she want to have Democratic colleagues in the 39th District or is she comfortable with Bushies like Cardinale?  I don't get it. 

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.

Real Democrats. Real Enthusiasm. Real Results.

by: Asw Valerie Vainieri Huttle

Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 01:09:36 PM EDT

It was an amazing cross-section of Real Democrats. We had new faces and old friends joining us. From the Bergen grassroots to the national netroots with Jim Dean from DFA stopping by to start things off. Environmentalists, progressives, Garden State Equality, elected officials, our brothers and sisters in labor... the list could go on and on. And the overriding thing binding us together is that we are all Real Democrats committed to fighting for our democratic principles in the 37th District.

Many of you here from Blue Jersey came out to support our kick-off, as well. And I just want to say thank you so very much - not just to those of you who attended our campaign kick-off, but also to all those who have supported us here on this online forum over the past several months. The spark in your hearts, the fire in your words and the passion in your posts have truly ignited the Real Democrat Team in the 37th District.

How They Voted...On Everything

by: Juan Melli

Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:42:54 PM EDT

Those days may soon be behind us. Tomorrow the Assembly is set to consider a very important bill that should be welcomed by all regardless of political affiliation. (though that's not the case in practice - there are some afraid of giving the public this kind of "access"):

Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle and Assemblymen Jack Conners (D-Camden), Mims Hackett (D-Essex) and Bob Gordon (D-Bergen) are sponsoring the measure (S-1662/A-3252) to require the Office of Legislative Services to make the complete voting records of legislators available on the Legislature's Web site.

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.

NO Joe, NO!

by: lsanchez490

Mon Feb 05, 2007 at 05:09:11 AM EST

This week will shake Bergen County to the very core. We are at war.

Why can't we all just get along? That is a good question. Why can't Boss Joe get along with Loretta, Gordon and Valerie? Why has he embarked on this crusade? A one man ego suicide trip. Weinberg, Johnson and Huttle have said NO to Joe Ferriero. In this diary I will somehow try to understand why Joey Joe is driven to self destruction against the LD37 team of Loretta Weinberg, Gordon Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle.

Thank you Thank you Thank you

by: carolh

Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 10:21:58 PM EST

Inside, it was the first time I saw the Chairman not smiling broadly at an election.  His attorney Dennis Oury stepped outside later only to try to shoo us CC members away from the door with the excuse that in another hour some children would be leaving the school to be picked up by their parents. 

When the children finally left the building at 6 they seemed thoroughly thrilled by the whole affair and asked lots of questions about what was going on.  I told them we were all Democrats and that they were witnessing democracy.  One little girl of 11 told me that Hillary is her hero.  Some of them asked if they could hold up our signs for us.  Michael Wildes poked his head out the door, sensing a photo op, then quickly ducked back inside when he saw what our signs said.  It was rather funny.....

We didn't need too many protesters there, the CC members themselves wound up taking up signs after voting and standing on the steps to plead with those entering to Vote NO.  We had big stickers that simply said NO on them.  Although the sign holding went on outside in the cold, many CC members proudly wore their NO stickers into the voting room. 

Apparently Ferriero's friends needed to do the kind of arm-twisting the Republican Congress used to do when they would hold a vote open for hours while pressuring the last few fence sitters that it would in their best interest to vote with the party.

The next bylaws vote will probably try to change the notice to about an hour, because giving us a week was clearly enough time to rally the grassroots. 

So, thank you for helping us spread the word.  An informed electorate is the only way to go.

Statement on Chairman Ferriero's Endorsement

by: Senator Loretta Weinberg

Thu Jan 25, 2007 at 06:32:37 PM EST

I hope Chairman Ferriero's endorsement is a sincere acceptance of all that my running mates and I have worked so hard for - open, ethical politics; a progressive political agenda; and reforming government to put people ahead of special interests and insiders.

If genuine unity is the goal that Chairman Ferriero seeks, all the Chairman has to do is endorse Gordon and Valerie as well.  After all, we share the same priorities and vision.  If Joe is endorsing me for all I have fought for and achieved, then it is only logical that he also endorse Gordon and Valerie.

I honestly wish that his endorsement is an acknowledgement of the reality of the strength and depth of the support my running mates and I have earned from grassroots Democrats, organized labor and progressive groups that include environmental, consumer, human rights, women's rights and other advocates.

I'm proud to have played a major role in attempting to open the party.  The sad facts of the last few contested conventions and the special election for Senate last year, betray the very core of our Democratic ideals and traditions.

Chairman Ferriero is changing the rules daily.  He is going to have to do far more than flip-flop on changing the rules at the last minute to restore the credibility and legitimacy of our county convention.

Our Dear Leader speaks! Highlights from Joe Ferriero's letter to Bergen County Committee Members

by: lsanchez490

Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 11:14:50 PM EST

I am no history expert on the County of Bergen, but I would wager this particular paragraph begins with an outright lie.

Bergen County is the only County in the State that selects party candidates in district caucuses. This process goes back to the time when Bergen County had five Legislative Districts within its borders. Redistricting has created a situation where this is no longer the case, with several districts having little representation within Bergen County.

One more note.

The candidates selected to represent our Party receive the endorsement of our Party and the privilege of appearing in our column. It is our responsibility as a party to ensure that all candidates best represent the ideals of our organization.

A theme in all my posts will be Latinos and  Englewoodians in positions of power. In the aforementioned BCDO letter, I must note Corresponding Secretary Laureana Organ, State Commitee-men Daniel Ortega and Omar Rodriguez as well as our former Councilman-at-Large (and new Planning Board  member) Rev. Vernon Walton.

Englewood Democratic Club for Weinberg, Johnson and Huttle.

by: lsanchez490

Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 04:35:56 AM EST

Public officials present at the meeting were D37 Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson; Englewood Council President Charlotte Bennet-Schoen and Councilman Scott Reddin; Englewood Board of Education Member Shirley Smith.

Among the many topics discussed were the June Democratic Primaries; Englewood's continued 20+ year old effort to bring about a community center (highlighting the lack of communication between the Council, Board of Education and city residents); and the return of the local Englewood newsletter which ran as "The Englewood Report" from 1994 to 1998, now resuscitated as "Inside Englewood: Your Local News Source".

And I almost forgot, Mr.Timothy Driscoll and The Signature.

Key newspaper articles relating to the city and the upcoming primaries were also discussed in depth. I have attached the links to these articles.

Who is Michael Wildes? Cid Wilson? Ken Zisa (Kenny won't be difficult)

by: lsanchez490

Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 03:34:39 AM EST

Michael Wildes for Congress

I guess one must respect Michael for fantasizing to be more than just the Mayor of Englewood. After all, he is no longer 'boy wonder' and must be painfully conscious of the looming and dreaded 'has been' status. He has goals and a vision for his future. We must all have goals and a vision for our future. For further reading I will include some memorable bits  that Englewoodians enjoyed during the Wildes v. Stern matchup.
To be fair, I must include a link to Dr. Stern's website.

Bob Stern for Mayor 

For those of you looking for a multimedia experience, try the following links:

Meet the Real Michael Wildes 

Inside the Mind of Michael Wildes 

and one more...

Vote Against Scare Tactics 

As far as Mr. Wilson is concerned, I will have to confess that as a Latin American Democrat, I do not know what to make of Mr. Wilson and his decision to add his name to that of Kenny and Michael. I will provide some links with basic biographical information on Mr. Wilson. I do not know anything about his politics. But I will say that he has a most impressive resume. And were his name not attached to that of Zisa and Wildes, I would have to be very impressed by a Dominican-American Latin American success story. But the fact that he has lent his name to complete the Ferriero-crat Triumvirate tears me to pieces.

A Lone Voice in the BCDO Wilderness

by: rachael'sdad

Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 01:03:44 PM EST

I was fortunate enough to be able to share a car ride with Carol and the recently elected Glen Rock Councilman, Byron Arnao, who was one of New Jersey for Dean's tech gurus, as we drove up to New Hampshire and Vermont in June 2003 to campaign for Howard Dean and witness his official announcement.

During the many hours in that car, I was able to participate in some of the most fascinating political conversations in my life and also learned a lot from Carol about the evils of Monosodium Glutamate and Aspartame.

Carol became a member of the Tenafly Municipal/County Committee in 2005, was embroiled in the controversial battle between Loretta Weinberg and Ken Zisa for Byron Baer's vacated State Senate seat as she will describe, and was elected to the Tenafly Town Council in 2006.

Following is an open letter that Carol has blasted out to to members of the media and the progressive community to educate us all about what the villainous Democratic Party boss of Bergen County, Joseph Ferriero, is trying to do as part of his scheme to oust State Senator Loretta Weinberg and State Assemblypersons Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Gordon Johnson in his effort to control the entire Democratic legislative delegation to Trenton

I am a Bergen County Democratic Committeewoman from Tenafly.  I am writing this to let the public know about a change being brought about by the Bergen County Democratic Chairman, Joseph Ferriero.  I also will explain what has been going on behind the scenes that has caused a State Senator to use the unprecedented step of having a rally months before the Primary for her re-election campaign.

Tom Moran's take on opening salvo of the Weinberg/Huttle/Johnson campaign

by: kwilkinson

Sat Jan 20, 2007 at 03:02:06 AM EST

It was a remarkable gathering of nearly every key group in the party. The state's most powerful union leader introduced the state's leading advocate for gay rights. Women's groups praised Weinberg, as did all the major environmental groups. And so on...

Even Ferriero seemed to realize the next day that he may have reached too far this time, and that he'd better try to wipe off some of the fingerprints...

So maybe Ferriero will fight, and maybe he'll fold.

But either way, he is getting a lesson in the limits of machine power. And that's something we should all be happy to witness.

"I'm trying to arrange a compromise. I am not behind trying to replace Loretta."

TODAY: Rally for Loretta Weinberg, Gordon Johnson and Valerie Vainieri-Huttle. PLEASE JOIN US!

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 06:53:54 PM EST

Update 2: More people are still arriving. The unions say "we stand up for the people who have always stood up for us."

Update 3: In attendance: HPAE, Local 164, laborers local 592, CWA, Firefighters union district 37, Garden State Equality, Phyllis Salloway-Kaye of Citizen Action

Update 4: Also attending: Amy Goldsmith of the NJ Environmental Federation, SEIU, UFCW, Mike Herson of the Sierra Club.

Join us Wednesday, January 17 at 4 pm in Paramus at a HUGE RALLY of union leaders and progressive activists to support Senator Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.

Wednesday, January 17 at 4 pm
IBEW 164 Union Hall Auditorium
205 Robin Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

4 pm: Loretta, Gordon and Valerie hold a pre-rally meeting with progressive activists -- they want to talk to us before the hoopla.  A photographer will be present to take photos of each of us with the legislators.

5 pm:  The rally itself.  A who's who of labor and progressive activists across the state -- it's going to be amazing.

Here's why the event has historic significance:  There aren't enough times when we progressives join with our incredible friends from the labor movement in political action.  New Jersey, as you know, is per capita the most unionized state in America.  And thanks in huge part to Blue Jersey, its bloggers and their other respective organizations, New Jersey right now is the hottest place for progressive activism in America.

Imagine all we can achieve when progressives and labor unite! 

This event is also when we progressives, almost all of us staunch Democrats, stand up to a county party machine when it strays from the values of progressive, clean and open government that we cherish by not expressing sufficient support for incredible legislators like Loretta, Gordon and Valerie - reformers and champions of justice everyday in every way.

What an incredible signal we're sending with this event, one that will reverberate politically statewide. 

So join us
Wednesday, January 17 at 4 pm
IBEW 164 Union Hall Auditorium
205 Robin Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.  Best, Steven, cell (917) 449-8918, Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org.

Love you, Blue Jersey!

Bergen County and The 78th Birthday Celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968

by: lsanchez490

Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 03:30:11 AM EST

Tonight I attended the 78th Birthday Celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program was hosted by The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Observance Committee of Bergen County. The event was held at SMA Fathers (Society of African Missions) in Tenafly. The theme of the program was "Coming Together to Make the Dream a Reality" and the Keynote Speaker was the Reverend Lucius Walker.

THIS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17 at 4 pm: Rally for Weinberg, Johnson, Vainieri Huttle in Paramus

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 07:48:53 AM EST

Wednesday, January 17 at 4 pm
IBEW 164 Union Hall Auditorium
205 Robin Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

4 pm: Loretta, Gordon and Valerie hold a pre-rally meeting with progressive activists -- they want to talk to us before the hoopla.  A photographer will be present to take photos of each of us with the legislators.

5 pm:  The rally itself.  A who's who of labor and progressive activists across the state -- it's going to be amazing.

Here's why the event has historic significance:  There aren't enough times when we progressives join with our incredible friends from the labor movement in political action.  New Jersey, as you know, is per capita the most unionized state in America.  And thanks in huge part to Blue Jersey, its bloggers and their other respective organizations, New Jersey right now is the hottest place for progressive activism in America.

Imagine all we can achieve when progressives and labor unite! 

This event is also when we progressives, almost all of us staunch Democrats, stand up to a county party machine when it strays from the values of progressive, clean and open government that we cherish by not expressing sufficient support for incredible legislators like Loretta, Gordon and Valerie - reformers and champions of justice everyday in every way.

What an incredible signal we're sending with this event, one that will reverberate politically statewide. 

So join us
Wednesday, January 17 at 4 pm
IBEW 164 Union Hall Auditorium
205 Robin Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.  Best, Steven, cell (917) 449-8918, Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org.

Love you, Blue Jersey!