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: Bertin Lefkovic

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!

Day change: Wed Jan 17 is now statewide progressives' event for Weinberg, Vainieri Huttle, Johnson

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Wed Jan 10, 2007 at 07:45:22 AM EST

We've hit a nerve here in the best sense of the word - people are fed up with backroom politics and want to come forth in droves to support legislators Loretta, Valerie and Gordon, champions of progressive, clean and open government.  It's going to be an AMAZING event.

We would love each of you to join us, representing whatever organization(s) you represent.

Please RSVP "yes" directly to me, Steven Goldstein, at Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org or cell (917) 449-8918.  Thanks so much.

Day change: Progressives for Weinberg, Huttle, Johnson - Wed Jan 17

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 03:41:06 PM EST

Wednesday, January 17th in Bergen County, time and location TBA, a who's who of labor union activists and progressive activists are holding a news conference to announce their support for the Weinberg/Huttle/Johnson team. 

Please join us - we'd be thrilled if you could be there.

This is an RSVP event.  Please RSVP directly to me, Steven Goldstein, at Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org.

We'd certainly like someone, or however many, from your organization to join us. That would be wonderful.

Thank you so much, Blue Jersey!

Asw. Valerie Vainieri Huttle, a statewide superstar in the making

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 10:39:24 AM EST

I just received Valerie's latest letter to consituents where she proudly states her support for marriage equality - saying she believes same-sex couples deserve and need the name "marriage."  She spends two paragraphs on her support for LGBTI rights, including in the very first paragraph of the letter.

Mind you, this letter went to ALL her constituents, including to the district's many Orthodox Jewish residents.  It is also not one of the more LGBTI districts in the state - I'd say it's in the upper-third, to be sure, but it's not Jersey City, Asbury, Maplewood/South Orange or Montclair. 

Valerie herself is a proud, practicing Catholic and comes from one of the best known, most prominent families in these parts, long prominent in the Catholic community.

Within hours of the Supreme Court decision that gave the legislature a choice between marriage equality versus civil unions, Valerie called me and said, without my asking, "I'm going to be for marriage for your community and whatever the reaction is, so be it - this is the right thing to do."

Valerie was and continues to be a cosponsor of Reed Gusciora's marriage equality bill.  She voted for the civil unions bill when that was the only legislative vehicle on which to vote - a vote we agreed with under those circumstances.

Elsewhere, her letter reads like a manifesto of progressive and open-government passion.

I'm so thrilled that Loretta's successor in the Assembly carries on Loretta's grand tradition - even further perhaps - and that we have Loretta in the Senate as well.

Legislators Run Away From Civil Unions Bill

by: JRB

Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 08:42:09 AM EST

Meanwhile, the Civil Marriage bill has six sponsors and may have more by Thursday: Reed Gusciora, Mims Hackett, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, William D. Payne, Brian Stack, and John McKeon.

In the Senate, Civil Unions has a ringing endorsement with two sponsors: President Dick Codey and Loretta Weinberg, who was for marriage before she was against it.

The Civil Marriage bill doesn't have a sponsor in the Senate yet, but it is telling that the Democratic leadership with all their arm-twisting can only find 2 non-ledership sponsors for civil unions.

Civil unions in New Jersey is a sinking ship that hasn't even left port. A recent editorial expressed dismay that everyone testifying at the committee hearings were against civil unions. It said they "represented te extremes of opinion," and, "Missing was the majority in the middle."

Wrong. The families this bill affects are not extremists, and if the so-called majority in the middle had to hear their testimony, they'd stand with them, too.

Our state legislators have heard their stories, and they know how wrong and ineffective this bill is. No wonder they don't want any more to do with it than vote  on the floor and move on. Civil unions aren't a quick fix to the NJ Supreme Court's decision; it's an embarassment to everyone who puts their name on it.