The Arm-Twisting Continues

by: carolh

Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 02:51:15 PM EST

Dear Democratic Leader,

Since announcing my candidacy for Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman, I have been overwhelmed by the kind words of encouragement and positive feedback that I have received.  Though my candidacy is of short duration, I am humbled by the ample and enthusiastic grassroots support it has garnered so far.

Attached is a list of distinguished elected and party officials who have endorsed my candidacy which includes several State Legislators, a majority of the countywide elected officials and a significant number of municipal party leaders.

I have been a longtime County Committee Member, candidate for the State Assembly and a Democratic fundraiser for local, state and national campaigns.  I believe that by working together to implement an aggressive platform of ethical reforms we will unify our party and improve our operations.  Change is in the air this week and we must strive to meet President Obama's challenge as faithful Democrats!

It is my hope that you will join us on Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm at the Hackensack Middle School, 360 Union Street, Hackensack and vote in support of my candidacy, thank you.

It is on Mike Kasparian's letterhead, but is not actually signed by him.  I bet this was sent out by the BCDO on his behalf.  

I have a few comments on the text of the letter:

1) Substitute the word "coronation" for "candidacy". That is nearer the mark.
2) What "grassroots" support is he talking about?  The letter of folks supporting him reads like a who's who of Bergen County Pay-To-Play folks.  Not only are many counted TWICE, but at least one is INDICTED.
3) Ethics REFORM?  Is he kidding?  See #2.
4) FAITHFUL was an interesting choice of words to come before Democrat.  Substitute the word LOYAL and you get a better picture of the state of the BCDO right now.  They are circling the wagons.  
5) Obama talked about the creeps that would squash dissent, which is what happens at elections where only one guy is on every damn ballot.  
What Obama ACTUALLY said yesterday was this:

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.  

The only really fun part of the letter is WHO is on the list of supporters:

County Executive Dennis McNerney
Sherriff Leo McGuire
Freeholder Calabrese
Freeholder Ganz
Freeholder McPherson
Freeholder O'Brien
Freeholder Walton

District Chair Robert Riccardella
District Chair Ralph Rivera
District Chair Janice Anzevino
District Chair John Susino
District Chair Frank DelVecchio

Democratic State Party Chairman Joe Cryan

State Senator Robert Gordonanointed by Joe
State Senator Paul Sarlo of the Encap debacle, who is also Borough Engineer in Carlstadt
Assemblywoman Joan Voss
Assemblywoman and former Freeholder Connie Wagner

State Committee Members:
June Montag
Karl Rove, sorry, I meant Lynne Hurwitz wife of Howard Hurwitz, Executive Director of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority
Vi Etler
Disgraced indicted alleged forger Elaine Rabbitt
Kevin O'Conner
John Susinocounted TWICE as he is a District Chair
Omar Rodriguez
Vernon Walton ( he's counted twice - I guess that's par for the course)

Next Come folks listed as elected officials, even though some are simply County Committee members:
Allendale - Michael Monaghan
Alpine - Mayor Paul Tomasko
Bergenfield - (this cracked me up  - they use the word HONORABLE in front of all the names on the list even the INDICTED ones) - the HONORABLE former Bergenfield Councilwoman Elaine Rabbitt, girlfriend of Keven Clancy who as Director of Veteran Services had to step down as Bergenfield Municipal Chair when WWII Veteran Tim Driscoll's name was forged on BCDO resignation letters, again another flunkie counted TWICE and an indicted one at that on charges of forgery.
Bogota - Mayor Pat McHale
Cliffside Park - Mayor Gerald Calabrese and his junior, the Councilman
Closter - the HONORABLE Municipal Chairman Jack Kelly who doesn't allow ANY challengers for County Committee in HIS town.
Cresskill - Borough Administrator Andrew Vaccaro
Demarest - Karen Whritner
Dumont - Irwin Buchheister
Englewood - Councilman Jack Drakeford
East Rutherford  - Richard DeLauro
Edgewater - Annamarie O'Connor
Emerson - the HONORABLE Willie Ortiz - heir apparent to the Oury octopus title, who is poster child for Hudson County style Pay-To-Play attorney appointments in places like Hasbrouck Heights (Just ask Carol Skiba...)
Fair Lawn - Barry Winston
Fairview - Paul Juliano
Fort Lee - Catherine Nest
Franklin Lakes - Christine Ordway
Garfield - Joseph Delaney
Glen Rock - Irene Brown
Hackensack - Phylis Diller, sorry, I mean Lynne Hurwitz,chief Joe Ferriero cheerleader and enforcer, wife of Howie who works at a shadow government utilities authority, Bergen County Employee, and also counted TWICE in the list since she is on the State Commitee
Harrington Park - Mary Grillo
Hasbrouck Heights - Alice Vega
Haworth - Peggy Blumenthal
HoHoKus - Dennis Mcnerney again counted TWICE in the list
Leonia - Robert Pacicco
Little Ferry - Mayor Mauro Raguseo
Lodi - Councilman Marc Schrieks
Lyndhhurst - Louis Stellato, Jr.
Mahwah - Todd Sherer
Maywood - Clara Krejsa
Midland Park - Councilwoman Marion Plumley
Montvale - Laurena Marte Organ
New Milford - the HONORABLE Eilleen DeBari - who is currently the subject of a lawsuit in Teaneck for illegally firing poll workers who attemped to enforce THE LAW when the BCDO interefered in NON-PARTISAN municipal elections.
North Arlington - Nick Antonicello
Northvale - Russell Kunz
Norwood - George Hertzberg
Oakland - John Biale
Old Tappan - John Shahdanian
Palisades Park - Mike Pallotta
Paramus - Pete Caminiti
Ramsey - Julie O'Brien - counted TWICE - she is also a Freeholder
Ridgefield - Steve Pellino
Ridgewood - Frank DelVeccio - counted TWICE - since he is also district Chair.
River Edge - Esther Fletcher
Rockleigh - Brendan McAleer
Rutherford - Denise Ross
Saddle Brook - Omar Rodriguez, counted TWICE since he is a State Committee member
Saddle River - Joseph Ariyan
South Hackensack - Janice Anzevino, counted TWICE  - she is ALSO a district chair
Teaneck - Yitz Stern
Upper Saddle River - Ronald O'Malley
Waldwick - Laura Litchult
Wallington - Katherine Polten
Washington Township - Jackie Grillo
Wood Ridge - Robert Riccardella, counted TWICE, due to also being a district Chair.

Check back.  I will be also adding indicators of WHO on the list has a county job.  I found it telling that Corzine is NOT on the list even though his campaign caused a one man race.  Wonder if they are too worried about Joe being shipped off to prison right around election time.  I'd be.  Especially running against the man who got Joe indicted  - Chris Christie.  

The (nearly) Complete Misadventures of Ferriero & Oury

by: carolh

Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:29:47 AM EDT

While many aboard Joe's ship of Pay to Play are scrambling overboard to escape Jersey Justice, Joe is planning a little boat ride.

A few things caught my attention about this special invite:

1: He did NOT send it to the Real Bergen Dems.

2.  The price is down - way - way down, to a bargain basement price of $300 bucks.  Usually the BCDO events are SO pricey only Pay to Play folks and Big Spenders can go. Usually at least $1,000 a plate.

3. The invite went out to the usual suspects - Engineering firms in Bergen County. You know - the type of folks looking for an over 3000% return on their money.

4.  His name is in  - what is that? 24 point type? It's even larger than his candidate's name.  It's a good thing Joe made bail - that will give them extra time to build a cell big enough to fit his humongously big head.

The irony.

Joe's ship is sinking and he's looking for a few good men (with lots of dough) to take with him - (or to pay for his legal expenses).  

Check out this VIDEO of Joe and Dennis in the closest thing yet we have seen to a perp walk:    http://www.northjersey.com/mul...
Article to go along with this:
http://www.northjersey.com/new...

MORE Ferriero Fun Facts:

I thought I would post here a list put together by one of my all time favorite Real Bergen Dems - Theresa Thomas:

POLITICKERNJ.COM's extensive coverage at http://www.politickernj.com/ed...
______________________________________
Bergen Democratic chairman, business partner surrender in corruption case
The Star-Ledger,  Wednesday September 10, 2008, 3:18 PM
http://www.nj.com/news/index.s...
By Jeff Whelan

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______________________________________
"Everybody sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences."
        Robert Louis Stevenson
"This is only the appetizer."
        T. Thomas

No Thanks, Congressman. You've done enough.

by: carolh

Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 08:03:19 PM EDT

Now, the only thing to decide is - how and when to call a convention to replace Boss Joe.

My biggest fear is that the longer we wait the more likely it is that Phyllis - I mean Lynne Hurwitz takes over and carries on the Pay to Play torch.  After all, it is like kicking both Bush and Cheney out of the White House - but leaving Karl Rove alone to roam the halls....... reminds me of another horror flick - oh yeah - The SHINING.

SECOND UPDATE: I guess you all know now what happened this Monday morning - the 15th.  It was all over the blogs - Congressman Rothman stood up to Michael Dressler - whose brother is now in charge of Parks at the County.  In fact most of the folks in the Executive Meeting which included mostly County employees who have high positions in the BCDO were the only ones allowed in the room.  Wish I was a fly on the wall - but I guess anyone in the next building could have heard the yelling.

They reached the conclusion since they did not want to piss off Lynne Hurwitz, that Joe doesn't have to resign.  They love their Joey, they do.  And because the Assembly members had to be in Trenton today, Loretta was by herself, trying to defend her position but she was outnumbered and outshouted.  There is only one conclusion for those of us who want ethics reform to come to.  The FOJ care not about who wins in Washington, they only care about the County seats that keep their hold on power.  And so we are telling everyone we can to volunteer for the Obama Campaign and for the Shulman Campaign but NOT AT THE BCDO.

Let them work on the county seats - we will focus on electing Dems in our Boroughs and at the Presidential, Senate, and Congressional levels from a different HQ.  See my new diary on the Real Bergen Dems.  

The BEST news I've heard all month

by: carolh

Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 06:24:43 PM EDT

http://www.politickernj.com/

Apparently, the albeit temporary head of the Bergen County Democratic Organization is now a woman -
Kay Nest of Fort Lee.

I am very encouraged by this development.  I just saw Kay not too long ago at the Thomas Paine Fundraiser in Alpine.  I've always liked Kay as a person.  It's hard not to.  She's funny, sweet, always involved in historic preservation in the County, and knows politics around Bergen county inside and out.  She was always open to new faces in the party.  In fact, she has helped many a woman in Bergen County get her start in the Democratic party here. I think this was a really good change.  Kay will be a help to try to bring the party back together here.   God knows we need an intervention!

With Kay at the helm, I think you'll see a lot of folks come back to the fold at the BCDO who had not felt welcome for the longest time because of their distress over Joe Ferriero's ethical failings.  ESPECIALLY women.  I don't think I'll feel quite so stressed out when I visit the BCDO anymore.

So, all it took was a sex-tinged scandal to bring down the mighty Boss Joe?  Gee, we could have arranged that months ago.........

Any honest Congressmen left in NJ?

by: carolh

Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 01:10:16 AM EDT

Unfortunately, Rothman is more worried about his own re-election than about the future of the Democratic party and about a fair and open process.  I am so disappointed I can't even express it.  He has become an apologist for his crony - a dictator - who refuses to let County Committee members do anything to represent the people.  

Why have you sunk so low, sir?  I used to respect you.  I used to, but like my respect for Jon Corzine and Dick Codey - it has dropped due to your lip service to ethics reform.  My mom always told me  - be careful who your friends are.  Maybe your mom never told you that.  

We are having our "election" at 5 tomorrow.  Gee, will Joe let us have the candidates speak BEFORE the vote or AFTER, like usual?  Will he herd us like cattle into different pens depending on our towns and loyalty?  Will it be a secret vote?

Get there as soon as you can - before he can call a voice vote.  Bring your cameras, folks, and videocameras and extra memory cards and batteries, we're gonna need it!  Looks like we're REALLY on our own this time.

For Warren Cty. Democratic Committee Chairman: Michael Sedita

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf

Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 06:52:52 PM EDT

Take the jump and read more.