PRIMARY ‘07

“Eleven incumbent lawmakers overcame primary challenges last night and were poised to return to Trenton for new terms next year, while six others saw their days in the Legislature numbered.

Assemblymen Guy Gregg (R-Morris), Louis Manzo (D-Hudson) and Silverio Vega (D-Hudson) all lost their bids to move up to the Senate. In Essex County, Sen. Ronald Rice defeated a challenger backed by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, but three incumbent Assembly members lost to Booker-backed slates………..

Decisions this year by a dozen veteran senators not to seek re-election created unprecedented opportunities for Assembly members like Gregg and Manzo to ascend to the upper house. But taking that chance precluded them from running again for their Assembly seats.

"They're really betting it all," said Ingrid Reed, director of the New Jersey Project at Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics.

That gamble paid off for O'Toole, who won the seat Sen. Henry McNamara (R-Bergen) is giving up after 22 years in the Legislature.

In a three-way race, O'Toole's considerable name recognition and superior fundraising carried the day against Todd Caliguire, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2005, and Victor Rabbat, a lawyer.

"We took nothing for granted," O'Toole said. "We did old-fashioned politics. We did everything that you have to do to win elections. It was the most aggressive campaign District 40 has seen in decades." (Schwaneberg, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1181110008185750.xml&coll=1

 

MEET THE NEW BOSS

“Union City Mayor Brian Stack routed fellow state Assemblyman Silverio "Sal" Vega last night and Sandra Bolden Cunningham beat Assemblyman Louis Manzo in the culmination of two nasty Democratic primary campaigns for state Senate seats in Hudson County……….

Stack, who with Manzo ran under the Democrats for Hudson County line, vowed last night "to build on this victory and build my own Democratic Party in Hudson County."

But Kenny said, "The party has to reconcile, and we will."…………

"I know my husband is up there now cheering," Bolden Cunningham said of her late husband, Jersey City Mayor and state Sen. Glenn Cunningham. "This is for him and the people he loved." (Larini, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1181110460185750.xml&coll=1

MACHINE POLITICS

“Democratic voters in urban New Jersey delivered a mixed message to traditional machine politics in Tuesday’s legislative primaries.

In one hotly contested primary for the State Senate in northern Hudson County, Assemblyman Brian P. Stack trounced his colleague in the Legislature, Assemblyman Silverio A. Vega, who had the support of the historically powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization.

But in the other marquee battle for the Senate, in the southern end of the county, the Democratic organization’s choice, Sandra A. Bolden Cunningham, the widow of popular former mayor, defeated Assemblyman Louis M. Manzo.” (Chen, New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/06/nyregion/06elect.html

 

IN THE STEADY SPOTLIGHT

“At least three state legislators lost primary bids Tuesday, further increasing already heavy turnover in a state Legislature that has fallen under scrutiny over alleged ethical lapses.

Though many doubted Tuesday's primary results will sway which party controls the Assembly and Senate next year, Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, the state Democratic Party chairman, said a "generational sea change" was coming to the 120-member Legislature…….

"A steady spotlight has been put on conflicts of interest, back room budget deals and quid pro quos," said Peter Woolley, a Fairleigh Dickinson University pollster and political science director.” (AP)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS/706060333

IT NEVER ENDS

“In the end, nothing was actually decisively decided. The results of yesterday's primary means the Hudson County Democratic Party civil war is guaranteed to continue for several more years, or at least until the 2009 Jersey City mayoral election - perhaps.

Unless cooler heads patch up the differences in the party, there will be more animosity and millions of dollars wasted, as there has been in this campaign.

The fact that neither the Hudson County Democratic Organization nor the Democrats for Hudson County, mainly Union City Mayor and Assemblyman Brian P. Stack, won total county control means that the party faithful can look forward to another round of battles next year, and a great deal of sniping and guerrilla tactics until then.” (Torres, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/columns/jjournal/insider/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1181109634214470.xml&coll=3

POLITICS 102: DON’T TICK OFF STEVE ADUBATO

“In his first major test of political power since taking office last year, Newark Mayor Cory Booker had mixed results in yesterday's Democratic primary as candidates he backed ousted three incumbents, but failed to take out state Sen. Ronald Rice………..

"I got steamrolled. What can I tell you?" said Caraballo, who dug his political grave last year when he broke ranks with the rest of the Essex County Democrats and opposed Gov. Jon Corzine's sales tax increase, incurring Adubato's wrath. "The era of the bosses is not over.” (Wang, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181116216185750.xml&coll=1

SPIN, NEWARK STYLE

“Newark's ambitious Mayor Cory Booker seemed to be getting most of what he wanted yesterday in his bid to spread his influence into the Statehouse. Booker, with the help of Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Newark power broker Steve Adubato, fielded slates in northern New Jersey aimed at taking out State Sen. Ron Rice, who ran against Booker in the 2006 mayor's race, and former Newark Mayor Sharpe James…………

"This is a tremendous victory for us," he said. "It was not a complete victory, but I'm very proud of what we did."” (Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070606_Newark_mayors_clout_tested.html

 

 

WEBBER BEATS CASHA – MAILBOXES IN 26TH DISTRICT BREATHE SIGHS OF RELIEF

“Republican faithful handed out several upsets in Tuesday's primary elections for state, county and local offices in Morris County.

Jay Webber won all but three towns in the 26th District to beat longtime Republican party member Larry Casha for a state Assembly nomination.” (Bruno, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES/706060360/1203/NEWS01

 

THE LITTELLS STILL HAVE IT

 

“By running up a 2,200-vote lead in his home county, Sussex County Freeholder Steve Oroho was fending off a charge by Assemblyman Guy Gregg to hold a slim lead Tuesday in the 24th District Senate race.

The winner will on the November ballot in place of longtime state Sen. Bob Littell who is retiring……….

With about 99 percent of the Morris County vote counted, Oroho was ahead 9,469 to Gregg's 9,067” (Daigle, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES/706060361/1203

MCHOSE MCWINS

“Incumbent Assemblywoman Alison McHose was the leading vote getter in the Republican primary race for two spots on the November ballot in the 24th District, with running mate Gary Chiusano, a Sussex County freeholder, running second.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, McHose had 11,640 votes, and Chiusano was running second with 9,001 votes. Sussex Freeholder Susan Zellman was third with 8,306 and Eric Wood was fourth with 5,620 votes.” (Daigle, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES/706060363/1203

 

THIS WAS EXPECTED

“In the 16th District, the Republican organization candidates for Assembly, incumbent Peter Biondi and Somerset County Freeholder Denise Coyle, survived a primary challenge and promised to scrutinize property taxes.

Biondi and Coyle overcame a spirited challenge from retired businessman Stan Serafin of Bridgewater. Making his second bid for a legislative seat, Serafin criticized the organization for running a "closed shop" and ignoring GOP core values.” (Tyrell, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/somerset/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181113228185750.xml&coll=1

CHOI WORKS IT IN EDISON

“Edison Mayor Jun Choi scored a decisive victory yesterday when his hand-picked slate of council candidates triumphed over the incumbents' line and a third rival ticket to win the raucous Democratic primary last night.

Choi's risky decision to break from the Edison Democratic Organization paid off for the 36-year-old mayor. He can now look forward to having allies controlling a majority of the council seats as the primary victory makes his candidates heavy favorites in the November general election in the primarily Democratic township………

"I'm optimistic about a new Democratic Party here in Edison," Choi said.” (Walsh and Din, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181115999185750.xml&coll=1

 

IN BERGEN COUNTY

“Three Democratic incumbents handily won a Democratic primary for freeholder Tuesday, while Republican freeholder hopefuls affiliated with a losing Senate race also claimed victory.”

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IN BERGEN COUNTY

“Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa, who on Monday was appointed to the Bergen County Board of Elections by Governor Corzine, was not sworn in before Tuesday's primaries. But that didn't silence critics of the move -- both Democratic and Republican -- who say Zisa's ties to Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero may influence his decisions.” (Carmiel, Bergen Record)

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IN WARREN COUNTY

“Warren County voters have selected Pat Kolb as the Republican nominee for county clerk. She beat Chad Chamberlain, the son of a county freeholder, carrying 75 percent of the vote, according to unofficial numbers. She beat Chamberlain by 2,793 votes out of a total 5,639.” (Satullo, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/118110355345670.xml&coll=2

 

IN HUNTERDON COUNTY

“The victors of a four-way fight for the Republican nomination for Hunterdon County freeholder seats were an incumbent who has held sway for three decades and his run ning mate, a Tewksbury councilman, while a former female sheriff's officer was the surprise winner in the sheriff GOP race.’ (McCarron, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/somerset/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181110392185750.xml&coll=1

 

IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY

“Two candidates endorsed by the Republican Party beat back a challenger in a primary race for two seats on the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders yesterday.” (Hefler, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070606_Party_endorsement_bests_a_challenger.html

 

IN BURLINGTON COUNTY

“In two contested races in Burlington County, Democrat Russell K. Corby yesterday won the chance to face Republican Christopher Connors for a state Senate seat in November, and Democrat Alicia Meyer easily defeated two opponents to run for the Westampton Township Committee.” (Colimore, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070606_Corby_cruises_to_easy_primary_victory.html

 

IN MONMOUTH COUNTY

“Candidates endorsed by the Monmouth County Republican Party for two freeholder seats easily won the party's nominations in the primary elections Tuesday, despite a write-in campaign that drew about 1,000 votes. Freeholder Anna C. Little, who was not on the ballot, was the likely recipient of the write-ins.” (Jordan, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS/706060325

IN OCEAN COUNTY

“Candidates backed by the Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County swept the GOP primary in Toms River on Tuesday, according to unofficial results issued by the county clerk's office.” (Kidd, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS/706060336

 

IN HUNTERDON COUNTY

“A longtime deputy will now vie for the top spot in the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Department. Deborah Trout beat out three other candidates Tuesday night to win the Hunterdon County Republican primary for sheriff. She'll likely face Democratic candidate Bruce Cocuzza in the November general election.” (Hausmann and Eilenberger, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/118110365045670.xml&coll=2

 

IN MORRIS COUNTY

“Change came with a thud Tuesday as former Morris County road builder James Murray engineered a giant upset in Tuesday's Republican primary by finishing third in a four-way race for Morris County freeholder, defeating incumbent John Inglesino.” (Daigle, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES/706060362/1203

 

IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY

“The two freeholder candidates endorsed by the county Republican Party won the primary by a landslide Tuesday night, defeating a Greenwich mechanic by more than 2,000 votes.” (Huelsman, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060385/1006

 

IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY

“Local legislators holding more than one elected office are struggling with whether to vote for a measure banning dual office-holding for their colleagues.” (Graber, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-2/118111530833340.xml&coll=8

 

IN BURLINGTON COUNTY

“In the only local primary contest in Burlington County on Tuesday, Democrat Alicia Meyer beat out Democrats Jason York and Janet Francis for the right to run for a single seat on township committee in November.” (Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060388/1006

 

IN CHESILHURST

“After a campaign marked by finger-pointing and counterattacks, Chesilhurst Mayor Arland W. Poindexter Jr. lost his bid for a sixth term to Borough Council President Michael Blunt in yesterday's Democratic primary.” (Giordano and Ott, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070606_Five-term_Chesilhurst_mayor_loses.html

 

IN HARRISON

“Three incumbents and a fourth unopposed candidate took the Democratic nominations for Harrison's four council seats last night. Incumbents Caroline Mandaglio from Ward 1, Victor Vallalta from Ward 2, and Michael Dolaghan from Ward 4 will join Ward 3 candidate Francisco Nascimento on the ballot as Democratic candidates for Harrison's council.” (Judd, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181113419214470.xml&coll=3

 

IN PRINCETON BOROUGH

“Mayor Mildred Trotman decisively toppled maverick Democrat Kim Pimley's bid for the party's mayoral nomination in yesterday's primary. Trotman received 639 votes to Pimley's 338, according to unofficial figures reported by the borough clerk's office.” (Stern, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/118110290921500.xml&coll=5

 

IN HOLMDEL

“Township Committeewoman Serena DiMaso was the top vote-getter in the Republican primary election, but the second person to appear on the GOP ticket for two open seats on the Township Committee could not be declared as the votes were too close to call.” (Thompson, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060379/1004/NEWS01

 

IN UPPER FREEHOLD

“Tuesday's Republican primary lost its designation as this year's only contested race for a Township Committee seat when Mayor Stephen J. Fleischacker and a running mate filed as independents.” (Sapia, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060378/1004/NEWS01

 

IN TOMS RIVER

“Republican Freeholders John P. Kelly and James F. Lacey turned back a primary challenge Tuesday by newcomers Suzanne Penna and Peter McCarthy, by a vote of about 65 percent to 35 percent.” (Moore, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS02/706060434/1070

 

IN PINE BEACH

“For 20 years, Russell K. Corby ran the borough of Pine Beach as a friendly, gregarious mayor — now the 64-year-old Democrat wants to take that style of leadership to Trenton. Corby cleared the first hurdle in his bid for the Statehouse Tuesday, besting former Lacey police Lt. James K. LeTellier in the primary race to run for state Senate.” (Paid, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS02/706060435/1070

 

IN POINT PLEASANT

“Republican mayoral challenger Vincent Barrella defeated incumbent Thomas S. Vogel in the primary election Tuesday night to run against Democrat Mike DiCicco in November.”

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS02/706060436/1070

 

IN SOUTH HARRISON

“Mayor Charles Tyson won the Democratic nomination to the township committee, beating a former mayor and longtime committeeman Russell J. Marino by 16 votes, according to the unofficial results Tuesday night.” (Huelsman, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060387/1006

 

IN FLORHAM PARK

“In a keenly contested mayoral primary, challenger Scott Eveland toppled incumbent Frank Tinari for the Republican nomination.” (Padmanabhan, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES16/706060345/1203

 

IN NETCONG

“Mayor Joseph A. Nametko effectively won a three-year term as borough mayor on Tuesday.” (Mendez, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES37/706060341

IN PARSIPPANY

“Council President Rosemarie Agostini lost in a four-way race for three council seats in the Republican primary.” (Jennings, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COMMUNITIES38/706060352

 

IN BLOOMFIELD

“Bloomfield's Democratic council primary could come down to provisional ballots as only eight votes separated the third- and fourth-place finishers in yesterday's election.” (Addison, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181116096185750.xml&coll=1

IN EAST ORANGE

“Despite a low voter turnout, four East Orange City Council incumbents, as well as a fifth person seeking public office for the second time since 2005, last night easily won election in the Democratic primary.” (Dilworth, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181113438185750.xml&coll=1

 

IN METUCHEN

“Longtime Metuchen Councilman Thomas Vahalla won the support of borough Democrats in yesterday's primary election, which sets the stage for his bid in November to replace Mayor Edmund O'Brien when he steps down at the end of this year.” (Epstein, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181115558185750.xml&coll=1

 

IN ROSELLE

“Last night, Roselle Mayor Garrett Smith stood outside the local bowling alley and soaked in cheers from a crowd of supporters as the results from the Democratic primary rolled in.” (Rothman, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/union/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181113936185750.xml&coll=1

 

IN SOMERS POINT

“John DiMaria won the three-way Democratic primary Tuesday to run for the mayor's seat he used to hold, but the current city councilman apparently won't be leading a unified party into November's election.” (DeAngelis, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic/story/7483526p-7378617c.html

IN GALLOWAY

“The township's Republicans easily established the three-candidate ticket they hope will maintain their current majority on council Tuesday night.” (Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic/story/7483525p-7378601c.html

 

IN PLEASANTVILLE

“Incumbents Stanley Swan and Judy Ward claimed victory in the Democratic primaries in their respective wards Tuesday, although one challenger is crying foul.” (Hardie, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic/story/7483522p-7378578c.html

 

IN STONE HARBOR

“Incumbents Randall Bauer and Barry Mastrangelo won a close Republican primary election for Stone Harbor Borough Council, according to unofficial election results.Bauer and Mastrangelo each registered 241 and 240 votes respectively.” (Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/capemay/story/7483581p-7378586c.html

 

IN HARRISON TOWNSHIP

“For the second year in a row, the township's mayor has lost in the primary and will be out of office in January.” (Brown, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-6/118111536133340.xml&coll=8

 

IN CLAYTON

“The Republican candidates running under the campaign slogan of "Clayton Endorsed Candidates" edged out the county endorsed ticket in Tuesday's primary.” (Brown, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-6/118111554433340.xml&coll=8

 

IN NATIONAL PARK

“The incumbent mayor was able to fend off a challenge here from a sitting councilman to win the Democratic party's nomination Tuesday.” (McCarthy, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-6/118111522933340.xml&coll=8

 

IN PENNS GROVE

“In an otherwise quiet Primary Election day in Salem County, a battle between rival Democrat Party factions played out in Penns Grove with the incumbent mayor and two current borough council members winning their party's nomination.” (Clark, Today’s Sunbeam)

http://www.nj.com/news/sunbeam/index.ssf?/base/news-2/118111513633550.xml&coll=9

 

THE SAGA CONTINUES

“A state judge yesterday ordered Gov. Jon Corzine to appear in court Aug. 4 and explain why his e-mail exchanges with union leader Carla Katz should remain private.

The order by state Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg in Mercer County was in response to a lawsuit filed May 31 by Republican State Committee chairman Tom Wilson…………...

Corzine has vowed to fight the release of the e-mails. On Monday, he said a court fight is necessary to protect the "executive privilege" of his and future administrations.

His office had no response to the court's order issued yesterday.

Wilson, however, issued a statement that ridiculed the "Nixonesque" claim of executive privilege.

"Given the cover-up job he's trying to perpetrate on the people of New Jersey to keep the terms of his $6 million payoff to Carla secret," Wilson said, "I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that he's decided to employ the same failing legal argument that President Nixon tried to use to keep the Watergate tapes secret.” (Howlett, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181116297185750.xml&coll=1

PUBLIC SERVANTS CONDUCTING THEMSELVES WITH DIGNITY

“The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing an alleged physical fight between Raritan Township Committeewoman Chris Harcar and state Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow.

Raritan Township police asked for assistance with the alleged Sunday night scuffle, which Harcar claims left her with a fractured arm. Hunterdon County Prosecutor J. Patrick Barnes said Harcar met with representatives from his office Tuesday…….

Harcar claims Karrow tried to grab a phone script out of her hands and pushed her twice, causing her left arm to hit a podium, according to a statement she gave police Monday morning.” (Eilenberger, Express Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/118110373745670.xml&coll=2

“Outside police headquarters yesterday afternoon, Harcar appeared visibly startled when asked, "How are you feeling?" Harcar looked to attorney William Courtney, who ushered her into a black Lexus SUV where she waited while he fielded questions. "She is the victim here," Courtney said, adding Harcar did "nothing wrong, nothing illegal." (Holl and Tyrell, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/somerset/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181115851185750.xml&coll=1

 

DORIA ENJOYS LIFE AS A TALKING HEAD

”Primary night was a strange time for Bayonne Mayor and state Sen. Joseph V. Doria Jr.

He wasn't lining up last-minute votes, getting calls from precinct leaders or addressing the party faithful in Hudson County.

Instead, Doria was in Edison, analyzing the statewide legislative elections as a political commentator for News 12 New Jersey. And today, Doria will provide further election post-mortems on a panel sponsored by the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick.

For the longtime lawmaker who has sponsored some 300 bills, it marked the first time in 28 years he wasn't running for state office. He served in the Assembly for 24 years and will end his first - and apparently only - term in the Senate in January. He plans to stay on as mayor through the end of his term in June 2010.

"It feels good not to be directly involved in a campaign," Doria said yesterday. "Especially in this election, with all the negative and misleading campaigning. And the issues get lost." (Leir, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181110347214470.xml&coll=3

 

FRINGE PARTIES WANT TO PRETEND THEIR VOTES MATTER

“Lost in the shadow of the Democratic and Republican parties, the Greens, Libertarians and the New Jersey Conservative Party are seeking the legal recognition that would give them more clout in state politics. Those three organizations have a lawsuit pending in state Superior Court in Trenton claiming state election law unconstitutionally denies them recognition as political parties. Renee Steinhagan, an attorney with the Newark-based New Jersey Appleseed Public Interest Law Center, is representing the three parties and said yesterday there could be a ruling this month.” (Hester, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1181114595185750.xml&coll=1

 

WHAT FIRST AMENDMENT?

“Newark officials yesterday withdrew a lawsuit seeking a gag order against The Star-Ledger involving publication of a confidential report that revealed widespread problems and corruption within the city's police department…..

Newark went to court after several stories appeared in The Star- Ledger detailing the controversial findings of a consultant who concluded that the city's 1,300-member police department was badly trained, under-equipped and corrupted by years of political interference and patronage.

Among the findings were a drug enforcement operation allotted just $500 a month for undercover buys, a shortage of patrol cars and junior officers with enough political muscle to threaten supervisors with de motion when their demands were not met.

The report was obtained from sources after city officials refused repeated requests to release it under the Open Public Records Act.” (Sherman, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181115033185750.xml&coll=1

 

WE DON’T ENVY HER JOB

“Lilo Stainton, a former reporter who covered state government and politics for Gannett New Jersey, will be the new voice of Gov. Jon S. Corzine's administration.” (Tamari, Gannett)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060393/1006

SO SAYS THE SPEAKER

“Urban mayors say the state must deliver more dollars for housing before they can support Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts' plan to scrap a program that allows suburban towns to pays cities and older suburbs to take on their affordable housing obligations.” (Hester, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181110611185750.xml&coll=1

 

DON’T LITTER

“It started when Bernard Laufgas' wife was charged with obstructing a Paterson sidewalk with debris. What followed was a 10-year-long "vendetta" against Paterson city officials that may now land the Barnegat resident in jail.

State Superior Court Judge Burrell Ives Humphreys has found Laufgas' "outrageous" conduct in violation of a restraining order prohibiting him from harassing city officials. He faces as much as six months in jail when sentenced June 22.” (Petrick, Bergen Record)

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