Ferriero will resign party post

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero, under indictment on federal corruption charges, will resign on January 22, and has called a special election to pick a successor.  Ferriero says he is ending his leave of absence effective immediately so that he can help raise money for the party’s January 17 fundraising event.

Ferriero was indicted on September 9 on eight corruption counts of influence peddling with a grants consulting firm he held a financial stake in. A trial is set for September 2009.  He went on a leave of absence just before the indictment was announced.

“Unfortunately, I have recently been required to defend myself against an indictment which has no basis in law or fact.  I have been forced to dedicate my time and energy to clearing my name,” Ferriero wrote in a letter to Democratic leaders.  “I believe that it would adversely affect our party, and our candidates if I were to continue to serve as chairman while on trial several weeks before the November election.  It is for this reason that I am calling a special county committee meeting for January 22, 2009 to elect a successor.  I hereby resign effective on that date.”

Ferriero says that while he had “strenuous disagreements with a few members of the party including (State Sen.) Loretta Weinberg and (U.S. Rep.) Steve Rothman,” he said “we are all Democrats that want what is in the best interest of the party.”

“I am calling on everyone to come together so that we can continue the progress our party has made over the last decade,” he said.

Likely candidates to succeed him are Michael Kasparian, a developer and Democratic fundraiser, and Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union business manager Richard “Buzz” Dressel, a Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

Ferriero, 51, was first elected County Chairman in June 1998.  Five months later, Bergen Democrats broke the GOP’s 7-0 majority on the Board of Freeholders by electing Democrats Dennis McNerney and Douglas Bern, and won the race for Sheriff.  Under Ferriero’s leadership, Bergen County now has two Democratic State Senators, McNerney is in his second term as County Executive, and they hold all seven Freeholder seats.  Ferriero has helped Democrats achieve majorities in 25 municipalities.

For now, Ferriero’s resignation ends a 31-year political career that began with his election to the Dumont Borough Council in 1977 at age twenty.

The full text of Ferriero’s letter:

Dear Democratic Leader:

Over the last decade, I have had the privilege of serving as your chairman.  Together, we have transformed Bergen County from a Republican to a Democratic stronghold. We elected, and reelected, the first ever Democratic County Executive. We have been successful in converting the freeholder board from completely Republican to completely Democratic. But more importantly, we have made a significant, positive impact in bringing Democratic principles to county government.

We can be proud of the Democratic Party’s accomplishments under the McNerney Administration.  Our elected officials have dramatically improved education, provided seniors with enhanced services, including affordable prescription drugs and better transportation services.  Hundreds of acres of open space have been preserved and a state of the art center for our homeless is being constructed. This Democratic administration has also established the most diverse county government in its history.

The successes at the county level have been mirrored at the municipal level too.  Over the last decade, we have been successful in electing two additional state senators and four members to the State Assembly. Democrats now control three of the five legislative districts of the county. On the local level, we have transformed over 25 communities from Republican to Democratic control.

Unfortunately, I have recently been required to defend myself against an indictment which has no basis in law or fact.  I have been forced to dedicate my time and energy to clearing my name.  My trial date is currently scheduled for September 2009. Although I have requested my attorney to expedite the trial date, at the present time he has been unable to do so.  I believe that it would adversely affect our party, and our candidates if I were to continue to serve as chairman while on trial several weeks before the November election.  It is for this reason that I am calling a special county committee meeting for January 22, 2009 to elect a successor.  I hereby resign effective on that date.

Until that time, I am immediately withdrawing my leave of absence to assure a smooth transition and to work on the Winter Gala scheduled for January 17th. I hope you can join me at this event.

While I have had strenuous disagreements with a few members of the party including Loretta Weinberg and Steve Rothman, I recognize that we are all Democrats that want what is in the best interest of the party. I am calling on everyone to come together so that we can continue the progress our party has made over the last decade.

I want to thank you for affording me the privilege of leading this party and for helping us to accomplish so much together to improve the lives of the people of Bergen County.

Gratefully yours:

Joseph A Ferriero
County Chairman