Ortiz snubs Bergen Jews

Lobbyist Boss continues non-inclusive trend

Wyckoff, NJ – Allies of devoted Republican leader and longtime GOP activist Bob Yudin, who is expected to capture the BCRO Chairmanship on Tuesday, June 10, today railed against his opponent, the embattled incumbent lobbyist Rob Ortiz, for failing to consider the needs of the many diverse constituencies of Bergen County.

In his latest blunder, the freshman BCRO boss forbade members of the County Committee who plan to observe the Jewish holiday of Shavuot until sundown on Tuesday from participating in the Chairman’s election taking place that same evening, according to NJ Statutes in Title 19. Shavuot commemorates the delivery of the 10 Commandments by the biblical prophet Moses to the Jewish people.

District 38 and Cliffside Park GOP Chair Rich Miller remarked, “Once again, Rob Ortiz drops the ball and misses an opportunity to build a bridge to an important constituency of Bergen County voters. He campaigned last year on a platform of ethnic outreach, but has done absolutely nothing. Thankfully Bob Yudin will soon be Chairman, and he will ensure that the BCRO reaches out to all the ethnic and religious groups of our great county so that we can earn their votes and win elections for a change!”

Worse yet, Ortiz was a no-show at the organization meeting, and instead dispatched his aides to strongarm the decision to disenfranchise the Jewish members of the County Committee. “Couldn’t Rob Ortiz at least have the courage to show his face at the meeting and snub the community face-to-face?” asked Miller, noting that Ortiz knew about the conflict well in advance and chose to ignore it.

However, County Clerk Kathe Donovan split with Ortiz on the issue, and voted to give the members of the Jewish community their right to participate in the democratic process. "Kathe made the right choice," said Yudin. "It's a shame that Ortiz and his minions just can't be inclusive," he added, noting that Ortiz's "stalking horse", Ben Focarino, also voted to disenfranchise the Jewish community. "The County Committee won't be fooled - they know that a vote for Focarino is a vote for Ortiz," explained Yudin.

Yudin also blasted Ortiz for past disrespect of religious communities. “When Christians throughout Bergen County were celebrating Easter Sunday, Ortiz orchestrated the ridiculous launch of his pal Andy Unanue’s embarrassing and ill-fated campaign for U.S. Senate. Is that the respect Ortiz shows for the holiest day on the Christian calendar?”

Ortiz’s poor leadership has drawn criticism from many Republicans, and led several prominent GOP leaders to enthusiastically endorse Yudin, including State Senator Gerald Cardinale and former Assembly Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano.

Cardinale bluntly remarked, “[Ortiz] just doesn’t have a concept of what it means to be the Chairman,” and DiGaetano added, "Bob Yudin has no other agenda but that of the BCRO."

Republican pundit George Ajjan also blasted Ortiz. “It is unacceptable for any Chairman to be so insensitive to a religious group and seek to deny them the right to participate in a critical vote. Bergen’s Jewish community deserves better than Rob Ortiz.”

Ajjan also found great irony in Ortiz’s latest blunder on the Shavuot holiday. “Just imagine if the Hebrews had been led by someone as clueless as Ortiz. He probably would have abandoned them to become Pharoah's lobbyist, and they’d still be wandering the desert!”

Bob Yudin is a Navy veteran, a successful small businessman, as well as a longtime Republican activist and donor. In addition to 2 elected terms on the Wyckoff Board of Education, Yudin served as Sicomac Engine Co. 3 Chief . He and his wife Susan Bograd Yudin reside in Wyckoff. For more information, please visit http://www.bobyudin.com.

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