REPUBLICAN LEADERS HEAD TO COURT TO STOP POWER GRAB BY CHAIRMAN RUMANA

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  Paterson – Embattled Passaic County Republican Organization Chairman Scott Rumana attempted to illegally change the organization’s bylaws last week in an attempt to gain control over Republican municipal leaders and their right to designate who runs on the party line in Primary Elections, according to legal papers filed today in Superior Court.  

The complaint filed by North Haledon Attorney Matt DiBrino on behalf of two municipal leaders and the former chairman of the Passaic County Regular Republican Organization, asserts that Rumana violated the PCRRO’s procedures on March 18 when he pushed a resolution through the executive committee of the organization that would take away the absolute power of the municipal Republican leaders to decide which candidate in a Primary race would be entitled to utilize the PCRRO slogan.  

The complaint, which seeks to restrain Rumana’s amendment from taking effect, will be heard tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. before Passaic County Superior court Judge Margaret Mary McVeigh.     

According to the complaint filed on behalf of North Haledon Municipal Leader Antoinette  Ravo, West Milford Municipal Leader Carmine Scangarello and the Republican County Chairperson from Clifton Michael Mecca – Rumana’s attempt to seize more  power violated the process to amend the county Republican organization’s bylaws.

According to the existing PCRRO bylaws, which were adjusted when Rumana became chairman three years ago, the GOP municipal leaders have absolute power to decide which candidates in a primary race are entitled to utilize the PCRRO slogan.  

That right, says DiBrino is inviolate. “The chairman cannot simply take away the rights of all 16 municipal chairman because he wants to consolidate his power.”

To properly amend the PCRRO bylaws, Rumana would have to submit a proposed amendment in writing to each member of the county committee and the board of governors seven days in advance of a general meeting and allow the entire county committee to vote on it.

Instead Rumana told a handful of members of the PCRRO  executive committee on March 18 that they were to vote on resolution giving him control over municipal lines because there was a  need to “clarify the bylaws” in an area where the bylaws are silent.

But, in fact, argues DiBrino, “Mr. Rumana attempted to make a wholesale change of the bylaws without going through proper procedures.”  

Rumana, who is in a pitched Primary battle for his General Assembly seat in District 40 and is likely to face a challenge for his chairmanship in June, is attempting to consolidate power and control over the organization. 

Mayor George said the attempted bylaws change by Rumana was retaliation against him and a not-so-subtle intimidation of other Republican officials who may not want to support Rumana.
 

“Was it a coincidence that less than a week after our municipal committee vote to back GOP Strong, that Rumana comes up with this clarification of the bylaws that gives him power over municipal  leaders?” asked George. “I don’t think so.” 

“The purpose of Primary elections is to allow us to exercise our right to decide who we want to back. If the chairman is going to take that right away, or punish us for not toeing the line, then what’s the use of having Primary Elections?” asked Mayor George. 

“Mr. Rumana has been critical of the county organization in the past for trying to exercise too much control over the county committee and elected officials.  Now he is involved in a naked attempt to grab power  for himself simply to protect his political career,” said Mecca.