Kolluri to Transportation?

The Kolluri nomination would be a home run for the State. You get the full package plus with DC connections.

DC connections? Last time I checked, Republicans controlled everything in DC...can't imagine that his "in" with Rush Holt is going to be that useful.

A.G. choice a bad omen

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/12/06

How could he?

How could Gov.-elect Jon S. Corzine, who promised to clean up politics in New Jersey, nominate Zulima Farber as attorney general — an appointment that may well be the most crucial of his administration?

Farber, you may recall, was nominated for a state Supreme Court vacancy in 2003 by former Gov. James E. McGreevey. He withdrew the nomination after he learned a bench warrant had been issued for her arrest because of an unpaid speeding ticket. It also came to light that Farber's driving record included more than a dozen motor vehicle violations, mostly for speeding or traffic accidents, and she had her license suspended three times.

Can't we do better than that for the state's top law enforcement officer — particularly in the post-McGreevey era? Why settle for someone that even McGreevey took a pass on?

Corzine's failure to come up with a well-qualified, apolitical nominee raises serious questions about his judgment, his political independence and his commitment to removing the stench that permeated the tenure of McGreevey and his incompetent, ethically deaf attorney general, Peter C. Harvey.

Farber is grossly unqualified for the job. Her law enforcement experience consists of a three-year stint as an assistant prosecutor in Bergen County — three decades ago. She has no familiarity with homeland security issues and has spent most of the last two decades as a partner in a major New Jersey law firm doing commercial litigation.

The person who directed the selection process conceded that Farber lacked experience in law enforcement. But he said it could be offset by naming a strong deputy. Why not simply pick someone with a solid background in law enforcement in the first place?

The answer is politics. Naming Farber, who was born in Cuba, is a payback to the Latino community — Assembly Speaker Albio Sires, D-Hudson, and Rep. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Corzine's handpicked successor for his U.S. Senate seat, in particular. The state's Latinos were incensed when McGreevey withdrew his nomination of Farber for the Supreme Court seat because of her driving record.

"They're just looking for an excuse, that's what the reality is," Menendez said at the time, accusing McGreevey of reneging on a promise to appoint a Latino to the Supreme Court.

"Zulima Farber was an opportunity for the community to have their trophy, and it didn't happen," Sires said after the nomination was withdrawn. "But there are many authorities, many state boards where the governor can make amends to the community."

McGreevey did just that, naming Farber to a seat on the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority in June 2004. Farber is a political partisan. She campaigned for Corzine in his gubernatorial run. She served as public advocate and public defender in the Florio administration. As a member of the Public Officers Salary Review Commission, she voted with the majority in December 2003 in recommending 12 percent to 15 percent pay hikes for the governor, judges and other government officials. New Jersey faced a $4 billion budget deficit at the time.

We oppose Farber's nomination for another reason: U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, while he won't say so publicly — at least not yet — believes she is ill-suited for the job. In an editorial board meeting with Gannett New Jersey newspapers this fall, Corzine was asked about his choice for a new attorney general. "The kind of people I will consult with to get a good attorney general is Chris Christie. I have every intention of making a change in the culture with regard to how this state operates. And it starts with putting the right people in the right job."

If Corzine consulted with Christie, he ignored his advice. If Corzine's idea of putting the right people in the right job includes installing a partisan, legal lightweight who is a menace on the road in the top law enforcement job, New Jersey residents are in for another rough four-year ride.

at least Kris is well-versed in mass transit issues. From old press reports he used it often. By he own account he caught the 4:56 from Trenton to Union Station everyday. Perhaps that is the DC Connection being referenced.

Zulima appointed AG as political payback?? that doesn't make any sense to me...if anything Menendez & Sires should be paying Corzine back, they've both moved up in the world thanks to him.