August 5, 2008 - 2:58pm
News

Fonseca: Booker hopeful of appeals process in Rone case

NEWARK - For the moment, Mayor Cory Booker stands by Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone, whose appeal to remain a councilwoman was struck down today by an assignment judge.

"We’re supporting Dana and we hope there’s an appeal process and that she is kept on as the central ward councilwoman," said Booker chief of staff Pablo Fonseca.

Newark sources say former School Board candidates James Bennett and Tynesha McHarris may make a play for Rone’s vacated Central Ward council seat.

But as to whether Booker is considering either of them as a replacement, Fonseca told PolitickerNJ.com, "no comment," and reiterated what he says is the mayor’s desire that Rone would prevail at the appellate state Supreme Court level.

Essex County Judge Patricia Costello today yanked Rone off the council pursuant to a state statute that Rone can no longer serve as an elected official after having been convicted of using her office to obstruct justice.

Still unconvinced that this was not a case of what he calls "selective prosecution," at least one member of the city council dismissed the idea that he would vote in favor of someone else to fill Rone's seat on an interim basis.

"As a west ward councilman, I’m representing my district zealously," said councilman Ronald Rice. "Far be it from Pallone, for example, to tell Rothman what to do in his district; and right now, I don’t like the idea of voting on someone to fill that seat in the central ward."

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.