Crump pulls plug on Rone replacement vote, but stands behind White

Council President Mildred Crump, left, and Nikea White of the Central Ward: Politicker photo 

NEWARK - Council President Mildred Crump told PolitickerNJ.com that she decided to shut down her original plan for a vote tomorrow to replace former Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone.

But she announced her support for former district leader candidate Nikea White to replace Rone, and said she would call for a vote in two weeks. 

"A week is too soon to have a vote," said Crump, referring to last Monday's county court decision that went against Rone, who was ousted from the council after being convicted of obstructing justice.

Although she said she believes her former colleague's situation is unjust and wants to help enact reform measures with Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark), Crump admitted she is not hopeful at this point. Rone's failure last last week in the appellate division all but assured Rone of  not being able to retain her seat, in Crump's mind.

"She means to take this all the way to the Supreme Court, but that could take two years - or more," the council president said of Rone's ongoing appeal efforts.

The seat needs to be filled before the Nov. 4th special election, in Crump's opinion.

"I do not think the Central Ward should go without representation for that long," said the council president, who noted the large percentage of senior citizens in the Central Ward - the most out of Newark's five wards - who reside there.

Newark sources say Crump pulled the vote to replace Rone after Crump's behind-the-scenes efforts to nudge other council people into the White column failed.

But Crump said that was not the reason. She simply does not think enough time has passed.

Still, the popular council president's declaration of support for White - a longtime Booker ally - is a statement-maker in a fast burgeoning political environment in which Crump said the city clerk told her today that the office had received petition requests from about 25 people.

For her part, while attending an Essex County Democratic Committee function in Short Hills with Crump on Monday evening, White said she is "absolutely" interested in running to succeed Rone.

"I'm going to continue to work to try to move the Central Ward forward," said White, a 33-year old real estate investor and longtime Central Ward resident. 

She said she would occupy the seat as an interim councilperson should the council vote to replace Rone prior to Nov. 4th, or in two weeks, if Crump gets her way.

Dwight Brown, chairman of the Central Ward's Democratic Committee, said he does not believe the council should vote to replace Rone.

"The seat should remain vacant until the people decide on Election Day on Nov. 4th," Brown told PolitickerNJ.com.

With the backing of key players, including state Sen. Ronald Rice, former Councilwoman Gayle Cheneyfield-Jenkins, and potentially powerful North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato, former Councilman Charles Bell appears to be the favorite among the Booker opposition forces.

"The race is going to be Nikea White versus Charles Bell," said a Newark source. "Bell has name recognition but White will have the advantage of being aligned with the Obama forces in a presidential election year."

Bell did not return phone calls for comment.