BAYONNE - You won't need the back slash anymore to refer to Assemblyman/Councilman Tony Chiappone (D-Bayonne), who today notified the Bayonne Clerk that he would give up his council seat.

Sources say the local renegade who joined the Hudson County Democratic Organzation (HCDO)-backed state Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D-Jersey City) in 2007, will remain on the HCDO ticket this year.

Although he led a charge against establishment Democrat Mark Smith in the mayor's race last year and suffered a lopsided defeat - Chiappone's close ties to Cunningham preserved him here.

Part of Cunningham's decision not to oppose Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy hinged on Healy's pledge to protect Chiappone in Bayonne.

Healy, the chair of the HCDO, agreed - providing Chiappone surrender his dual office holding status to enabe Mayor Smith to have another ally on council.

Chiappone plans to make a formal announcment on Monday.