Senator Weinberg and the Real Democrats: unraveling deal

By Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz | June 19th, 2007 - 10:53pm
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Release Date: 
Jun 19 2007
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In recent weeks, the political landscape in Bergen County has been shaken too many times. District 37 Republican candidates criticize incumbents legislators for secret deal making.

In recent weeks, the political landscape in Bergen County has been shaken too many times. First, Senator Loretta Weinberg and her incumbent assembly running mates shook the Democratic Party establishment by assembling their own slate of candidates in the Democratic primaries. Incumbent Senator had a candidate for Bergen County Sheriff, three candidates for Bergen County Freeholders, followed by municipal slates in more active Democrat-controlled towns such as Bergenfield, Tenafly, and Englewood. The Real Democrats had high hopes for incumbent state legislative ticket to help them to challenge the Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO) candidates supported by Chairman Ferriero. Second, Governor Corzine, incumbents, and Chairman Ferriero, after engineering politically secret deal, shook their hands and took happy family photographs. Incumbent Senator and incumbent assembly members jumped the Real Democrats line to the BCDO line in return for resignation of the Ferriero legislative challengers. The rest of the Real Democrats team did not matter to incumbents. Third, unsurprisingly, the sacrificed team of candidates for County Sheriff and Freeholders lost its bid in primaries. Surprisingly, local challengers have won. What it all means for the Democratic Party in Bergen County could not be told at the time? Recent political moves by incumbent legislators and Governor Corzine have revealed framework of their secret deal with Chairman Ferriero. Namely, Ken Zisa, challenger to Assembly incumbents was nominated to the Bergen County Board of Elections by Governor Corzine. Hackensack Police Chief Zisa will hold another job in Bergen County. Recently, incumbent Senator withheld her approval for reappointment of the Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli. This move undoubtedly will please Chairman Ferriero. Should incumbent Senator maintain her senatorial courtesy privilege, John Molinelli will not be confirmed by the State Senate for his new term. Political backroom deals should not have taken place in Bergen County. Awarding state, county, and municipal jobs based on political favoritism is unacceptable for Bergen County residents. What is so outrageous in all these cases is that incumbent legislators have spoken against it, but acted the opposite. This certainly is bad news for the Bergen County residents, who vie for lawfulness in all aspects of their lives.Clara Nibot for State SenateFrank Cifarelli and Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz for Assembly.

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