Angel Estrada

The saying that there is “a time and a place for everything” is one of those open-ended pronouncements that can serve any number of purposes. It can be a rebuttal, it can be a reprimand or it can even be a signal that the discussion will not precede any further than the point it is at right then and there with the speaker commandeering control of the situation. The tone of voice used is a sure indicator of the speaker's intended meaning, so those on the receiving end, especially spouses, are advised to keep their hearing finely tuned to avoid ill-fated discussions upon arrival home.

Sources in Union County say Roselle Councilwoman Cecilia Dallas-Ricks did not muster enough support in Roselle to be a credible Democratic Party candidate and consequently will not be in nomination Tuesday night when the party votes for a successor to District 20 Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle).

That sets up a showdown between Annette Quijano, assistant counsel to Gov. Jon Corzine; and Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste.

With Roselle out of contention, sources say Quijano is likely to summon more power-player support in a district where overall, registered Latino voters have a decided edge over African-Americans.

The governor’s assistant counsel has the backing of Union County Freeholder Director Angel Estrada and real estate agent and Hispanic party activist George Castro, both of whom retreated from their own pursuit of the vacated seat.

The Roselle Democratic County Committee voted Thursday night to support Councilwoman Cecila Dallis Ricks for the open 20th district State Assembly seat vacated by Neil Cohen. She won 17 votes, followed by 5 for Mayor Garret Smith. There were two abstentions, and fourteen County Committee members did not attend.

The front runner to succeed Neil Cohen in the 20th district State Assembly seat is Cecelia Dallis-Ricks, a Roselle Councilwoman, according to Democratic sources familiar with the special election convention. But most Union County Democratic leaders suggest that front runner status in this race could change quickly, since the only voter that really matters is State Sen. Raymond Lesniak. Lesniak has not yet endorsed a candidate, but has said he plans to support a minority candidate.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil Cohen resigned after state officials found child pornography on his office computer
Union County Democrats will meet next Tuesday at a special convention to elect the replacement for former Assemblyman Neil Cohen, who resigned his seat late last month after child pornography was allegedly found on one of his legislative office computers.

The replacement will be selected by the members of the county’s Democratic committee from the four towns that comprise Legislative District 20: Roselle, Elizabeth, Union Township and Kenilworth. But the endorsement by the district’s other two legislators – Assemblyman/Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan and State Sen. Ray Lesniak -- will undoubtedly weigh heavily on the committee’s decision.

Among the local political players said to be interested in the post are Roselle Councilwoman Cecelia Dallis-Ricks; Union County Freeholder Director Angel Estrada; Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste; Elizabeth Councilman Manny Grova; Roselle Councilman and former Cohen Chief-of-Staff Jamel Holley and Roselle Mayor Garrett Smith, who has butted heads with party leaders in the past.

Union County Freeholder Director Angel Estrada picked up a phone Freeholder Director Angel Estradatoday and told top Union County Democratic officials that he wants to be considered among the candidates to replace Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle).

"Now it’s up to the party to decide," said Estrada, 57, an Elizabeth resident who has served as a freeholder for nine years, including two, one-year terms as director.

Prior to his freeholder service, Estrada was a member of the Board of Education for six years, and a Democratic Party committeeman.

"I very much care about the needs of people, especially poor people in this district," said Estrada, who has lived in Elizabeth since he was ten. "I’m making myself available, I am interested, and beyond that there’s nothing much I can do. It’s not up to me."

District 20 Legislative Office on Friday: Politicker photo 

UNION - The front door to the District 20 Legislative Office swung open but inside the place was almost barren.

"I’ve been instructed to refer all press to the statement on the front door," said Thomas Lynch, chief of staff to Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), chair of the Democratic State Committee.

A pair of sound trucks were parked on Stuyvesant Avenue and a handful of reporters stood in front of the office, studying the release taped to the door.

Cryan and state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) released the statement last night, which says they referred tbe actions of their colleague, Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle) to the Office of Legislative Services.

Look for Elizabeth Democrats to claim the Assembly seat currently held by Neil Cohen, possibly sending the first minority legislator from this heavily Democratic Union County district. Possible candidates include: Union County Freeholder Chairman Angel Estrada, City Councilmen Frank Cuesta, Many Grova, Nelson Gonzalez, Carlos Cedeño, and William Gallman; City Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste; and Annette Quijano, an Assistant Counsel to Goveror Jon Corzine.

UNION GOP CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF ESTRADA

GREGG PRESSES FOR FARBER RESIGNATION
FOLLOWING AG'S CALL TO MVC MANAGER

In response to an article in Sunday's Bergen Record which reported that embattled State Attorney General Zulima Farber telephoned the manager of the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office in Elizabeth on behalf of her live-in boyfriend, who was stopped by police for two motor vehicle violations, Assemblyman Guy Gregg yesterday reiterated his call for her resignation.