Augusto Amador

Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Newark)

NEWARK - Running for re-election this year in the 29th Legislative District, Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Newark) today dispelled rumors that he wants to run for City Council in 2010, and publicly endorsed East Ward incumbent Augusto Amador despite a burgeoning political challenge by Coutinho's friend, local businessman Peter Pantoliano.

“No disrespect to the City Council, but I believe I can accomplish more where I am now than on the City Council,” said Coutinho. “I have no interest in running for the council. I have zero interest. I’ll be fully supportive of the Booker Team next year.”

Old pal Pantoliano is working hard to secure both Coutinho’s and Mayor Cory Booker’s support.

“Al is very supportive of me,” Pantoliano said. “He has said in the past that the city would suffer if I were not the councilman. As for Cory, I’ve supported him over the years, and we have a great dialogue and friendship. If he can’t support me because of certain political realities, I understand, but I am trying to win his support.”

She's called a special meeting, but will Council President Mildred Crump and the council take substantive action tomorrow?: Politicker photo 

NEWARK - They could end up coming out of their offices tomorrow and standing unified behind their fallen colleague with a statement of support, but a prospective City Council vote on whether or not to replace embattled former Councilwoman Dana Rone summons an inevitable question.

Who would vote to replace Rone, and who would replace her?

The fact that Council President Mildred Crump called a special meeting tomorrow at a time when East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador is on vacation may indicate that Mayor Cory Booker - an ally of Crump’s - wants the council to move on the vote as quickly as possible.

Some Newark sources say Crump - not Booker - has more of a stake in would-be replacement Nikea White; and that is was Crump acting alone, not the mayor, who pushed for tomorrow’s vote.

NEWARK - Although its members can choose to leave the seat Newark Mayor Cory Booker: Politicker file photovacant, the City Council has the statutory power to appoint an interim replacement for Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone.

At the moment there are no obvious candidates to replace her.

The street buzz all week in Newark was that Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow would back off from her recommendation that the book be thrown at Rone, who was convicted of obstructing justice and under the law had to renounce her council seat.

Dow did back off, issuing a letter to Essex County Judge Patricia Costello to waive forfeiture in Rone’s case.

North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato: Politicker file photoBut Costello didn’t see leniency as an option here, and barred Rone from serving on the council - and from serving elected office, period.

If Rone’s abrupt exit leaves the field of individuals open - and sources say former Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell may be interested in running for the vacant seat - there are two obvious machines with a stake in Newark’s second largest ward.

Gov. Jon Corzine signs the new schools construction bill at the Oliver Street School: Politicker photo 

NEWARK - Gov. Jon Corzine returned to the Ironbound this afternoon to sign a bill authorizing $3.9 billion in borrowing for new schools construction, which he said would fulfill the state’s constitutional duty to provide a thorough and efficient education, and create construction and other jobs.
    
Of an estimated 27 school projects statewide, six of the targeted schools are in the East Ward Ironbound, where the governor in late May announced his commitment to the legislation.

The six Ironbound schools were built before 1900 and are all overcrowded, according to the governor.

“We are doing what is right under the law and doing what is right for the state,” said Corzine, who praised the work of Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Newark), Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Newark), and others who banded together to pass the borrowing measure, which passed by one vote above the threshold in the Senate and three votes in the Assembly.

Mayor Cory Booker last night in the Central Ward. 

NEWARK - After his loss on Monday night, the last one of this cycle to draw his record to 0-3 in ward fights, Mayor Cory Booker walked outside in the Central Ward and was swarmed instantly by children.

"Mayor Booker!" they shouted. "Mayor Booker!"

They wanted to play in the middle of the heat wave that caused several power outages in the city on Monday, and Booker indulged them, even as his detractors seethed.

"He just got his butt kicked and he’s outside playing Simon Says," said a Newark operative.

Newark City Councilman Augusto Amador no longer wants to be considered a member of Team Booker after the Mayor Cory Booker ran County Committee candidates against him and his East Ward allies. There are also reports that State Senator Ronald Rice is negotiating a deal with Newark Democratic leader Steve Adubato to keep Freeholder Blonnie Watson as Central Ward Democratic Chairman. Booker is backing Jermaine James for the post, and Dwight Brown is also running.

East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador feels rattled by Mayor Booker

NEWARK - It’s late afternoon in the Ironbound on Election Day. As another minivan passes with a woman hanging out of the passenger-side window on a megaphone telling people to vote for lines E-8 and E-9, the mood inside East Ward Democratic Party headquarters turns even more sour.

Sitting at a table with his Ironbound allies, including East Ward party leader Joseph Parlavecchio and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho, East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador feels slightly unceremoniously stomped on right now.

Gov. Jon Corzine in Newark today 

NEWARK - Gov. Jon Corzine stood with Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Newark), Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Newark) and other lawmakers in the East Ward today and promised to back legislation to pay for new urban schools construction.

"We need action before June 30th, so that we can fulfill our Constitutional obligation to provide our children with a thorough and efficient education," said the governor, moments after taking a tour of the Oliver Street Elementary School.

Coutinho, an Ironbound native who cosponsored the legislation with Spencer, described dilapidated and overcrowded conditions in the facility.

Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Newark) 

NEWARK - The Senate primary campaign of U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1) today announced support from other Essex County politicians.

Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Nutley), Assemblyman Albert
Coutinho (D-Newark) and Newark East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador all endorsed the South Jersey congressman, who is running against U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).

They hear it on the streets of Newark.

But on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, members of the City Council can be sure to receive a barrage of complaints from residents who are worried not only about the murders and gangs but about the cost of living and the threat of corporate interests upending local concerns.

"You're supposed to be standing up and fighting for us," the poet Amiri Baraka cried during the public comment forum of a meeting. "Until I see you fighting, then you're not a good council."

"You're giving tax abatements to developers," cried resident Frank Hertz. "You'd better justify this tax abatement."

And always there is the complaint about the scarcity of jobs.