Charles Bell

NEWARK - Former Councilman Charles Bell is generating considerable support in the Central Ward as Newarkers continue to jockey for position in the event that former Councilwoman Dana Rone loses her appeals and does not return to the governing body.

"I did pick up the petitions and I had more than enough as of last night's gathering," Bell told PolitickerNJ.com. "I am running, yes, but at the same time, I'm hoping Miss. Rone is successful in her appeals. That would solve my problems, but if she is not successful I am prepared."

In the community room of the New Hope Baptist Church on Tuesday night, Bell received the blessing of Central Ward Democratic Committee Chairman Dwight Brown.

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'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 - On the day Newark Councilwoman Dana Rone lost her council seat in the courtroom of assignment Judge Patricia Costello, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the City Council and Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) all supported her in her effort to appeal the judge’s decision.

But they also prepared for the very real possibility that Rone may lose her second-to-last chance gamble in the appellate division, and then fall with her last shot in the state Supreme Court.

Former Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell appears to be the candidate most likely to generate support from among the city's anti-Booker factions. Charone Montayne, daughter of Freeholder Blonnie Watson, may also make a run, but as a registered Republican she must be considered a longshot.

On the mayor’s side, the long-groomed Nakia White emerged as a late in the day option to replace an unsalvageable Rone.

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.

Six incubent members of the Newark City Council lost their bids for re-election this year, and Democratic insiders say that Governor Jon Corzine and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo will feel some pressure to find something for them. For Mamie Bridgeforth, Gayle Cheneyfield-Jenkins, Charles Bell, Ras Baraka , Bessie Walker, and Hector Corchado, the loss of a $64,766-a-year job (not including a nearly $20,000 annual expense account, health benefits and a car) will be a tough hit. With the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey no longer able to handle ex-Newark politicians on their payroll, and state and county political leaders anxious to work with Mayor-elect Cory Booker (who could quickly damage his reformer image by hiring his old rivals), Newark's defeated five -- especially Corchado -- might not be taken care of in the tradition of other former Newark elected officials.