Dana Rone

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NEWARK - The seat on the far side of the dais was empty.

That’s where Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone sat for Newark City Council meetings in the chamber on the second floor of Newark City Hall.

Banned yesterday by an assignment judge from serving on the council now and in the future because of her obstruction of justice conviction, Rone was nowhere to be found on the premises.

But the public comment segment of today’s meeting brought forth some commentary on the situation that West Ward Councilman Ronald Rice has already said may be a case of "selective prosecution."

Public reaction to Rone’s case included both chastising words for the Council and for the mayor.

Members of the Newark City Council issued a statement this evening Council President Mildred Crump: Politicker file photoindicating that they remain supportive of Councilwoman Dana Rone as she responds to a ruling by Judge Patricia K. Costello to have Rone removed from her position as Central Ward Councilwoman.

"We will continue to support our colleague as she goes through the appeal process," said Council President Mildred Crump. "As the Central Ward Councilwoman, Dana has proven to be a very strong advocate for the under-served populations in Newark. She has been very vocal on issues from ensuring there is ample low-income housing to improving education for residents in the Central Ward and beyond. She is undeniably an asset to the Newark Municipal Council. We will stand behind her as she continues to work through the legal processes."

Former Assemblyman Lou Manzo, a potential Jersey City mayoral hopeful for next year, thinks he might have a short cut to kicking Mayor Jerramiah Healy out of office.

Manzo plans to hire an attorney through his public advocacy office to review whether a judge’s decision that Newark Councilwoman Dana Rone should forfeit her office after her obsruction of justice conviction parallels that of Mayor Jerramiah Healy, who was convicted of disorderly conduct over a 2006 incident in Bradley Beach.

“My advocacy office is actually going to review it and see if it does apply. And if it does, we’re going to take a civil action on it,” said Manzo.

NEWARK - For the moment, Mayor Cory Booker stands by Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone, whose appeal to remain a councilwoman was struck down today by an assignment judge.

"We’re supporting Dana and we hope there’s an appeal process and that she is kept on as the central ward councilwoman," said Booker chief of staff Pablo Fonseca.

Newark sources say former School Board candidates James Bennett and Tynesha McHarris may make a play for Rone’s vacated Central Ward council seat.

But as to whether Booker is considering either of them as a replacement, Fonseca told PolitickerNJ.com, "no comment," and reiterated what he says is the mayor’s desire that Rone would prevail at the appellate state Supreme Court level.

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.

If a Superior Court Judge’s ruling removing Newark City Councilwoman Dana Rone from office survives an appeal, Newark voters will hold a non-partisan Special Election in the Central Ward on November 4.  Jermaine James and Dwight Brown are possible candidates.    The City Council could vote to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until Election Day.

NEWARK - An incident caught on police camera a year and a half ago proved the downfall of Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone, as Essex County Judge Patricia Costello on Tuesday morning decided that Rone would have to give up her office as a councilwoman.

"The state's request for a waiver of forfeiture is denied," said Costello, in response to an 11th hour letter sent to the judge by Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, who reversed an earlier recommendation of forfeiture.

"I find that whether an individual is fit to serve public office is not sufficient reason to waive forfeiture," the judge said to one of the arguments offered by Rone’s lawyer, Raymond Hamlin.

Costello ruled that it is "abundantly clear" that on Dec. 20, 2006, Rone used her office to obstruct justice, and contributed to heightening emotions - not diffusing them - at a Rutgers University police traffic stop of her nephew.

Two nights and two incidents, both ultimately leading to convictions of two elected Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy: Politicker photoofficials from New Jersey’s two biggest towns.

But while Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy today wished Newark Councilwoman Dana Rone the best, and said he hopes she is successful in her effort to remain on the City Council when she faces a Superior Court Judge Aug. 5, his office specified that his conviction and Rone’s are different.

In fact, in the words of Healy press secretary Jennifer Morrill, the cases are polar opposite.

While the court found Rone guilty of disorderly conduct after it determined that she intimidated a police officer and attempted to use her Central Ward Councilwoman status to circumvent the law on Dec. 20, 2006, Healy in his Bradley Beach dust-up with cops in June of 2007 did not attempt to exert the influence of his office on the situation, Morrill said.