Dennis McNerney

CALIGUIRE BLASTS McNERNEY FOR FAILING
TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM ENCAP DEAL
McNerney Sitting On The Sidelines
While Donovan B
ows To Marcus’s Wishes

"The Democrat controlled County of Bergen has failed the people of North Arlington, Lyndhurst and Rutherford on the EnCap project� said Caliguire, who joined a North Arlington rally opposing the EnCap plan in March.

“It is disappointing that Kathe Donovan lacks the integrity to stand up to her boss, Alan Marcus and fight for the people of the meadowlands region,� added Caliguire.

Moratorium would cover similar large-scale developments in Bergen County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DANIEL MILLER // 201-394-7641

HACKENSACK - Bergen County Republican Organization endorsed candidate for County Executive, Todd Caliguire, has called for a moratorium on large-scale development throughout Bergen County, such as the EnCap project, and called on his two liberal opponents - Kathe Donovan and Dennis McNerney to join him.

"The EnCap project will increase local property taxes, increase traffic congestion, mandates low income housing units and now will require eminent domain abuse to accomplish its goals. This project needs to be halted," said Caliguire.

"It is clear that public officials who have supported EnCap have failed to take account of the true costs to the local communities. Therefore, I believe that intensive state, county and local reviews, with local input should occur before any further action takes place on this project."

The EnCap project, along with other development proposals in the Meadowlands region were initially sold as a panacea for old-growth, suburban South Bergen towns seeking to improve their communities and boost their ratables. However, the size and scope of the EnCap project has changed several times; most notably, high density housing units have been added to initial plans.

"This project is out of control. What was supposed to improve communities in South Bergen has morphed into something that is threatening to ruin them. It is clear that better oversight is required," Caliguire continued.

"I also believe each community in Bergen County should hold a referendum on large scale projects, particularly those requiring the use of eminent domain. The combination of over development and government taking of private property simply to pursue additional tax ratables is very dangerous to property owners. It is not just unfair, it is un-American and needs to stop," added Caliguire.

"While I am calling on my two opponents to join me, I doubt they will do so. Dennis McNerney and the Bergen Democratic Organization's pay-to-play operation is funded in no small part by these developers, while Kathe Donovan's chief political backer, Alan Marcus has long represented clients seeking to develop the Meadowlands. Neither one offers much hope to homeowners seeking relief from these abusive practices," stated Caliguire.

State Senator Henry McNamara has endorsed Kathleen Donovan for Bergen County Executive, saying that the four-term County Clerk and former Assemblywoman has a better chance of defeating the Democratic incumbent, Dennis McNerney, than the other GOP candidate, former Freeholder Todd Caliguire. Unfortunately, Todd has been away from County government for some time. He would be a fine leader for Bergen County but you cannot lead unless you win. Kathe will be an excellent County Executive and she will win." McNamara defeated Donovan for County Executive at a Bergen GOP convention in 2002, and went on to lose the general election to McNerney.

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle has no plans to seek re-election to the Bergen County Board of Freeholders or run for Bergen County Executive in 2006. Huttle, elected to the Assembly last November, will serve out the remainder of her term. But a Democrat close to Huttle says that "how hard she publicly campaigns for her fellow county Democratic candidates will depend upon the attitude and actions of the county organization leaders," adding that if Bergen Democratic leaders continue to encourage former Assemblyman Ken Zisa to challenge State Senator Loretta Weinberg in the 2007 primary, "all bets are off" regarding Huttle's decision not to challenge Dennis McNerney in the 2006 primary.

The latest rumor to come out of Bergen County is that Freeholder Valerie Vainieri Huttle will challenge County Executive Dennis McNerney in the 2006 Democratic primary. The rebel Democrat on Joseph Ferriero's Freeholder Board, Huttle was briefly a candidate for State Senate after Byron Baer announced his resignation. She dropped out in support of Loretta Weinberg; in turn, Weinberg said that if she won the Senate race, she would back Huttle for her Assembly seat. Weinberg fell one vote short of going to the Senate (though the traditionally flaky New Jersey Judiciary could still change that), leaving Huttle without a seat to run for. Earlier this year, Weinberg also floated the possibility to taking on McNerney, although some insiders believed that move was calculated to gain Ferriero's backing in her bid for Assembly Majority Leader. A County Executive primary could become interesting if their is a contest for the Democratic nomination for United States Senator. Hypothetically, if Ferriero gives the Bergen line to Congressman Robert Menendez, Huttle could run on a line with Congressman Rob Andrews. Struggling Bergen County Republicans continue to threaten a challenge in the general election for the post they held from 1986 to 2003 -- Freeholder Lisa Randall, a former Assemblywoman and state Banking and Insurance Commissioner, and former Freeholder Todd Caliguire, who ran for Governor in 2005, are the most frequently mentioned candidates.