Herb Conaway

It’s on.

Chris Fifis, the Lumberton Democratic Chairman who is the favorite of South Jersey Democratic leaders to become chairman of the Burlington County Democrats, put out a statement officially acknowledging his candidacy for the chairmanship in response to Assemblyman Herb Conaway’s (D-Delanco) decision to run for the post.

“I remain as committed to strengthening the Burlington County Democratic Party as I was when I took the fight to the entrenched GOP in 2004,” said Fifis, who that year ran unsuccessfully for freeholder and ran for assembly in 2007.

The party, currently headed by Acting Chairwoman Alice Furia, will elect a new leader in June.  The former chairman, Rick Perr --  who just last year was considered a rising star in Democratic circles after presiding over a pickup of two freeholder seats and the county clerk's office – resigned under an ethical cloud after revelations surfaced about his involvement in a PAC that raised money for arrested Hoboken mayor Peter Cammarano.  

The GOP has a 3-2 majority on the freeholder board, and this year they successfully defended two seats left open by retiring Republicans. 

Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Delanco)

Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr. (D-Delanco) wants to be the next chairman of the Burlington County Democratic Committee, setting up a potential contest to lead the troubled organization.  

“What made me decide to run was that we have a need for a county party that functions.  We have a lot of important races coming up in the near term, and quite frankly we’ve had under the old regime dysfunctional leadership that’s led to problems getting things done,” said Conaway in a phone interview from the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City.  

Conaway, a medical doctor, practices internal medicine at Cooper University Hospital.  He has served in the assembly since 1998, and ran unsuccessfully for Congress against former U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-Mount Holly) in 2004.  

Facing pressure from South Jersey Democrats, former Chairman Rick Perr resigned in August over his involvement in a PAC that raised money for former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, who was arrested on corruption charges in July.  Since then, Alice Furia, long-time party activist and vice-chair, has headed up the party.

Furia will remain as chairwoman until June, when the county committee will elect a new leader. 

CONNERS & CONAWAY: RIVER TOWNS MUST NOT BE DREDGE DUMPING GROUND

Emphasize Long-Standing Opposition to Dredge Proposal

(DELRAN) – Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway, MD on Tuesday joined Gov. Jon S. Corzine and U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews in opposing a plan that would deposit dredge spoils from the Delaware River in New Jersey towns.

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS PRAISE RELEASE OF LANDMARK HOSPITAL SAFETY REPORT

Commend Governor for Posting 1st Report with Hospital-Specific Error Data

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Paul Moriarty, Linda Greenstein, Herb Conaway, Lou Greenwald and Nilsa Cruz-Perez today praised a new state report that for the first time details hospital-by-hospital medical errors. They urged New Jerseyans to use the report when making health care decisions.

JOHNSON / DeANGELO / EVANS / CONAWAY / COUTINHO BILL TO PROMOTE FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS NOW LAW

Bill creating check-off for food pantry donations signed by Gov. Corzine

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Gordon Johnson, Wayne DeAngelo, Elease Evans, Albert Coutinho and Herb Conaway to address recent shortages and closings at food pantries was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The law establishes the “Community Food Pantry Fund” in the Department of the Treasury and allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate a portion of their income tax refund to it.. The bill passed the Assembly in October and the Senate in June.

“The global economic meltdown means hunger isn’t being limited to the poor,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “New Jersey is a generous state, and we can and should make it easier to spread that generosity and do whatever we can to ensure no one in this state goes to bed hungry.”

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLY DEMS ON NEW LAW COMBATING HOSPITAL MEDICAL ERRORS

(PLAINSBORO) - Assembly members Paul D. Moriarty, Linda R. Greenstein and Herb Conaway, M.D. today issued a multimedia package on a new law they sponsored to help prevent hospital medical errors.

The law (A-1264/3371/3633) was signed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine during a public ceremony at AARP New Jersey headquarters. It requires the state Department of Health and Senior Services to include hospital-specific data on 14 patient safety indicators in the agency's annual Hospital Performance Report that is available to the public.  The law also prohibits hospitals and doctors from billing a patient or insurance company for specific types of medical errors and hospital-acquired conditions.

The sponsors said the law enables the public to make more informed decisions about their health care options while encouraging poorly performing hospitals to improve patient safety.

Joint Statement of Assemblymen Jack Conners & Herb Conaway, MD, regarding Chairman Rick Perr:

"We find ourselves very disappointed in the actions and long pattern of self-dealing of both Burlington County Democratic Committee Chairman Rick Perr and the former treasurer over whom he exercised authority.

"There has been disregard for party rules and values and grievous disloyalty shown to long-time party supporters.

"We believe the Burlington County Democratic Party needs new leadership. Mr. Perr should immediately step aside and allow for the election of a new chairman."

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CONAWAY, ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY HEALTH & AUTISM
BASH CHRISTIE’S ‘MANDATE-FREE’ PROPOSAL THAT COULD
CUT CRITICAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR NEW JERSEYANS

(WILLINGBORO) – Assemblyman Herb Conaway, M.D. (D-Burlington) today joined with advocates for the autism community, Planned Parenthood Action Committee, nurses and caregivers to slam Right Wing Conservative Republican Chris Christie for his proposal for “mandate-free” plans which would allow health care companies in New Jersey to opt out of covering critical treatment for children with autism, mammograms and hospital stays for new mothers.

JOHNSON / DeANGELO / EVANS / CONAWAY / COUTINHO LOOK TO MAKE TO PROMOTE FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

Bill creating check-off for food pantry donations gets final legislative approval

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Gordon Johnson, Wayne DeAngelo, Elease Evans, Albert Coutinho and Herb Conaway to address recent shortages and closings at food pantries has received final legislative approval.

The legislation would establish the “Community Food Pantry Fund” in the Department of the Treasury and allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate a portion of their income tax refund to it.

The bill passed the Assembly in October and the Senate in June.

“The global economic meltdown means hunger isn’t being limited to the poor,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “New Jersey is a generous state, and we can and should make it easier to spread that generosity and do whatever we can to ensure no one in this state goes to bed hungry.”