James Cassella

Galloway Township Councilman Bill Ackerman isn't just the Moron of the Day - he's also the winner of this week's Evelyn Williams Award.  Ackerman has been charged with stealing cans of Budweiser from a local liquor store, according to a report in The Press of Atlantic City.  Apparently the two-term Councilman has been visiting Philadelphia Liquors about three or four times a day for the last five months, paying for a 12-ounce can of bud (price: $1.16), and putting another two in his pocket.  He'll be arraigned next week.

According to the published report, Ackerman has been going through some tough times.  He has lost his job, he has huge debts (including a legal judgment), and his house is in foreclosure. Ackerman might consider calling one of his fellow municipal officials, East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella, who coincidentally was the PolitickerNJ.com Moron of the Day just 24 hours ago.  Perhaps Cassella could find an income producing opportunity for Ackerman at the Bergen County Utility Authority.  Then he could say:" In fairness to Bill, why not give him a little stipend?"

This is one of the reasons people think some politicians are tone deaf.  The Bergen County Utility Authority voted unanimously to give a no-bid consulting contract to Leonard Kaiser, who resigned as BCUA Executive Director last year after FBI agents searched his home.  Kaiser was a partner in a government grants business that led to the indictments of former Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero and BCDO attorney Dennis Oury. 

Asked about the contract by The Record, BCUA Commissioner (and East Rutherford Mayor) James Cassella said: "Len has a lot of knowledge.  In fairness to Len, why not give him a little stipend?"

He was never known as a blowtorch orator, and nearly two weeks ago the remarks by Al Gore at a global warming bill signing ceremony left even ardent supporters of the former vice president's yearning for some fiery feeling.   What they didn't forecast was the heat generated in the wake of Gore's visit, as two sides were roused out of their corners today in part because of Gore's indisputably national presence, however arguably lackluster.

Two East Rutherford Republicans have endorsed Democratic State Senator Paul Sarlo for re-election in the 36th District.

East Rutherford Mayor and former Sarlo opponent James Cassella and Councilman Edward Ravettine cited the incumbent’s bi-partisan credentials as the main reason for their endorsements.