Mims Hackett

NEWARK - Mims Hackett pleaded guilty today to attempted extortion as part of a plea agreement in which the federal government backed off of a second count of bribery in its two-count indictment of the former Orange mayor.

The words “former mayor” became appropriate only after Hackett’s morning court appearance and his plea of guilty.

When U.S. District Court Judge Jose L. Linares asked him if he understood that a guilty plea to the felony means he forfeits his right to vote and his right to hold office, Hackett said he understood.

CLICK HERE TO READ U.S. ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE'S PRESS RELEASE 

Orange mayor/former Assemblyman Mims Hackett’s lawyer just told a judge in Newark Federal Court that his client will plead guilty to Attempting to Extort Under Color of Official Right.

That’s the first in a two-part indictment unsealed against Hackett in September, when he was arrested with 11 other public officials who spanned the state. The second count is Acceptance and Agreement to Accept Money to Influence and Reward

There is considerable speculation that Orange Mayor Mims Hackett will plead guilty to federal and state corruption charges on Tuesday.  U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has scheduled a news conference for tomorrow, and Hackett is expected to appear before Federal Judge Jose Linares at 8:00 AM, and then before Superior Court Judge Betty Lester at 1:30 PM.  Under that scenario, City Council President Lisa Perkins will become Acting Mayor until July 1, when Mayor-elect Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. takes office.

Winners & Losers of the Week: CLICK HERE

Senate President (and former Governor) Richard Codey went one for two in Essex County mayoral races on Tuesday. He backed Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. in his successful bid for Mayor of Orange, but his endorsed candidate for Mayor of Montclair, Joyce Michaelson, lost.

Of the four Mayors running in yesterday’s non-partisan municipal election who are elected directly by the voters, only one survived: Mahwah Mayor Richard Martel defeated former Councilman Gary Paton by a 64%-36% margin. Incumbents were defeated in Vineland, Perth Amboy and Cape May City. Mayors did not seek re-election in Orange (where Mims Hackett is under federal indictment), Montclair, Delran, Bradley Beach and Spotswood.

Nine New Jersey municipalities will elect mayors in next Tuesday’s non-partisan election: Bradley Beach, Cape May City, Delran, Mahwah, Montclair, Orange, Perth Amboy, Spotswood, and Vineland.

Orange Mayor Mims Hackett, who was indicted last October on charges that he accepted a bribe, is not a candidate for re-election. Six candidates are running to replace him: Councilwoman Tency Eason, Councilman Donald Page; Planning Board Chairman Dwight Holmes; attorney Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., the son of a former Assemblyman;

Vineland Mayor Perry Barse faces a strong challenge in his bid for a third term from Robert Romano, a police lieutenant and the son of Barse’s predecessor. Also running for mayor is Nicholas Girone, a former school administrator.

In Montclair, incumbent Edward Remsen is not seeking re-election – the latest in a long string of one-term mayors. Councilwoman Joyce Michaelson, Councilman Ted Maddox and BikeMontclair founder Jerry Fried are the mayoral candidates.

ORANGE - The city at its summit straddles a ridge in the western hill country of Essex County, where affordable housing high-rises loom over residential twoPlanning Board chairman Dwight Holmes and his wife, Beverly. and three stories and churches, the public library, the Elks Lodge and Main Street, packed into 2.2-square miles with an elevated train track cutting along the edge of the valley and Highway 280 splitting the city in half.

Orange lost its once formidable industrial base on the south side over four decades ago, and now it’s trying to shake off the after-effects of its mayor’s tumble from power.

None of Mims Hackett’s would-be successors disagrees that the Abbott District town needs redevelopment, and all six of them are willing to work with the Berg Development Corporation, its partners and other developers to see the fruition of commercial and residential projects.

At Large Councilman Donald Page 

ORANGE - The foes of At-Large Councilman Donald Page say he’s a chronic naysayer and grandstander, the kind of councilman who’s been so determinedly anti-administration that if he gains the executive’s chair himself he will short circuit for lack of knowing any role other than agitating underdog.

"Page is a no-vote on the city council," says Tency Eason supporter William Hathaway. "Every time he votes, he votes no. He’s there to bring a negative vibe to Orange."