Cimino is now running Hamilton hospital

Two politicians with new jobs: former Assemblyman Anthony "Skip" Cimino is the new CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton and West Caldwell Mayor Joseph Tempesta is the new East Hanover Township Administrator.

Cimino takes the helm of the hospital even though he has never run a health care company.  He operated a small flooring business before becoming running for the Legislature, and after he lost in 1991, he became Gov. Jim Florio's Commissioner of Personnel.  Later he worked for Schoor DePalma, the politically active engineering firm, and ran unsuccessfully for the State Senate.  His son is now a Mercer County Freeholder.

Tempesta, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for State Assembly in 2001 against John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Mims Hackett (D-Orange), spent less than two years as the administrator in Mountain Lakes before getting the East Hanover job this week.  He told The Star-Ledger that he will "waive his health insurance benefits in East Hanover," an act of tremendous sacrifice, since the taxpayers of West Caldwell give him full health benefits.

Again in an act of personal sacrifice, Tempesta supports Republican Christopher Christie for Governor despite Christie's pledge to end dual public office holding and health benefits for part-timers.

One more thing: Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday nominated Frank Ragazzo, who was the Republican candidate for State Assembly against Cimino in 1989, to the state Lottery Commission.