The Jersey City Council may have given a new definition to representative government at its meeting this week. Whereas the standard definition of government is to take actions in the interest of people electing them to office, the new definition may be how to thwart any proposal offered by Mayor Glenn Cunningham.
A subtext to the quiet power struggle may be the shift in political potency between Councilmen Junior Maldonado and Marianno Vega.
Vega earned significant clout as a poster child for Tom DeGise’s campaign against Bernard Hartnett in the June Democratic Primary for county executive. But since the election, he seems to have lost potency as Maldonado gained it. But the fortunes of politicians in Jersey City since the primary have been as volatile as the stock market, settling into petty backroom dramas rather than the Shakespearean-like clash Cunningham previously presented from the City Hall steps.
Vega apparently did not stand up against Cunningham in a resent conflict over the Jersey City Economic Development Authority when Maldonado did. Rumors continue to hint that Lou Manzo is seeking a seat on that august body – or perhaps, may be drafted for a position.
In last week’s column, we mistakenly said Lou Manzo had asked Gov. Jim McGreevey if the governor would support Freeholder Bill O’Dea for county executive in 2003 while at the Mount Carmel Feast in Jersey City. Richard McCormack, one of O’Dea’s most loyal soldiers, was the one who asked.
But the Mount Carmel Feast did feature another Manzo, Michael Manzo, as a possible candidate against Mary Donnelly for city council. This Manzo has shown a remarkable ability to get out the vote in Jersey City, and apparently could get the O’Dea’s blessing if he ran.
Cunningham supporter Dominick D’August of Fleet Bank may be in the political doghouse as power alliances shift.
Sacco’s quick response was inspiring
State Senator and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco has won numerous people’s admiration for his quick thinking on his feet. After scandal resulted in the indictment and resignation of Commissioner Peter Perez, Sacco didn’t wait the full 30 to replace him, but immediately thrust forward the name of high school vice principal Allen Pascual. So quick was this action taken, that even Sacco’s critics found themselves caught off guard.
Russel Pascale, Sacco’s most vocal enemy, even he has praised the appointment, largely because Allen Pascual was his recreation coach years earlier
Seeking perhaps to taint Sacco’s reputation, another critic, Edward “Bo” Scannavino, took his anti-Sacco sign off his home, put it on his truck and parked it in Town Hall’s handicapped parking space, apparently hoping the vehicle would get towed. The van remains unmoved as of this date.
Despite wishful thinking by Sacco critics, the mayor seems untouched by the scandals that have plagued North Bergen over the last few months, and, indeed, seems to have built stronger connections than ever to other Democrats such as Sen. Bernard Kenny.
Will there be a break in Hoboken?
One of the great questions this week is whether or not Hoboken Councilman Tony Soares will issue a public divorce from his one time ally, Mayor David Roberts. They have had a troubled relationship for some time although tried to keep a happy face about the matter. But the nearer the 2005 mayoral election, the more tension these two may generate. Soares had not ruled out running for mayor. Of course, the conflicts may simmer down during August as various political people take vacations.
Meanwhile, Roberts may face scrutiny of a different kind as questions about the resignation of his business administrator and her lucrative settlement become more public. Although the deal has yet to be struck, Laurie Cotter may see a golden parachute of $27,000. Roberts claims Cotter resigned. Critics claim a resigned employee does not get severance, least of all a package equating to three months salary. Expect some critics to challenge the matter in court, similar to the way they challenged longevity payments for officials under Mayor Anthony Russo. This would put Roberts in the uncomfortable position of having to tell the judge whether or not Cotter resigned or was pushed out.
A photo opportunity?
Rumors of John Shinnick’s demise may have been grossly exaggerated last week when various critics noted the county posting for a photographer. Shinnick, who is chairman of the Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), also holds a contract with the county to provide its photography. The posting for a photographer sent rumor mill churning, suggesting Shinnick’s political fortunes had turned. The job, however, was with the county’s criminal division, not public relations.
Shinnick also found rumors concerning his failure to fire HCIA’s executive director, Tom Calvanico, and lawyer, Robert Barry, as equally lacking in fact.
“Since no one was supposed to get fired, no one can blame me for not doing something I wasn’t asked to do,” Shinnick said.
Insiders claim the reason the firing didn’t take place was because Shinnick didn’t make the proper phone calls.
“I don’t believe anyone wants to replace Tom,” he said. “As for Bob Barry, who can say? We have talked about what might happen when a new administration takes over. After all, we are currently operating under a lame duck county executive. The bigger question is, how do we keep all our operations moving ahead despite the change of administration? We’ve always tried to keep politics at a minimum.”