The funeral of County Clerk Janet Haynes might have seen a better turnout of local political figures if organizers had consulted the Weather Channel.
The warm and sunny day did not bode well for such an event, sending many south to the shore rather than the solemn ceremonies. Had organizers scheduled this for a Wednesday – when many could have used the event to skip their government jobs – or for a rainy weekend, people might have come out in droves.
Bobby J, of course, would never have allowed Haynes’ funeral to be so ill attended, as the 1997 observation for his friend Hank Gallo proved. But lacking Robert Janiszewski’s propensity for pomp, Haynes left this world without the march through the streets or the great and noble speeches giving her one last remarkable sendoff.
This is not to say a handful of the faithful failed to pay their tribute. State Sen. Bernard Kenny was there, as was County Executive Tom DeGise and his loyal sidekick, Chief of Staff Bill Gaughan. Even the lately reclusive Bayonne Joe Doria made the trek, as did the amiable Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons. Persistent Mary Donnelly did attend the service. Even the extremely busy County Administrator Abe Antun had time to stop off to pay his respects. But perhaps no one was more mournful and no presence so meaningful as that of Henry Northfork, who had served as Hayne’s driver and helper.
The service was marked as much by those who did not attend as for those who did. There was no Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham (he was on vacation) and his usual gaggle of followers, no Willie Flood, no Gene Drayton.
Will county clerk position go to Jersey City?
Filling Haynes’ position as county clerk presents the Hudson County Democratic Organization with an opportunity and a problem – according to one source. A committee meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in Schuetzen Park
“This can be a moment that will bring the Democratic Party back together,” one source said.
Whereas replacing Freeholder Nidia Davila-Colon once seemed like a pending political battle, now Haynes’ seat becomes the focal point of contention. Names like Willie Flood or Melissa Holloway have surfaced. Even names like former Union City Mayor Rudy Garcia’s have popped up as a possible replacement.
The problem is that some Democrats wish to appoint the position to someone outside Jersey City. At least three Jersey City councilpeople have expressed an interest in the seat: Junior Maldonado, Mariano Vega, and L. Harvey Smith.
The five-year term and the $100,000 salary make the appointment a ripe piece of political patronage.
But there is a perception in North Hudson among people like Union City Mayor Brian Stack that too many county jobs have been given to Jersey City people already, and that this is an opportunity to spread the patronage throughout the rest of the county.
For the HCDO organization, this poses a serious dilemma. If one of the three Jersey City councilmen doesn’t get the seat, the shift of influence on that body towards Cunningham (begun with the defection of Steve Lipski) could continue, leaving Cunningham even more powerful that his recent state Senate primary victory made him.
Can we expect an odd coalition that sees Stack and Cunningham joining with North Bergen Mayor (and state Senator Nicholas Sacco? Stack and Sacco churned out votes for the HCDO and seemed to go unrewarded. Sacco’s effort to get someone a job at the Vo-Tech was foiled and he can’t get over the perception that the Democratic Organization still sees him as a kid.
Blessed are the peacemakers?
Cunningham’s victory has already apparently caused a bit of chaos among the Democratic faithful, who have worked so hard in the weeks leading up to the primary only to hear some members of the leadership, namely Donald Scarinci, say, “We never expected to beat Cunningham.” This post-election spin has added irritation to an already disgruntled political population, especially among the county’s mayors who have been forced to pay for the political war between Cunningham and Rep. Bob Menendez.
Kenny and West New York Mayor (and Assembly Speaker) Albio Sires are now suddenly viewed as peacemakers. Kenny is in the middle of every major decision. The Democrats are going to have to replace Davila-Colon, Haynes, and even state Senator Joe Charles, who is expected to be sworn in as a Superior Court judge in early September.
Before taking off on vacation last week, Cunningham met with his staunchest committee people at a gathering in Casino in the Park, and urged the crowed of 100 or so to cast their votes for him to take the seat until the end of the year.
Gerry McCann-for-freeholder posters have popped up in some places in Jersey City as names are bandied about to replace Davila-Colon.
Better slow down
Last week also saw the christening of two new NY Waterways ferries, the Jersey City and the Bayonne. The mayors of the two communities were offered the chance to pilot the boats named after their towns. One witness noted that the Jersey City sped quickly across the Hudson River, outdistancing the Bayonne.
At one point, Cunningham ordered the boat to slow down. When asked why, he said, “We’re too far ahead. I wouldn’t want Mayor Doria to accuse us of cheating.”
Doria has still not conceded his loss in the Assembly primary battle to Lou Manzo.
Although the ferry named after Hoboken was not involved in the race, one wonders where Mayor Dave Roberts stands in this dogfight for control of the county?
Roberts, of course, has a dogfight of his own to contend with in Hoboken. With Donald Scarinci’s legal contract on the council agenda as well as a host of other critical issues, Roberts apparently has been calling around to make certain he has the votes.
“He’s even called me,” said Councilman Tony Soares.
Political consultant Jack Shaw says Roberts has approached him to discuss a possible merger of Shaw’s group, Hoboken First, with Roberts’, Hoboken United.
“We may support Mayor Roberts on some issues,” Shaw said. “But we’re going to stay a separate organization.”
Hoboken First was slated to hold a beach party fundraiser at Maxwell’s in Hoboken this week to reduce their campaign debt from May’s council races.
The five-year term and the $100,000 salary make the appointment a ripe piece of political patronage.