After they spent last spring charging each other with corruption, misspending, and voter intimidation, can two countywide Democratic factions make peace?
Apparently, some of their members can – at least, for now.
Though rumors of peace talks between Hudson County’s two Democratic factions had been circulating for the last two months, Mayor Richard Turner of Weehawken and Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega of West New York held a press conference on Tuesday morning to announce a truce.
This came just seven months after Vega held a press conference to claim that he was submitting tapes of Turner’s ally, Union City Mayor Brian Stack, to law enforcement officials for an investigation.
How the split started
The major countywide Democratic split started early this year when Union City Mayor Brian Stack, who was simultaneously the 33rd District Assemblyman, wanted to ascend to the state Senate. But various members of the county’s Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) wanted to support incumbent state Sen. Bernard Kenny in that seat.
A war erupted and Stack formed a separate party, Democrats for Hudson County (DFHC).
Ultimately, Stack was challenged for the state Senate seat by HCDO-backed Mayor Sal Vega of West New York.
Stack ended up winning the seat, but candidates whom he supported for other county positions lost, showing that his big power base was in his home district.
The 33rd District, now represented by Stack in the state Senate, includes Union City, West New York, Hoboken, Weehawken, Guttenberg, and part of Jersey City.
Apparently, having two Democratic parties could be harmful in future elections, especially for federal legislative seats and others.
The press conference
The press conference was held at the pavilion near 57th street on Boulevard East in West New York.
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner of the Democrats for Hudson County (DFHC) attended to represent State Sen. and Mayor Brian Stack of Union City, who was in Trenton. He also represented U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, who was in Washington, D.C.
Vega was there to make peace with Turner.
Turner made a speech noting that “What is important now is that we all work together for the good of the community.”
Peace talks were a necessity, Vega said.
“Legislators in Trenton rejoice in that Hudson County is not united,” he said, implying that representatives from other parts of New Jersey could wrest more control.
The truce will facilitate things in West New York for Mayor Vega.
“There are many state level issues going on,” said Vega. “We are going to have to rely on senators, the assistance of [Rep. Robert] Menendez, and [Congressman] Sires.”
He added, “As mayor, you have a responsibility to work with people elected to your district.”
Regarding last June’s elections, Vega said, “I’m not ashamed of the fact that I lost [in the primary]. It’s easiest for me to try to move forward in the peace process.”
But what about all those charges?
The charges that were made during the state Senate battle can’t simply disappear, however.
Last spring, Stack’s campaign sent out a piece of literature with a caricature of Vega holding an alcoholic beverage, and listing thousands of taxpayer dollars that Vega allegedly had spent on a Hawaiian trip while on the freeholder board.
At the same time, last spring, Vega held several press conferences to make serious charges against Stack and his team. During one of those press conferences, Vega released tapes of Stack allegedly intimidating voters who were allied with Vega.
At the time, Vega said he was turning the tapes over to law enforcement officials, and demanded that the authorities investigate Stack.
Do Turner, Stack, and Vega now feel that those charges don’t matter?
Stack and Vega did not return phone calls seeking followup comment by press time.
Sorry
At the press conference, Mayor Vega did say of the campaigns: “If I offended anyone, I offer my apologies, and [I] assure everyone that I am not going to harbor any ill feelings about things that were said about me.”
Vega also said that that despite a heated primary race, when it came to the general election this past November, he supported Stack, his assembly runningmates Caridad Rodriguez and Ruben Ramos, and Freeholder Jose Munoz.
However, that slate ran unopposed in that election.
Now what?
Turner said that politicians in higher offices than his own were not happy with the Democratic split.
“People in higher offices are concerned whether a party split should be continued,” Turner said.
It is too early to tell whether a widespread peace will continue.
“[Peace talks] are an ongoing process,” said Turner. “This marks a new beginning. We’re hopeful the dialogues of today can continue.”
Some warring politicians from other towns were not present for the press conference. Turner said that so far, the peace is just being publicly made in the 33rd District, but he hopes it extends throughout the county.
There were rumors that the truce was brought on by sheer financial and political issues.
Vega said the initial peace talks were being part of a grassroots movement.
“It’s amazing how soon after the primary elections, the people of Union City and West New York had an interest in the peace process,” said Vega. “It has led to this moment.”
Started in October
Back during mid-October, mayor of Jersey City and HCDO chairman Jerramiah Healy visited Mayor Stack’s office in order to establish peace.
Jennifer Morrill, press secretary for Healy, said that Healy had been working for peace for more than a month adding that he believes a unified voice is needed for the betterment of Hudson County at a state level and at Washington.
Turner and Vega hope that other officials in the Hudson County area can follow in the footsteps of Tuesday.
Although no specific names were mentioned, Turner noted that he didn’t know if there was ever “entire peace” within a community but alluded to the fact that officials were seeking peace throughout the county.
“The 33rd District is united,” said Turner adding that officials are “optimistic” about county-wide peace talks.
“Politics is funny business,” said Turner. “The amount of time [focused] on conflict really takes us away from our duties.”
“Today is the start of a new beginning,” said Mayor Turner in his speech. “Our focus is, and always will be, on the needs and interests of the people.”
To read some of Vega and Stack’s comments about each other last May, click on:
http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18331230&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523584&rfi=8
For comments on this story, e-mail NMillan@hudsonreporter.com