One of the greatest political forces in the history of Hudson County died this week, ending a political era that at one time made Bayonne a power to be reckoned with.
Former Mayor Dennis Collins wielded political power in Hudson County like few have in modern times, but unlike other players such as former Jersey City Mayor John V. Kenny, Collins was seen as a force for good, a Jedi knight for the interests of his community. Over his long career, Collins managed to make sure his community got its share of county jobs and services, even when other players tried to get around him.
Just before stepping down as mayor of Bayonne, Collins lost a key political battle when Jersey City took control of the county executive’s position, electing Robert Janiszewski over longtime county executive Ed Clark. Insiders say that the battle, which was orchestrated by then-Jersey City Mayor Anthony Cucci, was decided when political operatives in Harrison switched sides, giving Jersey City the edge.
Knapp: No problem with Hudson mayors
Bobby Knapp, spokesperson for Sheriff Juan Perez, denied reports that Perez is on bad terms with some mayors in Hudson County.
Knapp said Perez continues to help the mayors each town both civically and politically, and does not know of any mayors who are upset.
Reports among political observers in North Hudson, as well as sources close to Union City Mayor Brian Stack, suggested the Perez is on the political hit list with both Stack and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, both of whom are also state legislators.
But then, rumors also suggest that Perez might run for county executive against incumbent County Executive Tom DeGise, perhaps in an effort to put a wedge between DeGise and Perez by political opponents of both.
Chiaravalloti will support Smith in Bayonne mayoral in May
Nicholas Chiaravalloti, who ran for state Assembly several years ago, dispelled another rumor this week that he will be running on a Stack-backed ticket for mayor of Bayonne against incumbent Mayor Mark Smith in June.
“First, it has been a while since I have spoken to anyone in North Hudson on politics,” he said. “Second, no way I am running for mayor. My only interest in the May election is to try to help Mark win a full term so that he can continue to implement the changes Bayonne needs. I love being in the private sector. Between work, my family, and my volunteer efforts, life is good.”
Smith is up for reelection in May along with the entire Bayonne City Council.
Stack apology labeled a fraud
Anyone who knows Mayor Stack knows he doesn’t air his private laundry in public. So anyone who got a flyer last week with his alleged apology to the public had to know it was fake.
This week, Frank Scarafile Jr., along with other Stack critics, were charged with forging a letter of apology that purportedly came from Stack.
Scarafile and several others were arrested in a parking lot while allegedly handing out this literature.
This proves pretty much as weak a political organization Scarafile has and why he hasn’t been able to make a dent against Stack in any election. Most political organizations that engage in shady tactics know to hire someone – usually high school kids – to hand out literature of this kind.
If you’re going to put out fliers, have someone else do it for you so you can deny having any connection to it later. It will be difficult for Scarafile to say he didn’t know anything about the flyers if he is caught with one of them in his hand.
McCormack to run for Kenny’s seat
This column mistakenly printed that Rich McCormack will be running for Jersey City council in 2013. He can’t wait. He’s seeking to take the seat vacated by the arrest of Councilman Phil Kenny in Ward B next November.
However, the burning question in many people’s minds is what will happen with Councilman Mariano Vega. With each new allegation made against him, the pressure mounts for him to vacate his office. But it is clear that he is going to fight the charges to the bitter end, even if the court case distracts him from his duties as councilman.
Councilwoman Nidia Lopez can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to a Superior Court ruling that said concerns about her residency were not significant enough to remove her from office.
In other council news: Almost like a scene from the classic film “Network,” former Councilman Frank Scalcione of Jersey City said he is fed up with the system and what is being done in the name of public service.
Calling himself a pit bull because he always speaks his mind and from his heart, he said he will be running for City Council again.
Hal Turner’s moral dilemma
Controversial North Bergen radio broadcaster Hal Turner was found not guilty in a trial that said he had gone too far in saying certain political people “should die.”
Turner, not to be confused with Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, has often stretched the concept of freedom of speech, but apparently authorities just didn’t have enough evidence to show that he had gone too far in his extremist right-wing tirades.
Perhaps Turner ought to take a lesson from author JRR Tolkien who once wrote, “Many people deserve to die; but many also deserve to live. Can you give it to them?”
While Turner may have won the legal argument morally, the right to life and liberty will always outweigh his right to speak his mind.