What is wrong with the governors of New York and New Jersey?
In a joint veto, they undid legislation that would have begun the long-overdue process of reforming the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The scandal-ridden agency has been a political patronage machine for decades, and a puppet for political manipulation even before the accusations rose about Gov. Christopher Christie’s alleged involvement in the closing of lanes on the George Washington Bridge as political retribution against the mayor of Fort Lee.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears to be covering Christie’s political back by also vetoing the legislation. This suggests that both governors would like to keep the Port Authority from public scrutiny. And this makes you wonder why.
The Port Authority oversees a number of activities in the New York/New Jersey region, perhaps most importantly the massive shipping industry, often cited as the growing economic activity in the region. But the Port Authority has also dabbled in real estate, and recently got caught playing a political role for Christie when it purchased land owned by the city of Bayonne to bolster the municipal budget and prevent a default that would have required a state takeover. On top of this, the Port Authority is floating the idea of possibly privatizing PATH service. Jersey City has an ongoing suit against the Port Authority over allegedly unpaid taxes. While both governors have recommended reforms to the Port Authority, the legislation would do much to lift the veil of secrecy that has long shrouded internal operations, and could possibly reduce the perception of Port Authority as a patronage mill.
Off and running
With the municipal elections in Jersey City still more than two years away, you have to wonder why Demetrius Terry would announce so soon.
A Greenville area resident, Terry appears to be running a campaign upon the perceived disparity between rich and poor in Jersey City.
The city is the fastest-growing community in the state with residential development on pace to make Jersey City larger than Newark as the most populous city.
While the administration of Mayor Steven Fulop appears to be trying to spread the wealth, Greenville still lags behind this progress, yet leads the city in crime, unemployment, and a crumbling infrastructure.
The recently-aborted plans to approve a trash transfer station for the Greenville Yards only added to the perception that the southernmost portion of the city is viewed as less favorable than other parts, especially when the estimated $10 million that would have been generated from the deal would have gone to develop a park in the northernmost portion of the city.
If Fulop runs for governor as expected, the municipal elections will become wide open with no heir apparent, and will require Fulop’s very powerful campaign machine to work extra hard to keep control of the city as he moves on to the State House.
While rumors circulate that Fulop people are working on an effort to recall Councilman Michael Yun to keep him from running for mayor, insiders in the Fulop camp said the opposite is true. They would very much like to see the very well-funded Yun seek the mayoralty, because they’re confident they can beat him rather than a potentially more dangerous political adversary.
“If we had to pick an opponent, Yun would be the one we want,” said one insider.
Zimmer’s dilemma
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is going into yet another election year. While her opponents are still divided, some also believe there is similar division in the ranks of the so-called reformers who are a big part of her political base. Zimmer has a narrow majority on the City Council, and the loss of a single seat in May could make her a lame duck with two years still to run on her current term.
Hoboken will have its mid-term elections in November. But there are ward seats up for grabs, which means that a lot depends on individual council candidates being able to energize their base without Zimmer at the head of the ticket. The most contentious battles will be in the 2nd and 4th Wards. Most observers believe that Councilwoman Beth Mason will not seek reelection to the 2nd Ward seat. One rumored possible challenger from the Zimmer camp is Tom Greaney, who ran against Mason in 2011. Others believe that former Assemblyman Ruben Ramos will challenge Councilman Tim Occhipinti in the 4th Ward.
Rumors that Mason may seek the Assembly seat currently held by Carmelo Garcia may be farfetched, since most believe state Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack will seek a Latino for that seat. If history is any indication, expect Hoboken Councilman Ravi Bhalla to run for that seat as well.
Dispute with Gonnelli is not over new recruits
Secaucus outgoing Acting Police Chief John Cerny disputed rumors of his disagreements with Mayor Michael Gonnelli. Cerny has decided to retire after being told he would not be named as a chief, partly because of apparent friction with the mayor. Some officers had speculated the matter was over new recruits, but Cerny said it was not.
“This matter does not involve the hiring of new recruits,” Cerny said. “There is nothing for me to approve or disapprove, as the background checks of the current applicants haven’t been completed yet. Once they’re done, Captain Flaherty will be providing a list to the mayor and Town Council.”
Waiting for Roque
Now that West New York Commissioner Count Wiley and outgoing Freeholder Jose Munoz have announced their intentions to challenge Mayor Felix Roque in the May election, everybody is waiting to see what Roque’s new ticket will look like.
In 2011, when Roque upset then Mayor Sal Vega, he had a formidable ticket that included Wiley, Caridad Rodriguez, Fior D’Aliza Frias, and Ruben Vargas.
Wiley fell out of political favor in 2012, Rodriguez just won a seat as freeholder, and the fate of Frias is uncertain, creating a mystery as to which new faces will join Roque’s reelection effort. The announcement is expected to come early in the new year.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.