FREEHOLDERS: Van Blake loses endorsement, Carter as replacement
POLITICKERNJ (Five items: Oldest to newest) plus PLAINFIELD TODAY and JERRY GREEN'S PAGE
Dems dump Van Blake in Union County
By Max Pizarro | March 8th, 2010 - 1:08pm
Union County Democratic Committee Chair Charlotte DeFilippo and Assemblyman Jerry Green Green (D-Plainfield) this morning told Freeholder Rayland Van Blake of Plainfield that he wouldn't be getting the party line to run for a second term.
"As far as I can tell, they're looking to basically flip years in the upcoming election as far as the freeholder seat is concerned, between Linden and Plainfield, and I get bumped out because of that," said Van Blake, a former Plainfield City councilman and television actor who won off the line in 2007 as a member of the New Democrats.
"The assemblyman and the county chairman told me flat out that's what it was," Van Blake added.
There's a mayor's race in Linden this year, and Democrats want a freeholder candidate to help create line strength on the ballot in their bid to upend independent Mayor Richard Gerbounka.
Council President Robert Bunk, the Democratic Party candidate for mayor, has trouble on the ground in Linden owing to the anti-organization mayoral candidacy of Councilman Derek Armstead.
Moreover, the county's lone freeholder from Linden, Nance Ward, moved to Westfield.
Van Blake says the party's dumping him to run a Linden-based freeholder candidate.
"It would appear that way," he say, when asked if he believes the reasoning is to stregthen Bunk's bid against Gerbounka.
But that wasn't part of the meeting the freeholder had today.
"They told me I didn't have the support locally so they weren't going to take the chance," Van Blake said. "I know I didn't have the support of the mayor but I do have the support of the people. The New Democrats are still supportng me."
On his way in to a meeting with Green, Van Blake would not immediately comment on his next move until after he speaks with the veteran assemblyman
http://www.politickernj.com/max/37502/dems-dump-van-blake-union-county
DeFilippo: Van Blake 'disappointed' as freeholder
By Max Pizarro | March 8th, 2010 - 4:39pm
Union County Democratic County Chair Charlotte DeFilippo says Freeholder Rayland Van Blake is a nice guy.
"I like him, he's charming, but he has a tremendous amount of commitments," she said of the Plainfield freeholder she relieved of the party line this morning.
"There's a place for any good Democrat in the party," DeFilippo added. "He's just disappointed. You have to decide, or people will decide for you. People didn't see him at a lot of things - your involvement in county events has to be higher than the average person's - and people are disappointed. Do I like him? Absolutely. I just think he has to focus on one thing."
Van Blake's allies believe they have a Plainfield version of Cory Booker in the making in the television actor with a financial background, a former footfall standout in Plainfield.
But star power potential wasn't enough for DeFilippo, who said Van Blake simply didn't dig substantially enough into the freeholder job during his single term in office.
The county chair denied she intends to fill the seat with a candidate from Linden.
"I fully expect there will be a candidacy out of Plainfield," she said. "There will be somebody else who's high energy. It will be somebody from Plainfield.
"Would I take a Lindenite if no one was available?" DeFilippo added. "Absolutely."
The party will have a candidates' screening on Wednesday night.
http://www.politickernj.com/max/37518/defilippo-van-blake-disappointed-freeholder
[link]
Scutari: new freeholder candidate will be from
Plainfield or Linden - probably Plainfield
By Max Pizarro | March 9th, 2010 - 9:19am
State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) didn't protest the Democratic County Committee's decision to deny the party line to Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake.
"He's a nice guy, but we're going to respect the committee process," Scutari told PolitickerNJ.com.
Union County Democratic Committee Chair Charlotte DeFilippo said yesterday that Plainfield would be her first town of choice in seeking a Van Blake replacement, but didn't rule out Linden, which lacks a freeholder and is the scene this year of a mayoral contest.
"Both of those (Plainfield and Linden) have been considered, and one of those towns will certainly be represented - probably from Plainfield, in the near future," Scutari said.
http://www.politickernj.com/max/37524/scutari-new-freeholder-candidate-wil-be-plainfield-or-linden-probably-plainfield
[link]
Green backs Carter for freeholder seat in Union
By Max Pizarro | March 9th, 2010 - 12:07pm
Although he won't support Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake, Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Plainfield) says his city will have a freeholder candidate on the Democratic Party line this year.
"I am calling on all of the county chairs and asking them to support (Plainfield Councilwoman) Linda Carter," Green told PolitickerNJ.com.
Like Van Blake, Carter comes out of the political fold of the Plainfield New Democrats.
Chair of the Democratic Party in Plainfield, Green said Van Blake - a budding television actor and freshman freeholder trying to juggle government and the demands of his entertainment career - had no support for re-election among local Dems: not among the establishment ranks, and not among the New Democrats.
A rare point of agreement between two feuding camps, and useful considering Union County Democratic Chair Charlotte DeFilippo's warning to Green that if the warring factions in Plainfield couldn't present a candidate they could agree on, she would turn to Linden - where she could use a freeholder candidate to build ballot strength for her mayoral candidate.
"When was the last time Adrian Mapp and I agreed on something?" said Green, referring to his political antagonist, who last year ran against Green's ally, Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson Briggs, and lost.
Mapp is himself a former freeholder and organization Democrat who lost Green's support and the party line in 2007 and subsequently became leader of the New Democrats.
"As the chairman, I wanted to give the county respect in terms of their concerns," added the assemblyman. "I reached out to Adrian Mapp (chair of the New Democrats) and the mayor and all the key players so they all understood what was going on. No disrespect to Rayland but a lot of people were complaining about him not spending enough time on the freeholder board. What we did was come up with is an alternate plan."
Green said he told Van Blake that if other chairs backed him, he would support him, but no one wanted to give the freeholder another shot.
"We all agreed that if there was going to be a problem with Rayland, we would present Lynda Carter, and so right now, I am calling all the county chairs on her behalf," said Green. "The New Democrats are not happy with Rayland's attendance record, and now we have a quality candidate."
The screening committee is scheduled for tomorrow evening.
Green looked at the positive.
"This is the first time we've all come together," he said. "They feel Rayland's a nice guy, but agree that you can't just show up on Thursday and expect that to be the extent of the job. I didn't just make the decision on my own. Lynda Carter is a New Democrat. Everybody understands I work very hard at what I do. If someone wants me to stick his neck out for a losing cause then I wish him luck."
The 31-year old Van Blake went to Green's office yesterday and complained, but the veteran, 71-year old Green said he stood his ground.
"You have to work at this business," Green said. "You can't just expect things are going to be handed to you on a platter. Look, I was 40 years old when I was kicked off the line because I didn't take my freeholder job seriously. I came back and I've never lost an election since. Rayland's been given the opportunity to figure this out ten years earlier than I did. If he wants to blame me, fine - but I know better than anyone, it's a valuable lesson."
http://www.politickernj.com/max/37534/green-backs-carter-freeholder-seat-union
[link]
Armstead picks up petitions to run for mayor of Linden
By Max Pizarro | March 9th, 2010 - 1:43pm
Linden 4th Ward Councilman Derek Armstead on Friday obtained petitions to run for mayor but hasn't yet declared his intentions officially in what at this point amounts to a piece of anti-establishment kabuki aimed at riling the local Democratic Party organization.
Armstead said if he runs he wouldn't be a spoiler in a primary against establishment Democratic Council President Robert Bunk.
"I would beat Bunk if I ran against him," boasted Armstead, who won re-election off the line in 2008. "How do you sell yourself as a vehicle of change when you have been council president for ten years?"
Armstead, a county employee in the IT department, has been on the council for 17 years.
This would be his first run for mayor.
If Bunk had talked to him about succeeding him as council president, "We would be having a totally different discussion right now," admitted Armstead, the lone black on the governing body. "But the Democratic Party of Linden has not been very good at all to my community."
Armstead said Bunk has already fixed his sights on 8th Ward Councilwoman Michelle Yamakaitas as his successor, the council's only woman.
"Discussions with me would have had to happen a long time ago," the councilman said. "In the next couple of months they couldn't make any gestures that would reverse the trend. Right now, people are asking me to run because they really think I have a chance to win, and we're giving it a lot of consideration."
If Armstead gets in the race, he would be fighting Bunk in June for a general election shot in November at Mayor Richard Gerbounka, an independent.
"Gerbounka's an independent, I'm a Democrat and Gov. Christie's a Republican," said Armstead. "It doesn't matter what political party you belong to, people are losing their homes. My belief is people like Bob Bunk are obstructionist and have tried to sabotage Gerbounka in what amounts to a betrayal of the public.
"If Robert Bunk becomes the nominee, I am a Democrat, I've always been a Democrat... that's the way I'll leave it. Sometimes primaries get nasty, and I don't think he's a very strong candidate."
As an off-the-line Democratic candidate in 2008, Armstead won with 63.06% of the vote.
He remembers Freeholder Rayland Van Blake campaigning against him that year. Now the party is dumping the Plainfield-based Van Blake, in part, Armstead believes, because Democrats want to run a freeholder candidate in Linden.
"They used him to try to get rid of me and now they're saying it's my fault that they're getting rid of him," Armstead said. "You can't make this stuff up."
For the record, Union County Democratic Chair Charlotte DeFilippo said she would turn to Linden only if Plainfield couldn't unify behind a Van Blake replacement, and today Assemblyman Jerry Green, chairman of the local Democratic Party, said the city's Democrats have come together around the candidacy of At-Large Councilwoman Linda Carter, a New Democrat.
http://vip.politickernj.com/max/37541/armstead-picks-petitions-run-mayor-linden
[link]
PLAINFIELD TODAY
Friday, 3/5/2010: "County Dems dumping Van Blake from Freeholder slot?"
Monday, 3/8/2010: "Van Blake dumped. Will Green put up with loss of Black Freeholder seat?"
Monday, 3/8/2010: "Freeholder seat: Robinson-Briggs or Carter?"
JERRY GREEN'S PAGE
Monday, 3/8/2010: "Straightening out this Freeholder fiasco"
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time. Links posted here are from the original online publication of these pieces.)
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Showing posts with label Union County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Union County. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
2009 General - Union County Results
Star-Ledger, Wednesday, 11/04/2009
Union County election results
By New Jersey Local News Service
November 04, 2009, 12:07AM
Union County elections
Here are the unofficial results of local elections held Tuesday in Union County. Check marks indicate winners, and stars (*) denote incumbents. Vote totals are not included in uncontested races.
UNION COUNTY FREEHOLDERS
THREE 3-YEAR TERMS
√Deborah P. Scanlon (D)* 57,359
√Alexander Mirabella (D)* 57,193
√Mohamed S. Jalloh (D) 53,866
Nicole D. Cole (R) 49,097
Anthony Sytko (R) 47,842
Hope A. Thompson (I) 3,958
Karen Gielen (I) 3,389
UNION COUNTY SURROGATE
ONE 5-YEAR TERM
√James S. LaCorte (D)* 58,239
Arthur P. Zapolski (R) 46,891
BERKELEY HEIGHTS
TWO 3-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS
√Craig S. Pastore (R) 2,708
√Kevin J. Hall (R) 2,667
Alexandra Chirinos (I) 1,404
Thomas A. Battaglia (D)* 997
Murray Robbins (D) 899
CLARK
No municipal elections this year
CRANFORD
ONE 3-YEAR COMMITTEE TERM
√David W. Robinson (R)* 4,421
Kevin Illing (D) 3,448
ELIZABETH
No municipal elections this year
FANWOOD
TWO 3-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS
√Mike L. Szuch (R) 1,338
√Robert Manduca (R) 1,330
Donna M. Dolce (D)* 1,252
David R. Valian (D)* 1,201
GARWOOD
TWO 3-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS
√Timothy O. Hak (R) 658
√Keith Sluka (D)* 651
Kathleen M. Villaggio (D)* 640
James Matheson (R) 636
HILLSIDE
No municipal elections in November
KENILWORTH
TWO 3-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS
√Fred M. Pugliese (R)* 1,276
√Salvatore Candarella (R)* 1,268
Darrin McMahon (D) 743
Ronald Knecht (D) 726
LINDEN
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 1 COUNCIL TERM
√Christopher Kolibas (D)*
No Republicans filed
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 9 COUNCIL TERM
√Robert Frazier (I)* 736
Bryan Tomko (D) 576
No Republicans filed
MOUNTAINSIDE
TWO 3-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS
√William R. Lane (R)*
√Robert W. Messler (R)*
No Democrats filed
NEW PROVIDENCE
TWO 3-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS
√James Cucco (R)*
√J. Brooke Hern (R)*
No Democrats filed
PLAINFIELD
ONE 4-YEAR MAYORAL TERM
√Sharon Robinson-Briggs (D)* 4,906
James V. Pivnichny (R) 2,103
Deborah Joyce Dowe (I) 391
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 4 COUNCIL TERM
√Bridget B. Rivers (D)
No Republicans filed
RAHWAY
No local elections this year
ROSELLE
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 2 COUNCIL TERM
√Sylvia Turnage (D)*
No Republicans filed
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 5 COUNCIL TERM
√Christine Dansereau (D)*
No Republicans filed
ROSELLE PARK
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 2 COUNCIL TERM
√Joseph Accardi (R) 539
Michael Peterson (D) 287
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 5 COUNCIL TERM
√Michael Yakubov (R)* 519
David Jacobs (D) 193
SCOTCH PLAINS
ONE 1-YEAR COUNCIL TERM
√Dominick Bratti (R)* 3,950
Theresa E. Mullen (D) 3,349
SPRINGFIELD
TWO 3-YEAR COMMITTEE TERMS
√Jerry Fernandez (R) 2,651
√Marc A. Krauss (R) 2,480
Richard Huber (D) 2,062
David Barnett (D) 2,004
PUBLIC QUESTION
Should Springfield spend up to $4.5 million to renovate and upgrade the municipal pool complex?
Yes 1,246
√No 2,083
SUMMIT
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 1 COUNCIL TERM
√Nuris Portuondo (R)
No Democrats filed
ONE 3-YEAR WARD 2 COUNCIL TERM
√Richard J. Madden (R) 1,805
Laura Graff Coburn (D) 1,520
ONE 2-YEAR AT-LARGE COUNCIL TERM
√Stephen P. Murphy (D) 3,473
J. Andrew Lark (R)* 2,878
PUBLIC QUESTION
Should the city of Summit increase the term of the Councilman-at-Large from two years to four years, effective Jan. 1, 2014?
Yes 1,812
√No 2,062
UNION
TWO 3-YEAR COMMITTEE TERMS
√Anthony L. Terrezza (D)* 6,098
√Manuel T. Figueiredo (D) 6,042
Paul M. Verzosa (R) 5,553
Charles T. Donnelly (R) 5,487
WESTFIELD
ONE 4-YEAR MAYORAL TERM
√Andrew K. Skibitsky (R)* 6,714
William L. Brennan (D) 3,927
ONE WARD 1 COUNCIL TERM
√Sam Della Fera Jr. (R) 1,605
Janice Siegel (D) 1,146
ONE WARD 2 COUNCIL TERM
√Vicki Kimmins (R)*
No Democrats filed
ONE WARD 3 COUNCIL TERM
√Dave Haas (D)* 1,357
Tom Delaney (R) 1,088
ONE WARD 4 COUNCIL TERM
√Keith Loughlin (R) 1,412
Thomas Bigosinski (D)* 1,270
WINFIELD
ONE 3-YEAR COMMITTEE TERM
√David P. Wright Sr. (D)* 285
Tracey Welch (R) 184
Union County election results | Local New Jersey News - - NJ.com (4 November 2009)
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2009/11/union_county_election_results.html
http://snipurl.com/t2aqp
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
Cohen replacement - PolitckerNJ - Quijano wins narrowly, 87-82
PolitickerNJ - Wednesday, July 20, 2008
August 19, 2008 - 8:34pm
Quijano narrowly wins Cohen seat
By Matt Friedman
Category: LocalTags: Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Annette Quijano
MOUNTAINSIDE -- Attorney Annette Quijano came to the Union County Democratic Committee’s special election tonight as the party leaders’ favorite to replace former Assemblyman Neil Cohen in District 20, but Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste put up a serious fight.
Quijano, 46, an assistant counsel to Gov. Corzine, bested Perkins-Auguste 87-82 in a vote by county committee members from the legislative district’s four towns: Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle and Union. It’s the first time a minority will fill a seat in the district, which despite having a minority-majority population, has long been represented by three white men.
Quijano’s term begins immediately. She replaces former Assemblyman Neil Cohen, who resigned from his seat amid allegations that he possessed child pornography on his legislative office computer. She will have to run again against a Republican in November to hold the seat, although the district’s registration breakdown makes her a near shoe-in.
Perkins-Auguste and Quijano both gave speeches in front of the committee members, but although members were voting to send a new legislator to Trenton, the meeting was closed to the press and general public.
The controversy surrounding Cohen made the occasion a little more somber than it otherwise would have been for Quijano.
“I’m excited, but I’m not. I’m saddened because these are the circumstances,” said Quijano, who didn’t let the accusation against Cohen get in the way of what she saw as an altruistic legislative legacy.
“I always admired Neil for being such an advocate for the people, and I have, as I see it, big shoes to try to fill. I used to sit in his Assembly financial institution committee and I saw first-hand how he was an advocate for the people,” she said.
Quijano, whose name did not pop up in the initial field of candidates, said that she was approached by “a few people” about running for the position. Although she’s never run for a legislative seat before, Quijano said that she’s always wanted to fill one.
But with such a whirlwind candidacy, Quijano hadn’t yet outlined much of her legislative agenda.
“I’m going to represent people in my community. We’re going through a tough economic period and I want to make sure that seniors don’t have to decide between groceries and medication. I want to bring jobs back into the district,” she said.
In her speech to the committee members – provided in written form after the meeting – Quijano listed her experience as a past experience as a campaign volunteer, her work as the Clerk of the Union County Freeholder board, and her work in as an assistant counsel during the McGreevey, Codey and Corzine administrations. She said that she would work to improve schools, fight for aid for cities and stabilize property taxes.
There were actually two votes tonight—one to send a legislator to fill part of Cohen’s unexpired term, and one on who should get the party’s nomination for the November election. After her defeat on the first vote, Perkins-Auguste moved to make the second vote unanimous for Quijano.
Despite that gracious move, however, Perkins-Auguste, who’s African-American, was critical of Quijano, accusing her of using her Hispanic heritage as a campaign ploy in a district where Hispanics outnumber blacks.
“She stood up there and said she was Latino… Basically she race-baited, but she’s entitled to that. You use what you have to your advantage.” she said.
Among Perkins-Auguste's allies was Joseph Adair, a reverend and relocation officer from Elizabeth who used to run the local NAACP has long been the councilwoman's political ally.
While not a county committee member himself, Adair bussed in 25 members from Elizabeth to support Perkins-Auguste, who he said had a better record of public service than Quijano.
“I don’t even know who[Quijano] is. I’ve lived in Union County for 46 years. Never heard of her. I have a problem with that," he said.
Although the local party’s heavy hitters like State Sen. Ray Lesniak, Assemblyman/Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan and County Chairwoman Charlotte DeFilippo remained officially neutral, Perkins-Auguste cast herself as the rebel candidate against the machine. She did, however, have Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage – a close Lesniak ally—behind her. Perkins-Auguste also expressed disappointment that committee members from Roselle went with Quijano instead of her.
“I went up against the machine, the political power brokers of the stat eof New Jersey. I lost by five votes. Ray Lesniak, Joe Cryan and Charlotte DeFilippo. People I have great respect for,” she said. “I believe in God and that’s who I get my direction from. I don’t believe in backroom politics. I believe in serving the people.”
Freeholder Director Angel Estrada, who took his name out of the mix for the seat after he found that “the numbers didn’t add up,” was forthright about the importance of the seat being filled by a person of Hispanic heritage.
“The 20th legislative district is a Latino district, no matter what anybody claims,” he said. “The reality is we need to start recognizing Latinos' contribution to our society in terms of the work we do every day.”
Quijano, however, disputed Perkins-Auguste’s claim that her ethnicity is what ultimately won her the seat.
“I can’t say it’s solely because I’m latino. If you saw a number of individuals here, they were from a lot of nationalities, and I want to represent all of the community.
Defilippo, meanwhile, played up the fact that the race for the seat came down to two women, showcasing what she said was an effort to recruit more women into local government.
“I think were both were very articulate, but Annette has a depth of government experience,” she said.
-------------------------------------------
Update: Below is the response from Union County Republican Chairman Phil Morin.
"Tonight, the Union County Democratic machine had an opportunity to fill a disgraced former assemblyman's seat with a fresh face of change. Instead, party insiders have selected someone who represents more of the same. Instead of choosing someone who will change the culture of corruption in Trenton, they have chosen someone who is inextricably linked with the failed policies of the Corzine and McGreevey administrations. Undoubtedly, the newest member of the Trenton aristocracy will be a loyal footsoldier who will blindly vote for higher property taxes, bigger government and sweetheart deals for connected insiders.
It is hard to believe that someone who has served as legal counsel for Governor Corzine and undoubtedly advised him on initiatives such as the ill-fated toll tax plan to the latest COAH tax legislative disaster will be any different than her predecessor, who was more concerned with sparing a vicious dog's life than reducing the financial pressures on the overtaxed citizens of the 20th District.
Address :
Comments
Lesniak? DeFillippo? Cryan?
posted by Mr. Democrat
Was Quijano the candidate of Lesniak? I hadn't seen that reported anywhere.
Very close race. Makes it seem like the Bosses aren't in solid control (unless they just didn't have a preference between the two).
08/19/08 8:46 pm
------------------------------------------------
Phil Morin -A stand up guy offers good insights and interesting
posted by KathyCallahan
analysis of the -same old same old unispired and entirely predictable machine.
08/20/08 7:44 am
----------------------------------------------
They are in control, the bosses
posted by bitaryo
Remember the meeting was closed to the press and the public. What is reported is stage managed.
Still can't figure out why it is a Latino district with only a 24% share of the population.
08/20/08 7:52 am
Address :
August 19, 2008 - 8:34pm
Quijano narrowly wins Cohen seat
By Matt Friedman
Category: LocalTags: Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Annette Quijano
MOUNTAINSIDE -- Attorney Annette Quijano came to the Union County Democratic Committee’s special election tonight as the party leaders’ favorite to replace former Assemblyman Neil Cohen in District 20, but Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste put up a serious fight.
Quijano, 46, an assistant counsel to Gov. Corzine, bested Perkins-Auguste 87-82 in a vote by county committee members from the legislative district’s four towns: Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle and Union. It’s the first time a minority will fill a seat in the district, which despite having a minority-majority population, has long been represented by three white men.
Quijano’s term begins immediately. She replaces former Assemblyman Neil Cohen, who resigned from his seat amid allegations that he possessed child pornography on his legislative office computer. She will have to run again against a Republican in November to hold the seat, although the district’s registration breakdown makes her a near shoe-in.
Perkins-Auguste and Quijano both gave speeches in front of the committee members, but although members were voting to send a new legislator to Trenton, the meeting was closed to the press and general public.
The controversy surrounding Cohen made the occasion a little more somber than it otherwise would have been for Quijano.
“I’m excited, but I’m not. I’m saddened because these are the circumstances,” said Quijano, who didn’t let the accusation against Cohen get in the way of what she saw as an altruistic legislative legacy.
“I always admired Neil for being such an advocate for the people, and I have, as I see it, big shoes to try to fill. I used to sit in his Assembly financial institution committee and I saw first-hand how he was an advocate for the people,” she said.
Quijano, whose name did not pop up in the initial field of candidates, said that she was approached by “a few people” about running for the position. Although she’s never run for a legislative seat before, Quijano said that she’s always wanted to fill one.
But with such a whirlwind candidacy, Quijano hadn’t yet outlined much of her legislative agenda.
“I’m going to represent people in my community. We’re going through a tough economic period and I want to make sure that seniors don’t have to decide between groceries and medication. I want to bring jobs back into the district,” she said.
In her speech to the committee members – provided in written form after the meeting – Quijano listed her experience as a past experience as a campaign volunteer, her work as the Clerk of the Union County Freeholder board, and her work in as an assistant counsel during the McGreevey, Codey and Corzine administrations. She said that she would work to improve schools, fight for aid for cities and stabilize property taxes.
There were actually two votes tonight—one to send a legislator to fill part of Cohen’s unexpired term, and one on who should get the party’s nomination for the November election. After her defeat on the first vote, Perkins-Auguste moved to make the second vote unanimous for Quijano.
Despite that gracious move, however, Perkins-Auguste, who’s African-American, was critical of Quijano, accusing her of using her Hispanic heritage as a campaign ploy in a district where Hispanics outnumber blacks.
“She stood up there and said she was Latino… Basically she race-baited, but she’s entitled to that. You use what you have to your advantage.” she said.
Among Perkins-Auguste's allies was Joseph Adair, a reverend and relocation officer from Elizabeth who used to run the local NAACP has long been the councilwoman's political ally.
While not a county committee member himself, Adair bussed in 25 members from Elizabeth to support Perkins-Auguste, who he said had a better record of public service than Quijano.
“I don’t even know who[Quijano] is. I’ve lived in Union County for 46 years. Never heard of her. I have a problem with that," he said.
Although the local party’s heavy hitters like State Sen. Ray Lesniak, Assemblyman/Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan and County Chairwoman Charlotte DeFilippo remained officially neutral, Perkins-Auguste cast herself as the rebel candidate against the machine. She did, however, have Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage – a close Lesniak ally—behind her. Perkins-Auguste also expressed disappointment that committee members from Roselle went with Quijano instead of her.
“I went up against the machine, the political power brokers of the stat eof New Jersey. I lost by five votes. Ray Lesniak, Joe Cryan and Charlotte DeFilippo. People I have great respect for,” she said. “I believe in God and that’s who I get my direction from. I don’t believe in backroom politics. I believe in serving the people.”
Freeholder Director Angel Estrada, who took his name out of the mix for the seat after he found that “the numbers didn’t add up,” was forthright about the importance of the seat being filled by a person of Hispanic heritage.
“The 20th legislative district is a Latino district, no matter what anybody claims,” he said. “The reality is we need to start recognizing Latinos' contribution to our society in terms of the work we do every day.”
Quijano, however, disputed Perkins-Auguste’s claim that her ethnicity is what ultimately won her the seat.
“I can’t say it’s solely because I’m latino. If you saw a number of individuals here, they were from a lot of nationalities, and I want to represent all of the community.
Defilippo, meanwhile, played up the fact that the race for the seat came down to two women, showcasing what she said was an effort to recruit more women into local government.
“I think were both were very articulate, but Annette has a depth of government experience,” she said.
-------------------------------------------
Update: Below is the response from Union County Republican Chairman Phil Morin.
"Tonight, the Union County Democratic machine had an opportunity to fill a disgraced former assemblyman's seat with a fresh face of change. Instead, party insiders have selected someone who represents more of the same. Instead of choosing someone who will change the culture of corruption in Trenton, they have chosen someone who is inextricably linked with the failed policies of the Corzine and McGreevey administrations. Undoubtedly, the newest member of the Trenton aristocracy will be a loyal footsoldier who will blindly vote for higher property taxes, bigger government and sweetheart deals for connected insiders.
It is hard to believe that someone who has served as legal counsel for Governor Corzine and undoubtedly advised him on initiatives such as the ill-fated toll tax plan to the latest COAH tax legislative disaster will be any different than her predecessor, who was more concerned with sparing a vicious dog's life than reducing the financial pressures on the overtaxed citizens of the 20th District.
Address :
Comments
Lesniak? DeFillippo? Cryan?
posted by Mr. Democrat
Was Quijano the candidate of Lesniak? I hadn't seen that reported anywhere.
Very close race. Makes it seem like the Bosses aren't in solid control (unless they just didn't have a preference between the two).
08/19/08 8:46 pm
------------------------------------------------
Phil Morin -A stand up guy offers good insights and interesting
posted by KathyCallahan
analysis of the -same old same old unispired and entirely predictable machine.
08/20/08 7:44 am
----------------------------------------------
They are in control, the bosses
posted by bitaryo
Remember the meeting was closed to the press and the public. What is reported is stage managed.
Still can't figure out why it is a Latino district with only a 24% share of the population.
08/20/08 7:52 am
Address :
Muhlenberg - Westfield Leader - Closing hikes UC unemployment
Westfield Leader, 8/13/2008
Muhlenberg Closing Adds
To Unemployment Hike in Union County
By CHRISTINA M. HINKE
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
AREA – As of August 6, 300 Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center employees did not have jobs. This comes at a time when Union County’s unemployment rate rose to 5.6 percent in June (latest available), 1.1 percent higher than the average rate for 2007. Comparing it to the national and state average for June, Union County has slightly more out-of-work employees.
Tom Casey, vice president of public relations for Solaris Health Systems, said to The Westfield Leader July 31, “We found positions for roughly 650 employees mainly at JFK Medical.” Some, he said, have taken jobs at Solaris’ nursing facilities and other health service centers in Middlesex County.
He said 450 employees had resigned prior to the letter Nancy Fiamingo, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Muhlenberg, submitted to workers July 29, notifying them of the date the hospital would close. Of those who resigned, some took jobs at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth as mental health and psychology professionals, some went on to jobs elsewhere, and some retired. John Oatis, Fanwood volunteer rescue squad president, told The Leader that most of the doctors have moved from Muhlenberg.
Last Thursday, approximately 15 patients remained at Muhlenberg, and the hospital planned to move them the following day, according to Barbara Germinder, a volunteer at the medical center. Thursday was the last day for all volunteers. She said she did not have another volunteer post lined up yet but planned to find a position after the end of the year, once the holidays pass. The hospital halls were virtually empty, no one was sitting in the waiting room on the third floor, and three nurses manned the nursing station on the third floor last Thursday afternoon.
Most employees of the Plainfield medical center come from Union, Somerset and Middlesex counties, according to Mr. Casey. He did not have information about the number of displaced employees from each town or city. Of the people unemployed due to the closing of Muhlenberg are a mix of professional staff, including secretaries, clerks, clinical staff and service workers, such as food service and housekeeping. About five employees of Muhlenberg were asked to comment, last Thursday, on their career plan once the hospital closes, but no one wished to talk to the press. Administration declined to speak to the press as well.
A severance package was offered to those who did not take a job in the Solaris health system. Mr. Casey would not disclose specific details of the package but said the severance is in correlation with their position’s rate of pay and length of service to Muhlenberg. In compliance with state law, employees and their eligible dependents are entitled to receive medical coverage through COBRA, paid by the beneficiary. Mr. Casey did not have cost information. According to the state’s Division of Pension and Benefits website, the COBRA monthly payment is the “full group rate plus a 2 percent administration fee.”
Of the 650 people who stayed with Solaris, 200 to 250 employees will be on-site at Muhlenberg’s satellite emergency department to provide services. Diagnostic imaging, lab employees, dialysis, home care and medical records are also on the premises. The school of nursing adjacent to the hospital is unchanged at 300-plus students per year, according to Mr. Casey. The students will continue to attend classroom lectures and rotate through other acute-care facilities, including JFK and Overlook hospitals.
Muhlenberg Closing Adds
To Unemployment Hike in Union County
By CHRISTINA M. HINKE
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
AREA – As of August 6, 300 Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center employees did not have jobs. This comes at a time when Union County’s unemployment rate rose to 5.6 percent in June (latest available), 1.1 percent higher than the average rate for 2007. Comparing it to the national and state average for June, Union County has slightly more out-of-work employees.
Tom Casey, vice president of public relations for Solaris Health Systems, said to The Westfield Leader July 31, “We found positions for roughly 650 employees mainly at JFK Medical.” Some, he said, have taken jobs at Solaris’ nursing facilities and other health service centers in Middlesex County.
He said 450 employees had resigned prior to the letter Nancy Fiamingo, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Muhlenberg, submitted to workers July 29, notifying them of the date the hospital would close. Of those who resigned, some took jobs at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth as mental health and psychology professionals, some went on to jobs elsewhere, and some retired. John Oatis, Fanwood volunteer rescue squad president, told The Leader that most of the doctors have moved from Muhlenberg.
Last Thursday, approximately 15 patients remained at Muhlenberg, and the hospital planned to move them the following day, according to Barbara Germinder, a volunteer at the medical center. Thursday was the last day for all volunteers. She said she did not have another volunteer post lined up yet but planned to find a position after the end of the year, once the holidays pass. The hospital halls were virtually empty, no one was sitting in the waiting room on the third floor, and three nurses manned the nursing station on the third floor last Thursday afternoon.
Most employees of the Plainfield medical center come from Union, Somerset and Middlesex counties, according to Mr. Casey. He did not have information about the number of displaced employees from each town or city. Of the people unemployed due to the closing of Muhlenberg are a mix of professional staff, including secretaries, clerks, clinical staff and service workers, such as food service and housekeeping. About five employees of Muhlenberg were asked to comment, last Thursday, on their career plan once the hospital closes, but no one wished to talk to the press. Administration declined to speak to the press as well.
A severance package was offered to those who did not take a job in the Solaris health system. Mr. Casey would not disclose specific details of the package but said the severance is in correlation with their position’s rate of pay and length of service to Muhlenberg. In compliance with state law, employees and their eligible dependents are entitled to receive medical coverage through COBRA, paid by the beneficiary. Mr. Casey did not have cost information. According to the state’s Division of Pension and Benefits website, the COBRA monthly payment is the “full group rate plus a 2 percent administration fee.”
Of the 650 people who stayed with Solaris, 200 to 250 employees will be on-site at Muhlenberg’s satellite emergency department to provide services. Diagnostic imaging, lab employees, dialysis, home care and medical records are also on the premises. The school of nursing adjacent to the hospital is unchanged at 300-plus students per year, according to Mr. Casey. The students will continue to attend classroom lectures and rotate through other acute-care facilities, including JFK and Overlook hospitals.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Christie - Westfield Leader - Union County pols need to worry
Published in the Westfield Leader, June 26, 2008
[Christie wants to hear about Union County misconduct]
He's Going to Jail July 29, Christie Says of Sharpe James
By HORACE CORBIN
Specially written for the Westfield Leader
WESTFIELD -- U.S. Attorney Chris Christie said, "He's going to jail, July 29" referring to the sentencing of former Newark Mayor, and State Senator, Sharpe James, in an interview last Thursday with publisher, Horace Corbin, of The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times.
"We're asking for ten to 15-year sentencing from Judge [William] Martini who presides over the case," Mr. Christie said. "That sends a message to all other politicians in New Jersey who think they are untouchable." Unlike in state prison, federal prison inmates are not eligible for parole. 72-year-old James would likely be spending most, if not all, of the remainder of his life in jail. When asked about James' two Silver Cloud Rolls Royce's, yacht andshore estate, and if the taxpayers will ever see any of their money back, Mr. Christie said, "Unlikely. What we've convicted him of is relatively small in the context of what you're talking about."
The 40-minute interview with Mr. Christie can be viewed at goleader.com/video.
For seven years, Mr. Christie has served as U.S. Attorney with his office located in Newark and branches in Trenton and Camden. He said even his mother confuses his job with that of state Attorney General (AG). The U.S. Attorney is appointed by the President of the United States, confirmed by the Senate and is responsible for enforcing federal laws.
The AG is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and is responsible for enforcing state laws. Mr. Christie said he has a close relationship with recently appointed AG Anne Milgram. They confer once a week. He said she is a true professional and clearly understands the basis of prosecution. They often work together, as exemplified by the James conviction. He publicly admitted to not always having a good relationship with the AG's office, so referring to those formerly in the position, Peter Harvey and Zulima Farber. Mr. Christie said his opinion changed when Stuart Rabner was appointed as AG for one year, and now is Supreme Court chief justice. Mr. Rabner had worked for Mr. Christie in the U.S. Attorney's office.
With a 128-0 record of convicting corrupt public officials, Mr. Christie said he is proud of the accomplishments of his office. When asked why he did not press for more convictions, Mr. Christie said his office prepares a case and when they are absolutely sure they can get a conviction, they present the case to a jury. "An indictment damages a person's reputation, so we want to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt," he said.
Mr. Christie said his office pursues cases regardless of political affiliation, a tactic that helps him to avoid the reputation former governor Eliot Spitzer developed as attorney general in New York, with his aggressive style. Mr. Christie said he does not believe the state has turned the corner yet on the culture of corruption; however, the issue is foremost on many minds.
"Invariable," he said. "We're not going to prosecute our way out of corruption. Given 566 municipalities, 611 school districts, 21 counties and a $35-billion state budget, 128 convictions is a small number. "Still, we've shined a very, very bright light on the problem, and now there is enormous discussion of this at every corner. Six to seven years ago, that was not the case."
About the message getting down to all other levels and special interests, he said, "I really do [think so], but that doesn't mean, I'm not claiming we've changed behavior across the board." He added the U.S. Attorney's office has a "zero tolerance" policy. It takes two to three years to investigate a case and obtain a conviction. With his term coming to an end in a few months, he said we have a `very active' pipeline.
"Anyone who's breaking the law in Union County has to be nervous and beyond that, I will not be making any comment about any particular individuals," Mr. Christie said. Aside from political corruption, his office handles several other matters, such as drugs and organized crime.
One area of particular concern to him is human trafficking what he said is a "terrific tragedy." His office has prosecuted more such crimes than any other office in the country. He said due to New Jersey's diverse culture; criminals from Mexico, Central America, Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia could find a community in the state where they would not be conspicuous in contrast, say to Oklahoma. His office put two women in Federal prison for the next 17 years for the sex enslavement in Plainfield, of four teenage girls from Mexico.
However, his stance on immigration is somewhat different. "Being without proper documentation is not a crime," Mr. Christie said, pointing out the legal difference between illegal immigration and improper documentation. "I don't make the law, I just enforce it." He said someone could have an expired visa and that is not something a person can be arrested for in this country although they could be deported. However, entering the United States illegally and/or having false documents are a crime and one would be subject to arrest.
On criticism he received was from The New York Times over the hiring of John Ashcroft to oversee compliance of five companies that had been paying kickbacks to doctors; Mr. Christie responded that although Mr. Ashcroft may be a controversial, national figure, no one claimed he was unqualified for the job.
He said these five companies, which manufacture artificial hips and knees, have 95 percent of the market. Mr. Christie said the companies were illegally paying doctors to use only their products. He said this practice has been halted, and $511 million have been recovered to Medicare. Medicare pays for two-thirds of hip replacements in the country. He said several doctors involved in this situation are in his "pipeline," and are soon to come out, which he would not comment on at this time. Mr. Christie said he can't comment on his plans after the November Presidential election, and must focus on the duties of his office.
Asked if Presidential candidates Barack Obama or John McCain requested him to stay on, he quipped that it is unlikely that Mr. Obama would give him a call. Regarding Mr. McCain, he said it would be very difficult to turn down a request from a President, but he could only imagine the conversation that this would generate with his wife.
He advised the press to be diligent, and urged citizens to attend meetings, protest against faulty government and campaign against elected officials that break their promises. "Throw them out," he said.
Further, he said he knows it is possible for citizens in any town in to have a direct impact. When he lived in Westfield early in his marriage, he said he witnessed door-to-door citizen campaigns.
He asked anyone with a complaint of government or suspecting wrong-doing to call him in Newark at (973) 645-2700; or if they prefer, call the FBI in Newark at (973) 792-3000. He said he has e-mail but prefers to talk to people directly. He said they need not be concerned and he doesn't record his phone calls. "I'm here to serve you, the public."
He said he's "incredibly flattered" to be mentioned as a candidate for Governor next year, but said it is presumptuous for him to even consider it at this time.
Mr. Christie was born in Newark and raised in Livingston where he became friends with Senator Tom Kean, Jr., now of Westfield. Mr. Christie lives with his family today in Mendham.
Next year, for the first time in history, New Jersey will also choose a Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Corbin posed, "Could it be 'Christie and Kean, Perfect Together'?"
"LINK" to online story.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
[Christie wants to hear about Union County misconduct]
He's Going to Jail July 29, Christie Says of Sharpe James
By HORACE CORBIN
Specially written for the Westfield Leader
WESTFIELD -- U.S. Attorney Chris Christie said, "He's going to jail, July 29" referring to the sentencing of former Newark Mayor, and State Senator, Sharpe James, in an interview last Thursday with publisher, Horace Corbin, of The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times.
"We're asking for ten to 15-year sentencing from Judge [William] Martini who presides over the case," Mr. Christie said. "That sends a message to all other politicians in New Jersey who think they are untouchable." Unlike in state prison, federal prison inmates are not eligible for parole. 72-year-old James would likely be spending most, if not all, of the remainder of his life in jail. When asked about James' two Silver Cloud Rolls Royce's, yacht andshore estate, and if the taxpayers will ever see any of their money back, Mr. Christie said, "Unlikely. What we've convicted him of is relatively small in the context of what you're talking about."
The 40-minute interview with Mr. Christie can be viewed at goleader.com/video.
For seven years, Mr. Christie has served as U.S. Attorney with his office located in Newark and branches in Trenton and Camden. He said even his mother confuses his job with that of state Attorney General (AG). The U.S. Attorney is appointed by the President of the United States, confirmed by the Senate and is responsible for enforcing federal laws.
The AG is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and is responsible for enforcing state laws. Mr. Christie said he has a close relationship with recently appointed AG Anne Milgram. They confer once a week. He said she is a true professional and clearly understands the basis of prosecution. They often work together, as exemplified by the James conviction. He publicly admitted to not always having a good relationship with the AG's office, so referring to those formerly in the position, Peter Harvey and Zulima Farber. Mr. Christie said his opinion changed when Stuart Rabner was appointed as AG for one year, and now is Supreme Court chief justice. Mr. Rabner had worked for Mr. Christie in the U.S. Attorney's office.
With a 128-0 record of convicting corrupt public officials, Mr. Christie said he is proud of the accomplishments of his office. When asked why he did not press for more convictions, Mr. Christie said his office prepares a case and when they are absolutely sure they can get a conviction, they present the case to a jury. "An indictment damages a person's reputation, so we want to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt," he said.
Mr. Christie said his office pursues cases regardless of political affiliation, a tactic that helps him to avoid the reputation former governor Eliot Spitzer developed as attorney general in New York, with his aggressive style. Mr. Christie said he does not believe the state has turned the corner yet on the culture of corruption; however, the issue is foremost on many minds.
"Invariable," he said. "We're not going to prosecute our way out of corruption. Given 566 municipalities, 611 school districts, 21 counties and a $35-billion state budget, 128 convictions is a small number. "Still, we've shined a very, very bright light on the problem, and now there is enormous discussion of this at every corner. Six to seven years ago, that was not the case."
About the message getting down to all other levels and special interests, he said, "I really do [think so], but that doesn't mean, I'm not claiming we've changed behavior across the board." He added the U.S. Attorney's office has a "zero tolerance" policy. It takes two to three years to investigate a case and obtain a conviction. With his term coming to an end in a few months, he said we have a `very active' pipeline.
"Anyone who's breaking the law in Union County has to be nervous and beyond that, I will not be making any comment about any particular individuals," Mr. Christie said. Aside from political corruption, his office handles several other matters, such as drugs and organized crime.
One area of particular concern to him is human trafficking what he said is a "terrific tragedy." His office has prosecuted more such crimes than any other office in the country. He said due to New Jersey's diverse culture; criminals from Mexico, Central America, Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia could find a community in the state where they would not be conspicuous in contrast, say to Oklahoma. His office put two women in Federal prison for the next 17 years for the sex enslavement in Plainfield, of four teenage girls from Mexico.
However, his stance on immigration is somewhat different. "Being without proper documentation is not a crime," Mr. Christie said, pointing out the legal difference between illegal immigration and improper documentation. "I don't make the law, I just enforce it." He said someone could have an expired visa and that is not something a person can be arrested for in this country although they could be deported. However, entering the United States illegally and/or having false documents are a crime and one would be subject to arrest.
On criticism he received was from The New York Times over the hiring of John Ashcroft to oversee compliance of five companies that had been paying kickbacks to doctors; Mr. Christie responded that although Mr. Ashcroft may be a controversial, national figure, no one claimed he was unqualified for the job.
He said these five companies, which manufacture artificial hips and knees, have 95 percent of the market. Mr. Christie said the companies were illegally paying doctors to use only their products. He said this practice has been halted, and $511 million have been recovered to Medicare. Medicare pays for two-thirds of hip replacements in the country. He said several doctors involved in this situation are in his "pipeline," and are soon to come out, which he would not comment on at this time. Mr. Christie said he can't comment on his plans after the November Presidential election, and must focus on the duties of his office.
Asked if Presidential candidates Barack Obama or John McCain requested him to stay on, he quipped that it is unlikely that Mr. Obama would give him a call. Regarding Mr. McCain, he said it would be very difficult to turn down a request from a President, but he could only imagine the conversation that this would generate with his wife.
He advised the press to be diligent, and urged citizens to attend meetings, protest against faulty government and campaign against elected officials that break their promises. "Throw them out," he said.
Further, he said he knows it is possible for citizens in any town in to have a direct impact. When he lived in Westfield early in his marriage, he said he witnessed door-to-door citizen campaigns.
He asked anyone with a complaint of government or suspecting wrong-doing to call him in Newark at (973) 645-2700; or if they prefer, call the FBI in Newark at (973) 792-3000. He said he has e-mail but prefers to talk to people directly. He said they need not be concerned and he doesn't record his phone calls. "I'm here to serve you, the public."
He said he's "incredibly flattered" to be mentioned as a candidate for Governor next year, but said it is presumptuous for him to even consider it at this time.
Mr. Christie was born in Newark and raised in Livingston where he became friends with Senator Tom Kean, Jr., now of Westfield. Mr. Christie lives with his family today in Mendham.
Next year, for the first time in history, New Jersey will also choose a Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Corbin posed, "Could it be 'Christie and Kean, Perfect Together'?"
"LINK" to online story.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Elizabethport - Ledger - New Presbyterian Center
Published in the Star-Ledger, Wednesday, November 28, 2007
In Elizabethport, a new facility for an old friend
Presbyterian Center breaks ground on $4.1M building
BY JONATHAN CASIANO
Star-Ledger Staff
As a child growing up in Elizabeth, Lamar Grady was a "Pres kid."
He attended preschool at the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center, partied there as a teenager and was awarded a college scholarship by the center when he graduated high school.
Now a father and local businessman, Grady's two sons attend the center's summer camp, not to mention his grandmother, who relies on "the Pres" for its senior services, or his cousin, who is one of the center's 55 employees.
"Everybody down here comes through the Pres," said Grady. "The Pres gave many of us a window of opportunity to enjoy our lives stress-free while growing up in this neighborhood."
Yesterday, Grady joined the crowd gathered on First Street to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Elizabethport Presbyterian Center, a $4.1 million, 27,000-square-foot building that will replace the deteriorating structure the nonprofit organization has occupied since its founding more than 40 years ago. When complete, the new building will be a full five times larger than the current building and better suited for the center's ever-growing list of offerings.
"Our program has expanded so much, we simply don't have enough room to provide all the services that are needed on a daily basis," said Executive Director Rod Spearman.
"I'm so excited I could almost sing," said Rev. Russell Block, chairman of the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center's board.
Started in 1965 by members of the Presbyterian Church concerned about the lack of jobs and social services in the Elizabethport neighborhood, Elizabethport Presbyterian has evolved into a one-stop community anchor offering day care, after-school care, tutoring, job training, parenting classes, computer classes, record expungement for ex-offenders, senior services and a food pantry. In the mid-1980s, the center's board of directors spun off another nonprofit organization, Brand New Day, which has been a driving force behind the construction of new affordable housing in the area.
Spearman said the center currently serves some 1,500 people each year, from kids who come in every day after school to seniors who come in once a year for Thanksgiving dinner.
"Every community needs a center and this is going to be the heart and soul, just as it's been since 1965, of this growing and thriving community," said State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), at yesterday's event.
Funded primarily through private donations, state tax credits and city grants, the new Elizabethport Presbyterian Center will feature six classrooms, an indoor playground, computer education center, community rooms and administrative offices.
The old two-story building will be demolished within the next three weeks, said Spearman, after which construction of the new building will begin in earnest. It is expected to open its doors in June 2009. In the meantime, the center's programs will operate out of three temporary sites in the neighborhood, Spearman said.
Officials at the groundbreaking lauded the new center as yet another sign of the city's ongoing effort to revitalize Elizabethport. Long one of the city's most impoverished neighborhoods, Elizabethport has witnessed tremendous changes in recent years, from new housing on the waterfront to a variety of new businesses on its main avenues.
In recent weeks, the community has been shaken by a rash of gun violence, notably the shooting death of 13-year-old Elijah Henderson as he rode his bike on nearby Fulton Street, and the shooting of a 54-year-old Brazilian immigrant two days later.
But yesterday's groundbreaking seemed to renew the hope that's been percolating in the Port.
"This new building will have coming from within its walls many new sounds from the people's lives we touch," said former center director Rev. Joseph Garlic. "It's going to be a beautiful building."
Online story here. Archived here.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
In Elizabethport, a new facility for an old friend
Presbyterian Center breaks ground on $4.1M building
BY JONATHAN CASIANO
Star-Ledger Staff
As a child growing up in Elizabeth, Lamar Grady was a "Pres kid."
He attended preschool at the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center, partied there as a teenager and was awarded a college scholarship by the center when he graduated high school.
Now a father and local businessman, Grady's two sons attend the center's summer camp, not to mention his grandmother, who relies on "the Pres" for its senior services, or his cousin, who is one of the center's 55 employees.
"Everybody down here comes through the Pres," said Grady. "The Pres gave many of us a window of opportunity to enjoy our lives stress-free while growing up in this neighborhood."
Yesterday, Grady joined the crowd gathered on First Street to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Elizabethport Presbyterian Center, a $4.1 million, 27,000-square-foot building that will replace the deteriorating structure the nonprofit organization has occupied since its founding more than 40 years ago. When complete, the new building will be a full five times larger than the current building and better suited for the center's ever-growing list of offerings.
"Our program has expanded so much, we simply don't have enough room to provide all the services that are needed on a daily basis," said Executive Director Rod Spearman.
"I'm so excited I could almost sing," said Rev. Russell Block, chairman of the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center's board.
Started in 1965 by members of the Presbyterian Church concerned about the lack of jobs and social services in the Elizabethport neighborhood, Elizabethport Presbyterian has evolved into a one-stop community anchor offering day care, after-school care, tutoring, job training, parenting classes, computer classes, record expungement for ex-offenders, senior services and a food pantry. In the mid-1980s, the center's board of directors spun off another nonprofit organization, Brand New Day, which has been a driving force behind the construction of new affordable housing in the area.
Spearman said the center currently serves some 1,500 people each year, from kids who come in every day after school to seniors who come in once a year for Thanksgiving dinner.
"Every community needs a center and this is going to be the heart and soul, just as it's been since 1965, of this growing and thriving community," said State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), at yesterday's event.
Funded primarily through private donations, state tax credits and city grants, the new Elizabethport Presbyterian Center will feature six classrooms, an indoor playground, computer education center, community rooms and administrative offices.
The old two-story building will be demolished within the next three weeks, said Spearman, after which construction of the new building will begin in earnest. It is expected to open its doors in June 2009. In the meantime, the center's programs will operate out of three temporary sites in the neighborhood, Spearman said.
Officials at the groundbreaking lauded the new center as yet another sign of the city's ongoing effort to revitalize Elizabethport. Long one of the city's most impoverished neighborhoods, Elizabethport has witnessed tremendous changes in recent years, from new housing on the waterfront to a variety of new businesses on its main avenues.
In recent weeks, the community has been shaken by a rash of gun violence, notably the shooting death of 13-year-old Elijah Henderson as he rode his bike on nearby Fulton Street, and the shooting of a 54-year-old Brazilian immigrant two days later.
But yesterday's groundbreaking seemed to renew the hope that's been percolating in the Port.
"This new building will have coming from within its walls many new sounds from the people's lives we touch," said former center director Rev. Joseph Garlic. "It's going to be a beautiful building."
Online story here. Archived here.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Friday, November 09, 2007
DeFilippo - Ledger - State launches investigation
Published in the Star-Ledger, Friday, November 9, 2007
Probe focuses on Union politicos
Subpoenas seek info from top Democrats
BY IAN T. SHEARN
Star-Ledger Staff
State officials have opened an investigation into matters involving some of Union County's most powerful Democrats, The Star-Ledger has learned.
The focus of the ongoing investigation points toward county Democratic Chairwoman Charlotte DeFilippo, the former freeholder who heads the Union County Improvement Authority and is a legislative aide to Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Union).
DeFilippo confirmed the existence of five subpoenas that demand documents and information about her public and private business dealings. The contents of the subpoenas, which were served in September and October, were described by DeFilippo this week in an interview.
"When you wear several hats, you acquire enemies over the years," she said.
DeFilippo is a towering political figure in Union County, where Democrats dominate most town councils and have held a 9-0 lock on the freeholder board since 1997. She does not hold elected office. But as head of the county committee, DeFilippo hand-picks the Democratic candidates for freeholder, mayor and council in the county.
According to DeFilippo, the subpoenas seek:
According to documents, Camelot's owners also include Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), who said he was a "passive investor" with a 5 percent stake in the firm. Last year, he reported between $10,000 and $25,000 in income from Camelot on his state financial disclosure form.
"I haven't seen any subpoenas, haven't been contacted by anyone," said Cryan, who is also state Democratic chairman.
DeFilippo, who owns 10 percent of the company, is not required to report how much she makes from Camelot, and declined to tell The Star-Ledger. DeFilippo also said she has had no involvement with the operation of the company since she helped promote it during its startup three years ago.
"I'm a small piece of a cog of the wheel," DeFilippo said. Asked why she was brought into the partnership she said, "because I know a lot of people."
The late Sen. Joseph Suliga (D-Union) was a founding partner in Camelot, which performs title searches, sells title insurance and refinances mortgages, DeFilippo said. Other founding partners included Steve Edwards, she said.
Edwards is also the founder of Business & Government Insurance Agency, which does business with numerous governmental agencies in New Jersey, including six towns in Union County. Phone and e-mail messages left with Edwards yesterday were not returned.
DeFilippo said the Union County Improvement Authority had never used Camelot Title in any of its real estate transactions.
Real estate records do show that Camelot filed papers in 2005 as part of a deal in which the Improvement Authority sold land to a developer. But it appears Camelot was hired by the developer, and not the Improvement Authority.
"We have absolutely never issued any money to Camelot," she said.
A phone message left yesterday for Robert Sebia, who is Camelot's president, was not returned.
As for her $10,000-per-year job as a legislative aide to Cohen, DeFilippo said she has been doing that job since 1990 and provides Cohen analysis and recommendations on legislative and budget matters.
Cohen corroborated her explanation.
"She has one of the most brilliant minds in the state," he said.
Another subpoena directed at DeFilippo and the Union County Democratic Committee asks for all records pertaining to the 2006 Roselle primary, DeFilippo said.
Criminal Justice investigators have also served subpoenas on the county Board of Elections, officials have said, asking about the handling of absentee ballots during last year's Democratic primary.
DeFilippo said the state subpoena delivered to her committee seeks all records of the party's involvement in that race.
The subpoena served on the Improvement Authority is less specific.
"Basically they want to see everything we've done here since 2004," she said. "We'll be shipping it in a truck."
DeFilippo said she is complying with all the subpoenas and welcomes the scrutiny.
"I've been involved in politics for 35 years, and I do it in the most aboveboard and transparent manner," she said. "I just want to know who's going to say, 'Sorry, Charlotte' when this is all over."
Jonathan Casiano contributed to this report. Ian T. Shearn may be reached at ishearn@starledger.com or (973) 392-1671.
Online story here. Archived here.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Probe focuses on Union politicos
Subpoenas seek info from top Democrats
BY IAN T. SHEARN
Star-Ledger Staff
State officials have opened an investigation into matters involving some of Union County's most powerful Democrats, The Star-Ledger has learned.
The focus of the ongoing investigation points toward county Democratic Chairwoman Charlotte DeFilippo, the former freeholder who heads the Union County Improvement Authority and is a legislative aide to Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Union).
DeFilippo confirmed the existence of five subpoenas that demand documents and information about her public and private business dealings. The contents of the subpoenas, which were served in September and October, were described by DeFilippo this week in an interview.
"When you wear several hats, you acquire enemies over the years," she said.
DeFilippo is a towering political figure in Union County, where Democrats dominate most town councils and have held a 9-0 lock on the freeholder board since 1997. She does not hold elected office. But as head of the county committee, DeFilippo hand-picks the Democratic candidates for freeholder, mayor and council in the county.
According to DeFilippo, the subpoenas seek:
- Financial and other documents for the last three years from the Improvement Authority, which each year awards millions in contracts to construction, law and engineering firms.
- An explanation of her duties as Cohen's aide. Cohen said he also received a subpoena in late October, asking for any records pertaining to his employment of DeFilippo.
- All records relating to the county Democratic Committee's involvement in last year's primary election in Roselle, in which allegations of voter fraud are being investigated by the state Division of Criminal Justice.
- A client list and financial records from Camelot Title Agency, a Woodbridge company in which DeFilippo owns a minority stake.
According to documents, Camelot's owners also include Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), who said he was a "passive investor" with a 5 percent stake in the firm. Last year, he reported between $10,000 and $25,000 in income from Camelot on his state financial disclosure form.
"I haven't seen any subpoenas, haven't been contacted by anyone," said Cryan, who is also state Democratic chairman.
DeFilippo, who owns 10 percent of the company, is not required to report how much she makes from Camelot, and declined to tell The Star-Ledger. DeFilippo also said she has had no involvement with the operation of the company since she helped promote it during its startup three years ago.
"I'm a small piece of a cog of the wheel," DeFilippo said. Asked why she was brought into the partnership she said, "because I know a lot of people."
The late Sen. Joseph Suliga (D-Union) was a founding partner in Camelot, which performs title searches, sells title insurance and refinances mortgages, DeFilippo said. Other founding partners included Steve Edwards, she said.
Edwards is also the founder of Business & Government Insurance Agency, which does business with numerous governmental agencies in New Jersey, including six towns in Union County. Phone and e-mail messages left with Edwards yesterday were not returned.
DeFilippo said the Union County Improvement Authority had never used Camelot Title in any of its real estate transactions.
Real estate records do show that Camelot filed papers in 2005 as part of a deal in which the Improvement Authority sold land to a developer. But it appears Camelot was hired by the developer, and not the Improvement Authority.
"We have absolutely never issued any money to Camelot," she said.
A phone message left yesterday for Robert Sebia, who is Camelot's president, was not returned.
As for her $10,000-per-year job as a legislative aide to Cohen, DeFilippo said she has been doing that job since 1990 and provides Cohen analysis and recommendations on legislative and budget matters.
Cohen corroborated her explanation.
"She has one of the most brilliant minds in the state," he said.
Another subpoena directed at DeFilippo and the Union County Democratic Committee asks for all records pertaining to the 2006 Roselle primary, DeFilippo said.
Criminal Justice investigators have also served subpoenas on the county Board of Elections, officials have said, asking about the handling of absentee ballots during last year's Democratic primary.
DeFilippo said the state subpoena delivered to her committee seeks all records of the party's involvement in that race.
The subpoena served on the Improvement Authority is less specific.
"Basically they want to see everything we've done here since 2004," she said. "We'll be shipping it in a truck."
DeFilippo said she is complying with all the subpoenas and welcomes the scrutiny.
"I've been involved in politics for 35 years, and I do it in the most aboveboard and transparent manner," she said. "I just want to know who's going to say, 'Sorry, Charlotte' when this is all over."
Jonathan Casiano contributed to this report. Ian T. Shearn may be reached at ishearn@starledger.com or (973) 392-1671.
Online story here. Archived here.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Roselle Park - Ledger - Braun: Montoya has video on her side
Published in the Star-Ledger, Thursday, July 26, 2007
BOB BRAUN
Arrested Samaritan has police video on her side
A videotape taken by the Roselle Park police provides more details of a recent incident in which a young mother helping a victim at the scene of an accident found herself in handcuffs.
The videotape shows how in a span of 25 minutes, Monica Montoya, 25, of Elizabeth was reduced from a dutiful good Samaritan to a wailing and frightened mother handcuffed in the back of a police car moments after a police officer had forced her to the pavement and arrested her.
"I have to pick up my baby!" Montoya cries out from a back seat of a police car after her arrest the morning of June 20 -- an arrest that came, the tape shows, after she spent about 20 minutes helping the police with a traffic accident victim. "My baby! My baby!"
"Stop it!" shouts the officer who arrested her, Harold Breuninger. Later, he yells, "Stop talking!"
The tape also includes an off-camera discussion of what charges the cops should bring against the woman who, on her way from work to catch a bus to pick up her 6-year-old daughter from the child's first day at a new school, stopped to help another woman struck by a senior citizens' van.
A second, so far unidentified policeman, discussing the charges with Breuninger, expresses concern about what happened at East Westfield Avenue and Chestnut Street.
"It was my call and now it's totally f-----d up," the officer says. Why he says "my call" is unclear, but the tape opens with his dispatch to the scene and could be a reference to his call to the accident by headquarters.
Montoya ultimately was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest.
The tape and police reports on the incident were obtained by The Star-Ledger from Martin Perez, Montoya's lawyer, after the Roselle Park police department denied the newspaper's request, filed under the Open Public Records Act, for all related documents.
All previous inquiries to the police department about the incident have been referred to Lt. Paul Morrison, who has declined to discuss details of the incident because, he said, it is under investigation.
Yesterday, I told Morris the paper had obtained a copy of the tape and the arrest report and asked him for comment on details. He again declined "due to the ongoing investigation."
The video depiction tends to contradict paper reports filed by the police, but seems to corroborate what Montoya told The Star-Ledger in an earlier interview for a column that appeared July 9.
For example, Breuninger writes in his report:
"The entire time she was acting very irrational, refusing to listen to me or to focus on what I was saying to her."
But the tape shows that, for most of the time recorded, Montoya was calm and helpful to police, tending to the wounded woman -- Vilma Bellido, 58, of Kenilworth -- and calling the victim's relatives with a cell phone borrowed from a plainclothes policeman.
Later on the tape, Montoya appears to be asking to again borrow the same phone to arrange for someone to pick up her daughter. She becomes obviously upset -- but hardly irrational. She is depicted gesturing with her hands; in a separate interview, she said she was trying to persuade the cops that she was late getting to Elizabeth's P.S. 12 where her daughter, Emily, had just started summer school.
Montoya said she was told the detective's phone had no power, yet the detective, after she leaves him, is shown using it.
In the video, she walks off-camera, followed by Brueninger. She said she went to a crowd to ask bystanders for a cell phone. Her arrest then occurs off-camera, behind the detective's car, but the tape captures Montoya's screams -- including, her cry: "What are you doing?" People at the scene stop to look at what has happened, but no one intervenes.
Breuninger's police report contends she refused to talk to him and then refused to allow herself to be handcuffed and "flailed" her arms.
Montoya, in her interview, says she was trying to find a cell phone. Exactly what happens during the actual arrest cannot be seen.
But moments later Montoya suddenly appears on the screen, handcuffed and crying, led to the police car by Breuninger -- who is heard referring to the woman as Monica. The police report he filed states she refused to give her name.
Montoya said in the interview that she gave her name to the police. On the tape, she can be heard saying, "You know me!" -- an apparent reference to her job as a counter worker at a Dunkin' Donuts a block from the incident on Westfield Avenue, a place frequented by Roselle Park police.
The police report describes Montoya as 5-4, 120 pounds; in the tape, as in person, she appears smaller -- perhaps 5 feet, about 100 pounds. Breuninger's report explains why he forced her down, an action that raised a major bruise on her face:
"Because she was out of control, and I felt that she may be a danger to herself and me, I forcefully took her to the ground to control her and then handcuffed her. As a result of being taken to the ground, she obtained (sic) an abrasion to her left forehead and some minor scratches and marks on her arms."
Once in the police car, Breuninger finally allows her to use a cell phone and she calls a co-worker -- Emily's grandmother -- to arrange to have someone pick up the child.
Later, the car's driver -- not Breuninger -- tries to soothe Montoya, who is still crying.
"You okay, sweetheart?"
"I was trying to be a friend," she answers.
"You are my friend," the driver says.
"I needed a phone."
"I saw, I saw," the policeman says.
"I just wanted to pick up my baby," Montoya says.
Bob Braun's columns appear Monday and Thursday. He may be reached at rbraun@starledger.com or (973) 392-4281. Updates to this and other Braun columns can be found on line at http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/
Online story here.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
BOB BRAUN
Arrested Samaritan has police video on her side
A videotape taken by the Roselle Park police provides more details of a recent incident in which a young mother helping a victim at the scene of an accident found herself in handcuffs.
The videotape shows how in a span of 25 minutes, Monica Montoya, 25, of Elizabeth was reduced from a dutiful good Samaritan to a wailing and frightened mother handcuffed in the back of a police car moments after a police officer had forced her to the pavement and arrested her.
"I have to pick up my baby!" Montoya cries out from a back seat of a police car after her arrest the morning of June 20 -- an arrest that came, the tape shows, after she spent about 20 minutes helping the police with a traffic accident victim. "My baby! My baby!"
"Stop it!" shouts the officer who arrested her, Harold Breuninger. Later, he yells, "Stop talking!"
The tape also includes an off-camera discussion of what charges the cops should bring against the woman who, on her way from work to catch a bus to pick up her 6-year-old daughter from the child's first day at a new school, stopped to help another woman struck by a senior citizens' van.
A second, so far unidentified policeman, discussing the charges with Breuninger, expresses concern about what happened at East Westfield Avenue and Chestnut Street.
"It was my call and now it's totally f-----d up," the officer says. Why he says "my call" is unclear, but the tape opens with his dispatch to the scene and could be a reference to his call to the accident by headquarters.
Montoya ultimately was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest.
The tape and police reports on the incident were obtained by The Star-Ledger from Martin Perez, Montoya's lawyer, after the Roselle Park police department denied the newspaper's request, filed under the Open Public Records Act, for all related documents.
All previous inquiries to the police department about the incident have been referred to Lt. Paul Morrison, who has declined to discuss details of the incident because, he said, it is under investigation.
Yesterday, I told Morris the paper had obtained a copy of the tape and the arrest report and asked him for comment on details. He again declined "due to the ongoing investigation."
The video depiction tends to contradict paper reports filed by the police, but seems to corroborate what Montoya told The Star-Ledger in an earlier interview for a column that appeared July 9.
For example, Breuninger writes in his report:
"The entire time she was acting very irrational, refusing to listen to me or to focus on what I was saying to her."
But the tape shows that, for most of the time recorded, Montoya was calm and helpful to police, tending to the wounded woman -- Vilma Bellido, 58, of Kenilworth -- and calling the victim's relatives with a cell phone borrowed from a plainclothes policeman.
Later on the tape, Montoya appears to be asking to again borrow the same phone to arrange for someone to pick up her daughter. She becomes obviously upset -- but hardly irrational. She is depicted gesturing with her hands; in a separate interview, she said she was trying to persuade the cops that she was late getting to Elizabeth's P.S. 12 where her daughter, Emily, had just started summer school.
Montoya said she was told the detective's phone had no power, yet the detective, after she leaves him, is shown using it.
In the video, she walks off-camera, followed by Brueninger. She said she went to a crowd to ask bystanders for a cell phone. Her arrest then occurs off-camera, behind the detective's car, but the tape captures Montoya's screams -- including, her cry: "What are you doing?" People at the scene stop to look at what has happened, but no one intervenes.
Breuninger's police report contends she refused to talk to him and then refused to allow herself to be handcuffed and "flailed" her arms.
Montoya, in her interview, says she was trying to find a cell phone. Exactly what happens during the actual arrest cannot be seen.
But moments later Montoya suddenly appears on the screen, handcuffed and crying, led to the police car by Breuninger -- who is heard referring to the woman as Monica. The police report he filed states she refused to give her name.
Montoya said in the interview that she gave her name to the police. On the tape, she can be heard saying, "You know me!" -- an apparent reference to her job as a counter worker at a Dunkin' Donuts a block from the incident on Westfield Avenue, a place frequented by Roselle Park police.
The police report describes Montoya as 5-4, 120 pounds; in the tape, as in person, she appears smaller -- perhaps 5 feet, about 100 pounds. Breuninger's report explains why he forced her down, an action that raised a major bruise on her face:
"Because she was out of control, and I felt that she may be a danger to herself and me, I forcefully took her to the ground to control her and then handcuffed her. As a result of being taken to the ground, she obtained (sic) an abrasion to her left forehead and some minor scratches and marks on her arms."
Once in the police car, Breuninger finally allows her to use a cell phone and she calls a co-worker -- Emily's grandmother -- to arrange to have someone pick up the child.
Later, the car's driver -- not Breuninger -- tries to soothe Montoya, who is still crying.
"You okay, sweetheart?"
"I was trying to be a friend," she answers.
"You are my friend," the driver says.
"I needed a phone."
"I saw, I saw," the policeman says.
"I just wanted to pick up my baby," Montoya says.
Bob Braun's columns appear Monday and Thursday. He may be reached at rbraun@starledger.com or (973) 392-4281. Updates to this and other Braun columns can be found on line at http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/
Online story here.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Saturday, July 14, 2007
CDBG Awards - Courier - County gets recognition, Plainfield doesn't
Published in the Courier News, Saturday, July 14, 2007
[CDBG grants]
County receives John A. Sasso Award
Union County recently received the John A. Sasso Award in recognition for exemplary utilization of Community Development Block Grant Funds in low- and moderate-income and urban communities.
To be eligible for the award, applicants must give evidence, usually based on past programs, that the commitment exists to improve the lives of its lower income residents.
Union County's distribution of Community Development Block Grant Funds have supported such programs as The Center for Hope Hospice, the Cerebral Palsy League, and more.
Named for the founder of the National Community Development Association, the John A. Sasso Award was one of five national awards given at the association's annual meeting June 21 in San Francisco.
-- Bradley W. Wadlow
Link to online story.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
[CDBG grants]
County receives John A. Sasso Award
Union County recently received the John A. Sasso Award in recognition for exemplary utilization of Community Development Block Grant Funds in low- and moderate-income and urban communities.
To be eligible for the award, applicants must give evidence, usually based on past programs, that the commitment exists to improve the lives of its lower income residents.
Union County's distribution of Community Development Block Grant Funds have supported such programs as The Center for Hope Hospice, the Cerebral Palsy League, and more.
Named for the founder of the National Community Development Association, the John A. Sasso Award was one of five national awards given at the association's annual meeting June 21 in San Francisco.
-- Bradley W. Wadlow
Link to online story.
(Note: Online stories may be taken down by their publisher after a period of time or made available for a fee. Links posted here is from the original online publication of this piece.)
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff and Clippings have no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of these articles nor are Plainfield Today, Plainfield Stuff or Clippings endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
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