New Jersey News Round-Up Friday, January 5
Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 10:20:25 AM EST
And how\’s the new year been treating you so far?
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Democrats partied like it was 1992 last night at Doll\’s Place in New Brunswick. Over a hundred of them gathered at the event, sponsored by a variety of state Democratic and progressive organizations, including BlueJersey, to eat, drink, and enjoy the Party\’s success. With Congressman Rush Holt highly visible all evening on C-Span (where he was discussing energy policy on the floor of the House), they were addressed by State Party Chair and Assemblymember Joe Cryan as well as Assemblymember Linda Stender. Also in attendance were congressional candidates Carol Gay and Rich Sexton and Morris County Freeholder candidate Dana Wefer.
Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) has introduced major ethics reform proposals. With the past two elections marred by significant complaints of corruption, reforms are needed to restore public confidence and clean up government. The proposed changes have received support from Governor Corzine. (It might also be a good idea to make it illegal for a legislator to work for UMDNJ.)
Jersey City Deputy Mayor Ador Equipado resigned last night amid allegations that he demanded money to perform a wedding ceremony and promoted his phone service business at the wedding. Jersey City does not allow its officials to charge fees for performing weddings or civil ceremonies. (Hardly a day goes by, you know what I\’m sayin\’?)
Arijit De resigned Thursday from his post as head of Camden\’s redevelopment project. Redevelopment project have been stalled due to court challenges and community opposition. Supporters of De pointed to his commitment to the project and the city, while opponents claim that he did not take resident wishes into account. Some of his plans would have required thousands of residents to give up their older homes. (In a refreshing change, De did notresign amid corruption charges.)
From the The Job\’s Not Over Until the Paperwork Is Done Department comes the story of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, which failed to charge polluters $10 million to clean up their messes because they didn\’t do the paperwork. DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson said the DEP is working on a new billing system to fix things.
You knew it was going to happen. Now that the notion of lowering costs by consolidating of services has caught on, some small town officials are opposing it. Watch your hyperbole meters, folks:
\”It\’s one of the most dangerous bills that is floating out there,\” said Metuchen Mayor Edmund O\’Brien, referring to a measure that would create a County Superintendent, consolidate municipal services and move school and fire district elections to November among other changes.
A budget review meeting in Trenton became a sort of Festivus event as parents took the opportunity for airing their grievances regarding the state of Trenton\’s public schools. (\”I got a lot of problems with you people!\”…\”Festivus\” is a Seinfeld reference, for those who were confused by it.)
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