>DEMOCRAT BURT ROSS WHO SYMBOLIZES HONEST GOVERNMENT ENDORSES KATHE DONOVAN
Former Mayor who ignored mob death threats and rejected $500,000 bribe denounces McNerney, Democrat corruption
Burt Ross, the one-time Democrat Mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey who drew national attention and fame when he ignored death threats from organized crime figures, rejected their $500,000 bribe and played a key role aiding the FBI in their apprehension and conviction has endorsed Republican Kathe Donovan for Bergen County Executive.
In his endorsement statement Ross said, “The choice is simple-do we want an honest, independent, and intelligent leader who has served all of us for decades without a blemish on her record or do we want to reelect a person who has helped the Democratic Party Machine feed itself at the expense of the people? Do we want somebody who will serve us or somebody who will keep the patronage flowing at our expense. It’s as simple a choice as that.”
A full copy of Ross’s statement follows.
Donovan said that she was overwhelmed by Ross’s endorsement. “I was in awe of Burt Ross’ incredible courage and dedication to the principles of good, honest government then and remain so today. He is the standard by which all public officials should be measured. I am truly humbled by his support.”
Donovan has also been endorsed by the Bergen County Police Chiefs’ Association, Bergen Grassroots the good government activist organization, The New Jersey Laborers International Union and the Sierra Club.
Burt Ross Endorsement of Kathe Donovan for County Executive
As a life-long Democrat who has held both elected and appointed office in this State, I have never endorsed a Republican for public office until now, but the culture of pay to play in our county government is so pervasive, the stench of corruption so overpowering, that my decision is easy – I am wholeheartedly endorsing Kathe Donovan for Bergen County Executive.
The choice is simple – do we want an honest, independent, and intelligent leader who has served all of us for decades without a blemish on her record or do we want to reelect a person who has helped the Democratic Party Machine feed itself at the expense of the people? Do we want somebody who will serve us or somebody who will keep the patronage flowing at our expense? It’s as simple a choice as that.
Kathe Donovan is a Republican and I continue to believe the Democrat Party best represents the needs of all citizens. Kathe and I do not agree on every issue. But on the critical issue of intellectual and practical honesty we are in total agreement. Kathe Donovan is a public servant who has earned the public’s trust and support.
We in Bergen County are well educated and well informed. We do not want nor do we deserve the kind of political machine for which Jersey City was known in the 1930’s and 1940’s. We want our elected officials to represent us, not themselves and their cronies.
I have watched with pain the County Democratic Party which used to represent our highest ideals gradually become a Tammany Hall like machine more interested in taking care of its own than the public at large. I will continue to be a Democrat and I truly believe that most elected officials regardless of party affiliation try their best for the public good, but a relatively small group of individuals has taken control of the County Democratic Party these past several years and the public has suffered the consequences.
I personally regret having remained silent for so long, but the indictments and convictions of key Democrats who controlled the County government and the corruption emanating from the Bergen County Improvement Authority whose key players were appointed by the incumbent are impossible to ignore. Enough is enough. I am voting for Kathe Donovan
