Bergen County GOP Chairman Bob Yudin
Citing four years of losses, GOP officials call on Bergen chairman to step down
NOVEMBER 4, 2015, 9:20 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015, 10:30 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Citing four years of losses by their party in Bergen County elections, three Republicans officials Wednesday called on County Chairman Bob Yudin to step down, including one – Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney – who announced plans to challenge him for the job.
Yudin dismissed the critics, saying that such comments were to be expected after a defeat. He blamed the party’s losses in Tuesday’s freeholder election largely on being outspent 7-1 by the Democrats.
“It’s almost impossible for us to win county wide because of the huge sums that are coming in,” Yudin said Wednesday, citing support the Democrats got from labor unions.
Posted by Matthew Gilson On November 04, 2015 1 Comment
By Matthew Gilson | The Save Jersey Blog
Let’s dive right in, Save Jerseyans…
#1 – District 36 Got Even More Republican Locally
While things were dicey across the county, Republicans once again exceeded expectations in District 36, sweeping all the competitive races. The surprise of the night came in Wallington where two Republican challengers will join Chris Sinisi andSharon Robie on the council in January to create the first Republican majority in the town in decades.
In Carlstadt, though not unexpected Councilman Craig Lahullier scored a landslide victory along with his running mates to keep the town in firm Republican hands. Rutherford proved another solid victory for Mayor Joe DeSalvo and his team who now hold a 4-2 advantage on the council. While expected, it is nonetheless amazing that North Arlington, a town where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1, will now be completely Republican controlled as top vote-getter Brian Fitzhenry and his team clobbered the Democratic incumbents.
District 36 GOP’ers cleaned-up on a night with not a lot to be excited about elsewhere. They are the model for which the entire county should be running elections.
#2 – John Cosgrove Did More Than Enough to Cement Himself to Take on Bob Gordon
He may not have carried his running mates, but Mayor John Cosgrove was hundreds of votes ahead of his nearest Democratic competitor. I noted earlier that a big victory would set up Cosgrove to take on Gordon in 2017, and he put on a show made even more impressive by the fact that it was a dismal night for many in towns near him.
Republicans lost in the neighboring District 38 towns including Paramus and Glen Rock. While the lost Republican seats will be our top targets in 2017, Cosgrove gives Republicans a top-flight candidate to take on Gordon. Much like the “Scarpa or bust” chants of this year, the discussion of who should take on Gordon begins and ends with Cosgrove. But speaking of popular mayors in the swing district….
#3 – Popular Candidates Can Still Beat Machines
Nothing put on a smile on my face more than the re-election of Norman Schmelz in Bergenfield. Norman is truly one of the good guys and a dedicated mayor, but he faced an onslaught of dirty attacks by his opponents including a full-blown attack website. Knowing the overwhelming Democratic tilt of the town, Democrats tried to tie Norman to Chris Christie, Scott Garrett, Anthony Cappola and stopped just short of portraying him as a patsy of Nucky Thompson. Through the onslaught, through the excessive spending gap, through the bad night for everyone else, Norman Schmelz still eeked out a victory and proved good guys and popular candidates can still win.
NOVEMBER 3, 2015, 11:40 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015, 11:50 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD.
Bergen County voters swept three Democratic freeholders back into office Tuesday, ensuring that their party will control county government for at least the next two years.
Incumbents Steve Tanelli and Tracy Zur easily defeated Republican challengers John Mitchell and Ken Tyburczy and Green Party candidate Richard Siegel for the pair of three-year seats that were up for grabs.
And Thomas Sullivan Jr. outpolled Republican Daisy Ortiz-Berger and Libertarian Peter Rohrman for the one-year unexpired term that was created when former Freeholder James Tedesco resigned to become County Executive in January.
With all precincts reporting, Zur was the top vote getter with 63,114 tallies. Tanelli was close behind, with 63,059 votes.
Trailing them were Mitchell with 50,805 votes, Tyburczy with 48,879 and Siegel with 4,085.
In the contest for the one-year term, Sullivan led with 62,746 votes, followed by Ortiz-Berger with 45,748 and Rohrman with 4,496.
Reached Tuesday night, Mitchell said he was preparing to call the Democrats to congratulate them on their victory.
“It doesn’t mean that we didn’t get out and work as hard as we can in getting the vote out,” he said. “But clearly, the Democrats have done a better job in doing that.”
Zur said the victory meant that voters approved of the work done by the Democratic majority on the freeholder board over the last three years, including consolidating the Bergen County Police force with the Sheriff’s Office.
“I think we put forward a vision of where we want to move this county and I think that resonated with the voters,” Zur said.
All three Democrats said their biggest challenge will be steering the future of the county-owned Bergen Regional Medical Center, where the contract with the current operator expires in March 2017.
Their victory means the Democrats will maintain a 5-2 majority on the board. The two incumbent Republicans are up for election next year, so county government will remain under Democratic control at least through January 2018.
Called, “a menace to the residents of North Jersey”
NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 7:13 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 8:55 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Print
The reputed head of a North Jersey burglary ring that targeted affluent homes and a New York City accomplice were found guilty Monday of multiple counts of transporting stolen property across state lines related to dozens of burglaries that netted millions of dollars in cash and other items, federal prosecutors said in a news release.
Daniel “Tokyo” Gatson, 43, of North Bergen, and Anthony “Big Country” Hanks, 36, of Brooklyn, and their gang took part in 27 burglaries in six states, stealing $3.4 million in cash and property, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.
Law enforcement authorities have called Gatson, who previously lived in Teaneck and Cliffside Park, one of Bergen County’s most prolific burglars.
In 1999, he famously scored $300,000 in jewelry, luxury cars and other items from the Englewood Cliffs home of former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing.
State Superior Court Judge William Meehan once called Gatson and someone who had been committing burglaries since he was 18 years old and “has no intention of stopping.”
Bergen County Freeholder: Mitchell, Tyburczy and Ortiz-Berger
Assemblyman Robert Auth New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District. Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District.
The Cosgrove Team for Fair Lawn Council
from the staff of the Ridgewood blog
By Paul Nichols
Friday, Oct 30, 2015
When thinking of who to vote for in the 2015 election for Bergen County Freeholder we must look ahead. This year three seats on the board of seven are on the ballot, all three are currently held by Democrats who make up a 5-2 majority.
In 2016 voters again will choose three people to represent them on the board however two of those seats include the two republicans who currently make up the minority. Simply put, a victory for the Democrats in 2015 means two years of Democrat control of the Freeholder Board as well as the office of County Executive.
To operate properly government requires a system of checks and balances. The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders is an important and necessary means of oversight in our form of government in Bergen County.
While the Freeholder Board has little control over the day-to-day operation of our county’s government it acts as a financial backstop overseeing the County’s purse.
First Responders are my Heroes……and that certainly applies to this brave group from Fair Lawn. The Cosgrove Team hosted a wonderful event recognizing their fabulous EMS personnel, fire fighters and other stand outs for the life saving work they do. Bravo! — with Ken Tyburczy, John Gil andJohn Cosgrove at Fair Lawn AC.
Posted by Matthew Gilson On November 02, 2015 0 Comment
By Matthew Gilson | The Save Jersey Blog
#1 – Freeholder Race
The main attraction county-wide is yet another annual Freeholder Board control battle. The race for two three-year terms is growing increasingly competitive with former Freeholder John Mitchell looking to return to the post he held for three years and Ramsey CouncilmanKen Tyburczy mounting a strong showing. For the Democrats, Steve Tanelli is the stronger of the two incumbents and will be challenge to beat, but look for Republicans to pick off at least one of the two with Tracy Zur being exceptionally vulnerable. For the one-year term, union strongman Tom Sullivan takes on Daisy Ortiz-Berger. Ortiz-Berger would bring desperately needed diversity as the five old white Democrats currently on the board do little to address the needs of the county.
#2 – District 38
What can be said that has not been said? All that aside, District 38 remains our strongest opportunity to pick up a seat north of the Atlantic City Expressway. It is unknown what kind of impact Anthony Cappola remaining on the ballot will have in the race to replace Assemblymen Timothy Eustace and Joe Lagana, but a strong showing even in a loss could set Mark DiPisa up nicely for a rematch in 2017. Which brings us to our next race…
#3 – Fair Lawn
Mayor John Cosgrove and his team can take complete control of local government with a sweep on Tuesday. Cosgrove himself is a heavy favorite to win re-election, and his team of John Gil and Marc Zharnest has made an aggressive push to incumbents Kurt Peluso and Lisa Swain. The signs say “The Cosgrove Team” for a reason; he is incredibly popular and has a tremendous record as the mayor and decades of community service. Looking ahead to 2017, Cosgrove, the favorite to take on Senator Bob Gordon, would be hard-pressed to pass on a run with a strong victory tomorrow.
OCTOBER 31, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015, 9:21 AM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
The candidates for Bergen County freeholder stuck close to the core issues of their campaigns in their third and final debate Friday evening.
Democratic incumbents Steve Tanelli, Tracy Zur and Thomas Sullivan talked about saving money and making government more efficient by folding the County Police into the Sheriff’s Office. But they also spoke about having restored funds for education and the need to improve transportation and deal with the heroin epidemic.
Republican challengers John Mitchell, Ken Tyburczy and Daisy Ortiz-Berger hammered away at their main issues of property taxes, spending and debt. They vowed to reduce taxes through a “zero-based” budget process that requires every dollar be justified and a 1-percent cap on increases in new spending.
And Libertarian Peter Rohrman pledged to cut programs such as senior lunches, sell Bergen Regional Medical Center and privatize other county services. He also reiterated his call for an investigation into complaints against the office of Prosecutor John Molinelli, who indicated this week that he expects to step down soon after being informed he is being replaced by Governor Christie.
Zur said fostering more shared services is the key to controlling spending. “That is the only way we’re going to keep taxes down,” she said. She also cited the need for more job creation.
Tyburczy countered that high property taxes are driving jobs out of the county.
“I believe if we can get the debt down, we can create jobs,” he said.
Rohrman noted that freeholders from both parties unanimously approved a budget that increased taxes by 4.3 percent this year.
“Libertarians like to say ‘No,’” he said. “I will not vote for any increases.”
OCTOBER 30, 2015, 2:42 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015, 6:53 PM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Two dozen elected Democrats from across New Jersey gathered Friday morning in Paterson to announce a new coalition that will push to bring NJ Transit trains to a rail line through Bergen and Passaic counties that has not seen passenger service since the 1960s.
An earlier effort to bring passenger trains back to the line died in 2008, at least partly due to the recession that started that year, said Congressman Bill Pascrell, D – Paterson, who led Friday’s event. This effort is separate from one to extend the Hudson Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County.
The group got together in advance of discussions scheduled for next week in Congress next week about a bill to fund transportation construction projects for the next five years, after years of political deadlock that resulted in one short-term patch after another.
“We’re going to start talking about that Monday, so now’s the time to advance any projects we feel should be part of it,” Pascrell said.
Unmentioned was the fact that some of the officeholders who spoke Friday, including Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, D – Secaucus, are up for reelection on Tuesday. A poll released this week by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University found that three-quarters of New Jersey residents have no idea the election is about to happen.
Republican candidates John Mitchell, Ken Tyburczy and Daisy Ortiz-Berger
Democrats have raised nearly seven times more than GOP challengers in Bergen Freeholder race
OCTOBER 30, 2015, 7:23 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015, 2:15 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
As the race for three seats on the Bergen County Board of Freeholders winds down, campaign spending reports show that the three Democratic incumbents have raised nearly seven times more than their Republican challengers.
Democratic Freeholders Steve Tanelli, Tracy Zur and Thomas Sullivan had raised about $434,654 according to reports released on Thursday by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Republican candidates John Mitchell, Ken Tyburczy and Daisy Ortiz-Berger had raised about $62,132 during the same period.
Democrats currently hold a 5-2 majority on the board. Republicans would have to sweep all three seats to regain control.
The reports show that Sullivan, president of Local 164 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, was the top fund-raiser among all the freeholder candidates.
His individual campaign reported $126,210 in contributions, many from labor unions such as the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council, which contributed $1,500.
Zur, a former municipal judge from Franklin Lakes, raised $98,430 and Tanelli, a former North Arlington councilman, raised $24,532.
Volunteers Sought to Help Combat Domestic Violence in Bergen County
Local Bergen County Police Departments and the Bergen County Department of Human Services and the Division of Alternatives to Domestic Violence (BCDHS/ADV) are recruiting volunteers for a regional team that will respond to victims of domestic violence at police departments located throughout the county. Volunteers from the community are trained to offer necessary information and referrals to victims at a time when they need it most. Anyone interested in applying should go to Application form for Services, Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Get Involved Application (see link below). Please complete then submit and print. Signature page needs to be faxed. If you do not have internet access, please call 201.336.7577. BCDHS/ADV has provided family violence prevention, education and training and emergency intervention services in Bergen County for the past 37 years. Applicants are required to consent to a criminal background check, urine test, be finger-printed and attend a 40-hour training.
John Mitchell with Fair Lawn Council Candidates John Gil and Marc Zharnest with my Freeholder running mate Daisy Ortiz-Berger and Fair Lawn Mayor John Cosgrove. — withJohn Gil, Daisy Ortiz Berger and John Cosgrove at NJ TRANSIT-Radburn.
By Paul Nichols
Thursday, Oct 29, 2015
Republican candidates for Bergen County Freeholder John Mitchell, Ken Tyburczy, and Daisy Ortiz-Berger launched a campaign video debunking Democrat’s claims of millions in savings and tax cuts.
Last month Democrats aired a commercialfeaturing Freeholder Chairwoman Joan Voss in a make-believe classroom. Voss credits candidates Tanelli, Zur and Sullivan with $200 million in savings by consolidating Bergen County’s law enforcement. The spot also says the candidates created a budget with “no tax increase” and cut “$8 million” in spending.
It is apparent that the classroom Joan Voss was filmed in was not a math class.
As I stated during the public comment period at the end of the October 14 council meeting, the process for completing grant applications leaves much to be desired. I particularly noted the casual ease with which the checkbox indicating that the Ridgewood population at large desires whatever is being applied for is checked. This happened with the grant for the Graydon wheelchair ramp, which after two full seasons, as I predicted for the three years in which I fought it, has never been used for its intended purpose. It was also done in the grant to level Schedler.
Let’s put it this way. We know what three of you have been doing and it is unlawful and unacceptable.
Today I learned that Bergen County Open Space official Robert Abbatomarco had written to Village employees noting numerous discrepancies and missing information related to the Schedler grant application. The county considers the October 14, 2015, public hearing on the grant application to be the only official meeting of record regarding the development of Schedler. Once again the Council has “put the cart before the horse” and proceeded as a few insistent people wished before inviting public comment in the proper way.
The county now demands a new resolution that incorporates and represents the public comments made on October 14. Reports and public comments from 2012 and earlier shall not apply. We all know what happened on October 14. I got home from that meeting at 2:45 AM. (In the future, for everyone’s sake, it would be most helpful for topics of wide general interest to be given discrete meetings and not be crammed into general meeting agendas. Trying to exhaust people into not speaking obviously does not work.)
An honest summary of the comments made that night would reveal without question that the neighbors of Schedler and many of their fellow Village residents living elsewhere in town are adamantly opposed to a 90-foot field and other issues, such as clear-cutting the trees that are their only defense against the noise, traffic, and pollution of nearby Route 17.
It is clear from the county’s notification that the pending council resolution was passed in violation of Open Space guidelines and must be revoked and revisited. I hope that will happen tonight, to clear your names.
Inexplicably and unforgivably, although the county’s notification was sent to the Village last month, Village staff clearly ignored it and proceeded to present resolutions and schematic drawings in spite of it. The public was shamefully disinformed. All staff members involved should be reprimanded and ideally terminated.
Please revoke Resolution 15-257 this evening and START OVER.
Hackensack NJ, Former Freeholder Chairman and current Freeholder candidate for the Bergen County Board of Freeholders, Republican John Mitchell, released a statement following news that County Prosecutor John Molinelli confirmed reports he will be resigning from office.
Mitchell states , “I’m happy that the pressure I helped bring in this situation worked, and only wish the Democrat Freeholders had joined my call for action long ago,” Mitchell said. “Even though the Democrat Freeholders tried to hold onto the last vestiges of the corrupt Ferriero days, the public interest has prevailed.”
Mitchell,is running with fellow Republicans Ken Tyburczy and Daisy Ortiz, and has made a campaign issue of the scandal over Molinelli’s controversial handling of the case of a Teaneck doctor accused of sex crimes relating to his patients. Mitchell criticised the Democrat-controlled freeholder board who ignored the scandal until OPRA requests by the Bergen Dispatch forced the issue.It’s an interesting story you can find linked here.
After the Bergen Dispatch broke the story Mitchell called for his Democrat opponents on the Freeholder Board to ask New Jersey’s Attorney General to step in. OPRA requests by the Bergen Dispatch were answered with no communications to the Attorney General from the Democrat Freeholders as existing , but mysteriously, days later, undated letters were provided to the Dispatch containing the Freeholders’ request to the Attorney General. (Bergen Dispatch, 10/23/15)
“The Democrats refusal to act in this situation – despite overwhelming evidence of the need to do so – extended this disgraceful situation much longer than it should have,” Mitchell said. “I would have immediately called for the Attorney General to step in and correct this situation. Thankfully, it looks like this cloud will be lifted from our justice system and we can begin to rebuild the trust of the people of Bergen County.”
“The fact that the Democrat Freeholders refused to act in this situation until it began to threaten them politically is inexcusable. As Freeholder, I will never put the integrity of our courts, or the safety of our citizens, in danger,” Mitchell concluded.
OCTOBER 27, 2015, 9:39 AM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015, 10:39 AM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN AND JEAN RIMBACH
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said Tuesday that Gov. Christie’s office has signaled its intent to replace him and name an acting prosecutor.
“I’m not resigning today,” Molinelli said in a brief voice mail message.
In a subsequent email, the veteran prosecutor wrote, “I have been advised by the Governors office of his intent to appoint a replacement and have been asked to provide a timeline for my retirement but that’s all.”
He referred further questions to the Governor’s office, but he added, “I plan on being here for a time yet but not in a position right now to say when I will retire,”
It was not immediately clear who would succeed Molinelli in the post.
The action comes amid a series of high-profile setbacks for Molinelli and questions about possible political influence in his office over the case of a Teaneck doctor accused of sex crimes who was permitted to sidestep prosecution.
Sources: Bergen County Prosecutor Molinelli Likely to Resign Tuesday
There is considerable speculation about the fate of Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli. According to sources, Molinelli will likely announce his resignation on Tuesday. PolitickerNJ Editor, PolitickerNJ Read more
