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Notwithstanding the current non-partisan makeup of government oversight in Ridgewood, the Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO) appears eager to have loyal members of their team either appointed or elected to influential positions within our municipal government operation. The Fly assumes this would ensure that loyal BCDO supporters are considered for lucrative professional services contracts, or as vendors of choice for “no bid required” municipal supplies.
It is rumored that potential candidate for Village Council Frank DelVecchio will be financially backed by the BCDO. DelVecchio, now a Deputy Police Chief in Fairview, was formerly Public Safety Director for the County of Bergen. It is also being rumored that the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (NBCUA), headed by BCDO member Howard Hurwitz, will soon assume management of Ridgewood’s Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Mr. Hurwitz, who was appointed as Executive Director of NBCUA by Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, is a key player in the BCDO. Hurwitz’s 2006 salary was reported as $108,700; his previous employer was NJ State Senator Joseph Coniglio. Hurwitz’s spouse, Lynne, is a noted Democratic Party activist. She currently holds a $78,332 appointed position in the County of Bergen’s Personnel Office.
The NBCUA does not currently maintain a public web site. Thus, information about its operation and management is not immediately accessible to either its subscribers, or taxpayers in communities it now services.