The voters have spoken.
Rebecca Williams will be on the Democratic line in November.
Traditionally, this is a time for healing. But are the wounds too deep? Party Chairman Jerry Green told Democrats a year ago whom they should support – incumbent Rashid Burney - and reiterated it this year without giving the committee a chance to vote on the three people who appeared at the screening.
Burney led a gentlemanly campaign, but Green took potshots at Williams from the sidelines and ignored the third candidate, former Councilman Don Davis.
Except for a couple dubious mailers, Williams stayed mainly on the high road, while blogger and Williams supporter Dan Damon got out his pointy stick and tried to flick dirt at Burney on his blog.
Despite Burney’s frequent declarations of independence from party lock-step, Burney had to figuratively don an “I’m NOT with Stupid” T-shirt after Green’s last-minute letter assigned baggage to Williams and urged voters to choose the incumbent.
Each side accused the other of lies, lies, lies.
Can they all come back under the tent and make nice?
If Williams wins over Republican Jim Pivnichny in November, there will be a 4-3 New Democrat majority on the City Council on Jan. 1, 2011. Green is serving his ninth two-year term in the state General Assembly and will have to run for re-election as well as to retain his party chairmanship in 2011.
Councilwoman Linda Carter was among three Democrats who won the Union County freeholder primary Tuesday and will have to give up her First & Fourth Ward at-large council seat if she wins in the general election. The Democratic City Committee must then offer three names to the City Council in order to have an appointee named to serve from Jan. 1 (or earlier, if Carter steps down) until the 2011 general election. The winner of the general election will then assume Carter’s seat at once.
If the New Democrats mount a vigorous 2011 primary campaign, not just for the council seat but for a majority of the 68 committee seats, they could change the party leadership and secure even a bigger margin on the council. They have already garnered two of the city’s four ward leader slots.
The other council seat up next year is that of Second Ward Councilman Cory Storch, a New Democrat who endorsed Williams in this year’s primary. Storch serves as council liaison to the Planning Board and is also heavily involved in a visioning process for the city’s future. His re-election could also help cement the New Democrats’ hold on leadership.
With these possible threats to his power, Green may not be interested in making nice, and the New Democrats may not have to try to negotiate everything with him
According to a Courier News story that appeared online this afternoon, he is furious over a prank in which Williams campaign signs were lined up in front of his Prospect Avenue home.
Considering Green’s past assaults on candidates’ spouses, means of livelihood and personal lives, the campaign sign thing seems almost irrelevant.
As usual, comments are welcome.
--Bernice Paglia
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I saw those signs....later piled up in a bunch along his fence. Maybe a prank. However, Al McWilliams had a small window of opportunity to make the democratic committee work. Use closed balloting to allow for private voting - losing the intimidation factor for committee meetings. He did/couldn't make it happen. Control is still in the hands of Green. Let's see what can happen when democracy rules.
ReplyDeleteI think your inference to Jerry as Studpid was RUDE and places you in no better position of the garbage slinging that went on during this election. I've noticed that has been your MO to throw, duck and cover as if you didn't mean anything by it. You are fully aware of your words and its offensive and downright classless.
ReplyDeleteCommittee members are our elected representatives. In this capacity they are not private citizens. Their votes should be open and under scrutiny, and the members should be held accountable. In my 10 years in Plainfield, all as a registered Dem, I have not once been contacted by a committee member soliciting my opinion on anything.
ReplyDeleteAlan, do you know who your committee members are? Did you vote in the 2009 primary that elected them? Did you vote for them? Have you ever tried to contact them? Do you know what ward & district you live in?
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned a 4-3 New Dem majority. That is assuming Annie McWilliams is still a New Dem. Don't hold your breath on that one.
ReplyDeleteShe was silent in the campaign. A clear sign that she supported Burney in my view.
Her support for Rebecca Williams was limited to a photo op ! She is learning to two step quickly.
To Anon 9:15-
ReplyDeleteYes, and yes, and I won't say, and yes, and the answer to your last question is implied by my answer to question #2.
Good snark there Anonymous. What's the point?
I think the signs on Green's property are just great. I have had numerous visits from the municipal code enforcement inspectors when I displayed campaign signs in opposition of "Gerry's Kids". Boo Hoo!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Helwig can take a break from his antics and help you out!
The sad thing is that Dan spewed a major victory for Rebecca. Don Davis didnt have a chance of winning. He was just there to pull votes from Rashid. Just like when the Mayor ran against Mapp. If the others didnt run, Adrian would be Mayor. Do the math, the victory was narrow at best. And the others are right...Corey does not return calls, to the office or his cell. Ive tried. He will be next to get booted.
ReplyDeleteJerry's furious over the "prank" with the signs..he feels violated...??? Jerry should walk around Plainfield after dark near where all the gangs are shooting it out, the hookers are making some cash and the businesses are closed and dark...then let him approach his personal choice for "mayor" and explain to her how he feels victimized over signs on his lawn...BOO FRICKIN HOO JERRY..our hearts bleed for you..it's gotta be tough being the 3rd most powerful person in the NJ State Assembly and some minor little flea managed to put a chink in your armor.
ReplyDeleteRob, glad you think Dan is a "minor little flea." I agree with you. The problem is that his bites are poisonous--just what one would expect. I hope he's had his rabies shots.
ReplyDelete