Democratic Control at Stake in June

The quote above was from 1990, but it might as well have been now, because Plainfield 's Democratic Party chairman did not even hold a meeting of the Democratic City Committee, let alone ask their advice.

What would have been decided by the committee, or at least by Green in front of the committee, was who will run for two City Council seats and who would run on the line for 68 committee seats. This is the year to elect the committee that theoretically will, on the Monday after the June primary, choose a chairman for the next two years.

Surprise! For perhaps only the second time in his long tenure as chairman, Green is facing an all-out challenge for control of the committee. The first time was in 1989, when Harold Mitchell filed a full slate in opposition to the party and garnered enough seats to displace Green. Instead, the two made a public show of unity and Green kept his chairmanship. But ever since, Green has made sure he filed a full roster of committee candidates.

Coming up the back steps of City Hall about 15 minutes before the filing deadline, who should I meet at the door but Green, looking anxious. Inside, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp had already submitted petitions for 65 of the 68 seats and the two council seats with the slogan, "Union County Progressive Democratic Organization."

With about three minutes to spare, Green came in with a bunch of just-arrived petitions for the Regular Democratic Organization of Union County, aka "the party," lacking just one of 68 committee candidates.

Between now and April 6, Mapp and Green can raise objections to petitions and try to knock names off. The final slates will be determined by April 8.

Comparing the names with a committee list from last year, I see that Green has different names for 41 of his 67 nominations. Mapp has 17 from last year's list and 48 new names. If either has to replace disqualified nominees, it could mean beating bushes that have already been thoroughly thrashed to come up with so many new nominees.

But on to the council races. Green is supporting PMUA Commissioner Charles Eke for the Second Ward seat against incumbent Councilman Cory Storch, who is seeking his fourth term. For the First & Fourth Ward at-large seat, there are two political neophytes, Green's choice being Steve Hockaday and Mapp backing Barry Goode. More later on these candidates.

There was a lot of consternation about the lack of a committee screening, even one with a foregone conclusion. Did it violate the rules? I leave that question to others. I probably could have called up Green and asked him why there was no committee meeting, but my last conversation with the chairman went rather badly, and I decided not to ring him up.

So ... as of today, the battle is joined, Green's slate versus Mapp's. The crazy thing is that whoever wins on June 2 gets the party line and will run representing the Regular Democratic Organization. But who knows, maybe June 8 will produce a different chairman and a new face to the party. Stay tuned.

--Bernice