Monday, April 11, 2016

Dunn Hearing Held, Decision on Wednesday

When he moved from the Second Ward to the Third Ward in September 2014, Jeffery Dunn did not change his voter registration. Instead, he used his business address at 320 Park Avenue in the First Ward, and even voted at Barlow School. It was not until April 4 - the filing date for the June 7 primary - that he changed his driver's license and voting address to 1038 Central Avenue.

"I realized I had to dot the i's and cross the t's," Dunn said. "I didn't get around to it. I thought it was important to do it before I registered as a candidate."

Dunn was one of three people who met the 4 p.m. filing deadline that day. The others were Charles McRae and Alma Blanco. Dunn's residency came into question soon after. The city's special charter says a candidate must be "a legal voter" and must have lived for one year in the ward he or she wants to represent.

Dunn testified at a two-hour hearing Monday and the outcome will be known by Wednesday, the deadline for rulings on challenges to a candidate's filing. Former Plainfield Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson spoke for Dunn as a "friend." Attorney Robert Renaud represented the objector, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and current Corporation Counsel David Minchello conducted the hearing. Renaud said candidates are required to comply with the legal requirements of the state and of the city's charter and said he would rely on various documents. They included a voter registration on Nov. 20, 2014 giving an address of 320 Park Avenue, a voter sheet from Nov. 3, 2015 with the same address, voter records dating back to 2007 with Dunn never have voted in the Third Ward. He said the records were "more than sufficient to show that the candidate was not a legal voter."

"It is incumbent upon the prospective candidate to prove he was a legal voter," Renaud said.

Dunn traced events including the short sale of his Belvidere Avenue home to moving his family into the capacious Central Avenue home, then his divorce. His reason for using the Park Avenue address, he said, was for privacy concerning the divorce. When Renaud asked whether he requested to be registered as a voter at that address, Dunn said he did not request. When Renaud asked again, Dunn said, "I responded to the document."

"Let me try this once again," Renaud said, but Williamson objected, saying Dunn did whatever the driver's license required.

Dunn had a crossing guard from Cedarbrook School testify that he saw Dunn leave the Central Avenue address every morning and also had his mother, Flora, testify that he lived there. But Renaud asked for proof such as tax returns, credit card bills, cell phone bill, checks or even magazine subscriptions to prove the Central Avenue address was his "legitimate domicile."

"Despite the testimony, there is no proof," Renaud said.

As the hearing concluded, Williamson questioned the process and said historically there has been a summary decision review. "I understand the fabric of this town," he said, predicting the public "will read about all of this as early as today."

"This wasn't necessary," Williamson said.

--Bernice

14 comments:

  1. You mean to tell me the only proof that you have that you live in the third ward is the crossing guard at the corner. Only in Plainfield folks !

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  2. If Dunn can't figure out how to legally register to vote, being a city councilmember will surely be way over his head.

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  3. That Dan Williamson, he's everywhere. I thought he worked for the garbage company after he was the attorney for Mayor Sharon. Why is he working for the Dunn's?

    I thought those Dunn's were Democrats. I remember when Williamson ran for Surrogate judge he was a REPUBLICAN - just like those Campbell's. But isn't he a Jerry Green guy? Did Jerry tell the Campbell's to hire him cause someone said that he does HR for the BOE now and makes big bucks. And that the BOE board created a new consulting position just for him.

    I guess after you've done garbage you can do anything.

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    1. Dan Williamson works for the BOE in two capacities. He is a consultant acting as the Director of HR and is the lawyer for the workman's compensation cases with an open contract charging $150/hr. He averages a little less than $13,000/month

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    2. He is also a long time close friend of John & Wilma Campbell.

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    3. He is everybody' friend when he can make money.

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  4. S-h-a-m-e-l-e-s-s and enjoyably laughable.

    Mom and a crossing guard as witnesses? How about some hard evidence such as tax records, utility bill, car insurance, bank statement, credit card statement AND, he updates his license at the very last minute. Yet one more irresponsible, hap-hazard individual who thinks he can fool the people with big smiles and a firm handshake.

    Anyone who has heard Dunn's double-speak at council meetings should not be surprised at any of this. He's is not up for the job nor is he worthy of representing the residents of Plainfield on the City Council.

    Next, moving on.

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  5. Some people have no shame. Jeffery Dunn know that he isn't legally qualified to run for third ward. He thinks he doesn't have to play by the rules. And Dan Williamson should feel foolish defending this waste of city time. Embarrassing, both of them, Jeff for thinking he could get away with fraud and Williamson for being cosigner. I know who I won't be going to for a legal opinion. Shouldn't he be at work during the day consulting the Campbell school board on HR anyway? You just can't make this stuff up. I am sure Malcom Dunn advised them both not to humiliate themselves by going to the clerk with this. Does Jeffery think that I should run for a 2nd ward city council seat if I am registered in the 4th ward? AJ is too classy to laugh them out of his office which is what Laddie would have done.

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  6. Did Jeff Dunn and Kenny Reid go to the same school and get their degree in entitlement?

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    1. I think they did, and both are walking the hall of shame.

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  7. I bought Girl Scout cookies 3 weeks ago at a friends house in Cranford.... I live in Crandford, and I'll bring Susie from Troop L to testify that I do.

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  8. Everyone here sums it up well. Dunn is a game player who, like the Campbells, will go whichever way he needs to get what he wants. It does seem that many people are aware of his past behaviors and don't trust him. I don't think this situation helps that perception. I'm glad to see voters are paying attention.

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  9. more people than you.

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  10. According to Dans blog today, Dunn petition was made null and void. I guess the kingmaker Campbells failed again. Not much of a kingmaker you think!!

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