Hudson County Executive Tom Degise urged the New Jersey Apportionment Commission to delay their vote on new legislative maps that would place both North Hudson power brokers Brian Stack and Nick Sacco in the same district, to no avail.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“As an elected leader representing the most diverse county in the state, I am demanding that the members of the Apportionment Commission delay their planned vote until next week in order to allow the residents of Hudson County to be properly heard regarding this potentially seismic, disruptive change to our legislative representation,” he said in a statement.
“This matter is far too important for the future of Hudson County and the entire state to be rushed through in a closed process without public input. I implore the members of the commission to delay their vote, and I also call on other elected officials from Hudson County and throughout the state to join me and add their voices to the goal of making sure that this vote does not proceed today.”
While he called having the scheduled 2 p.m. vote “completely unacceptable,” that looks like its exactly what will happen.
New Jersey State Democratic Committee Chair LeRoy Jones, the Democratic chair of the 11-person apportionment committee, told county chairs, including HCDO Chair Amy DeGise, the vote would move forward today.
“The new legislative map being discussed by the apportionment commission would greatly damage the political and governmental structure of Hudson County, potentially pitting two of our most experienced and effective legislators against each other when there are clearly other valid options available to the commission,” Amy DeGise said in her own statement.
“There is no reason why this decision should be rushed out today without giving residents a chance to make their voices heard, especially when there is still time left in the process and the elections for these seats will not be held for more than a year, because this outcome would hurt our ability to pursue progressive policy growth by combining two of our strongest districts.”
Jones indicated on a conference call, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, that Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s letter that indicated dividing Jersey City into three district would violate the state constitution made any other draw for Hudson County impossible.
On Twitter, Fulop said other alternatives were available and that this wasn’t the time to play the blame game.
“Clearly there was some validity to the points I raised. There were many ways to have drawn maps without colliding legislators so this blame game is silly – finally, if someone has something to say they shouldn’t hide w/anonymity – be clear/strong enough to say publicly what they whisper privately,” he wrote.
Now, Sacco and Stack are both poised to enter the 33rd Legislative District, along with Sacco’s current legislative running mates, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia and Angelica Jimenez, while the 32nd Legislative District will have a new senator – likely Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.
Hoboken Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro will also be in that district, assuming the new map is approved this afternoon.
West New York Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo sits on the apportionment commission and will oppose the plan, as will Republican congressional candidate Tom Kean, Jr.
The real divide in Hudson County is between those who put squashed avocado on their toast, and those who put guava on it.
The working class does not eat avocados with their toast. Maybe now we can have a real Republican Party and not a bunch of jokers.
This is a huge opportunity for Josh to snag the open seat. If he runs a bi-partisan ticket with Fallick, or a proven Hoboken vote getter with name recognition and reform cred like Tony Soares, and a Jersey City reformer like Lavarro or Solomon, they could really make some good government guardian type noise.
Too bad he was worried about his cable sports channels all this time
how about term limits in the future? that should be the case nationwide! because if you believe that what there complaining has anything to do constituents as opposed to there own self interests,then i say shame on you