Challenge for Drakeford

For the first time in several years, Fourth Ward Councilman Jack Drakeford has an opponent in this year's November election. On the ballot is Dierdre Glenn Paul, who is against him as an Independent Democrat. Dr. Paul is a Montclair State University Professor, a fourteen-year resident of Englewood, a divorced single parent, and an active union officer. She believes the residents of the Fourth Ward need a representative on the City Council who will more effectively address their concerns. We agree.

Jack Drakeford has been arguably the most powerful politician in Englewood in much of the last two decades. A lifetime resident of Englewood, he has served at various times as Fourth Ward Councilman, as City Clerk, as City Manager, and as President of the Board of Education. Despite holding these positions, he has generally avoided the limelight, using his influence behind the scenes to attain his objectives. Those objectives have too often been the financial benefit of himself and his friends.

The most important upward step in Drakeford’s career was his appointment in 1985 as City Manager. Accomplished by a 3-2 vote on the City Council, his appointment triggered an unsuccessful suit by concerned citizens alleging his lack of qualification for the position. As City Manager he had authority over all City departments and all except senior level hiring decisions. Under Drakeford, the number of City employees grew to a record high, requiring considerable staff reduction by his successor. Following his retirement in 1994, an anonymous whistle-blower embarrassed the Council by documenting a series of overgenerous retirement packages which had been approved by Drakeford for favored employees. Drakeford himself was generously treated by the Council, receiving a substantial retirement package and a post-retirement consulting contract with vaguely defined duties.

Having formed a political alliance with then Mayor Donald Aronson, Drakeford transferred his interest to the Board of Education. Aronson appointed him to the Board in 1993, and followed up by appointing other compliant persons, thus giving Drakeford control. Drakeford hounded the superintendent of schools into resigning, and replaced him with a new superintendent so unsatisfactory that a later Board felt it had no choice but to buy out his contract. Drakeford’s absenteeism from Board meetings and lack of interest in much of the Board’s business became notorious. The public school system is only now emerging from the disastrous consequences of the Drakeford era.

Drakeford’s successor as City Manager was Robert Benecke, who had worked closely with him as Finance Director. Although as professionally qualified as Drakeford was not, Benecke protected his political flank by continuing to work with him, especially after Drakeford was elected to the Council in 1998. With the cooperation of Benecke and his City Council colleagues, Drakeford was able to effectively control the City government from that time until January, 2006, when a newly elected majority of the Council no longer accepted his leadership. During this time, Drakeford forged a relationship with Bergen County Democratic boss Joseph Ferriero, and cooperated with him and others to bring a series of lucrative and controversial construction projects to Englewood. With Ferriero’s backing, Drakeford is Chair of the Bergen County Special Services School District.

As a result of changes in the membership of the City Council, Drakeford’s influence in Englewood has been reduced. Repudiation by his Fourth Ward constituents would further that process and contribute to the restoration of responsible local government in our City.