Wildes Proxy Running Against Council President
May 10, 2008 |
Bob's Corner
Less than two years ago, First Ward Councilman
Rosenzweig was supporting Michael Wildes in public
appearances during the Mayor's bid for a second
term. Now that the Councilman is running for
his second term, the Mayor has reciprocated by
running Anita Sniderman, the Mayor's own longtime,
paid "executive assistant," against
Rosenzweig in the primary. Why has the
Mayor decided to undermine his former friend and
do such a painfully obvious power grab?
Clearly, Dr. Rosenzweig has delivered on his promise to serve the public interest over political and special interests. In so doing, the Councilman has had to oppose Mayoral actions deemed not in the interest of Englewood. Notably, Councilman Rosenzweig helped overturn the sweetheart tax deal the Mayor's Planning Board gave the Rt. 4 South developer -- a corporation originally represented by none other than County Democratic pay-to-play Boss Joe Ferriero. In taking this courageous and responsible action, Ken Rosenzweig, Scott Reddin and the Council majority got millions of dollars of tax relief for the people of Englewood.
It is clear to Mr. Wildes, and anyone paying attention, that currying favor with Joe Ferriero is the key to political advancement in Bergen County. This is not idle speculation. In the last update of The Englewood Report, we quoted David Sivella, Wildes' 2006 Mayoral campaign manager:
In the past, Mr. Wildes actually tried to advance himself by opposing BCDO Boss Ferriero and the Boss's friend, Jack Drakeford. After all, Wildes had -- and still has -- enough cash to fund his own campaigns without the Boss's money. But, that tactic clearly didn't work, as Wildes still needed the ballot position that the Boss controls.
In 2005, Wildes had apparently decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, cozying up to the Boss in a failed attempt to advance himself to the Assembly. Since then, our City has had to endure the Mayor's continual and brazen attempts to use his mayoral appointments, bank account and marketing machine to purge City government of those who do not serve his BCDO ambitions. Last year the Mayor used his Planning Board/developer pal Marvin Anhalt to oppose Real Bergen Dem Charlotte Bennett Schoen. This year, he has recruited his staffer, Anita Sniderman, to challenge Ken Rosenzweig. As well, Wildes purged his Planning Board of independent-minded Fitz Haney and ex-Mayor Sandy Greenberg. With the Planning Board, the Council and the mayorlty controlled from his office, Wildes might finally be able to reliably deliver Englewood for the Boss without meaningful opposition.
How have the Mayor's continued attempts to purge the Council and permit boards already impacted government in Englewood? For one, the Mayor's Planning Board now notably lacks qualified experts and architects. According to The Suburbanite (April 15, 2008):
At the very least, purging agencies and boards of professional expertise on political grounds will lead to "Good job, Brownie" moments. But that is clearly not a concern for a politician who prioritizes proving his worth to the gatekeepers of his political advancement. To accomplish this, Michael Wildes (like George Bush writ small) apparently chooses appointees who can demonstrate political friendship and loyalty to him, not those with professional expertise and independent judgment.
After ten years of trying to propel himself beyond Englewood, Michael Wildes knows he can no longer sell himself as a political boy wonder. The clock ticks, the years go by and the stark contrast between the Mayor's PR story and his political actions becomes unavoidably clear. After all, what do you think Michael Wildes stands for? Answer these two simple questions for yourself:
What has Michael Wildes' core mission been for Englewood?
What has Michael Wildes' core mission been for himself?
After a decade of Wildes in government, isn't it amazing that the first question is so hard to answer and the second so easy?
The Primary is June 3. The Council's 4-1 majority (Rosenzweig, Reddin, Bennett Schoen, Johnson) stand as a veto-proof bloc against our Boss-pandering Mayor. A vote for Scott Reddin and Ken Rosenzweig is not only a vote FOR government by and for the people of Englewood. It is a vote AGAINST the use of our city and its people as political stepping stones, bargaining chips and pay-to-play profit centers.
Clearly, Dr. Rosenzweig has delivered on his promise to serve the public interest over political and special interests. In so doing, the Councilman has had to oppose Mayoral actions deemed not in the interest of Englewood. Notably, Councilman Rosenzweig helped overturn the sweetheart tax deal the Mayor's Planning Board gave the Rt. 4 South developer -- a corporation originally represented by none other than County Democratic pay-to-play Boss Joe Ferriero. In taking this courageous and responsible action, Ken Rosenzweig, Scott Reddin and the Council majority got millions of dollars of tax relief for the people of Englewood.
It is clear to Mr. Wildes, and anyone paying attention, that currying favor with Joe Ferriero is the key to political advancement in Bergen County. This is not idle speculation. In the last update of The Englewood Report, we quoted David Sivella, Wildes' 2006 Mayoral campaign manager:
Joe Ferriero controls the money going to Democratic candidates for county offices the way the player with the most real estate in Monopoly has all the cash come to him...the valuable real estate is Column 1 [on the ballot], the party line. He owns it, and when you land on it, if you want to be there, you have to pay a hefty price.
In the past, Mr. Wildes actually tried to advance himself by opposing BCDO Boss Ferriero and the Boss's friend, Jack Drakeford. After all, Wildes had -- and still has -- enough cash to fund his own campaigns without the Boss's money. But, that tactic clearly didn't work, as Wildes still needed the ballot position that the Boss controls.
In 2005, Wildes had apparently decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, cozying up to the Boss in a failed attempt to advance himself to the Assembly. Since then, our City has had to endure the Mayor's continual and brazen attempts to use his mayoral appointments, bank account and marketing machine to purge City government of those who do not serve his BCDO ambitions. Last year the Mayor used his Planning Board/developer pal Marvin Anhalt to oppose Real Bergen Dem Charlotte Bennett Schoen. This year, he has recruited his staffer, Anita Sniderman, to challenge Ken Rosenzweig. As well, Wildes purged his Planning Board of independent-minded Fitz Haney and ex-Mayor Sandy Greenberg. With the Planning Board, the Council and the mayorlty controlled from his office, Wildes might finally be able to reliably deliver Englewood for the Boss without meaningful opposition.
How have the Mayor's continued attempts to purge the Council and permit boards already impacted government in Englewood? For one, the Mayor's Planning Board now notably lacks qualified experts and architects. According to The Suburbanite (April 15, 2008):
None of the current members has professional planning expertise. And that's exactly what the mayor said he wants.
At the very least, purging agencies and boards of professional expertise on political grounds will lead to "Good job, Brownie" moments. But that is clearly not a concern for a politician who prioritizes proving his worth to the gatekeepers of his political advancement. To accomplish this, Michael Wildes (like George Bush writ small) apparently chooses appointees who can demonstrate political friendship and loyalty to him, not those with professional expertise and independent judgment.
After ten years of trying to propel himself beyond Englewood, Michael Wildes knows he can no longer sell himself as a political boy wonder. The clock ticks, the years go by and the stark contrast between the Mayor's PR story and his political actions becomes unavoidably clear. After all, what do you think Michael Wildes stands for? Answer these two simple questions for yourself:
What has Michael Wildes' core mission been for Englewood?
What has Michael Wildes' core mission been for himself?
After a decade of Wildes in government, isn't it amazing that the first question is so hard to answer and the second so easy?
The Primary is June 3. The Council's 4-1 majority (Rosenzweig, Reddin, Bennett Schoen, Johnson) stand as a veto-proof bloc against our Boss-pandering Mayor. A vote for Scott Reddin and Ken Rosenzweig is not only a vote FOR government by and for the people of Englewood. It is a vote AGAINST the use of our city and its people as political stepping stones, bargaining chips and pay-to-play profit centers.
