Yesterday on NJ.com, Auggie Torres printed a statement from Maurice Fitzgibbons remarking on the Lenz Campaign. Here is a portion of his statement:
"Although the New York Times called Michael Lenz Hoboken’s own Karl Rove, I am sure that his strategy is to attack anyone in his way that is even remotely supporting Mr. Occhipinti. For months, supporters of Mr. Lenz have repeatedly attempted to tarnish me and my reputation using the various blogs affiliated with his campaign, blogs which regularly see fit to promote racism, attack ethnicity, and belittle an individual’s sexual preference. Mr. Lenz would have liked to run on his reform playbook. However, since he is now the candidate and not the campaign manager, reform does not apply to him.
Michael Lenz, who served as school board president in 1993 orchestrated the firing of the first Hispanic Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Duroy. His actions subsequently were called into question with several school board members calling for an investigation. Today, Michael Lenz serves on two taxpayer-funded public payrolls – one a patronage job to which he comes and goes as he pleases. He is also the political “boss” with a grip on both City Hall and the Hoboken Board of Education." ..........
Michael Lenz, who served as school board president in 1993 orchestrated the firing of the first Hispanic Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Duroy. His actions subsequently were called into question with several school board members calling for an investigation. Today, Michael Lenz serves on two taxpayer-funded public payrolls – one a patronage job to which he comes and goes as he pleases. He is also the political “boss” with a grip on both City Hall and the Hoboken Board of Education." ..........
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| Maurice Fitzgibbons bringing out the claws in his latest attack. Meow! |
http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2010/10/when_will_hoboken_4th_ward_cou.html#_login
And the rebuttal from Mike Lenz Campaign Manager Sam Briggs:
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| Artist depiction of Sam Briggs - not afraid to mix it up with "Fitzy" |
We once again call on Tim Occhipinti to sign the Clean Campaign Pledge and run a campaign that respects the voters of the 4th Ward. We hope that Tim will reconsider the advice he is receiving from his mentor Maurice Fitzgibbons, who was recently convicted of flagrant and intentional ELEC violations and fined $2,625, and make the best decision for the 4th Ward. The voters deserve more than Cammarano/Fitzgibbons/Belfiore style politics and business as usual."
My Comment: Thanks to a reader on NJ.com that provided this background information on Duroy who Maurice Fitzgibbons defends in his attack on Mike Lenz. Below is an excerpt from the Hoboken Reporter piece that gives good background on why Duroy might be investigated. Just becuase Duroy was of Hispanic ethnicity does not mean he should be above the due process of the law. It looks like to me that if Lenz called for an investigation as Maurice says, it was probably a good call. Read for yourself, you decide.......
Duroy's winding road After alleged fiscal mismanagement, ex-Paterson and Hoboken school exec now teaching school management
by Tom Jennemann Hudson Reporter
Aug 02, 2005
Duroy's winding road
After alleged fiscal mismanagement ex Paterson and Hoboken school exec now teaching school management According of a series of groundbreaking investigative stories from the Bergen Record, while Duroy was superintendent, Paterson misspent at least $50 million in school contracts on construction work for the district. Between 1999 and 2003, vendors overbilled the district. It was also alleged that some vendors paid bribes to officials to conceal the fraud. Both a contractor and the district's former maintenance supervisor have pled guilty in the scandal.
Federal and state law enforcement officials have been investigating the district. On Tuesday, the U.S. attorney general's office would not confirm or deny whether Duroy was under investigation.
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Strange donations
Interestingly, according to the Record, lawyers and private contractors working in the Paterson school district donated $24,850 to Roberts' Hoboken United slate in 2001. Many of the donations were made on the same date, May 2, 2001.
http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2405971/article-Duroy-s-winding-road-After-alleged-fiscal-mismanagement--ex-Paterson-and-Hoboken-school-exec-now-teaching-school-management
Also the question should be asked why the hissy Fitz from Maurice about the blogs? While he does not allude to my blog directly I wonder if he is serious that a harmless JibJab video on Tim's associations is considered off-limits. My views on social issues are progressive and I don't think the color of somone's skin or sexual orientation means they can't under political scrutiny or statire by this blog.
So I ask my readers, what is wrong with this jib jab spoof video?
Timothy Occhipinti Celebrates his Campaign Kickoff at Northern Soul 6/17/2010 with Augie Torres, Maurice Fitzgibbons, Frank Raia , and Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop....
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