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<font face=arial size=2>: DeGise candidacy draws many to rally </font> <font face=arial size=2>: Jersey Journal</font> <font face=arial size=2>: 04/04/02</font> <font face=arial size=2>: By Peter Weiss</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Journal staff writer </font> <font face=arial size=2>: Vowing to "work with everyone in Hudson County for everyone in Hudson County," former Jersey City Council President Tom DeGise yesterday launched his bid for the Democratic nomination for county executive.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Speaking on the steps of the Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, a few yards from the offices of the man whose job he seeks, DeGise said he would have the kind of county administration "where respect replaces arrogance and where there are no dictators, only colleagues."</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Meanwhile, Rep. Robert Menendez, D-Union City, the county Democratic chairman and DeGise's chief supporter, vowed to file suits in federal court contesting the county administration's termination of five DeGise supporters this week.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Those terminated were Public Resources Director Mariano Vega, who is also a Jersey City councilman; Buildings and Grounds Director Peter DiNardo; Central Services Director Arnold Bettinger; Assistant County Counsel William Netchert and confidential aide Joan Walrod.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: "No way. This is America . . . No way we're going to let that happen," Menendez said.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: County Executive Bernard Hartnett Jr. defended the terminations. He said some were for economic reasons and others because he feels he should have staffers who are committed to his policies and goals.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: "I think we're on solid legal ground," he said.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: DeGise and Hartnett are vying for the Democratic nomination in this year's special election to finish the term of former County Executive Robert Janiszewski. The term expires at the end of next year.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Janiszewski resigned last fall when it was revealed he had been caught in an FBI sting and had turned government informant. He also quit as county Democratic chairman. The county Democratic committee then named Hartnett as interim county executive and Menendez as chairman, both unanimously.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: A subsequent rift between Menendez and Jersey City Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham led Menendez to back DeGise for executive while Cunningham supports Hartnett.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Last year, Menendez supported Cunningham for mayor against DeGise. Menendez introduced DeGise yesterday as "someone who I have come to know much better."</font> <font face=arial size=2>: The crowd of about 300 included most of the county's Democratic leaders. Among them were nine of the county's 11 Democratic mayors, six of the county's nine state legislators and six of the nine members of the City Council of Jersey City. County Clerk Janet Haynes delivered the opening remarks.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Reps. Donald Payne, D-Newark, and Steve Rothman, D-Fair Lawn, who share Hudson County with Menendez, also spoke.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: DeGise's running mates for nine seats on the county Board of Freeholders were introduced. They include seven incumbents: Barry Dugan of Bayonne, Nidia Davila-Colon of Jersey City, Maurice Fitzgibbons of Hoboken, Union City Mayor Brian Stack, West New York Commissioner Sal Vega, Thomas Liggio of North Bergen and Al Cifelli of Kearny. Joining them are Jersey City Councilman Peter Brennan and former Jersey City Councilwoman Melissa Holloway.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Brennan will face Freeholder Bill O'Dea of Jersey City and Holloway is challenging Freeholder William Braker of Jersey City.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: O'Dea and Braker are running on Hartnett's slate. Hartnett has announced only one other freeholder candidate so far, Eliu Rivera of Jersey City, who will face Davila-Colon. The filing deadline is Monday.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: The criticism from Menendez yesterday was aimed not at Hartnett, but at Cunningham.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: "We are one party, not one man. We are unwilling to turn the clock back to the days of bossism," said Menendez.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Cunningham could not be reached for comment yesterday.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: Hartnett said he was unimpressed by the size of the crowd.</font> <font face=arial size=2>: "It was a miserable turnout for all the power that's supposed to be represented," he said. "This (primary) is going to be decided by the Democratic voters of this county. I'm confident they like what I'm doing and want to see it continued." </font>

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