Winner Deserves Handshakes, Not Lawsuits

Advertise Online – SEO - Search Engine Optimization - Search Engine Marketing - SEM – Domains For Sale – George Washington Bridge Bike Path and Pedestrian Walkway – Corona Extra Beer Subliminal Advertising – Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – Pet Care – The Tunnel Bar – La Cosa Nostra – Jersey City Free Books

Winner Deserves Handshakes, Not Lawsuits

Follow Ups | Post A Followup
Hudson County Politics Message Board

Jersey City Guide

Posted by Anthony Chiappone on October 11, 2003 at 14:04:46:

Friday, October 10, 2003

Letters to the Editor
The Jersey Journal

This letter is in response to Joe Doria's letter to the editor on Sept. 30. First, let me say that I fully understand Joe Doria's disappointment in not being re-elected to the state Assembly. As a legislator he has served our district well. However, it's important to remember that an office holder does not own the seat he or she is elected to, but rather, it is the voters who have the final say in who shall represent them. In the case of the 31st District primary election, the voters have made their choice for Glenn Cunningham for Senate, and Lou Manzo and me, Tony Chiappone, for state Assembly. These selections by the voters were affirmed through a recount of the voters, confirmed by a thorough check of the voting machines, and finally has been upheld in a court of law. The reality is, as victors we should have been greeted by gracious handshakes from the HCDO instead of bitter subpoenas.

In regards to the decision handed down by Judge D'Italia, Joe Doria stated in his letter, "The significant fact is that Judge D'Italia found that the Cunningham/Chiappone/Manzo Team received more than $120,000 in illegal contributions." This is a false comment. Judge D'Italia found no such thing. In fact, he ruled that spending caps do not apply to primary elections. Thus contributions received were not illegal. What makes this case unique is that this is probably the first time in New Jersey that an opposition slate has successfully challenged the existing ruling party. The fact is, prior to Judge D'Italia's ruling, entities such as the Hudson County Democratic Organization felt they could legally outspend anyone or any group that challenged it. Is that fair? Is that democracy? Shouldn't everyone vying for office be on the level playing field as the HCDO?

The second part of Judge D'Italia's ruling stated that even if a cap did apply to primary elections, the HCDO did not prove, as would be necessary under regular election law, that those expenditures significantly impacted the results of the election. It's important to note the HCDO spent $1.6 million while we spent approximately $350,000. The financial advantage was clearly on their side of the fiscal ledger. One of my goals as state assemblyman will be to examine and amend current election laws so that caps do exist in both primary elections and general elections and so that they are fair for all who choose to run for office.
And getting back to the election challenge itself, let's remember the initial basis on which Joe Doria and the HCDO chose to mount their court case. Cries of "massive voter fraud" by Joe Doria and the HCDO were allegations that were splashed all over this very newspaper. In making their case, they alleged that over 2,000 votes in Jersey City were fraudulent, and did not present even one witness or one shred of evidence to substantiate their claim. The fact is Joe Doria and the HCDO dropped their charges of voter fraud once they realized they had no case.

At this point, I feel that it's time for Democrats to put this animosity aside and move on and work towards the benefit of the 31st District. There are many important issues in front of us and I look forward to serving the residents of Bayonne and Jersey City and stepping up to the challenge of addressing those issues on a statewide level.

ANTHONY CHIAPPONE, Councilman At Large & Democratic Nominee for the State Assembly

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name :
E-Mail :
Subject :

Comments:
: Friday, October 10, 2003

:
: Letters to the Editor
: The Jersey Journal

: This letter is in response to Joe Doria's letter to the editor on Sept. 30. First, let me say that I fully understand Joe Doria's disappointment in not being re-elected to the state Assembly. As a legislator he has served our district well. However, it's important to remember that an office holder does not own the seat he or she is elected to, but rather, it is the voters who have the final say in who shall represent them. In the case of the 31st District primary election, the voters have made their choice for Glenn Cunningham for Senate, and Lou Manzo and me, Tony Chiappone, for state Assembly. These selections by the voters were affirmed through a recount of the voters, confirmed by a thorough check of the voting machines, and finally has been upheld in a court of law. The reality is, as victors we should have been greeted by gracious handshakes from the HCDO instead of bitter subpoenas.

: In regards to the decision handed down by Judge D'Italia, Joe Doria stated in his letter, "The significant fact is that Judge D'Italia found that the Cunningham/Chiappone/Manzo Team received more than $120,000 in illegal contributions." This is a false comment. Judge D'Italia found no such thing. In fact, he ruled that spending caps do not apply to primary elections. Thus contributions received were not illegal. What makes this case unique is that this is probably the first time in New Jersey that an opposition slate has successfully challenged the existing ruling party. The fact is, prior to Judge D'Italia's ruling, entities such as the Hudson County Democratic Organization felt they could legally outspend anyone or any group that challenged it. Is that fair? Is that democracy? Shouldn't everyone vying for office be on the level playing field as the HCDO?

: The second part of Judge D'Italia's ruling stated that even if a cap did apply to primary elections, the HCDO did not prove, as would be necessary under regular election law, that those expenditures significantly impacted the results of the election. It's important to note the HCDO spent $1.6 million while we spent approximately $350,000. The financial advantage was clearly on their side of the fiscal ledger. One of my goals as state assemblyman will be to examine and amend current election laws so that caps do exist in both primary elections and general elections and so that they are fair for all who choose to run for office.
: And getting back to the election challenge itself, let's remember the initial basis on which Joe Doria and the HCDO chose to mount their court case. Cries of "massive voter fraud" by Joe Doria and the HCDO were allegations that were splashed all over this very newspaper. In making their case, they alleged that over 2,000 votes in Jersey City were fraudulent, and did not present even one witness or one shred of evidence to substantiate their claim. The fact is Joe Doria and the HCDO dropped their charges of voter fraud once they realized they had no case.

: At this point, I feel that it's time for Democrats to put this animosity aside and move on and work towards the benefit of the 31st District. There are many important issues in front of us and I look forward to serving the residents of Bayonne and Jersey City and stepping up to the challenge of addressing those issues on a statewide level.

: ANTHONY CHIAPPONE, Councilman At Large & Democratic Nominee for the State Assembly

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Hoboken Guide

Jersey City and Hoboken Real Estate
Waterfront Apartments and Condominiums

Featured Link

Featured Listing Advertising Program
Business name, Web Site Link and a brief description or motto – runs for one month in the Page (or Pages) of your choice.

Sales Associates Wanted!
GET NJ seeks sales associates to market ads on a commission basis. For more information, e-mail your resume and contact information to sales@getnj.com – Be sure to mention the area of New Jersey and/or the market segment that you plan to serve.

GRAVE ROBBER Jersey City Computer Repair
297 Griffith Street, Jersey City, NJ - 201-798-2292 - In the Heights just off of Kennedy Blvd. - Very close to Journal Square and Union City, just five minutes away from Hoboken, Downtown Jersey City, Newport, the Waterfront, Secaucus, North Bergen and Weehawken - Tech support for The Jersey City Mayor's Office during the administration of Bret Schundler - PC repair - Tivos, too!, upgrade, hardware install, software install, data recovery, spyware removal, virus removal, replace hard drive, replace motherboard, copy files from notebooks, backup information from dead laptops

Wanted! Used Computers!
Used computers bought and sold. Located in Jersey City, NJ - convenient to the Hoboken 2nd Street Light Rail stations and the Journal Square PATH subway station. E-mail graverobber@verizon.net with an itemized list (description) of what you have for sale and the price. Pickup in the New York City Metro area -- minimum 10 units. Secure, guaranteed data removal is available.