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Posted by Pepe Bonmot () on March 16, 2002 at 11:18:22:
Read his (bare) lips Peter Weiss Has Jersey City Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham passed the point of no return in the split with U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez, D-Union City, over political supremacy in Hudson County? We're not talking about threats or deals or secret meetings or new alliances. We're talking about his mustache. At a meeting of county mayors convened by Cunningham this week, he explained his newly missing facial hair as a preparation for battle. Maybe he was kidding about the mustache, but not about the war. He reiterated his readiness to fight at a meeting last night of Jersey City Democratic leaders. At the mayors' meeting - attended by five other mayors or their representatives and missed by six mayors - Cunningham complained that too much credit for his victory last year has been given to, and claimed by, Menendez. He said their rift is fueled largely by contracts - or, rather, the lack thereof - held by the congressman's friend and ally, attorney Donald Scarinci. At both meetings Cunningham strongly hinted that if Menendez doesn't agree to support Acting County Executive Bernard Hartnett Jr. in the special election this year, the congressman might find himself with a serious opponent in the Democratic primary. It's no coincidence that signs touting former Jersey City Mayor Gerald McCann, now a Cunningham ally - that's a story in itself - are appearing all over the county. Another who might get Cunningham's support for Congress is politically ambitious Jersey City Deputy Police Director Edgar Martinez. Menendez's 13th District includes most of Jersey City, and if Cunningham is as strong there as he believes, it could cause trouble for Menendez. That's certainly what the mayor wants Menendez to think. A serious Menendez primary opponent could also be expected to seek support of a faction of the deeply-divided Essex County Democratic organization. That county includes a chunk of the 13th District. Several of the mayors who attended Cunningham's meeting, and several who didn't, still wonder what the fight is really all about and whether they should get involved. Those attending the meeting were Mayors Joseph Doria of Bayonne, Raymond McDonough of Harrison and Dennis Elwell of Secaucus. Mayors Nicholas Sacco of North Bergen and David Roberts of Hoboken sent representatives. Not there were Mayors Albio Sires of West New York, Brian Stack of Union City, Richard Turner of Weehawken, David DelleDonna of Guttenberg, Al Santos of Kearny and Joseph Smith of East Newark. Attending the meeting doesn't mean siding with Cunningham, nor does not being their mean being with Menendez. Elwell said he thought Menendez should have been invited, and he and others asked Doria to try to arrange peace talks between Menendez and Cunningham.
Hartnett said he's hopeful that there won't be a primary battle, but he's ready for one if it happens. Some people thought he would run only if unopposed and leave Cunningham searching for another candidate in a fight.
However, Hartnett continues to insist that he won't seek a full term in next year's election under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernard Kenny, D-Hoboken, continues to insist he's not interested in running for county executive.
Jersey City Councilwoman Mary Donnelly remains the leading choice to be the Menendez candidate, but former county Freeholder Louis Manzo of Jersey City is, perhaps surprisingly, still in the picture. Several key people on the Menendez side are receptive to a Manzo candidacy, but the congressman still must be won over.
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