November 16, 2006 - 3:58pm
In Booker's Newark, it's business as usual
By Wally EdgeThe conventional wisdom had been that Harold Hodes would lose his very lucrative contract as a lobbyist for the City of Newark after Cory Booker replaced Sharpe James as Mayor. Sources say that Hodes got Senate President Richard Codey, Essex County Democratic Chairman Philip Thigpen and others to intervene, and now that Hodes has formed a "joint" venture with Thigpen's son, Rick Thigpen, it now looks like the contract will remain intact -- albeit with a little bit less of a profit margin.
The Newark lobbying deal might be one of the reasons Rick Thigpen spent so much time with his cousin, Donald Payne, Jr., who serves as a Newark City Councilman and Essex County Freeholder, at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention in Atlantic City this week. Payne, Jr. is the son of Congressman Donald Payne, the nephew of Assemblyman William Payne, and the cousin of Assemblyman Craig Stanley.
For extreme political junkies: read Thigpen's analysis of a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll on the Newark mayoral race.
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**** Newark politics seems far too incestuous these days, even
****
Newark politics seems far too incestuous these days, even in the post-Sharpe era.
I hope Booker can slog the muck. The Thigpen/Payne/Stanley gang wields tremendous behind-the-scenes power, and are essentially kingmakers.
I hope Cory can exert some influence and make it clear that he is the new boss in Newark.
Unfortunately, giving a councilman's cousin a lobbying contract is a step in the wrong direction.
Hodes got Newark a lot of state aid...I know he was alligned with Sharpe, but damn, isn't there another firm in Trenton???
*****
*****
Why would Booker want to invest all this time and energy in beco
Why would Booker want to invest all this time and energy in becoming mayor of Newark only to retain the very people who are part of the institutional failures of this city to move forward?
It seems every Democrat across the state is seeking a piece of the action like pan handlers searching for gold...
If Booker is smart, he will serve out his term and seek federal office. If you can't drain the swamp, you become part of it...
Why would Booker want to invest all this time and energy in beco
Why would Booker want to invest all this time and energy in becoming mayor of Newark only to retain the very people who are part of the institutional failures of this city to move forward?
It seems every Democrat across the state is seeking a piece of the action like pan handlers searching for gold...
If Booker is smart, he will serve out his term and seek federal office. If you can't drain the swamp, you become part of it...
"I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to find that gambling is going on in here
"I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to find that gambling is going on in here!"
This is yet another example of why the FDU poll lacks credibilit
This is yet another example of why the FDU poll lacks credibility. Thigpen is such a tool, and why doesn't anyone mention that his other business partner is Tom Wilson. Maybe that's why the Repubs let him get away with all this stuff?
Why did the FDU poll on Cory Booker only use analysis from Thigpen, a Democrat, without any balance from the Repubs? How can FDU say they are balanced when the hire a Dem to provide analysis but nobody from the other side?
Anyway, Thigpen is the Democratic Tom Kean, Jr. If his father wasn't who he is/was, he would be an even bigger joke.
Tom Wilson is Rick Thigpen's business partner? how very NEW JERS
Tom Wilson is Rick Thigpen's business partner? how very NEW JERSEY. sleezes, sleezes everywhere. and wally, add Peter Wooley to that list, what an idiot!!!!!!
If Thigpen loses his FDU platform, he still will have his NJN gi
If Thigpen loses his FDU platform, he still will have his NJN gig to fall back on. Is anything more dull and less insightful than NJN's "Insider" segment with Thigpen and Bodman promoting their clients and friends? It is one more reason Corzine should sell the network to help with the budget.
NJN has lots of conflicts too. It's not just about them using l
NJN has lots of conflicts too. It's not just about them using lobbyists with agendas as policy and political analysts. How about reporter Marie DeNoia attending Aronsohn for Congress campaign meetings, events and fundraisers? And what about Kent Manahan moderating a gubernatorial debate without ever disclosing that her daughter was working for one of the two candidates?