Lisa Perkins

Several new mayors will take office today after winning the May 13 non-partisan municipal elections, including Wilda Diaz in Perth Amboy, Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. in Orange, Jerry Fried in Montclair, Robert Romano in Vineland, and Edward Mahaney in Cape May City.

There is considerable speculation that Orange Mayor Mims Hackett will plead guilty to federal and state corruption charges on Tuesday.  U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has scheduled a news conference for tomorrow, and Hackett is expected to appear before Federal Judge Jose Linares at 8:00 AM, and then before Superior Court Judge Betty Lester at 1:30 PM.  Under that scenario, City Council President Lisa Perkins will become Acting Mayor until July 1, when Mayor-elect Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. takes office.

In a battle to succeed Orange Mayor Mims HOrange Councilman Donald Pageackett, mayoral candidate Donald Page formally introduced his three council running mates at a reception in Verona last night.

"My friends – it is time for ‘A New Beginning,’" Page, an at-large councilman, told an audience at the Richfield Regency. "It is time to put an end to politics as usual. It is time to put an end to a city government that only works for special interests and political friends. It is time to do something about property taxes. It is time do something about crime."

The candidate, who last November announced his intentions to run for mayor, last night welcomed Rayfield Morton, Antoine "Tony" Desormes and Andrea Elliot as his running mates.

Orange mayoralCouncilman Ed Marable, Jr. candidate Eldridge Hawkins, Jr today received the endorsement of South Ward Councilman Edward Marable, Jr.

"After considerable thought and prayer, I have concluded that you are Orange’s best hope to restore pride, progress and professionalism in our city," Marable wrote in a letter to Hawkins, a West Orange police officer and son of former Assemblyman Eldridge Hawkins.

Hakwins is one of several people expressing an interest in succeeding embattled Mayor Mims Hackett, who faces federal corruption charges. Others who have picked up the paperwork that needs to be completed by March 20 as a pre-requisite to run in the May 13 race include Councilman Donald Page, Councilwoman Tency A. Eason and Council President Lisa Perkins.

Orange Mayor Mims HackettOrange Mayor Mims Hackett appeared in council chambers, among the first public officials to arrive, smiling broadly at the young baseball players and haggard clutch of City Hall gadflies alike.

"Happy New Year," he said, and proceeded to wade into the small crowd with a polished politician’s outstretched hand. A month away from standing trial to answer to corruption charges and already deposed from his office as 27th district assemblyman, Hackett carried no aura of the disgraced Roman senator on Wednesday evening. He was all dapper southern sweetness and light.

More bundled bodies floated in from the cold and by now Hackett was at the front of the room.

There would be a special presentation of the recreation league baseball team and the mayor smiled with the news and straightened in his chair. "These talented youngsters are an inspiration to everyone," he beamed, and proceeded to slowly read a full roster of the team’s players.