In Cherry Hill, a potentially historic lawsuit
By Wally EdgeDepositions will begin soon in a case filed against the Township of Cherry Hill by a staff attorney who claims she was fired because she refused to play political patronage games. This legal faceoff between Deborah Sanders and Mayor Bernard Platt’s administration has the potential to be a huge political story – though not necessarily a factor in the third district congressional race, where State Sen. John Adler, a product of the Cherry Hill Democratic Organization, is a candidate. The trial won’t begin until after the election.
Contributors
Wally Edge
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Bob Torricelli
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Debbie Holtz
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Dr. Joseph Marbach
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Rob Tornoe
Joey Novick
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Carla Katz
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Patricia Quattrocchi
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Quote of the Day
"I’m here to talk to people not pose for pictures with you." -- Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie to Assemblyman Rick Merkt, his former running mate and now his rival in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, according to Merkt.
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Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
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Syndicate
Time to Reform the CC Dems
If this lawsuit is accurate, then this should be a wake-up call to Camden County Democrats that some serious reform is needed. Party leaders should not be telling township officials what vendors should be given contracts under any condition, and this should have been banned anyway under the recent pay-to-play ordinance that Platt, et al, passed. Give some credit to Platt, however, for signing onto some good pay-to-play reform, even if he had to be dragged over the finish line, so to speak.
I'm concerned about the larger issue of Party leader control, particularly Norcross, in the everday affairs of townships like Cherry Hill in Camden County.
With what's been happening lately in CC (Donald Norcross for Congress?), I'm frankly embarrassed to be a Camden County Democrat For some context on the Sanders lawsuit, see here:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS01/807220353/1006
That Thud You Just Heard
Was my jaw dropping after reading M1's comments.
Not sure if this is the first time he has blasted the CC machine but it is certainly the first I've read it.
I have to give credit where credit is due:
Good job M1 (I just threw up a little in mouth when I typed that).
These guys have been abusing CH for years now and I think we will see the chickens coming home to roost on this one.
I have said it before and I will say it again - the people of CH are tired of being treated as a cash cow for the Norcross machine. My guess is they go for Obama for Pres, Lautenberg for Senate but then send a message to Norcross et al by either going with Myers or at least keeping it very close.
Adler needs to win CH by a HUGE margin and I do not think it will happen this time around.
corruption does not stop at camden border
Paulsen and company are just as bad.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-08032008-1571929.html
Interesting how PolitickerNJ won't print any story against Burl Co GOP.
Camden County
Every one of the 37 Camden County towns that the Democrats control have been like this for atleast 30+ years.
Where is the Attorney General?
Where is Christie?
Norcross should be given life in prison. His brothers too!
Agree with East 8
Former Republican Chair Dawn Lacy should be investigated for failing the taxpayers in her role as Legislative Chair of Social Services.
Clearly her lack of leadership and poor direction to subordinates created an environment where staff was not being maximized and therefore tax dollars were not best utilized.
Only after Lacy was being pushed out of her position as Republican leader did she speak up and try to cover up her failure on the board by blaming others.
For shame Dawn. For shame.
A Few Points
East8th, I agree with you completely. PoliticsNJ, while it does provide info hard to find anywhere else, is not fair in its coverage. It is clear that the Burlington GOP has influence over stories printed on this site. They hardly covered the GOP Primary. The Paulsen corruption stories nowhere to be found.
BetterNJNow, Dawn Lacy is not to blame for the corruption in the GOP. She blew the whistle on it and was sent packing by Paulsen and his lacky Layton. They need to be held responsible for picking poor candidates who allow corruption to continue.
Do you think its any coincidence that John Comegno donated to the campaign of Fenton/Jordan and was allowed to keep his position after his criminal conviction?
Same thing w/ Baxter, of course Fenton/Jordan will support him, he funds their campaign.
It is very frustrating time for real republicans in Burlington County right now. These corruption issues need to go away. We need new leadership from top to bottom
Hudson West story
http://blog.nj.com/njv_thurman_hart/
enough said
Agreed
There is a lot to clean up in both houses,and I too am glad to see Martin start to question one of his own.
As far as blowing the whistle on corruption, unfortunately, when you are blowing the whistle on someone, you cannot knowingly go along with everything then cry foul when convenient.