Look who's running with the PAC
Friday, August 10, 2007

By ALFRED P. DOBLIN
RECORD COLUMNIST

THEY ARE the chosen 88. The political action committee of the New Jersey Education Association, the teachers' union, has endorsed 88 candidates in state legislative races. It did not endorse in every race. It did endorse in the 38th District. NJEA PAC gave a thumbs-up to Sen. Joseph Coniglio.

Coniglio, a plumber by trade, is a good union guy. He also was a really good guy for Hackensack University Medical Center. He was so good at his side job as a paid consultant for HUMC that he is now under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office. He received a "target letter," an indication that a criminal indictment may be pending.

Yes, the good plumber is innocent until proven guilty. But there is a big, dark cloud over his head. Why would any political action committee decide to ignore the strong possibility of a long rainy season?

In a press release, NJEA President Joyce Powell emphasized the importance of public education and the need for NJEA PAC to thoroughly vet candidates. She said, "It is important for professional educators to take the time to interview and exchange ideas with their elected officials, so they can understand the complexities of educating children in today's world."

Really? The release states the committee voted on the recommendations of local interview teams. A spokesman for NJEA PAC could not say who was on the team that interviewed Coniglio. He said that candidates were sent questionnaires, and that past voting records were also scrutinized.

The "target letter" was not an obstacle to an endorsement because it did not come up on the questionnaire. "Our process is very narrowly defined," the spokesman said.

That's one way of looking at it. How could a group of educators not question a candidate under federal investigation about a possible indictment? NJEA PAC did not endorse in every legislative race. In its press release, it stated future endorsements were still possible. Why not hold out on endorsing in the 38th until the U.S. Attorney's Office's investigation is complete?

Organized labor has fought hard battles in the United States. It is responsible for ensuring that many American workers are treated and compensated fairly. But unchecked, unions have made more than inroads for members. Many of the public employee contracts in New Jersey are bleeding the state's coffers. It is hard to understand how NJEA PAC had the best interests of public education in mind when it endorsed Coniglio.

Another troubling endorsement is Assemblywoman Nellie Pou in the 35th District. In 2006, Pou thought nothing of campaigning for good pal Anna DeMolli to receive a plum position in the Paterson School District. Paterson schools are under state control. Pou tried to make race an issue in why DeMolli was overlooked for a promotion. She failed. She also failed to discover that her friend had not formally applied for the job she did not get.

Perhaps at one time in the Paterson school district someone could have been handed a job without even applying for it, but not any more. Is this the kind of legislator NJEA PAC wants -- a state official who publicly lobbies for her friend to receive promotion in a school district?

If NJEA PAC wants to be seen as a forceful advocate for better education and for legislators who put students' interests first, it should start broadening its "narrowly defined process."

There is a lot of criticism about public education, in particular how it's funded in New Jersey. On a federal level, we have the problematic "No Child Left Behind." On a state level, we are plagued with too many horses' behinds putting personal agendas ahead of the public's needs. New Jersey is ill-served by politically powerful organizations that, through endorsements and campaign contributions, continue to populate local and state government with mediocrities.

As recent headlines suggest, mediocrities are now being replaced by either convicted felons or officials under indictment or investigation. The fine line between perks and "perps" is disappearing like sand on the Jersey shore.

Coniglio should drop out of the race. Most Democrats in Bergen County want to see him leave. Yet NJEA PAC is content to bury its judgment and head in the sand. The appreciative senator/plumber perhaps can lay an underground pipe for the PAC. Even narrowly defined organizations need air.

Alfred P. Doblin is the editorial page editor of The Record. Contact him at doblin@northjersey.com.