This is a good morning for pancakes!!!!!!!!!!

Judge won't dismiss Nidia Lopez case, trial set for Oct. 26

By Melissa Hayes/The Jersey Journal
October 16, 2009, 1:04PM
Journal file photoJersey City Councilwoman Nidia Lopez will go on trial Oct. 26 for allegations she violated residency laws when she ran for office in May. A Superior Court judge declined to dismiss the case today. Jersey City Councilwoman Nidia Lopez will have to defend her residency in a trial beginning Oct. 26.

Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli denied Lopez' request for summary judgement today, which would have dimissed the case.

Norrice Raymaker, who ran unsuccessfully for City Council, is challenging Lopez' residency, contending the councilwoman's primary residence in is Florida. Lopez has not paid New Jersey income taxes in at least three years, but has filed federal taxes in Florida during that time. Florida does not have a state income tax.

Lopez tried to have the case dimissed on the grounds that it was filed more than 30 days after she was elected and that Raymaker should not have been able to take the case over for James King, who withdrew his claim after pleading guilty to corruption charges.

Raymaker's attorney Diane Jeffrey said the judge dismissed both those claims.

The trial is scheduled to begin in Superior Court Oct. 26.

Reform group raises Lopez lawsuit money with pancakes

[from PolitickerNJ.com, October 12, 2009, 10:30 a.m.]

A group of Jersey City activists who hope to oust Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez will hold a flapjack fundraiser on Sunday to raise money for the effort.

The proceeds will go to help pay the legal fees of former council candidate Norrice Raymaker, who alleges in a lawsuit that Lopez is technically a Florida resident.

Raymaker said that the decision to serve pancakes at the fundraiser was not meant to poke fun at a suit Lopez filed in the 1990s against on Orlando, Fla. International House of Pancakes, where she fell after slipping on a French fry.

?No, it was not. But that?s very good. I hadn?t thought of that,? Raymaker said. ?I?m from Wisconsin originally, and a pancake breakfast is a real community event. Many organizations do pancake breakfasts, so it?s a relatively inexpensive fundraiser for people to participate in.?

One Jersey City ? the organization whose slate Raymaker ran on in the May municipal election ? is hosting the event. Tickets are $15 and $10 for seniors. Kids eat free.

Raymaker took over the suit from former council candidate Jimmy King, who was arrested on corruption charges after he filed it and pleaded guilty last month.

On Friday, Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli will hear a request for summary judgment from Lopez attorney Bill Northgrave, who hopes to get the case thrown out before it goes to trial. If Gallipoli does not grant the request, the trial will start on October 26.

Raymaker is already getting discounted and pro-bono legal representation, but she said that court fees and stenographer costs add up.

- Matt Friedman

"PANCAKE BREAKFAST Fundraiser"

As event details go, that's very important: flapjacks for all!
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Benefit to support Norrice Raymaker's legal proceedings against Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Rivera Lopez.

Sunday, October 18th, 10 am to 12 pm

Zap's Bar and Restaurant, 153 Oakland Ave., corner of Jefferson Ave.

Tickets in advance: $15.00 per adult, seniors $10, kids under 10 eat free.

Buy tickets online at www.onejerseycity.org or by mailing a check payable to: "Reform Jersey City 2009", 109 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, 07306

Please support Norrice Raymaker's lawsuit to determine Councilwoman Nidia Lopez' eligibility to represent ward C.

When: Sunday October 18th 10 AM to Noon
Where: Zapp's Bar 153 Oakland Ave (Corner of Jefferson Ave)
Cost: Adults: $15.00
Seniors: $10.00
Kids under 10: Free

Tickets can be purchased online at onejerseycity.org