Healy fundraiser hardly fun
by Al Sullivan Hudson Reporter staff writer
Dec 19, 2010

Police protesting Mayor Jerramiah Healy?s fundraiser at Puccini?s Restaurant earlier this month may have pushed things too far and continued to erode public support for their own cause.

Reported as something of a rowdy protest against the city?s laying off of police officers, the event was apparently caught on video security cameras, and may have helped win Healy support from taxpayers who bear the burden of police salaries and benefits, while private sector jobs are becoming scarce.

Healy, who apparently told some close associates that he would like to run for reelection in 2013, despite the apparent growing support among residents for Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop, got a good showing of Democratic Party regulars brave enough to cross the line of protest. This include former state Sen. Bernard Kenny, his legal partner and county freeholder legal counsel; Ed Florio, Freeholder Jeff Dublin, County Executive Tom DeGise, his chief of staff and Jersey City Councilman Bill Gaughan, former Assemblyman Rudy Garcia, Freeholder Bill O?Dea, Jack Kelly, Kevin Lyons, Jersey City Councilman Dave Donnelly, rumored heavyweight boxing champion Carl Czaplicki and other brave men and women, risking life and limb ? or at least the loss of their car keys ? to show support for Healy.

There were plenty of boos to go around by protestors, although Jersey City Councilman Peter Brennan apparently got more than his share as he walked in.

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, was conspicuously absent, although as a retired police deputy chief, Smith could not cross a police protest line, nor could his public safety director, Assemblyman Jason O?Donnell.

Witnesses reported seeing a number of possible Healy supporters steering away from the place at the sight of the protestors. But whether or not they attended, they still paid for their tickets in advance, no doubt.

Will Lenz run again? Michael Lenz, who was defeated by Tim Occhipinti in a special election for Hoboken City Council in November, may be considering a May run for the 4th Ward seat he was forced to give up. Early reports suggest that Rami Pinchevsky, also from the reform camp, may be seeking an opportunity to try and unseat Occhipinti in the May elections. Lenz may be hoping that Pinchevsky can split the newcomer vote with Occhipinti so that Lenz can get elected.

In a year when Gov. Christopher Christie may be the political man of the year, his one most unrecognized failing came in the November 4th Ward election when Republicans apparently sought to support Lenz.

Christie appears to have nixed a local Republican effort to run a candidate in the special election possibly as a favor to Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who came out early in support of Christie?s policies statewide.

The legal challenges over absentee ballots ? now known at mail-in ballots ? are the first blow in the May municipal elections as Lenz and Zimmer reformers seek to create a shadow of doubt about the Occhipinti victory. The ballots in questions played no role in that victory; Occhipinti won on the voting machines.

The Occhipinti-Lenz election raises an even more significant threat to the Zimmer Administration and its hopes to regain control of the City Council. The election brought together diverse groups of Zimmer opponents and showed that they can work together against a common enemy. This may be why so many of these and others from around the city came out for Michael Novak?s Christmas Party ? including some former Zimmer people, too.

Of course, there is a line starting for the 2013 mayoral election and you have to figure one of the frontrunners to oppose Zimmer is Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.

Meanwhile, Thomas Greaney has filed some state paperwork for a possible run in the May elections, although he has not publically announced his candidacy.

All in good fun

One of the curious questions that lingers over Hudson County these days is whether Freeholder Bill O?Dea intends to run against County Executive Tom DeGise in the June Democratic Primary.

O?Dea did nothing to dispel these rumors at the recent roast of DeGise, when he was about to give a definitive answer and then claimed he got a phone call he had to answer.

From every indication, O?Dea accidentally started the rumor earlier this year when someone asked him if he would be interested in running. Shrugging in his typical way, O?Dea said, ?Well, if Brian Stack and Sandra Cunningham came to me and asked, I would consider it.?

He apparently was half joking, but in an atmosphere where there is always a rumor of war, and some political power egging State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack to break with the HCDO, O?Dea?s statement took on additional weight.

At one point, even state Sen. Sandra Cunningham asked O?Dea if he was running against DeGise.

But from every indication, there isn?t going to be a political war between Stack and the HCDO in 2011, and O?Dea will likely seek reelection to his Freeholder seat.

When will they release their names so they can be put on blast for this behavior?
Also, were they on duty while at this fundraiser/rally?

I hope behavior like this puts these two officers at the top of the list for being laid off.

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(If I couldn?t get to my kids for an hour and a half because someone stole my keys I would sue the restaurant , the police union, and the 2 cops!!!!)

Two Jersey City cops face suspension for hiding car keys of persons attending fundraiser, police chief says

Published: Wednesday, December 08, 2010, 7:41 PM Updated: Wednesday, December 08, 2010, 8:48 PM

Ken Thorbourne/The Jersey Journal


Two veteran Jersey City cops who participated in last week's anti-layoff rally at Puccini's Restaurant face suspension for throwing the car keys of some of the persons attending a fundraiser at the facility into the bushes, Jersey City Police Chief Comey said today.

Two Jersey City cops face suspension after hiding the car keys of persons who were attending at a mayoral fundraiser last week, police officials said today.

The two veteran cops -- whose names were not released -- "were remorseful and took full responsibility for their actions," Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey said in a statement.

"Additionally, the officers have apologized for their juvenile behavior and any embarrassment they have caused the department and the city," Comey added.

The two officers, both of whom have more than 10 years on the force, were off-duty last Thursday night when about 300 Jersey City officers rallied at Puccini's Restaurant at West Side Avenue and Broadway.

The cops were protesting Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy's plan to lay off 82 police officers and demote 12 superior officers to cope with budget gaps. Healy was holding a fundraiser at the catering facility at the time.

The cops facing disciplinary action reached inside the valet hut outside the catering house, snatched some keys, and threw them in nearby bushes, officials said, noting that their actions were captured by a video surveillance camera.

"Based upon the interviews and the investigation, both officers were charged with conduct unbecoming a police officer, which is considered a very serious violation. A violation of this type, according to Civil Service rules, can lead to a suspension from duty between six days and six months," Comey said.

The officers are scheduled for a departmental hearing on Jan. 4, he said.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio reviewed the matter but sent it back to the JCPD to be handled administratively.

Kathleen Curran, a mayoral aide, tried to leave the fundraiser at around 6 p.m. to drive home to her 3- and 10-year-old children. But she was delayed about 1 1/2 hours when the valet couldn't find her car keys.

"They found my keys in the bushes," Curran said this afternoon. "It was very frustrating because it (her car keys) is private property."




JJ piece



(It looks like the Charlie Rangel form of punishment is now in vogue)

Yea, what if I reached in there & stole, I mean "hid" keys on people who are there & it was recorded with me in the act.

Behaving like Fratboys.

They stole the keys and then disposed of the evidence.
Is this normal police bahavior? This is something they could do during a crime scene.
They should be suspended or be the first 2 to go from the force or layoff.
Do we have any names yet?

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(If you or I did this we would have been arrested. Replacement micro chip car keys are hundreds of dollars!)

Jersey City cops at anti-layoff protest accused of hiding car keys of attendees at mayoral fundraiser, officials said

Published: Tuesday, December 07, 2010, 5:56 PM

Updated: Tuesday, December 07, 2010, 9:02 PM

Ken Thorbourne/The Jersey Journal

At least two off-duty Jersey City cops who participated in last week's anti-layoff rally at Puccini's Restaurant are being investigated for hiding the car keys of people who were attending a mayoral fundraiser at the catering facility, officials confirmed today.


Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio, who confirmed there is a video of the misbehaving cops, characterized the actions yesterday as "mischievous" and "immature."


The cops allegedly reached inside the valet hut outside the catering house, snatched some keys, and then hid them in flower boxes and planters, officials said.


full JJ piece

(I am also wondering how the cops got away with putting the two blow-up rats in a traffic lane that night, I was one of the lucky drivers stuck in the traffic mess)

I adore the irony in using a song from RAtM in support of police officers. Good video otherwise.

So where are all the Healy shills now? Not here, and not on NJ.com either (where they come out far more frequently).

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It is like when the blue collar tea party members rail against ending the Bush tax cuts for the rich.

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And a further irony in this : many of the JCPD cops and their families live in Republican districts and probably voted for Christie. The man who cut State aid to the City and hastened the JCPD layoffs.

I will be there and let us all remember that complacency should not exist in the hearts and minds of an educated citizenry especially when confronted with corrupt leaders and poor public planning.

This is our city and we must stand up against the Healy machine that has zero accountability, zero trust, and zero forethought.

Anyone who protests a corrupt mayor with TWO giant rats gets a thumbs up from me.

most of the officers facing layoff do live in Jersey City.

this is a pretty crappy situation, not sure why anyone would express glee about it.

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Too bad none of the JC cops actually live in JC, they'd be able to vote Healy out at the next election.

A Healy fundraiser??? For what purpose??? Does this guy really think he has the proverbial "snowballs chance in hell" of even smelling re-election? And if he does, who is his political adviser(s)? Not sure if Fulop is the answer but positive that things need to change.

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LOL. Good post. The cops were also chanting to Healy "Drop the whiskey, save our jobs"

Awesome. Mrs. Healy being serenaded with "recall Healy" and smiling through it. Not one but two inflatable rats. Bullhorns. Three TV stations. But the "highlight" was watching Viola Richardson cross the line as a retired cop. A rat jumping onto a sinking ship.

Well that was some show.At least Three hundred protesters,TV
Helicopters over head Healy and crew slinking into the place.
They were not happy campers.The rally call of "Stop the Whisky,save the cops"was priceless.

There will be no show. Come out and show your support, but please leave the torches and pitchforks at home.

We are professionals and we will conduct ourselves accordingly.

This will be a civilized public demonstration informing this administration and the community at large our vehement opposition to the proposed layoff of the men and women of the Jersey City Police Department and the compromise of our city?s public safety which leave the residents of this city vulnerable to victimization.

Just got word that a huge protest will take place outside the Healy fundraiser this Thursday night at Six pm.Event is at Puccinis rest.on westside ave.The police dept.is protesting layoffs,DPW workers are protesting their layoffs and the committee to recall Healy are just plain protesting.
Should be quite a show.Grab your pitch forks and torches and
come on down.