Assemblyman Green's curbs bedecked with Williams signs yesterday.
Everyone agrees the sign prank pulled on Plainfield Assemblyman and Dem city committee chair Jerry Green was sophomoric (see my post of yesterday here, the Assemblyman's post here, and Mark Spivey's article in the Courier here, illustrated with his photo -- which is much better than mine).
So the question remains: Who did it?
The Assemblyman, saying he was angered and his neighbors were embarrassed, moved heaven and earth to turn it into a news item -- including getting mayoral photog Laurence Rice out to document the outrage, and filing a police complaint which incited a quotation from Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig that seems to contemplate nullifying someone's First Amendment rights to unfettered political speech.
The question is whose?
While the assumption of many seems to be that it was over-enthusiastic Williams supporters, it seems to me just as plausible that Green supporters -- bitter over their unexpected smackdown at the polls -- did it as a 'dirty trick' to cast the Williams team in a negative light.
Besides, after Green's ill-conceived last-minute mailer attacking Williams enraged so many in the community, the Assemblyman would be the most likely to want a sympathetic item in the news to deflect criticism from his disastrous 'support' of his candidate Rashid Burney.
Given the wave of gang violence that is sweeping Plainfield, we only have to wonder if Hellwig will put this item at the top of the Police Division's to-do list, or will better judgment set in, cooler heads prevail, and the incident fade into Plainfield's political folklore?
Meanwhile, I can't get those muffled guffaws from Trenton's Statehouse cloakrooms out of my head.
What WAS the Assemblyman thinking to kick up this kerfuffle?
NOTE: Comments are turned off for this light-hearted post. Enjoy it or get over it.
- Plainfield Today: "Jerry congratulates Rebecca?"
- Courier: "Plainfield campaign prank angers assemblyman"
- Jerry Green's Page: "Post-campaign thoughts"
-- Dan Damon [follow]
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5 comments:
By selecting Ms. Williams in the primary over a fairly competent politician, Rashid Burney, the voters of Plainfield are sending a message to Mr. Green and his band that we will no longer tolerate the inept leadership we have received in this city. Mr. Green should note that most of us do not owe any allegiances to him through jobs or other patronage positions he doles out. Most of us are hardworking individuals who venture out of Plainfield on a daily basis to our various jobs. Most of us do not work for a government agency and as such do not owe an allegiance to anyone in government who is not furthering the best interest of the residents of Plainfield. We are ready to be become actively involved in this city, but will only do so behind candidates who articulate a vision of positive change, have the intellectual ability to understand the issues and find solutions and have the fortitude and the resolve required to accomplish the work required to move this city along. We will not vote for someone who is entering politics to solely advance his or her political career without regard for the people. We will not vote for someone who is okay with having a boss who is deemed more powerful than the people. We will simply remain at home instead of coming out to support the business as usual politician. Mr. green you are a representative of that political class that believes you and them are above us the people/the voters.
Plainfield has so many great assets on which we can build a truly sustainable and strong city. For too long we have allowed Mr. Green, his bosses and the unqualified individuals he selects to run this city. In Plainfield we must set high standards of what we expect of a leader. Mr. Green is not a someone qualified to be a leader. The people who have endorsed him are also not leaders. Mr. Green has survive this long as a the so called leader Boss of Plainfield because the rest of us who know better have been too busy tending to our jobs and working hard to educate our children. Now it is important for us who have the talent this city needs to step up and be supportive of candidates like Ms. Williams and also consider running as well for political office in this city.
It is now time for Mr. Green to go. If he chooses not to go very soon with a modicum of dignity that should be granted to a human being, he will face the wrath of the voters next year. He has become so impotent in the Assembly, the usual financial campaign support he has received in the past from the special interest groups will not be forthcoming because he no longer enjoys the figure head level of influence he had before. Plainfield may receive a present from Mr. Green's bosses as they are likely to ask him to step aside for someone who is more electable and more useful to them moving forward. Hopefully Mr. Green leave graceful before he suffers the humiliation he will receive from the voters next year.
Hi Dan. I totally agree with your assessment and concerns. What happened to Mr. Green palls when compared to the crime and other problems occurring in Plainfield. Also, since Mr. Green enjoys being a public figure due to his political position and influence/power, he should expect public reactions, i.e., if you are man/woman enough to dish it out (as Mr Green did during the recent Plainfield Ward 2/3 city council campaign), you should be man/woman enough to take it (lawn signs) and move on. In light of his infamous mailer and comments in regards to the lawn signs, Mr. Green needs to fire whoever is advising him on PR/communications.
As an unrelated side note and at the risk of "beating a dead horse", I couldn't resist reinforcing my response to your previous blog that characterized Mr. Burney's last minute campaign e-mail, that accused Ms. Williams of psychodrama and self-victimization, as being indicative of unreconstructed (male) chauvinism on Mr. Burney's part. My response contained definitions and quote from Hamlet.
Please note your wording in this blog about the lawn signs:
Self-Victimization (playing the victim) and Psychodrama:
"...... The Assemblyman, saying he was angered and his neighbors were embarrassed, moved heaven and earth to turn it into a news item ..........."
Psychodrama:
"........ While the assumption of many seems to be that it was over-enthusiastic Williams supporters, it seems to me just as plausible that Green supporters -- bitter over their unexpected smackdown at the polls -- did it as a 'dirty trick' to cast the Williams team in a negative light..........."
Self-Victimization (playing the victim):
"...... Besides, ........the Assemblyman would be the most likely to want a sympathetic item in the news to deflect criticism from his disastrous 'support' of his candidate Rashid Burney..........."
Would you agree that your words clearly describe Mr. Green's response as psychodrama and self-victimization? Do you see the similarities of your words with those of Mr. Burney? If yes and if Mr. Green was a woman, would it be fair to describe your words as being indicative of a male chauvinist? No, it wouldn't.
Also, since you and Mr. Green are males, would it be fair to say that because you don't make any chauvinistic references in regards to Mr. Green; you are implying it's ok for men to participate in psychodrama and self-victimization and not ok for women (Ms. Williams) - a clear indication of male chauvinism on your part? No. it wouldn't.
Again, I couldn't resist - smiles. I'll bury this horse after this response. Comments?
Hey Gerry:
Lighten up! Won't be too long for you and Sharon are out of there. I just love to see Democrats duke it out amongst themselves, great joy indeed.
Plfd. will be better when you do not have your fingers all over it as well as the mayor's office.
Hey Gerry:
Lighten up!
Since when does a person own that strip of land ?? I was told the town could put up signs on it when they want to ?? But I had to cut the grass !!!
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