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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Could Mapp be key to Jerry Green's future?

Could Councilman Mapp be the key to Green's future
in a difficult election season?
State Sen. Ray Lesniak tried to get Plainfield Assemblyman Jerry Green to give up his hard-won laurels in the Legislature to run for Mayor of Plainfield, according to a story in today's PolitickerNJ (see here).

Now, why on earth would Sen. Lesniak ask Jerry to give up an Assembly career to which he has devoted himself for more than two decades?

Having now arrived at a pinnacle which includes chairmanship of an important committee (Housing and Local Government) and an oversight role in the Assembly as a whole (Speaker Pro Tem), as well as membership on an important Joint Committee of the Senate and Assembly (Housing Affordability), Jerry is expected to take Lesniak's advice and give it up for ... being Mayor of Plainfield?

This surprising news comes two-thirds of the way through a long story on the ins and outs of politics in the 20th Legislative District, where Assemblyman Joe Cryan and Sen. Lesniak are in an uneasy alliance.

After hashing out the maneuvers and intrigue concerning the 20th District, writer Max Pizarro turns to Plainfield to put a wrap on the Union County angle.

Unfortunately, Pizarro seems not to have contacted those involved in the current Plainfield situation -- Mapp, Robinson-Briggs or even Green.

Pizarro's wildly inaccurate statement that Cryan's ex-stalker Karen Golding is fundraising for Mapp smacks of a maneuver by someone to drive a wedge between Mapp and the Union County Democratic leadership.

We must also note that the Union County GOP, which has not mounted a challenge to the Democrats in years (the Assembly candidacy of Plainfielder Joan Van Pelt got no county party support), made a splash in nominating Plainfield's young John Campbell at its party convention at the Westwood Monday evening (which Bernice scooped everyone on, see here).

As I reported in December, Lesniak and Green huddled with the Campbells at Lesniak's Christmas party (see here). Though no one could figure out exactly what was discussed, the meeting clearly introduced young John Campbell to Union County's most powerful elected Democrat.

Was it a courtesy call? Was it to get a blessing to move ahead?

And what does it mean for Jerry? Is it possible that Lesniak is prepared to cashier Green to curry favor with Chris Christie, who looks to beat Dem. Sen. Barbara Buono for a second term?

Although the PolitickerNJ story takes pains to say Campbell intends to target Assemblywoman Linda Stender, I think that is a wink-wink situation.

Campbell will pose a bigger threat to Green than Stender.

Which means that Mapp could be the key to Jerry's future.

Now that puts the proverbial shoe on the other foot.





-- Dan Damon [follow]

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Walter Scott had it right in his poem,"What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to device," refers to the love triangle occurring between the three main characters of the poem. Lord Marmion loves Clara de Clare, but she already loves Sir Wilton. Wilton is then targeted by Marmion because of this love as a way to win Clara's affections for himself.
Sounds like it could have been written yesterday! Jerry, Ray and Adrian, but where is Charlotte? Weaving her web!

Anonymous said...

So in that story you wrote about Green introducing the Campbell son to Lesniak, now it is becoming clear. Campbell Jr was supposed to replace Green on the ticket s Stender's new running mate and Green was supposed to replace Robinson-Briggs. Only thing is that Campbell is still a Republican. The irony is that Robinson Briggs was a Republican and served on the Republican county committee but changed her affiliation to run as a Democrat at the urging of Lesniak and Green. I guess Campbell didn't want to change his party affiliation? The poll Green and Lesniak commissioned must have not looked good for the mayor or Green.

Pat Turner Kavanaugh said...

Dan: you can't make this stuff up...Plainfield politics - the gift that never stops giving...and I liked the touch about Cryan's stalker...

Anonymous said...

Just tell me why would the Campbell's put their son out there to get smashed. They care nothing about anyone but themselves. Now they could care less even about their son this is a disgrace.

Anonymous said...

Walter Scott had it right in his poem,"What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to device," refers to the love triangle occurring between the three main characters of the poem. Lord Marmion loves Clara de Clare, but she already loves Sir Wilton. Wilton is then targeted by Marmion because of this love as a way to win Clara's affections for himself.
Sounds like it could have been written yesterday! Jerry, Ray and Adrian, but where is Charlotte? Weaving her web!

Unknown said...

we need a new set of people running for office, these people don't don't make themselves known in the communities only during election time do you see their names. it's time for change our town needs some fixing especially in our downtown area is the worst on 28 from Elizabeth to Plainfield (DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT). And the mayors need to really try to attract some company's wtih big names to Plainfield for decent shopping large enough company's tax rateable companies to take the tax load off the citizen's. if u feel how I do email me @ places584@gmail.com and let's build.
Plainfield is a waste of a beautiful town with the sameol officals who don't care only to line their pockets with free government dollars.