Dear Editor:
When connected to Hudson County politics, the word “Machine” has a very negative connotation. Some cringe at the very utterance of this word. “Machine” conjures up images of a politician making deals in a smoke-filled back room. It invokes mental pictures of an all-controlling political boss – the master puppeteer – pulling the strings of his lackey marionettes. “Machine” makes us think back on the days of Frank Hague and John V. Kenny. Some may think back on those days with a bit of nostalgia. Others recoil at the very idea of resurrecting “the good old days.” Well, the truth is, we just might be a lot closer to the “good old days” than we would like to think.
In Jersey City, we now have the “Fulop Team.” In this case, the word “Team” is a euphemism for “Machine.” Don’t be fooled by Steve Fulop’s “reformer mantle,” this mayor is a “political boss,” and he knows how to pull the strings of his “puppets” to get what he wants.
Sean Connors was attracted to the vacant Ward D seat. Connors made no secret about his desire to fill Michael Yun’s vacant seat on the council. Then, suddenly, prior to the interviews, Sean Connors withdraws his interest. Of course, Connors conveniently claims that he wanted to fulfill his obligations to his current position during the health crisis. If anyone believes that drivel, then I have a bridge to sell you that crosses the Hackensack River. If Connors is as altruistic as he would like us to believe, then why did he express interest (he was one of the first to express interest) in being appointed to the vacant Ward D seat? It appears that “Boss Fulop” pulled on Sean’s strings; hopefully, he didn’t pull too hard. “Boss Fulop” may need Sean in November.
As councilmen James Solomon and Rolando Lavarro were preparing to interview candidates to fill the Ward D seat, “Boss Fulop” endorses Yosef Saleh. Council President Joyce Watterman claimed that Saleh is the best person for the job. With that, “Boss Fulop’s” subordinate, subservient, and submissive council approved Yosef Saleh’s “nomination.” Somehow, I seriously doubt that Joyce Watterman or, for that matter, members of Boss Fulop’s rubber stamp council, know Yosef Saleh. Then again, from the Facebook posts that I’ve read, it appears that most of the constituents in Ward D don’t know Saleh.
Saleh was not “chosen” to fill the Ward D seat because his appointment promotes diversity (i.e., the first Muslim to serve on Jersey City’s council). Nor was he “picked” because he is a life-long resident of the Heights. “Boss Fulop” tapped Saleh because he is a safe bet “place holder” – a “caretaker”- of (and for) the Ward D seat.
Essentially, Saleh is a cog in Steve Fulop’s political machine. And, make no mistake about it, “Boss Fulop” has no qualms about replacing “cogs” in his machine to take advantage of any circumstance.
John Di Genio
