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Today the noreaster is wrecking upon Hague County, but the political storm started brewing about 10 days ago. I’m for certain Mayors, Stack and Fulop, will not be counting on any Rock Salt relief from Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise.
This morning I received a call from SOMEONE highly connected, and he simply stated, "If you allow a person to speak long enough, they will always tell on their friends and themselves".
My source was referring to Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise’s recent comments that Hudson County Elected leadership agreed to back Fulop for Governor in hopes of ridding themselves of him locally.
This reminds me of the Soprano episode when Tony says to Paulie that he knew it was him who told Johnny Sac about the joke Ralph made about his wife.
Only in this political drama, it was Mayor Fulop inquiring about the legitimacy of Sacco, Prieto, Degise, and others backing him for Governor in the fall of 2016. Fulop heard whispers that he was going be played like Jon Corzine was in November 2008, now Degise has validated those whispers as being true.
One of the key reasons Fulop backed out of the Governor's race because he knew that the County Elected were potentially going to sandbag him, either during the primary or general election.
With DeGise's comments on ridding themselves of Fulop, it contradicts the professed Hudson Democratic Unity which was publicized for close to 3 years during Fulop’s bid for Governor.
My sources are saying it’s about the money with the old guard; explaining to me how DeGise is more concerned about adding pension years to secure for himself and political appointees.
They gave credit to DeGise for upgrades to Hudson County parks and a new high school. But asked - What else can DeGise add to his legacy?
- The County Jail is a disaster.
- In the last 4 years, County taxes have gone up 25%.
- DeGise hasn’t held a community meeting in years; he thinks his constituents are the mayors - not the residents.
Further stating that Fulop and Stack are not really concerned about the patronage, professing Fulop has zero interest in being County Executive (more on this later that may not be true).
DeGise knows elections have consequences. His allies were all with Healy, so politically Fulop owes him nothing.
Next year in Hudson County are the elections for sheriff, surrogate, and county executive; along with the Assembly. If you take into account the demographics of the County, all 3 county positions are currently held by older white men. Is that representation reflective of the demographics of the County? With good reason, a critic can argue to have a change in county leadership.
But, I stated to my source DeGise has to be credited with providing steady leadership since the Bobby J corruption days. That should not be overlooked or devalued by Fulop and Stack.
However, my source then reminded me that DeGise didn't fire the late Buddy Demiller as the Department Director of County Roads when he accepted $20,000 from Solomon Dwek in his county office.
The Chronicler in Chief believes DeGise is gearing up for one last fight, or intervention from a political respected mediator who can try to reach a peaceful accord.
My source stated that DeGise should be doing one thing right now, and that's trying to save his people from the inevitable.
DeGise's saga is a prime example of why the next Hudson County Chairman should seek to make all primaries open primaries, in which no candidate is given a Democratic line position during the primary elections.
Now I will wait for my County source to call and lay upon me the Vision Media vetted opposition piece. Hague County politics - You gotta love it!