In a written statement, Secaucus' mayor from 1992 to 1999 has chosen to endorse the opposition council slate headed by Michael Gonnelli that is hurtling towards a clash with the incumbent ticket headed by Mayor Elwell in the upcoming November election.
Just wrote that he was "very proud" to back the council slate of Gary Jeffas in the First Ward, Gonnelli in the Second Ward and Dr. Bob Berckes in the Third Ward.
"These men represent the community's best interests and share my views on the direction of Secaucus' future," Just wrote.
Just, stating that his letter was not an act of self-glorification, went on to write that he wanted to "contrast the past with the present," a period which in Just's opinion Mayor Elwell and the town council "have allowed the Hudson County machine to gain a foothold in our community" and where Elwell has permitted town administrator Anthony Iacono to "behave like a dictator".
Just also accused Elwell and his allies of being too close to developers, particularly regarding the Transit Village housing development proposal to be located near Secaucus Junction train station, a project that if completed Just believes will "turn our town into a city."
Just ended his statement with words of defiance and desperation.
"This might be our last chance to save our town," he wrote.
No love lost
Just's strong words are rooted in strong negative feelings concerning Elwell dating back, at least, as far as 1999. Just was defeated in the Democratic primary in June of that year after several important town political figures, including former Secaucus Mayor Paul Amico and former New Jersey State Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto, backed Elwell, signaling a seismic shift in the Secaucus political scene.
Just was particularly wounded by Elwell's accusations that he had failed to inform town residents of the full extent of water table contamination stemming from the Keystone metal finishing factory at Humboldt and Raydol Street. Just later admitted that the town had withheld contamination information, fearing the negative impact such a revelation would have on property values despite the fact that the town had determined that there was no serious health risk involved. The subsequent loss of close to $1 million in federal police grant money due to a letter sent to the Justice Department by Just without the consent of the town council proved to be the final kiss of death for Just's mayoral reign.
Just speaks out
The former mayor did not hesitate to speak out as to why he thought that Gonnelli in particular would make a good councilman.
"When I was mayor, he was there as superintendent of taking care of the streets," he said. "He was always on the ball, and was a very conscientious worker. Whenever we had a snowstorm, the snowplows were always there."
Just was even more forthcoming about why he believes the Elwell administration should be replaced.
"They're letting outsiders in," he said. "Elwell got money back in 1999 from people like State Senator (and Union County political boss) Ray Lesniak to help him get in. Impreveduto wanted me out of the way. So did then Hudson County Executive Bobby Janiszewski so they could have all the overdevelopment that they wanted. Elwell is all for those 2,000 units in the transit village. Why? It's all pay to play."
After nearly seven years out of office, Just still seems perturbed about his political fate, but is also somehow pleased.
"I'm happy about the way things worked out," he said. "They wanted me out of the way, but Impreveduto lost his Assembly seat for his misuse of election funding, and Janiszewski is in jail for 41 months for doing the wrong thing. In due time, I think there will be some investigation in Secaucus too. As for Keystone, they get me out of office, and then there is no contamination where they said there was. How come? Why should I support people who are dishonest and do things that give the town a bad name? People are staring to feel uncomfortable here now. I couldn't endorse those kind of people. I could never endorse Elwell. I'm glad that Gonnelli is running so that we have a chance to get some conscientious people in office in this town. "
Gonnelli responds
Gonnelli, the Secaucus Department of Public Works Superintendent and a volunteer fire department battalion chief, was pleased with Just's endorsement.
"It's a great thing," he said. "Between his time on the council and being mayor, he has 19 years service in town government behind him. Throughout his career, Mayor Just had one vision for the town, which was to keep its' suburban character. He was against overdevelopment, which has an adverse impact on municipal services. I share that vision. Just and I created a lot of parks together, and I had the privilege of working with Mayor
Just on preserving the 240 acres at Mill Creek that was scheduled for housing. I'm glad that he has respect for me and respect for what I stand for. Things have changed in this community, and I don't know if things would have changed so drastically if he were still our mayor."
Mayor Elwell declined to comment amount Just's endorsement of Gonnelli and his council slate.
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