It came as no surprise that Councilman Mike Gonnelli endorsed the Hudson County Regular Democratic Organization (HCDO) candidate in this past Primary election. Nor did it come as a surprise to read his attempt at the use of logic as the reason for his endorsement.
According to the councilman, being Independent means "Paying attention to the issues, sizing up the candidates and what they stand for, and choosing the best man and woman from all the different factions, Democrats, Republicans and Independents." I would like to first point out to Mr. Gonnelli that this was a Democratic Primary election, and Republicans, if you didn't know, are not permitted by law to run in a Democratic Primary.
Actually there were 12 major candidates seeking election to state and county office in this past primary, six from the Regular Democratic Organization and six from the slate of candidates who ran under the title Democrats for Hudson County (DFHC). After applying his logic of "sizing up the candidates and choosing the best," Mr. Gonnelli concluded that not only was Senator Nick Sacco not worthy of election, therefore did not receive his endorsement.
It is no secret that Mayor Elwell endorsed and supported Nick Sacco and the Hudson County Democratic machine candidates. Could this be a reason Mr. Gonnelli chose to endorse just one, Vincent Prieto of the six machine candidates? Could it be he did not want to expose himself as being part of machine politics in Hudson County? He calls himself an "Independent" but still he chose not to side with the Independent: Democrats under the leadership of Union City Mayor Brian Stack.
Voters of Secaucus, if Gonnelli was a true Independent, he would have endorsed the Brian Stack candidates (Column B) in this past Primary election. Let's face it, Gonnelli wants to "fake out Secaucus" not "take back Secaucus."
Tom Troyer
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