Area residents and local politicians stress the need for a lieutenant governor among other concerns.
By: Dana Lynn Flatekval and Michael Ross
Gov. James McGreevey’s resignation speech has local politicians and residents buzzing with concern and disgust.
The governor announced in a short speech at the State House in Trenton Aug. 12 that he is gay, had an extramarital affair and that he will resign on Nov. 15.
Focus has not been on his affair or lifestyle, but has been directed toward his resignation, his motivations for hiring an unqualified candidate for a homeland security position, and a need for a lieutenant governor.
According to the New Jersey Constitution, if Gov. McGreevey resigns he is succeeded by the president of the state Senate, currently Richard Codey, D-27th, who would serve the remainder of the governor’s term, which ends January 2006. If Gov. McGreevey decided to resign before Sept. 3, state law would require a special election on Nov. 2 to fill his position.
A poll released Monday by Fairleigh Dickinson University of Florham stated that more than two-thirds of voters have never heard of Sen. Codey, but of those who have he is a favorable candidate for governor.
The poll, conducted from Aug. 13 to 15, questioned 500 registered voters throughout New Jersey on various issues relating to the governor.
More than 74 percent of Republicans said Gov. McGreevey should have quit immediately; however, only 26 percent of Democrats said he should have quit right away.
Democratic Hightstown Borough Councilman Walter Sikorski said the governor did "the right thing in resigning."
"I thought some of his policy initiatives were in the right direction," Mr. Sikorski said. He noted the governor’s action on the Highlands Preservation bill, stem cell research and the Fair and Immediate Relief (FAIR) tax plan a program that offers long-term property tax reform to seniors and the middle class.
Johnnie Whittington, 31, owner of Johnnie’s Deli on Stockton Street in Hightstown, said Gov. McGreevey is "kind of playing with this Nov. 15 thing."
Simi Kaur, 19, of East Windsor said she was "completely awed" by the governor’s decision.
"If he made the choice to resign now, he should just do it," Ms. Kaur said.
Dr. Anna K. Torosian, 58, of South Main Street in Hightstown said the governor was courageous in his action and thwarted a sexual harassment lawsuit by stepping down from office.
"I think he was a good governor," Dr. Torosian said. "I’d vote for him again."
Chrissy Thorn, 31, co-owner of Johnnie’s Deli, said, "He should definitely leave before Sept. 3.
"Give us the right to have an election," Ms. Thorn said.
State Sen. Ellen Karcher, D-12th, said Wednesday that she received numerous concerns from her constituents and will continue to listen.
"I have received lots of phone calls and e-mails about people concerned that there won’t be an election," Sen. Karcher said.
She said she understands her constituents’ desires to have a special election but feels the short amount of campaign time available before the election would limit the number of choices available to voters.
"The people chosen to run would have to have big bank accounts and the support of party bosses," Sen. Karcher said. "It wouldn’t be a normal campaign process and there wouldn’t be a field of candidates that voters get exposed to.
"The candidates would be handpicked and ultimately there would be less choice," she said.
Golan Cipel, who is alleged to have had an affair with Gov. McGreevey, was appointed to the position of adviser on homeland security by the governor in January 2002. In August 2002, Mr. Cipel, an Israeli citizen, left his post.
According to the FDU poll, 46 percent of voters cited scandal or corruption as the main reason the governor is resigning. Only 8 percent said the reason was because he is gay and 11 percent said his resignation is due to his extramarital affair.
"With reports of political patronage and sexual harassment driving the emerging story and with the governor and his associates surrounded by controversy from the start, it’s not surprising that many voters believe corruption is at the heart of this episode," Bruce Larson, a teacher at FDU, said in the report.
Mary Charles, an employee of Curves on Route 130 in East Windsor, said she was "shocked by the confession of his indiscretion."
"I was very disappointed and had great concern for the ordinary taxpayer," she said. "When I heard of him placing an unqualified person in an important position, I lost all respect for him."
Ms. Charles said she has mixed feelings on his resignation, but feels if "he’s going to be a lame duck he should resign if he won’t be able to do anything."
"This announcement was so untimely because it affects our security," she said. "It adds to our insecurity. How can we trust our leaders?"
Marcia Sylvester, 58, a part-time administrative assistant at Prepaid Solutions on Main Street in Hightstown, said there is more to the resignation than meets the eye.
"I think the American people and myself are getting tired of half-truths," Ms. Sylvester said.
She said she believes that former McGreevey adviser Golan Cipel blackmailed the governor into leaving office.
"If he has one dirty man in there, he has more," Ms. Sylvester said. "They (politicians) do what they want to do whether we like it or not, mostly to their benefit, not the people’s."
Several local officials and residents said there should be a lieutenant governor for New Jersey.
This would not be the first time that a state Senate president would serve as acting governor for an extended period.
When Gov. Christie Whitman was appointed head of the federal Environmental Protection Agency in 2001, Donald DiFrancesco held the dual offices for a year.
In order for New Jersey to have a lieutenant governor, the state’s constitution must be changed. This process could take up to a year.
On Tuesday, Albert Porroni, executive director of the Office of Legislative Services, said three-fifths of both the Senate and Assembly would have to approve the change. The question then would go to voters for final approval during the general election.
The lieutenant governor could be elected separately or along with other candidates during the election.
Councilman Sikorski cited the 2001 resignation of Gov. Whitman and Gov. McGreevey’s resignation last week as reasons why he would support an elected lieutenant governor.
"I think this case illustrates the need for an elected lieutenant governor," he said.
Marcia Ekholm of Dutch Neck Road in East Windsor said she hadn’t really thought about the need for a lieutenant governor, but now feels "there is a definite need for that position."
And Ms. Charles said: "Right now, especially now, there is a need for a position like this (lieutenant governor)."
The governor’s ratings have declined based on the poll done by FDU in July, although he does have support among Democrats and young voters. Thirty-two percent maintain a favorable impression of Gov. McGreevey. Fifty-three percent of Democrats say he deserves re-election.
In a statement made Aug. 12, Assemblyman Michael Panter, D-12th, said the integrity of the government is more important than any one person or political party.
"Our advocacy for the 12th District remains the same regardless of who serves as governor. The most recent news certainly comes as a surprise, but we have to focus on moving our state forward," Mr. Panter said. "I’d like to understand the procedural aspects and their ramifications a little more before commenting further."
Assemblyman Robert Morgan, D-12th, said it’s important for an elected official to realize when to hand the "reins over to someone new."
"This was obviously a very personal decision for the governor," Dr. Morgan said. "I’m looking forward to working with Sen. Codey in the new role that he will be taking on in November.
"At the end of the day, I’m optimistic that the change will have a positive outcome," he said.
Fred Harvey, 78, of West Windsor said it didn’t matter whether Gov. McGreevey is gay or not.
"That’s for his wife to deal with," Mr. Harvey said.
Ms. Ekholm said Gov. McGreevey has done his damage, but that his "sexual lifestyle has no bearing on his job in office."
Bonnie Watson Coleman, chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, said in a statement, "We commend Gov. McGreevey for his courageous actions today (Aug. 12)."
She said Gov. McGreevey has moved New Jersey in the right direction on many issues, such as educational improvement, environmental protection, property tax relief, stem cell research, domestic partnership rights and record economic growth.
"The Democratic Party is committed to continuing the progress that we have made for working families across New Jersey," Ms. Watson Coleman said. "The party of New Jersey will remain strong and united as it stands behind the ideals and values that it has always fought to protect."