Wednesday, December 14, 2011

It's a funny thing about campaign contributions -- Those who make them expect something for them

Unless it's someone's mom or relative who want to make a good-faith contribution because they really like their kid campaign contributions come with expectations from those who make them.

So Jersey City once again we head down the long, slow road of sleaze.

The FBI has been in touch with Jersey City Councilmen Peter Brennan and William Gaughan about brokerage services with Bergen County insurance broker Joseph Bigica whom the Jersey Journal calls a "prominent campaign contributor." When asked about Bigica Councilman Brennan had this to say:

"I don't really know the guy. I might see him once a year. All I know is he makes a lot of campaign contributions."

But yet he fills the coffers doesn't he Mr. Brennan? Do you have any other contributors you know of that simply just give a lot of money you have little to no contact with?

Again, campaign contributions come with strings. Like a no bid contract perhaps? It's been known to happen.

The Jersey City City Council in September 2010 unanimously awarded, without public bidding, a three-year brokerage contract to Frenkel & Co., a New York firm that has a consulting arrangement with Bigica, calling it "an extraordinary, unspecifyable service," according to The Record.

A NO BID Contract for a big campaign contributor? Certainly the Mayor's office is all over this and is mad as all get out. Oh wait, this is Gaughan and Brennan we're talking about.

Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said she had no idea why the no bid contract would be approved (uh huh) but it's OK in the end since the city saved 30 pieces of silver.

The FBI is snooping around City Hall, ah, just like old times here in Jersey City. Let's gather round the Christmas tree and Menorah in Grove Square sing the refrain from the Talking Heads song 'Once in a Lifetime'

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was....

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