Get out your Jersey City corruption scorecards, it's time to dog a couple scofflaws this morning

L. Harvey Smith sat down for what they called an interview with The Jersey Journal in Friday's publication. Except, he sat down for his interview with his lawyer at his side which to us doesn't make it ANY kind of real interview, it was image rehab. Anytime you can't sit and openly and honestly answer any and all questions, that's not really an interview now is it? There are beauty pageant contestants answering questions more openly and honestly. L. (can we call you L.?), give up your Assemblyman seat. We the people (remember us?) need representation that isn't tainted. We need representation that isn't accused of taking $15K in bribes.

Here are a couple highlights from L.'s 'interview':

Do you think you're innocent of the charges? "I think so." THINK, he's THINKS he is, yikes.

Of course L. HAD to bring the Lord into the proceedings as all those accused of something do. Does anyone notice how steadfast Jeebus clings to those public officials accused of graft? Not just in Jersey City, in fact with all the corruption that just went on in the City of Detroit a local writer for the Detroit Free Press Bill McGraw made note of it in a fabulous article you can read here. Here's a sidenote to L.'s staged interview, the attorney sitting by his side, one Peter Wills, the one making sure he didn't attempt to answer the wrong questions also represents disgraced Jersey City Council President Mariano Vega. Awesome.

Now, onto the sad case of Florida/Jersey City resident and apparent taxpayer in Florida and Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez. A judge has allowed Ward C candidate Norrice Raymaker to replace chief Lopez litigant and arrested and disgraced former city council candidate Jimmy King (we said get out your scorecard, you can't keep the corrupt folks in Jersey City straight without one) who is dropping out of his suit accusing Lopez of being an actual Florida resident. Hudson County Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli is allowing Raymaker to in effect take over King's lawsuit to see if indeed Lopez has any business being a city council person in Jersey City while claiming Florida as her permanent residence. Imagine that. Lopez's attorney's didn't want Raymaker added to the suit because their client is a Jersey City resident and the case is nonsense, they didn't want her added because she waited too long to petition the court to be added. Nidia, (can we call you Nidia?) you need to go. Not for the same reasons that people like Healy, Vega, L., Leona Beldini and Boy Blunder in Hoboken have to go, but it's a hideous embarrassment to us all nonetheless. You don't even live here most of the time. Johnny is buying a condo here and you're taking tax breaks from and are registered to vote in Florida. Johnny is more qualified to be a city council person and he didn't even run. Go, go now.

L. Harvey Smith, don't listen to your lawyer, you're a crooked public official, you need to step down

Maybe your attorney telling you that despite getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar and being arrested with the other losers two weeks ago today, staying in office isn't in OUR best interests. Sure you pay him to tell you what YOU want to hear. Maybe your attorney could also remind you about the very vocal angry crowds outside the home of former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano. Maybe he could remind you of the angry mobs outside Jersey City Hall.

Step down you crooked bum. That $15K you pocketed disqualifies you from representing honest hard working citizens.

Sounds like Mayor Healy might be a little chicken

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy is ducking the first mayoral debate scheduled for April 1 at the Loew's Theater. Healy had some crap-assed excuse about this not being a fair and unbiased debate which, where Johnny comes from is another word for chicken. The other mayoral candidates will be there, they see no problem answering debate questions by the radical and biased TV host Pat O'Melia, Political Insider Agustin Torres, Jersey Journal columnist Earl Morgan and writer Ricardo Kaulessar of the Jersey City Reporter. Yeah, smart reporters with REAL questions. We can see why Healy would be dodging such an event. They might ask him about his record or something. They might ask him about the rampant crime going on. You know, questions that Healy doesn't want to answer in a televised forum in downtown Jersey City.

The mayoral candidates who WILL be attending are Lou Manzo, Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, Dan Levin, and Phil Webb.

The Jersey City Desk should hope the organizers would put a big empty chair with a sash that says MAYOR on in that can cluck answers when asked.