RONALD RICE

NEWARK - Former Councilman Charles Bell is generating considerable support in the Central Ward as Newarkers continue to jockey for position in the event that former Councilwoman Dana Rone loses her appeals and does not return to the governing body.

"I did pick up the petitions and I had more than enough as of last night's gathering," Bell told PolitickerNJ.com. "I am running, yes, but at the same time, I'm hoping Miss. Rone is successful in her appeals. That would solve my problems, but if she is not successful I am prepared."

In the community room of the New Hope Baptist Church on Tuesday night, Bell received the blessing of Central Ward Democratic Committee Chairman Dwight Brown.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo: Politicker photo

NEWARK - Joseph DiVincenzo knows the joke is coming, and he fields it with a grin - the one broadcaster Steve Adubato, Jr., has delivered for years about how DiVincenzo tried out for more than a half dozen NFL teams and got cut by every one of them.

The fact that Brett Favre is now taking snaps for the Jets sets up Adubato’s new punch line.

"He’s even older than Joe D," Adubato cracks and the roomful of politicians at the Breakers laughs, and DiVincenzo a moment later stands at the microphone, giving a nod to Essex County Democratic Chairman Phil Thigpen, who’s out there in the audience somewhere.

"I’m with Phil Thigpen, not Steve Adubato," DiVincenzo says, a playful poke at his leader, the junior Adubato’s father, who tried to oust Thigpen as chairman earlier this year but ran into a public objection by DiVincenzo, who wanted Thigpen to remain as chair.

DiVincenzo prevailed.

WEST ORANGE - Essex County Democratic Party Chairman Phil Thigpen, Gov. Jon Corzine and fellow party members huddled up in Pal’s Cabin this morning in a show of party unity as Team Essex heads into Denver in support of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il).

This is the second time in as many weeks that Corzine has gone to Pal’s to help focus party members on getting Obama elected president. Last week the governor met with members of the Group, the chief fundraising arm for Sen. Hillary Clinton, which is now committed to Obama.

"This one was much more about elected officials and the county party apparatus," said Mark Alexander, senior advisor for the Obama campaign. "There were town chairmen and women, all showing the unity of Obama and Clinton. This was about creating a unified force in the party."

Former Councilwoman Dana Rone greets well-wishers in City Hall Rotunda on Tuesday.: Politicker photo 

NEWARK - Former Councilwoman Dana Rone stood in the rotunda of City Hall today with her colleagues and in front of cheering supporters, apparently happy to be reunited with the Newark City Council.

"I'm grateful for the support of my colleagues," said Rone in a brief statement.

How far the council would go to support her was not clear on Tuesday.

The lower courts have rendered their verdicts, said West Ward Councilman Ronald Rice, but the Council intends to support the former Councilwoman as she continues to pursue the process at the appellate level and in the state Supreme Court.

Flanked by Rone, and fellow council people, who this morning in council chambers helped Rice pass a resolution in favor of standing beside the former Central Ward councilwoman, Rice said the penalty in Rone's case is too severe.

NEWARK - The seat on the far side of the dais was empty.

That’s where Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone sat for Newark City Council meetings in the chamber on the second floor of Newark City Hall.

Banned yesterday by an assignment judge from serving on the council now and in the future because of her obstruction of justice conviction, Rone was nowhere to be found on the premises.

But the public comment segment of today’s meeting brought forth some commentary on the situation that West Ward Councilman Ronald Rice has already said may be a case of "selective prosecution."

Public reaction to Rone’s case included both chastising words for the Council and for the mayor.

NEWARK - On the day Newark Councilwoman Dana Rone lost her council seat in the courtroom of assignment Judge Patricia Costello, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the City Council and Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) all supported her in her effort to appeal the judge’s decision.

But they also prepared for the very real possibility that Rone may lose her second-to-last chance gamble in the appellate division, and then fall with her last shot in the state Supreme Court.

Former Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell appears to be the candidate most likely to generate support from among the city's anti-Booker factions. Charone Montayne, daughter of Freeholder Blonnie Watson, may also make a run, but as a registered Republican she must be considered a longshot.

On the mayor’s side, the long-groomed Nakia White emerged as a late in the day option to replace an unsalvageable Rone.

NEWARK - For the moment, Mayor Cory Booker stands by Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone, whose appeal to remain a councilwoman was struck down today by an assignment judge.

"We’re supporting Dana and we hope there’s an appeal process and that she is kept on as the central ward councilwoman," said Booker chief of staff Pablo Fonseca.

Newark sources say former School Board candidates James Bennett and Tynesha McHarris may make a play for Rone’s vacated Central Ward council seat.

But as to whether Booker is considering either of them as a replacement, Fonseca told PolitickerNJ.com, "no comment," and reiterated what he says is the mayor’s desire that Rone would prevail at the appellate state Supreme Court level.

NEWARK - Although its members can choose to leave the seat Newark Mayor Cory Booker: Politicker file photovacant, the City Council has the statutory power to appoint an interim replacement for Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone.

At the moment there are no obvious candidates to replace her.

The street buzz all week in Newark was that Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow would back off from her recommendation that the book be thrown at Rone, who was convicted of obstructing justice and under the law had to renounce her council seat.

Dow did back off, issuing a letter to Essex County Judge Patricia Costello to waive forfeiture in Rone’s case.

North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato: Politicker file photoBut Costello didn’t see leniency as an option here, and barred Rone from serving on the council - and from serving elected office, period.

If Rone’s abrupt exit leaves the field of individuals open - and sources say former Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell may be interested in running for the vacant seat - there are two obvious machines with a stake in Newark’s second largest ward.

NEWARK - An incident caught on police camera a year and a half ago proved the downfall of Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone, as Essex County Judge Patricia Costello on Tuesday morning decided that Rone would have to give up her office as a councilwoman.

"The state's request for a waiver of forfeiture is denied," said Costello, in response to an 11th hour letter sent to the judge by Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, who reversed an earlier recommendation of forfeiture.

"I find that whether an individual is fit to serve public office is not sufficient reason to waive forfeiture," the judge said to one of the arguments offered by Rone’s lawyer, Raymond Hamlin.

Costello ruled that it is "abundantly clear" that on Dec. 20, 2006, Rone used her office to obstruct justice, and contributed to heightening emotions - not diffusing them - at a Rutgers University police traffic stop of her nephew.

 Fearing political motivation, Newark Councilman Ronald C. Rice Councilman Ronald Rice: Politicker photoquestioned the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office decision to ask a Superior Court Judge to remove Councilwoman Dana Rone from office.

"That’s what’s wrong with New Jersey: selective prosecution and selective enforcement of our laws," said Rice. "That’s why other people laugh at us."

Found guilty of obstruction of justice last year after a 2006 traffic stop involving her nephew, Rone appealed in state Superior Court two months ago and lost.

According to the Star-Ledger, Prosecutor Paula Dow now wants the court to enact a state statute requiring officials who have been convicted to forfeit public office. In this case, it means Rone, who ran twice with Team Booker - once in 2002, unsuccessfully; and a second time, successfully, in 2006 - would be gone.