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Monday, October 5, 2015

Have Jerry Green and the Campbells cut a deal?


Look-alikes Tweedledum and Tweedledee
as imagined by Walt Disney.
The news last week that Dan Williamson has gotten a contract to essentially oversee the Plainfield Public Schools' human resources program brings Plainfield's "King" and "kingmaker" at once to mind. (See Bernice's post on the appointment here.)

Have Union County Dem chairman Assemblyman Jerry Green and GOP "kingmaker" John Campbell Sr. made a deal?

Williamson has never been known as a "free agent"; in fact, he is a veteran stalwart of past Green machinations -- having served as Corporation Counsel under Green protégé Sharon Robinson-Briggs, and then as Executive Director of the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA).

On a short try-it-before-you-buy-it contract with the BOE, Williamson will get $35,000. That would annualize to $120,000, an item we might expect to see on January's BOE agenda.

So, what's up?

On Campbell's side, it appears that the kind of personnel games being played under former superintendent Steve Gallon are once again going to be in vogue.

Williamson is not known to have any experience or certification in Human Resources. So, is this an effort to sidestep having an accredited person in charge of the hiring and firing of education professionals?

How Gallonesque!

On the other side, having a Green operative surface on the Campbell team while Papa John is campaigning for a full-term Board of Ed seat puts the spotlight on Green in another connection.

What is there to the persistent rumors that Green is steering "volunteers" and cash to the "independent" campaigns of Baby John Campbell and Norman Ortega?

In closing, how about a little insight from Alice in Wonderland --

    Tweedledum and Tweedledee
        Agreed to have a battle;
    For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
        Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

    Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
        As black as a tar-barrel;
    Which frightened both the heroes so,
        They quite forgot their quarrel.


T
ime for a little truth-telling in Plainfield politics.


  -- Dan Damon [follow]


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