Categorized | Local Perspectives, News

COMMUNITY VOICE: Disappointing Endorsement

It is extremely disappointing that Assemblyman John Wisniewski has endorsed Perth Amboy mayoral candidate Billy Delgado. Although Delgado claims political operative James Devine is no longer on his payroll, he is clearly still working for Billy and BOE candidates Samuel Lebreault and Obdulia Gonzales as evidenced by the large amount of ad space their campaigns have purchased in his “newspaper.” Devine has sunk to a new low by claiming that I was in a mental institution in 2009. Some staff are asking me if this is true, and I suspect those who don’t ask may believe it. For the record, I have never been in a mental institution. I have been blessed with excellent mental and physical health for my entire life.

I do, however, have close friends, family members, co-workers and students who have been deeply impacted by mental illness. Using such an accusation as a political weapon is insulting to anyone who has faced this difficult challenge.

Devine has a history of editorializing for the benefit of advertisers. The quote at the end of a Politicker article (http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/20227/elizabeth-old-feuds-die-hard) is very telling:

“My papers were a lot smaller than…any other paper that might make claims of journalistic integrity and objectivity, but these were probably no different than any other weekly papers…there will be a difference when there’s an iron wall between people who do advertising and editorial. In weekly newspapers it’s the…same guy who makes corporate decisions and takes out the garbage.”

Devine solicited members of the Perth Amboy BOE last May to offer to assist them with their “public relations nightmare.” In the months that followed, he wrote several “articles” attacking me that quickly devolved into attacks against incumbent Mayor Wilda Diaz, who has supported me in efforts to improve our schools. When the BOE put me on leave for the third time on September 22nd, Devine ran a story with the headline “Caffrey Fired as Perth Amboy Super.” This story was posted online before the meeting came to a close, and before I had been informed of the actions taken. It was obviously prepared well ahead of time, indicating his close ties to the BOE candidates.

Devine recently went on record stating he was no longer working for the Delgado campaign, paving the way for Wisniewski’s endorsement. The only problem is that Devine hasn’t stopped. The campaigns of Lebreault, Gonzalez and Delgado continue to purchase ad space, and Devine continues to print lie after lie.

Also supporting the mayoral and BOE candidates is the Perth Amboy Federation/AFT, the union representing 1277 teachers and support staff in Perth Amboy Public Schools. Wisniewski may not be aware of how the PAF/AFT endorsement was obtained. The idea to support the Delgado and BOE tickets was raised during the new business portion of a general membership meeting with as little as 3% of the union’s members present. It is widely believed that most members had no idea that an endorsement was even being contemplated, and many are expressing disappointment that their union leadership would betray them by taking such action without prior notice.

Delgado, Lebreault and Gonzalez are supporting Devine’s disgusting lies in a sad attempt to distract voters from their own shortcomings. Assemblyman Wisniewski has looked the other way, and the union leadership has resorted to underhanded tactics. As this political chaos continues to swirl around our schools, you can count on almost all of us to continue to serve the children and families who depend on us. We cannot lose sight of the task at hand; it is just too important.

Janine Caffrey

Perth Amboy resident and voter

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