GOP council candidates John Tyler, left, and Grace Cangemi, right, meet with reporters after last night’s meeting.
By virtue of a strong showing in last year’s race, second-time council candidate John Tyler Jr. may have been the presumptive favorite to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Red Bank Councilman John Curley last month. But the choice among three Republican nominees for the spot was in the hands of the Democrats, who are seeking to hold onto or expand their 4-2 majority.
Last night, on the recommendation of Mayor Pasquale Menna, the council picked John Giannell of Pearl Street to complete Curley’s term, which expires December 31. There was no discussion of the choice among the council members, and the entire council voted in favor, including Tyler’s running mate, incumbent Grace Cangemi.
“I have known John Giannell since I’ve been in Red Bank,” she told reporters afterward. “I think he’s a fine man. He’s a good-government guy. Very fiscally responsible.”
Still, though the local GOP party submitted three names for consideration — the third was Steve Fitzpatrick — “the party’s preference, of course, was to have John Tyler,” Cangemi said. “I think it was a political decision not to give him the advantage of incumbency” going into this fall’s election, in which she and Tyler will face off against Juanita Lewis and Ed Zipprich.
Tyler appeared shocked that he’d been sidelined, telling redbankgreen that he didn’t even know there would be a vote on the nomination last night.
Otherwise, he said, “I have nothing to say right now.”
Menna denied that partisanship factored into the choice. He aid he’d sought interviews with the three GOP nominees, but “the message I got back” from local party chairman Jack Minton that all were well-known in town. So he recommended Giannell to the council as someone he personally knows and respects. Menna said he ran against and defeated Giannell in 1994.
Noting John Curley’s employment in fleet vehicle sales, Menna said “I thought it was important to replace him with somebody with business background.” Giannell is the president of New Markets Realty on Maple Avenue.
Giannell is a past local GOP chairman. He did not attend last night’s bimonthly council session.
Curley quit because he moved out of town to Middletown. He’s running for Monmouth County Freeholder.
The council race is one in which the Republicans can, at best, hold onto their two-seat minority.
This appointment shows that our mayor is not committed to diversity in our community. He had a perfect opportunity to show it through his leadership and he rejected it. Our Mayor chose a party before the people agenda when it came to the needs of our community. It's almost criminal in nature when our elected officials bow their heads and kiss the ring of their party bosses instead of putting RedBank first. Shame on you Party stooge Menna.
This is an unfortunate event. Not only has Menna used his appointed position to influence the outcome of the November RB Council elections, he has interjected his "personal" opinion and clearly stated he used it as the basis for his decision. My take away was that in Menna's opinion, Tyler was not business savvy enough to fill a void for 3 months on the council. What is more important - the use of plastic bags or a push to force borough departments to curb spending. Looks like plastic bags wins with Democratic majority vote on the RB council. We'll just have to see what happens next year when RB doesn't get the $350K in state aid. Please consider this point when you vote in November. Tyler is not a political poser. He just wants to help the town and the people who live here.
It's called politics folks. No offense Jim, but did anyone expect the man to give the biggest threat to the candidates chosen by he and Eddie, the power of incumbency? Keep electing the same people, you can only expect the same results.
"There was no discussion of the choice among the council members, and the entire council voted in favor, including Tyler's running mate, incumbent Grace Cangemi."
Why have a running mate if they do not support you? Does Ms. Cangemi have any idea how bad this looks? Does she have any integrity or is she trying to tell us something about her running mate?
Actually, I kind of did expect Tyler to get on the Council. Cangemi was appointed in similar circumstances (http://www.redbankgreen.com/redbankgreen/2007/03/cangemi_to_get_.html). It's interesting to compare Menna's statements at that time with his statements this time.
Can somebody tell me something about this John Giannell guy? He must be real rotten based on the responses above. I have heard John Tyler's points of view and I think he is a real swell guy, but I am not shocked that a new and perhaps more qualified person could emerge. Does Giannell bring nothing to the table?
When I first read that the Mayor had selected a Republican, I thought that was a nice gesture, maybe even above the level of typical politics. In other places, the Mayor could hand select a fellow party member. But based on the outrage aimed at Menna's selection, I assume he was required to select a Republican.
Otherwise, file this under the old adage of "beggars can't be choosers."
Padrone brings up an interesting point about who we vote for. I keep voting for Republicans and they keep quitting. It is really getting frustrating to get the same results over and over.
I am a dem, and have nothing against Tyler. But just because he ran last year does not intitle him to the vacancy. Out of the three choices, he is the only one that has already been rejected by the voters. Also by not putting him in for the 3 months does keep the election fair between all the canidates. It was only last election when Grace had signs saying re-elect when in fact she was appointed in the same manner. So it seems to me the mayor was fair. Also why criticize Grace? They submitted three people of thier choice. To vote no on his appointment would have served no good for anyone.
RedBank Resident,
PLease read the article again. Just Like many currently in office you choose to ignore facts. Gianell lost to Menna in 1994.
Grace,
You quickly have become nothing more than part of the political problem in RedBank.
Just over a year ago you were in Tyler's same boat and were appointed. Not more than a week ago you were quoted in the press pushing for John. Last night in front of your own running mate you gave the thumbs up to someone else. How many times are you going to change your spots.
Mayor Menna,
Your obvious political appointing truly shows the puppet strings that control your moves. Party before town and nothing more. Integrity is clearly lacking and Self-interest is at an all time high. The people of RedBank want stand-up citizens not minions who kiss the ring of their party. We are also still waiting on the publishing of slumlords in the paper. I believe that got you some free press as the "CHAMPION" of the idea. It has been about a year now.
Shame, he really is for the people of the West side, and for that matter all of Red Bank. John, if I were you I would stand alone. Why not?
The party that a lot of us thought would do the right thing has shamed you. I guess this is your first lesson learned of politics 101.
Jim, if you think that you have even a prayer of winning then run, But I believe that Tyler would have AND CAN carry the West side (and has a better chance of winning than you), and thus the vote, If there is any doubt you should cast your ego aside and understand that was done in fear of Tylers winning NOT because of your business sense.
As for Pats comment from Minton stating that Gianelli is know all over town, ask about him as soon as you set foot onto Shrewsbury Ave going west, now Mr. Minton and Pat, ask ALL OVER TOWN, if they know of John Tyler. Don't stop believing John, its People like you that make the party, not the other way.
More that I think about the whole thing, I am not sure how anybody could say Menna is playing politics. If he is, it's bad politics. In the next election the GOP will have an incumbant as well as a fairly popular challenger. Clearly they are in a better position to have half the council. Unless Menna has a side room deal with Giannell, and Giannell does not seek election, this is a sweet set-up for the Republicans.
More that I think about the whole thing, I am not sure how anybody could say Menna is playing politics. If he is, it's bad politics. In the next election the GOP will have an incumbant as well as a fairly popular challenger. Clearly they are in a better position to have half the council. Unless Menna has a side room deal with Giannell, and Giannell does not seek election, this is a sweet set-up for the Republicans.
Mayor should think before he speak.
Is he saying that If John Tyler wins the election for Council seat he does not qualify as a Councilman?
Westsider
First I would like to say this to Mike:
Happy to inform you, I'm not quitting! So based upon that and what you posted I expect your vote this year!
To John Ross and Gary Morris,Thank you so much for your support. I will continue to work for the community as I have been doing.
I spoke with Grace many times since about this and we are solid running mates!
We will kick butt this year and bring the people of Red Bank together. What has happened will not stop me in my tracks and make me turn tail and run from this fight.
In fact this is making me wiser and stronger in seeing what I have to do in order to make this a United Red Bank!
Yes..I support Grace and I know she has my back..don't let this little fiasco change your mind about us working as a team we are 100% together on this.
We have some big plans and some very good ideas for Red Bank and we will be glad to share them with you in the next couple of months. If I mention them to you now..you know who will say " We were doing this first".
Listen when I say to you…They have taken the bone from the dog..but I hope they are prepared to feel the bite!
Thank You;
John S Tyler Jr
P.S. When is the Mayor up for re-election?
Menna's term is up in 2010.
Go John!
JOHN I HAVE KNOWN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALL OF MY LIFE. I AM SO PROUD TO SEE SOMEONE I KNOW STAND FOR SOMETHING GOOD IN RED BANK AND THE WEST SIDE. JOHN YOUR DAY IS COMING VERY SOON AND YOU WILL GET YOUR SEAT.
Did you really think that Mayor or Council in majority is going to place an announced candidate in an incumbent position four months before election?!?! Do you think if this was Mayor Curley, Council people Beck, Gangemi,Ernst, and Giannell that they would choose Zipporich or Lewis if the third choice was an undeclared candidate like Bifani?!?!
If you failed to see this coming one has to wonder!
LB, I hope you rally friends and family alike in your support of Tyler. The Dems have a big moneu machine out there and he will need all of our help we can offer. If you reach one, you reachh two, if you reach two you have four and so on……Lets help him prove it to us all.
Two thoughts:
1. There is NO ONE to blame for this but JOHN CURLEY himself for causing the situation in the first place.
2. Get down on your knees and thank the good Lord in heaven above that Menna did NOT pick Steve Fitzpatrick! OMG! What a nightmare THAT would have been. Its like watching a train wreck in slow motion with him!
Everyone should relax. This is only for 3 months. From my understanding Gianell does not even want the council seat. Mayor probably did this to boost his ego. Gianell lost when he stood against me. But here is 3 months for the council seat.
chill out, are you actually Pat in disguise, seems like there was a little slip made in your post…."Gianell lost when he stood against me. But here is 3 months for the council seat"……
Is everyone for real? Gianeli is not running for election. As far as Fitzpatrick, FMBA68 covered that well. Then we have last election, when the same Dems appointed Grace under the same circumstances. She went on to put signs out that stated Re-Elect Grace even though she was not elected in the first place. The Mayors choice of Gianli was the best choice he had. What is puzzling is why every year, another Republican council person leaves before the end of the term?
What is puzzling is why every year, another Republican council person leaves before the end of the term
being yelled at by big men on the council, being called names (those bums), and being used as scapegoats by an egotistical ex mayor, browbeaten by an overwhelming majority on EVERY (it always seemed to be either 4-2, 4-1 or 5-1 ), vote or issue. Thats a start.
It cant always be that way surely the Dems aren't always right are they? One would think that a certain level of parity is needed on the council, and then, only then with a split council could we see Mayor Menna prove to us all that he is for the town and not the Party when the vote is split. As for Mr. Fitzpatrick, well, who wouldn't have loved that show, a great encore after Curley V Mckenna
Gary?
what? my name isnt there, although I couldnt have said it better.
I AM A FORMER WEST SIDE RESIDENT AND LIVE OUT OF TOWN. I AM IN SHOCK TO SEE THE CONDITION OF MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD. ALSO IN SHOCK TO SEE MY OLD STREET; BANK STREET!!! WHAT IS THE TOWN AND THAT WHELAN GUY GOING TO DO WITH THE END OF MY OLD HOME STREET? IS THE TOWN JUST GOING TO LET IT GO SO SQUATTERS AND DRUG ADDICTS CAN COME IN? JOHN PLEASE GET THESE TOWN IDIOTS WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE WEST SIDE OUT OF THIS GOOD TOWN!!! WHY DO THE RICH WANT TO COME IN AND RAPE THE WEST SIDE? SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN IN RED BANK FOR OVER 20+ YEARS. WHAT HAPPENED TO MRS THOMPSON THE ILLUSTRIOUS COUNCILWOMAN? THOUGHT SHE WOULD HAVE HELPED STOP THE MESS. I FORGOT SHE AND HER FAMILY MOVED TO TOWER HILL AND ABANDONED THE WEST SIDE. SORRY TO SOUND SO HARD BUT AFTER SERVING OUR COUNTRY FOR 20+ YEARS IT IS HARD TO SEE THINGS IN SUCH DIS REPAIR. I WILL GET OLD FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOU JOHN!!!! JOHN MUCH LOVE KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. LB
Hi LB;
Yes..Bank Street. I am working on it!
To tell the truth..I can not do it all by myself. The people need to come to the meetings and voice their concerns.
I will be glad to sit down with anyone that wants to have a meeting to hear what they have to say. I will bring it to the council. BUT..they look at me and the first thing they say is.."What no one else to support you!" I don't mind..if we had just a few more voices we could move mountains!
Padrone. . . once again, there you go again–this is a great state and a great town, quit complaining, you chose to live here!
Gee Dutch, have the psychiatrists cleared you already, or is there a computer in the day room? All kidding aside, though, I was sorry to hear about your problem.