August 8, 2008 - 10:28am
News
Jersey City incinerator chief mulls Assembly bid
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterThe big race to watch in Jersey City next year is for mayor, but the politics of that contest are already spilling out into the legislature.
The recent buzz is that Jersey City Incinerator Authority CEO Oren Dabney is being positioned for an Assembly run in District 31 by State Sen. Sandra Cunningham, who herself is said to be considering a mayoral bid next year.
Reached for comment yesterday, Dabney wouldn’t commit one way or the other, but admitted that he’s mulling the possibility.
“I’ll do anything possible that’s going to benefit the city of Jersey City, period,” he said. “I haven’t made any decisions on anything at this point. So if anyone is giving information such as that I must be well-liked.”
Dabney has been CEO of the incinerator authority for six years, and has spent 26 years there altogether. He also serves as a commissioner on the Hudson County Improvement Authority.
Cunningham is considered as one of the main threats to Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s incumbency. The Mayor’s recent appointment of Cunningham’s chief advisor, Joe Cardwell, to a position on the Municipal Utilities Authority that includes health benefits was widely considered by political insiders as a way to satiate Cunningham in order to avoid a challenge.
Some insiders speculate that another one of Cunningham’s conditions for not-running would be for Healy to withdraw the Hudson County Democratic Organization’s (HCDO) support from Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith in next June’s mayoral primary and give it to Dabney (Cunningham and Smith, who have traditionally been adversaries, formed an uneasy alliance on last year’s legislative ticket). That may not seem like a tough decision for Healy, since Smith is also considering running for mayor. But, if he wants to avoid the headache, one way of for Healy to keep Smith out of the mayor’s race could be a guarantee of HCDO support.
Neither Healy nor Cunningham could be reached for comment. Dabney wouldn’t say an unkind word about Smith – or anyone else, for that matter.
“I don’t have a problem with anyone at all.”
Smith, for his part, said that he’s been able to count on Dabney’s help in past elections, and wouldn’t begrudge him a challenge for his Assembly seat – if he does run for reelection.
“I know him very well. I was very supportive of him receiving the position he has when he received it under the (former mayor Glenn) Cunningham Administration. He worked and helped me with regard to elections,” said Smith.
But as friendly as those two sound, early attacks on a potential Dabney candidacy are already taking shape. Former Mayor Gerry McCann, who currently serves on the school board, lost his job as special projects manager at the incinerator authority in 2004, after Dabney eliminated it.
McCann, who was forced from the mayor’s office in 1992 after a federal fraud conviction unrelated to his office, never raised a stink about losing that political appointment. But he claimed that Dabney has a major political liability that will make it impossible for him to run.
“Oren Dabney lives in Plainfield, New Jersey. He can’t fake it because he uses a city vehicle every day to go home, and his wife and kids are in Plainfield. Now if he would want to fake it all, he’ll be prosecuted, because too many people know it,” he said.
McCann also noted that the campaign volunteer who made headlines last year in Sandra Cunningham’s State Senate race because he was a convicted sex offender was hired by Dabney.
“I’m sure that will be an issue in the campaign,” he said.
Dabney, however, disputed the notion that he lives in Plainfield.
“That’s not true. I’m not going to touch it any further than that,” he said.
Dabney later added that he owns a two-family home in Jersey City where he lives with his family. He owns property in Plainfield and other parts of the state as well, he said.
“I must be a threat to someone for them to give you negative information,” he said.
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Yes, we need you!
We need the Incinerator in the State Assembly!
healy to be betrayed
the cunningham gang has no honor and cannot be trusted.
He's done so much for the
He's done so much for the Incinerator Authority an he'll make a difference with whatever he chooses to run for. Don't knock him until you tried him. for those he did help and they failed---he didn't fail you you failed yourselves
We need people of integrity
I have seen the hard work and effort that this man has put into helping others, he has help people who had a criminal past and were rejected by our society. He gave them a second chance and turn their live around, made them productive man and woman in our community. These are now better people and tax payer, he gave them hope when everyone else turn their backs on them. He's a loyal servant in our community. He is a man of integrity, a man of honor and a man that the people can trust. When he became the CEO of the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, he took that company out of deficit and has maintain a good budget up to this day. If he decide to run for any office, I know that our city will do better because of him. He can count on my vote and support. A good man is hard to find.
A peoples person
Mr. Dabney is the best person for any office he chooses to run for. He cares about every individual despite their background they all are treated the same. Mr. Dabney started the second chance program with the Late Glenn D. Cunningham the first African American Mayor ever in Jersey City. When this program started the ex mayor Gerald McCann was hired under this program after his release from federal prison by Mr. Dabney who is the CEO of the (JCIA) so Mr. McCann shouldnt have nothing negative to say about anybody being an ex felon himself. If you want integrity, honor, respect and someone who cares about all people Mr. Dabney is the choice which ever office he decides to run for. WE NEED A CHANGE
Oren Dabney
Oren Dabney would be a great asset to Jersey City by serving in the NJ Assembly. He has accomplished great things at the JCIA. He has balanced the budget after inheriting a hugh deficit. And the "second chance" program he started with Mayor Cunningham has had a huge success rate. Many former unemployable citizens are thriving under this program.He is agreat teacher and motivator. I wish him great success and after serving in the Assembly, he should turn his sites on th Mayor's Office.
Oren Dabney
Oren Dabney would be a great asset to Jersey City by serving in the NJ Assembly. He has accomplished great things at the JCIA. He has balanced the budget after inheriting a hugh deficit. And the "second chance" program he started with Mayor Cunningham has had a huge success rate. Many former unemployable citizens are thriving under this program.He is agreat teacher and motivator. I wish him great success and after serving in the Assembly, he should turn his sites on th Mayor's Office.
Oren Dabney
McCann gave him his job. Dabney then fired McCann over politics. McCann is wrong though Oren lives in Union, New Jersey. All of Oren's phone records and the mileage on his city vehicle can be subpoenaed. Every at the JCIA knows he does not live in JC. His old girlfriend, the Deputy Director and Councilwomean knows where he lives. He hired his former father in law in a no show job at the JCIA.
Oren Dabney
McCann gave him his job. Dabney then fired McCann over politics. McCann is wrong though Oren lives in Union, New Jersey. All of Oren's phone records and the mileage on his city vehicle can be subpoenaed. Everyone at the JCIA knows he does not live in JC. His old girlfriend, the Deputy Director and Councilwomean knows where he lives. He hired his former father in law in a no show job at the JCIA.
Oren Dabney
McCann gave him his job. Dabney then fired McCann over politics. McCann is wrong though Oren lives in Union, New Jersey. All of Oren's phone records and the mileage on his city vehicle can be subpoenaed. Everyone at the JCIA knows he does not live in JC. His old girlfriend, the Deputy Director and Councilwomean knows where he lives. He hired his former father in law in a no show job at the JCIA.
I like Dabney
Dabney helps anyone, even if it doesn't have anything to do with the JCIA, he will help you.
Put your cat in a tree, he'll climb it and get it back down for you.
However, Harvey Smith has a lot of support in District 31, if Dabney wins he MAY be taking Chiaponne's seat.
Oren Dabney
Mr. Dabney is a great person. He has turned the JCIA into a place where people who may not have always made the greatest choices in life can go to get a second chance. A second chance to be a productive citizen. People always say that they want you to become a productive member of society after you commit a crime but nobody wants to give you an opportunity. Mr. Dabney has done that for so many people I know in Jersey City. A chance to start a new life with a good job that they can use as a stepping stone. I have never meet anyone with the last name Dabney who would turn their back on you when you needed help. I have lived in Jersey City all my life and know for a fact that Oren Dabney would definently make a great Assemblymen. One that this city could be proud of!! Oren Dabney For State Assembly!!!!!
grow up
enoch-needles-who's the cunningham gang????
i recall ms cunningham being one person n if your referring 2 mr. dabney come come mr. who doesn't know how do describe people--evidently she was trusted beeeeeeeeecause she's the STATE SENator OOOOPS!!! tight face huh--PLUS Mr. Dabney is a trust worthy person. all u n any1 ever can hear is how he's done nothing but postive things for those n his surroundings. He opens the door 4 all who would never want a door closed n their face--so if ur the type that doesn't want to take the elevator n keep going up-then ur really not ready to be a part of Mr.Dabneys dream n he dreams of helping others as well as himself GROW!!!!!!!! Dabney 2009 I'm all for it
negativity a minus
citykid50-Negative facts-Dabney gave Mickey a job. He was terminated due 2 lack of Workmanship. Also y worry about where he lives n phone records n his mileage on his vehicle what r u some type of federal agent wanna b?!!! so what if his ex has a job there which really may not have been an ex of his--but i'm sure u had ex's urself n the past(i guess ur mad because u weren't able to do anything for them huh y hate on Mr. Dabney when self hatred is really about u! i think u need a job because ur hating with another negative fact about Mr. D's ex-n-law
Yes We Can
Hudson County, and more specifically, Jersey City, has been plagued by corrupt politicians for as long as I can remember. McCann knows all about it considering he was one of the key players in the shennanigans. I find it incredible that McCann would even raise the issue of Mr. Dabney hiring an ex-convict considering it was through the same "second chance" program that Mr. McCann was employed at the JCIA. Based on his thinking, he wasn't worthy of a job either! By my estimation, that program that was instituted at the JCIA is a model for the nation and should be employed everywhere to decrease recidivism rates among convicted felons to help incorporate people with tainted pasts back into general society as productive citizens. That an individual who has a past marred by bad decisions and crime can turn their life around and actually show an active interest in being a part of the political process is something that should be lauded and not knocked. McCann and the widespread media who focused on the gentlemen's past, rather than the innate good in his rehabilitation, demonstrates the tunnel vision that has held this country, county and city back for so long. Glenn Cunningham was the breath of fresh air that the city needed and his untimely demise has led to disarray in the landscape of Jersey City politics. Oren Dabney, a lifelong Jersey City resident, who is a member of a family that has dedicated their lives to improving the Jeresy City community, has proven himself worthy of the post of assemblyman. I hope he seizes the opportunity to show the community that "yes we can" take back our neighborhoods. Kudos Mr. Dabney!