| Author |
Message |
    
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 186
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 10:38 pm: | 
|
I was reading the Star Ledger the other day and came across an article about Sharpe James, Mayor of Newark, sueing this yacht-reconditioning company for engine problems to his yacht.
Yes, a yacht! In reading about Mayor James I also seem to have come across something about him owning a Bentley too. I think somewhere I read at the start of his political career he was a phys. ed. teacher in a h.s. Correct me on these if I am wrong on any of this. My curiousity was peaked.
First is the salary of a Newark Mayor " yacht-able"? Do we then have to worry that other Essex politicians will demand or ask for equal "yacht money" once elected to office?
While I hear Mayor James once he leaves office we be setting up a studies program at Essex County College, I would actually pay to hear him lecture,
" How To Get a Yacht". Seems more interesting and useful than going to hear that rich dad, poor dad real estate dude, or Donald Trump at the New School.
I have some questions: How old should you be when you get your first yacht? At what age are you a loser if you are yacht-less?. And do I have to challenge Booker and Rice for the Mayoral position in Newark in order to get one? Just joking of course.
Mayor James probably would be a good source of solid advice and useful tips for a common guy like myself. I mean, our billionaire Governor only has a Ford Freestyle.
Your thoughts? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4886
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 10:48 pm: |
|
You're just learning this? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4887
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
|
BTW
He holds more then one 'job' AND he's going back to a SIX FIGURE at ECC. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 807
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
|
The guy is a crook, of course he has a yacht! |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 187
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 10:51 pm: |
|
State Senator and Mayor = yacht? My application please. |
rssounds
Citizen
Username: Rssounds
Post Number: 379
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 11:26 pm: |
|
Rolls Royce too. |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 5342
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 11:48 pm: |
|
As JTA pointed out to FvF, "You're just learning this?" |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 426
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 8:05 am: |
|
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/streetfight/index.html
Newark 2006: The Race for Mayor - New York Times Blog
Mayor Sharpe James, who recently dismissed as a “stunt” a lawsuit filed by Cory Booker to block an attempted $80 million appropriation of city money to two hastily formed nonprofit groups, has launched a suit of his own – against the people who sold him his 54-foot, $360,000 yacht.
Mr. James, who sold himself to an ecomonically troubled city in 2002 as “the Real Deal,” has never attempted to hide his success at leveraging his public positions into wealth. This latest suit was no exception.
According to an article in The Star-Ledger, the mayor included in his lawsuit a letter of complaint to the company that insured the boat. It was written on his New Jersey Senate letterhead.
In addition to the yacht, Mr. James also owns a Rolls-Royce and makes a $250,000 combined salary as mayor and state senator.
|
bklyntonj
Citizen
Username: Bklyntonj
Post Number: 695
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 8:24 am: |
|
Mayor Sharp James holds two positions which he receives a nice salary, State Senator and Newark Mayor. Both of those jobs have been held since 1999. He also is heavy into real estate and has made a ton of money in it. Absent from my opinion of him or his practices, he has the means and the money for all of these items. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 484
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 9:10 am: |
|
He's a wealthy politician. There are many of those around the country-----not a rare species. What is it about this one that makes him noteworthy?
As you should know by now, salary itself is not necessarily the "only" money in the lives of some people. There is inherited income, investment income, etc. etc. For many politicians, there is also income that they would probably prefer the public not to know about.
Is this news to you?
I would guess that you are trying to obliquely make the point that he is probably a corrupt politician. But the yacht referenceis kind of ridiculous, IMHO.........He may be corrupt, but having a yacht is not proof of anything. In fact, it's not particularly noteworthy. In fact, I don't personally believe you would find it noteworthy if he were a white rich politician, corrupt or not.
|
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1242
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
|
no mjh, if James were a republican fisf wouldnt have said a thing.
please fisf tell us more about James that we know already. Then tell us all about Tom Delay while your at it. |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4284
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
|
This thread was an eye-opener for me. I thank FvsF for helping me to understand that Sharpe James is not a choir boy. Came as quite a shock, it did. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7497
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
|
I think that black politicians in the US are not allowed to be wealthy. It's buried in some legislation, passed in 1982, about the status of ketchup as a vegetable.
Although, a $250k salary is hardly enough to support a yacht and a Bentley. The marina fees alone will kill ya. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1739
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
|
Sharpe James is the THE highest paid mayor in the country. Higher than 50 mayors of the largest cities. And the council members are some of the highest paid in the country. This is the part that is really egregious. I think that Newark is the second poorest city in the country. White, black, Democrat or Republican, this is sheer greed.
|
twig
Citizen
Username: Twig
Post Number: 178
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:21 pm: |
|
George Plunket (he of Tammany Hall fame) once explained the difference between honest and dishonest political graft. Essentially, he characterized a politician stealing from the treasury as "dishonest graft". However, he felt that if a politician happens to know that the city is planning to build on a certain site, or is selling abandoned property at a low rate, or if a railroad has approached the city about a right of way - then buying up the land and selling to the city, the railroad, or another buyer for a huge profit is simply a matter of "honest graft". Sharpe James and his city council cronies have cornered the market on Plunkett's notion of honest graft through a series of sweetheart insider deals on real estate and have become wealthy in this manner. Does anyone really still think that its a deep-rooted desire to "serve" that motivates their desire to hang on to offices? Of course, the same probably could be said of many politicians at all levels. My favorite example of the desire to preseve financial interests are when the seats of deceased council members (or Senators from Missouri) are handed-down to the next of kin ...gotta preserve the family business interests. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7512
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 4:11 pm: |
|
No dount Sharpe is no angel. But, it seems as if black politicians are always called out on what they own, how they got it, etc. Not so much white ones. But, they are equally greedy, corrupt, whatever. |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1714
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 4:28 pm: |
|
Any politician who accumulates a great deal of wealth while in office--particularly if they don't have a wealth-generating private sector background--earns suspicion. Sharpe's been around a long time and hasn't truly been taken to task. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1740
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 4:35 pm: |
|
greentree - I think if you read newarkspeaks.com, you'll see that a lot of posters, who are almost 100% black, have been asking the same questions. I said white or black in my post, and I meant it. This thread just happens to be about Sharpe James and I expanded it to include the council as well. My guess is that you probably haven't followed Newark that closely. What has gone on in that city is criminal, and the real crime has been committed by the politicians against the citizens. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 200
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 5:20 pm: |
|
So, let me see:
1) Public service is a beautiful thing?
2) Me myself, I don't know of any people who make $ 250,000 a year and still can afford a yacht, rolls-royce and numerous real estate holdings. So what is important here I guess is the name of Mayor James' financial advisor. Does he want to share?
3) Hoops always assumes I am Karl Rove's son in whatever thread I am in. Read my Essex thread buddy, you will see my background.
4) The best elected office in/from New Jersey appears to be Mayor of Newark. Will Doug Forester run for it the next time?
5) I think Corzine should appoint Mayor James as a his chief financial advisor. Given his performance so far it seems Mayor James' knows more about the benjamins then does our 55 m.p.h. proposing Governor. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 136
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
|
To Dave23:
Not to be on Sharpe's side but the man has been a highly successful real estate investor for a long time. The USD 250,000.00 he makes as a major/senator is just icing on the cake. I am sure he has access to pre-open market real estate information and can make that and more in two or three transactions.
Still wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him...and that wouldn't be far. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 148
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 6:02 pm: |
|
Were those real estate investments legitimate? |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 205
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
|
Bajou-
The gruner again? Just curious. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1256
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 6:22 pm: |
|
fvf - ok you dont have Roves bloodline, but I'll keep the jury out on your objectivity.
|
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 206
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
|
Hoops, don't be so dem kool-aide. There is fact and fiction in all politics. Dems and reps. I think independent is probably better these days. |
Aquaman
Supporter
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 890
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 8:02 pm: |
|
"Read my Essex thread buddy, you will see my background"
Yes, read it.
Factsvsfiction has put a lot of time into creating a background in the 2 weeks he's been an MOL poster.
His background will tell you:
He DOES NOT live in Maplewood, he reads the News-Record and cares about our town.
He IS NOT a politician, he reads the News-Record.
He CANNOT vote in our elections, but if he could he would vote for Ken and Kathy because this election is really about DeLuca vs. Profeta, and...I can't follow fact's logic.
He supports Fred Profeta running for Essex County freeholder.
From Millburn.
Because he cares.
And reads the News-Record.
Cover-to-cover for 10 years.
|
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 212
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 9:48 pm: |
|
Aquaman-
Paranoia is only becoming in Saddam Hussein.
Yeah I like Maplewood and Profeta has impressed me. Live with it.
In the meantime have your candidates meet your campaign promises and you will
win. If not you can move to MSH and help me pay the school taxes.
|
Aquaman
Supporter
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 892
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:00 pm: |
|
Riight.
Refresh my memory "facts":
Fred Profeta for Freeholder.
Ken and Kathy and Nancy and Lester is really about DeLuca vs. Profeta????
This you gathered from 10 years of reading the News Record?
A lame paper covering a town you don't live in???
I was born at night...etc, etc.
|
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 215
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:03 pm: |
|
I expect the News Record will bring a libel suit. They are your paper of record.
Are you the Vic-ster? |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2983
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:16 pm: |
|
It's not libel if it's true. The don't even proof read their cover page headlines. They get facts wrong, they get grammar wrong, they get spelling wrong. The News Record is known locally as the Snoozed Record, the News Wrecker, the Snooze Wretched, and other less savory names.
Aquaman, FvF seems to have an opinion about everything, but doesn't do his homework to sound semi-intelligent. You'd be better off dismissing him out of and and ignoring him. He's worse than Southerner in the political threads...
Hmm... I wonder if I'll be sued for libel? |
jeffl
Supporter
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 1683
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:27 pm: |
|
The News-Record has become a much better paper since Phillip Sean Curran started writing most of the articles. It used to be unreadable. I think the writing is quite good now. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 216
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:31 pm: |
|
Rastro-
I can't take anyone seriously who think Iranians are Arabs. LOL. If it makes someone feel important to be a wordy, clueless, pontificator, why should I care? |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2987
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
|
Please keep to the topics. If you want to call me a clueless, wordy, pontificator in the other thread, feel free. Here, I'd like you to recognize the New Record is an awful (Ithough improving) rag.
Otherwise I'll be forced to call you on the reval stuff elsewhere. |
hch
Citizen
Username: Hch
Post Number: 249
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 11:36 pm: |
|
Sharpe James is a crook. This is old news.
I thank God he will no longer be Mayor of Newark.
However, he is still a very powerful state senator so he will
be able to pull his old tricks. I believe he is head of the finance
committee in the State Senate. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 218
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 6:58 am: |
|
Obviously you haven't lived too many places if you think the News Record is awful. In several other communities in which I have lived the community paper was in the pocket of whatever administration was running the town and did not print un-flattering or controversial news items, or reflect any controversies or negative comments brought up at town meetings. It was largely "happy" news.
The News Record has op-ed pieces and covers a good part of the opposition/controversy in both towns. I think their coverage on the SO sculpture controversy was pretty good. You may however, not like the level or gist of their coverage, like any other newspaper.
Its pretty unsophisticated to expect a local paper to be a muckraker or the New York Times, because as a "community" paper it has to do a balancing act between the different groups that make up the town, and attempt to avoid excessively alienating subscribers or paper buyers. That is tough to do when it comes to politics or controversial issues.
You can't "call" someone on something that you don't read clearly or can't seem to understand. Maybe I was not communicating my opinions well, or you didn't really read them, just skimmed them in order to continue to advance your opinion. Whatever. Let's see what the end result is, and then we can see if you are correct. If I was wrong, I will so note it. I of course, hope you will do the same. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3000
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 9:03 am: |
|
FvF, I won't debate the reval issue here. Keep it where it belongs
http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=3133&post=596865#POST5968 65
As for the N-R, I am not talking about other towns. I'm talking about our newspaper that has frequently gotten their facts wrong, printed headlines and storied with more spelling and grammar mistakes than a 5th grade book report, and has had a history of lazy reporting, essentially printing press releases from the town.
I am not expecting muckraking, as you seem to think. I simply want them to print a reasonable, quality paper. They ar the paper of record for our town. They should act like it. We are not Tuskaloosa, AL. We are not Bumfsck, IL. We have a reasonably sophisticated population, The newspaper should reflect that.
Back to Sharpe James, though, the actual subject of this thread. He is obviously dirty, but no one will do anything about it. He is powerful, and even if he retired from every government position, he would not be prosecuted, nor would their be any investigation into his finances. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1600
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 9:13 am: |
|
The News Record has op-ed pieces and covers a good part of the opposition/controversy in both towns. I think their coverage on the SO sculpture controversy was pretty good. You may however, not like the level or gist of their coverage, like any other newspaper.
Sounds like Factvsfiction writes for the News Wreckered. Always wondered about that name…Fact vs Fiction.
 |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3003
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 9:17 am: |
|
Maybe FvF writes for The Item, his own town's newspaper. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 228
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 10:34 am: |
|
There must be something in the drinking water in M/SO considering both your posts.
I think you expect too much from a local paper guys. They have limited resources, not a lot of money, and frequently freelancers. Rastro, you did not disagree with me on their coverage on the controversy over the use of public funds for the sculpture. If memory serves aren't you one of the anti-sculpture agitators in that thread? Didn't their coverage satisfy you?
The Item frequently exasperates me, just like the News Record does you. They are what they are. A good local paper was Geraldo Rivera's old paper down in Red Bank, I think it was the Three River something. But it wasn't part of a chain and it was pretty well funded when he owned it.
Rastro, start a re-val thread in SO. It seems most of the people are uninterested in it as part of the slow development debate. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 142
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
|
Hey Rastro:
I am deeply wounded by your second to last post. Forgive any spellers as I am trying to type this through tears of shame and pain. I mean I am a nice person, I never hurt you. MAN, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Why would you hurt me like this? Did you enjoy it you heartless man/female/child?
You see, I am from Bumfsck, IL.
Happy Gruener Veltliner
B |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1506
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
|
"I am Sharpe James, millionaire- I own a mansion and a yacht."
AGAIN!
"I am Sharpe James, millionaire- I own a mansion and a yacht."
AGAIN!
"I am Sharpe James, millionaire......" |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 256
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
|
Bajou - The Gobelsburger 2004 is quite good.
Brett- I prefer Rev. Jackson's " I am somebody" chant. Less self-centered. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 174
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 1:47 pm: |
|
Hey Facts:
Any clue on where I can get it...?? |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 267
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 5:04 pm: |
|
Yes, The Mega wine complex called " Wine Library" at the corner of Millburn Ave. and Morris, in Springfield. Austrians are on the 2nd floor to your left. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 193
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 5:19 pm: |
|
Cool thanks for he tip Facts... |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page