Cloud over a candidate
Sunday, September 10, 2006

I would hate to see the Republican Party keep control of the U.S. Senate. But in New Jersey, my Democratic Party can't get its act together. This schoolyard name-calling between Bob Me nendez and Tom Kean Jr. is unearthing issues older than many of the neighbors Bob and I share in Hoboken.

Take Bob's rent deal with the North Hudson Community Action Corp. I don't care that Bob rented his old house to a group he cared about. I'm glad he made sure this fine organization received millions in federal funding.

I am, however, disappointed by what The Star-Ledger reports: Bob charged $600 more a month than for comparable properties in the same area, more even than properties that were commercial office space, not former living rooms.

I applaud Bob's position on social services. But how does that square with taking $600 each month that could have provided additional services to the needy?

I'm looking for an explanation, and so far none of his washes. And saying the House ethics commit tee approved only calls that body into question. If Bob made a mistake, he should come clean and ask folks to forgive him.

-- Tony Soares, Hoboken

The writer is a former Hoboken City Council president.