Healy Will Call for Audit of Development in Jersey City Tomorrow
By Jon Whiten • Aug 9th, 2009 • Category: Blog, News, Politics
In the wake of last month’s corruption probe that snared many Jersey City officials and shone a negative light on the way that development happens here, Mayor Jerramiah Healy will call for an independent audit of the city’s development process tomorrow.
Healy will ask Jersey City to retain the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP, to examine documents and legislation, and interview city employees in an “attorney-client privileged setting.”
After 90 days, the law firm will report back to the city with its findings and any recommendations.
“In light of the events of July 23, 2009, we believe it is prudent to undertake a legal audit and analysis
of our development process in order to verify that it is fully transparent, fair and efficient,” Mayor
Healy said in a statement. “Notwithstanding the fact that Jersey City’s record of redevelopment is unparalleled throughout the state and the country, we will review our development process to ensure that it is uniform and equitable, and to restore the public trust.”
Planning director Bob Cotter tells the Star-Ledger that he’s happy to hear about the move.
“Anything that will clear the air is welcome,” he says. “I’m very proud of the work that we do, and my staff are extremely professional.”
Healy will also sign an executive order requiring all city directors and employees involved in development to undergo mandatory ethics training within the next month.
Lastly, in a move that might undercut the efforts of Ward E councilman Steven Fulop and advocacy group Civic JC to get the City Council to pass redevelopment pay-to-play legislation, Healy says he will direct the law department “to undertake an analysis of various campaign contribution laws around the country and to engage in discussions with civic interest groups regarding new campaign contribution laws.”
The redevelopment pay-to-play ordinance, which Healy is against and is similar to legislation that was voted down 7-2 in 2007, is on the City Council agenda for this week and will be a topic of discussion at tomorrow’s council caucus meeting.
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Jon Whiten is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.
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