Union leaders hold mock 'retirement party' for Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo
Published: Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 9:27 PM Updated: Thursday, April 14, 2011, 5:45 AM
ESSEX COUNTY — The evening’s flavors tended toward the sour and tart, with bitter undertones.
In the two weeks since it surfaced that Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. had begun to draw a pension as he simultaneously cranked up the rhetoric in favor of reforming the state’s pension system, union leaders have hammered away at his actions, calling them hypocritical at best and unethical at worst.
Tonight, they held a "retirement party" for the 58-year-old executive, serving complimentary cones of "double-dip" ice cream and heated discourse before the county freeholders’ meeting at South Orange Village Hall.
"Joe D couldn’t be here," Anthony Wieners, president of the state’s Policemen’s Benevolent Association, said to about 50 union members outside village hall. "He’s at a Loyal Order of Hypocrites convention."
DiVincenzo, who worked as a state legislative aide, parks supervisor, teacher and freeholder before becoming county executive in 2003, used a provision in state law that allows elected officials to draw their public pension while remaining in office, so long as they had previously held a different public sector job.
He earned a $153,207 salary last year. Since August, after putting in his retirement papers and three months before being elected to an unprecedented third term, he has collected a $5,738 monthly pension check.
DiVincenzo, who has already announced his intention to run for a fourth term, was not available for comment tonight. But he has defended his actions, saying that after nearly 30 years in public service he had earned the pension and was entitled to the payment.
At the outset of the freeholders’ meeting, David H. Weiner, president of the Newark-based Communications Workers of America Local 1081, read a "resolution" honoring DiVincenzo.
The "resolution" alternately quotes DiVincenzo on the need for pension reform and on his reasons for taking the payments before calling him a "hypocrite." The roughly 650-word resolution concludes by wishing him "success and happiness" on his "well-deserved retirement."
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS
COUNTY OP ESSEX
RESOLUTION NO. _______0_________ AUTHORITY FOR RESOLUTION N.J.S.A. 40:40A-38(q)
PROI’OSED BY: All of the Freeholders AUTHORITY FOR ACTION: C.C.E.. 3:-2-29 (B)
SUBJECT: Retirement of Joe D
COMMENDATION
______________________________
HONORING JOSEPH DIVINCENZO ON HIS RETIREMENT
FROM THE POSITION OF ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE
______________________________
WHEREAS, The Star Ledger reported on April 1, 2011 regarding Essex County Executive Joseph "Joe D" DiVincenzo that "Last August, the 58-year-old politician quietly put in his retirement papers and the pension started to flow. But he continues to serve in the same position, drawing a full salary and wielding influence from Newark to Trenton as he campaigns to reform the pension system. Due to a little-known loophole, DiVincenzo is one of the latest officials to collect a salary and pension for the same job. State law allows elected officials in the public employee and police pension systems to 'retire' but keep working."; and
WHEREAS, Joe D "retired" with an annual salary of $153,207 and a yearly pension of $68,862 just three months before winning an unprecedented third term as County Executive; and
WHEREAS, On January 1, 2011 Republican Governor Chris Christie swore Joe D in for his third term as Essex County Executive with The Star Ledger reporting, "I'm here today because he's my friend," Christie said of DiVincenzo. "I'm here because I'm proud of the job he's done the last eight years."
WHEREAS, having retired on August 1, 2010, Joe D was quoted in The Star Ledger on August 20, 2010 stating " Enough is enough. Let’s cut the politicking and support the Governor’s reform package so our residents can get some relief from the high cost of government"; and
WHEREAS, having retired on August 1, 2010, Joe D was quoted in his own press release on January 14, 2011 stating ""These costs are astronomical. It is hard to comprehend that such a large portion of our budget is paying for health care, prescription drugs and employee pensions. We can't afford to spend this kind of money anymore. We don't have it. That is why we will continue to lobby our representatives in Trenton for legislation to reform health benefits, public employee pensions, civil service and binding arbitration".
WHEREAS, having retired on August 1, 2010, Joe D stated at his February 15, 2011 State of the County address that lawmakers must tackle runaway pension and health care costs lest they bankrupt state and local governments. "Conversations being held at the state level to deal with these issues should have no party affiliation or partisanship. These are not comfortable conversations, but the bank is broken."
WHEREAS, a full five days after Joe D's retirement was revealed, Governor Christie was quoted on April 5, 2011 in The Star Ledger finally stating that "he personally called the county executive to express his displeasure. '"Whether someone is an ally or an enemy, I tell people what I think," Christie said. "I told him I think it's wrong. What do you want me to say? I can't be any clearer than that."
WHEREAS, The Star Ledger on April 6, 2011 reported that "After days of playing defense, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. apologized yesterday for the controversy surrounding his pension, which has drawn condemnation from public employee unions and the governor", saying 'To Essex County residents and to all the employees here, I want to apologize for what happened this weekend'. He added, "I'm sorry that I put us in this position." The apology, made during a groundbreaking ceremony in West Orange, came after increasing criticism since news of his pension broke Thursday. DiVincenzo has worked closely with Gov. Chris Christie to reduce public employee benefits, and unions quickly criticized the county executive as a hypocrite."
RESOLVED, that the Essex County Board of Freeholders hereby commends Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo for his nearly 30 years of service to the residents of Essex County, congratulates him on his well-deserved retirement and wishes him success and happiness in all his future endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution will be presented to Joe D.