By Susan C. Moeller

Senior Reporter, Leader Newspaper

LYNDHURST (Oct. 23, 2007)  — Flanked by democratic leaders from the local, county and state level, Lyndhurst Mayor Richard DiLascio and the entire Lyndhurst Board of Commissioners switched their party affiliation from Republican to Democrat on the front steps of town hall Oct. 21.

“We’re not leaving the Republican party,” DiLascio said, “the party is leaving us.” Underscoring his point, DiLascio presented Democratic County Chair Joe Ferriero with a stack of registration cards from himself, the commissioners and two-thirds of Lyndhurst’s Republican county members, who made the switch with DiLascio.

 Photo by JoAnn Merklinghaus

The Lyndhurst Board of Commissioners announced at an Oct. 23 press conference that they, along with 60 percent of the township’s Republican party organization, would change their affiliation to Democrat. Shown are Lyndhurst Mayor Richard DiLascio (at the podium) and from left: Bergen County Freeholder Jim Carroll, Bergen County Democratic Chair Jim Ferriero, Lyndhurst Commissioners Brian Haggerty and Robert Giangeruso, former Lyndhurst Mayor Lou Stellato, Lyndhurst Commissioner Tom DiMaggio, Assemblymen Fred Scalera and Gary Schaer and Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney.“They are ready to work hard for you chairman,” he said. The men exchanged hugs and handshakes. It’s “my privilege and honor to accept all of you…into our family,” Ferriero said. He called the day an historic event and a “further sign that the Republican Party is out of touch with the citizens of Bergen County.”

The rift between the Grand Old Party and the town’s top dogs has been growing for a while. The Republican County Committee has “lost its focus,” failed “to adopt an agenda that’s relevant,” demonstrated an “unwillingness to listen” and become intolerant of mainstream views, DiLascio said.

But, the final straw for DiLascio was the Republican decision to run Michael Guarino as a Senate candidate against incumbent Paul Sarlo. DiLascio never mentioned Guarino’s name, referring to him instead as a “gadfly candidate.” The party did not consult him about Guarino’s candidacy, and Guarino has attacked him constantly, DiLascio added. “This man is indicative of the poor choices the Republican Party has been making … In Lyndhurst we have said ‘that is enough.’ ”  DiLascio’s grievances with the Republicans were apparently not mirrored in his interactions with Democrats. “I have a responsibility to propose and effect changes…that will make our lives a little bit better here in Lyndhurst,” DiLascio said. And, the Democrats who represent the township on all levels “are doing a good job” for the town. Thus, it makes sense to get on the same page with them, he concluded.  

What of Lyndhurst’s status as a nonpartisan governing body? The community “is still part of the state and the state legislature, which is partisan,” he said. The nonpartisan nature of the municipal elections also meant that the Commission could switch parties without betraying people who voted for them based on a party affiliation.

Apparently the bad political blood flows both ways.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” was the official Republican response to DiLascio’s announcement. In a published statement issued shortly after the town hall press conference, Republican Bergen County Chairman Rob Ortiz said that the announcement was not a surprise. “It’s a relief that certain Lyndhurst officeholders…no longer embarrass us by calling themselves Republicans.” The defection gives the County Committee an “opportunity to get real Republicans in office in Lyndhurst come May, not shameless self-promoters who are influenced by the likes of Sarlo and Ferriero.” He concluded, “We look forward to a new and stronger Republican Party in Lyndhurst, built around men and women who believe in representing their constituents rather than lining their own pockets.”

DiLascio denied any assertion that he’ll be rewarded by Democratic powerbrokers for his newly sworn allegiance. “I’m not looking for any positions with Bergen County,” he said, noting that he had withdrawn his acceptance of a position with Bergen Regional Medical center after deciding to throw his lot in with the Democrats.

“Look at our hiring practices,” said Bergen County Freeholder James Carroll. Positions are awarded to those who are “the best fit for the job.” Any suggestion to the contrary is “just a ploy” during a political season.

Anita Zarillo is one of the Republican County Committee members who switched parties. Her motivation: “your children, and my children.” DiLascio asked her to switch, but he did not sway her. “I’m turning democrat; I’ve had it,” she said.

Lyndhurst Board of Education member Ron Grillo also changed his party affiliation. “I think it’s important right now to do what we can,” to put the needs of the town first. With the Democrats in power, it will be helpful to be aligned with them, to be a part of the decision making process, he said.

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