Republican Pandemonium

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: May 19, 2009

In most other towns, having the opposing political party involved in an inter-family squabble would be reason for glee. This is what Republicans in Franklin Lakes have handed the Democrats with a primary that pits the old-guard against the new-guard. The Democrats, unfortunately, cannot take any pleasure in the spectacle as they have no candidate in the municipal elections.

Brian Trava and Thomas Murphy are running against Frank Benovia and William T. Smith. Mr. Smith is a former councilman and the former borough attorney who was recently discharged from his counsel position under what many perceived as a political maneuver by Mayor DeNicola. Both teams are vying to be listed under the Bergen County Republican Organization line on the ballot, but the disunion of the Republican Party on the county level has led to neither team gaining that advantage.

The NJMG is reporting accusations from supporters on both sides claiming political payback is at the root of the entire electoral battle. County officials supporting the the Trava & Murphy ticket insinuate that Bill Smith is only running because he’s angry with the Mayor for forcing him from his long-time position as borough attorney. Those supporting the Smith & Benovia ticket argue that county support offered to Brian Trava is based on a desire to keep the new, politically connected, borough attorney employed in his position.

Inter-party squabbling is part of the primary process, but the Franklin Lakes situation is unique in that the position of borough attorney seems to be playing a critical role. William Smith’s original accusations in the fall of 2008 that Mayor DeNicola was playing politics with the hiring of Brian Nelson as town COAH attorney certainly signaled his impending departure. His accusations forced the scheduling of a town meeting that pulled in over seventy members of the community to hear explanations over the situation.

The singular situation in Franklin Lakes with the turmoil over borough attorneys is also of interest as the town council faces critical decisions with respect to the budget. Budgetary problems have led to forced layoffs which will effectively shut municipal services down for two Fridays a month. On the other hand, legal expenses for the town will nearly double for next year with an additional 113,000 dollars being budgeted for a total of $248,000.