LATEST LOGIC ON THE LANE CLOSURES: $9.00 TO CROSS GW BRIDGE TO NYC!
MSNBC Steve Kornacki asks was the engineered closure of lanes leading to the Bridge in September to END OR AT LEAST DERAIL THE $MULTI-BILLION PROJECT IN FORT LEE ON 16 ACRES?
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
A review of the BOOK titled “THE BRIBE” – Fort Lee NJ shopping center on 16 acres.
THE BRIBE” by Philip Ross – brother of Burt Ross, wunderkind incorruptible and dashing Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., a bedroom suburb of New York.
In 1974 One fine day Mayor Burt Ross is approached by a silk-suited heavy wearing a large pinky ring, named Joey D. who offers Burt $5OO,OOO to stop a council vote against some variances in the town’s zoning laws for a a multimillion dollar shopping center.
Burt tells the state attorney general and the FBI who wire him up (phone too). Money passes hands in secret rendezvous in diners.
Eventually, a lot of hoods and crooks are indicted–some even go to the pen–and Burt moves on to head the New Jersey State Energy Office.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
“It wasn’t just the everyday lives of commuters and residents that were altered or in some cases jeopardized by what happened in Fort Lee. Something else was affected and possibly jeopardized, something of enormous economic and political significance.”
— Kornacki described how closure of access lanes may have been part of a larger effort to shut Mayor Mark Sokolich’s $Billion development project in Fort Lee, right next to these lanes.
BARONI, WHO RESIGNED UNDER FIRE, argued in a meeting that FORT LEE does NOT DESERVE easy FREEWAY ACCESS.
Also, the Mayor was begging Chris Christie not to do anymore awful things.
$$$$$$$$$ = MAKES LOT MORE SENSE THAN ALL THE OTHER IDEAS!
YOU KNOW IT HAD TO BE ABOUT MONEY AND POWER!
LET THE PEONS SUFFER!
Is a Billion Dollar Development Project at the Heart of Bridgegate?
VIDEO DISCUSSING $BILLION PROJECT IN FORT LESS
CLICK FOR OUTSTANDING FOLLOWUP ON STEVE’S WORK BY HIS FRIEND BRIAN MURPHY!
OUTLINE OF ABOVE TWO LINKS:
Is a Billion Dollar Development Project at the Heart of Bridgegate?
BRIAN MURPHY = guest on MSNBC’s “Up With Steve Kornacki” Jan 12, 2014
Steve and Brian = uniquely qualified because they worked for David Wildstein
Neither knew Wildstein’s true identity while we were reporting for his site – an excellent editor with sources to suggest on a story and always had my back.
Wildstein implicitly has provided lots in gems on Bridgegate traffic tie-ups in Fort Lee
The unanswered question in Bridgegate is “why?”
Why did deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly text David Wildstein on the morning of August 13 that it was “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee”?
Why did Wildstein already know enough about this plot to simply reply “Got it.”?
We must understand the power and influence wielded by independent authorities and agencies in state and federal government on major projects like land development – For example the two big empty parcels of land, 16 acres in Fort Lee, NJ next to the GW Bridge that Mayor Mark Sokolich describes as a “billion dollar redevelopment” project = commercial, residential and business complex called “Hudson Lights,” is being built – mentioned in the Wildstein document dump.
These big projects (like GWB) have value because they connect things – allow people and goods to move, and they can dramatically increase the utility and value of the properties they connect.
Hudson Lights Project = $Billion project offers unparalleled access to the NYC via GWB.
Without the GWB = no longer a billion dollar project and Mayor Sokolich knows this and quickly asked Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni on September 12: “what do I do when our billion dollar development is put on line at the end of next year?”
Baroni never responded and the Christie team laughed about it – as the long-term viability of the Fort Lee project was threatened by any permanent changes to the GWB on-ramp adjacent to the site.
August 15, Mayor Sokolich and the Fort Lee town council held a closed meeting on the redevelopment project’s contract.
August 22, the mayor was authorized by the council to finalize documents relating to how one phase of the redevelopment was to be financed = MONEY the last step = “Nothing is in place until everything is in place” AND MONEY WAS IN QUESTION.
Most crucial weeks for FUNDING this project coincident with the time WHEN THE CHRISTIE TEAM shut-down the lanes and when the shut-down was lifted by Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye after he learned of Baroni and Wildstein’s shenanigans – Baroni and Wildstein KNEW THE FUNDING FOR FORT LEE WAS STILL A HANGING ISSUE.
THE DAY FOYE re-opened the lanes the FORT LEE developers announced they’d raised $218 million to begin the project as would-be investors overcame their alarm.
Mayor Sokolich’s first question to Chris Christie in their face-to-face in Fort Lee was would the governor promise not to exact revenge on Fort Lee for the trouble this scandal is causing.
Dec 2, 2013 Christie mused out-load at a press conference that FOR LEE DIDN’T NEED all those permanent lanes = “The cat was completely out of the bag” = Even in December Fort Lee and this project still faced a threat.
Christie and his political appointees and operatives = Perhaps wanted to extract favors
GWB and Lincoln Tunnel = Always at risk of being misused for narrowly partisan purposes
Christie SQUAD = PUT a Major Redevelopment Project in jeopardy at a vulnerable financing moment possibly ending the entire project.
Governor Christie met with his top appointee at the Port Authority, Chairman David Samson, about the number of toll lanes allocated to the Fort Lee on-ramp one week before the famous KELLY EMAIL – They were aware of the WELL KNOWN $Billion at stake in FORT LEE.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
State Rep. John Wisniewski, who has led the legislative investigation of the scandal, said that it’s “unbelievable” that Christie did not know about the plan.
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/nj-lawmaker-christies-bridge-scandal-explanation-unbelievable
CHRISTIE MET WITH DAVID SAMSON ONE WEEK BEFORE BRIDGE CLOSURE MEMO
BILL BARONI – RESIGNED UNDER FIRE FOR LANE CLOSURES
DAVID SAMSON INFO
Bridge related Documents submitted by David Wildstein refer to a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee.
Aug. 6 or so – Bridge related Documents submitted by David Wildstein refer a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee = Important factoid = Christie said he met for two hours with Samson whom he appointed as Port Authority chairman.
David Samson, the Christie appointed chairman of the authority, wrote, “I am told that ED (Foye) leaked to the WSJ his story about Fort Lee issues-very unfortunate for NY/NJ relations….This is yet another example of a story, we’ve seen it before, where he distances himself from an issue in the press and rides in on a white horse to save the day.”
SAMSON’S ATTACK on Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye is UNFORGIVABLE!
When Foye began to undo the closures, Wildstein wrote Kelly, “The New York side gave Fort Lee back all three lanes this morning. We are appropriately going nuts. Samson helping us to retaliate.” Wildstein was referring to PA Chairman David Samson, Christie’s appointee.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
BILL BARONI INFO
Wildstein wrote “Charlie said you did GREAT” to Baroni – Christie’s inner-circle -Charles McKenna, who serves as the governor’s chief counsel.
NY Daily News = Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich began pressing Baroni for help quickly after closures.
September 9, the first day of the lane closures.
Baroni Responds = there “can be no public discourse” on the controversy = COVER UP
Regina Egea, a member of Christie’s senior staff, got the Foye e-mail from Bill Baroni, a Christie-appointed Port Authority deputy director.
Sept. 12: Sokolich writes to Christie appointee Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director of the Port Authority, and expresses the belief that the closures were “punitive” and asks they be lifted. Some suspect they were put in place because Sokolich, a Democrat, did not endorse Christie for re-election. Records show Wildstein e-mails Kelly and Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak a statement saying the Port Authority is “reviewing traffic safety patterns at the George Washington Bridge.”
“Many members of the public have indicated to me that the Port Authority Police Officers are advising commuters in response to their complaints that this recent traffic debacle is the result of a decision that I, as the mayor, recently made…. This decision has wreaked havoc upon our community during the morning rush hour…Unquestionably this decision has negatively impacted public safety here in Fort Lee…. The basis, reason, or genesis of the decision is of no consequence to me; however, its profound and adverse impact on our community is of paramount importance to me.”
— Sokolich wrote in a scathing September 12 letter to Baroni.
A PATHETIC 4 page traffic study – A JOKE – was made in Powerpoint with little substance in it.
Wildstein wrote “Charlie said you did GREAT” to Baroni – Christie’s inner-circle -Charles McKenna, who serves as the governor’s chief counsel.
Sept. 17: Baroni suggests in a conversation with Wildstein that they schedule a meeting “to stave off reporters.”
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
CHRISTIE GETS RID OF THOSE THAT CAN INCRIMINATE HIM:
DAVID WILDSTEIN AT BRIDGE AUTHORITY – RESIGNED UNDER FIRE
BRIDGET KELLY FIRED FOR EMAIL ORDERING THE BRIDGE JAM
DAVID WILDSTEIN INFO
Bridge related Documents submitted by David Wildstein refer to a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee.
Aug. 6 or so – Bridge related Documents submitted by David Wildstein refer a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee = Important factoid = Christie said he met for two hours with Samson whom he appointed as Port Authority chairman.
Aug. 13: A deputy chief of staff to Christie, Bridget Anne Kelly, e-mails David Wildstein, the governor’s appointee to the Port Authority, saying, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.” Wildstein responds, “Got it.”
Wall Street Journal = David Wildstein, the Port Authority was with Christie Sept. 11 when it all started.
NY Daily News = His aides’ emails put the lie to rest = “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” Bridget Kelly, Christie’s deputy chief of staff, wrote to Wildstein on Aug. 13
“Got it,” Wildstein replied closing the lanes on Sept. 9, bringing traffic to a standstill.
“Is it wrong that I am smiling?” an unidentified aide texted Wildstein.
“No,” he wrote back.
And he added: “They are the children of Buono voters,” referring to Christie’s Democratic opponent, Barbara Buono.
When Foye began to undo the closures, Wildstein wrote Kelly, “The New York side gave Fort Lee back all three lanes this morning. We are appropriately going nuts. Samson helping us to retaliate.” Wildstein was referring to PA Chairman David Samson, Christie’s appointee.
Sept. 6: Wildstein, the Port Authority’s director of interstate capital projects, orders the bridge’s general manager to carry out the closures.
Sept. 12: Sokolich writes to Christie appointee Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director of the Port Authority, and expresses the belief that the closures were “punitive” and asks they be lifted. Some suspect they were put in place because Sokolich, a Democrat, did not endorse Christie for re-election. Records show Wildstein e-mails Kelly and Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak a statement saying the Port Authority is “reviewing traffic safety patterns at the George Washington Bridge.”
Wildstein wrote “Charlie said you did GREAT” to Baroni – Christie’s inner-circle – Charles McKenna, who serves as the governor’s chief counsel.
Sept. 13: Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye, an appointee of Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, directs bridge managers to lift the closures, saying they violated agency policy and jeopardized public safety as well as the agency’s “credibility.” Records show Wildstein e-mailed Kelly to tell her of the change, saying, “We are appropriation going nuts. (Port Authority Chairman David) Samson helping us to retaliate.”
Sept. 17: Baroni suggests in a conversation with Wildstein that they schedule a meeting “to stave off reporters.”
Sept. 18: Wildstein writes to Christie’s two-time campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and includes a story about the lane closures published in The Wall Street Journal. Stepien says, “It’s fine. The mayor is an idiot, though,” referring to Sokolich. Wildstein responds, “I had empty boxes ready to take to work today, just in case.”
Oct. 2: Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, says he will convene a hearing to determine who ordered the lane closures and if they were politically motivated. Wildstein writes to Stepien that leaks by Foye need to be addressed, saying, “need to be sure all understand that a trash train bringing NYC garbage by rail through Westfield, East Brunswick, etc. is a very bad idea.”
Nov. 20: With the threat of subpoenas, Wisniewski requests that top Port Authority officials including Baroni, Foye and Wildstein testify before the transportation panel about the closures.
Nov. 25: At a hearing held by the Assembly transportation committee, Baroni says the closures were ordered by his direct subordinate, Wildstein, as part of a traffic study and acknowledges making a mistake by not notifying Foye, police or the public. Records show Baroni asks Wildstein how he performed. “Good,” Wildstein said.
Dec. 18: Baroni and Wildstein hire prominent lawyers and request more time to respond to Wisniewski’s subpoenas. The assemblyman grants to the two men an extension until
Dec. 23: Baroni and Wildstein submit documentation requested by Wisniewski.
Dec. 31: Wisniewski issues another subpoena ordering Wildstein to testify before the Assembly transportation committee Jan. 9.
Jan. 9: In a humble Statehouse news conference, Christie apologizes to Fort Lee, the people of New Jersey and the state Legislature for the actions of his staffers and announces the firing of Kelly. He also says Stepien will not serve as state Republican Party chair or as a consultant for the Republican Governors Association. He later goes to Fort Lee and personally apologizes to the people and Sokolich. Under oath, Wildstein refuses to answer questions from Wisniewski and the transportation committee, citing his rights under the state and federal constitutions. The committee holds him in contempt, which is a misdemeanor offense. Six people sue the state and Port Authority in federal court, claiming their were harmed by traffic delays. They seek a class-action certification.
NY Daily News = Rogue orders by Christie appointee Wildstein, same high school
“Included in these documents is a reference to what appears to be a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee. By submitting these documents, Mr. Wildstein is telling us they are related to the lane closures in some way. The question that demands answering is how?… How much of the full picture was the governor’s senior staff given regarding the development of this lane closure project? With the tight control this administration maintains, it doesn’t stretch the imagination that they were given more information than they let on. When they were preparing spin control, how could they not have been given the whole story?”
— New Jersey Assembly Deputy Speaker Wisniewski
CHRISTIE APPROVES THE WILDSTEIN DEPARTURE LETTER!
Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie, had dinner with Wildstein two days before the transportation official resigned about how to announce his departure from the Port Authority. Wildstein wrote Drewniak, “Thanks again for all your sound advice last night, I always appreciate your friendship.” In an e-mail on December 6, Drewniak sends Wildstein the finalized statement with the note, “This was my revised – which I sent to the Gov and he approved.”
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
BRIDGET KELLY INFO
Bridge related Documents submitted by David Wildstein refer to a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee.
lmpeachment a potential for “Using the George Washington Bridge, a public resource, to exact a political vendetta, is a crime…. Having people use their official position to have a political game is a crime. So if those tie back to the governor in any way, it clearly becomes an impeachable offense… It’s hard to really accept the governor’s statement that he knew nothing until the other morning,”
— John Wisniewski, NJ Assemblyman – noting additional subpoenas are likely Monday to FIRED Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly, and Michael Drewniak, chief spokesperson for Christie.
Aug. 6 or so – Bridge related Documents submitted by David Wildstein refer a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee = Important factoid = Christie said he met for two hours with Samson whom he appointed as Port Authority chairman.
NY Daily News = His aides’ emails put the lie to rest = “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” Bridget Kelly, Christie’s deputy chief of staff, wrote to Wildstein on Aug. 13
Aug. 13: A deputy chief of staff to Christie, Bridget Anne Kelly, e-mails David Wildstein, the governor’s appointee to the Port Authority, saying, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.” Wildstein responds, “Got it.”
Sept. 12: Sokolich writes to Christie appointee Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director of the Port Authority, and expresses the belief that the closures were “punitive” and asks they be lifted. Some suspect they were put in place because Sokolich, a Democrat, did not endorse Christie for re-election. Records show Wildstein e-mails Kelly and Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak a statement saying the Port Authority is “reviewing traffic safety patterns at the George Washington Bridge.”
Sept. 13: Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye, an appointee of Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, directs bridge managers to lift the closures, saying they violated agency policy and jeopardized public safety as well as the agency’s “credibility.” Records show Wildstein e-mailed Kelly to tell her of the change, saying, “We are appropriation going nuts. (Port Authority Chairman David) Samson helping us to retaliate.”
When Foye began to undo the closures, Wildstein wrote Kelly, “The New York side gave Fort Lee back all three lanes this morning. We are appropriately going nuts. Samson helping us to retaliate.” Wildstein was referring to PA Chairman David Samson, Christie’s appointee.
Bridget Anne Kelly, was aware of a plan to shut down the lanes and knew the closures would snarl traffic on Fort Lee streets, remarking in an e-mail, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.” Wisniewski says Christie has lost all credibility on the scandal, calls it a coverup and pledges to seek answers from Kelly and others. Christie says in a statement he was misled by a member of his staff, had no knowledge of the closure and calls the actions unacceptable. He promises to hold people responsible, but gives no details about who or how.
“l like to FlRE PEOPLE!”
— WlLLARD 2012
Jan. 9: In a humble Statehouse news conference, Christie apologizes to Fort Lee, the people of New Jersey and the state Legislature for the actions of his staffers and announces the firing of Kelly. He also says Stepien will not serve as state Republican Party chair or as a consultant for the Republican Governors Association. He later goes to Fort Lee and personally apologizes to the people and Sokolich. Under oath, Wildstein refuses to answer questions from Wisniewski and the transportation committee, citing his rights under the state and federal constitutions. The committee holds him in contempt, which is a misdemeanor offense. Six people sue the state and Port Authority in federal court, claiming their were harmed by traffic delays. They seek a class-action certification.
“Included in these documents is a reference to what appears to be a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee. By submitting these documents, Mr. Wildstein is telling us they are related to the lane closures in some way. The question that demands answering is how?… How much of the full picture was the governor’s senior staff given regarding the development of this lane closure project? With the tight control this administration maintains, it doesn’t stretch the imagination that they were given more information than they let on. When they were preparing spin control, how could they not have been given the whole story?”
— New Jersey Assembly Deputy Speaker Wisniewski
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
REGINA EGEA GOT EMAIL 4+ MONTHS AGO AND KNEW ABOUT THE ILLEGALITY OF THE BRIDGE CLOSURE = CHRISTIE’S NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
REGINA EGEA INFO
“Reversing over 25 years of PA (Port Authority) GWB (George Washington Bridge) operations, the three lanes in Fort Lee eastbound to the GWB were reduced to one lane on Monday of this week without notifying Fort Lee…I am appalled by the lack of process, failure to inform our customers and Fort Lee and most of all by the dangers created to the public interest. I pray that no life has been lost or trip of a hospital- or hospice-bound patient delayed…(from this) “hasty and ill-advised decision violates Federal Law and the laws of both States. I will get to the bottom of this abusive decision which violated everything this agency stands for.”
— Patrick Foye, the executive director
SEPT 9: Regina Egea, a member of Christie’s senior staff, got the Foye e-mail from Bill Baroni, a Christie-appointed Port Authority deputy director.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈▶
BILL STEPIEN – CHRISTIE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN WAS FIRED BY CHRISTIE FOR INSULTING THE MAYOR OF FORT LEE – CALLING HIM AN IDIOT
BILL STEPIEN INFO
Sept. 18: Wildstein writes to Christie’s two-time campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and includes a story about the lane closures published in The Wall Street Journal. Stepien says, “It’s fine. The mayor is an idiot, though,” referring to Sokolich. Wildstein responds, “I had empty boxes ready to take to work today, just in case.”
Oct. 2: Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, says he will convene a hearing to determine who ordered the lane closures and if they were politically motivated. Wildstein writes to Stepien that leaks by Foye need to be addressed, saying, “need to be sure all understand that a trash train bringing NYC garbage by rail through Westfield, East Brunswick, etc. is a very bad idea.”
Jan. 9: In a humble Statehouse news conference, Christie apologizes to Fort Lee, the people of New Jersey and the state Legislature for the actions of his staffers and announces the firing of Kelly. He also says Stepien will not serve as state Republican Party chair or as a consultant for the Republican Governors Association. He later goes to Fort Lee and personally apologizes to the people and Sokolich. Under oath, Wildstein refuses to answer questions from Wisniewski and the transportation committee, citing his rights under the state and federal constitutions. The committee holds him in contempt, which is a misdemeanor offense. Six people sue the state and Port Authority in federal court, claiming their were harmed by traffic delays. They seek a class-action certification.
KEVIN O’DOWD – CHRISTIE’S RIGHT HAND MAN – KELLY REPORTED TO HIM!
KEPT CLEAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL POSSIBILITY!
VETING BEGINS AND SHOWS = CHRISTIE FAILS
“If you don’t run CHRlS CHRlSTIE, then ROMNEY will be the nominee and we will LOSE (to Obama).”
— ANN COULTER – ALWAYS WRONG IN THE LONG RUN
Concise Politics -- Your Time should NOT be wasted. 