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He came in better prepared, familiar with every layer of coverage necessary for an idiosyncratic industry comprised of horses, riders and grandstands. Many believe that in exchange for Christie not investigating Norcross and DiVincenzo, at a time when Christie showed a willingness to prosecute even minor infractions and perpetrators of the public trust including an Asbury Park councilman for getting his driveway paved for free. Christie allowed the two biggest powerbrokers in the state to escape similar investigative scrutiny in exchange for their tacit support for his gubernatorial candidacy, or at least, their less-than-zealous support for Jon Corzines re-election campaign in 2009. Paymon Rouhanifard was only thirty-two when he was appointed to For Gods sake, buy me! In a cool, calculated voice, Norcross brags about his influence with governors and U.S. senators: In the end, the McGreeveys, the Corzines, theyre all going to be with me. After thorough investigations and significant media coverage, he was not charged. Brady says that if incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Menendez has an issue he was indicted on corruption charges last year I would do everything I can to help Donald Norcross.. Or self-interest? Not because they like me, but because they have no choice. He talks about his legacy: No one will ever, ever again not include or look down or double-cross South Jersey. Probably because he thought I would be a good mayor, he says. George Norcross slipped in through the back door. But he also grimaces. Norcross bought the Inquirer, the Daily News and Philly.com in partnership with philanthropist H.F. Gerry Lenfest and businessman Lewis Katz. He has continued to contest the validity of the 2020 result despite numerous decisions against his court challenges to Bidens win, and a months-long vote recount in Arizona that still favored Biden. Hiring a communication director, further solidified District messaging and improved the likelihood of receiving positive press in print media, local news, and even on local urban radio airwaves. Kenney tells me he has known Norcross for years (Fifteen, 20?), but he doesnt share any anecdotes or insights about the man. And by Tuesday morning, faithful surrogates including daughter Lexie Norcross and City Councilwoman Felisha Reyes Morton were savaging Altman in the signature style that has made the Norcross political machine famous, and feared. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. He called his closest supporters the Can Do Club and lived by high-achiever mantras like Second Place Is First Loser. In a pivotal 1991 election, he worked with TV adman Neil Oxman and paid for $400,000 in commercial spots to dethrone Laskin, an unheard-of move in a state election. [19], Norcross is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cooper University Health Care System , Cooper University Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, in Camden, New Jersey. And as far as many carpenters were concerned, Philly carpenters boss Ed Coryell had gone off the reservation. Glenwood, Utah - Ellison Lon Norcross Sr. "Red" passed away peacefully at his home in Glenwood on January 5, 2021 at the age of 73. [1], Norcross has been a prominent political leader in New Jersey for more than 30 years, since before he became chairman of the Camden County Democratic Committee in 1989, a position he held until 1993. [9] His mother died at the age of 84 in 2016. In New Jersey, health insurance companies and other corporations from state-regulated industries are barred from making campaign contributions in state and local elections. He wouldnt talk to me for this story. And even his nepotism hasnt embarrassed him. if ever mentioned, by Rouhanifard was his time on his Teach for America affiliation, [26], Norcross has been associated with businesses that are alleged to have received special treatment from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The problem, then, isnt that George Norcross is incompetent. 1966 Rev George R Davis, Pres & Mrs Johnson At Dc Church Politics Wirephoto 8X10. Look, he says, the report itself says nothing happened that was illegal.. In a city like Camden, theres a sisterhood, brotherhood with Philadelphia. In person, however, Norcross holds his ground. We all think we know, he says. in Tennessee during the 1980s. A few months after the primary, Kenney was the featured guest at a fund-raiser for Norcrosss brother, U.S. Representative Donald Norcross. Thats likely part of Norcrosss play in Philadelphia, but it would be uncharacteristic for him to stop there. Coopers medical school yields prestige and a much-needed influx of youth and smarts. No way. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Norcross is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cooper University Health Care System and Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey and has served as a trustee since 1990. . Donald W. Norcross (born December 13, 1958) is an American politician and labor leader who is the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 1st congressional district in South Jersey.A member of the Democratic Party, Norcross was first elected to this congressional seat in 2014, following the resignation of Rob Andrews.His district covers much of the New Jersey side of the Philadelphia metro area . But our two meetings encompassed 10 hours, most of it on the record. Even before the Rouhanifard completed one year in Camden, the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, the 74 Million, The New Teacher Project, and popular New Jersey-focused education reform blog, NJLeftBehind published articles praising Rouhanifard as the change Camden needed. And what is that, if not an old-school Tammany Hall-style political machine? According to its filings with the Internal Revenue Service, General Majority in June received a $950,000 loan from a company called WWB Holdings, which shares a primary address with Conner Strong & Buckelew, the insurance brokerage run by George Norcross. Rather, hes the perfect man to turn out the lights., Read more here: Education Reform and Gentrification in the Age of #CamdenRising Public Education and Urban Redvelopment in Camden, NJ (2018, Peter Lang USA). So right there and then, the likely next mayor of Philadelphia sat down for a brief tte--tte with the lord of South Jersey. We have estimated "[10], Norcross graduated from Pennsauken High School and briefly attended Rutgers UniversityCamden. As someone who remembers a nonpartisan, independent, courageous and honest media, the hypocritical, shamelessly partisan farce that has replaced that media saddens me and causes great concern for the future of our crumbling republic. His eyebrows twist with real curiosity, and his eyes begin casting around, wildly alight, as if the answer to the Riddle of Him might be written on one of the walls in this Cooper University Hospital conference room. Primarily, the Office of Portfolio Management with NYCDOE was responsible for transitioning more choice schools (charters, and magnet) into NYCs portfolio of school offerings, while simultaneously targeting and transitioning failing or underperforming public schools for closure. Norcross has faced criticism for her leadership of the website and background, varying from being hired right after graduating college and possessing zero journalism experience to criticism over news judgment and for directing the website to highlight trashy gossip stories and clickbait over real, local news. When the Philadelphia Business Journal asked a spokesman at PhillyVoice whether Norcross owned the site, he declined to confirm that or anything else about PhillyVoice. To this day, the website refuses to say whether Norcross was an investor. George Norcrosss income source is mostly from being a successful Businessman. AmeriHealth Inc.s donation did not pay for the entire event. Big. This is the state of Philly politics: The only plausible check on Johnny Doc is George Norcross, another unelected white guy thisclose to the building trades. when they hid Pence and his family in a bunker. Neil's family has a long history in the legal profession. A few political insiders suggest to me that Norcross would be a welcome counterweight to Dougherty. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. childhood, that he and his family were Iranian refugees escaping religious meeting all of the students needs, and a lot district waste. Additionally, Lenfest announced today that Brian Tierney, the co-owner of the Daily News and Inquirer from 2006 to 2010, will serve the publications as a consultant as they move forward without Katz. A childhood friend of Norcrosss, Sweeney is the New Jersey Senate president and vice president of the International Association of Ironworkers, and is widely assumed to be a big-time gubernatorial candidate in 2017. And there is: Norcross grins about as much as youd expect from a fabulously wealthy, healthy man. son. On the Palmyra Tapes, between venomous howls, he sounds compelleda man overwhelmed by his own pace; Im up at four oclock in the morning to go to North Jersey to attend meetings, he says on the tapes. In Jersey, Norcross cried because there were no more worlds to conquer., Then that person adds: Dont quote me on that. Norcross was listed as one of the state's wealthiest people, ranked 41st in New Jersey in 2015 with a net worth of almost $250 million. Jennifer Beck, a Republican legislator from Monmouth County, has since proposed a bill to plug up this hole in the public trough. And, later the next week, on August 21st, 2013, outside of HB Wilson Family School on South Eighth St., Camden was officially introduced to Paymon Rouhanifard by NJDOE Commissioner Chris Cerf, Governor Christie, and Mayor Redd. And reframing the Camden city police as a county-led force is, he says, designed to save money and free up budgetary room to put more officers on the street. In other words, as the finish line looms in the distance, Norcross has tuned his apparatus to securing a legacyand the result is his broadest, most civic-minded set of aims yet. (Norcross just recently said that he will relinquish the DNC post.). Further, Norcross began speaking of a then-hypothetical network of charter schools in Camden on account that saving Camden, would require saving its public schools, or at least having educational options open to its families. Norcross also remarked in Fall 2011 regarding Camden education, I think a material change could happen 24-30 months from now. And if they were hazy on the details, well, all the better. He dipped his toes in the water. his time on Wall St., or his executive jobs at NYCDOE and in Newark. Famously, during the trial of state senator Wayne Bryant, we learned that the State of New Jersey had been doling out what government officials dubbed Norcross Grants. These were discretionary funds to be given to worthy causes. Stern. At Catto, Rouhanifard also mentioned his desire to see a boarding school established in Camden, as well as a computer-based enrollment system similar to that which he instituted in Newark before his arrival. But to be certain Cooper will succeed, he must consider the health of the city as a whole. Alessandra T. Norcross is, according to a September report, 25 years old. Georgina Cross is the author of ONE NIGHT and NANNY NEEDED, Bantam, Penguin Random House, and the bestselling author of THE STEPDAUGHTER, as well as THE MISSING WOMAN and THE NIECE, Bookouture, Hachette Publishing. The touring companies for Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz alone were paid $1.825 million. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. persecution, how their familys assets were frozen, that he and his family they Even as a memorial is planned for the late Lewis Katz, former co-owner of Philly.com, the Daily News and the Inquirer, new details are emerging about the deal he inked to take over the media portfolio just four days before dying in a freak plane crash. arrival, Rouhanifard freely shared biographical information about his Thats just how significant, how full of implicit meaning, a meeting with Norcross is. And it sure looks like President Donald Trump and NJ political boss George Norcross really have a lot in common! Rouhanifard has some great ideas, and we just hope he communicates with us as teachers. That PAC in turn quickly cut a $725,000 check to yet another super PAC Building a Better Pa. That was the Dougherty-tied PAC supporting Kenney for mayor. Errichetti had appointed Norcross director of a reconstituted Camden Parking Authority in 1978 when Norcross was only twenty-two. at Norcrosss firm, to the board of the Convention Center. Volks article explains that George Norcross, along with brothers Donald, and Phillip grew up in neighboring Pennsauken, and became exposed to politics through their father who was a local political actor and union leader. In the mid-1930s, Gregor became the mistress of the married vice chancellor of Austria, the Austro . Funding for the event came through General Majority, a Democratic super PAC that dominated New Jerseys legislative elections in 2013 and 2015. Things have evolved, says Norcross. The money raised some eyebrows. Sure, Kenney has opinions on what hes done in Jersey. And they say his primary motivation isnt power, but his love for his father, which they describe as moving in its sincerity and unusual in its depth. John, son of John Norcross, Ribchester. The Camden Rising concert, which was meant to showcase Camden to visiting delegates during the Democratic National Convention in nearby Philadelphia, also displayed the power of the Norcross family, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross helping to introduce the acts. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com. But perhaps the most alarming article for supporters of public education in Camden was an article published in the June 14th issue of the Reason Magazine, The Slow and Glorious Death of Americas Worst School System, where author Jim Epstein wrote: Within the next decade, the Camden school district is on course to enter a death spiral, sending the city the way of New Orleans, which has replaced all of its traditional schools with chartersPaymon Rouhanifard is probably the best superintendent Camden has ever had, but he wont be able to turn around the school system. The education ruined Young George for college. To make a long, f-bomb-filled story short, Norcross succeeded. Call 1-212-653-8737, My City Paper , mycitypaper.com KCNA is situated along the still-developing eds and meds corridor, down the street from the forthcoming Joint Health Services Complex for Rutgers Science and Rowan Medical students, down the street from the Rowan Medical School, and across from Cooper Hospital. On Oct. 25, AmeriHealth Inc. donated $1 million to the super PAC, which three days later paid back the $950,000 loan. Ascending to the chairmanship of the Camden County Democratic Committee at the tender age of 31, Young George, a high-school soccer and basketball player, brought the jock-ready jargon and just-win mentality of the locker room to state politics. FOR MOST OF HIS CAREER, Norcross, 60, stayed on his side of the Delaware. One is simply that Norcross is moving into Philly because its good for business. She'd been thinking about her godfather and great family friend, the lawyer Martin F. McKernan Jr., seriously ill with cancer. No city, let alone one with Camdens crime problems, has ever replaced half its force with such speed before. Norcross was born on March 16, 1956, in Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey. A crooked smile shades his face pink. But the particular subject is never important. Building on his labor and political connections, Norcross developed an insurance business that gave him the financial leverage to help Democratic politics in Camden County. THE STORY OF HOW Norcross built himself into the most powerful man in New Jersey begins with revenge. In 2014, the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza landed a rare recorded interview with Norcross. And I got portrayed, you know, as the guy with the cigar and the horns., Norcrosss critics believe hes not difficult to understand. But stories about Norcrosss bare-knuckle tactics occasionally leak out, most famously in the recordings known as the Palmyra Tapes. Trump still planting seeds of stolen election. That evening we had a dinner meeting with a potential business partner, says Hilferty, and we hear on the radio that Jim has won the primary. So they set off to Vie, a restaurant on North Broad Street where Kenney was holding his victory party. Weve got to make it safer here, he says, and weve got to improve the quality of education, or no one will move here and anyone who achieves any measure of success wont stay.. Since Norcross operates in the shadows, were left guessing about his motives. 79, of Phoenix, went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2008. Norcross was named the second most powerful man in the New Jersey business world by NJBiz.com in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and made the list's top five in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Survived by his loving wife of 40 years Betty, daughter Lorna of Italy, 2 grandchildren Matteo and Sandra . [21], In the wake of the Veterans Health Administration scandal of 2014, Cooper announced a "Veterans VIP Priority Program" that provided day care to veterans in New Jersey's seven southern counties. I see starting in the next number of months, principally with the affiliations we have, and then the process of a new project will follow. It didnt matter that Norcross didnt have an appointment. He has served as a Cooper trustee since 1990. Norcross has a daughter, Lexie, and a son, Alex. She was born Eleonora Hermina Gregor in Grz, a town which then belonged to Austria-Hungary, but is now part of Italy, to Austrian-Jewish parents.. Central to Norcross plan, is a vast expanse of vacant land next to the Cooper medical complex in the citys Lanning Square neighborhood that once housed a public school until it was torn down nearly a decade ago, for a new one that has not to be rebuilt. He often spoke about how important getting a His body hangs forward, and he answers questions tersely, cryptically. [13], Norcross is the executive chairman of insurance, risk management and employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm Conner Strong & Buckelew, where he has worked since 1979. When Laskin shot him down, Norcross asked again: This is really important to me personally. The answer was no. The July 28 show on the Camden waterfront was sponsored by PhillyVoice.com, which is run by Donald Norcross niece, Lexie, the daughter of South Jersey power broker George Norcross.