Introduction
Frank Italiano was born in Camden, New Jersey on May 26, 1927 to Joseph A. and Josephine Italiano. His father worked as a barber, and had his own barbershop. When the census was taken in April of 1930, the Italiano family, which included older brothers Chester, Leonardo, and Joseph Jr., lived at 804 South 3rd Street.
Frank Italiano grew up in Camden and attended law school. By 1956 he had set up a law practice at 328 Market Street. He made his home at 521 Pine Street, and was still residing at that address as late as the fall of 1970.
A Republican in a city by then already firmly in the grasp of the Democratic party, by 1960 Frank Italiano had been elected to Camden’s City Commission.
Former Camden County Commissioner Tom Madden wrote of Frank Italiano in April of 2011:
There has never been a Republican in any major city with his record. From City Commissioner to State Senator, he never lost a single election, even when times were bad for his national/state party. Frank was really an Independent without identifying himself as such. He went on to become a Superior Court Judge and the word was that he would soon be drafted to run for Governor (again, no urban Republican could ever come close to his record). He passed at age 49, dashing such dreams.
Now, I and my family were never Republican, but we supported individuals like Frank, and I really supported him. The next thing you know, I was absolutely floored to my soul when he asked me, at a young age, to serve as his Chief of Staff/Legislative Aide. This was one of the highlights of my life to serve with this kindly, super-intelligent and incisive man. What an education! The debates on upcoming bills on our rides to Trenton alone were beyond any college education. He was the total opposite of the greed and self-serving sliminess of most politicians. You would not believe the number of poor people who came into our office with their tales of woe who he represented for nothing.
Frank deserves major recognition for not only his popularity, but mainly the reasons for it: things like ethics, morality, giving and the like in a city and world in which those things prevent most people from holding office, and that’s another thing, when Frank was given his first nomination to run for the Senate, he was thrown to the wolves in a totally ‘unwinnable’ district. He obviously astounded his party leaders and thus became even more independent.
Frank Italiano was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1967, in an upset victory over the heavily-favored Alfred R. Pierce. As close to the election as October 23 he was given little chance to defeat Pierce. He was the last Republican from the City of Camden to be elected to the State legislature. Nominated for a judgeship, he chose not to run for re-election. In June of 1973 Frank Italiano was appointed judge of District Court in Camden County.
Tom Madden wrote the following in May of 2011:
Frank’s love of Camden seemed to know no bounds. During the tragic and terrifying riots of 1969 and 1971, Senator Italiano took his life in his hands and was the only known white office-holder to take to the streets and work to alleviate the rage and frustration that precipitated the furious violence and arson that enflamed the city. He enlisted and rode shotgun with none other than his good friend, former heavyweight world champion Jersey Joe Walcott.
Democrat John Horn defeated Camden County Republican chairman Dick Hardenbergh in the November 1973 election for Judge Italiano’s former seat. Hardenbergh was defeated by a margin of almost 2-1, which speaks volumes as to the extent of Frank Italiano’s popularity in an otherwise hostile district.
Frank Italiano passed away on December 28, 1975.
Pierce Is Ousted As Safety Head
Camden Courier-Post —
By Lee Stewart
Amid cheers and boos from spectators, Mayor Pierce was switched from director of public safety to public affairs director at a commission meeting Thursday night.
Pierce lost control of the police and fire departments by a 4–1 vote. The motion to divest the mayor of the public safety department was made by Commissioner Abbott and seconded by Commissioner Garrity. Pierce cast the lone dissenting vote against the change.
At 8:25 p.m. after the commission had gone through the routine business, Commissioner Shepp handed a sheaf of papers to City Clerk John T. Odorisio. Odorisio started shuffling the papers when Shepp told him to read them in the order he gave them to him.
Cheers, Boos
The resolutions read by the clerk first changed the duties of the various commissioners. The more than 500 spectators cheered then booed as Pierce cast the only dissenting vote.
Then Odorisio read the resolution which then transferred four of the commissioners.
Garrity, who was public affairs director, was named to succeed Pierce as public safety director in charge of the police and fire departments.
The public affairs directorship was a sharply curtailed one as contrasted to what Garrity had. Assigned to the department of public affairs was the director’s office, the revaluation program, visiting nurses, public assistance, the Camden County Historical Society, charitable institutions, the Parking Authority, Civil Defense and celebration of public events, anniversaries and holidays.
Garrity retained the health department, sanitary control and cemeteries.
Taken away from the department of public affairs and given to other commissioners was the plumbing inspector, municipal court, Municipal Hospital, Convention Hall, city clerk, elections, city property, bureau of tax title perfection and redemption, municipal welfare and Radio Station WCAM.
Commissioner Abbott was designated director of the department of public works; Italiano was named director of public parks and property, while Shepp retained the department of revenue and finance. Pierce again cast the lone dissenting vote.
Declines to Make Statement
At the close of the meeting a Courier-Post reporter asked Commissioner Italiano why he had voted to strip Mayor Pierce.
“I’d rather not make any statement at this time,” Italiano replied. “I may make a statement later.”
The reporter pointed out that whatever the commissioner had to say should be in today’s newspaper. Italiano repeated:
“I’d rather not have anything to say right now. I may have a statement in a day or two.”
Commissioner Garrity left the meeting room while the reporter was talking to Italiano.
Contacted Again
Again, this morning, a reporter contacted Italiano and asked him if he would explain his vote. He replied:
“No comment.”
Commissioner Garrity, reached at his home today, also was asked if he had any statement to make concerning his vote to strip Mayor Pierce.
“I haven’t prepared any statement as yet,” Garrity said. “I will have one later. I am figuring it out in my mind.”
Solicitor Quits
Following the changes, Michael J. Piarulli, city solicitor who would have reported to Shepp under the realignment, resigned. He previously was under Pierce’s office.
“I cannot, in good conscience, continue to work as city solicitor in a department headed by Commissioner Shepp,” Piarulli said. “I have nothing against Shepp. In due fairness, I do not feel I could do justice to the job.”
The meeting was thrown open to the public and many persons present spoke against the action of the commissioners in taking the department of public safety from Pierce.
Meeting is Conducted Orderly by Mayor Despite Difficulties
Camden Courier-Post —
Overflow crowd of more than 500 spectators jammed city commission chambers Thursday night at meeting which stripped Mayor Pierce of his duties as director of public safety and made him director of public affairs.
Greeted by 500 Amid Applause and Cat-Calls
Mayor Pierce was determined to run an orderly meeting and he did Thursday night when his fellow commissioners stripped him of his duties as public safety director.
When Pierce entered the commission chambers, bulging at the seams by an overflow crowd of more than 500, he was greeted by a mixture of applause and cat-calls. When it became evident that he was faced with difficulties in maintaining order, Pierce sharply rapped the gavel and told the crowd:
“I ask you to give every commissioner the opportunity to conduct the business of this meeting.”
“I know there are a lot of police officers here. I want them to exercise their judgment and see that this meeting is orderly.”
The crowds started gathering early for the meeting with many police officers who had been assigned to the protection of Vice President Nixon in the commission chambers. At 7:40 p.m. the chambers were half-filled as rumors spread throughout the city of an impending change in the structure of the city commission.
Among the early arrivals were Thomas Watson, register of deeds, and his deputy, J. James Hainsworth.
Commissioners Abbott and Shepp entered the chambers about 7:50 p.m. with Commissioners Italiano and Garrity coming in about 7:59 p.m. Pierce did not come in until 8:05 p.m. leading to conjecture in the crowd as to whether or not he was going to show up.
Mixed Reaction
Each time Pierce cast a no vote on the realignment of responsibilities for the various commissioners, there was a mixture of cheers and booing.
On the vote concerning the change of duties of the department of public safety Pierce inadvertently cast a yes vote. He quickly corrected himself after briefly laughing.
“It’s easy to be preoccupied by what’s going on here tonight,” he said.
Following the action which made him director of public affairs, Pierce again was forced to call for order. He interrupted Michael J. Piarulli, city counsel, in the midst of his speech of resignation when the crowd became too noisy.
“If I have to call police officers in I’ll do so,” Pierce said. “I’m not police commissioner now, but if anyone wants to try me, let them do so.”
Pierce asked the policemen in the audience to stand up. He asked their aid in maintaining order and asked that they put out of the meeting any noisy or disorderly person.
Commission Department Assignments
Camden Courier-Post —
This is how the departments were assigned to the commissioners Thursday night:
Mayor Pierce, director of public affairs: the director’s office, revaluation program, visiting nurses, public assistance, Camden County Historical Society, charitable institutions, parking authority, civil defense and celebration of public events, anniversaries and holidays.
Commissioner Garrity, director of public safety: the director’s office, police bureau, fire bureau, electrical bureau, municipal motors, health department; sanitary control and cemeteries.
Commissioner Italiano, director of parks and public property: director’s office, public parks, playgrounds, street lighting, bureau of smoke control, municipal welfare, municipal hospital, municipal court, sealer of weights and measures, transportation inspector, board of Alcoholic Beverage Control, public libraries, city baseball league, municipal market, Station WCAM and Convention Hall.
Commissioner Abbott, director of public works: director’s office, city engineer, bureau of highways, bureau of sewers and sewage treatments, streets, bureau of animal welfare, water bureau, plumbing inspector and South Jersey Port Commission.
Commissioner Shepp, director of revenue and finance: director’s office, city comptroller, annual audit, assessor’s office, city counsel, city property, bureau of tax title perfection and redemption, repairs to tax title lien properties, tax office, printing and advertising, publicity and public welfare, planning and housing redevelopment, stationery and supplies, housing and rehabilitation, purchasing bureau, building inspector, city clerk and elections.
Ousted Mayor Sues 4 Other Commissioners
Trenton Evening Times —
CAMDEN (AP)— Mayor Alfred Pierce filed suit yesterday in Superior Court to regain his post as director of public safety.
Pierce, ousted from the post by the other [sic] other city commissioners June 9, charged that they acted illegally.
Defendants are commissioner Edward Garrity, now public safety director, and commissioners Frank Italiano, Frank Abbott and William Shepp.
Pierce was ousted by his fellow commissioners in the culmination of State Police raids on gambling establishments in the city. Pierce asked State Police to conduct the raids and charged widespread links between gamblers and city police.
A grand jury subsequently indicted several police and later criticized Pierce for “suppressing evidence” favorable to former Police Chief Gustave Koerner, among those it indicted.
Pierce denied this allegation, the stated basis for his ouster as public safety director.
5 Get Probation in Gaming Raid Case in Camden
Trenton Evening Times —
CAMDEN — AP — Judge Thomas M. Madden of U. S. District Court has placed five men, one of them the brother of a city commissioner, on probation for failing to buy federal gambling stamps.
The judge also fined the defendants $1,000 each Friday, but then suspended the fines. The probations ranged from three to five years.
State Police, led by Mayor Alfred R. Pierce, arrested the five in city-wide raids in November, 1959. As a result of the raids, Pierce later was ousted from his job as head of the police department.
The men, who all pleaded guilty, are Leo P. Italiano, 43, of Collingswood, brother of City Commissioner Frank Italiano; Anthony J. Passarella, 47, of Camden; Albert Buck, 61, of Camden; William Lacaya, 52, of Atlantic City, and Dominick L. Padulla, 44, of Camden.
28 for Benefit Repeal
Trenton Evening Times —
At least 28 of the 31 Republican Senators are prepared to vote next Monday for repeal of the strike benefits law.
This is one more than the GOP would need to pass the repealer a second time if Gov. Richard J. Hughes were to veto it.
The bill was introduced yesterday by 25 Republican senators. Three others said they would vote for it.
But Frank C. Italiano of Camden said he didn’t think he would. He said his campaign position was that the law should be given a chance.
Frank “Hap” Farley of Atlantic City said “in all probability” he would abstain, as he did last year when the strike benefits bill passed.
And Matthew J. Rinaldo of Union, a labor-management consultant, declined comment. He was the only GOP senate candidate endorsed by the AFL-CIO.
Realignment Bill Faces Veto, Court Test
Trenton Evening Times —
Democrats Call It ‘An Illegal Act’
By DICK GALE
Almost as certain as death and taxes, a bill to redraw the congressional district lines in Bergen County faces a veto and a court test.
The Senate passed the Republican-sponsored measure yesterday on a party-line vote, 28 to 10.
Democrats cried “gerrymander” and “an illegal act,” while Republicans said it was a return to a historic division (the Hackensack River) that pre-dated the Legislature.
The Assembly, after wrangling over parliamentary maneuvers, put the bill into position for passage Thursday. Democrats lost a reconsideration move, 21, to 32.
GOP leaders claim they have more than enough votes to override a veto by Gov. Richard J. Hughes, which is regarded as a certainty — in the Assembly (54) as well as the Senate (27).
Not Until Census
Democrats will challenge the redistricting in court on the ground that a districting plan approved by the courts should not be changed until the next federal census.
Their extra-legal reason is that the redistricting will almost certainly cost the seat of Democratic Congressman Henry Helstoski.
With the 9th district drawn along GOP lines, Helstoski won election in 1964, the year Republicans lost in droves behind Barry Goldwater, only because he got a 7,300-vote margin from two Hudson County towns, North Bergen and Guttenberg. They are not longer available to him.
With the district revamped to Democratic liking, Helstoski won re-election in 1968 by only about 2,500 votes.
Republicans, not only point to 20 years or more of dividing Bergen County into east and west districts, argue that the population deviation (less than 900 between the 7th and 9th districts) comes closer to “one man, one vote” than the present north-south division, which has a spread of more than 11,000.
Why Not Wallington?
Besides, Assembly Majority Leader Peter Moraites told reporters, the Republicans could have moved Wallington, with its Democratic edge, instead of Hasbrouck Heights, which is Republican, out of Helstoski’s district. Moraites is among probable GOP contenders for Helstoski’s seat.
The other Bergen County congressman, Republican William B. Widnall, seems sure of re-election no matter which way the lines are drawn.
Some other Republicans would like changes in congressional district lines, but Bergen is the only one where action can be confined to one county.
Sen. Matthew J. Rinaldo, R-Union, voted against the bill lest his vote imply sanction to a districting law that puts Elizabeth in with Hudson County. Another Republican, Sen. Frank C. Italiano of Camden City, abstained.
Dancer Scores At ‘Bell’
Trenton Evening Times —
PHILADELPHIA — Stanley Dancer, the harness racing magician who waves his whip like a wand, scored his eighth straight victory with New Zealand-import, Lyndhurst, tonight in Liberty Bell Park’s featured Camden Night Pace.
It was the 10th victory in 12 starts for Dancer, who took the nine-year-old gelding out of the eight hole and went wire to wire.
Owned by Ruty and Robert Tatosian, Ridgewood, N.J., Lyndhurst turned the mile in 2:05 1-5 and scored by two lengths over 80-1 shot, Shore Lot, with Tom Lewis. Well regarded in the field of eight — as have been most of Dancer entries — Lyndhurst was installed a solid 2-5 choice and returned $2.80 to win.
The race was held as a salute to Camden area fans many of whom were in attendance — and making the presentation in the winner’s circle following the race were Otts Hulleberg, Sports Editor of the Camden Courier Post, and New Jersey State senator Frank Italiano.
G.O.P. Holds Fire on Tax Plans
Trenton Evening Times —
By DICK GALE
Republicans in the New Jersey Legislature are withholding partisan fire on Gov. Richard J. Hughes’ promise to risk proposing new taxes, but they are pressing ahead in their Congressional redistricting fight with the governor.
GOP Senate leaders took a “wait-and-see” position after the governor accepted the political risk of recommending new taxes to finance the social programs he will propose in mid-April, partly in response to his special riot commission’s “Report for Action.”
Senate President Edwin B. Forsythe (R-Burlington) said “the people have a long way to go” before accepting higher taxes. A “massive education job” would be required, added Majority Leader Frank X. McDermott (R-Union).
A fixed position against new or higher taxes would be irresponsible, observed Sen. Harry Sears (R-Morris), chairman of the Joint Appropriations Committee.
Republicans want to see the details of the tax proposals. Hughes gave no indication of how much or what kind of a tax rise he has in mind.
Vote Monday
On the redistricting front, the Assembly scheduled a vote Monday on Hughes’ veto of a bill redistricting Bergen County.
The Senate overrode the veto, 29 to 9, two more than the two-thirds necessary. Sen. Matthew J. Rinaldo (R-Union) joined the Democrats in opposition, and Sen. Frank Italiano (R-Camden) abstained. Both come from districts that would also like the lines redrawn.
If the Assembly also overrides the veto, Rep. Henry Helstoski (D-Bergen) is prepared to bring legal action in the state courts against the redistricting.
Hughes’ veto message argued that the Legislature has no power to change a districting plan the courts have found constitutionally valid. The new GOP district violates the requirement of contiguity and compactness and is a clear gerrymander, the message said.
Assembly Approval
A redistricting bill bringing Madison Township back into Middlesex County and affecting Monmouth and Ocean counties as well was approved in the Assembly.
Probers Going to Consumer
Trenton Evening Times —
A new legislative commission studying unfair advertising and packaging practices is going where the consumers are to find out what they think.
The 10-member commission, created by the Legislature this year, plans to hold public hearings at Cherry Hill, Paramus and Eatontown shopping centers.
Six legislators serving on the commission include Joseph Azzolina, R-Monmouth, sponsor of the study and a supermarket owner in Middletown Township.
Others are Peter Garibaldi, Republican, and Robert Wilentz, Democrat, both of Monmouth; Senators Willard Knowlton, R-Bergen, Frank Italiano, R-Camden, and Frederick Hauser, D-Hudson.
The citizen members include Peter Dorn, Chamber of Commerce lobbyist who has led the Chamber’s fight against the Hughes administration’s bill tightening the weights and measures law.
Donald R. Mayer of West Long Branch, an advertising agency executive, also has been appointed. Two other citizen appointments still must be made.
Azzolina’s study resolution says some advertising and packaging practices have been used to “deceive the public by deceptively shaped packages, misleading pictures, confusing or meaningless adjectives, inappropriate size or quantity markings, and promotional techniques that promise nonexistent savings.”
The resolution says these practices “place ethical business at a competitive disadvantage and mislead the buying public.”
All advertising and packaging ought to provide “simple, direct, accurate and visible information,” the resolution says.
The commission presumably will draft legislation to achieve this goal. There is no deadline for a report.
Inspection Bill Aims at Rejects
Trenton Evening Times —
A bill requiring special treatment for motorists when they bring back their rejected autos for reinspection is scheduled for a vote in the State Senate today.
The measure has been offered as a way to reduce the lines at inspection stations, but Motor Vehicle Director Ronald Heyman is skeptical.
In fact, Heymann opposes the bill on grounds that it probably would have the opposite result and would result in a “staggering” cost.
Study Under Way
Moreover, the new director notes that a comprehensive study is being made of the inspection system and he questions whether changes should be made until it is finished.
The bill says the director must provide for reinspection “at such time or in such manner without the necessity of waiting in line with vehicles not being presented for reinspection.”
This would mean the designation of separate lanes or special hours.
Tried Before
A legislative commission proposed reinspection lanes five years ago, and the division experimented with them for six months and concluded the experiment was unsuccessful.
The experiment showed there weren’t enough rejected vehicles to justify separate lanes and that there was a problem segregating the first-time vehicles from those being reinspected.
Heymann said there are only 71 lanes at the 40 stations and that most of them are fully used.
The bill is sponsored by Frank Italiano, R-Camden.
Schluter Named Chairman of Governments Committee
Trenton Evening Times —
By DAVE HLADICK
State Senator-elect William E. Schluter, R-Suburban Mercer, today was named chairman of the Senate’s County and Municipal Government Committee, but it wasn’t the appointment he was hoping for.
Schluter replaces Sen. Matthew J. Rinaldo, R-Union, named last week by Senate President Raymond H. Bateman to head the Law, Public Safety and Defense Committee.
Bateman today also announced the appointment of another freshman senator to a key committee post.
Senator-elect James S. Cafiero, R-Cape May-Cumberland, will serve as chairman of the powerful Senate Revenue, Finance and Appropriations Committee. In this post Cafiero will automatically head the Joint Legislative Appropriations Committee which annually reviews the Governor’s budget.
Unprecedented
The appointment of Cafiero is unprecedented in that he is the first chairman never to have previously served on the finance committee. As an assemblyman he was a member of the Municipal Government and Judiciary Committees.
Schluter, who was a member of the Appropriations Committee in the Assembly, had previously indicated he was interested in the key Senate post. However, Schluter said today that Cafiero is a good legislator and his selection was based on sound reasoning.
Schluter said he will continue as a member of the Appropriations Committee while serving in the Senate.
In three other assignments Bateman named Sen. Michael A. Juiliano, R-Essex, as chairman of the Labor Industry and Professions Committee; Sen. James H. Wallwork (R-Essex) chairman of the Agriculture and Environment Committee and Sen. Frank C. Italiano, R-Camden, chairman of the State Government and Federal and Interstate Relations Committee.
Senate Okays Costigan, 118 Other Nominations
Trenton Evening Times —
Lame Duck Appointments By Cahill
By DAVE HLADICK
Staff Writer
Edward A. Costigan of Lawrence Township, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress three years ago, has been named to the $27,000 a year post of Workmen’s Compensation judge in the state Labor and Industry Department.
Costigan, an attorney, was nominated for the job yesterday by his friend, Gov. William T. Cahill, and confirmed by the Republican-controlled state Senate.
In a traditional post election session, the Senate approved 119 gubernatorial nominations, including 55 judicial appointments.
Barlow Confirmed
Richard J.S. Barlow, a Trenton lawyer and brother of federal Judge George H. Barlow, was confirmed as judge of the Mercer County Court.
The Senate also approved the appointments of George Y. Schoch and Samuel D. Lenox Jr., both of Trenton, as judges of the State Superior Court. They have been serving as Mercer County Court judges.
In addition, Daniel A. O’Donnell, Mercer County District Court judge, and J. Wilson Noden, Mercer County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge, were named judges of the county court.
Costigan, a former East Windsor Township magistrate, has been mentioned as a candidate for a top job in the Cahill administration since he ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1970.
Thompson Opponent
A former Democrat, Costigan ran as a conservative Republican against U.S. Rep. Frank Thompson Jr., D-4th District.
Costigan is a summer neighbor of Cahill at the Jersey shore. As attorneys, they both represented segments of the licensed Beverage Dealer’s Association.
Among the other judicial appointments approved yesterday were that of Senate Majority Leader Alfred D. Schiaffo, R-Bergen, and Sen. Frank C. Italiano, R-Camden.
Schiaffo was named judge of the Bergen County Court, and Italiano judge of the Camden County District Court.