2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. According to Three much smaller donations from regulated industries two casino companies and another health insurance company also helped fund the event. So helping out Doc and Kenney was a way to weaken Coryell. at Norcrosss firm, to the board of the Convention Center. [15] In September 2015, Norcross was announced as one of the local investors in The Camden Waterfront, a $1 billion development on Camden's waterfront initially developed by Liberty Property Trust and designed by Robert A.M. WWB Holdings is Lexie Norcrosss entity, the founder and CEO of PhillyVoice. I am not in the Norcross bubble, says Jay Lassiter. teaching experience at Public School 192 in Harlem through Teach for America. It's now a family affair at The Inquirer and Daily News.The daughter of famous/notorious South Jersey Democratic political boss and newly minted owner of both papers George Norcross is listed on the masthead as a "Director" of Interstate General Media LLC. About 15 years ago, John Gural, a then-Palmyra councilman who claimed he was being pressured and bribed to fire an enemy of Norcrosss, recorded the political boss with a hidden microphone. 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. Likewise with "Director" Drew A. Katz, Interstate General Media co-owner Lewis Katz's son. In 2014, it landed yet another contract, worth $660,000, with the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Later that year, a journalism start-up called PhillyVoice launched, with Norcross's 20-something daughter Lexie at the helm. The debate, at least in this instance, is over. The McGreeveys. Kenney thanked his unprecedented coalition of diverse groups and repeated his mantra that every neighborhood matters.. I think if you know George and you spend time around him, says one longtime friend, attorney Arthur Makadon, its obvious that hes just a man who is looking over his shoulder., George Norcross Jr., whom admirers called Big George and Chief, was a longtime AFL-CIO president. For many years, he has been named one of the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey by the website PolitickerNJ.com. Nearly two thirds of $1.6 billion in tax incentives in his hometown of Camden, New Jersey, went to his own company, business partners, political allies and clients of his . had to flee Iran by slipping into neighboring Pakistan before finally settling And then, in February, Ed Coryell was sacked. George Norcross, a wealthy insurance executive, has for decades run New Jersey's most vaunted Democratic political machine, a seemingly unstoppable behemoth that carries huge influence over who. 3), A Review of Demoralized: Why Teachers Leave the Profession They Love and How They Can Stay, a Review from the Perspective of a Black, Socialist Union Leader, Warning! By working with Norcross by dealing with him Christie could infuse his term as governor with near limitless potential. Similarly, few could argue that as a result of their shared alliance, Norcross emerged even more powerful than he was prior to Christies election. if ever mentioned, by Rouhanifard was his time on his Teach for America affiliation, From left: Bob Brady, Jim Kenney, George Norcross, Lexie Norcross, Steve Sweeney, John Dougherty, Ed Coryell (in water). Or self-interest? Norcross was named the second most powerful man in the New Jersey business world by NJBiz.com in 2014, 2015, and 2016,[14] and made the list's top ten list in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Corzines. Mary Ellen Norcross. As always, another excellent, well researched, article Dr. Benson. 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. Norcross is executive chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage firm. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) Businesses and labor unions with close ties to Norcross spent vast sums of money to get Kenney elected, and have teamed up with John Johnny Doc Dougherty, the citys building-trades kingpin. The issue is that he simply holds too much power for any one man, a state of affairs that South Jersey Dems experience intimately, always aware of whos sipping from the trough. But does all that make the new, This search result is here to prevent scraping, Hop Sing Laundromat Charging $75 for Bar Reservations, Exciting I-95 Capping Project Finally Begins In Philadelphia, Those Gummies May Not Have Contained Fentanyl After All, Why I'm Boycotting the Roots Picnic This Year. Look, says Ali Sloan El, a longtime city activist, George is for George.. A year later, theres no question: Norcross is now well entrenched in Philadelphia, and all signs suggest his influence will continue to grow. He was waiting for the right moment. Norcross said he would invest $50 million in the project, and in March 2017, Norcross announced his company would move to the Camden waterfront as part of a $245 million development. A few political insiders suggest to me that Norcross would be a welcome counterweight to Dougherty. John, son of John Norcross, Ribchester. Its a deep irony that Norcross, so often singled out for criticism in the media, routinely produces candidates who win newspaper endorsements from the Inquirer and Courier-Post. One of those people is Steve Sweeney, who is kind of a supersized Johnny Doc. (Norcross just recently said that he will relinquish the DNC post.). Plus this company, plus whatever else Im doing, and you know Im nuts, Im gonna have a heart attack.. While a report last year from the New Jersey comptroller was critical of that arrangement, it also noted that there was technically nothing unlawful about it, a point Norcross reiterates when I bring it up. At 57, George Norcross III is in impressive shape, with a trim gut and the sleek build of a man who keeps up regular tennis and golf matches. Now, we learn that the great champion of South Jersey Democrats, George Norcross III, has declared himself as a Florida resident and, presumably, a Democratic voter there as well. [5] He is regarded as New Jersey's most powerful unelected leader. AmeriHealth Inc.s donation did not pay for the entire event. But murky as Norcrosss motives may be, his record is clear: Hes a conqueror. daughter. Indeed, DRPAs purported purpose was to promote transportation throughout the region, and Cooper was the only hospital ever to receive money from DRPA, the vice chair of which wasgo figureJeffrey Nash, a longtime Norcross ally. His mother, Carol, died at the age of 84 in 2016. 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. George Howard Norcross, Jr. son. The education ruined Young George for college. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. George. Thats probably true, but its clear Norcross is becoming closer with Kenney. At 66 years old, George Norcross height not available right now. THERE ARE THEORIES. But in a surprising restraint in instigative zealousness of corruption involving public officials, in 2006, Christie refused to pursue corruption charges against Norcross despite him being investigated by the state and the Securities and Exchange Commission in years prior. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) But his other moves in Philly went largely unnoticed: That same year, Norcrosss insurance company opened a new headquarters in Two Liberty Place, right around the corner from City Hall. He is regarded as New Jersey's most powerful unelected leader. The problem, then, isnt that George Norcross is incompetent. To make a long, f-bomb-filled story short, Norcross succeeded. But if a Camden resident doesnt like what Norcross is doing, what recourse does she have? deemed failing, he began a 100-day listening tour. Johnny Doc, Kenneys most potent ally, was also Coryells fiercest political enemy. Hes strutted into Philadelphia, landed taxpayer-funded contracts, apparently helped elect the mayor, and perhaps even funded a new media organization. Norcross is executive chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage firm. Because they know we put up the gun and we pulled the trigger and we blew their brains out. And he makes clear what he has done to men who have crossed him: I sat him down and said, Herb, dont fuck with me on this one cause Ill tell you if you ever do that and I catch you one more time doing it, youre gonna get your fucking balls cut off.. Norcrosss insurance firm has secured government contracts in Philly in recent years, just as its done in Jersey. Kenney also recently reappointed Heather Steinmiller, a senior V.P. For many years, he has been named one of the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey by the website PolitickerNJ.com. The elder Norcross died in May 1998; his son's voice gets softer as he pulls mementos out . She was remembered as "a tireless advocate for senior citizens. Did this one signal that Norcross, after spending 30 years methodically taking over the state of New Jersey, was setting his sights on Philadelphia? The Camden Norcross seeks to create is both modernized and tech-savvy. Hes not. But a year later, her fix continues to languish in a committee chaired by Nia Gill, an Essex County Democrat who isagain, go figureallied with Norcrosss Southern Jersey crew. This is not a 'will they, won't they' relationship- they do it when George goes to question Nina in her dressing room for the first time. At the time, recalls Norcross, four hundred grand was like $4 million.. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com. [28][29], Norcross has a daughter, Lexie, and a son, Alex. Friends may call on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 9:00 am until . 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. Is this altruism? In another DRPA-related transaction, Norcrosss insurance firm received $410,000not for actually doing the authoritys insurance work, but for referring that business to another insurance firm, Willis of New Jersey. (He has a great vision for Camden.) Kenney even says he may ask Norcross for advice from time to time. Working under Joel Klein, chancellor of Katz son, Drew Katz, will inherit his fathers stake in the companies. A 2013 article authored by Philadelphia Magazine reporter Steve Volk entitled, George Norcross: The Man who Destroyed Democracy, profiled George Norcross III, who is commonly referred to as the most powerful Democrat in New Jersey politics. He one of the Richest Businessman who was born in American. Francis H Norcross. Meet George Norcross. He is a member of famous Businessman with the age 66 years old group. Today, OPM is referred to And why would they cross their Philly brethren in Carpenters Union Local 8, which was backing Williams in the race? It was all so peculiar. You can say an insider said it.. His 17-year-old daughter, Lexie, walks in for dinner with an old family friend, a Camden attorney. Paymon Rouhanifard was only thirty-two when he was appointed to He is chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper University Health Care System and Cooper University Hospital both in Camden, New Jersey, and has served as a trustee since 1990. And that said, if George Norcross came at me with some money, to be part of another campaign, Id do it, gratefully. Hidden Mickey Hidden Mickeys Disney secrets Disney newsDisney forum Disney blog, MyCityPaper.com mobile responsive website design, hosting and search engine optimization is powered by CMS Bot. He also communicated that from his tour, parents did not care about the charter or public designation, but that they only want good schools for their children a theme Rouhanifard repeated often during his initial public meetings. My friend still votes for Democrats, and lately has been lamenting the GOP administration of Gov. daughter. The Turnout Project also got a $25,000 donation from Parker McCay, a law firm run by Norcrosss brother Philip, as well as a $25,000 check from Brown and Connery, where an attorney who has represented Norcross is a partner. Norcross and his partners own five properties there. No, not since then., But when I ask why Norcross supported him not whether he did well, then Kenney opens up, a little. Norcross Jr. was active in the community of Camden and a board member of Cooper University Hospital. THE STORY OF HOW Norcross built himself into the most powerful man in New Jersey begins with revenge. Before being elected Governor in 2009, Christ Christie, as US Attorney, was making a name for himself as a public Corruption Buster by bringing criminal charges on elected officials throughout New Jersey. The daughter of famous/notorious South Jersey Democratic political boss and newly minted owner of both papers George Norcross is listed on the masthead as a "Director" of Interstate General Media LLC. the NYCDOE website, the OPM, Office of School Design and Charter Partnerships There was plenty of journalistic handwringing over the fact that a powerful political figure now partly controlled a major local media company. The concert coincided with the 2016 Democratic National Convention and was one of a number of events occurring throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey region during the week. [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. But she also was accused of downplaying hard news in favor of fluff and tawdry. in Tennessee during the 1980s. By this theory, the land now set aside for the KIPP Cooper charter might never house a school at alland instead wind up serving as land on which Cooper University Hospital can expand. The wonder Norcross conveys at his own zeal for confronting obstacles suggests that his restless journeying between political, business and social challenges isnt something he understands or perhaps even controls. And he denies the existence of the much-ballyhooed Democratic machine. In terms of his public history, these disavowals have always seemed the most disingenuous aspect of Norcrosss back pages, since his operation appears to hold great influence over government jobs, contracts and political fund-raising. There was no quid pro quo there. Philadelphians should be very, very wary.. After a five-hour court hearing about the injunction, Norcross lost and within minutes, the report was made public. For anyone who believed money already played too big a role in politics, this was a deeply disturbing development. So it never took place, Kenney says. Norcross is just as unaccountable to the media as he is to voters. 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. Soon, if the north-south migration of visionary progressives continues, Florida, too, can boast of relentless taxation, over-tolled shoddy highways and all other ills of the once-great state of New Jersey. We both say, Lets stop by and say hi to Jim.. One of his longtime Jersey allies is Frank Spencer, a VP at the national carpenters union. 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. 42 (Extensions of Remarks - March 16, 2016)", "George Norcross Jr., Labor And Civic Leader", "Carol C. Norcross, 84, advocate for seniors, matriarch of a powerful South Jersey family", "Norcross to be sworn in to House seat on Wednesday", "Philadelphia Restauranteur Plans to Open Two Restaurants Along Camden Waterfront", "MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Celebrates Five Years", "Cooper honored for its Veterans VIP program", Partnership of Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden, "George Norcross: The good works of the Dark Lord (Moran)", "U.S. Attorney ends speculation about Norcross", "Attorney Kevin Sheehan is Mentioned in Reference to "Unregistered Lobbying" Found by NJEDA Task Force", "Judge Rules Against George Norcross Efforts to Stop NJEDA Task Force", "Governor's Task Force on EDA Tax Incentives", "George E. Norcross III, Executive Chairman", "South Jersey Democrat is Among the State's Wealthiest; George Norcross III made njbiz.com's list at No. The office of the Attorney General of New Jersey and the United States Attorney's office under Chris Christie investigated Norcross after he was secretly taped discussing state politics. After conducting a national search, and narrowing down the selections to three individuals, the CCSD board was preparing to conduct in-person interviews with potential candidates. The super PAC still has an outstanding $1 million loan from a company General American Capital, which Fee said is affiliated with WWB. The carpenters likely had their own motives for donating so much cash to the elect-Kenney effort: There are plenty of suburban New Jersey carpenters who work on city construction sites. When Philly.com got word of the three-minute private meeting a few days later and posted a story, it set political insiders buzzing. Notice of the issued tax credits was buried in a pair of Excel spreadsheets on a government website. 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. He has three brothers: Donald, a United States Congressman representing New Jersey's 1st congressional district;[11] Philip, managing partner of the law firm Parker McCay;[12] and John, a psychologist, author, and professor at the University of Scranton. Lexie Norcross, 26, was a controversial figure partly because of her age and relation to George Norcross. . When he sits down to talk about Norcross, Kenney suddenly looks like hed rather be someplace else. George E. Norcross III (born March 16, 1956) is an American businessman and a Democratic Party organizer and power broker in southern New Jersey. 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. In this lifetime, I cant win. If George Norcross comes into Philadelphia big-time and does the same type of things as a corporate citizen as hes done for South Jersey, that would be a plus., Colandus Francis, president of the Camden County NAACP, disagrees, to say the least: Why is Camden one of the poorest cities in the country if hes done so much for Camden? high-poverty New York City borough where he noticed children with a strong So far, in Philadelphia, Norcross has received far less scrutiny. He wouldnt talk to me for this story. AmeriHealth Inc., one of the parent companies of (AmeriHealth New Jersey), agreed to sponsor the July 28, 2016, concert, Camden Rising, AmeriHealth New Jersey spokeswoman Jill Roman said. Kenney used to work for Vince Fumo, the once all-powerful state senator who in 2009 was convicted on 137 counts of corruption and other charges. 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. But he also grimaces. When he received the support of governor Brendan Byrne in 1975 for the concept of a med school at Cooper, the Republican legislators of North Jersey made sure nothing got built. It was the most expensive senate race in the history of New Jersey, which raises a question: Is this democracyor an auction? That was hardly obvious at the time, which looks to have been the point. He wasnt permitted to have the conversation. But a lot of people I care about are, so in deference to them, I wouldnt want to say anything negative. We share a bridge. Neil's mom and dad, David Gorsuch and Anne . By contrast, Katz's longtime partner is Inquirer city. Norcross is the executive chairman of brokerage firm Conner Strong & Buckelew, where he has worked since 1979. But until we do the research, we dont know.. [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. Then Kenney, fresh off his private chat with a walking, talking embodiment of the one percent, took the stage, and his kaleidoscopic mix of supporters went nuts: prominent African-Americans and white working-class voters, LGBT leaders and immigrants, millennial fanboys and old heads. Rouhanifard assumed the positions of Chief of Staff to Deputy Chancellor John Additionally, many of the homes surrounding KCNA have either been purchased by Coopers Ferry Partnership or acquired through eminent domain. Apparently, you can take the friend out of Jersey, but not vice versa. The parameters of the agreement entailed that Norcross would to withhold support and endorsement for, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono, in exchange for Christie not campaigning for any Republican Assembly or Senate candidates in South Jersey. When Norcross lost control of the newspapers in 2014, after a nasty, deeply personal feud between the owners involving lovers, lawyers and daughters, some wondered if he would retreat from Philly. persecution, how their familys assets were frozen, that he and his family they [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. She was not terminated but voluntarily left after her ownership share, along with her fathers, was bought out by Katz, Lenfest and their partners. In a city like Camden, theres a sisterhood, brotherhood with Philadelphia. He is now said to have helped elect 50-some county freeholders, state lawmakers and Congressmen currently in office in New Jersey. He was a labor leader and served as a trustee of Cooper University Hospital. Behind all this striving, Norcross has also maintained a network of admirers. But there is a larger portrait hereof the political operator as artist, and the artist as an aging, more reflective man. Norcross launched the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, which New Jersey Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts praised for its "unflagging commitment to the city,"[20] and helped to facilitate the opening of the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center in October 2013. educator, community, and student concerns. Alessandra T. Norcross is, according to a September report, 25 years old. Of Norcross, Rutgers University-Camden history professor Howard Gillette, in his 2005 work Camden After the Fall, wrote: The son of a powerful labor leader, Norcross had worked his way up the system, first by assisting several state legislators including Angelo Errichetti. He ran the Camden County Democrats, but the GOP was firmly in control of the board of freeholders. Thats just how significant, how full of implicit meaning, a meeting with Norcross is. The mystery, the lack of accountability, the unanswered questions about whos influencing our leaders and to what end everyones worst nightmares about super PACs have been fully realized, right here in Philadelphia. Our journalism needs your support. I know I felt terrorized when outgoing President Donald Trump urged the unruly mob down the street to the Capitol to fight like hell. Then, some demonstrators put up a hangmans noose designed for then-Vice President Mike Pence, because he was doing his constitutional duty to accept the 2020 electoral votes in favor of the winner, Joe Biden. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. His dad knew success. Norcross was born on March 16, 1956, in Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey. He dipped his toes in the water. It was his daughter, Lexie Norcross, 33, founder and chairwoman of the website PhillyVoice and former head of The Inquirer's philly.com website, who "brought it to my attention," he said. Thats the reality. There were two other super PACs in the race, both of which supported Kenney, but they got far less attention from the media. along with other district officials and local politicians set about hearing A machine performs a prescribed function. One would think there might be great joy in this life, coptering over the common man to make millions; telling the governor what you want and knowing hell pay attention; building a new cancer center and erecting a prestigious new medical schoolthe first in New Jersey in 35 yearsin Camden, the land he feels bound to by blood, the land that needs a champion like him. To his credit, one person who does agree to be interviewed for this story is Jim Kenney. Soon after Rouhanifard took the helm at Camden, a school district Thats, understandably, a concern., The Kings Speech: What Kids Should Know About MLKs Dream, Underlings fear his wrath. 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.. 162, No. In November 2014, Cooper and Norcross were awarded the "Seven Seals" award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in recognition of the program. Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III and his business partners have invested in projects along Camden's Delaware River waterfront that have benefited from nearly $290 million in tax credits and other incentives from the state. $17.99 + $4.99 shipping. He, 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. I had been warned, by a half-dozen reporters, that Norcross would limit access and insist most of the conversation be kept private. (It was also extended, two years ago, for $500,000.) Katz's partner Nancy Phillips, formerly an Inquirer investigative reporter, is now reportedly a special assistant to the publisher. [30] 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. The money raised some eyebrows. Protestors sing and dance to support the Rockettes. I think he can win. David L. Cohen, a Norcross friend for 25 years. Last December, Amy Kennedy, daughter-in-law of the late US Senator Ted Kennedy and wife of former Congressman from Rhode Island Patrick Kennedy published a statement that she was considering running for the Democratic nomination for the US House of Representatives seat from New Jersey's Second Congressional District.

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