And the Chief revealed the meanings behind veiled words and silences. The McGreeveys. She cant even call his office to complain. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. Well, Norcross maintains that he is less involved in politics than he used to be. For anyone who believed money already played too big a role in politics, this was a deeply disturbing development. One of those people is Steve Sweeney, who is kind of a supersized Johnny Doc. Discover George Norcross's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Katz's partner Nancy Phillips, formerly an Inquirer investigative reporter, is now reportedly a special assistant to the publisher. And I wasnt permitted to. 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. Meanwhile, Norcrosss insurance company, Conner Strong & Buckelew, has secured millions of dollars worth of contracts from government agencies in Philadelphia. 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. On Oct. 25, AmeriHealth Inc. donated $1 million to the super PAC, which three days later paid back the $950,000 loan. American businessman and politician organizer, It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Veterans Health Administration scandal of 2014, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Governors feud with party boss rocks New Jersey politics, by Ryan Hutchins, Politico, May 21, 2019, retrieved October 3, 2019, "Trump's 'Winter White House': A Peek at the Exclusive Members' List at Mar-a-Lago", "IN HONOR OF GEORGE E. NORCROSS III; Congressional Record Vol. The touring companies for Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz alone were paid $1.825 million. South Jersey Assemblyman Troy Singleton is the assistant to the executive secretary-treasurer of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters. FILE - In this March 5, 2014 file photo, George Norcross, addresses a gathering at a groundbreaking ceremony in Camden, N.J., for a new kind of school that Norcross' family foundation will help fund. 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. The national carpenters union unilaterally removed him as head of the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters. He served on the board of and was the chairman of United Way. His body hangs forward, and he answers questions tersely, cryptically. Its all about power, says John Williamson, president of the Camden Fraternal Order of Police. According to Funding for the event came through General Majority, a Democratic super PAC that dominated New Jerseys legislative elections in 2013 and 2015. Mayor, I ask, did you meet Norcross while working for Fumo? Probably because he thought I would be a good mayor, he says. Its not clear whether it will once again set up shop later this year. 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. My apologies and sympathies go to Floridians. Then, in 2013, the Philly-based Independence Blue Cross sold a 20 percent stake in one of its health insurance subsidiaries to Cooper. Dont say anything, his father told him. Norcross also runs the insurance firm Conner Strong & Buckelew, which has helped make him a millionaire many times over, partly from the lucrative contracts it has won from government entities across New Jersey. It plants lawn signs! At the time, recalls Norcross, four hundred grand was like $4 million.. teaching experience and lack of state credentials, his arrival in Camden had Big. It took one night for the. Or at least, that was the assumption of all the heavies in Philadelphias political class. Norcross has a daughter, Lexie, and a son, Alex. Patricia Mueller, a friend of Norcrosss, is the treasurer for the Carpenters Fund for Growth and Progress. It partially paid for last Julys Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz concert in Camden, even though the donation was made three months after the concert took place and the companys sponsorship was not advertised. George E. Norcross, III (born March 16, 1956) is an American businessman and a Democratic Party organiser and power broker in New Jersey. And it was Norcrosss longtime adman, Neil Oxman, who produced the pro-Kenney TV commercials funded by all that super-PAC cash. He is the son of George E. Norcross, Jr., the president of the AFL-CIO Central Labor Union of Camden and Gloucester Counties and his wife, Anne Carol. His candidates do bring a certain level of competence, he says. Its a kick-ass purple robot! Kenney submits city budget proposal with $6.1B in spending, Trump can be sued for Jan 6 actions, Justice Dept says, Lobbyist names Pa. lawmaker she says sexually harassed her, How the Daisy Jones cast went from beginners to bandmates, Everything you need to know about the 2023 Academy Awards, Jonathan Majors flexes his acting muscle, turns, Patience is key to success for new-look Eagles coaching staff, Meet the Eagles best kept secret: QB Coach Alex Tanney, EXCLUSIVE: SEPTA platforms could see major change, Dungeon suspects art, letters for sale online, Claude Giroux slowly working back to full strength with Flyers, Boldface October 1: A.D. Amorosi rounds up the local gossip, Valerie White, Senior Executive Director of Local, Calls from Moscow follows four queer Cuban migrants holed up, Anders Lee scores twice, Islanders use 4-goal 3rd period to take down. 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. In a city like Camden, theres a sisterhood, brotherhood with Philadelphia. 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. 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. Yet, the same local media was somehow unaware that Norcross has voted in Florida for the past two years while he continued to serve on the Democratic National Committee in apparent violation of DNC residency rules. The all-out war South Jersey power broker George Norcross III declared against Gov. Later that year, a journalism start-up called PhillyVoice launched, with Norcrosss 20-something daughter Lexie at the helm. son. It didnt matter that Kenney, in fact, still had a few lines left to memorize. 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? The problem, then, isnt that George Norcross is incompetent. None of these contracts have been publicly reported until now. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, George Norcross III, has declared himself as a Florida resident. 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. He, 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. Says Rendell: When I ran for mayor and governor, George helped me. Norcross was born on March 16, 1956, in Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey. 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. Neil's family has a long history in the legal profession. 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. Thank you for reaching out. 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. deemed failing, he began a 100-day listening tour. 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. With Rouhanifards apparent political and public relations acumen, coupled with his pro-charter background and his demonstrated willingness to shutter public schools against the wishes of low-income minority residents in gentrifying Williamsburg (Brooklyn), coupled with the expansive nature of UHA and renaissance schools; his advocacy for a forthcoming universal enrollment system (that has been identified as a mechanism to reduce student enrollment in public school but guiding them in to charters), the education reform advocates began celebrating Rouhanifard and the possibilities it meant for public education Camden. Apparently, you can take the friend out of Jersey, but not vice versa. When DRPA issued its final disbursements in 2011, Cooper University Hospital received $6 million. It was May 19th, the day Jim Kenney won the mayoral primary in a landslide. This is like therapy, he said at one point, before clarifying that hes never been in therapy. The debate, at least in this instance, is over. Now, we learn that the great champion of South Jersey Democrats, George Norcross III, has declared himself as a Florida. At the podium, hes upbeat and charming. Genealogy for George Howard Norcross, Sr. (1818 - 1896) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Soon after Rouhanifard took the helm at Camden, a school district Look, he says. The best answer might be both: In fortifying Cooper University Hospital, Norcross ensures some vibrant legacy for his family. Norcrosss critics remain fixated on these sorts of stories. It didnt matter that Norcross didnt have an appointment. [25] Norcross was also the subject of a federal investigation in 2016 where his phones were wiretapped. Likewise with "Director" Drew A. Katz, Interstate General Media co-owner Lewis Katz's son. George Norcross is a wealthy insurance executive who has become one . He dabbled in Philly politics a bit. And there is: Norcross grins about as much as youd expect from a fabulously wealthy, healthy man. Additionally, many of the homes surrounding KCNA have either been purchased by Coopers Ferry Partnership or acquired through eminent domain. When Philly.com got word of the three-minute private meeting a few days later and posted a story, it set political insiders buzzing. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. within a city known for generational poverty and where 23 of 26 schools were He could work in politics, insurance, bomb building, or the construction of a better mousetrap, and hed enjoy the same electric charge emanating from the same place. 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. But, Trump should look in the mirror and say this slogan to himself. Thats something Philadelphians can surely appreciate, given their citys lack of clout in Harrisburg. Our journalism needs your support. at NYCDOE, as Office of School Design and Charter Partnerships. 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. . Neither would Coryell, national carpenters leaders and many, many others. I meet with him in the Mayors Reception Room in City Hall, where hes holding a press conference encouraging Philadelphians to vote. 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. To his credit, one person who does agree to be interviewed for this story is Jim Kenney. In the mid-1930s, Gregor became the mistress of the married vice chancellor of Austria, the Austro . In as early as 2011, Norcross began giving a series of speeches focusing on education, and on the future of public education in Camden specifically. Through the '60s and '70s, he made a practice of bringing "Young George" to meet New. That error has been corrected above. 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. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. Jennifer Beck, a Republican legislator from Monmouth County, has since proposed a bill to plug up this hole in the public trough. "[10], Norcross graduated from Pennsauken High School and briefly attended Rutgers UniversityCamden. In fact, the super-PAC money that made the biggest difference in the mayoral race had nothing to do with American Cities, and plenty to do with George Norcross. These contributions were not made to a New Jersey political committee; nor were they used to influence any election, said Ezra Reese, attorney for the super PAC. 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. Plus this company, plus whatever else Im doing, and you know Im nuts, Im gonna have a heart attack.. He led the effort to create the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and to partner with MD Anderson Cancer Center to create the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center, which opened in 2013. In 2013, Cooper University Health Care in Camden, which Norcross chairs, bought a 20 percent stake in AmeriHealth New Jersey. According to Vail Daily, Neil's grandfather, John, was a partner in a Denver law firm. Katz son, Drew Katz, will inherit his fathers stake in the companies. There was no Ill do this, you gotta do that.. All combined, the realities mentioned above continue to fuel criticism about the process by which the land was acquired to build a Norcross-supported charter school and not a public Lanning Square Elementary. George was predeceased by his father, George R Norcross Sr, his sister Carol Lofmark and his step daughter Nicole Barrett - Lind. 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. 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. They were used only to support the Lady Gaga / Lenny Kravitz Camden Rising concert during the convention to showcase Camden, N.J. that was attended by thousands of convention-goers and delegates.. Norcross said that he received a phone call in 2004 from then-governor Richard Codey telling him that heGeorge Norcross III, a private insurance executivecould steer $500,000 in public money any way he saw fit. There was plenty of journalistic handwringing over the fact that a powerful political figure now partly controlled a major local media company. 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. along with other district officials and local politicians set about hearing 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. Funding. He was survived by his mother, Margaret Norcross, wife Jo Ann Norcross, two step sons Steven and Scott Lind, his sisters Rhonda Jobes and Wendy Husted and several nephews, nieces and 3 grandchildren. The money raised some eyebrows. But it appears that without Norcross, the most pivotal donation of the 2015 mayoral race never would have happened. By evaluating access to high-quality schools, the demand for educational services and the supply of space available for those services, Office of Portfolio Management strives to develop the optimal distribution of schools and educational programs. He wouldnt talk to me for this story. Theres a great quote about Alexander the Great: He cried because there were no worlds to conquer, says one political insider. He led the effort to create the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and to partner with MD Anderson Cancer Center to create the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center, which opened in 2013. Imagine if his relationship with Dougherty becomes as robust as the one he has with Steve Sweeney in New Jersey: Together, the two would utterly dominate Philadelphias political scene. In Jersey, Norcross cried because there were no more worlds to conquer., Then that person adds: Dont quote me on that. Sure, Kenney has opinions on what hes done in Jersey. 1966 Luci Johnson Wedding Party Daughter President Politics Wirephoto 8X10 Photo. speeches highlighting his time teaching in a primary school in a low-income, TRENTON, N.J. It took three decades for Democratic power broker George Norcross to build one of the most effective and influential political machines in the country. Norcross, in his statement, said the three companies at the tower, known as Triad1828 Centre, and their leaders "have invested more . The Norcross name is very familiar to virtually any Democrat with designs on rising through the political ranks in South Jersey. The 18-story, 394,164 square-foot building will also house The Michaels Organization, NFI, and two new restaurants spearheaded by Philadelphia celebrity chef Michael Schulson. 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 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. But she is nowhere to be found on the corporate masthead. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com. Illustration by Tim OBrien. He pores over the relevant data and, like a military commander, plots out a campaign that will bring victory. Im not against him. He has served as a Cooper trustee since 1990. So the softer Chief also knew defeat: When the governor nominated him for appointment to the New Jersey Racing Commission, a Republican senator named Lee Laskin blocked him. Norcross is executive chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage firm. In time, Rouhanifard showed himself to adept and aware of the political and media atmosphere in his new landscape. The junior Katz is also the CEO of the similarly named Interstate Outdoor Advertising. Today, OPM is referred to Increase website traffic and elevate your brand with a CMS Bot business website. 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. The education ruined Young George for college. 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 . 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. My friend still votes for Democrats, and lately has been lamenting the GOP administration of Gov. But she also was accused of downplaying hard news in favor of fluff and tawdry. [22] 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. Not as much, he replies, confusingly. Now, I hear that the Republican National Committee is paying some of Trumps legal bills for his defense against a New York probe over his business practices. (It was renewed last year, for $310,000.) So they set off to Vie, a restaurant on North Broad Street where Kenney was holding his victory party. 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. Stern. 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. She cant vote him out. I told him Id do whatever I can to be helpful.. [27], An investigative task force was formed to look into the operations and procedures of the EDA. 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 . 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. Norcross is just as unaccountable to the media as he is to voters. (He has a great vision for Camden.) Kenney even says he may ask Norcross for advice from time to time. But murky as Norcrosss motives may be, his record is clear: Hes a conqueror. The Camden County Democratic party has ratcheted down its fund-raising in recent yearsincumbents dont need as much moneybut still ranks fourth among all the counties in the state, and when he wants a race badly enough, he flattens opponents under the heft of cash. Its only natural to wonder when my number will come up.. Three much smaller donations from regulated industries two casino companies and another health insurance company also helped fund the event. Not even close. Bob Brady, characteristically blunt, says of Norcross: He invested in Jimmy Kenney for mayor. He then adds, without prompting, Ive known Jimmy all my life. [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. Stay up to date with the latest materialGet posts via email. George was loved by all and was known as the Gentle Giant. I think he can win. George Norcross' daughter, Alessandra, a director of the parent company of the Inquirer, is an officer of the foundation and a board member of KCNA." Further, both residents and reporters paid specific attention to the proposed, and eventual, location of the KCNA and the history regarding the demolition and refusal to rebuild the public . And I got portrayed, you know, as the guy with the cigar and the horns., Norcrosss critics believe hes not difficult to understand. George Crabtree meets Nina Bloom in From Buffalo With Love towards the end of Season 9. From left: Bob Brady, Jim Kenney, George Norcross, Lexie Norcross, Steve Sweeney, John Dougherty, Ed Coryell (in water). What might Norcross actually do for Philadelphia? For his part, Rouhanifard did facilitate and preside over the establishing of the first renaissance schools and their expansion, as well as initiated the universal enrollment system he referred to in his initial Camden Commitment speech which would be called Camden Enrollment the following year. 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. GEORGE NORCROSS OBITUARY. While investigating a murder at the infamous burlesque hall The Star Room, George gets more than he ever thought possible from the talented and most desirable Nina . teaching experience at Public School 192 in Harlem through Teach for America. Norcross remembers sitting in a political science course at Rutgers-Camden, a 19-year-old making mental note of his professors ignorance. She was remembered as "a tireless advocate for senior citizens. I think George is wrong when he says he cant win, says Paolantonio. Norcross sued the State of New Jersey to try stop the highly critical report from becoming public. When he sits down to talk about Norcross, Kenney suddenly looks like hed rather be someplace else. He might even have been prosecuted a decade ago if not for a bungled criminal investigation. As the years passed, Norcross sometimes joked that he was different enough from his dadfierce and ambitious, where the Chief was gentle and content; feared, where his dad was belovedthat he wondered if he had been adopted or left on the doorstep. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. I had been warned, by a half-dozen reporters, that Norcross would limit access and insist most of the conversation be kept private. 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. South Jersey business magnate George E. Norcross III and his family will become majority partners of a longtime Atlantic City bread and submarine roll maker next month. Stop the Steal is a clever Trump supporters slogan, intended to convey Trumps false belief that 2020 reelection was stolen from him. We have estimated Where to begin? 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. Convention 2016 a division of General Majority PAC put on a fantastic free concert featuring Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz during the Democratic National Convention. 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. Errichetti had appointed Norcross director of a reconstituted Camden Parking Authority in 1978 when Norcross was only twenty-two. [5] He is regarded as New Jersey's most powerful unelected leader. [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. I am an aggressive Type-A-on-steroids personality, he says. 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.