(2 of 2)
Efficient and Effective. Few cities are more in need of such a cure than Newark (see box following page). In addition to the federal grand juries, a statewide and a local grand jury are probing organized crime in Newark and elsewhere in New Jersey. Following last week's indictments, the Newark Star-Ledger suggested that it would be in the city's best interests if "those under a cloud of suspicion were to remove themselves from office." The local Chamber of Commerce called for the suspension of all those indicted.
State law provides for the removal from public office of officials who refuse to testify before grand juries looking into governmental affairs. But it allows them to take the Fifth Amendment when questioned on criminal matters— as did Addonizio. Nor do the state's laws require the removal of officials who are under indictment.
Addonizio has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down before the end of his term. "I haven't been convicted of anything," he said, and he predicted that he would be acquitted. Meanwhile, he has promised Newarkers that his administration will "continue to run an efficient and effective government." Considering Newark's record—and his—Addonizio's promise is hardly reassuring.