That was particularly apparent in the 2015 mayoral race, which was the first time super PACs played a role in a big Philly municipal election. The Norcross apparatus, as he describes it, also seems a valid tool to use, whether the goal is winning a race or running a newspaper. at Norcrosss firm, to the board of the Convention Center. In 2014, it landed yet another contract, worth $660,000, with the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Plus this company, plus whatever else Im doing, and you know Im nuts, Im gonna have a heart attack.. The Camden School District had previously started its own search last winter, and this search expanded upon that, bringing previous semi-finalists and then additional candidates, the governors office said. But before that would ever take place, Governor Christies office informed the Board president, Kathryn Blackshear that the state was assuming responsibility of appointing the next superintendent in Camden. Funding. [16] Norcross said he would invest $50 million in the project,[17] and in March 2017, Norcross announced his company would move to the Camden waterfront as part of a $245 million development. It didnt matter that when Norcross arrived, Kenney was minutes away from delivering his first speech as the presumptive next mayor of the fifth-biggest city in America. [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. 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. Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Claudia Vargas, in Plan for KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy in Camden approved by state, reported on the political dealings associated in the establishing of KCNA. 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. (Interstate 195 in New Jersey is the highway that runs from Trenton, along the Delaware, across the state to the shore; essentially dividing New Jersey, geographically, two halves; North Jersey and South Jersey.) Thats, understandably, a concern., The Kings Speech: What Kids Should Know About MLKs Dream, Underlings fear his wrath. What might Norcross actually do for Philadelphia? He is a member of famous Businessman with the age 66 years old group. And he does win. Norcross has a daughter, Lexie, and a son, Alex. Both Doc and George need to be the top dog in the room.. WWB Holdings is Lexie Norcrosss entity, the founder and CEO of PhillyVoice. 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 . [18] The 18-story, 394,164 square-foot building also houses The Michaels Organization, NFI, and two new restaurants spearheaded by Philadelphia celebrity chef Michael Schulson. [26], Norcross has been associated with businesses that are alleged to have received special treatment from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Published as Norcrossing the Delaware in the May 2016 issue of Philadelphia magazine. 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. Norcross not only made calls about the daughters treatment; he showed up at 5 a.m. the morning after the operation to visit the Paolantonios in the intensive care unit. [6], Norcross is a member of the Democratic National Committee. The problem, then, isnt that George Norcross is incompetent. persecution, how their familys assets were frozen, that he and his family they the NYCDOE website, the OPM, Office of School Design and Charter Partnerships in Tennessee during the 1980s. Or so it seemed. 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.. 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. [28][29], Norcross has a daughter, Lexie, and a son, Alex. 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. desire to learn, teachers who cared but were structurally constrained from To make a long, f-bomb-filled story short, Norcross succeeded. His daughter, Lexie Norcross, helped run the Philly.com website, which often uses celebrity news and other teasers to draw online clicks. He ran the Camden County Democrats, but the GOP was firmly in control of the board of freeholders. He was waiting for the right moment. He is regarded as New Jersey's most powerful unelected leader. In its Oct. 4 filing with the New Jersey State Election Law Enforcement Commission, the super PAC said it would dissolve its operations in New Jersey. Though, Norcross has been described in local print media as, the guy with the cigar and horns, an arrogant and profane bully who threatens to castrate his political enemies, and an individual presiding over an environment where hardball politics ends and a culture of intimidation, dubbed La Costra Norcoss by his enemies, Norcross has been irrepressible in influencing South Jersey, but specifically Camden-based politics, to his will. In separate speeches and interviews Norcross, decried Camdens public-school system and the lack of parental involvement in their students education saying, 80% of the citys fourth grade students dont read at grade level, and I remember my mother showing me flashcards and encouraging my brothers and I to do our homework and that is not a luxury all [Camden] children possess with regards to those with absent or withdrawn parents. But the particular subject is never important. son. So, how much is George Norcross worth at the age of 66 years old? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 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. 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. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015. But that was just the beginning: He developed an elaborate plan to wrest Camden County away from the GOP; then he would move on to other counties, win control of their freeholders, and build alliances that could raise enormous sums of cash for his favored candidates for the state legislature. Its not clear whether it will once again set up shop later this year. Dont say anything, his father told him. 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. 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. Website design, managed and hosted by DEP Design, depdesign.com, a New York interactive agency. Having two bachelors degrees in economics and The Southern New Jersey Regional Employee Benefit Fund, administered by Conner Strong & Buckelew, uses AmeriHealth New Jersey as a provider, according to its website. Outfitted in a suit and bow tie, Young George sat quietly in meeting spaces all over New Jersey. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. White for eleven months and then moved on to the post of Chief of Executive Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. City Paper has not, to be clear, received any complaints about the work ethic of any of the three. (Theres a good number of executives who are in the private sector, who I bounce ideas off of.) But Kenney doesnt talk about Norcross the way you talk about a person you really know. THE STORY OF HOW Norcross built himself into the most powerful man in New Jersey begins with revenge. [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.[31]. George Norcross is a wealthy insurance executive who has become one . However, I think I am going to decline at this time., He declined your request for an interview both on and off the record.. Norcross remembers sitting in a political science course at Rutgers-Camden, a 19-year-old making mental note of his professors ignorance. [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. 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 left discreetly, un-spotted by the legions of press there that night (including me). Norcross was little more than a regional player 30 years ago. 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. I wonder if the National Socialist Workers Party supported Adolf Hitler this way on his rise to power? Next, Rouhanifard left the classroom and worked as a financial analyst for To his credit, one person who does agree to be interviewed for this story is Jim Kenney. 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. Never again will that happen. A crooked smile shades his face pink. It truly would be near impossible to overstate the political reach and influence Norcross exerts in the state. He availed himself to the political staff on state and local levels, including Mayor Redd and George Norcross making numerous public appearances at city ceremonies, athletic events, and ribbon cuttings. 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. Norcross, scares his enemies, is enormously rich from public contracts with his insurance businesses [Connor, Strong, & Buckelew], and through loyalty of his political operatives, controls of the votes in the legislature and controls more votes in the state legislature than anyone else. It can be argued that with Governor Christies ascension to office, despite being a Republican, Norcross power only increased throughout NJ politics statewide, not just in South Jersey. Norcross launched the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, which New Jersey Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts praised for its "unflagging commitment to the city," and helped to facilitate the opening of the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center in October 2013. But he also grimaces. A few political insiders suggest to me that Norcross would be a welcome counterweight to Dougherty. No way. 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. 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. 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. In addition to her parents, Bea is preceded in death by her husband, George Norcross; daughter, Pamela Fleeman and 3 grandchildren. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. arrival, Rouhanifard freely shared biographical information about his 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. 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. It was May 19th, the day Jim Kenney won the mayoral primary in a landslide. He played the role of matchmaker, of deal-broker. Super PACs emerged after the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that enabled PACs to spend unlimited sums on political races provided the PACs didnt coordinate with the candidates benefiting from the spending. Stern. Then, in 2013, the Philly-based Independence Blue Cross sold a 20 percent stake in one of its health insurance subsidiaries to Cooper. The national carpenters union unilaterally removed him as head of the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters. Through the '60s and '70s, he made a practice of bringing "Young George" to meet New. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. FOR MOST OF HIS CAREER, Norcross, 60, stayed on his side of the Delaware. So helping out Doc and Kenney was a way to weaken Coryell. He often spoke about how important getting a (He has a great vision for Camden.) Kenney even says he may ask Norcross for advice from time to time. This is George Norcross were talking about the widely feared, fantastically wealthy all-powerful boss of the South Jersey Democratic Party and when George Norcross wants a meeting, he gets a meeting. 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. Probably because he thought I would be a good mayor, he says. That error has been corrected above. (It was also extended, two years ago, for $500,000.) Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. The United States Attorney's Office for New Jersey sent Norcross a letter confirming that no action was warranted and the investigation was closed. As always, another excellent, well researched, article Dr. Benson. 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. 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. 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. The domain of the website was registered to Norcross's insurance. Months later in January 2012, the UHA was passed. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. NOBODY IN THIS town wants to talk about George Norcross. According to Vail Daily, Neil's grandfather, John, was a partner in a Denver law firm. Norcross was born on March 16, 1956, in Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey. 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. And even his nepotism hasnt embarrassed him. The all-out war South Jersey power broker George Norcross III declared against Gov. She cant vote him out. I think he truly believes the more successful and smoothly functioning and healthier the whole region is, the better business opportunities are going to be, says Comcast V.P. The domain of the website was registered to Norcrosss insurance firm that is, until Technical.ly Philly wrote about that juicy little detail. THERE ARE THEORIES. But she is nowhere to be found on the corporate masthead. Due to Katz sudden death the sale may not be closed as scheduled and Norcross has reportedly offered a 30-day extension. According to Later that year, John Mooney wrote, Not one to do things small, George Norcross has enlisted a power-packed partnership of playersseen and unseenin a bid to essentially create a mini-district of new schools for the city of Camden. And with that, the path for Camdens forthcoming renaissance schools was set. The slight infuriated Norcross. Docs biggest labor enemy was rendered impotent, and Norcrosss allies are now in charge of the citys carpenters. daughter. When his father died in May 1998, George III found the note in his father's wallet, something the senior Mr. Norcross had presumably been carrying since his son gave it to him about. Coopers medical school yields prestige and a much-needed influx of youth and smarts. And I got portrayed, you know, as the guy with the cigar and the horns., Norcrosss critics believe hes not difficult to understand. 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. 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.
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