Feuerstein fliers falsely claim former councilmen’s backing

David Feuerstein distributed  leaflets suggesting that he is endorsed by two prominent citizens, Board of Education President Kim Cook and former councilmen George Cook III, each of whom is supporting Majorie Hargrave in the December 5 runoff election.

That list of Hargrave endorsers also includes former Mayor Barbara Rowen, former Councilman Sip Whitaker, former school board Kisha Chiles Bass, former Councilwoman Diane L. Murray-Clements, and Democratic District Leader Maurice Sean Lovell.

George Cook expressed anger that his name and image were used without permission by the candidate who is running against Majorie Hargrave in Hillside’s 4th Ward after two other contenders were eliminated in the November election.

“I support Majorie Hargrave because she has Hillside’s best interests in heart,” said George Cook. “I didn’t think David is the kind of person who would do something unsavory like this.”

The school board president did not respond to requests for comment but she is the former councilman’s sister and among the leading Democrats in town who are included in a list of endorsements for Hargrave.

George Cook blamed the township’s political boss for the deceptive campaign literature but said the candidate is accountable for allowing the lie to be circulated.

Rowen said she was enthusiastic about supporting Hargrave.

Rowen expressed the view that the community needs leaders who are willing to stand up to the mayor and her out-of-town political allies, and she said Hargrave best fits that role.

Outgoing Councilman Gerald Pateesh Freedman, who has represented Hillside’s 4th Ward for over two decades, and was eliminated in the first round of balloting in November, said Feuerstein betrayed him seems like the kind of person who could not be trusted.

Freedman lamented that Feuerstein, who he said was once a close ally, had betrayed him in a political conspiracy orchestrated by the mayor.

“This is the worst administration that I ever sat with,” said Freedman, a vocal critic of the current administration who blames Mayor Dahlia Vertreese for leaving the town in worse shape than ever.

Freedman likes that Hargrave is emphasizing the need for change and dedication to the taxpayers but he stopped short of making an endorsement although he admitted that she’s probably going to get his vote.