EDITORIAL
BY DHIREN SHAH
Hello Readers,
Former New Jersey Assemblyman, State Senator, Senate President and Governor Richard Codey passed away on January 11, 2026 after a brief illness. He was the longest serving public official in the state’s history. He was loved by his family and constituents as well as his fellow Democrats.
I came across him and he was always very courteous to talk to. When he was governor, after an Essex County meeting, there was food and it was a long line. Governor Codey was in front of my line and many ask him to go to the front, but he said no and stood in the same line for about 10 to 15 minutes. When Essex County Sheriff Fontoura came and took him to go to a nearby restaurant, he left. But I give him credit for following the rules.
Codey was a smart politician. He did a lot of good, but there was one blemish on his record. Because of the redistricting, Nia Gill and Richard Codey went head to head contest in the Democratic Primary. No one could win against Nia Gill in her district. But due to redistricting, Codey was the only one who could win. So, in the June 2023 primary, Codey ran against Nia Gill and won. Not long after, he announced his retirement, which allowed John F. McKeon, former Mayor of West Orange, to be selected by party official to run in the general election.
In a heavy democratic area McKeon won over the Republican easily. However, McKeon would not have stood a chance against Nia Gill. With the political move by Codey, a good senator in my opinion, he did not do right by Nia Gill, who was also a good senator and truly working for the people in my opinion.
Richard Codey, an Orange native who took charge of his family’s funeral home, ran with Eldridge Hawkins, Sr. for the New Jersey State Assembly in 1973. Codey mastered New Jersey Politics, only having to bow to Democratic Party kingpin George Norcross on some decisions.
President Trump wants to take over or buy Greenland. Trump stated that before China or Russia takes over Greenland, we can take over and buy it. Strategically, Greenland is good for defense, climate research and minerals. Climate research for melting ice effects day by day can be researched. For the defense against Russia and China, it is strategic point. It is about 3,100 miles away from Russia. China is far away from Greenland. However, China is more interested in Greenland as it is right near United States of America and Russia as well.
It is good that we can get Greenland, but if Trump wants to get Greenland by force, that is not good. Right now, Denmark owns Greenland. It is part of the Danish Kingdom. However, Denmark is ruled by Greenland separately. Trump is sending representatives to Denmark to negotiate a buy. Let’s see what happens. Trump’s first term was for peace in the world, and the second term is tactics like ruling of the world. He does not deserve a Nobel prize at all.
Undocumented immigrants did not come with clear permission by President Joseph Biden. He was the president of the USA. Whether he did right or wrong, the Trump administration has a right to deport them, but do not have a right to kill them or put them in an unknown jail.
Have a wonderful week. I’ll talk to you next week.
