Is the Zisa family still running Hackensack?

House fire in Hackensack (Photo credit: Anthony Quintano)

From the story leading the Local news section in The Record today, you'd think a new day has dawned in Hackensack.

But the sad truth is the local-news editors appear to be disappointed that former Police Chief Ken Zisa was convicted in mid-May of official misconduct and insurance fraud.

Head Assignment Editor Deirdre Sykes and Deputy Assignment Editor Dan Sforza are doing everything they can to hide the Zisas' continued hold on a city many critics still call Zisaville.

Mayor in name only

Today's L-1 story on Hackensack's annual reorganization meeting doesn't mention the new mayor, Michael Melfi, was on the 2009 slate backed by Lynne Hurwitz, the Democratic power broker behind the decades-long reign of the Zisa family.

Hackensack reporter Stephanie Akin tells readers for the first time today that some residents called, on June 11,  for the resignation of City Attorney Joseph Zisa -- the disgraced chief's cousin.

But she doesn't ask any of the council members or city officials for reaction. 

The story refers to "City Attorney Joe Zisa" (L-2). How chummy. 

Sentencing delayed

Another story on L-3 today reports Ken Zisa won't be sentenced until Aug. 30 -- more than 3 months after his conviction, giving the Probation Department an unusually long time to write a pre-sentence report.

But The Record has never explained why the sentencing has been put off. Would an earlier hearing disrupt someone's vacation plans? 

The Woodland Park daily's gentle treatment of the Zisas is apparent to readers, such as Aubrey J. Sher, a former Teaneck schools superintendent whose letter to the editor appears on A-20 today:

"Although never a Hackensack resident," Sher wrote, "over the years I have heard about the family through friends and through many favorable articles in your own newspaper." 

Big hole in story

Also on L-1 today, a story identifies the victim of a road-rage accident as Annetta Billingy, 63, of Teaneck, but notes on L-2 "it was not immediately clear" how the 20-year-old driver "knew" her.

The accident occurred on Sunday, so it's not immediately clear how Sykes and Sforza can print a story with such a big hole and keep their jobs. 

Protecting the rich

On Page 1 today, Governor Christie vetoed a tax surcharge on millionaires for the third time, pleasing his wealthy supporters.

On the Opinion Page, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, says Christie "will protect the mega-rich to the detriment of middle-class taxpayers" (A-21).

He notes the GOP bully also vetoed legislation to help low-income New Jerseyans needing legal services, as well a bill helping woman obtain quality health care.

But on the opposite page, an editorial refuses to couch the debate over a tax cut in those terms (A-20). 

Amen

Also on the front page today, who knew Bergen Town Center had a chapel or the Rev. Daniel Smith, a lovable priest who ministered to shoppers for 25 years?