It was his daughter, Lexie Norcross, 33, founder and chairwoman of the website PhillyVoice and former head of The Inquirer's philly.com website, who "brought it to my attention," he said. Correction: This article earlier stated that Lexie Norcross would be terminated when the sale of the papers was completed. George Norcross daughter, Alessandra, a director of the parent company of the Inquirer, is an officer of the foundation and a board member of KCNA. Further, both residents and reporters paid specific attention to the proposed, and eventual, location of the KCNA and the history regarding the demolition and refusal to rebuild the public school, Lanning Square Elementary. George Norcross, Chris Christie, and Paymon Rouhanifard: The triumverite who snaked renaissance (corporate takeover) schools into Camden, The Genuine Problems I have with the Education Reform Communitya series (Pt. At Kenneys inauguration in January, Norcross sat in the second row, with Kenneys managing director, Mike DiBerardinis, on his left and Donald on his right. He recruited John Adler, a Harvard graduate, to run against Laskin in 1991. In as early as 2011, Norcross began giving a series of speeches focusing on education, and on the future of public education in Camden specifically. 79, of Phoenix, went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2008. By financially supporting candidates not only in Camden County, but all over South Jersey, George Norcross was able to consolidate his leadership and demand unity among, and allegiance from, those whom he helped get elected. The United States Attorney's Office for New Jersey sent Norcross a letter confirming that no action was warranted and the investigation was closed. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Published as Norcrossing the Delaware in the May 2016 issue of Philadelphia magazine. Volks article explains that George Norcross, along with brothers Donald, and Phillip grew up in neighboring Pennsauken, and became exposed to politics through their father who was a local political actor and union leader. Johnny Doc, Kenneys most potent ally, was also Coryells fiercest political enemy. 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. 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. For our first meeting, at Cooper University Hospital, where he is chairman of the board, he dressed in a deep blue suit and French cuffs, his head topped by an avalanche of thick white hair. 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. Norcross was born on March 16, 1956, in Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey,[8] the son of George E. Norcross, Jr., the president of the AFLCIO Central Labor Union of Camden and Gloucester Counties, and his wife, Anne Carol Norcross. Former Inquirer reporter and current ESPN correspondent Sal Paolantonio, who plays tennis with Norcross, still gratefully remembers how his friend responded when Paolantonios daughter was admitted to Cooper in 2005 with a subdural hematoma. No way. Things have evolved, says Norcross. Alessandra T. Norcross is, according to a September report, 25 years old. Before being elected Governor in 2009, Christ Christie, as US Attorney, was making a name for himself as a public Corruption Buster by bringing criminal charges on elected officials throughout New Jersey. And the police forcewhich has at least temporarily waived the civil-service exam process in order to staff upwill become a giant patronage mill, churning out government jobs for good little Camden County Democrats. From 2014 through 2019, he was named one of New Jersey's most powerful people by NJBiz.com. Not even after the election? city educators and public officials, noting Rouhanifards young age, thin And, later the next week, on August 21st, 2013, outside of HB Wilson Family School on South Eighth St., Camden was officially introduced to Paymon Rouhanifard by NJDOE Commissioner Chris Cerf, Governor Christie, and Mayor Redd. After conducting a national search, and narrowing down the selections to three individuals, the CCSD board was preparing to conduct in-person interviews with potential candidates. The super PAC paid for TV, radio and mail ads to boost Democratic Assemblymen John . He dipped his toes in the water. (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. Resident Moneke Ragsdale remarked: The public needs to know how this happened. Neither would Coryell, national carpenters leaders and many, many others. Not a chance. The image he conjures is of a political Transformer: Its a car! So it never took place, Kenney says. He also communicated that from his tour, parents did not care about the charter or public designation, but that they only want good schools for their children a theme Rouhanifard repeated often during his initial public meetings. Governors kowtow to his enormous political power. George Norcross, Jr. was active in the community of Camden and a board member of Cooper University Hospital. George Norcross slipped in through the back door. I wonder if the National Socialist Workers Party supported Adolf Hitler this way on his rise to power? My apologies and sympathies go to Floridians. Discover George Norcross's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 1966 Rev George R Davis, Pres & Mrs Johnson At Dc Church Politics Wirephoto 8X10. Alessandra T. Norcross is, according to a September report, 25 years old. 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. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. In talking about his career, for instance, he betrays no passion for the industry that provided his wealth. 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. Due to an editing error, the print version of this article incorrectly reported that George Norcross had not granted any on-the-record interviews. The neighborhood in which KNCA is situated is one where the most visible signs of redevelopment with massive building construction, home rehabilitation, and rising home prices are apparent. In another DRPA-related transaction, Norcrosss insurance firm received $410,000not for actually doing the authoritys insurance work, but for referring that business to another insurance firm, Willis of New Jersey. Norcross is executive chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage firm. 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. This would mean the world to him, Norcross reportedly told Laskin. He came in better prepared, familiar with every layer of coverage necessary for an idiosyncratic industry comprised of horses, riders and grandstands. Not as much, he replies, confusingly. [22] In November 2014, Cooper and Norcross were awarded the "Seven Seals" award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in recognition of the program. That evening we had a dinner meeting with a potential business partner, says Hilferty, and we hear on the radio that Jim has won the primary. What engages Norcross is besting a challenge with an apparatus that produces a desired result. With Rouhanifards apparent political and public relations acumen, coupled with his pro-charter background and his demonstrated willingness to shutter public schools against the wishes of low-income minority residents in gentrifying Williamsburg (Brooklyn), coupled with the expansive nature of UHA and renaissance schools; his advocacy for a forthcoming universal enrollment system (that has been identified as a mechanism to reduce student enrollment in public school but guiding them in to charters), the education reform advocates began celebrating Rouhanifard and the possibilities it meant for public education Camden. I regretfully do not have my fathers personality.. Lexie Norcross, 26, daughter of former co-owner George Norcross, who lead Philly.com, has left her position, and sent a good-bye email sent out to colleagues over the weekend, spokesman Daniel Fee confirmed. Everything he was saying was just wrong, he recalls. Norcross has a daughter, Lexie, and a son, Alex. The super PAC still has an outstanding $1 million loan from a company General American Capital, which Fee said is affiliated with WWB. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. They werent as well-funded or as sexy, and they were backed by known entities: the teachers union and Johnny Doc. [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. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. I stayed in the background because I thought thats what political bosses did. Thats the reality. She was not terminated but voluntarily left after her ownership share, along with her fathers, was bought out by Katz, Lenfest and their partners. persecution, how their familys assets were frozen, that he and his family they [6], Norcross is a member of the Democratic National Committee. He played the role of matchmaker, of deal-broker. These changes include but are not limited to: Opening high potential new schools and closing underperforming schools; establishing enrollment/admissions criteria; altering schools grade configurations; revising elementary and middle school zoning in order to impact enrollment and school size; improving the availability of programs to serve special populations, including Gifted & Talented, English Language Learners and students with disabilities, and Pre-Kindergarten. The domain of the website was registered to Norcross's insurance. The Southern New Jersey Regional Employee Benefit Fund, administered by Conner Strong & Buckelew, uses AmeriHealth New Jersey as a provider, according to its website. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. George Norcrosss income source is mostly from being a successful Businessman. I have a dear friend who is a strict Democratic voter. He raised $2 million, for instance, for the 2003 state senate race that installed unknown challenger Fred Madden over incumbent George Geist. But his power seems to yield various forms of return. But perhaps the most alarming article for supporters of public education in Camden was an article published in the June 14th issue of the Reason Magazine, The Slow and Glorious Death of Americas Worst School System, where author Jim Epstein wrote: Within the next decade, the Camden school district is on course to enter a death spiral, sending the city the way of New Orleans, which has replaced all of its traditional schools with chartersPaymon Rouhanifard is probably the best superintendent Camden has ever had, but he wont be able to turn around the school system. He told me that he couldnt remember ever doing a taped interview with a reporter, and glared at my recording device, Lizza later wrote. Glenwood, Utah - Ellison Lon Norcross Sr. "Red" passed away peacefully at his home in Glenwood on January 5, 2021 at the age of 73. And they say his primary motivation isnt power, but his love for his father, which they describe as moving in its sincerity and unusual in its depth. When Philly.com got word of the three-minute private meeting a few days later and posted a story, it set political insiders buzzing. [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. But she is nowhere to be found on the corporate masthead. He might even have been prosecuted a decade ago if not for a bungled criminal investigation. Norcross has faced criticism for her leadership of the website and background, varying from being hired right after graduating college and possessing zero journalism experience to criticism over news judgment and for directing the website to highlight trashy gossip stories and clickbait over real, local news. Months later in January 2012, the UHA was passed. George E. Norcross III (born March 16, 1956) is an American businessman and a Democratic Party organizer and power broker in southern New Jersey. Newsroom ire has instead focused on what many journalists and the Newspaper Guild charge is an effort to push out older reporters.IGM management has consistently declined to speak to City Paper about internal affairs. The July 28 show on the Camden waterfront was sponsored by PhillyVoice.com, which is run by Donald Norcross' niece, Lexie, the daughter of South Jersey power broker George Norcross. One of his longtime Jersey allies is Frank Spencer, a VP at the national carpenters union. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, George Norcross III, has declared himself as a Florida resident. Errichetti had appointed Norcross director of a reconstituted Camden Parking Authority in 1978 when Norcross was only twenty-two. But AmeriHealth Inc., the parent company of the health insurer AmeriHealth New Jersey, donated $1 million to a super PAC that has spent millions to help Democratic lawmakers. the NJ Urban Hope Act of 2012. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. And Im getting older now. We both say, Lets stop by and say hi to Jim.. We will update George Norcross's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. When Norcross does speak to reporters, he often dictates the terms. A few political insiders suggest to me that Norcross would be a welcome counterweight to Dougherty. I just cant win., My biggest mistake was allowing myself to be defined and branded in the 90s, he continues. A final observation: When Dr. Mehmet Oz of whom I am not a supporter announced he was running for U.S. Senate as a Republican in Pennsylvania, our watchdog media hounds almost immediately noted his recent New Jersey residency, and shouts of carpetbagger arose. David L. Cohen, a Norcross friend for 25 years. At 57, George Norcross III is in impressive shape, with a trim gut and the sleek build of a man who keeps up regular tennis and golf matches. Outfitted in a suit and bow tie, Young George sat quietly in meeting spaces all over New Jersey. At 66 years old, George Norcross height not available right now. After thorough investigations and significant media coverage, he was not charged. Or consider the opposite: that he builds his base here, then ultimately takes on Doc. There, he found fair and reasonable taxation, beautifully maintained roads, lower crime, a thriving economic environment and a climate more suitable to his liking. A few months after the primary, Kenney was the featured guest at a fund-raiser for Norcrosss brother, U.S. Representative Donald Norcross. In a cool, calculated voice, Norcross brags about his influence with governors and U.S. senators: In the end, the McGreeveys, the Corzines, theyre all going to be with me. George Crabtree meets Nina Bloom in From Buffalo With Love towards the end of Season 9. Norcross has also been meeting with some of the citys most powerful politicians, from Council President Darrell Clarke to State Senator Tony Williams to U.S. Rep Bob Brady. Due to Katz sudden death the sale may not be closed as scheduled and Norcross has reportedly offered a 30-day extension. Wherever he can get it, he wants more., But the truth is more nuanced. Isaiah Wesley Norcross. [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]. Survived by his loving wife of 40 years Betty, daughter Lorna of Italy, 2 grandchildren Matteo and Sandra . Meanwhile, Norcrosss insurance company, Conner Strong & Buckelew, has secured millions of dollars worth of contracts from government agencies in Philadelphia. We all think we know, he says. Lexie Norcross, 26, was a controversial figure partly because of her age and relation to George Norcross. 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. Call 1-212-653-8737, My City Paper , mycitypaper.com teaching experience and lack of state credentials, his arrival in Camden had [21], In the wake of the Veterans Health Administration scandal of 2014, Cooper announced a "Veterans VIP Priority Program" that provided day care to veterans in New Jersey's seven southern counties. Now, we learn that the great champion of South Jersey Democrats, George Norcross III, has declared himself as a Florida resident and, presumably, a Democratic voter there as well. But the particular subject is never important. But a year later, her fix continues to languish in a committee chaired by Nia Gill, an Essex County Democrat who isagain, go figureallied with Norcrosss Southern Jersey crew. Katz's partner Nancy Phillips, formerly an Inquirer investigative reporter, is now reportedly a special assistant to the publisher. The McGreeveys. Dont say anything, his father told him. Norcross and his partners own five properties there. Norcross was also the subject of a federal investigation in 2016 where his phones were wiretapped. But if a Camden resident doesnt like what Norcross is doing, what recourse does she have? The carpenters likely had their own motives for donating so much cash to the elect-Kenney effort: There are plenty of suburban New Jersey carpenters who work on city construction sites. Because they know we put up the gun and we pulled the trigger and we blew their brains out. And he makes clear what he has done to men who have crossed him: I sat him down and said, Herb, dont fuck with me on this one cause Ill tell you if you ever do that and I catch you one more time doing it, youre gonna get your fucking balls cut off.. 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. [24], The office of the Attorney General of New Jersey and the United States Attorney's office under Chris Christie investigated Norcross after he was secretly taped discussing state politics. So far, in Philadelphia, Norcross has received far less scrutiny. Theres a great quote about Alexander the Great: He cried because there were no worlds to conquer, says one political insider. desire to learn, teachers who cared but were structurally constrained from 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. The contribution to General Majority was in support of the concert and it was our understanding that is how the donation would be and was used., Roman said Amerihealth committed to the payment well before October., AmeriHealth Inc. did not advertise its sponsorship of the event, Roman said, because we saw this event as good for Camden and the region and not about us, which she said is also how we approached other civic events in the region that we supported.. 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. And yet there he isinfluencing even the direction of their police force. 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. his meteoric rise in education ensued. FOR MOST OF HIS CAREER, Norcross, 60, stayed on his side of the Delaware. The junior Katz is also the CEO of the similarly named Interstate Outdoor Advertising. But it does not define who he is., Norcrosss allies cite his intense loyalty. In this lifetime, I cant win. The issue is that he simply holds too much power for any one man, a state of affairs that South Jersey Dems experience intimately, always aware of whos sipping from the trough. computer technology from University of North Carolina, and eighteen months of For many years, he has been named one of the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey by the website PolitickerNJ.com. And he does win. Norcross is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cooper University Health Care System and Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey and has served as a trustee since 1990. The article details that much of the money designated for disbursement is targeted to reward companies that donated to Christies campaigns, the Republican Governors Association while Christie was Chairman or companies with ties to George Norcross III., Norcross, in addition to being the Chairman of Connor, Strong & Buckelew, one of the largest insurance firms in the country, is also the long-serving Chairman of Cooper Hospital that recently received $40 million from the state in 2015 NJEDA funds. Hes already conquered New Jersey. AmeriHealth Inc.s donation did not pay for the entire event. [15] In September 2015, Norcross was announced as one of the local investors in The Camden Waterfront, a $1 billion development on Camden's waterfront initially developed by Liberty Property Trust and designed by Robert A.M. [1], Norcross has been a prominent political leader in New Jersey for more than 30 years, since before he became chairman of the Camden County Democratic Committee in 1989, a position he held until 1993. his time on Wall St., or his executive jobs at NYCDOE and in Newark. Look, says Ali Sloan El, a longtime city activist, George is for George.. That moment came in 2012. Says Brady: We met at the pub and got to know each other. Today, OPM is referred to Hiring a communication director, further solidified District messaging and improved the likelihood of receiving positive press in print media, local news, and even on local urban radio airwaves. 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. On Oct. 25, AmeriHealth Inc. donated $1 million to the super PAC, which three days later paid back the $950,000 loan. New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) during the Bloomberg years, Thank you for reaching out. He wasnt permitted to have the conversation. Hes long been criticized for doing insurance business with many of the governments with which he has ties as a political leader. He is chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper University Health Care System and Cooper University Hospital both in Camden, New Jersey, and has served as a trustee since 1990. George Norcross' daughter, Alessandra, a director of the parent company of the Inquirer, is an officer of the foundation and a board member of KCNA." Further, both residents and reporters paid specific attention to the proposed, and eventual, location of the KCNA and the history regarding the demolition and refusal to rebuild the public . Norcross Jr. was active in the community of Camden and a board member of Cooper University Hospital. , money, salary, income, and assets. Further current residents question whether their children, will, in the future, still be residents to even attend the Lanning Squares newest school, in the most rapidly developing neighborhood. The Camden Norcross seeks to create is both modernized and tech-savvy. But our two meetings encompassed 10 hours, most of it on the record. 162, No. Copyright 2023 My City Paper :: New York City News, Food, Sports and Events. meeting all of the students needs, and a lot district waste. He ran the Camden County Democrats, but the GOP was firmly in control of the board of freeholders. The Lanning Square project was created by a formed partnership of KIPP, one of the largest charter school networks in the country; the Cooper Foundation, the charitable arm of Cooper University Hospital; and the Norcross Foundation, established by the family of George Norcross, who is chairman of Cooper University Hospital, a Democratic Party leader, and managing partner of the company that owns the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Corzines. Hes strutted into Philadelphia, landed taxpayer-funded contracts, apparently helped elect the mayor, and perhaps even funded a new media organization. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. While investigating a murder at the infamous burlesque hall The Star Room, George gets more than he ever thought possible from the talented and most desirable Nina . Norcross sued the State of New Jersey to try stop the highly critical report from becoming public. She was remembered as "a tireless advocate for senior citizens.". The Camden Rising concert, which was meant to showcase Camden to visiting delegates during the Democratic National Convention in nearby Philadelphia, also displayed the power of the Norcross family, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross helping to introduce the acts. Resulting from the 100-day listening tour, Rouhanifard laid out his agenda called the Camden Commitment. Unveiled to the public for the first time on January 28, 2014 at Octavius V. Catto Family School in the East Camden neighborhood, the Camden Commitment focused on five components: better academic performance in schools, improved customer service, greater efficiency in district administrative offices, school safety, and tighter District spending. Apparently, you can take the friend out of Jersey, but not vice versa. The Norcross name is very familiar to virtually any Democrat with designs on rising through the political ranks in South Jersey. Then Kenney, fresh off his private chat with a walking, talking embodiment of the one percent, took the stage, and his kaleidoscopic mix of supporters went nuts: prominent African-Americans and white working-class voters, LGBT leaders and immigrants, millennial fanboys and old heads. In 2001, Norcross was caught on tape trying to influence the appointments of politicians, judges and using pay to play tactics to influence the awarding of municipal contracts. She was remembered as "a tireless advocate for senior citizens. The massive number of government jobs and contracts that used to exist just dont anymore, he says.

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