Posts Tagged ‘Brendan Byrne’

Frmr. Governor Brendan T. Byrne on Hudson County politics:

Monday, March 1st, 2010
  • “I want to be buried in Hudson County so that I can remain active in politics.”

  • “A Hudson County politician is a guy who is born poor but honest, and spends a lifetime trying to overcome those habits.”

  • “A few years ago, a horse named ‘Hudson County’ finished second in the Kentucky Derby. A veteran Hudson County political reporter explained: ‘He was supposed to finish second.’”

  • “Governor Dick Hughes used to tell the story of Barney Doyle, a long-time Hudson County hanger-on whom Hughes finally appointed as director of weights and measures. At his swearing in, a reporter asked Barney ‘how many ounces in a pound,’ to which Barney responded: ‘Give me a break, I just got this job.’”

  • “Another Hudson County story tells of a neighborhood political leader who finally went too far, was convicted of corruption but was still out on bail waiting to be sentenced to prison. One day, a neigbor comes up to him on the street and asks: ‘Hey Joe, can you get me one of those low license plate numbers?’ to which he responds, “Well, if you can wait a couple months, I’ll make you one!’”

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Mayor Smith fights Muhammad Ali

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009


On June 29th, 1979, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali faced Governor Brendan Byrne and Jersey City Mayor Thomas Smith in exhibition bouts at the Jersey City armory. The supposed purpose of the event was to raise money for the Medical Center.

Governor Byrne, fearing that Smith might rile Ali with a real punch, insisted on the first match. Brendan Byrne wore a down vest during the fight. He claimed that the garment was to cushion blows to the midsection.

Here’s how a Jersey Journal reporter described the contest:
“Byrne had the best figure of the aging trio and he moved like the tennis player he is.

“His attitude was completely light in mood, whereas Smith came on serious and was still punching away at the end of round two.”

Who won? In The Powerticians Smith wrote, “The Jersey City Medical Center was the winner, which received the gate proceeds.” The accuracy of this statement is not certain, for ticket sales were flat. But, Tommy Smith did donate $10,000 from his gubernatorial campaign fund to the hospital.

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