Petition planned to get N.J. mayor to resign

RIDGEFIELD, N.J. - The head of the Republican Party in Ridgefield, Bergen County, says he plans to file a petition to recall embattled Mayor Anthony Suarez.

Robert Avery said yesterday that he expected to file papers by next week. Signatures would then be collected from registered voters.

Suarez, a Democrat, was one of more than 40 people arrested last month in a federal investigation into corruption and money laundering. He is charged with accepting an illegal $10,000 payment from a government informant posing as a developer.

Suarez has rejected calls to resign, including from Gov. Corzine. On Monday, Corzine signed an executive order halting state approvals and permits for development in towns where elected officials have been arrested or indicted but remain in office. - AP