Adapt, Overcome, Win

In a Sunday front page upper right hand story the Asbury Park Press used 1271 words to tell Monmouth County voters that they found Freeholder Director Bill Barham's name on construction documents that have nothing to do with county work. They reminded us once again that Freeholder Anna Little has split with GOP leaders and asked Barham to recuse himself from all discussions concerning the Hall of Records project being performed by a contractor with whom Barham has other business relationships.

Coverage of the screening committee approved candidates for Sheriff was on page 13.

What does this really tell us?

In the last few weeks the Asbury Park Press has re-energized their 5+ year attack on the excesses of the Monmouth GOP. This blog has been happy to help. They have demonized Bill Barham, Malcolm Carton and Adam Puharic, all of whom have been easy targets. Meanwhile, the APP has passed Amy Handlin's crown as the champion of government reform onto her the woman who took her seat at the dais, Anna C. Little, Esq. of Highlands.

Little, who the APP was "dubious" of in October, has overcome the editorial boards's scepticism and the attacks from within her party's leadership. If the numerous letters to the editor supporting her are any indication, Little is a lock for re-election by much wider margins than she earned last November.

Are Barham, Carton and Puharic destined to join John Bennett and Ed Stominski as victims of the 800 pound gorilla? Probably. That is really up to them, though I doubt they see it that way.

According to one of his former students, Adam Puharic's creed is Adapt, Overcome and Win. Yet his performance has chairman has been far from adaptable. He has not overcome the controversy he has created. He certainly isn't winning.

Which Adam Puharic will show up this week? The strident enforcer or the adaptable leader? The Adam who punishes dissent or the one who heals, brings people together and fosters debate without resentment? Can he overcome the damage caused by his anger?

There is a lot riding on which Adam shows up this week.