Repair or Replace the Bridge? Repairs can be done, for less.

Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, Florida

Thick headed and thin skinned

No, this post is not about Adam Puharic or Bill Barham, as much as the headline would apply.

It's about Jon Corzine. Corzine has employed a Geico spokesman to write speeches for him. Ironically, the Governor resembles another, more familiar Geico spokesman.

At yesterday's media event where the Governor signed the state budget and made a big deal of using his line item veto to reduce the budget by .03%, he also "angrily lashed out" at critics of his plan to "monetize" the state's toll roads.

"Monetize" is a euphemism for borrow money. Whether you call it a sale, lease or creating a new authority, the Governor wants to borrow billions of dollars today against the future toll receipts of the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Atlantic City Expressway. Toll increases would be a given. What is also a given is that if we borrow $15 billion today we'll end up paying back $30 billion over time and that the Governor's old Wall Street palls will make millions in fees for putting the deal together.

If you disagree with the Governor, you are a demagogue who is not serious about solving the state's fiscal problems, according to him.

The people of the State of New Jersey have made it very clear that we don't want to sell or lease our tolls roads. So the Governor says he will "go out side the box" to do the same thing. Well Governor, we don't want you to borrow billions more of our future incomes to dump down the Trenton black hole, no matter what box you wrap it in.

And, we do have a solution to the state's fiscal problems: Cut spending.

Beware New Jersey. Jon Corzine doesn't care about what you want. He, and the guy he's put in charge of "monetizing", Kris Kolluri, think they know better than you and what's good for you. We've seen that first hand here in Highlands and Sea Bright. What they are trying to do to us, impose their will over our overwhelming objections, is what they will do to all of us with the toll roads and maybe the lottery. They will push, bully, insult and threaten.

Let's push back. Call the Governor at 609-292-6000 and tell the nice aide that you don't want the state's assets monetized. Tell the Governor that you oppose the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge project as proposed.

Yesterday we found that the nice aides would not record our names or addresses for the Governor. So let's keep calling and raise the tally! Call two or three times a day if you like. Call until he angrily lashes out and calls us names and says we're not serious or don't know better. Then call some more.

Do it now.

"Ronald Reagan": Puharic won't run again, won't quit either

Blogger Ronald Reagan is reporting that only half way through his tumultuous term, Adam Puharic has already decided not to seek reelection as Monmouth GOP Chair. Puharic will not resign, according to "Reagan."

"Reagan" alleges that Puharic used party funds to direct negative personal attacks against an incumbent Republican Freeholder. This allegation has been widely speculated but not to my knowledge stated publicly as fact. I hope Reagan can back it up, and that he does so soon.

It's all about money.

Jon Corzine and Kris Kolluri have consistently lied to the people about their plans to build a new bridge over the Shrewsbury River between the two towns. The former investment banker and former transportation and development attorney are running rough shod over the people of Highlands and Sea Bright.

The Highlands and Sea Bright borough councils have passed resolutions opposed to the new structure as proposed, and local residents, Citizens for Rational Coastal Development, have organized and are about to file a lawsuit to stop the their neighborhood from being transformed into a Turnpike exit ramp. Yet Kolluri keeps dodging questions, changing rationales, making threats and plowing forward under the assumption that he will just wear the people down.

What has been puzzling to me is why is DOT so hell bent on building this ugly monstrous bridge in the face of community opposition? Why have Congressman Frank Pallone and Assemblyman Sean Kean issued supportive statements yet really not gotten behind their constituents? Why is this a fiat compli?

It has to be about money. Some contractors and unions will be making a ton a money off the bridge as proposed, as opposed to the smaller bridge being requested by the communities. And those contractors and unions have made big contributions to certain politicans and PACS. Who that is we don't know yet, but the vast research staff of the Citzens for Rational Coastal Development and MoreMonmouthMusings are on the case. Maybe the folks who exposed BRAC scam will help too.

In the meantime, the citizens will continue to seek legal and political remedies. Legally, a suit will be filed on or before July 9. Politically, we're calling the Governor's office today, all day, and asking that he send the Rt 36 bridge project back to the drawing board and that the draw bridge be reconstructed, not replaced by a 73 foot high, steep sloped fixed span bridge.

Want to help? Please call the Governor at 609-292-6000. Make sure the aide that takes your call has assured you that your name and address have been documented for the record in opposition to the DOT plans and DEP approvals for demolishing the Sea Bright/Highlands Bridge.

Do it now.

New email campaign.

When you finish emailing your Freeholders asking them to defeat the proposed pay to pay and wheeling resolutions and come up with a "bullet proof" resolution at the end of the summer (that would be September 20th, 47 days before election day) make sure you email Adam Puharic and tell him what a great job he's doing.

info@MonmouthRepublican.org

The chatter is getting even weirder

Republican Chairman Puharic has sent out his plea to the rank and file to lobby the Republican Freeholders not to pass the proposed anti pay to play and wheeling resolutions 3 times since last evening.

The Asbury Park Press has Puharic's letter as Breaking News on their website. Make sure you read the comments from the public. No doubt it will be on the front page tomorrow, with an editorial to follow on Sunday.

The two Freeholders meetings tomorrow, the workshop in Freehold in the afternoon and the regular meeting in Middletown in the evening will be circuses.

Has anyone else noticed how quiet the Democratric Freeholder candidates have been? Is it any wonder? If I were Vic Scudiery, I'd advise my candidates to lay low until Columbus Day and watch the Republicans self distruct.

Hopefully Rob Clifton will step up with a sensible yet bold solution to this quagmire, salvage his candidacy and establish himself as a leader.

This is your golden opportunity Robby. Don't let it pass and don't worry about who you piss off. They're not looking out for you anyway.

Weirdside chat

Statement from Chairman Adam Puharic - Monmouth County Republicans

06/26/2007

Monmouth County Republicans need to pass the strongest pay-to-play restriction in the State of New Jersey. The current resolutions presented to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, as reported in the Asbury Park Press, fail to meet this level of reform at best, or at worst are purposefully drafted to gain partisan advantage in the upcoming campaign cycle.

The Monmouth County Republican Committee calls on all Freeholders to do what is right for residents regardless of their political stripe, return these resolutions to the bipartisan committee, and produce a strengthened draft that it is fair, comprehensive and bulletproof. Republicans want a revised resolution passed before the end of the summer.

First, our resolution must ban the practice of wheeling, not just from within Monmouth County as has been proposed, but from out-of-county too, which is where the real problem exists. The current resolutions do not prohibit state or county political committees from outside of Monmouth County from making large contributions to candidates and committees in Monmouth County, which will have the unintended consequences of placing even-greater power within the hands of bosses in Trenton and elsewhere.

Specifically, during the last few election cycles, Monmouth County Democrats received tens of thousands of dollars from places like Camden County in a thinly-veiled attempt to undermine the will of Monmouth County voters. The current resolutions curiously neglect any attempt to address this serious problem. Last minute, under-the-radar campaign funding contributes to voter apathy by fueling negative attack ads and empowering the politics of personal destruction. This is a serious flaw that substantially benefits Democrat politicians and allows them to continue a business-as-usual approach with Trenton party bosses influencing local elections here in Monmouth County.

Second, huge union contributions from as far as Washington, DC have found their way into Monmouth County in recent years. These contributions do not represent the will of union members who are not asked to whom their union dues go to. Instead, they are coordinated and directed by political bosses and developers to curry favor for their next project. This is no different than corporate contributions being directed to local elections for the purposes of pay-to-play, and therefore, union contributions should be restricted too. Individual union members would remain free to contribute, therefore, not violating any individual rights.

Finally, the current resolutions must be combined into a single, binding document, so that partisans cannot attack one aspect of the proposal without attacking all of it. In this way, both political parties would be loath to come out against comprehensive reform, sure to be the target of public and media scorn. In its current form as two resolutions, wheeling bans could be attacked in court by those special interests that gain from the practice, providing a distinct advantage to one political side over another. As a single, revised resolution, the two vices of pay-to-play and wheeling are inextricably linked for the benefit of all.

The Monmouth County Republican Committee supports comprehensive pay-to-play and wheeling reform. The issue is far too important to allow individual politicians to seek partisan advantage during this historic opportunity to make positive change as an example for all of New Jersey. Without these changes, no Republican of good conscience could vote on the weaker measures as currently proposed. Please email your Freeholders and tell them you want a revised resolution passed.

Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Chairman

---------------------------------------------------------------
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

So let me get this right...Adam Puharic is the chairman of the Monmouth GOP. The GOP has a 4-1 majority on the Monmouth County Freeholder Board. Adam wants the rank and file to email his Freeholders to tell them to table "pay to pay" and "wheeling" reform resolutions that fail to ban pay to play and wheeling "or at worst are purposefully drafted to gain partisan advantage in the upcoming campaign cycle," and have the bi-partisan committee that drafted the resolutions come back with a stronger resolution before summer's end.

Have the Freeholders stopped taking Adam's calls?

Why not just have Malcolm Carton write such a resolution tomorrow and have the Freeholders pass it? Democrat Barbara McMorrow is already on the record as favoring pay to pay reform, as reported today in the Asbury Park Press. Adam's proposed resolution should pass 5-0.

This from the same Adam Puharic who sent Anna Little into exile because she defied him and returned wheeled contributions during last year's campaign.

Spin, spin and more spin. And it is not even good spin.

That nausea your feeling is not from dizziness.

Administrator Oxley?

Bob Jordan's article in today's Asbury Park Press, Sheriff in running to become Monmouth County administrator, misses the mark on a few points.

This paragraph: "County freeholders — including Director William C. Barham, who served with Oxley on a county GOP panel to pick candidates for the November elections — have been interviewing candidates for about a month, according to public notices of closed session meetings. " is way off base.

1) Joe Oxley was not a member of Adam Puharic's screening committee which selected this year's candidates. See Puharic's Wireside Chat announcing the screening committee here.

2) The paragraph suggests that Oxley was aligned with Barham in the selection candidate process. That was not the case. Oxley chose not to run for re election in large part because he was dismayed with the candidate selection process.

I hold Joe Oxley in very high esteem. He would very likely be an outstanding administrator, but I doubt he will get the job. Far from being aligned with Bill Barham, Oxley's competence and integrity work to his determent for this candidacy. He wouldn't be Bill Barham's lap dog, and that is what Bill wants in an administrator. So, presuming Barham prefers another candidate for the administrator's job, who among the other Freeholders will vote for Oxley?

Politically, Oxley getting the administrators job is problematic this year. Presumably, the GOP County Committee would elect Kim Guadagno to replace Joe as Sheriff, giving her the "advantage" of incumbency in November. Historically, this has been a tactic has been very successful. However, the electorate is angry, and the Monmouth County GOP has been taking it on the chin in the press, on the blogs and with the voters since Operation Bid Rig. This year the Press would make hay of it and the Democrats would too, if they are smart. It would very likely backfire on Guadagno.

The more I think of it, this is really a mess, for the county and for the GOP. Lou Papparozzi would be doing us all a favor if he agreed to stay on until January when the selection could be made in a less politically charged environment.

Senator Joe Lieberman Addresses Republican Jewish Coalition Leadership Meeting

May 16, 2007
Washington , DC


Text of the Senator's remarks:

Thank you so much for that kind introduction It is a pleasure to be here among so many friends.

Now, I know there are some who are probably wondering—what is a nice Independent Democrat from Connecticut doing at a Republican event like this?

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to reelection last year… And as Rabbi Hillel said, the rest is commentary.

In all seriousness, many of you in this room stood with me last year through the long journey up a winding road that was my 2006 reelection campaign. You came to my side without regard for party affiliation, and you stayed there even after I ran as an Independent but said I would caucus with the Democrats. Your non-partisanship in my race is a model for what our politics should be. I thank you personally and deeply for it. I could not have won without it.

And I pledge to you that I will do everything I can to vindicate your confidence.

We gather at a critical time for the future of our country. The war in Iraq has now become the defining issue for this Congress and for this presidency—although the decisions we will make in the weeks and months ahead about Iraq will have consequences that reach far beyond the terms of anyone now in office.

Part of the disagreement we face over Iraq comes down to a genuine difference of opinion.

On the one hand, there are those who believe, as I do, that the struggle against Islamist extremism really is the central challenge of our time, and that, as General David Petraeus—our commander in Iraq —recently said, Iraq is now the central front of the war against Islamist extremism.

On the other hand, there are those who reject this view—who genuinely believe that the threat of Islamist extremism is overstated, or that Iraq is a distraction from the “real” war on terror, or that the war there is lost, or not worth fighting to win.

It is my deeply held conviction that these people are not only wrong, they are disastrously wrong—and that the withdrawal they demand would be a moral and security catastrophe for the United States , for Iraq , and for the entire Middle East, including Israel and our moderate Arab allies.

Let there be no doubt—an American defeat in Iraq would be a victory for Al Qaeda and Iran … the two most threatening enemies we face in the world today. It would vindicate the hope of our enemies that America is weak and that we can be driven to retreat by terrorism, and it would confirm the fear of our friends—not only in Iraq, but throughout the world—that we are unreliable allies who will abandon them in the face of danger.

The fact of the matter is, you cannot claim to be tough on terrorism while demanding that our military withdraw from Iraq, because it is the terrorists—particular Al Qaeda—that our military is fighting in Iraq.

You cannot claim to be committed to defeating Al Qaeda, while demanding that we abandon the heart of the Middle East to Al Qaeda.

And you cannot claim to be tough on Iran , while demanding the very thing that the mullahs want most of all—the retreat of the American military from the Middle East in defeat, leaving a vacuum that Iran will rush to fill.

I recognize that this war has been controversial, and there are those who oppose it on principle. I respect that.

But too much of the debate we are having today about withdrawal from Iraq has little or nothing to do with principle, or with reality in Iraq .

It is about politics and partisanship here in Washington .

For many Democrats, if President Bush is for it, they must be against it. If the war is going badly, it is bad for Republicans and it is good for Democrats. It is as simple as that, and it is as wrong as that.

For many Republicans, the unpopularity of this war and this President has begun to shake their will. They say that they have no choice but to abandon General Petraeus and his strategy because the American people tell the pollsters they want out. If previous generations of American leaders had allowed their conduct of war to be shaped by partisanship or public opinion polls, we would not be the strong and free nation we are blessed to be today.

Republicans in Congress delude themselves if they think they will be helping either themselves, their party, or their country if they now attempt to wash their hands of Iraq , out of a sudden sense of political anxiety.

Democrats in Congress delude themselves if they think they will not be held accountable for the bloody consequences of the retreat from Iraq they seek.

The fact is, a loss to Al Qaeda and Iran in Iraq would be devastating to our security. These are fateful days and critical decisions we are making about Iraq . We must make them with our eye on the safety of America ’s next generation, not the outcome of America ’s next election.

It is to the everlasting credit of President Bush that in the war against Islamist extremism he has shown the courage and steadfastness to stand against the political passions of the moment.

I have never hesitated to express disagreement with the President on any issue when I felt he was wrong—and I have criticized his administration many times for the serious mistakes I believe it made in prosecuting the war in Iraq.

But let me tell you this: I believe that each of us should be grateful that we have a commander-in-chief who does not believe that decisions about war should be driven by poll numbers. And each of us should be grateful that we have a commander-in-chief who does not confuse what is popular with what is right for our security as a nation The public opinion polls may not reflect this today, but I believe history will tomorrow.

My friends, as Ronald Reagan once said, now is the time for choosing.

If we stand united through the months ahead, if we stand firm against the terrorists who want to drive us to retreat, the war in Iraq can be won and the lives of millions of people can be saved.

But if we surrender to the barbarism of suicide bombers and abandon the heart of the Middle East to fanatics and killers, to Al Qaeda and Iran, then all that our men and women in uniform have fought, and died for, will be lost, and we will be left a much less secure and free nation.

That is the choice we in Washington will make this summer and this fall. It is a choice not just about our foreign policy and our national security and our interests in the Middle East . It is about what our political leaders in both parties are prepared to stand for. It is about our very soul as a nation. It is about who we are, and who we want to be.

Will this be the moment in history when America gives up—when Al Qaeda breaks our will, when our enemies surge forward, when we turn our backs on our friends and begin a long retreat from our principles and promise as a nation?

Or will this be the moment when America steps forward, when we pull together, when we hold fast to the courage of our convictions, when—with a new strategy, and a new commander on the ground—we begin to turn the tide toward victory in this long and difficult war?

I know that we can rise above the anger and smallness of our politics. I know we can rise to the greatness that this moment demands of us.

The question is—will we choose to do so?

I would like to close today by sharing with you a story from my last visit to Iraq a few months ago. It was in Anbar province in western Iraq —the center of the insurgency—a part of the country that conventional wisdom last year dismissed as hopeless.

In fact, on September 11, 2006, the Washington Post ran a front-page story reporting that even the chief of Marine Corps intelligence in Iraq had concluded that Anbar was “lost,” and our position there was “beyond repair.”

I was in Anbar last December, on a forward operating base just outside Ramadi, the capital of the province As one of the briefings with our military commanders ended, a colonel who had been sitting in the back of the room came up to me. He said something that I carry with me to this day—something that I hope you will carry with you as well.

He said: “Sir, I want you to know on behalf of the soldiers in my unit and myself that we believe in why we are fighting here, we want to finish this fight. And we know we can win it.”

Today, five months later, Anbar has been dramatically transformed. Thanks to the bravery, ingenuity, and commitment of our men and women in uniform, shops and schools have reopened, Al Qaeda is on the run, thousands of Iraqis have joined the local police, and—yes—no less than the New York Times reports that we have turned the corner there.

My friends, now is not the time for despair. Now is the time for resolve.

Now is not the time for reflexive partisanship and pandering to public opinion. Now is the time for the kind of patriotism and principle America ’s voters have always honored.

I ask you to plead with every member of Congress you can in the days and weeks ahead—

Do not surrender to hopelessness.

Do not succumb to defeat.

Do not give in to fear.

Rise above the political pressures of the moment to do what is right for America .

Believe, like that colonel, in why we are fighting in Iraq , and know, as he and his soldiers know, that we can and must win there.

Citizens for Rational Coastal Development

In response to emails from readers who wish to support the people of Highlands and Sea Bright, I am pleased to promote the Citizens for Rational Coastal Development, the grass roots group that is leading the way to prevent the DOT from ruining the character of these towns.

Citizens for Rational Coastal Development

(link to the CRCD's google group)

Our immediate goal is to keep the Department of Transportation from building the proposed span bridge between Highlands and Sea Bright. We want to see the current bridge restored, or if that is not feasible, replaced with another drawbridge that maintains the special character of the community and enhances the visual effect of the historic Twin Lights. We believe that the proposed span bridge is the first step in building a major highway system through the residential communities of Highlands and Sea Bright. We are not opposed to change, but we encourage thoughtful development that takes into account the concerns of the citizens and preserves the uniqueness of these two Jersey Shore towns.

In this group you will find information and news pertaining to the effort to save the bridge andthe coast from unplanned and unwelcome development. If you would like to help with a donation, mail your check to:
Citizens for Rational Coastal Development
PO Box 203
Highlands, NJ, 07732
Call Jim Parla at 732-872-2095

Click here to view the CBS news report about this battle.

I am also pleased to report that Assemblyman Sean Kean is meeting with representatives of the group this week.

Congressman Frank Pallone has written the DOT Commissioner asking that the bridge project be reconsidered.

Corzine Pulls a Fast One

Budget plan gives Corzine power to spend on asset sales

Where's Sean Kean? Where's Frank Pallone?

Hundreds attend meetings on reconstructing Highlands-Sea Bright bridge

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/21/07
BY TERRY GAUTHIER MUESSIG
KEYPORT BUREAU


A total of more than 400 people attended two special meetings -- in Sea Bright and
Highlands -- held by the state Department of Transportation Thursday regarding the
reconstruction of the Route 36 bridge.

The meetings were called by state officials to to discuss plans to replace the 75 year-old, 35-foot-high drawbridge with a 65-foot-high fixed bridge.

Objectors to the state's plan say they want the current bridge to be repaired or
duplicated.

State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri said the Route 36 bridge has outlived its life expectancy, which is 50 years. The Highlands-Sea Bridge was rated one of the worse movable bridges in the state, he said.

The existing bridge is 61.6-foot wide. The four lanes for traffic are 11-foot wide and the remaining 17.6-feet are the sidewalks. The overall height of the bridge with decking and road is 47-feet high, said Assistant Commissioner Rick Hammer.

The proposed bridge is 92.3-feet wide with roadways being 12-feet wide. The overall height with the decking and road is 73-feet high.

The project would take about three years to complete, Kolluri said. The roadway will remain open during the duration.

Kolluri said the cost of repairs or designing another bridge would be too costly. The cost to repair the existing bridge would be between $89 and $96 million. The estimated life expectancy would be 20 years.

Middletown resident, Judith Stanley Coleman received a standing ovation for her comments.

"Engineers don't care about the people that live here," said Coleman, president and a founder of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation.

She said she believes the bridge would make it easier for developers to redevelop Sandy Hook.

"NJDOT I think you are wrong," Coleman said.

About a year ago, a handful of residents started the Citizens for Rational Coastal
Development. The group started with about 20 active members, and is now has more than 100 residents in support of the group.

Since that time, the group has hired a Princeton law firm to represent the groups opposing the DOTs plans. Stuart Lieberman and Joshua Levy of Lieberman & Blecher specializes in environmental and land use matters. In addition, the two borough's retained Janine G. Bauer, a transportation and environmental lawyer with offices in Philadelphia, South Orange and New York City.

Shirley Olman of Portland Road, Highlands, the spokesperson for the group said the group will continue its fight to retain the aesthetics of the area.

The bridge sits directly below the historic TwinLights.

Lieberman was at both meetings.

"The number of people that showed up to these meetings speaks volumes," he said. "If nothing else happens, Trenton saw this," he said, referring to the public outcry.

Has anyone seen Sean Kean or Frank Pallone?

Come on guys, its time to step up here. Your constituents don't want a big ugly bridge. Tell your union contributors to settle for the $90 million dollar project.

Well said, Jack

Atlantic Highlands Councilman Jack Archibald's message to Senator Joe Kryillos, published in the Atlantic Highlands Herald

Archibald writes a weekly column for the AH Herald, and publisher Allan Dean does a great job with the online newpaper. Bookmark it.

Fort Monmouth investigation?

The Asbury Park Press is reporting that Congressmen Frank Pallone and Rush Holt, as well as Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez are requesting that the Government Accountablity Office look into the process leading up to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission's decision to close a number of Department of Defense research centers, particularly Fort Monmouth.

Governor Corzine should also step up on this issue. He should call on his old friend Harry Reid to save our fort, and he should rally the other Governors who's states are getting BRAC'd.

Senator Joe Kryillos should call the White House for help in undoing the BRAC scam. Kryillos and Senator Ellen Karcher should co-sponsor a Senate resolution supporting the GAO investigation. Assemblypersons Sean Kean, Jen Beck and Mike Panter should do the same in the Assembly.

The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders should pass a resolution supporting a GAO investigation.

Will our leaders rally the political will to undue BRAC scam? The answer to that question probably lies in the answer to the question, "Who benefits locally by the closure of Fort Monmouth?"

A Message from NJGOP Chair Tom Wilson

Tomorrow the legislature will vote on the Democrat’s budget.


Now our state government spends more than $10 billion of taxpayer's money than it did just five years ago. That’s an increase of $1,000 for every man, woman in child in the state!!!

It really is unbelievable that Jon Corzine and the Democrats can't find a single cent to cut. Instead they are proposing increasing spending to a record level of $33.5 billion dollars with another $300 million in political pork.

The Democrat’s budget is a slap in the face to every family that stays up late at night wondering how to make ends meet and put something away for the future. This budget does nothing to provide sustainable tax relief. This budget does nothing to stimulate the economy. This budget lacks any sort of bold vision or significant course correction that New Jersey so desperately needs.

Rather than providing sustainable property tax relief to everyone, the Democrats decided to fund more frivolous programs for such illustrious things as a subsidization of the Newark Bears baseball team and Oyster Research Development.

Just take a look at their record…

Democrat’s Record By The Numbers

$33.5 Billion - This year's Budget Spending.

$300 Million - New political pork

$10 Billion or 45% - The amount government spends more than it did just five years ago.

$1,000 - The increased amount every man, woman and child in the state have to pay for the Democrat’s increased spending.

94 - The number of new taxes imposed by the Democrats in the last five years.

$6.2 billion- The amount of new revenue generated by the taxes enacted by the Democrats.
People want a change. They are sick and tired of seeing the Democrat majority do nothing to reform property taxes, do nothing to cut waste out of the budget, and do nothing to confront the seemingly endless parade of politicians being indicted for lining their pockets with taxpayer money.

That’s why Republicans in the legislature are fighting to cut wasteful spending and unnecessary spending by $1.5 billion and redirect those funds to additional property tax relief and school aid.

Republican’s Solution To Make NJ Affordable Again

$1.5 Billion - The amount wasteful spending identified and proposed by Republicans to be cut to fund additional property tax relief and school funding.

$0- The amount of political pork Republicans propose in this year’s budget.

$300 million - The amount of increased funding proposed by Republicans for suburban school districts.

$1 Billion - The amount of additional direct property tax relief proposed by the Republicans to provide a 30 percent property tax cut for all seniors and families earning less than $200,000 and a 20% cut to all taxpayers.
The contrast couldn’t be any starker between the Democrat’s reckless taxation and wasteful spending versus our party’s plan to put common sense and fiscal accountability back in the management of state finances.

That is why we need you. I need your help to get the Republican Party’s positive message out to those who might not have heard it. People won’t always take in a political speech or a piece of glossy election mail, but they will listen to a friend, a family member, or a neighbor. They will listen to you. Together, we can reach out to our friends, our family and our neighbors.



Sincerely,



Tom Wilson

Kim Guadagno's Immigration Policy

Red Jersey has the story

UPDATE: Sent from an anonymous commentor in another thread:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JOHN RAUE
732-431-6664
Sheriff Candidate Announces Plan for 287g Program in
Monmouth County Jail
-- Increases Safety and Security Along with Taxpayer Savings --

Freehold, NJ – Today, Monmouth County Sheriff Candidate Kim Guadagno called for implementing a tough policy that would ensure safer communities by checking the immigration status of anyone already incarcerated in the Monmouth County Jail before the inmate is released.

Guadagno, a former state and federal prosecutor announced that if elected she would require corrections officers to implement provisions of the federal program known as 287(g) of the “Immigration Reform Act of 1996.” Under this program corrections officers working with federal authorities gain necessary resources and authority to immediately determine the immigration status of an inmate.

“It's time get serious about protecting the families and residents of Monmouth County ,” said Sheriff Candidate Guadagno. “The implementation of this program in the Sheriffs Office will greatly increase protection of Monmouth County families from potential terrorists like the Fort Dix six.”

“A majority of those involved in the Fort Dix case had frequent run-ins with the law. Had this program been in place, the Duka brothers may have been transferred to federal custody --or even deported-- well before the Fort Dix plot evolved,” said Guadagno.

She continued, “Because an inmate’s immigration status is immediately checked under through this program, potential terrorists like the Fort Dix Six immediately come to the attention of federal authorities. Thus, the residents of Monmouth County are protected.”

“This is a program the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office will implement when I am Sheriff. Potential terrorists like the Fort Dix Six who are unlawfully in the U.S. will immediately be brought to the attention of federal authorities. As a bonus to the taxpayers, because the already incarcerated convict will become a federal inmate, Monmouth County will be relieved of the cost of feeding and housing that criminal.”

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s office would become the first county in New Jersey to implement the 287g program for its correctional officers.

The 287g program has been adopted in a number of states with successful results. In Alabama , the program enabled troopers to identify and convict 27 individuals who for using fraudulent documents in an attempt to obtain driver's licenses. Thirteen were convicted of state charges including narcotics violations and possession of forged instruments. The program even uncovered a registered sex offender, who was subsequently deported.

As a federal and state prosecutor, Kim Guadagno prosecuted and convicted corrupt New Jersey officials and was decorated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s highest honor for her work – twice. Kim resides in Monmouth Beach , where she serves as commissioner, with her husband Michael and their three sons.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

Mike Bloomberg: Good for America

Mike Bloomberg's flirtation with a presidential candidacy is good for America. His message that the two major parties are obsessed with there own ideology and financial interests, at the expense of real solutions to real problems is right on the mark.

It is telling the partisan pundits are focusing on how Bloomberg's possible entry into the race are focusing on which party he helps and which he hurts. They are focused on their own self interests, not on creating solutions to America's challenges.

Whether he enters the race or not, Bloomberg's message will make a positive impact. He will force those who are pandering to get real or get out.

Must Read for Monmouth County Republicans

Teddy Roosevelt's How did we get here. II

The Highlands-Sea Bright Ram Rod

The State Department of Transportation is set to replace the 35 foot high draw bridge that spans the Shrewsbury River between Highlands and Sea Bright with a 65 foot single span structure that will forever alter the character of the two quaint shore communities. The new structure will alter the views and reduce the property values of many residents. It will negatively impact commerce. It won't reduce summer traffic...not until the next project...the expansion of Route 36 (Ocean Ave) in Sea Bright to four lanes, which is next on the drawing board and will require the taking of beach front property via eminent domain.

The governing bodies of both Highlands and Sea Bright oppose the new bridge as proposed. Residents have organized and hired their own attorney to fight it. When the Highlands Borough Council withdrew their support of the bridge reconstruction as planned and killed a land swap deal that would deed a beach adjacent to the bridge to the State in exchange for land on the highway, the DOT informed Highlands that they would be taking the beach and compensating the borough the fair market value of $2.00. My suggestion that we offer DOT $4.00 for the bridge and then lease it to a European conglomerate went no where.

The Mayors and Councils and citizens of Highlands and Sea Bright have been going at this alone. Congressman Frank Pallone has been silent. Assemblymen Sean Kean and Steve Corodemus have been silent. Kean sits on the Assembly Transportation Committee. Senator Joe Palaia effectively retired two terms ago. U.S. Sentaor Frank Lautenberg, who sits on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee is no where to be found. None of the 11th district legislative candidates from either party have spoken out on this issue.

Why? Because the fix is in. The public hearings are a farce. There are millions of federal dollars at stake and the 8,000 residents of Highlands and Sea Bright be damned.

DOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri will be in Sea Bright and Highlands on Thursday the 21st, along with contractors to blow smoke up the butts of the residents who attend the farcical hearings.

Truth from Blue Jersey

The first step is admitting you have a problem

by: jmelli
Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 03:33:27 PM EDT

There is a $2.5 billion budget deficit projected for 2008, yet this year's proposed $33.5 billion budget represents about a $2.7 billion increase over last year. What is going on here?

The short answer is it's an election year gimmick. The longer answer is that a huge chunk of the increase comes from boosting property tax relief to up to 20% so that voters are placated by a check/credit that we already know we can't provide them with next year.

While it's critically important to address rising property taxes, introducing structural deficits in the state budget is not the way to do it. Governor Corzine vowed to end the practice of one-shot gimmicks to balance the budget. It's disappointing that he's letting the legislature get away with it to score cheap political points. The legislature didn't even begin to address the root problem with property taxes, and the fact that they are producing an unsustainable budget is proof.

Corzine should admit - for the sake of the state's fiscal integrity - that the political will is not there to fix the property tax problem and that it's time for him to call for a citizens' constitutional convention. It may or may not succeed at solving the problem, but we know that under the best conditions, the legislature couldn't do it.

Hat tip to jmelli, for telling the truth. It won't make you popular with the partisans, but it is the only way that the serious problems we face at all levels of government in New Jersey can be addressed and solved.

A New Look for MoreMonmouthMusings

Now that William H. Seward is retired, I thought it would be a good time to update MoreMonmouthMusings.

In addition to the new look, I intend to expand the content to areas that I could not do as an anonymous blogger. I intend to publish interviews with office holders, candidates, other public figures and the occasional average Jane or Joe. In addition to politics, look for posts on business and the economy, as well as civic and charitable organizations.

As always, your comments and participation are welcome.

BRACish gruel: Our Nation's security and our local economy at risk.

The Asbury Park Press published an article today, Analyst's early warnings on BRAC ignored that raises very serious questions about the wisdom and legality of closing Fort Monmouth and moving its operations to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Reviewing the materials cited by the Press is alarming:

Federation of American Scientist: BRAC: Suppressed Internal Papers Disclosed. There are hundreds of pages of analysis and documentation here that conclude:

"Security concerns were used as a pretext to suppress data that threatened to publicly expose a severely flawed and fatally compromised process. The attached material provides convincing evidence that essential BRAC data were suppressed because it showed no future excess capacity and thereby revealed that the TJCSG’s closure and realignment proposals failed to meet the legal requirement of supporting the DoD’s Force Structure Plan. There is firm evidence that some Pentagon officials deliberately misled the BRAC Commission, thereby deceiving the President, U.S. Congress, the rest of the DoD, and the American public about the fairness of the closure process and the validity of proposals affecting the Defense Department’s laboratories and technical centers."

These are extremely serious allegations from an apparently credible source. New Jersey's Congressional delegation should immediately call for halt to any actions or expenditures associated with the closure of Fort Monmouth until Congressional hearing determine the truth of these allegations. U.S. Attorney Chris Christie should launch a criminal investigation. The cost and impact of these allegations, if true, makes everything else that Christie's office has worked on look trivial.

A new name for Larrison Hall?

Arthur Z. Kamin has an interesting OpEd piece about the naming of buidlings at Brookdale Commuity College in today's APP.

Kamin wants Larrison Hall renamed for Former Freeholder John Irwin. He doesn't give much information on why Irwin, but gives the expected and a little more on why not Larrison. He takes a good shot at the Larrison/Barham/Harvey/Birdsall relationships, which was probably the point of his piece.

After reading the piece, I'm left wondering 1) Why isn't it called Birdsall Community College, and 2) Did Rob Clifton ever see a fence he didn't want to sit on.

Rudy's 12 Commitments to America

*I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists' War on Us.
*I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.
*I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.
*I will cut taxes and reform the tax code.
*I will impose accountability on Washington.
*I will lead America towards energy independence.
*I will give Americans more control over and access to healthcare with affordable and portable free-market solutions.
*I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children.
*I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
*I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
*I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
*I will expand America's involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.

I haven't picked a horse in the 2008 Presidential race yet. I like what Rudy is committing to.

Welcome Teddy Roosevelt

Frequent commenter and Amazon adventurer, "Teddy Roosevelt" has started his own blog, at http://monmouth-bull-moose.blogspot.com/

I have no doubt that TR's thoughtful and articulate commentary will contribute mightily to the cause of good government and poltical debate in Monmouth County and beyond.

Happy Anniversary!

To commemorate the one year anniversary of Adam Puharic's election as Monmouth GOP Chairman, I am re posting his campaign letter posted on this blog on May 27, 2006.

Please feel free to list Adam greatest accomplishments during his first year in the comments.


Dear WHS:

Thanks for your kind comments about Dana, me and the work of Michael’s Feat.

I have not decided whether to enter the race as a candidate for Chairman. I am humbled and flattered that some in our party would consider me worthy to hold this important position. I do not share their enthusiasm for my candidacy, but I do share a commitment to unify, professionalize, and to aggressively and legally raise funds so we are victorious this November and beyond.

If it helps your readers, who might not know me, a bit of my background is below:

In 1997, I did three things right. I married Dana, the love of my life, and the source of everything good that has happened to me. The second right move was to search for a home, and to choose Monmouth County as the place to raise my family. The third right move was to show up at County Republican headquarters and begin stuffing envelopes for our party.

I’ve had the honor to serve as Aberdeen Municipal Chairman, and in that time oversaw the unification of a divided, demoralized, and under-funded organization. I made many hard decisions, and numerous mistakes. One of those mistakes cost me an important friendship. I chose to use my power as Chairman to punish dissent, instead of healing, bringing people together, and fostering debate without resentment. I learned a powerful lesson – one that I hope the future Chairman will use to success: Power is finite. Once you use it, you immediately begin to lose it. But influence is forever. If you harness your influence, you can see the right ideas come to light, whether they are yours or not.

I had the honor of serving as Monmouth County Undersheriff from 2000 to 2004. During that time, I learned how to foster a fair – but uncompromising – relationship with the Press. At the Sheriff’s Office, we welcomed their questions, but they would not set the agenda for our policy.

I also learned under the brilliant campaigning of our great Sheriff Joe Oxley. His strategy transformed a candidate who won by the skin of absentee ballots into a 15,000 vote plurality.

I also formed and funded Michael’s Feat. We’ve raised close to $500,000. I am a leading member of the Monmouth Council Boy Scouts “Way Forward” plan to recoup $1 million in capital debts. We are turning the corner, and I am proud of the way we are communicating with and uniting our Scouting families.

I think very highly of the people who are already candidates for Monmouth County Chair. Ed, Mel, Elias, and Jim are great Republicans. My hope for this coming chairman election is that their supporters will stay positive, and will not break Reagan’s 11th commandment to “never slander a fellow Republican in public

Heard on the Street

* The Tobia appointment is likely to get a lot more controversial.

* About the only thing Monmouth Republicans are united about is that Adam Puharic's chairmanship is a train wreck. There is already a primary in the works for next year's Freeholder nominations. At this time Barham and Burry are at odds and each is looking for a new running mate. A third ticket that opposes both Freeholders in likely to emerge.

During the height of Operation Bid Rid, Star Ledger columnist Tom Moran called Monmouth County "Hudson County with lawns".

Bergen County with beaches is more like it if things keep going the way they are going.

Of course, the dismise of the Monmouth GOP will be the blogs' fault, Anna Little and her army's fault.

Favoritism, Retribution,Courage and Corruption

The remarkable thing about the developing controversy over Farmer John's appointment to head of the Department of Public Works and Engineering is not that Bill Barham traded the job for political favors. That's just Bill attempting to consolidate his power the way his Godfather taught him.

The real news is that a county employee came forward to expose the favoritism. While I applaud R. Sami Rizkalla for coming forward, I have to wonder if he is submitting his retirement papers. Unless he's cashing in back vacation pay before his pension checks start coming, Sami, a 62 year old engineer with a masters degree and 40 years of experience will probably spend the rest of his career grouting sewer lines by hand.

Fear of retribution is very real in this county, and understandably so. I thank God and the troops that I live in America, for I would probably have a bullet in my head for my recent activities if I lived in most other countries. Thankfully bullets are not the weapons of choice to quash dissent in Monmouth County.

In "Seward's" obituary on Abe's blog Teddy Roosevelt said...

anonymity has a long and honored tradition in American political speech dating back to before the revolution.

The biggest reason for anonymity is that most people can not take disagreement or criticism without becoming mean and vindictive.

Even those of us whose employment is not dependent on the whims of politicians do not need that type of aggravation.

Aggravation, economic and emotional, is the weapon of choice to quash political dissent in Monmouth County. Favoritism is the reward for cooperation.

Among the many phone calls and emails I received after coming out last week, one stands out. It was from a friend and fellow small business owner. A non-politically active Republican who says he's never voted for a Democrat, but will this year because he is fed up with how the county is being run. As we ended our phone call, my friend asked that I not mention his name on my blog for fear that an application he has before a municipal board would cost him triple legal and professional fees if his feelings became known. He said, "If I had a D rather than an R after my name, what I'm doing would be a great deal more difficult and expensive."

I call that corruption. Applications should be approved or declined based on their merits and the law, not on who your friends are or political affilations.

As for me, I'm glad to be writing under my real name. I don't consider myself courageous, as some have said. I don't need or want a cushy job with a pension attached. I'd rather spend legal and professional fees than be silenced. I like aggravating bullies and those soaking the system.

I plan to be very aggravating.

Unity

By Blogger "Teddy Roosevelt"

Chairman Puharics's comments in the APP suggest that the ultimate value in his mind is unity.

Too use extreme examples merely to prove a point, the Japanese and Germans were united during World War Two.

The real question is united to what purpose. To merely hold the reigns of power a little longer. United in salving some career politicians ego. United because hey, we are not as bad as the other party. Not very compelling.

We need to be united in a new purpose. The people of this county ney the state and country hunger for a new type of party.

A party that is truly dedicated to rooting out corruption and back room deals. I do not mean the big your going to prison if caught corruption. Every party is against that. I speak of the minor corruption like cronyism and pork barrel spending which infect all levels of government. I speak of the corruption of purpose where what matters is no longer what's best for the public but what is best for getting a politician re-elected so that they can remain powerful and their ego be gratified.

That is the unity of purpose we should be seeking.

However history would suggest that unity can not be obtained without purging those who refuse the call to unity.

You can therefore determine what the purpose of a call to unity is
by looking at the values of those who have been purged.

Congratulations to Rob Clifton and Jeff Cantor

Heartfelt congratulations goes out to Freeholder Rob Clifton and Marlboro Council President Jeff Cantor for their victory in today's primary. I wish them well throughout the summer and in the fall campaign.

While naturally disappointed that Anna Little was not nominated tonight, and a tinge guilty that my efforts may have contributed towards her choosing not to file for an Independent race, I am proud that we sent a message to the Republican Party. I am hopeful that they hear it when the gloating subsides.

That someone like me, not a political pro, could target the party base...historical primary voters...and wage a campaign in three days, spending less than $3,000 and capture 10% of the vote tells me that voters are not happy.

The competition the Republicans will face this fall is formidable. It is time to adapt the practices of governance as well as the message, or risk losing the opportunity.

Monmouth's Greatest Hit. Thank you Lightshines

Lightshines said...

Art Gallagher's courage and vision has inspired John Lennon to rewrite his legendary masterpiece for Monmouth County:

Imagine there's no bosses
It's easy if you try
No one there to block us
Our limit is the sky
Imagine all the people
Voting for freedom today...

Imagine there's real choices
It isn't hard to do
The freedom soldiers die for
And good government too
Imagine all the people
Voting with a smile...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope today you'll join us
And we’ll all write-in as one

Imagine voting for Anna
If you want to, then you can
No need for disappointment
If you’re a Little fan
Imagine all the people
Sharing at the polls...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I know today you'll join us
And the County will be won

Write-in Anna Little for Freeholder

By Art Gallagher

Those of you who follow Monmouth County politics know that Anna Little has been unceremoniously dumped from the GOP ticket this year because she has this pesky habit of looking out for the taxpayers at the expense of the financial interests of the GOP hierarchy. We can fix that by writing her in, with a bullet vote, in the Republican primary on Tuesday June 5.

By way of background, Mrs. Little was elected in February 2006 by the rank and file of the county GOP to take the Freeholder seat vacated when Amy Handlin was elected to the State General Assembly. Little was not the choice of the GOP bosses, who wanted Howell Mayor Joe DiBella to get the seat. Little was elected by at a convention governed by state law, Title 19. Because the election was to fill a vacancy, the GOP bosses could not rig the rules, but had to follow state law.

Little got into hot water with the bosses almost immediately when she refused to accept special interest "pay to play" campaign contributions. This made for headlines in the Asbury Park Press that the special interests and party bosses where not too happy about.

Little's problems with the party bosses got worse when she didn't just "sit back, learn the ropes and follow our lead" as she was told to do. She led an effort to reduce the out of control legal expenses that the county incurs and voted against the reappointment of County Counsel Malcolm Carton. Carton is a major GOP donor and fund raiser and has been county counsel for 2 decades. Carton was reappointed on a 3-2 vote, with Little and Freeholder Rob Clifton dissenting. At that time Little was very gracious, saying that simply that she believed it was time for a change, without raising any specific criticism of Carton's performance or billing practices.

This issue got her in more trouble with GOP bosses when during a debate among last year's Freeholder candidates before the Asbury Park Press editorial board Little refused to defend her colleagues reappointing Carton. She asked that the editorial board "judge her on her own actions, not the actions of others."

During the final weeks of last year’s campaign, Little learned that the money she had refused early on had been wheeled back into her campaign by the party bosses. The money was given to the GOP Assembly PAC, which gave the money to the campaigns of Little, and candidates Andrew Lucas for Freeholder, and Rose Marie Peters for Surrogate. Once again, Little made headlines and gave the bosses heartburn by returning the money.

On election night, Little won and her running mate Andrew Lucas lost. Despite a very tough year for Republicans throughout the country and in Monmouth County where Republicans lost in all but 19 municipal races, Anna Little won with 86,000 votes.

Emboldened by her victory, Little stepped up her efforts to reform county government. She demanded more accountability from Malcolm Carton on his billing practices. She questioned the business relationship between Freeholder Director Bill Barham and Benjamin R. Harvey, the contractor who was over time and over budget on the Hall of Records renovation project. She called for reducing the county budget and saving the tax payers from an increase. All the while, the GOP hierarchy was plotting to get rid of her.

First, there was an unsuccessful character assassination attempt. That didn’t work, but the party bosses had a trump card. Unconstrained by Title 19, they could write the rules for the nominating committee so that Little could not even get on the nominating convention ballot. That is exactly what they did. They created screening committee that was stacked with bosses whose financial interests Little’s actions were threatening. They required that candidates pay a poll tax to screen, and they required candidates sign a contract that exposed the candidates to identity theft and made them promise not to wage a primary campaign. Those who refused to comply could not screen and could not appear before the convention as a candidate. After Little publicly criticized the process and refused the participate, the poll tax and the contract where dropped as requirements for the other candidates who had played along with the ruse.

Little was offered the Democratic nomination for Freeholder. She refused because she is not a Democrat and she could not support their tax and spend ways or their social policies. She chose not to run a primary or independent race because she didn’t think she could raise the money to beat the machine.

Still, as unlikely as it would be, the people who elected Anna Little last year can nominate her for re-election by writing her in on the primary ballot.

Let’s do that. With a low turnout expected due to few contested races, reform minded Republicans can make a difference and send a message to those who view our tax dollars as their piggy bank.

Art Gallagher is a Monmouth County Republican Committee member from Highlands. He is a member of the Highlands Zoning Board, President of Gallco Entrerprises Inc. in Middletown, and the 1st Vice President of the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. Art is the blogger formerly known as William H Seward and writes about Monmouth County politics at MoreMonmouthMusings.blogspot.com. He can be reached at artvg@aol.com or 732-208-2240.

Instructions for Write-in Voting

If you wish to cast a PERSONAL CHOICE(write-in)vote, go to the PERSONAL CHOICE column on the same line as the office for which you are casting the write-in vote, then:

* Press the button [ ] under the PERSONAL CHOICE column across from the office you wish to write-in. A blinking green "X" will appear.

* Using the alphabetical keyboard below the ballot, enter the name of the person of your choice, one letter at a time.

* To make a space between names or initials, use the arrow pointing to the right on the keyboard.

* To make a correction, use the arrow pointing to the left.

* The name you enter will appear in the display to the left of the keyboard.

* When you have entered the whole name, proof it, then press the ENTER button on the keyboard. your choice is recorded and removed from the display.

* Do not press the Cast Vote Button until all other choices are completed.

WARNING! An improperly cast write-in vote will be deemed void. Be sure that your write-in vote is cast in the PERSONAL CHOICE column on the same line as the office for which you are casting the write-in vote.

After ALL selections have been made, press the RED CAST VOTE BUTTON located in the lower right corner. This electronically records all of your votes.