Is Adam Puharic a Federal Employee? Does the Hatch Act apply?

DaTruthSquad and Ronald Reagan are reporting that Adam Puharic is an employee of the US Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and must resign as Chairman immediately , due to the Hatch Act. This based on a quote by a Adam Puharic in the Associated Press.

Wouldn't that be nICE!

I'm skeptical, but anxious to see how this plays out. There may be hope for the Monmouth GOP yet.

Update March 1, 2007

I have sent the following inquiry to the US Office of Special Counsel:

To:hatchact@osc.gov

Hello,

I am writing to inquire whether or not Adam Puharic of Aberdeen, NJ is a federal employee who's political activities are restricted by the Hatch Act.


There is an Adam Puharic who was quoted by the Associated Press as being a spokesman for ICE in New Jersey. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/NEWS/70228020

Is this the same Adam Puharic who is the chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Organization, and if so, is his political activity as a county chairman permissible under the Hatch Act?

Thank you.

First response:

Subject: RE: Adam Puharic
Date: 3/1/2007 12:23:35 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Hatchact@osc.gov
Reply To:
To: BillSewardnj@aol.com

The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act by issuing advisory opinions and investigating complaints of violations. It is unclear from your e-mail whether you are intending to make such a complaint. If so, please state so, and please provide the name and contact information for the subject of your complaint.


Erica N. Stern
Attorney, Hatch Act Unit
U.S. Office of Special Counsel

My reply:

Erica,

Thank you for your prompt response. If the Hatch Act requires the Adam Puharic who is the chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Organization to refrain from political activity, I do intend to file a complaint.

The subject of my complaint will be Adam Puharic, and his contact information is 732-404-xxxx (cell) or 732-765-xxxx (home)

Thank you.

UPDATE 5PM

Erica and I have traded a few more emails today. It seems a complaint has to be filed in order for there to be an investigation, and whether or not Puharic's political activities are permissible, depends on where he works in ICE.

I have received confirmation that from another source that Puharic does work for ICE. I will be attempting to find out if his political activities are permissable before filing a complaint.


I'll let you know when and if I hear futher. If any readers have good information, please post it or email me at billsewardnj@aol.com.

And you better like it!

Notice of Nominating Committee
02/28/2007

Dear Republican Elected Officials, Municipal Chairs and County Committee:

Please be advised that the 2007 Monmouth County Republican Organization’s Nominating Convention will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. sharp. We plan on completing the Nominating Convention before Noon.

The Nominating Convention will be held in the Donald D. Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. Parking for the Nominating Convention is located in Lot Number 7.

This year we will be considering candidates for State Senate and State Assembly in Districts 10, 11, 12, 13 and 30. We will also be considering candidates for the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County Sheriff and Monmouth County Clerk.

No proxy voting will be permitted, therefore, you must be in attendance in order to have your voted counted.

Thank you for your continued participation and efforts towards victory for the Monmouth County Republican Organization in 2007!

Respectfully,

Adam Puharic
Monmouth County Republican Chairman

Below are the convention rules for your review:

Monmouth County Republican Organization, Inc.
Nominating Convention Rules for the
2007 Republican Primary Election

(1) Purpose of Nominating Convention.

To nominate candidates to run on the Monmouth County Republican Organization line in the Republican Primary Election to be held on June 5, 2007.

(2) Timing of Nominating Convention.

The Monmouth County Republican Organization’s Nominating Convention shall be held at least three (3) days prior to the deadline for filing petitions for the 2007 Republican Primary Election. Currently, the Nominating Convention is scheduled to take place Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in the Donald D. Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

(3) Notice for Nominating Convention.

Notice will be sent to all county committee members, municipal chairs and elected officials via U.S. Mail, email and posted on the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s website at least seven (7) days prior to the Nominating Convention date. Notice is not, however, a determination of eligibility to participate at the convention.

(4) Offices To Be Considered.

The offices to be considered are: State Senate (Districts 10, 11, 12, 13 and 30), State Assembly (2 seats in Districts 10, 11, 12, 13 and 30), Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders (2 seats), Monmouth County Sheriff and the Monmouth County Clerk. For state legislative contests, only those delegates residing within the candidates’ respective state legislative district may vote.

(5) Deadline for Filling Vacancies On The County Committee.

Any and all delegates filling vacant county committee seats must have been duly certified by their respective municipal party chairs and filed with the County Clerk’s Office and with the Monmouth County Republican Organization no later than seven (7) days prior to the county convention. Any delegates not so filed and certified seven (7) days prior to the convention will not be permitted to participate. Any disputes over delegate eligibility will be determined by the County Chairman prior to the convention where an official list of eligible delegates will govern.

(6) Eligibility To Serve As Delegate.

All Republican county committee members contained on the official list described above, Republican municipal chairs and Monmouth County Republican Executive Committee members shall be permitted to vote as a delegate to the Nominating Convention. Nobody shall be permitted more than one (1) vote even if they serve in dual roles as a member of the county committee and as an elected official, etc.

(7) Eligibility of Candidates To Participate In Nominating Convention.

Only candidates who have successfully screened by being recommended to the convention by the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s Screening Committee may be considered at the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s Nominating Convention.

(8) No Motions or Nominations From Floor.

No motions or nominations may be made from the floor for any purpose. Since all candidates participating in the Nominating Convention shall be considered nominated by the screening committee, there shall be no nominations of candidates or nominating speeches made.

(9) Candidate Speeches.

Each candidate will be given three (3) minutes to address the delegates. The order of address shall be determined by the County Chairman.

(10) Uncontested Races.

Candidates running for uncontested positions shall be nominated by acclamation.

(11) Highest Vote Getter Wins.

The highest vote getter wins regardless of the number of seats being sought and number of candidates seeking the nomination to be placed on the Monmouth County Republican Organization line. There will be no run offs. In the case of any ties, the County Chairman decides.

(12) Machine Voting.

All voting will be recorded on machines.

(13) No Proxies.

No proxy voting is permitted, all delegates who wish to have their vote counted must be in attendance and personally cast a ballot for all votes.

(14) Chairperson(s) of Nominating Convention.

The County Chairman shall appoint either a chairperson or chairpersons for the Nominating Convention, which shall be approved by the Executive Committee. This person shall serve as the parliamentarian for the Nominating Convention.

(15) Electioneering Rules.

No electioneering may take place outside of the convention, on the convention floor or in the voting areas. This includes, but is not limited to, signs, stickers, billboards, handouts and political favors. Electioneering may take place elsewhere, but all candidates will be held personally responsible for clean-up of any discarded materials.

(16) Resignation or Death of Nominated Candidate.

In the event any candidate so selected at the Nominating Convention resigns, dies or fails to qualify after such selection and prior to establishing a Vacancy Committee, then the County Chairman shall use his discretion in filling the vacancy so created.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Go get'm Tommy!

February 27, 2007

CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE

To: Monmouth RastaMan
At: www.MonmouthRastaMan.blogspot.com
Re: Copyright Infringement against Justified Right, LLC

Dear Monmouth RastaMan,

We represent Justified Right, LLC and are authorized to act on their behalf to investigate and take legal action with respect to the unauthorized dissemination of Justified Right, LLC’s copyrighted material. It has come to our attention that you have posted a photograph of Thomas De Seno, Esq. on your website entitled www.MonmouthRastaman.blogspot.com. The post in question is located at http://monmouthrastaman.blogspot.com/2007/02/bring-it-tom-deseno.html.

The photograph displayed on your website is copyrighted by Justified Right, LLC, and copyright law 17 USC Section 102 et seq. explicitly prohibits unauthorized display and distribution of copyrighted works.

Justified Right, LLC therefore demands that you remove this copyrighted material from your website and refrain from facilitating the further dissemination of Justified Right, LLC’s copyrighted material, by removing the photograph and the link to http://monmouthrastaman.blogspot.com/2007/02/bring-it-tom-deseno.html, where the photograph is being distributed.

In light of this, Justified Right, LLC demands that you provide this law firm at the address above, written confirmation no later than March 04, 2007 by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard time, that you have taken the following steps:

1. You have disabled or terminated all display of the photograph of Thomas De Seno, Esq. at any website that you own or control.

2. You have requested the disabling or termination of any other display of the photograph of Thomas De Seno, Esq. at any website that you are associated with, but which you do not control.

3. You have destroyed all copies you have made of the photograph of Thomas De Seno, Esq.

4. You agree never in the future to publish any copyrighted material owned by Justified Right, LLC.

5. You supply us with the name and address of the owner of the website www.MonmouthRastaman.blogspot.com, as well as the name and address of the person or persons responsible for posting the contents found at http://monmouthrastaman.blogspot.com/2007/02/bring-it-tom-deseno.html.

Should you fail to comply with any of the above demands by the date stated, we will file suit against you immediately. NOTE WELL: Should the time expire, even if you comply at that time, we will file suit and pursue you anyway. There is no turning back after the stated date and time.

Also be advised: Should you fail to comply by the above stated date and time, we will notify both Google and its wholly owned subsidiary Blogger, pursuant to Title II of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), namely, the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Act, that certain copyright infringing materials are being hosted by them in their capacity as an online service provider ("OSP").

Pursuant thereto we will exercise our right to demand that Google and Blogger cancel your account, remove your website and enjoin you from further web hosting by their companies.

In the event that you promptly comply with these demands, Justified Right, LLC is willing to waive its various claims against you, which include, without limitation, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and unfair competition. Please bear in mind that if you fail to comply with Justified Right, LLC’s demands herein, Justified Right, LLC will be entitled to recover from you a judgment for all of your profits in connection with any infringement, lost sales and profits by Justified Right, LLC, all compensatory damages, statutory damages, treble damages, punitive damages, reasonable attorney's fees and costs of suit, as well as a permanent injunction against you.

We trust that after you have reviewed this matter, you will conclude that the better course is to promptly comply with Justified Right, LLC’s demands herein. However, to the extent you do not so comply, please be advised that this letter is without prejudice to any rights and remedies Justified Right, LLC may have.

Please be guided accordingly.
Very truly yours,

Thomas De Seno

PS RastaMan: Contrary to your web post about me, this isn’t ambulance chasing; this is hardball.

TDS/mys
CC: Justified Right, LLC

Start cutting

Much has been made of last week's brouhaha between Freeholders Anna Little and Bill Barham over Barham's participation in discussions about the Hall of Records renovation being performed by Barham's business partner. Little's request that Barham recuse himself shouldn't have been necessary and it should not have been news. What made it news is that it challenged the culture of cozy cronyism in Freehold.

Of much more significance, substantively, was the board's decision to table its vote on the county budget rather than pass it with Little's dissent. Little's strong backbone, and the other Freeholders lack thereof, is likely to save taxpayers money without a reduction in services. What will end up being reduced is the increase in the county's surplus.

Of note, last year when he was running for the Freeholder seat won by Anna Little, Wall Township Municipal chair Bob McKenna was railing against last year's budget increase of some $22 million. Where is Bob now? He is amongst the GOP insiders looking to run the only budget cutter out of town.

When they were running for their seats 2 years ago, Barham and Lillian Burry proposed zero based budgeting. What happened to that? Nothing. Now Burry talks about having good professionals do their job for her to rubber stamp.

It is time for the GOP to really reform county government, rather than talk about reform, do the same old thing and go on the campaign trail selling the Monmouth's quality of life and the AAA bond rating. Cutting the county budget would be a good start. Do it now or lose control in November.

Convention Process Update

Convention Process Update
A “Wireside Chat” from Chairman Adam Puharic
02/25/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

I’d like to take a few moments to talk about the upcoming convention on March 24th, taking place at Brookdale Community College, and starting at 9am. On Wednesday, February 28, 2007, we will post and mail the proposed convention rules for that date. If you have input towards our convention rules, please email us at info@monmouthrepublican.org or call us at (732) 431-6664. Following this comment period, the final rules will be posted on Monday, March 5th. The executive committee will determine the validity to any proposed changes.

To clarify a minor point, we will screen for Freeholder and Constitutional Officer on March 3. Our good Sheriff Joe Oxley and our Clerk Claire French are the only candidates vying for their seats. In terms of Freeholder, the screening committee will adhere to the guidelines of forwarding up to four candidates to the convention. The committee is also able to endorse Freeholder Clifton to return to his seat, and may therefore choose to send two additional candidates for the remaining seat.

And finally, I am very disappointed in characterizations of Steve McEnery and Mike Borg as muscle men, thugs, etc. You should be outraged as well. They are hard working volunteers, who have given so much of their time to help this Republican Party. I am happy to be the recipient of press invective. How many of them are registered Republicans? They don’t speak for this party. But they should leave Steve and Mike out of their attacks.

By the way, I understand that Steve and Mike have entered a membership to Gold’s gym to live up to their new found reputation. If they weren’t so likeable and genuine, they might one day become as fierce as these fables in the press. A good friend once told me that today’s news is tomorrow’s fish wrapping. Thanks for your time.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

Anna takes the gloves off

Now that she free of trying to reform and compromise with party members that have viciously tried to undermine her, Anna Little is showing her unabashed true glorious colors.

Chairman Puharic has said she has failed in her promise of reform. Well watch out Good Old Boys, because it looks like the public is about to meet the Anna Little who is unconstrained by consideration for how her stands make her disloyal party members look. If you think she was a problem before she announced her defection, you ain't seen nothing yet!

The APP reports that Little has publicly forced Director Bill Barham to recuse himself from all discussion regarding the Hall of Records renovation project being performed by his business partner, Benjamin R. Harvey Co. of Ocean Township, rather than simply abstain from voting.

Further, Anna was set to vote NO on the proposed county budget and to publicly state why, causing the board to table tonight's vote on the budget, according to the Press.

YOU GO GIRL!

UPDATE - 2/23/2007

I have received emails from Republican party leaders asking me to use this blog to encourage Anna to run in a primary or as an Independent, rather than to accept the embrace that the Democrats have publicly offered her, at great risk to themselves as the Dems have offered their support without Little's promise to accept it.

The APP suggests that the GOP beg Anna to come back in today's editorial.

Until recently I couldn't imagine supporting a Democrat. The thought of being associated with Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton or Ted Kennedy makes my skin crawl. But on a local level where I live and spend most of my tax dollars, being associated with Adam Puharic and Bill Barham is making my blood boil!

For Little to run successfully in a primary or as an Independent would require $200K and 50-100 committed volunteers. I would love to see that happen, but it looks like a pipe dream at this point. Little has a link on her website where you can donate. If you want her to run in a primary or as an Independent, send her a message and put your money where you message is.

The only other way I see Little staying in the Republican party is if Adam Puharic resigns as Chairman and if Bill Barham resigns as Director. Both of these men have bullied and undermined Little and waged a smear campaign against her and her family. Unfortunately, I think it is more likely that Little will get $200K in donations today than those guys resigning ever. They need to be defeated.

This comment is so on the mark that it warrants its own post

Teddy Roosevelt said...

We seem to be plagued by poor leadership. Leader after leader in our party has failed to heal our rifts and reform our party. I actually had high hopes for Adam but it appears he lacks the maturity to do the job correctly.

Anna is strong willed which I am sure makes her difficult to work with. She has crudely stepped on some toes and perhaps she could have been more diplomatic. There are times to be a maverick and times to be a team player. Anna may be stuck in one mode. On the other hand many people in the party agree with her on issues where she has disagreed with the other Freeholders.

Love her or hate her she has proven she knows how to win an election.
If the motivation of the people who drove her off the ticket (yes that is what happened) is to win elections they have clearly made a huge tactical mistake.
I believe that if Anna is not our candidate it will result in loss of control of the Freeholder Board and could lead to loses across the county.
I could be wrong. It has happened before.

So we should let this play out. If my prediction is wrong then maybe what was done was best for the "party".

However if I am correct then all those who participated in the debacle should resign and the rank and file should demand it. Hopefully there will be some competent people who will step forward and pick up the pieces.

I will therefore not engage in any further criticism of the process as at this point that would serve no purpose. I will just let things play out and see if I was correct.

Who should we support?

Clearly if you believe that Anna is doing in office what you want done then and she runs in a primary you should support her. There is no disloyalty to the party in disagreeing with who they picked to represent the party. The party endorsement is a recommendation that you are free to accept or reject. That is the reason there is a democratic process called a primary. I personally liked the positions Anna took. I therefore will support her in the primary should she choose to run.

If she runs as a Democrat what to do? Actually a tough question. I am not entirely pleased with some decisions our current elected officials have made but while I really like Anna I fear what the democratic machine would do to our county. Not so much the local Dems but if the party bosses get their hooks in us things could be a lot worse then they are now.

In the final analysis we should all "to our own hearts be true".
There is a loyalty that transcends party loyalty. We should always act in the general good above the good of the party. The difficult question is; what is in the best interests of the general good? That will take a little thought.

Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:51:00 AM

Thank you TR

Statement from Freeholder Anna Little

February 20, 2007

My fellow Republicans:

It is with heartfelt regret that I am writing to inform you that I will not be participating in Chairman Adam Puharic's screening process and that I will not be seeking the regular Republican nomination for the office of Freeholder in the upcoming election.

I deeply appreciate all the support that I have received from rank and file Republicans and County Committee members over the last year. You are an inspiring and dedicated group, and it has been my honor to work with you and to serve you as your Monmouth County Freeholder. I have recently come to a roadblock in dealing with the current leadership of the Monmouth County Republican Organization, and I have serious reservations about continuing to work under the conditions imposed by this regime.

Contrary to Mr. Puharic's comments in the press, I am not the only candidate who has objected to the screening process as designed by the Chairman.

My problem with the process is not the background check that has garnered so much attention. I am willing to submit to a background check, if for no other reason than to prove I have nothing to hide. In fact, my modest but sufficient means reflect that of the average voter, and that should lead no one to question my honesty.

Despite the Chairman's statements in the press, he is requiring me to sign a contract that deprives me and you of some of our rights as United States citizens, and that could compromise my security and that of my family. Mr. Puharic has stated in the press that the background checks will be private and confidential. His contract states just the opposite and releases the Monmouth County Republican Organization from any liability for the misuse of my private information. As a wife and mother, and elected public servant, I can not sign that contract. As an attorney, I would advise any client not to sign that contract.

Many of you are no doubt aware of the smear campaign that has been waged against me and my family since our victory on November 7, 2006. Since election night, I have made numerous attempts to communicate with Mr. Puharic to resolve our differences and to bring the Party together in preparation for another tough election this year. After being rebuffed by the Chairman numerous times, we finally met on February 6, 2007. Puharic, seated behind his desk with two muscle men standing on either side of him with arms folded, stared at me. Puharic then listed the reasons that he felt I should not run on the Republican ticket. He stated that the screening committee would make the decision because he was angry and didn't trust himself to decide fairly. He stated that I should tell the press I would be signing the agreement, even if it were not the truth. The result of this meeting was that that the Chairman and I will not be able to resolve our differences. I find it troubling that after being appointed to the Freeholder position, fairly selected by the entire Monmouth County Committee, and after winning a difficult race in the November General Election, my viability as a candidate is being questioned. The selection process in the past was fair to the candidates and to the entire Monmouth County Committee at the general convention.

I will continue to serve as a Monmouth County Freeholder for the remainder of this year, and I am in the process of evaluating other alternatives for my candidacy for re-election. I expect that many of you will not be happy with this turn of events, and neither am I. While I can appreciate that my leaving the Organization line will cost me the support of some of you, I expect and hope that many of you will want to continue to work with me for the betterment of Monmouth County government.

Anna C. Little, Esq.
Monmouth County Freeholder
--------------------------------------------

READ CONCERNED MONMOUTH REPUBLICAN'S ANALYSIS HERE

Standing strong against the voices attempting to destroy our party

02/20/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

Tonight, I received word from the Asbury Park Press that Anna Little has decided not to seek our great Republican Party endorsement, and instead is considering to run off the line in a primary or has even hinted at switching parties. Switching parties? This is an outrage to every good Republican – over 550 of us who attended Lincoln Day last night -- that she would betray our hard work, use the election victory we all worked towards together, and throw all of it away for her personal glory.

As a result, I will honor her request and I remove her for consideration as a Freeholder candidate in 2007. Despite her attempts to undermine her running mates, Monmouth County Republicans like Claire French, Joe Kyrillos, Sean Kean, and Jennifer Beck will prevail in the fall.

In her comments, she will claim that the candidate agreement our party asked candidates to sign is the sole reason she is leaving our party – but nothing could be further from the truth. She did not have to sign it, and I told her this. From the beginning, Anna Little and her supporters have attempted to divide our party by embarrassing fellow Republicans in the Asbury Park Press. Only Anna Little and the renegade candidate attempting to undermine Jennifer Beck’s run at Ellen Karcher have made an issue of the candidate selection process. For them, it was an excuse to embarrass our party, and to undermine our leadership. They have failed, and in their failure they are now joined as a campaign ticket against all Monmouth County Republicans.

Truth be told, Anna Little was not living up to her promises when she ran for office. She has proven ineffective in reforming county government, and instead attacks her fellow Republican Freeholders. She has not lived up to her responsibility as a party leader. Instead of being an active part of the 2006 campaign, Anna’s supporters organized into a counter-organization known as “Anna’s Army.” They met independently of the true campaign, making decisions counter-productive to her great running mates Andrew Lucas and Rosemarie Peters. They made independent campaign expenditures without consulting their running mates.

And last night, Anna’s supporters attempted a quiet boycott of Lincoln Day in a poor attempt at protest. Instead this backfired, with over 500 Republicans of good cheer replacing them without much effort. This party is moving on. We have moved past the angry scowls and negative spin of an agenda-driven cabal.

On March 3, our screening committee will convene to select two Freeholder candidates among a qualified pool of four great Republicans, including Freeholder Robert Clifton, Ocean Twp. Councilman David Hiers, Marlboro Council President Jeff Kantor, and Spring Lake Councilman Brian Reilly. Freeholder Clifton has publicly supported this process, along with all of the Assembly and Senate candidates. They deserve our support and our unity.

The voices of dissention have made their voices heard. It is time for the voices of party unity to speak. I am writing to ask for your support to work together, and stand strong in the face of shrill voices that would destroy our party. I need your help.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Lincoln Day Dinner

Some 400 Republicans came out in the cold to celebrate the 44th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner last night in Aberdeen.

Abraham Lincoln was there with Union soldiers. Ronald Reagan was not.

Legislative candidates looking freshly scrubbed worked the room for signatures on their petitions. Freeholder candidates did not.

Joe Loccrichio arrived and spent the evening without incident, though Steve McEnery did not treat him like family.

The ad journal was thin.

Congratulations to Serena DiMaso and Tom Apostle for chairing a successful event.

And he doesn't even realize it....

Delivered in 3 parts

Welcome your 2007 Monmouth County Republican Convention Candidates
02/18/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

Please join me in welcoming our 2007 Monmouth County Republican Convention candidates. I know I speak for the entire screening committee when I tell you that I was impressed and humbled by the professionalism, resume, and outstanding qualifications for each candidate interviewed. All Republicans should join me in congratulating everyone who participated in our screening process. Subsequent announcements will be made following the screening committee meeting on March 3. Your 2007 convention candidates are:

State Senator
11th District – Assemblyman Sean Kean
12th District – Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck
13th District – Senator Joseph Kyrillos

State Assembly
11th District:
David Rible – Wall Twp.
Mayor Tom Catley – Neptune Twp.
Mary Pat Angelini – Ocean Twp.
Kim Guadagno -- Monmouth Beach Commissioner
12th District:
Caroline Casagrande – Colts Neck
Tom Gilmour – Council President in Fair Haven
Declan O’Scanlon – Little Silver Councilman
13th District:
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin
Assemblyman Sam Thompson

I also want to offer a special thanks to Mayor Bill Larkin of Ocean Township, and Michael Antonelli of Rumson. My only regret is that there are not more offices for these outstanding gentlemen. It is my sincere hope that they will continue their pursuit of higher office, and in future elections we will be celebrating their eventual victories!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

***************************

Additional Screening Committee Endorsements
02/18/2007

As a result of yesterday’s screening committee meeting, the Monmouth County Republican Committee is proud to endorse the following outstanding Republicans:

10th District:
Senator Andrew Ciesla
Assemblyman Jim Holzapfel
Assemblyman Dave Wolfe

30th District:
Senator Robert Singer
Assemblyman Ronald Dancer
Assemblyman Joseph Malone

Congratulations to these outstanding Republican leaders!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

********************************

We’ll gladly accept your apology
02/18/2007

Sunday’s Asbury Park Press (pg. A2) reads:
“Poll: Candidates should cover expense of background checks

Most of those (they mean a landslide majority) participating in an online poll believe candidates for public office should foot the bill for detailed background checks.

‘Do you think it’s proper that candidates undergo detailed background checks at their own expense in order to be considered to run for public office?’ was the question posted last week on the web site of the Asbury Park Press, www.app.com. Of the 3,482 taking part, 74.2 percent said yes and 25.8 percent said no.“
(Please note that the Monmouth County Republican vulnerability assessments are voluntary, but even with their negative spin and distortion – we win)

They called our beloved Republican organization the politburo, and called on candidates to “crush” this much-needed reform. Crush? Biased editorials on our Freeholder board, our Party Chairman, and our great county Republican Party only strengthen my resolve to push forward with ethical leadership. I’m waiting for the Sunday editorial apology.

When you review the list of approved candidates for our 2007 convention, what you will find is a group of ethical, competent, compassionate, and qualified political leaders. This is what our public expects. This is what we Republicans will deliver as a result of this new candidate selection process. Thanks for sticking with us through all of the negative and slanted reporting. Today, we’re one step closer to a Republican sweep in the 2007 elections.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Legislative Candidates Screening Complete

Honest Abe has the results of the legislative screening process.

It is no surprise that there are contested races in the 11th and 12th districts. What is unknown is if Ocean Township Mayor Bill Larkin was eliminated as an Assembly candidate in the 11th or if he declined to screen. Larkin was previously quoted in the Asbury Park Press as questioning the $1000 screening fee and candidly stating that "no one would go on the record as opposing the process."

The Freeholder candidates did not screen yesterday. Freeholder screening has been postponed until a later date.

"Reagan's" Surprise

It turns out I was off the mark, a little bit regarding "Ronald Reagan's" surprise secret announcement.

Dan did not announce that the Chairman could be replaced. Rather, he says that the Chairman can be stripped of his power to award the party line because the language of Title 19 gives the power to award the line to the candidates' campaign manager, not to the county chairman.

If accurate, this information could lead to primaries this year and for years to come, should candidates choose to build the organizations and raise the money to challenge the Chairman's authority. It will also likely lead to litigation regarding the award of this years' party line, should any candidate choose to pursue this route of challenging the Chair.

I have no idea if there is any case law on this matter, or if it has ever been done elsewhere in New Jersey. Someone will probably be doing the research this week.

In all likelihood, the practical impact of this information will be nil. The organization will have a full slate for the primary and any challengers won't. Primary voters will easily be able to ascertain who the county organization supports, regardless of the slogan used.

Best of luck to all the candidates meeting with the screening committee today.

Welcome back

As JCP&L has most of the county's power restored, I want to welcome back all my readers who may have been suffering the last few days and may still be dealing with property damage as a result of the storm and loss of power. Hats off to all the JCPL workers who worked around the clock in terrible conditions to restore the power, and to the Red Cross and all volunteers who set up shelters and helped their neighbors.

There is much more new material on More Monmouth Musings today than usual, as there has been a lot happening in the stormy Monmouth GOP. Usually I will only make one major post a day with an occasional update during the day. Today I have what I consider to be two major posts, and in keeping with my recent practice, I have posted the Chairman's "Wireside Chat."

Can the Chairman be replaced?

I could be wrong on this one, but it looks to me like former Monmouth GOP Executive Director Dan Gallic will be announcing a procedural way to replace the chairman at our upcoming convention via Roberts Rules of Order.

While this may be a welcome development, be careful what you wish for, as what Dan is really after is his job back. That would only happen if Fred Niemann was to assume the chairmanship. There have been rumors for weeks that Fred wants the job back. Would this blogger prefer Fred over Adam? Honestly and ironically I would. Would I prefer someone else over the two of them? Absolutely.

As much as I like Jim Giannell, he's not the answer. Adam was elected because he was not in the midst of last years factional battle. Giannell and Fred were very much involved, and either one of them as chairman would leave us still divided. Not as divided and disillusioned as we are now, but divided never-the-less.

What we need is a leader who has the gravitas, maturity and respect of most Monmouth Republicans. Someone who can bring order to the chaos without thwarting debate. Someone like Marie Muhler, Steve Corodemus or Joe Oxley if he has the NUTS to take the job.

Better late than never?

A “Wireside Chat” from Chairman Adam Puharic
02/16/2007

Dear Fellow Republicans,

It’s time for the internet hate speech to stop. Earlier today, Jim Purcell, the editor for the Courier Newspaper, called me to let me know that he had been viscously attacked on an internet site, including lies and innuendo with references to his children and family. I have also been told many of our Republican leaders and elected officials have been attacked from cowardly anonymous authors. This is reprehensible and despicable.

Every Republican of good will is asked to help me and put an end to these internet slander pages. To those Republicans who are spending your hours blogging- your energies are needed on the campaign trail, stuffing envelopes, banging signs, making phone calls, and raising money. Please consider this an open invitation to turn off your computers and turn on your volunteer spirit. Or at least, spend time with your family – and not online attacking others.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Don't agree with Adam? You're not welcome at Lincoln Day

True to his strategy of creating a smaller but united party over a larger but diverse party, Chairman Puharic has gone public with the "Puharic Doctrine" for the third time this week.

The Puharic Doctrine is that if you do not agree with Adam, you are not a "true Republican."

1)In his Lincoln's Birthday wireside chat about the APP online poll Puharic referred to "one of those anti-Republican blogs posted the poll and told their readers to vote no." Searching the blogs, the only reference to the poll before the chat was issued I could find was here, in the comments. I guess that means that the only blog that Puharic used in his campaign for chairman is now one of those. I suppose that's better than being a terrorist.

2) In his NUTS pronouncement the next day, Puharic said,"Vulnerability assessments were never in question, and every true Republican knew this is the right thing to do." Someone call the Republican National Committee, Puharic has a new litmus test for what it is to be a true Republican.

3) In today's Asbury Park Press, Purharic confirmed that 12th district Senate Candidate Joe Locricchio's ad is not welcome in the Lincoln Day ad journal and that Locricchio is not welcome at the dinner. "He's not welcome in a room full of people who are going to help move the party forward", said Puharic.

Of course, this means that if you do attend the Lincoln Day dinner or advertise in the journal, Adam will declare that you are one of his supporters.

Hmmm, what to do? Stay home and watch 24? Get there early and see what happens when Locricchio shows up? That might be worth the price of admission and you were going to record 24 anyway.

What if you've already sent your money and now you don't feel welcome? Call 732.431.6664 and tell the nice lady that you've changed your mind and want your money back. If your check hasn't cleared you can always stop payment on it as a protest, but you better do it early today as there will no doubt be a rush to the bank to make a deposit today.

The Aberdeen Connection

Jackie Corley, the Bayshore Journalista has an interesting post today detailing her findings from her recent study of ELEC reports. Seems there was moving money around between the Aberdeen GOP account and the County GOP account to wash donations from county vendors.

Unlike some of my blogging brethren, I don't have a problem with this practice. It is unfortunate that campaigns have to go through these excercises, but until there is a system that doesn't favor unions donating unlimited funds to Democrats, I really don't see much of an alternative.

Contrast

The Rules Of The Republican Party As adopted by the 2004 Republican National Convention August 30, 2004

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Republican Party is the party of the open door. Ours is the party of liberty, the party of equality of opportunity for all and favoritism for none.

It is the intent and purpose of these rules to encourage and allow the broadest possible participation of all voters in Republican Party activities at all levels and to assure that the Republican Party is open and accessible to all Americans.

GOP.com

Although, in theory, the Politburo was elected from below, in practice, the leading members of the Politburo and, of course, Lenin were highly influential in determining the body's composition which, in the end, reflected the weight and competing influence of various individuals within the party, their allies within the Politburo and supporters outside of it.

Politburo

He's...

NUTS!!!!

02/13/2007

On December 22nd of 1944, General Anthony McCauliffe and the 101st Airborne were surrounded by German forces in the city of Bastogne. They called for his surrender. He replied with one word: “Nuts!”

On Sunday, the press used a scathing editorial to launch a poll designed to embarrass our candidate selection process. They lost on day one. So they extended it. They lost on day two, by more. They will undoubtedly launch more slanted polls, and more negative articles. So the Asbury Park Press is not in favor of the Monmouth County Republican party. The sun will rise tomorrow.

This is not about who has the best plan for selecting candidates. This is about the press looking to assert itself in Republican Party politics. The issue of whether we will select candidates via screening was decided in June of 2006. Vulnerability assessments were never in question, and every true Republican knew this is the right thing to do.

The press will continue the attacks on our screening committee process because they seek to undermine our organization, and hand pick candidates for our county party’s line. They have strung together multiple negative articles. They have used willing accomplices to leak documents and bring the process into question. They have set a false litmus test on our candidates while Democrats are allowed to use any process they choose.

They will continue to attack, and I fear that some of our own party will supply them with ammunition.

But understand that I will not surrender this party’s right to govern itself. Nuts.

Please enjoy the updated poll results:

Do you think it's proper that candidates undergo detailed background checks at their own expense in order to be considered to run for public office?

Yes 72.6%
No 27.4%

Total votes: 1719


---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Let's have a do over

About the only thing that that Monmouth Republicans are united in is that they are longing for the days of Bill Dowd and Fred Neimann. Factions that were working hard against each other last year are shaking their heads in amazement, embarrassment and despair that in a year when we have a potential slate of popular incumbents our candidate selection process has become so controversial. Democrats are smiling with anticipation and amusement.

This morning the Chairman announced that "party leaders" went back to the drawing board last Wednesday to re-work the controversial contract. I suggest that we go back to the drawing board over the whole process.

Many county committee members were unaware of the new candidate selection process until they read of the controversy in the papers, after the deadline to file. Consequently, there may be other candidates who are disenfranchised from the party process and must file for a primary if they want to run.

Let's open it up. Let potential candidates gather a reasonable amount of signatures to get on the convention ballot. Quietly perform background checks and if a problem arises the chairman should address it privately with the candidate. Then let's have a convention.

The chaos and acrimony of last March's convention can be avoided if there is a Convention Chairman or Sergent at Arms without a horse in the race managing the event and balloting.

There is still time to make what is now unworkable work. The candidates' filing deadline is not until April 9th.

The poll is still open. No cheating!

Your Readers Have Spoken!
02/12/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

After almost two weeks of unrelenting negative spin, harsh personal attacks, and slanted reporting, the Asbury Park Press once again chose Sunday – the most read edition – to lash out against the Republican Party, and attempt to commandeer our candidate selection process. Even though our party leaders have been revising the candidate agreement since last Wednesday, and we will revise this document until every candidate feels comfortable with what they are signing – the Press is setting their own ultimatum on what candidates should and should not do. They have made a veiled threat against any candidate who would comply with the request of the party’s duly elected chairman.

So after a wicked “word” lashing with another mean-spirited editorial, the Asbury Park Press attempted to poll their readers, to once and for all show that there is no support for our process. For the results, please see below. Our party’s plan was actually crushing the Press view by a larger lead, until one of those anti-Republican blogs posted the poll and told their readers to vote no. I guess they have nothing to do on a Sunday.

Thanks to all of those who have kept the faith, knowing that the Monmouth County Republican Party is leading the way in ethical reform. The truth is that this was always an evolving process, and we have changed our tactics whenever a good-meaning Republican questioned the process. This party needs dialogue and this chairman is open to it, always. We don’t need Republicans ambushing our party leaders by using the Press as a vehicle to embarrass and spin.

Please enjoy the poll:

Asbury Park Press Poll

Do you think it's proper that candidates undergo detailed background checks at their own expense in order to be considered to run for public office?

Yes 71.8%

NO 28.2%


Total votes: 1019
as of 02/12/2007, 5am


---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

I could not have said it better myself

GOP contract: Breach it now

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/11/07

The only thing more disturbing than the contract Monmouth County Republicans are asking candidates seeking the party's endorsement to sign is the apparent willingness of most of the candidates to do so.

The 14-page questionnaire/contract not only asks candidates to pay $1,000 or more to have a private snoop do a background check on them, but requires them to sign an agreement not to wage a primary fight in the event they are deemed unworthy by the party. What an outrage. No one with any self-respect should sign the contract. And no voter in Monmouth County should cast a ballot for anyone weak-kneed enough to go along with it.

Further troubling is the way the ground rules of the contract seem to be changing. In a commentary in Thursday's Press, GOP Chairman Adam Puharic said the background check was "confidential, between the researcher and the candidate." Here's what the loyalty oath the county Grand Old Politburo candidates are sworn to take has to say on the subject, in a clause called "Disclosure and Use of Information:"

"We will disseminate the information provided by you only on an "as needed' basis to our officers, members, employees, third party vendors or contractors as determined by the Monmouth County Republican chairman necessary for a complete and thorough candidate selection process. We will take reasonable precautions to protect the information we obtain from you."

In capital letters, to underscore the point, it concludes, "You hereby irrecovably (sic) waive any and all claims and causes of action you may have against us arising from such disclosure or use of the information provided to us by you."

Did anyone who signed the contract actually read it first?

There's nothing wrong with political parties doing due diligence on candidates. It's common. What isn't common — and what isn't acceptable — is asking candidates to pay to have investigators sniff their dirty laundry, failing to spell out the parameters for the investigations and extracting a written promise from candidates not to compete in a primary if they are spurned by the party elite. Being out of favor by the party — particularly the Republican Party in Monmouth County — may well be a major selling point with voters.

The Republican organization should tear up the contracts, remove the $1,000 entry fee and make it clear to candidates they are free to compete in the primary if they don't receive the party's endorsement, and the leadership will not use any information obtained during background checks against them in a primary fight. If the party refuses to do that, candidates should refuse to seek its blessing.

It's a shame she has to do this

Anna Little Releases Her Judgement Search

Surprise!

It seems many on the GOP county committee are not on the chairman's email list, nor do they check into the the party's website regularly. They are learning that the chairman has usurped their authority by reading the papers.

Atlantic Highlands Councilman and County Committee Member Jack Archibald chimes in with his weekly column, "Body Politic" published at ahherald.com

Grassroots Republicans in the Bayshore, Two Rivers and even Howell are rallying around Anna Little.

Surprisingly "Ronald Reagan" the blogger previously known to be former Executive Director Dan Gallic has posted material critical of the chairman, though not necessarily pro Anna Little. Rumor has it that Fred Neimann is plotting a comeback. We shall see. This one smells fishy to me.

Republican pollster Adam Geller has been calling Monmouth County voters to get a gage on our candidates' popularity and approval. Do you think those results will be released when they show Anna Little as the most popular Republican Freeholder? I think not.

More and more Republicans are realizing Puharic is out of control, alienating the the rank and file and leading the party to defeat if the course is not changed quickly.

"Trust, but verify"

In an OpEd piece in today's Asbury Park Press, Spin Mister in Chief Adam Puharic presents a compelling argument for the need for background checks for Republican candidates for public office. Operation Bid Rig, Republicans in handcuffs, Marlboro development and Keyport plaques.

Adam is right. We shouldn't be nominating criminals or dead beats to public office and entrusting them with millions or billions tax payers dollars. A public records search of candidates for public office in not an unreasonable thing to require. If problems are revealed they should be handled privately and with dignity.

The problem is, the process that Puharic is requiring of Republican candidates is far more invasive than the type of background reviews provided for "bank tellers, day care workers and police officers." Some of the information demanded by Puharic is illegal for prospective employers to ask of applicants before and after the granting of employment.

Puharic said that when he became chairman he found himself "faced with the difficult task of helping to restore confidence in the political process and in elected officials." If Puharic really wants to do that he could start by not lying to the public himself.

Puharic lied when he said that the process is confidential, "between the researcher and the candidate." The truth is that candidates are required to sign a contract that allows the results of the background checks to be shared with party "officers, members, employees, contractors and third party vendors." And the candidates must waive any and all claims they may have arising from such disclosure by the GOP organization or any of those third parties they give it to.

Only a fool would sign such a contract, and more than one of the GOP candidates has refused to do so.

Don't believe me? Who could blame you for that? This whole mess is unbelievable. Send me an email to billsewardnj@aol.com and I'll reply with a copy of the contract candidates "must submit."

Vulnerability Assessment

Chairman Puharic has taken to calling the $1000 background checks that candidates must voluntarily submit to "vulnerability assessments."

Instead of publicly poking into candidates' dirty laundry, Puharic should look in the mirror. The divisive course he is leading the party down will surely lead to the Monmouth GOP's demise.

Here we have a man who as a candidate and Municipal Chair in Aberdeen never won a general election. By his own admission, he was punitive in the name of unity. Yet he left the Aberdeen GOP defeated and its county committee seats largely vacant. A defeated, smaller, yet united party.

He sailed to victory in the Chairman's race by vowing to create party unity to a county committee that was tired of fighting, and by backing off his "the conventions are a cancer" rhetoric.

With a ticket he inherited, he finally won in a general election. 2 out of 3 seats. Rather than celebrate victory, he set out once again to punish someone who had the audacity to disagree with him and win in the process. Anna Little.

Determined not to go through another campaign with an independent thinking and powerful woman, Puharic set out to destroy Little by creating a scandal where there wasn't one. That failed, as there was no truth to the rumors he and his minions were spreading.

He dusted off his "conventions are a cancer" rhetoric and created a screening committee stacked with the supporters of the losing candidates from the previous conventions. He announced a structure for the screening that would only apply to Anna Little, but then declared that all candidates must screen when he realised he couldn't sell singling out Little, especially after she just won a tough general election.

Then, in a gaffe that worked with precision he told the candidates they would have to pay between $2000 and $2500 for their background checks. He gave the press and the Democrats an issue that they will hammer him, and his ticket, with throughout the upcoming campaign.

And come November, the Monmouth GOP will have been molded in Puharic's image. Just like Aberdeen, it will be united, smaller and defeated.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Why is it that none of the Freeholder challengers are women? Women swept the county races last November. Women are now the majority of the Freeholder board.

Depending on how things break in the 11th District, 5 of 9 Monmouth GOP legislative candidates could be women.

Monmouth County voters seem to like and trust women. Why is it that none of the Freeholder challengers are women?

It seems to me that we have another vulnerability in the making.

Background Checks

For the moment I am holding off on publishing the results of any background checks on screening committee members. I just don't see the point in creating additional angst in a farce of a process that has been a fait a compli since before it was announced.

However, I don't think Anna Little would mind my sharing the highlights of the background search I purchased on her way back on November 18, 2006. That was 11 days after her victory in the general election. The rumor campaign against Mrs. Little had already started then.

Backruptcies: None found
Judgements: None found
Liens: None found
UCC filings: None found
Divorces: None found
Criminal Convictions: None found

There are members of the screening committee who have heard rumors, and repeated them, contrary to the facts. Our Chairman is at the heart of the character assassination campaign that has been waged against Anna Little since November.

Far from ethical reform, this has been a shameless and cowardly process perpetuated by small greedy men disguised as public servants.

Former Republican Jim Purcell suggests on his blog that those Republicans who want to reform county government become Democrats. That would be a hard pill to swallow for many.

A full slate of primary challengers might be easier to swallow.

Either way, Unity is a pipe dream as long as the small greedy men are in charge.

Isn't this Party Unity Wonderful?!

Despite Chairman Puharic's quote in today's Asbury Park Press to the contrary, Anna Little is not the only candidate with problems with the screening process. The concerns go beyond the participants having to agree not to run in a primary if they don't pass the screening committee.

Contrary to Puharic's claim that: The checks will be done by an investigator with a political background, and the findings "will go from the researcher to the candidate. It will be completely private. Under no circumstances will the 24 members of the screening committee see the research, nor can they request that." , the multi-page contract contains language requiring the candidates to hold the Monmouth GOP harmless in the event any of the information leaks, and there is no promise of privacy.

Who would want a Freeholder naive enough to sign a document like that? This is not the way "all big companies" do it.

Puharic's claim of only the investigator and the candidate seeing the report is just not credible. If true, what would be the point? If the committee will not have access to the reports, what are they screening?

As I have said here before, this whole process is a farce. Puharic's real objective all along has been to get rid of Anna Little.

Little said, "If he doesn't want me on the ticket, he should look me in the eye and say that."

That would have been too forthright for this Chairman.


See Abe's post for more

You don't know how luck you are boys

Shades of the U.S.S.R.

Our 2007 Screening Candidates
A “Wireside Chat” from Chairman Adam Puharic
02/01/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

Tonight, I am honored to announce the candidates who have chosen to move forward in the candidate selection process for 2007. Clearly, our reform of the divisive, little-minded convention system of the last two years has worked with extreme precision. Only those candidates willing to stand up to professional scrutiny, and able to submit to a thorough background review before moving forward, have put their names forward. Long gone are the days of candidates selected to form wedges in our great party, pitting one geographical region against another. They have become very uncomfortable by the thought of being screened by the Chairman’s committee -- who are all committed to unity in the Republican party.

Instead, on March 24th, at Brookdale Community College, the county committee will vote to choose among a group of candidates committed to uniting the party, and winning in the general election. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2007 screening committee candidates:

State Senator
11th District – Assemblyman Sean Kean
12th District – Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck
13th District – Senator Joseph Kyrillos

State Assembly
11th District:
David Rible – Wall Twp.
Mayor Tom Catley – Neptune Twp.
Mary Pat Angelini – Ocean Twp.
Mayor Bill Larkin – Ocean Twp.
Kim Guadagno -- Monmouth Beach Commissioner
12th District:
Caroline Casagrande – Colts Neck
Tom Gilmour – Council President in Fair Haven
Declan O’Scanlon – Little Silver Councilman
13th District:
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin
Assemblyman Sam Thompson

Sheriff:
Joseph Oxley

County Clerk:
M. Claire French

Freeholder:
J. David Hiers -- Ocean Twp. Councilman
Brian Reilly – Spring Lake Councilman
Jeff Cantor – Council President in Marlboro
Freeholder Rob Clifton
Freeholder Anna Little

Congratulations and thank you to all of the candidates who are complying with this ethical reform.

In the next few days, the rumor mill will spread lies about the background process involved before the screening committee convenes on February 17th. Let me be clear, and put an end to the little people who put a lot of energy into spreading lies about our good party:

The background process is voluntary. To date, everyone has indicated a willingness to comply.
We are asking the candidates to invest in this process. If a candidate is unwilling to fund their own background, the party will do it. But our funds are not endless and we are all in this together.
The results will remain confidential.
The Democrats will find out if we don’t. Don’t kid yourselves. With control on the line, if you don’t think the Dems will discover and use the same information, you are kidding yourselves.
Best of luck to all of our candidates! I will update you following the screening committee’s decision.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Freeholder Candidates

Updated February 2, 2007

Rob Clifton, Freeholder
Anna Little, Freeholder
Brian Reilly, Spring Lake Councilman and owner of a Montclair based moving and storage company. He once moved Abraham Lincoln's desk, according to his company's web site.
David Hiers, Ocean Township Township Committee and a trustee for the Brookdale Community College Foundation.
Jeff Cantor, Marlboro Councilman, pharmaceutical sales rep and Army reservist who served in Iraq.
APP Story

The candidates entry fee to cover the cost of background checks has been reduced to $1000 (still expensive for a public records search)and is now voluntary. Wayne Pomanowski has stepped up and gone on record as opposing the fee. APP story.

It is notable that the only incumbents being challenged are the Freeholders. No incumbent legislators, nor the Sheriff(did he file?) or Clerk are being challenged. There was no fifth Freeholder candidate until late in the day on February 1st, the deadline to declare.

Is one of the incumbent Freeholders a target? It is no secret that the Democrats smell Rob Clifton's blood over the Aberdeen/Matawan train station controversy and that the Matawan has gone D since he moved to Freehold. Many Republicans have expressed concern about his electability. Also not a secret is that Little has had many Republican leaders seeing red due to her independence. Many mourned her victory in November more than they mourned Andrew Lucas' defeat. They want her gone.

Will there still be five candidates come February 17th when the screening committee meets? Reilly and Hiers both dropped out last year. Cantor waited until the last minute to get in. Will one of the incumbents bow out? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile,the Democrats reportedly have a "blockbuster heavy weight" candidate committed, and several others jockeying for position.

Next week... screening committee background checks. Maybe.

Here comes a huge money grab

Now that the legislature is getting ready to authorize bids for leasing the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway for an immediate cash infusion of $10 to $15 billion, I thought I'd bring up a few points that haven't been mentioned yet.

Trenton is famous for unintended consequences and opportunities, so here are a few flies for the ointment.

1)If the highways become private enterprises, can municipalities and county collect property taxes on them? If the NJ Supreme Court agrees with the appellate court that the PNC Arts Center owes Holmdel back taxes, you can bet that Mayors and Freeholders all over NJ will want their fair share from the highways.

2)Everyone agrees that tolls will go up if road are privatized. But what about sales taxes? What is 7% of the annual take on tolls. Think of all the good pork barrel projects the legislature could do with that money! Carla Katz could get a much nicer new house for twice the price of the last one. 2 x 0 .

3) One way tolls have become increasingly popular in recent years. Watch for more entrances into NJ to be toll free to lure the suckers in and double tolls for the stampede out.