County Candidates Debate Scheduled

Allan Dean, owner of the Atlantic Highlands Herald, reports on his forum that the League of Women Voters will be sponsoring a County Candidates debate:

2007 Candidates’ Forum for Monmouth County Elections
Sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Monmouth County

Wednesday, October 17 -- 7:00 pm
Monmouth County Library
Symmes Road
Manalapan, New Jersey

Be Part of an Informed Electorate!
Meet the candidates! Hear the discussion on the issues.
Bring your questions for the candidates.

Candidates for County Clerk: Vote for one
Claire French (R)
Amod Choudhary (D)
Candidates for Sheriff: Vote for one
Kim Guadagno (R)
Jack W. Hill, Jr. (D)
Candidates for County Freeholder: Vote for two
Robert Clifton (R) John D’Amico,Jr. (D)
Jeff Cantor (R) Stephen G. Schueler (D)

Safety should trump process. Move the hunt.

Wall Township and County Park officials are at odds over an expansion of Monmouth County's annual deer hunt program that will bring bow hunting to two areas designated by the township as no-hunting zones, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Wall Township zoned the areas as no hunting zones, presumably out of concern for the safety of its residents who live near by. Wall's zoning regulations do not apply to county owned land, and no Wall officials spoke out at the County Park System's hearings earlier this year. Former Wall Mayor John Tobia must have been busy in another part of the Halls of Records during those hearings.

The County Park System's response to Wall's objections has nothing to do with safety. "Your laws don't apply to us. We had a process, you missed it. Try again next year," is the essence of the county response. That is absurd.

Instead of passing the buck between each other and the park system, the Freeholders should cut the red tape and see to it that Wall's zoning regulations are complied with and that there is no hunt in the disputed area.

Newark to cut jobs

With no toll roads or lottery to borrow against, The City of Newark is proposing to reduce it's work force, rather than raise taxes.

Let's hope that this is the beginning of a trend, and that the State Department of Personnel doesn't reject or modify this plan.

No body got hurt

Photo courtesy of All is Sharp Photography

Adam Puharic and I had a grand ole party last night at the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce's Clam Bake at Merri Maker's in Sea Bright.

Progress or Politics?

With her directive that all New Jersey law enforcement officials notify federal authorities when a suspected illegal immigrant is arrested for an indictable crime or drunken driving, state Attorney General Anne Milgram has apparently taken an important first step in dealing with illegals and sanctuary.

Has the Corzine administration had an epiphany, prompted by the execution of three college students at the hands of illegals, or are they simply attempting to take the issue off the table in the upcoming election?

As Conservatives with Attitude's Hank Butehorn points out, "The Devil is in the Details."

Hank argues that Milgram's directive has actually limits law enforcements authority to act under section 287g of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act:

However, a significant concern is raised by Directive 7. That Directive applies to state law enforcement officers with federal immigration enforcement authority pursuant to what is commonly referred to as “287(g);” a section of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act. The concern stems from the fact the Directive constitutes state action that basically removes much of a 287(g) officers authority.

How did they do this? Well Directive 7 says that a 287(g) officer cannot exercise that authority “unless and until the officer has arrested an individual(s) for violation of an indictable offense, or for driving while intoxicated, under state law.” However, that limitation is not
placed upon such officers by the 287(g) program; in contrast, the 287(g) officer
has greater latitude to determine a person’s legal status under the 1996 Act.
And, in fact, a 287(g) officer can ask about legal status merely upon reasonable
belief the person is in the country illegally; there is no requirement the
suspected illegal be under arrest for an indictable offense, or any offense at
all.

Basically, the state took the opportunity in the Directive to
significantly limit and impair a sanctioned immigration officer’s ability to do
their job in that role. 287(g) officers are specifically tasked to investigate,
apprehend, and detain illegals. But, the New Jersey Attorney General is limiting
the circumstances where they can do that job.

Further, such officers - pursuant to the Act - are under the sole direction and supervision of the
Attorney General; however, that is the U.S. Attorney General, not New Jersey’s.
So, ultimately, in effect, the state took the opportunity to act as the Federal
government so as to dictate, and limit, federal enforcement of federal
immigration law - something the Constitution places solely with the Federal
government - and, hence, give sanctuary to many illegals.

While state officials continually say they are not responsible for setting national
immigration policy, or enforcing immigration law, they have taken such a step by
controlling how an official properly authorized to carry out that role is
permitted to do their job as such.

Why limit this directive to indictable offensives and drunken driving? Tax evasion is an indictable offense, but we're not likely to see cops on the beat demanding that grass cutters or bus boys produce their pay stubs.

The use of 287g should be expanded, not limited. Officers should be empowered to invoke 287g during traffic stops and for disorderly persons offenses. Code enforcement officers and educators should be empowered to report illegals to the feds.

Illegals make a rational decision when they come here. There is very little risk and enormous rewards. It is long past time to change that equation. We need to make it riskier to be here illegally and reward those who immigrate within the system and assimilate to our society. We don't need to put walls along our border to do this. Enforcing the laws already on the books and depriving services from illegals would do it.

Will there be a choice this fall?

With a mid-term election on the horizon and a restless if not angry electorate, the minority party should be poised to make significant gains, if not to take over the legislature. We saw the minority party do just that on a national level last year. Will it happen in New Jersey this year?

We've had six years of massive spending, tax and borrowing increases. The governor is proposing a borrowing scheme, called monetization, that will make the excesses of the last six years look prudent.

The fastest growing groups in New Jersey are state workers and gangs. Illegal immigrants who have already been indicted for child rape are free to roam the streets and execute college students.

Two State Senators are indicted and a third is the target of a grand jury investigation.

No wonder New Jerseyans are leaving the state at a clip of 70,000 + per year.

Where is the opposition? Where is the outrage? Where is the leadership? What is the alternative?

Who is calling for a reduction in state spending? Who is calling for a rational, equitable, "thorough and efficient" education funding? Who is proposing solutions to illegal immigration and gang violence?

Who has the fortitude to take on the state workers' unions and the teachers' unions?

Do we have an opposition party in New Jersey?

This upcoming election should be a slam dunk for Republicans. The Republicans should be swinging for the fences. Yet, with only 4 seats needed to take the Senate, the Republicans have forfeited 4 seats and are playing small ball statewide.

Michael Shapiro of Shaptalk suggests we need a third party. While that might be a good idea nationally, in New Jersey it would be good if we had two show up.

Must Read

Middletown resident Hank Butehorn is writing an excellent series on illegal immigration and sanctuary cities at Conservatives with Attitude.

Tommy Tenacious

Notice of Subpoena served on Yahoo!, Inc. - August 20, 2007


THOMAS DE SENO, ESQ.
DESENO & KUNZ, LLP
601 Bangs Avenue, 8th Floor
PO Box 500
Asbury Park, NJ 07712-0500
732-869-1500
Attorney for Plaintiff

JAMES PURCELL, Plaintiff,
vs.“MONMOUTH RASTAMAN,” a fictitious name for a real person to be identified, JOHN DOES 1- 100 and ABC Corporation 1-100, fictitious names for real companies to be identified later
Defendants ))))))))))

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
LAW DIVISION:MONMOUTH COUNTY
CIVIL ACTION
DOCKET NO: MON-L-2355-07
SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM

THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO:

Yahoo! Inc.
C/O Corporation Trust Company
820 Bear Tavern Road
West Trenton, NJ 08628

YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to attend and give testimony before the above named Court at the Law Offices of DE SENO & KUNZ, LLP, 601 Bangs Avenue, 8th Floor, Asbury Park, New Jersey on September 11, 2007 at 10: a.m. on the part of the plaintiff in the above entitled action, and that you have and bring with you and produce at the same time and place the following:

1. The name, address, phone number, billing information and any other information revealing the identity of the persons or companies that own, registered, are assigned or use the email address rasta22746@yahoo.com;

2. A copy of any and all email messages that went to and were sent by the email address rasta22746@yahoo.com from August 1 2006 to September 1 2007.

3. The “SERVER LOGS” for the eamil address rasta22746@yahoo.com revealing all information including but not limited to:

A. The Internet Protocol addressed assigned to rasta22746@yahoo.com by his ISP for each email sent;

B. All information regarding the requested URL when rasta22746@yahoo.com made each mail;

C. Information regarding the browser and operating system being used by rasta22746@yahoo.com;

D. The unique cookie ID assigned to the computers used by rasta22746@yahoo.com for each email sent;

5. Any and all other information in the possession of Yahoo!, Inc. that will reveal the name, address, phone number, other email addressed and any other information revealing the identity of the person or entities who are assigned the email address rasta22746@yahoo.

Failure to appear according to this Subpoena will subject you to a penalty, damages in a civil suit and punishment for contempt of Court. *In lieu of appearing on the designated date, you may photocopy your complete file and forward to De Seno & Kunz, LLP at the above address.

The subpoenaed documents shall not be produced or released until the date specified. In the event you are notified that a motion to quash has been filed, you shall not produce or release the subpoenaed documents until ordered to do so the Court or until the release of the records is consented to by all parties to this action.
__________________________________
THOMAS DE SENO, Esq.
Theodore Fetter, CLERK

ATTY. FOR PLAINTIFF



PROOF OF SERVICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that an original of the within Subpoena has been served upon Yahoo! Inc. on today’s date.


Dated:___________________

BY: ____________________________

Highlands Mayor leaves race

Highlands Mayor Rick O'Neil is withdrawing from the race for a fourth term. The Republican O'Neil was set to defend his seat against Democratic Councilman John Urbanski.

The Highlands Republican county committee members will select a new candidate before the September 17 deadline.

Tobin appointed to Solid Waste Advisory Council

Tinton Falls Councilman Brendan Tobin was appointed to the Monmouth County Solid Waste Advisory Council at the August 9, 2007 regular meeting of the Monmouth County Freeholder Board.

The all volunteer council meets monthly to review solid waste issues affecting the county. The council hosts an annual awards dinner to recognise indiviuals and organizations that take a pro-active approach to providing solutions to the 500,000 tons of solid waste that Monmouth County produces annually.

Cantor Calls for Adoption of Criminal Alien Program in Monmouth County

-- Immigration Enforcement Program Focuses on Identifying Criminal illegal Aliens already Incarcerated --

Freehold, NJ, August 16, 2007 – The Monmouth County Republican Freeholder candidate Jeff Cantor issued the following statement today.

“As I visit voters across Monmouth County, walking door-to-door with my running mate Sheriff candidate Kim Guadagno, we are hearing the citizens of our county speak out about their outrage that criminal illegal aliens are being released from jail onto our streets. The execution-style murders of the three promising young college students from Newark serves as a painful reminder that alleged murderer Jose Carranza did not have to be released from jail without checking his immigration status. This is a travesty of justice,” said Freeholder Candidate Jeff Cantor.

It has been reported that Carranza had been indicted by Essex County grand juries twice this year: once in April on aggravated assault and weapons charges; and once in July on 31 counts, including aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 years old and endangering the welfare of a child he had a duty to supervise.”

“How does an animal like this get released back onto our streets? With lack of federal action, local governments need to act to ensure illegal aliens with criminal records are never sent back onto our streets before facing an immigration judge. Today I am asking Sheriff Joseph Oxley to adopt a federal program known as The Criminal Alien Program (or CAP),” said Freeholder Candidate Jeff Cantor.

The Criminal Alien Program (CAP) focuses on identifying criminal aliens who are incarcerated within federal, state and local facilities, thereby ensuring that they are not released into the community by securing a final order of removal prior to the termination of their sentence. In June 2006, ICE launched a central interview and processing site for criminal aliens within the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) called the Detention Enforcement and Processing Offenders by Remote Technology (DEPORT). Since June, DEPORT has processed more than 4,337 inmates in federal prisons eligible for removal and who previously may have slipped through the immigration process. Through DEPORT, ICE ensures that all criminal aliens in federal prison custody are processed for removal. Currently ICE has increased the presence of the CAP program from 30 to 119 federal prisons.

“This program should be adopted at the county jail to further protect the citizens of Monmouth County until Kim Guadagno is elected sheriff and can implement 287g and programs like it in the Monmouth County jail,” said Cantor.

Under the “Immigration Reform Act of 1996” and provisions of the federal program known as 287(g) law enforcement officers working with federal authorities gain necessary resources and authority to immediately determine the immigration status of an individual.

He continued, “The adoption of CAP combined with the certification of Monmouth County correctional officers under 287g will protect the citizens of our county from criminal illegal aliens who should fully serve their criminal sentences and be deported.”

“There is no debate that criminal aliens that are present in the United States do not deserve the chance to flaunt our laws and remain here in the United States,” concluded Freeholder Candidate Jeff Cantor.

For more information on The Criminal Alien Program (CAP) and 287(g) visit www.ice.gov.

Mike Howell endorses Kim Guadagno for Sheriff

Michael Howell
Howell, NJ 07731


August 13, 2007

It with a sense of great honor and pride that I offer my personal endorsement to Monmouth County Sheriff Candidate Kim Guadagno.

After having an opportunity to speak with Kim on a number of issues recently, I feel that she is the only logical choice to further enhance the great strides made in the sheriffs department by outgoing Sheriff Joe Oxley, and is certainly the obvious choice for the residents of Monmouth County.

Her background as a state and federal prosecutor as well as her forward thinking concerning the use of the 287g program will make Monmouth County a safer place for all of us to live and work. Enacting the 287g program will allow corrections officers working with federal authorities to gain necessary resources and the authority to immediately determine the immigration status of an inmate.

If this program had been in place statewide, it would have kept individuals like the “Fort Dix Six” and at least one of the alleged assassins of the three Newark college students off the streets. If we can’t get the state to implement this program, I ask that you help elect Kim Guadagno so that she can put it in place here.

As someone who was elected to office as an Independent, I do not have a “party duty” to endorse any particular candidate but instead, have the freedom to endorse the individual who I believe will do the best for all the residents of Monmouth County. I hope that you will join me in voting for the best candidate for Monmouth County Sheriff on November 6. That person is Kim Guadagno.

Respectfully yours,
Councilman Mike Howell (I)
Howell Township

Views expressed in this endorsement are those of the writer and not necessarily those of MoreMonmouthMusings. Want your opinion published? Send it to billsewardnj@aol.com

Asbury Park Press off base with O'Connor stories

In their zeal to clean house in Freehold and sell papers the Asbury Park Press has once again gone too far. Their treatment of Acting Deputy Administrator Terri O'Connor's rapid rise up the ladder and pay scale is just off base.

O'Connor's assent was caused by the retirement of County Administrator and the untimely death of the Deputy Administrator. She is now doing two jobs, and doing them for a lot less money than Lou and Kate were. She shouldn't be compensated at the same level she was before taking on her new responsibilities. She would be foolish if she did.

I'm a fan of the Asbury Park Press. I think overall they do a great job holding the county's feet to the fire and exposing excesses. When they go overboard, as they did last year with their stories on county legal fees, i.e. using pre-reform numbers to criticize reforms, and with the O'Connor stories, they damage there own credibility as well as the important service they provide to their customers.

Cantor speaks his mind.

At the Monmouth County Freeholder meeting on Thursday night, Marlboro Council President and Freeholder Candidate Jeff Cantor endorsed Freeholder Anna Little's proposal for Freeholder term limits and a rotational directorship.

During the public comments, Cantor said, "Director Barham, you are not going to like this, Freeholder Little you are right. Absolute power corrupts."

In an interview on Friday with MoreMonmouthMusings, Cantor said that he expects Freeholder Director Bill Barham and others are not pleased with him. "People may be pissed off, but I have to do what I think is right. The state should be implementing these kinds of reforms from the top. If they won't do it, we can do it on the county and municipal level."

Cantor said that Freeholders should serve no more than four terms, and that the directorship should rotate annually. "This is not Jeff Cantor vs Bill Barham," he said,"Bill has done a lot of good things. However, it is important to rotate and to learn from each other."

Cantor, a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves said there has been no change is his military status, but that could change at any time.

He had not spoken with Director Barham, Chairman Adam Puharic or his running mate Freeholder Rob Clifton since his comments at the Freeholder meeting on Thursday night.

Motion granted

In the case of

Purcell v Monmouth Rastaman Docket No: MON-L-2355-07,

Motion to Approve Letters Rogatory to request the California Court approve the Subpoena issued to Google, Inc. for identifying information for “Monmouth Rastaman”

The Honorable Jamie S. Perri, PJSC

When asked for a comment, Attorney Tommy DeSeno broke out in song, "California here I come...."

Is it too late?

According to published reports today is Adam Puharic's last day working for the Department of Homeland Security.

In his wireside announcement of his resignation he states that he's leaving the job because, "this position did provide critics with an opportunity to attack the Republican party and smear our good names". He's right about that.

However, given the coverage his resignation received it is safe to assume that the attacks will not stop. Puharic's employment, or lack thereof, is not the only issue his critics, on both sides of the isle and in the media have with him. He has ensured that he himself will be an issue, at least in the upcoming campaign, if he remains chairman.

Is he giving up the wrong position? I think so.

There are signs that his candidates, both on the county level and legislative level are inclined to think and act for themselves (more on this over the weekend). The candidate who did that last year won the election but was given the boot by Puharic. If, as it appears it might be happening, and the candidates embrace and run on a true reform agenda as opposed to the old "Monmouth County is great, we have a AAA bond rating, and the Republicans did it" status quo campaign, Puharic may find himself at odds with his candidates and irrelevant in the campaigns.

Puharic never had relevance regarding poltical appointments, as the Director has chosen to keep all of that power for himself. The "half a chairman" moniker was not just about the fundraising restrictions on Puharic due to his Federal employment.

Puharic's job with the Feds is a good job. It pays well and offers security. It gives him an opportunity to use his skills and training to make a difference in a critical government function. It may not have the juice or excitement of politics, but it does make a difference and more importantly, enables him to provide for his family. Giving it up for the chairmanship is foolish, and it doesn't serve him, his family or the party.

Puharic was quoted saying his superiors encouraged him to stay on at this job. He should do so, and resign the chairmanship, if it is not too late.

That would be better for him, better for the party, and better for Monmouth County.

Nuts

Judging by the boost in traffic yesterday when I posted only very late in the day, I'm guessing readers came to see what I had to say about the lead story in the Asbury Park Press - Adam Puharic leaving his job with the Department of Homeland Security. Sorry to disappoint.

I find the Adam situation disturbing on several levels. For him and his family on a personal level I'm concerned. If what he says is true, that he has had the good fortune of having good jobs, making good investments and can afford time off and maybe go back to school, good for him. But I have to wonder. With a young family to educate, what seem like good investments in your thirties may not look like much when the college tuition bills, the kids, not his, are due. If the Puharic estate was on the Navesink instead of behind a strip mall in Aberdeen, I'd be more apt to believe this spin.

But spin it is and I don't believe that Adam doesn't have a job lined up. He's had three good jobs in the fourteen months he's been chairman. He's practiced at this.

"Half a chairman" is very good at telling half the truth. In his wireside announcement to the county committee he said he had resigned his job three weeks ago. Probably true, but it left the reader with the impression that he stopped working for the Feds three weeks ago. In the paper we read that he still works there until this Friday.

The rumour mill has him going to work in the insurance business, in either Spring Lake or Wall. Either is a better commute and a nicer place to work than Newark. Whatever he does, I hope he finds a lucrative and fulfilling career.

On a political level, that the Asbury Park Press chose to make Puharic's employment situation its lead story of the day, and to place it along side the most damaging and juicy part of the Bid Rig series so far, further confirms my suspicion that an all out assault on the Monmouth GOP is coming in September and October. Guadagno, French, Clifton and Cantor may be on the ballot, but Bid Rig sentences, Puharic, Barham and Carton will dominate the headlines. Watch. Did you notice the mention of the late Keyport councilman's relationship with the county clerk in the Bid Rig series?

The assault is going to be relentless.

Corruption in Monmouth County

Another jewel of a post by "Teddy Roosevelt"

A message from Chairman Adam Puharic

Dear Fellow Republicans:

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress of our 2007 Monmouth County Republican ticket. Kim Guadagno for Sheriff, County Clerk Claire French, and Rob Clifton and Jeff Cantor for Freeholder are motivated, enthusiastic, focused and united. Our outstanding ticket is working hard to bring a Republican victory from the top of the ticket to elected office on the municipal level.

This past weekend, all of our Monmouth County Republican candidates were busy walking door to door, visiting voters, and listening to their concerns. I am impressed by their dedication, and you should know that our candidates have been walking since Memorial Day.

This past Wednesday, the 52nd Annual Monmouth County Republican Finance Gala was a tremendous success. The outstanding Finance Committee, led by Chairman Tom Gagliano, committee members John Bennett, Rick DeNoia, Shital Rajan, Senator Joe Kyrillos, and others raised more funds for our candidates than the prior three years. This is a testament to their commitment to a Republican victory this November, and their fidelity to our great party.

On a personal note, three weeks ago I resigned my position as public affairs specialist for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Despite misstatements by critics and partisans, maintaining the chairmanship alongside this employment was not a violation of the Hatch Act. The ability of a federal employee to serve as county chairman has been upheld by the Attorney General as a protected and cherished right for all American citizens.

However, this position did provide critics with an opportunity to attack the Republican party and smear our good names with baseless accusations. I was once called “half a chairman” for the necessary restrictions in fund raising as a federal employee. I have always maintained that the Republican party is bigger than any one man, even the chair-man. “Half a chairman” just organized a finance committee that succeeded in raising the most funds in the recent past. Our opponents should take note. It reminds me of the old adage “be careful what you wish for.”

The only thing this campaign is missing is you. Your help is sorely needed – as a volunteer, as a phone bank operator, as a member of the sign crew, or walking door to door with our great candidates. Please call us at Republican headquarters, (732) 431-6664. I’m looking forward to your call.

Respectfully,

Adam Puharic
Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Committee

Tommy DeSeno on SCHIP

Read it at Red Jersey

Adding Insult to Injury

New Jersey's government is bad for business, especially since the Democrats took over.

In today's mail I received a REFUND/CREDIT NOTICE for my Corporation Business Tax from the Division of Taxation. It agrees with my tax return with the exception of the fact that the state is paying me $29.25 in interest on the amount of my refund. I'm sure I will pay that money in other taxes or fees.

What was not included in the mail was a check. The notice said that the interest has been calculated until September 15, 2007. I guess I'll get my check in September.

My company's fiscal year ends in September, which made my tax returns due in January. My accountant always requests an extension, so the return was actually due in July. We submitted in early, in May, along with Federal returns and State returns for several other states. I had a refund from Pennsylvania in early June.

So the state went to the expense of verifying the accuracy of my return and spent money sending the notice, and will spend more money sending the check in September.

What really burns me about this is why I'm due a refund from NJ at all. Due to the McGreevey/Codey/Roberts business tax increases in 2005 I was socked with an unexpected tax bill of $10,000. With my extension application for the 2006 return I sent 1/2 the previous years tax. As it turned out, I only owed $800 for 2006.

NJ is using $4,200 of my money and paying me $29.52 interest for 9 months. I really could have used that money this month...to help pay my quarterly property taxes.

Come to Highlands, Enjoy the Clam Fest this weekend

State leaders missed the boat

Our fuzzy-faced governor has demonstrated he has no respect for anyone not having his economic status. Gov. Corzine used his personal fortune to pay for his campaign for the Senate, where he got bored and then bought his way into becoming our governor. He seems to feel he can buy his idea of selling off two of New Jersey's major assets, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, to fund his inability to creatively manage the state's finances. Our elected representatives just sit there pontificating and showing the creativity of amoebas.

Our elected state representatives appear to be cowering in the light of all of this economic power. All I have to say is, fire them all. Our governor has proven to be a fraud. Our elected representatives had more than 50 years to fix the economic problems of New Jersey, yet they maintain the status quo. They have no respect for any of us who have to justify our existence every day.

Corzine will survive with his millions. When he gets bored with New Jersey, he can buy a small country and do what he pleases. The rest of our elected officials know they will get pensions that will rival that of any person who has to work for a living.

Thomas J. Kesoilts

HOLMDEL

A letter to the editor, published in the Asbury Park Press, 8/2/07

The cost of reform

Real reform will cost real money, so let's spend it
By CHARLES STILE,RECORD COLUMNIST
NorthJersey.com