The following was left as a comment on my original Horizon Blue Cross post. The commenter is apparently a HBCBS employee who's data was compromised:
"bc bs continues. In conversation with employees there yesterday, I saw history being revised as we spoke. by the time the comments from bc were in the paper today they were totally different than what I had been told as one of the 300,000 now exposed.
The employee was a male. Supposedly several days after the theft BC "destroyed" the files that had been on the computer and did this for the next 'several days". On January 23 the hard drive "self destructed".
I was told that it was "policy" that laptops with this kind of info left their premises and now that is being reconsidered.
yesterday it was made very clear that they are not sure if medical data was on the computer or not. Today, in their press remarks it is being presented as if no medical data was on the computer.
So... what was the role of the person walking around with all our info exposed? I was also told that no one had asked the person if medical data was on the computer.
it's a nice distraction to have Experian provide tracking.
What about BC providing internal tracking to the 300,00 for the possible exposure of policy info and access.
What a perfect storm for a shady practitioner to bill thru the stolen policy using universal claims forms and for BC to pay on the "claim" to that person who generously then shares with the thief.
Meanwhile...the legit policy holder has brand new medical codes slammed on them, blue cross math already questionable becomes even more screwed up and no one at Experian will be protecting or guarding or informing about that.
Blue is offering scant protection and a major distraction from what is really the most serious exposure here. why is that not surprising?"
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Mayor Mike Halfacre's take on the 800% toll road scheme.
Mike Halfacre may be sitting on the fence about running for Freeholder, but he is very clear about where he stands on the toll road scheme.
Bloomberg will run if Romney and Clinton are the nominees
A very interesting read from ShapTalk's Michael Shapiro.
The elite Republicrats are lining up with Corzine
While disappointing, it should be no surprise that the elite Republicrats are lining up to support Corzine's 800% toll increase scheme.
The leadership of the State Chamber of Commerce, and the rest of the blue noose panels got rich getting New Jersey into the mess it is in, and will get richer if Corzine's plan is approved. The rest of us will alter our lives by living on less, driving on local roads with longer commutes or moving to North Carolina.
The Republicans and Democrats who oppose the 800% toll increase scheme need to start suggesting specific cuts to spending, including layoffs and buyouts. They need to endure the rath of the state employees unions, because it is the largess that those union members enjoy that is the problem. Everbody, including the voters, knows this. However, until someone in office has the balls to say it and propose doing something about it, nothing is going to change.
It is also time to start circulating recall petitions for Corzine and legislators who support the plan.
With signatures from 25% of the registered voters within a jurisdiction needed to force a recall election, it is unlikely that such an effort would actually force a recall election before the next general election for the governor and state assembly in 2009. However, a well publicised effort could be enough to 1) spook Wall Street away from investing in the toll road bonds, and 2) spook spineless legislators from supporting the scheme.
Republican party chairmen in Bergen, Essex, Union, Passaic, and Camden should start their 2009 legislative campaigns now by having their potential candidates campaign against the 800% toll road scheme while circulating recall petitions at train stations, super markets, malls, ball fields and door to door.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Romney likes his chances in a two person race
Mitt Romney told FoxNews this morning that he likes his chances in a two person race.
I like those chances for him too, so long as the other person is not Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
I like those chances for him too, so long as the other person is not Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
County should get out of the golf course business
APP Letter to the Editor:
I am writing on behalf of the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association with regard to Monmouth County's tentative plans to decrease the golf rates for nonresidents of Monmouth County. ("Not up to par; Monmouth County Park System may drop golfing fees for outsiders because of record-low usage," Jan. 24.)
As the representative of more than 75 nongovernmental golf courses in the state, including public golf courses in Monmouth County and surrounding counties, we oppose the county's plans to reduce rates.
The drop in play that some in the county administration believe is weather-related goes far deeper than that. It has been well documented that for almost a decade, the number of golfers and the total rounds played has been stagnant, both in New Jersey and nationally.
During the same period, as new courses have opened, which in New Jersey's case has been predominantly government-owned courses — the number of golfers and rounds per course has dropped or remained flat because there are now more courses chasing the same or fewer golfers.
During this same time period, expenses have increased significantly — utilities, property taxes, fuel, fertilizer, health insurance and more. The result has been the closure or threatened development of golf courses into higher and better uses.
Recently, taxpayers funded the purchase of the Cream Ridge Golf Course in western Monmouth County to preserve open space, because the golf business was no longer tenable compared to the property's value as a real estate development. Blue Heron Pines Golf Course in Atlantic County, recent site of a U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, closed for the same reason and now lays fallow.
What makes the county's action objectionable to our association is that the county's golf courses unfairly compete with private industry without a level playing field. The government-owned golf courses do not pay property taxes, while privately owned courses pay hundreds of thousands per course per year. And while the county courses purport to be profitable (does that include interest on the debt to build or buy them?), their lack of a free-market economic model, on which this country is built, will drive other golf courses out of business or into the arms of developers.
This is not a "weather" issue. It is a supply-and-demand imbalance. The county's lowering of the nonresident rates will worsen this imbalance.
We could debate ad nauseam the rationale or purported need for government-supported golf courses when private, taxpaying small businesses already provide the same service to the only 10 percent of the population that plays golf. Government doesn't see the need to compete for customers for bowling, movie theater, hair styling or most other businesses.
As the representative of golf course owners, who employ thousands, pay millions in property taxes and still have to make ends meet without the support of taxpayer dollars, I respectfully ask that the county not worsen the market imbalance that it has helped to create — and potentially crowd out the Monmouth County residents whose taxes have paid for and support the courses.
To address the county's financial and operational concerns, I recommend that it consider the privatization of its golf courses to realize their full economic and public service potential. This has been the best practice model throughout the United States for more than 20 years for governmental agencies, including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Hartford, Charlotte, Atlanta and Cincinnati.
Matthew D. Galvin is president of the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association.
I am writing on behalf of the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association with regard to Monmouth County's tentative plans to decrease the golf rates for nonresidents of Monmouth County. ("Not up to par; Monmouth County Park System may drop golfing fees for outsiders because of record-low usage," Jan. 24.)
As the representative of more than 75 nongovernmental golf courses in the state, including public golf courses in Monmouth County and surrounding counties, we oppose the county's plans to reduce rates.
The drop in play that some in the county administration believe is weather-related goes far deeper than that. It has been well documented that for almost a decade, the number of golfers and the total rounds played has been stagnant, both in New Jersey and nationally.
During the same period, as new courses have opened, which in New Jersey's case has been predominantly government-owned courses — the number of golfers and rounds per course has dropped or remained flat because there are now more courses chasing the same or fewer golfers.
During this same time period, expenses have increased significantly — utilities, property taxes, fuel, fertilizer, health insurance and more. The result has been the closure or threatened development of golf courses into higher and better uses.
Recently, taxpayers funded the purchase of the Cream Ridge Golf Course in western Monmouth County to preserve open space, because the golf business was no longer tenable compared to the property's value as a real estate development. Blue Heron Pines Golf Course in Atlantic County, recent site of a U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, closed for the same reason and now lays fallow.
What makes the county's action objectionable to our association is that the county's golf courses unfairly compete with private industry without a level playing field. The government-owned golf courses do not pay property taxes, while privately owned courses pay hundreds of thousands per course per year. And while the county courses purport to be profitable (does that include interest on the debt to build or buy them?), their lack of a free-market economic model, on which this country is built, will drive other golf courses out of business or into the arms of developers.
This is not a "weather" issue. It is a supply-and-demand imbalance. The county's lowering of the nonresident rates will worsen this imbalance.
We could debate ad nauseam the rationale or purported need for government-supported golf courses when private, taxpaying small businesses already provide the same service to the only 10 percent of the population that plays golf. Government doesn't see the need to compete for customers for bowling, movie theater, hair styling or most other businesses.
As the representative of golf course owners, who employ thousands, pay millions in property taxes and still have to make ends meet without the support of taxpayer dollars, I respectfully ask that the county not worsen the market imbalance that it has helped to create — and potentially crowd out the Monmouth County residents whose taxes have paid for and support the courses.
To address the county's financial and operational concerns, I recommend that it consider the privatization of its golf courses to realize their full economic and public service potential. This has been the best practice model throughout the United States for more than 20 years for governmental agencies, including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Hartford, Charlotte, Atlanta and Cincinnati.
Matthew D. Galvin is president of the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
You Curmudgeonly Thing
By Nightrhymes
I believe in Malcolm
Where you from
You curmudgeonly thing
(Curmudgeonly thing you)
I believe in Malcolm
Since you came along
You curmudgeonly thing
How did we know that you'd be the one
Been a long time here since Larrison
Doing all the things that makes the APP sing
Keep doing what you're doing you curmudgeonly thing
How didya' know we needed you so badly
How didya' know we gave the county gladly
Yesterday I was one of the unrepresented people
Now you're sittin' next to me
Representin' me
I believe in Malcolm
Where you from
You curmudgeonly thing
(Curmudgeonly thing you)
I believe in Malcolm
Since you came along
You curmudgeonly thing
Only yesterday we were on our own
Just another day later control was blown
You curmudgeonly thing come into our life
You make the Dems feels alright
How did Bill know that you'd be the one
Been a long time coming, you're like Harry's son
Doing all the things that makes Adam's heart sing
Keep doing what you're doing you curmudgeonly thing
How didya' know we needed you so badly
How didya' know we'd give our fees gladly
Yesterday I was in need of legal counsel
Now you're sittin' next to me
Givin' it to me
Oooh!!!
I believe in Malcolm
Where you from
You curmudgeonly thing
(Curmudgeonly thing you)
I believe in Malcolm
Since you came along
You curmudgeonly thing
Advise me counsel
You curmudgeonly thing
You curmudgeonly thing
Advise me counsel
You curmudgeonly thing
You curmudgeonly thing
Advise me counsel
You curmudgeonly thing
You curmudgeonly thing
Advise me counsel
You curmudgeonly thing
You curmudgeonly thing
Advise me counsel
You curmudgeonly thing
You curmudgeonly thing
(To fade...)
Security Breach at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ
In a letter dated January 28, 2008, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has informed New Jersey businesses and their employees of a data security breach that occurred when a Horizon employee's laptop computer was stolen.
The laptop contained the names, addresses and social security numbers of New Jersey employees and their dependents. Between 200,000 and 300,000 identities were on the stolen computer.
A spokesperson for Horizon said that the theft occurred at the home of their employee on January 5, 2008. The compromised data was destroyed on January 23, 2008 when the stolen computer accessed the Internet, according to the spokesperson.
When asked how many Horizon Blue Cross employees take customers' personal data home with them, the spokesperson said that such data is not supposed to be on laptop hard drives, but the employee involved in this incident was authorized to have the data.
Requests to speak to Horizon Privacy Official who signed the letter were declined.
Horizon is offering their compromised customers free credit report monitoring for one year through ConsumerInfo.com. The spokesperson said that they would not reimburse customers who already subscribe to credit report monitoring through another service.
The laptop contained the names, addresses and social security numbers of New Jersey employees and their dependents. Between 200,000 and 300,000 identities were on the stolen computer.
A spokesperson for Horizon said that the theft occurred at the home of their employee on January 5, 2008. The compromised data was destroyed on January 23, 2008 when the stolen computer accessed the Internet, according to the spokesperson.
When asked how many Horizon Blue Cross employees take customers' personal data home with them, the spokesperson said that such data is not supposed to be on laptop hard drives, but the employee involved in this incident was authorized to have the data.
Requests to speak to Horizon Privacy Official who signed the letter were declined.
Horizon is offering their compromised customers free credit report monitoring for one year through ConsumerInfo.com. The spokesperson said that they would not reimburse customers who already subscribe to credit report monitoring through another service.
Conservatives with Attitude will be back soon
The groundbreaking blog, Conservatives with Attitude is experiencing technical difficulties and will be back to normal soon. Hopefully by 10am this morning.
Due to an undetermined glitch on the part of their host, wordpress, the blog has reverted back to December 16, 2007, leaving a over a months worth of posts and data missing.
There is no truth to the speculation that Dino hacked into CWA in an attempt to turn back the clock and let Rudy start over.
Due to an undetermined glitch on the part of their host, wordpress, the blog has reverted back to December 16, 2007, leaving a over a months worth of posts and data missing.
There is no truth to the speculation that Dino hacked into CWA in an attempt to turn back the clock and let Rudy start over.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Why I support John McCain
By Eric Sedler
I turned 18 on August 7th, 2003. One of the first things I did was become a registered voter, although I admit that I was not an informed voter and I was rarely concerned with politics. What I was however, was an independent. I voted in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 elections as an independent, and while I won’t say who I voted for, I will admit that I often split my ticket, even in 2006 when I started identifying myself with the Republican party and helped out Tom Kean Jr., I split my ticket. This past year I finally became a registered Republican and out of frustration with the direction of the state and with my home county of Bergen, I voted right down the Republican line in 2007. These days I’m not afraid to admit that I’m quite the partisan, but one of the things I can say is that I’ve learned the value of independence and just how important it is for candidates to appeal to independents, especially in New Jersey.
The Republican Party is facing quite the battle in 2008. All trends lean Democrat and the current Republican President’s approval rating is in the toilet. People are frustrated with him and even the word Republican has a negative approval rating. Our party needs to unite behind a candidate that can transcend the negative view of Republicans and win back the all important independents and appeal to the crossover Democrats. We cannot be obsessed with finding the perfect candidate for our views; rather we need to look to who would bridge the partisan divide in this country and lead this country in the right direction.
Senator John McCain is that person, not just for the Republican Party, but for the United States of America. His proven record of appealing to independents and crossover Democrats is exactly what stands out as his biggest strength.
I realize that some conservatives have a real problem with Senator McCain. There is no denying that John McCain has stood on his own at times rather than with siding with the conservative base of the party. There is also no denying he is more willing to work with Democrats then some Conservatives would like. I would call these strengths, but some Republicans would call it his greatest weakness. I’d like to reassure those people: JOHN MCCAIN IS A CONSERVATIVE!
He has an 83% rating from the American Conservative Union and is often the biggest deficit and spending hawk in the US Senate. Some Republicans dislike him because he originally opposed the Bush Tax Cuts twice, but it was a key conservative issue that led him to oppose the cuts: there were no spending cuts to offset the tax cuts. A common conservative complaint against the Bush administration and some other Republicans is that they let spending get out of control, John McCain realized that and understood the cause for concern so he opposed the tax cuts, never mind the fact that he now says he wants to make those tax cuts permanent. John McCain is a STRONG fiscal conservative; he has never asked or received one earmark. He leads the charge against pork-barrel spending and would veto every single pork filled bill that is sent to his desk as President and make the authors famous. Ask Jack Abramoff and his cronies just how tough John McCain is on pork-barrel spending. Ask The Bridge to Nowhere and Hillary Clinton’s would-be hippie museum just how tough John McCain is on reckless spending. This is exactly why America is worried about the economy, politicians are in Washington spending our taxpayer dollars on useless gifts to their campaign contributors and John McCain is the person who can finally stop this culture of corruption. McCain also realizes more needs to be done on the economy, that’s why he proposes repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), something that would save one middle class with children an average of over $2,700. McCain is also a very strong advocate for pro-growth and free-trade policies. He would give tax credits for innovation (research and development) that would keep America competitive and business-friendly.
John McCain’s weakest issue among conservatives just might be immigration. He has heard their message and the message of the American people and would secure the borders first and have the border state Governor’s certify that their borders are secured. Republicans need to realize however that after that is done, we need to take a realistic and humane approach to how to deal with the 12 million plus illegal immigrants in this county. John McCain’s campaign suffered greatly because of the bill that was unfairly labeled “Amnesty”. The bill was not in fact amnesty, because it required illegal immigrants to return home and pay fines, learn English, and other things to get on the path to citizenship. John McCain would deport the 2 million plus illegal immigrants that have committed crimes and make sure the borders are in fact secure before even working on the very real and complex problem of the illegal immigrants already in the country.
John McCain’s strongest issue is National Security and Foreign Affairs. He is hands down the most experienced candidate on both sides of the aisle when it comes to these issues. He was right to criticize the Rumsfeld strategy for Iraq and was the surge’s biggest supporter when it was an unpopular idea. John McCain knows just how important it is to listen to the Generals rather than play politics with our troops. His experience on foreign affairs is even greater, he’s been involved in every major national conflict since even before he was elected to Congress. We need a leader who needs no on the job training and is prepared to lead day one and keep America safe. John McCain is that leader for America and we can trust him to make the right decisions to keep this country secure from radical extremists.
John McCain is an American Hero. His days as a POW have made him into the tough character that he is today and makes him stand out amongst any of the other candidates. He takes strong positions on controversial issues like torture and earns the respect of everyone as someone who can restore the moral authority America once had around the world.
I encourage everyone to check out http://www.johnmccain.com/ and research more of his positions and trust the wisdom of the voters leads to John McCain becoming the next president of the United States.
Eric Sedler is Managing Editor of RedJersey.net. Eric is a volunteer for the McCain campaign. The campaign has opened a New Jersey office located at 4619 Nottingham Way. Hamilton, NJ. Phone Number: 609-587-0111. Open this week Mon-Friday 10:00AM -8:00PM.
Eric can be reached at eric.sedler@gmail.com
I turned 18 on August 7th, 2003. One of the first things I did was become a registered voter, although I admit that I was not an informed voter and I was rarely concerned with politics. What I was however, was an independent. I voted in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 elections as an independent, and while I won’t say who I voted for, I will admit that I often split my ticket, even in 2006 when I started identifying myself with the Republican party and helped out Tom Kean Jr., I split my ticket. This past year I finally became a registered Republican and out of frustration with the direction of the state and with my home county of Bergen, I voted right down the Republican line in 2007. These days I’m not afraid to admit that I’m quite the partisan, but one of the things I can say is that I’ve learned the value of independence and just how important it is for candidates to appeal to independents, especially in New Jersey.
The Republican Party is facing quite the battle in 2008. All trends lean Democrat and the current Republican President’s approval rating is in the toilet. People are frustrated with him and even the word Republican has a negative approval rating. Our party needs to unite behind a candidate that can transcend the negative view of Republicans and win back the all important independents and appeal to the crossover Democrats. We cannot be obsessed with finding the perfect candidate for our views; rather we need to look to who would bridge the partisan divide in this country and lead this country in the right direction.
Senator John McCain is that person, not just for the Republican Party, but for the United States of America. His proven record of appealing to independents and crossover Democrats is exactly what stands out as his biggest strength.
I realize that some conservatives have a real problem with Senator McCain. There is no denying that John McCain has stood on his own at times rather than with siding with the conservative base of the party. There is also no denying he is more willing to work with Democrats then some Conservatives would like. I would call these strengths, but some Republicans would call it his greatest weakness. I’d like to reassure those people: JOHN MCCAIN IS A CONSERVATIVE!
He has an 83% rating from the American Conservative Union and is often the biggest deficit and spending hawk in the US Senate. Some Republicans dislike him because he originally opposed the Bush Tax Cuts twice, but it was a key conservative issue that led him to oppose the cuts: there were no spending cuts to offset the tax cuts. A common conservative complaint against the Bush administration and some other Republicans is that they let spending get out of control, John McCain realized that and understood the cause for concern so he opposed the tax cuts, never mind the fact that he now says he wants to make those tax cuts permanent. John McCain is a STRONG fiscal conservative; he has never asked or received one earmark. He leads the charge against pork-barrel spending and would veto every single pork filled bill that is sent to his desk as President and make the authors famous. Ask Jack Abramoff and his cronies just how tough John McCain is on pork-barrel spending. Ask The Bridge to Nowhere and Hillary Clinton’s would-be hippie museum just how tough John McCain is on reckless spending. This is exactly why America is worried about the economy, politicians are in Washington spending our taxpayer dollars on useless gifts to their campaign contributors and John McCain is the person who can finally stop this culture of corruption. McCain also realizes more needs to be done on the economy, that’s why he proposes repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), something that would save one middle class with children an average of over $2,700. McCain is also a very strong advocate for pro-growth and free-trade policies. He would give tax credits for innovation (research and development) that would keep America competitive and business-friendly.
John McCain’s weakest issue among conservatives just might be immigration. He has heard their message and the message of the American people and would secure the borders first and have the border state Governor’s certify that their borders are secured. Republicans need to realize however that after that is done, we need to take a realistic and humane approach to how to deal with the 12 million plus illegal immigrants in this county. John McCain’s campaign suffered greatly because of the bill that was unfairly labeled “Amnesty”. The bill was not in fact amnesty, because it required illegal immigrants to return home and pay fines, learn English, and other things to get on the path to citizenship. John McCain would deport the 2 million plus illegal immigrants that have committed crimes and make sure the borders are in fact secure before even working on the very real and complex problem of the illegal immigrants already in the country.
John McCain’s strongest issue is National Security and Foreign Affairs. He is hands down the most experienced candidate on both sides of the aisle when it comes to these issues. He was right to criticize the Rumsfeld strategy for Iraq and was the surge’s biggest supporter when it was an unpopular idea. John McCain knows just how important it is to listen to the Generals rather than play politics with our troops. His experience on foreign affairs is even greater, he’s been involved in every major national conflict since even before he was elected to Congress. We need a leader who needs no on the job training and is prepared to lead day one and keep America safe. John McCain is that leader for America and we can trust him to make the right decisions to keep this country secure from radical extremists.
John McCain is an American Hero. His days as a POW have made him into the tough character that he is today and makes him stand out amongst any of the other candidates. He takes strong positions on controversial issues like torture and earns the respect of everyone as someone who can restore the moral authority America once had around the world.
I encourage everyone to check out http://www.johnmccain.com/ and research more of his positions and trust the wisdom of the voters leads to John McCain becoming the next president of the United States.
Eric Sedler is Managing Editor of RedJersey.net. Eric is a volunteer for the McCain campaign. The campaign has opened a New Jersey office located at 4619 Nottingham Way. Hamilton, NJ. Phone Number: 609-587-0111. Open this week Mon-Friday 10:00AM -8:00PM.
Eric can be reached at eric.sedler@gmail.com
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Corzine couldn't care less about the impact of the 800% toll road increase on your life
"Any analysis that focuses on the toll component of the governor's initiative in isolation is one dimensional and incomplete," spokesman Jim Gardner said. "The benefits of debt reduction, programmatic funding of transportation improvements statewide and ending New Jersey's chronic and structural budget problems will pay dividends for all New Jerseyans many decades in the future."
~ Corzine spokesman to the Asbury Park Press
I was all set to write yet another post about Comrade Corzine's scheme when I read that quote.
Bob Ingle and Hank Butehorn saved me the trouble. Give them a look.
~ Corzine spokesman to the Asbury Park Press
I was all set to write yet another post about Comrade Corzine's scheme when I read that quote.
Bob Ingle and Hank Butehorn saved me the trouble. Give them a look.
Are the Monmouth GOP Freeholders trying to lose control?
With Anna Little gone from Freehold, so is the GOP's strongest voice for controlling county spending. Fortunately, Rob Clifton was quoted by the APP this week as saying that the Freeholders will consider cuts to the proposed county budget. But Democrat John D'Amico is carrying the fiscal restraint banner in the PR war.
The GOP Freeholders need to stop awarding contracts to the highest bidder and to stop arguing against the cost saving measures that D'Amico is proposing.
Perhaps the Republicans think the top of the ticket in this Presidential election year will carry them in November in Red Monmouth. However recent history shows that Monmouth County voters are thoughtful ticket splitters. In 2007, the Republican legislative and constitutional candidates swept the county, yet the Freeholders split. In 2006, Tom Kean, Jr carried the county in his race for US Senate against Robert Menendez, and the Freeholders split. In 2005, Doug Forrester carried the county in his gubernatorial bid, and the majority voted against Republican Freeholder candidates Bill Barham and Lillian Burry. If not for the APP's call for a bullet vote for a third party Freeholder candidate in 2005, Barham and Burry, who are up for re-election this year, would not have been elected.
If Barham is re-nominated the Democrats will take control. The only question is will the split be 3-2 or 4-1. The APP's treament of Barham will make their past treatment of Senators John Bennett and Ellen Karcher look like endorsements.
Burry can get re-elected, but she needs to start running now and use her position as Director to get free ink about what the voters care about: lower taxes and a more affordable way of life.
Burry told me at the Affiliated Republican Club dinner that she thought the battle to save Fort Monmouth should be abandoned and that we should get on with redeveloping the Fort. She needs to change her position on this issue immediately and become a leader in the battle to save the fort. The APP has done a great job demonstrating that the Pentagon lied and cheated in the BRAC hearings that lead to the decision to close the fort. Lillian needs to get on the right side of this issue.
She also should become an outspoken critc on Governor Corzine's 800% toll increase scheme. Corzine's scheme will have a devasating impact on Monmouth County voters. Burry needs to make headlines in protesting this scheme, even if it means getting arrested, when Corzine comes to Marlboro High School to sell the scheme on February 4.
Chairman Adam Puharic has set a February 8 deadline for candidates seeking the party's nomination for Freeholder, U.S Congress and U.S Senate to declare the candidacies to him.
Barham has not yet announced his intentions. John Curley of Red Bank and Mel Hood of Neptune are names that are being floated as possible candidates. Both would be good candidates. Jeff Cantor of Marlboro and the Mayor of Howell should consider throwing their hats in the ring.
The GOP Freeholders need to stop awarding contracts to the highest bidder and to stop arguing against the cost saving measures that D'Amico is proposing.
Perhaps the Republicans think the top of the ticket in this Presidential election year will carry them in November in Red Monmouth. However recent history shows that Monmouth County voters are thoughtful ticket splitters. In 2007, the Republican legislative and constitutional candidates swept the county, yet the Freeholders split. In 2006, Tom Kean, Jr carried the county in his race for US Senate against Robert Menendez, and the Freeholders split. In 2005, Doug Forrester carried the county in his gubernatorial bid, and the majority voted against Republican Freeholder candidates Bill Barham and Lillian Burry. If not for the APP's call for a bullet vote for a third party Freeholder candidate in 2005, Barham and Burry, who are up for re-election this year, would not have been elected.
If Barham is re-nominated the Democrats will take control. The only question is will the split be 3-2 or 4-1. The APP's treament of Barham will make their past treatment of Senators John Bennett and Ellen Karcher look like endorsements.
Burry can get re-elected, but she needs to start running now and use her position as Director to get free ink about what the voters care about: lower taxes and a more affordable way of life.
Burry told me at the Affiliated Republican Club dinner that she thought the battle to save Fort Monmouth should be abandoned and that we should get on with redeveloping the Fort. She needs to change her position on this issue immediately and become a leader in the battle to save the fort. The APP has done a great job demonstrating that the Pentagon lied and cheated in the BRAC hearings that lead to the decision to close the fort. Lillian needs to get on the right side of this issue.
She also should become an outspoken critc on Governor Corzine's 800% toll increase scheme. Corzine's scheme will have a devasating impact on Monmouth County voters. Burry needs to make headlines in protesting this scheme, even if it means getting arrested, when Corzine comes to Marlboro High School to sell the scheme on February 4.
Chairman Adam Puharic has set a February 8 deadline for candidates seeking the party's nomination for Freeholder, U.S Congress and U.S Senate to declare the candidacies to him.
Barham has not yet announced his intentions. John Curley of Red Bank and Mel Hood of Neptune are names that are being floated as possible candidates. Both would be good candidates. Jeff Cantor of Marlboro and the Mayor of Howell should consider throwing their hats in the ring.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Obamanation
Barack Obama trounced Hillary Clinton in the South Carolina Primary today.
I really don't care. I just wanted to write the word Obamanation.
I really don't care. I just wanted to write the word Obamanation.
Oxley for Rudy
Last night at the Affiliated Republican Club of Monmouth County, former Sheriff Joe Oxley spoke on behalf of Rudy Giuliani for President.
Joe reminded all present of the transformation of New York City that occurred under Rudy's leadership, the unprecedented mass evacuation of New York City on 9-11 and asked us to consider how a President Giuliani would have responded to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Joe then reminded us of all that Mayor Giuliani has done for Monmouth County Republicans, from fundraising to campaigning, over the years. "Rudy is the only candidate who will remember Monmouth County as President," Oxley concluded.
Also speaking at the Affiliated Club dinner was Senator Joe Kyrillos for Mitt Romney, Senator Sean Kean for John McCain, U.S. Senate candidate Murray Sabrin for Ron Paul and former Congressional candidate Leigh-Anne Bellew for Mike Huckabee.
Rudy won the staw poll with 48% of the vote. McCain got 25%, Romney 18%, Paul 3% and Huckabee 2%.
Below is a moving video of Rudy appearing with veterans and the families of fallen troops in Jacksonville, Florida.
Joe reminded all present of the transformation of New York City that occurred under Rudy's leadership, the unprecedented mass evacuation of New York City on 9-11 and asked us to consider how a President Giuliani would have responded to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Joe then reminded us of all that Mayor Giuliani has done for Monmouth County Republicans, from fundraising to campaigning, over the years. "Rudy is the only candidate who will remember Monmouth County as President," Oxley concluded.
Also speaking at the Affiliated Club dinner was Senator Joe Kyrillos for Mitt Romney, Senator Sean Kean for John McCain, U.S. Senate candidate Murray Sabrin for Ron Paul and former Congressional candidate Leigh-Anne Bellew for Mike Huckabee.
Rudy won the staw poll with 48% of the vote. McCain got 25%, Romney 18%, Paul 3% and Huckabee 2%.
Below is a moving video of Rudy appearing with veterans and the families of fallen troops in Jacksonville, Florida.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Lonegan: Corzine and Attorney General have been abusing their offices to silence him since Oct '07
Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, who was arrested last weekend in Middle Township, Cape May County, while protesting Comrade Corzine's Toll Road scheme, today accused Corzine and the Attorney General's office of abusing the power of their offices since last October in an unAmerican and unconstitutional attempt to silence Lonegan's grassroots opposition to Corzine's taxing, borrowing and spending ways.
Dan Gallic of Conservative's with Attitude, has a video clip of Lonegan's press conference posted here.
“All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.” ~ New Jersey State Constitution, Article I, 2a.
Dan Gallic of Conservative's with Attitude, has a video clip of Lonegan's press conference posted here.
“All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.” ~ New Jersey State Constitution, Article I, 2a.
Murray Sabrin for U.S Senate: Worth a look and $31
I haven't paid much attention to the U.S. Senate race yet, figuring it was a forgone conclusion. Lautenberg would get re-elected and Estabrook would become an Ambassador.
Murray Sabrin called me yesterday. That got my attention.
While Murray's foreign policy stands scare me, his domestic message of small government and personal freedom and responsibility is just what our country desperately needs.
That he is taking his campaign directly to the people is just what out state needs.
His enthusiasm and grassroots strategy has the potential to knock off the political establishment in New Jersey that is bankrupting us.
Murray is looking to get 50,000 $31.00 donations by the January 31st campaign reporting filing deadline. You can give more. I did.
Visit Murray Sabrin at murraysabrin.com
Murray Sabrin called me yesterday. That got my attention.
While Murray's foreign policy stands scare me, his domestic message of small government and personal freedom and responsibility is just what our country desperately needs.
That he is taking his campaign directly to the people is just what out state needs.
His enthusiasm and grassroots strategy has the potential to knock off the political establishment in New Jersey that is bankrupting us.
Murray is looking to get 50,000 $31.00 donations by the January 31st campaign reporting filing deadline. You can give more. I did.
Visit Murray Sabrin at murraysabrin.com
Middle Township apologies for arrests
Another Lightshines production...
On Thursday, Middle Township officials decided to apologize to Steve Lonegan and Seth Grossman for violating their First Amendment rights. Because they are not professional communicators, we hired Brenda Lee to communicate their apology:
I'm sorry, so sorry
That I was such a fool
I didn't know
That First Amendment Rule
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
We made some mistakes
To protect and serve our guvnor
Don’t matter who’s right
What we did has been done
I'm sorry, So sorry
Please accept my apology
It’s tough to protect
a policy like Corzine’s
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
The Guv’s made mistakes
He never had experience
We screwed with your rights
But at least he’s not McGreevey
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
I'm sorry, so sorry
Please accept my apology
Justice is blind
But not too blind to see
your signs.
On Thursday, Middle Township officials decided to apologize to Steve Lonegan and Seth Grossman for violating their First Amendment rights. Because they are not professional communicators, we hired Brenda Lee to communicate their apology:
I'm sorry, so sorry
That I was such a fool
I didn't know
That First Amendment Rule
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
We made some mistakes
To protect and serve our guvnor
Don’t matter who’s right
What we did has been done
I'm sorry, So sorry
Please accept my apology
It’s tough to protect
a policy like Corzine’s
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
The Guv’s made mistakes
He never had experience
We screwed with your rights
But at least he’s not McGreevey
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
I'm sorry, so sorry
Please accept my apology
Justice is blind
But not too blind to see
your signs.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Corzine plans to borrow an additional $2.5 billion to build schools
The Gannett News Bureau reports that the Corzine administration plans to borrow $2.5 billion, over and above the toll road scheme, as a stop gap measure to build new schools.
Corzine's plan to borrow the $2.5 billion will strive to be repaid through existing taxes, meaning it wouldn't have to be put before the voters.
“All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.” ~ New Jersey State Constitution, Article I, 2a.
Corzine's plan to borrow the $2.5 billion will strive to be repaid through existing taxes, meaning it wouldn't have to be put before the voters.
“All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.” ~ New Jersey State Constitution, Article I, 2a.
Freeholders set to oppose Toll Road Scheme
The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders have a RESOLUTION OPPOSING GOVERNOR JON S. CORZINE’S PROPOSAL OF AN ASSET MONETIZATION PLAN AND PROPOSED MASSIVE TOLL HIKES on the agenda of their regular meeting tonight.
The Freeholders meet in for a workshop session this afternoon at 2PM, followed by a regular meeting at 7pm. Both meetings are scheduled to be held in the Freeholders Meeting Room in the Hall of Records.
The Freeholders meet in for a workshop session this afternoon at 2PM, followed by a regular meeting at 7pm. Both meetings are scheduled to be held in the Freeholders Meeting Room in the Hall of Records.
All political power is inherent in the people, even in New Jersey
“All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.” ~ New Jersey State Constitution, Article I, 2a.
The public good, now more than ever, requires that the people of New Jersey alter and reform our government. Trenton no longer even has the pretext that “all political power is inherent in the people.” Rather, we are governed by clever cadre of Republicrats with little regard for the “protection, security and benefit of the people.” Upon taking office, our “public servants” swear to “uphold and protect” the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. I would be willing to wager that most have never read the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.
Our state government while instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people, now exists for the economic benefit of those who work for, retired from, and do business with the government. New Jersey has become the People’s Republic of Trough Swillers.
In Highlands and Sea Bright, we have the State government forcing a bridge design on the communities over the objections of the residents and municipal governments of the communities. In order to get one of the communities, Highlands, to comply with the State government’s will, high level bureaucrats threatened to pull the borough’s State funding and to seize the borough property needed to build the bridge without compensation.
Last November, we had a statewide election that included a referendum on weather or not the State should be authorized to borrow $450 million dollars to fund stem cell research. For the first time in decades, “the people” exercised their political power to vote NO. The Governor went ahead and started building stem cell research centers anyway.
Now Governor Corzine wants to form a “Public Benefit Corporation” (PBC), that will be independent from the will of the people, to take control of our toll roads for 75 years and raise tolls 800% plus inflation. For this, the Republic of Trough Swillers will get $38 billion now and the commuters and truckers who use the roads will pay over $200 billion in tolls over the seventy five year period. Polls show that nearly 60% of New Jersey residents oppose Corzine’s scheme, 15% support it and 25% don’t have an opinion yet. Undeterred, by public opinion, Corzine is pushing the legislature to pass the plan in March, and he is going on a statewide tour to sell the plan in a series of “pig and pony shows” as Gannett’s Bob Ingle calls the Town Meetings. Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan and South Jersey radio personality Seth Grossman were arrested last weekend while peacefully protesting at one of the pig and pony shows.
Corzine insists that New Jersey is in a financial emergency and that his scheme is the only answer. He’s half right. Trenton’s finances are a mess, but Corzine’s scheme is not the answer. Over the last twenty years the Republicrats have squandered New Jersey’s prosperity with reckless spending, borrowing and taxation. The answer is not to borrow another $38 billion to payback the mistakes of the past while funding more of the same going forward.
The answer is to scale back state government. Reduce spending. Reduce the payroll by either laying people off or renegotiating labor agreements that were entered into irresponsibly and that we can not afford. The auto industry is doing this, as is airline industry. Corzine said in his State of the State address, that a 15% spending cut would be required if his toll road scheme was not passed. That would be a good start, especially given that state spending is up 50% in the last decade.
Corzine is bringing his pig and pony show to Monmouth County on February 4. It will be at Marlboro High School on Route 79, for 7PM until 9PM.
Also published in The Courier and the Bayonne Evening Star-Telegram
The public good, now more than ever, requires that the people of New Jersey alter and reform our government. Trenton no longer even has the pretext that “all political power is inherent in the people.” Rather, we are governed by clever cadre of Republicrats with little regard for the “protection, security and benefit of the people.” Upon taking office, our “public servants” swear to “uphold and protect” the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. I would be willing to wager that most have never read the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.
Our state government while instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people, now exists for the economic benefit of those who work for, retired from, and do business with the government. New Jersey has become the People’s Republic of Trough Swillers.
In Highlands and Sea Bright, we have the State government forcing a bridge design on the communities over the objections of the residents and municipal governments of the communities. In order to get one of the communities, Highlands, to comply with the State government’s will, high level bureaucrats threatened to pull the borough’s State funding and to seize the borough property needed to build the bridge without compensation.
Last November, we had a statewide election that included a referendum on weather or not the State should be authorized to borrow $450 million dollars to fund stem cell research. For the first time in decades, “the people” exercised their political power to vote NO. The Governor went ahead and started building stem cell research centers anyway.
Now Governor Corzine wants to form a “Public Benefit Corporation” (PBC), that will be independent from the will of the people, to take control of our toll roads for 75 years and raise tolls 800% plus inflation. For this, the Republic of Trough Swillers will get $38 billion now and the commuters and truckers who use the roads will pay over $200 billion in tolls over the seventy five year period. Polls show that nearly 60% of New Jersey residents oppose Corzine’s scheme, 15% support it and 25% don’t have an opinion yet. Undeterred, by public opinion, Corzine is pushing the legislature to pass the plan in March, and he is going on a statewide tour to sell the plan in a series of “pig and pony shows” as Gannett’s Bob Ingle calls the Town Meetings. Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan and South Jersey radio personality Seth Grossman were arrested last weekend while peacefully protesting at one of the pig and pony shows.
Corzine insists that New Jersey is in a financial emergency and that his scheme is the only answer. He’s half right. Trenton’s finances are a mess, but Corzine’s scheme is not the answer. Over the last twenty years the Republicrats have squandered New Jersey’s prosperity with reckless spending, borrowing and taxation. The answer is not to borrow another $38 billion to payback the mistakes of the past while funding more of the same going forward.
The answer is to scale back state government. Reduce spending. Reduce the payroll by either laying people off or renegotiating labor agreements that were entered into irresponsibly and that we can not afford. The auto industry is doing this, as is airline industry. Corzine said in his State of the State address, that a 15% spending cut would be required if his toll road scheme was not passed. That would be a good start, especially given that state spending is up 50% in the last decade.
Corzine is bringing his pig and pony show to Monmouth County on February 4. It will be at Marlboro High School on Route 79, for 7PM until 9PM.
Also published in The Courier and the Bayonne Evening Star-Telegram
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Corzine: "I'm not embarrassed" by Lonegan's arrest
Insisting the he and his office had nothing to do with Steve Lonegan's arrest at the Monetization Pig and Pony Show in Cape May last weekend, Corzine declared that he's not embarrassed by the arrest.
I'm embarrassed by it, and there's no question that I had nothing to do with it.
I'm embarrassed by it, and there's no question that I had nothing to do with it.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A message from Bill Garcia in support of Mike Huckabee for President
Why I think Mike Huckabee is best for New Jersey
I did what everyone should do: Reflected on my values and convictions, researched our candidates, reviewed our national issues, and went with the candidate that best complimented my values, and this is why I support Mike Huckabee and think he’s best for our country, and for New Jersey
As a conservative, I believes in smaller Government, lower taxes, lower spending, and focus on values and education. Gov. Huckabee fits the bill.
Here’s some issues:
Education and the Arts:
Governor Huckabee undertook initiatives to encourage arts in education. He passed legislation to provide music and art for all Arkansas children in grades one through six and created a two-year initiative which promoted the benefits of arts education to all fifty states.
Immigration: Has always supported the $3 Billion for Border security, Opposes Amnesty, Opposes Driver’s Licenses to illegals, and supports cutting funds to sanctuary cities
Sanctity of Life: Has always supported , and supports a constitutional amendment protecting the right to life.
Marriage: Always supported passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Supports and has a comprehensive plan for Energy Independence
TAXES
Huge in NJ – Governor Huckabee’s FAIR TAX makes sense, and contrary to what many people think, he didn’t make this up – Economists from MIT created this and it works. Knowing I can come home with ALL MY PAY CHECK will allow me to put more back into the economy – that’s growth.
National Security, Healthcare, Secure America plan – they’re all there for you to see.
Sincerely,
Bill Garcia
Manalapan, NJ 07726
http://njchristiansforhuckabee.wordpress.com/
http://njcommunity.wordpress.com/
Bill's message is the first I have received since offering to make this space available to Presidential campaigns and supporters. I've heard from others that messages are coming. Thanks Bill, for breaking the ice.
I did what everyone should do: Reflected on my values and convictions, researched our candidates, reviewed our national issues, and went with the candidate that best complimented my values, and this is why I support Mike Huckabee and think he’s best for our country, and for New Jersey
As a conservative, I believes in smaller Government, lower taxes, lower spending, and focus on values and education. Gov. Huckabee fits the bill.
Here’s some issues:
Education and the Arts:
Governor Huckabee undertook initiatives to encourage arts in education. He passed legislation to provide music and art for all Arkansas children in grades one through six and created a two-year initiative which promoted the benefits of arts education to all fifty states.
Immigration: Has always supported the $3 Billion for Border security, Opposes Amnesty, Opposes Driver’s Licenses to illegals, and supports cutting funds to sanctuary cities
Sanctity of Life: Has always supported , and supports a constitutional amendment protecting the right to life.
Marriage: Always supported passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Supports and has a comprehensive plan for Energy Independence
TAXES
Huge in NJ – Governor Huckabee’s FAIR TAX makes sense, and contrary to what many people think, he didn’t make this up – Economists from MIT created this and it works. Knowing I can come home with ALL MY PAY CHECK will allow me to put more back into the economy – that’s growth.
National Security, Healthcare, Secure America plan – they’re all there for you to see.
Sincerely,
Bill Garcia
Manalapan, NJ 07726
http://njchristiansforhuckabee.wordpress.com/
http://njcommunity.wordpress.com/
Bill's message is the first I have received since offering to make this space available to Presidential campaigns and supporters. I've heard from others that messages are coming. Thanks Bill, for breaking the ice.
Promote your candidate
With the February 5 Presidential Primary fast approaching, there is increasing frustration amongst party activists with Chairman Adam Puharic's policy of only giving his preferred candidate, Mitt Romney, access to the county party's email blast list and website calender.
To counter this favoritism, this blog will publish announcements sent to it from the Guiliani, McCain, Huckabee, Thompson or Paul campaigns, through February 5th. If the county party makes its resources available to these campaigns, the Romney campaign will be welcome to submit announcements here too, but only after an email blast is sent out for another campaign.
Voters who are not formally affiliated with a campaign, but who would like to write about a candidate, pro or con, are also invited to submit writings for publication. You must be identified in your submission. However, your submission can be published anonymously if you prefer.
Announcements should be submitted to ArtVG@aol.com, or you can write a comment on this post. There will be no charge for this service.
To counter this favoritism, this blog will publish announcements sent to it from the Guiliani, McCain, Huckabee, Thompson or Paul campaigns, through February 5th. If the county party makes its resources available to these campaigns, the Romney campaign will be welcome to submit announcements here too, but only after an email blast is sent out for another campaign.
Voters who are not formally affiliated with a campaign, but who would like to write about a candidate, pro or con, are also invited to submit writings for publication. You must be identified in your submission. However, your submission can be published anonymously if you prefer.
Announcements should be submitted to ArtVG@aol.com, or you can write a comment on this post. There will be no charge for this service.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Congratulations to Joe Oxley
Former Sheriff Joe Oxley has joined the prestigous law firm of Scarinci and Hollenbeck as a partner.
Oxley is the Chair of the firm’s Crisis Management Group, working with private and public sector organizations who are dealing with crisis situations or looking to mitigate crisis situations before they arise. His office is in Freehold.
Seth Grossman's Arrest for Protesting Corzines Toll Road Scheme
Grossman, Acting President of Liberty and Prosperty, was protesting with Steve Lonegan at the Governor's Cape May pig and pony show.
Ovid Tuzeneau would be proud.
King of the Road
By The Flying Piglet
Highway for sale or rent,
Raise every tax, fifty percent.
Your phone, your pool, your pets,
Luv' to tax those cigarettes!!!
Aah but,...
Two years of pushing through,
Schemes designed by you-know-who.
I'm a man of means, and that means,
I am,
King of the Road!
Third boxcar, midnight train,
Flying pigs ship to Cape May.
100 pages missing, too,
But,
I don't think they'll have a clue!
Oh yeah...
Smoke, mirrors,... I have found,
Help, to get my word around.
I'm a man of means, and that means,
I am,
King of the Road.
I know every judge on every bench,
All of their children, and all of their names,
Every Fed, and Imus, too,
so when no one's around
I sing ...
Highway for sale or rent,
Raise every tax, fifty percent!
Your phone, your pool, your pets,
Ha!
Luv' to tax those cigarettes!!!
Aah but,...
Two years of secrecy,
Buys the time I need, you see.
I'm a man of means, and that means,
I am,
King of the Road!
Highway for sale or rent,
Raise those tolls, ...800 percent!!!
Your phone, your pool, your pets,
Oh, I Luv' to tax those cigarettes!!!!
Aah but,...
75 years pushed on you,
Buys you debt you can't undo.
I'm a man of means, and that means,
I am,
King of the road!!
The Ballad of Billy Barham
By Lightshines
Well, news of the county's new tax raise has reached Texas, where they've gathered round the campfire to sing the Ballad of Billy Barham:
There's a Guvnor raising Taxes, that’s who I’d like to be,
Nobody else could raise them, not half as much as me.
You tried to make me leave here, but before you even start,
If I raise them more than e’er, we nevermore will part.
It’s the crispest smell of revenue
This county ever knew
You’ll have to sell your diamonds
And the house you live in too
You may talk about what used to be
And sing of Kean and Larrison
But with me and Corzine, Taxes
Will fund our spending spree.
When the Navesink is flowing, and things are really tight,
You’ll walk along the river in the quiet summer night:
I know that you remember, it was not so long ago,
When quality ran our government and the State could really grow.
Oh now I'm counting taxes, as we rake in all your dough,
And we'll think about the prosperous times, that we had long ago
We'll watch your property values sink as we tax you rich and poor,
And we’ll all keep raising taxes which you’ll pay forevermore.
Well, news of the county's new tax raise has reached Texas, where they've gathered round the campfire to sing the Ballad of Billy Barham:
There's a Guvnor raising Taxes, that’s who I’d like to be,
Nobody else could raise them, not half as much as me.
You tried to make me leave here, but before you even start,
If I raise them more than e’er, we nevermore will part.
It’s the crispest smell of revenue
This county ever knew
You’ll have to sell your diamonds
And the house you live in too
You may talk about what used to be
And sing of Kean and Larrison
But with me and Corzine, Taxes
Will fund our spending spree.
When the Navesink is flowing, and things are really tight,
You’ll walk along the river in the quiet summer night:
I know that you remember, it was not so long ago,
When quality ran our government and the State could really grow.
Oh now I'm counting taxes, as we rake in all your dough,
And we'll think about the prosperous times, that we had long ago
We'll watch your property values sink as we tax you rich and poor,
And we’ll all keep raising taxes which you’ll pay forevermore.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
$10 million in new county spending proposed
The Asbury Park Press reports that Monmouth County may increase its property tax levy by $10 million.
Upon his swearing in as Freeholder earlier this month, Democrat John D'Amico said he would not vote for a budget that increased spending or taxes.
In their campaign for election in 2005, Republicans Lillian Burry and William Barham promised to find savings through "zero based budgeting."
In July of last year, the Citizens Budget Review Committee recommended $3.8 million in spending cuts.
Hopefully, the Freeholders of both parties will mandate $13.8 million in cuts from the budget proposed by county department heads and the finance director.
Upon his swearing in as Freeholder earlier this month, Democrat John D'Amico said he would not vote for a budget that increased spending or taxes.
In their campaign for election in 2005, Republicans Lillian Burry and William Barham promised to find savings through "zero based budgeting."
In July of last year, the Citizens Budget Review Committee recommended $3.8 million in spending cuts.
Hopefully, the Freeholders of both parties will mandate $13.8 million in cuts from the budget proposed by county department heads and the finance director.
Have you ever heard of a candidate who was too busy to be photograhped?
Now you have.
Dean Hrbacek, former mayor of Sugar Land, Texas and a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress in the 22nd district of Texas, has a doctored photo on his campaign literature. The candidate's head was photoshopped onto a slimmer body.
Hrbacek's campaign manager, Monmouth County's own Scott Broschart, told the Houston Chronicle that the photo is indeed doctored and that Hrabcek has been too busy to pose for his own photo.
The story was picked up by the Associate Press and run on CNN's website and FoxNews.com.
The misplaced shadow over Hrbacek's face may have been the tip off. Or maybe it was this close up crop of the shot. Look where Hrbacek's head rests of the body.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Steve Lonegan arrested protesting Corzine's toll road scheme!
Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan was arrested in Cape May County this afternoon while protesting Corzine's toll road scheme at the location of the Governor's presentation, according to The Star Ledger.
Lonegan was charged with trespassing and released.
Lonegan is the Executive Director of Americans for Prosperity-NJ.
Ovid Tuzeneu
Honest Abe introduces us to one of Monmouth County's forgotten heroes, Ovid Tuzeneu, a Middletown farmer in the 1890's.
On January 26, 1898, the New York Times reported about Mr. Tuzeneu, and his successful fight against the Middletown Turnpike Company.
For two years Ovid simply refused to pay the Middletown Turnpike Company's tolls, going so far as taking an axe to the toll gate that the company had installed. The community rallied around Ovid, he won in court and the tolls were abolished.
We could use some of the old Tuzeneu spirit. The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders should declare February 4, the day that Corzine comes to Monmouth County, Ovid Tuzeneu Day and everyone should bring a toy axe to Marlboro High School to protest Corzine's crazy plan.
Statewide, we need a stronger form of protest. I'm thinking of a Leave your EZ pass transmitter at home day. If your license plate is registered with EZ pass, and the transmitter is not read by the system, a camera catches your plate and your toll is simply charged to your account with no penalty. If a significant number of toll road users left their EZ pass transmitters at home on the same day in a organized protest, it would wreck havoc on the system and hopefully send a message that the legislature will heed. I've given up any hope that Corzine will heed any message from the people of New Jersey.
On January 26, 1898, the New York Times reported about Mr. Tuzeneu, and his successful fight against the Middletown Turnpike Company.
For two years Ovid simply refused to pay the Middletown Turnpike Company's tolls, going so far as taking an axe to the toll gate that the company had installed. The community rallied around Ovid, he won in court and the tolls were abolished.
We could use some of the old Tuzeneu spirit. The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders should declare February 4, the day that Corzine comes to Monmouth County, Ovid Tuzeneu Day and everyone should bring a toy axe to Marlboro High School to protest Corzine's crazy plan.
Statewide, we need a stronger form of protest. I'm thinking of a Leave your EZ pass transmitter at home day. If your license plate is registered with EZ pass, and the transmitter is not read by the system, a camera catches your plate and your toll is simply charged to your account with no penalty. If a significant number of toll road users left their EZ pass transmitters at home on the same day in a organized protest, it would wreck havoc on the system and hopefully send a message that the legislature will heed. I've given up any hope that Corzine will heed any message from the people of New Jersey.
The $888K report
Corzine finally released the $888K toll road report, with 100 pages missing.
Truck traffic on the turnpike will reduce by roughly 40%. Over all traffic between 20-30% on all the toll roads. I would have told them that for $700K.
Transportation Commissioner Kris Kulluri says the report is wrong because it doesn't account for new rules that restrict truck traffic on non-toll roads. Maybe the analysis of the new rules effect are in the missing 100 pages.
Even with the reduced traffic, the report says the toll roads will generate $3 billion per year in 2022 and the major increases are complete. That's up from $800 million now. Over the 75 year period, the toll road's "public benefit corporation" will soak over $200 billion out of the New Jersey economy. For that Trenton gets $38 billion now.
Corzine is right, there is an emergency in Trenton: the Governor is a word that was voted out of the constitution last fall.
Truck traffic on the turnpike will reduce by roughly 40%. Over all traffic between 20-30% on all the toll roads. I would have told them that for $700K.
Transportation Commissioner Kris Kulluri says the report is wrong because it doesn't account for new rules that restrict truck traffic on non-toll roads. Maybe the analysis of the new rules effect are in the missing 100 pages.
Even with the reduced traffic, the report says the toll roads will generate $3 billion per year in 2022 and the major increases are complete. That's up from $800 million now. Over the 75 year period, the toll road's "public benefit corporation" will soak over $200 billion out of the New Jersey economy. For that Trenton gets $38 billion now.
Corzine is right, there is an emergency in Trenton: the Governor is a word that was voted out of the constitution last fall.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Freeholder Karcher?
Jim Purcell reports on his InsideClamdigger blog that former Senator and current Christmas tree farmer Ellen Karcher is considering a run for Monmouth County Freeholder.
I would love to see that happen. It would make for fun blogging and create lots of traffic. But I don't think it will happen.
I think the Democrats are hoping Bill Barham decides to run for re-election and are floating names of people that Bill might think he can beat.
Truckers: Toll Increases Could Shut Down Big Warehouses
NJBizDaily reports that the warehouse and distribution industries will be moving out of New Jersey if Corzine is successful in pushing is toll road scheme through the legislature.
A Message from Senator Joe Kryillos
By now you are most likely aware of the Governor’s plan to increase highway tolls 50 percent in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The increases would include adjustments to reflect inflation in years tolls weren't hiked. After 2022, tolls would increase every four years until 2085 to also reflect inflation.
While this plan will increase the cost of living for everyone throughout the state, it will not reduce or eliminate New Jersey’s enormous debt load. A portion of the more than $37 billion in debt now on the state’s books will simply be shifted to a poorly defined Public Benefit Corporation. This is not debt reduction, this is simply debt transfer.
We must kill the road tax. Please be assured that I will aggressively oppose any plan that dramatically raises our toll and fails to reduce our debt burden.
I would like to let you know that the Governor will be holding a town hall meeting in Monmouth County to discuss his plan and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will be meeting in Trenton to also start discussing this issue.
*The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 23 at 3:00 PM in committee room 4 of the State House Annex.
*The Governor will hold his town hall meeting on Monday, February 4 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Marlboro High School Theatre, 95 North Main St. RSVP: 609-777-2607 or Monmouth.rsvp@gov.state.nj.us
I will continue to keep you posted on this issue, but in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact my office for more information regarding these events.
With best wishes,
Senator Joe Kyrillos
While this plan will increase the cost of living for everyone throughout the state, it will not reduce or eliminate New Jersey’s enormous debt load. A portion of the more than $37 billion in debt now on the state’s books will simply be shifted to a poorly defined Public Benefit Corporation. This is not debt reduction, this is simply debt transfer.
We must kill the road tax. Please be assured that I will aggressively oppose any plan that dramatically raises our toll and fails to reduce our debt burden.
I would like to let you know that the Governor will be holding a town hall meeting in Monmouth County to discuss his plan and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will be meeting in Trenton to also start discussing this issue.
*The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 23 at 3:00 PM in committee room 4 of the State House Annex.
*The Governor will hold his town hall meeting on Monday, February 4 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Marlboro High School Theatre, 95 North Main St. RSVP: 609-777-2607 or Monmouth.rsvp@gov.state.nj.us
I will continue to keep you posted on this issue, but in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact my office for more information regarding these events.
With best wishes,
Senator Joe Kyrillos
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
By the numbers: Why the sudden push to pay down debt?
Enlighten New Jersey illustrates that New Jersey's debt situation, while not good, is not as dire as Corzine is making it out to be.
Enlighten promises another post to point out what Corzine is really up to.
My prediction: A MASSIVE expansion of government spending. He'll call it investment, instead of spending. He'll argue that he is really freezing spending and the new stuff doesn't count. But it will count on your EZ pass statement.
"Barry Goldwater" is reporting that the Toll Road Sale Road Show is coming to Monmouth County on February 4.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Mayor Buccellato
According to the Monmouth County website Republican Paul Buccellato has been elected Mayor of Matawan, defeating incumbent Mayor Mayor Aufseer by 1043-993.
Today's special election was a result of a 947-947 vote tie in the November 6, 2007 general election.
McCain surges past Guiliani
A Monmouth University/Gannett poll released this morning claims that John McCain is leading Rudy Guiliani in the New Jersey Presidential Primary, 29%-25% among "likely primary voters." Among known past primary voters, McCain leads Guiliani 32%-19%. 16% of likely voters and 22% of past primary voters are still undecided.
Adam Puharic's candidate, Mitt Romney, has the support of 9% of both the likely and past voters in New Jersey. Romney needs a win in Michigan today, after losing Iowa and New Hampshire. Polls have Romney and McCain in a dead heat in Michigan.
In the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton's support in New Jersey remains at 42% since an October poll, while Barack Obama's support has risen 7 points to 30%. Obama's increase has come from voters who were supporting candidates who have dropped out of the race, voters who were undecided in October, and John Edwards.
The presidential primary takes place on February 5. Today is the last day to register to vote if you want to vote in the primary.
In local news, Matawan voters will select a Mayor today. The November election for Matawan Mayor resulted in a tie.
Adam Puharic's candidate, Mitt Romney, has the support of 9% of both the likely and past voters in New Jersey. Romney needs a win in Michigan today, after losing Iowa and New Hampshire. Polls have Romney and McCain in a dead heat in Michigan.
In the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton's support in New Jersey remains at 42% since an October poll, while Barack Obama's support has risen 7 points to 30%. Obama's increase has come from voters who were supporting candidates who have dropped out of the race, voters who were undecided in October, and John Edwards.
The presidential primary takes place on February 5. Today is the last day to register to vote if you want to vote in the primary.
In local news, Matawan voters will select a Mayor today. The November election for Matawan Mayor resulted in a tie.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Toll Road Plan will lead to more Eminent Domain
Corzine told the Associated Press that his toll road sale will allow him to widen 7.6 miles of Route 17 in Bergen County.
Who's property will he take, and how many businesses will he close in order to do that?
I guess he needs to make traffic so bad on Route 17, during the construction phase, that drivers are forced on to the GSP to pay the higher tolls.
Wack that Kinderkamack.
Who's property will he take, and how many businesses will he close in order to do that?
I guess he needs to make traffic so bad on Route 17, during the construction phase, that drivers are forced on to the GSP to pay the higher tolls.
Wack that Kinderkamack.
Do you sound like Elvis?
Elvis impersonator wanted to record "Lightshines'" latest rendition.
Bob Ingle wants to use the song on his radio show with The Jersey Guys on 101.5 FM. The recording will also be used as the theme song of the upcoming MoreMonmouthMusing BlogRadio show, coming in February.
Respond to ArtVG@aol.com
Bob Ingle wants to use the song on his radio show with The Jersey Guys on 101.5 FM. The recording will also be used as the theme song of the upcoming MoreMonmouthMusing BlogRadio show, coming in February.
Respond to ArtVG@aol.com
Sunday, January 13, 2008
75 years is a long time
While all of New Jersey is trying to figure out how Corzine's toll road scheme will effect their daily lives and pocket books, I got to thinking about where all this money is going to come from.
75 years is a very long time for a loan, which is what a bond is. Prudent lenders won't lend for residential real estate for more than 30 years, 25 years for commercial real estate. Inflation has made these long term loans a good deal for the borrowers because the dollars used to pay back the loans are worth less than the dollars borrowed. Corzine seems to have found a way around that with his inflation adjustments for the toll road scheme. He probably has a new kind of security in mind whereby the "principle" amount of the loan will increase with inflation. Corzine has a history of inventing hybrid debt instruments, with terrible consequences (Enron).
While this wrinkle might make a 75 year loan more attractive in theory to a stupid lender, the increases in tolls will be astronomical, very likely leading to a massive decrease in the roads usage. 75 years is a long enough horizon for people and institutions to make wholesale changes in the way they live and operate.
How has the world changed in the last 75 years? Its mind boggling.
Seventy five years ago Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated for his first term as President of the United States. We were in the midst of The Great Depression, $20.67 bought a troy once of gold. There was no social security or Tennessee Valley Authority.
Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933.
A. Harry Moore was the Governor of New Jersey. There was no Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike or Atlantic City Expressway.
The word "Pakistan" came to be in 1933. The nation was officially founded in 1947.
King Kong was a box office hit, and Mount Rushmore was dedicated.
Newsweek was published for the first time.
Prohibition was repealed and cannabis was made illegal. I wonder if A. Harry Moore inhaled?
On March 15 1933, Wall Street was so impressed with President Roosevelt's first Fireside Chat, that the Dow Jones Industrial Average had what is still its biggest ever single day gain, 15.34%. The Dow closed at 62.10, up 8.26.
The New York Giants beat the Washington Senators in the World Series, 4 games to 1 and Mrs. Unitas gave birth to Johnny.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Jayne Mansfield, Joan Rivers, and Flip Wilson were born in 1933. So were George Mitchell and Regis Philbin.
1933 was the Chinese Year of the Cock.
The average price of an new car was $629.00 and Detroit sold over 2 million cars.
So how will the world change in the next 75 years? Who knows? Maybe cars will become obsolete. Sure, that is as unthinkable now as cell phones and knee replacements were in 1933.
Corzine's plan is nuts. He wants to solve problems that have accumulated over the last twenty years by spreading them out over 75 years while still having the resources to expand government with universal health care, more mass transit and universal pre-school, etc.
The arrogant and deceitful Governor is telling the people there is no other alternative and challenges us to come up with another plan. This after he spent two years and $800,000 of our money to come up with his plan, and he won't let us read the $800,000 report.
Here's a plan Governor: Cut spending. Renegotiate labor contracts like the private sector does. Get rid of "prevailing wage." Not fair you say? That would be a great deal fairer to all concerned than your nutty plan.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A Word from The King
Lightshines is back! Thank you.
Elvis Presley heard about the Guvnor's tax plan and rolled over in his grave before grabbing his geetar and singing this:
Legal Tender,
Oh so sweet,
Pay me just to go.
You know our coffers are incomplete,
That’s why I tax you so.
Give me tender,
Til you’re blue,
Our greed is not fulfilled.
For my darlin, I’ll spend that too
And I always will.
Give me tender,
Our taxing’s strong,
Though maybe not our heart.
For the Good Ol’ boys where I belong,
You and your cash will part.
I own the roads,
on which you steer,
Your money, well, it’s mine.
It’ll be mine through all the years,
Till the end of time.
When at last my schemes come true
Driver this I know
Higher taxes will follow you
Everywhere you go.
Legal Tender,
Oh so sweet,
Pay me just to go.
You know our coffers are incomplete,
That’s why I tax you so.
Elvis Presley heard about the Guvnor's tax plan and rolled over in his grave before grabbing his geetar and singing this:
Legal Tender,
Oh so sweet,
Pay me just to go.
You know our coffers are incomplete,
That’s why I tax you so.
Give me tender,
Til you’re blue,
Our greed is not fulfilled.
For my darlin, I’ll spend that too
And I always will.
Give me tender,
Our taxing’s strong,
Though maybe not our heart.
For the Good Ol’ boys where I belong,
You and your cash will part.
I own the roads,
on which you steer,
Your money, well, it’s mine.
It’ll be mine through all the years,
Till the end of time.
When at last my schemes come true
Driver this I know
Higher taxes will follow you
Everywhere you go.
Legal Tender,
Oh so sweet,
Pay me just to go.
You know our coffers are incomplete,
That’s why I tax you so.
By the numbers: Toll road monetization creates disproportionate burden
The Star Ledger is reporting that EZ pass data confirms the obvious; tolls are paid mostly by people who live near the toll roads.
Middlesex and Monmouth County residents pay the most tolls in the state, followed by Bergen, Ocean and Hudson. Residents of these counties comprise 40% of the state's population, but pay 61% of the tolls, according to this Star Ledger chart.
If you travel the Parkway daily within Monmouth County, between Wall (exit 98) and Holmdel (exit 114) you are currently paying $120 per year. Under Corzine's plan, you will be paying $985 per year, plus inflation adjustments, by the time the increases are fully implemented in 14 years. Do you think there might be more traffic on routes 34 and 35? You bet there will be.
The Star Ledger has a toll calculator that enables you to see the impact Corzine's plan will have on your travel costs.
Corzine and the proponents of his plan argue that much of the tolls are paid by out of state residents and commercial enterprises. They will adjust and revenue will not meet expectations, yet traffic will increase on free roads. Port Elizabeth will suffer, which will be a big blow to the NJ economy, but the ports in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston will do better.
New Jersey would be better off with a 15% spending cut. But a stem cell scientist will clone a pig with wings before Corzine will see that less government spending is the way out of our mess and the best for the New Jersey economy.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Great line by "Barry Goldwater":
The pigs won't fly over the statehouse, they will continue to fly TO the Statehouse, like they have always done.
Read the entire post here.
Read the entire post here.
Barham could be Monmouth Beach Commissioner
The Monmouth Beach governing body is set to choose a replacement for Kim Guadagno, who resigned her seat on the commission to become Sheriff, by the end of this month.
Under the dual office holding ban enacted by the state last year, those holding two elective offices on February 1, 2008 can continue to hold those offices.
If Monmouth Beach resident Bill Barham were to be appointed to the Monmouth Beach Commission this month, he could serve on that board and continue to serve as Freeholder.
Under the dual office holding ban enacted by the state last year, those holding two elective offices on February 1, 2008 can continue to hold those offices.
If Monmouth Beach resident Bill Barham were to be appointed to the Monmouth Beach Commission this month, he could serve on that board and continue to serve as Freeholder.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Corzine says no one's complaining
Corzine told the Associated Press that his office is getting less calls complaining about his asset monetization scheme than he got when he suggested self serve gas pumping or calls for mercy for Congo the killer dog.
Give him a call at 609-292-6000. While your at it, call Bob Franks at (908)-212-0333.
Give him a call at 609-292-6000. While your at it, call Bob Franks at (908)-212-0333.
The Corzine/Franks plan will fund a new socialist agenda
"When the first $1,000 in taxes our citizens pay goes to debt and principal instead of teachers and doctors, something is very wrong." ~Jon Corzine in his State of the State manifesto.
Tax dollars to pay doctors?! Trenton needs a thorough and efficient colonoscopy.
Are doctors to become employees of the State of New Jersey? Apparently so if Corzine gets his way.
Tax dollars to pay doctors?! Trenton needs a thorough and efficient colonoscopy.
Are doctors to become employees of the State of New Jersey? Apparently so if Corzine gets his way.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Franks to tout Asset Monetization
Proving once again that there is really no opposition party in New Jersey, former Republican Congressman Robert Franks has signed on to help Corzine sell his massive borrowing, spending and toll raising plan. Franks was Corzine's opponent for US Senate in 2000.
In their 2000 race for Senate, Corzine portrayed Franks as an idelogical clone of Newt Gingrinch and as a opponent to a woman's right to abortion. Franks is pro-choice.
Franks, a two time NJ GOP chairman, attacked Corzine's credibility because he wouldn't release his tax returns and disclose his charitable donations. When Corzine finally released his records, it was revealed that he had given hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups whose leaders or sponsors later endorsed him.
Corzine's plan: Real reform or another gimmick?
Governor Corzine finally unveiled his fiscal restructuring plan during his State of the State address this week. It is a four point plan that he says is designed to change the culture of reckless spending in Trenton and it bring fiscal stability to our state government. You can read the address yourself at http://www.nj.gov/sos2008/speech.html.
I was shocked when I read the speech. There was a lot I liked about the plan. Here, I’ve written critically about Corzine and his asset monetization plan for months. I was amongst the first to call “monetization” what it is; a euphemism for borrowing. I’d published up funny and unflattering cartoons on my blog that made the Asbury Park Press’s illustration of Corzine as a snake oil salesman look complementary. I was so predisposed to hating this plan. Was this plan really a good thing for New Jersey or was Corzine that good a snake oil salesman that I was falling for his pitch?
Here are the four points of his plan:
One: Freeze overall state spending for the next fiscal year at its current level. I really like this idea! Cutting spending would be better, but a freeze is much better than the massive growth we’ve seen in recent years. Given that Corzine has already committed to increasing education spending by $500 million, freezing spending would have to mean that there are real cuts elsewhere in the budget. The governor says he’ll have to cut between $2 and $2.5 billion (what’s a half a billion among friends) from current spending in order to freeze spending. I don’t get the math, but cuts are good.
Two: “For future budgets, spending will not be allowed to exceed recurring revenue growth.” Corzine will propose legislation that will prohibit incremental spending levels from exceeding certified recurring revenues. That sounds good!
Three: “We will capture the value of our toll roads to pay down at least 50% of State debt and fund transportation improvements.” Couldn’t we capture Bid Laden first? Herein is the big problem. Corzine wants to borrow $40 billion dollars and increase tolls 500%, but not until after his next election. If we must raise tolls, and maybe we do, I rather see the state do that without borrowing the $40 billion. Corzine says that if we don’t do this, we’ll have to increase the income tax by 20%, the sales tax by 30% or reduce state spending by 15%. If those are the only options, I vote for reducing spending by 15%. Since Jim McGreevey became governor state spending has increased over 50% and the quality of life in New Jersey has declined. A 15% roll back doesn’t sound too bad.
Four: “Give voters the final say on new debt, just like the Constitution intended.” That sounds good, except for the caveat: Corzine wants voters to approve only debt that is not matched by revenues. I think the Constitution intended to give the voters final say over all debt. But affirming to give the voters’ our Constitutional power is a good thing.
Three out of four is pretty good. Let’s freeze state spending and control future governors and legislatures from spending and borrowing money they don’t know the source of. $40 billion in borrowing? That’s a terrible idea that is designed to expand government and reduce your personal freedom.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
School Funding Scheme 1 vote short
The Star Ledger is reporting that Corzine's school funding scheme is one vote short in the Senate. The governor has until noon tomorrow, when the legislative session ends, to change one vote.
Barham undecided about running
As I've been reporting since September, former Freeholder Director Bill Barham is ambivalent about continuing to serve as a Freeholder.
Barham will not run and will probably not complete his term. Watch for Barham to resign shortly after the primary filing deadline if there are no challengers, so that the party's choice to replace him can start serving, or after the June primary if the establishment candidate wins a contested primary.
Meanwhile, Democratic Freeholder John D'Amico, who holds the seat previously held by Amy Handlin and Anna Little, has picked up his predecessors' reform banner:
Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Deputy Director Rob Clifton would be wise to take the lead on a reform agenda and to put Handlin and Little in speed dial. Otherwise, it is Bergen County with Beaches come November.
"Barham has not decided whether he will run, saying he wants to talk with his family before making a decision, which he expects to make in about a month. Burry said she is running for her second three-year term."~ Asbury Park Press, January 7, 2008
Barham will not run and will probably not complete his term. Watch for Barham to resign shortly after the primary filing deadline if there are no challengers, so that the party's choice to replace him can start serving, or after the June primary if the establishment candidate wins a contested primary.
Meanwhile, Democratic Freeholder John D'Amico, who holds the seat previously held by Amy Handlin and Anna Little, has picked up his predecessors' reform banner:
"D'Amico said he wants to move the good-government focus to "additional meaningful changes in the way the county does business, such as enactment of an ethics code, creation of an ethics board and an open-appointment ordinance, to ensure honesty and integrity in government operations." "~ Asbury Park Press, January 7, 2008
Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Deputy Director Rob Clifton would be wise to take the lead on a reform agenda and to put Handlin and Little in speed dial. Otherwise, it is Bergen County with Beaches come November.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Republicans likely to help Corzine's scheme pass
In the Assembly, two of the four Republicans on the budget committee backed the bill Thursday night, and Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole, R-Essex, said more could follow Monday. After years of stagnant aid, many Republican districts would see gains under the plan.~ Gannett State Bureau
"This is not going to be a party-line vote," O'Toole said. "If it's good for your district, you have to vote for it."
Heard in the Supermarket
Despite what he told the Asbury Park Press, Adam Puharic is making overtures for government insurance contracts in Monmouth County.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Heard on the street
Adam Puharic is said to favor Holmdel's Serena DeMaso as a Freeholder candidate. No word yet on which incumbent Puharic wants to dump, but he has been shouting at and hanging up on Freeholder Director Lillian Burry. Dumping incumbent Freeholders has become a Republican tradition in Monmouth County.
Democrats are floating former Assembly candidate Pat Walsh's name as a Freeholder candidate. They are optimistic about taking control of Monmouth County and Middletown this November.
Bill Barham's new mantra is "I don't have to be Director to control Monmouth County."
Double secret polling data shows Rudy Giuliani leading in Monmouth County by a wide margin. Romney is polling a distant third.
The RastaMen are looking for a replacement for Kid Rasta.
Democrats are floating former Assembly candidate Pat Walsh's name as a Freeholder candidate. They are optimistic about taking control of Monmouth County and Middletown this November.
Bill Barham's new mantra is "I don't have to be Director to control Monmouth County."
Double secret polling data shows Rudy Giuliani leading in Monmouth County by a wide margin. Romney is polling a distant third.
The RastaMen are looking for a replacement for Kid Rasta.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Corzine makes deal with Booker on school funding scheme.
Tom Wilson had nothing to do with this photo/illustrationNJ GOP chair Tom Wilson released the following statement this afternoon:
Taxpayers and Public Deserve To Know How Much Deals Corzine Cut With Booker Will Cost Them
"We're just concerned with an impact that could be savage in our urban
districts," said Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who met privately with Corzine, Education Commissioner Lucille Davy and other top administration officials for about 90 minutes yesterday morning. After the meeting, Booker said he was encouraged Corzine was open to minimizing the effects the new plan would have on school operations and tax rates in districts like Newark. (“New formula for school aid moves ahead” Star Ledger, 1/4/2008)
Trenton, NJ -- New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairman Tom Wilson issued the following statement today:
“It may be a new year, but it’s politics as usual for Jon Corzine. Yesterday, he had a private pow-wow with Newark Mayor Cory Booker during which he apparently pledged to provide tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to sweeten the pot in a desperate attempt to gain the support of urban legislators for the school funding plan he’s trying to ram through the legislature.
When Corzine says he’ll ‘minimize the effects the new plan would have on tax rates in districts like Newark’ it can mean only one thing: New Jersey taxpayers will pay. What we don’t know is how much and with what money. The state is already in a $3 billion hole and taxpayers were clear in telling Corzine to stop spending money that neither the state nor the taxpayers have. The Governor pledged transparency and asked to be held accountable. He must provide everyone with the honest facts about what his Monty Hall routine is going to cost.
The Governor has abdicated fiscal responsibility in the name of political expediency. He’s more concerned with getting this done than with getting it done right. The worst part is that the taxpayers will once again be the ones holding the bag and paying for the Governor’s deal making. Legislators and the public have a right to know how much his horse trading is going to cost them and how the Governor plans to pay for it.
School funding figures don’t have to be provided to the districts until late February or early March. There is plenty of time between now and then to take a step back and work out a formula whose price tag is honest and transparent. The Governor’s actions make it clear that this formula is a gimmick and that tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars more will be provided by Corzine to urban districts at the expense of suburban taxpayers.
Former State Supreme Court Justice Gary Stein has warned this formula won’t be accepted by the Court. The Education Law Center has made it clear that they will be in court if this formula is enacted. Why would the legislature pass a formula that will guarantee that school funding is again placed in the hands of the Supreme Court for months if not years and deny suburban property taxpayers with any relief?”
The deal making to push through the school funding scheme is reminiscent of the 14% sales tax increase Corzine closed the government to get in the summer of 2005. Corzine righteously declared that the sales tax was need to get the state's fiscal house in order. Then he gave half the anticipated revenue away in Christmas tree items and the other half to property tax relief. Evidently the point was not to put the state's fiscal house in order, but to tax and spend more.
With then school funding scheme, Corzine is dealing away anything that could be considered reform to the special interest "stakeholders"; the NJEA and the Abbot Districts. There's no reform left, just more spending....and a strangle hold on the new legislature to pass the toll road monetization plan...which would give Corzine tens of billions more to squander.
Beware the Yo-Yo Waterball
This is the best legislation of the lame duck session.
Someone should propose a constitutional amendment to ban the term "Yo-Yo Waterball" from legislation.
Someone should propose a constitutional amendment to ban the term "Yo-Yo Waterball" from legislation.
How strong is Puharic?
Monmouth GOP Chairman's Adam Puharic rules for candidates are pretty much the same as last year's rules, with a few exceptions:
No mention of a contract, but still a promise not to oppose the chairman's selection in a primary. How will the US Senate candidates deal with that one? Will they screen anyway and not take that "promise" seriously or will they skip the screening?
No mention of background checks. Of course there will be background checks, as there should be. But apparently they won't be used as an intimidation tactic and poll tax. Call this progress, I guess.
No mandatory screening of incumbents. That's no surprise. Just a confirmation that last year's rules were written to get rid of Anna Little.
Only two candidates per office. Not a change in the rules, but will be a change in practice if it is enforced.
About the only safe bet for those handicapping Monmouth GOP politics is that there will be no primary for the US Congress seats.
Puharic's rules indicate his path to unity continues to be by controlling the process and purging dissent. As we have seen, he can control the party line, but he has little influence with the voters.
The first test of Puharic's strength will be the presidential primary on February 5. Can Puharic deliver Monmouth County for Mitt Romney? Puharic is a Romney supporter. State Senator Joe Kryillos, Puharic's mentor and guardian, is Romney's New Jersey chairman. If Puharic is unable to deliver Monmouth County for Romney, his opponents will rightly view him as vulnerable.
No mention of a contract, but still a promise not to oppose the chairman's selection in a primary. How will the US Senate candidates deal with that one? Will they screen anyway and not take that "promise" seriously or will they skip the screening?
No mention of background checks. Of course there will be background checks, as there should be. But apparently they won't be used as an intimidation tactic and poll tax. Call this progress, I guess.
No mandatory screening of incumbents. That's no surprise. Just a confirmation that last year's rules were written to get rid of Anna Little.
Only two candidates per office. Not a change in the rules, but will be a change in practice if it is enforced.
About the only safe bet for those handicapping Monmouth GOP politics is that there will be no primary for the US Congress seats.
Puharic's rules indicate his path to unity continues to be by controlling the process and purging dissent. As we have seen, he can control the party line, but he has little influence with the voters.
The first test of Puharic's strength will be the presidential primary on February 5. Can Puharic deliver Monmouth County for Mitt Romney? Puharic is a Romney supporter. State Senator Joe Kryillos, Puharic's mentor and guardian, is Romney's New Jersey chairman. If Puharic is unable to deliver Monmouth County for Romney, his opponents will rightly view him as vulnerable.
Will Republicans save Corzine's school funding scheme?
Corzine's school funding scheme is under attack from the left. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Bradley Beach Brawler Jerry Healy (who is also the Mayor of Jersey City) have come out against the school funding scheme, because they want the rest of the state to pay for their school systems at ever growing obscene levels.
Rather than buy off Booker and Healy, like he did the NJEA, Corzine is looking for savings by attempting to buy off suburban Republicans.
Assembly Republcian Leader Alex DeCroce has been an outspoken critic of the scheme, and its rush through the lame duck session. Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carrol has spoken out powerfully against the plan and the asset monetization/toll increases it will lead to.
Hopefully the Republicans will stand firm against these massive spending increases, and the legislators from Essex and Hudson counties will oppose the plan because that it doesn't spend enough.
Rather than buy off Booker and Healy, like he did the NJEA, Corzine is looking for savings by attempting to buy off suburban Republicans.
Assembly Republcian Leader Alex DeCroce has been an outspoken critic of the scheme, and its rush through the lame duck session. Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carrol has spoken out powerfully against the plan and the asset monetization/toll increases it will lead to.
Hopefully the Republicans will stand firm against these massive spending increases, and the legislators from Essex and Hudson counties will oppose the plan because that it doesn't spend enough.
Call to serve the pleasure of the chairman
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2, 2008
Call for letters of intent for candidates for Freeholder, US Congress, and US Senate.
RESOLUTION CREATING THE
MONMOUTH COUNTY REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION’S
CANDIDATE SCREENING PROCESS
WHEREAS, the objective of the Monmouth County Republican Organization is to strengthen the Republican Party’s effectiveness in winning elections and governing at all levels of government; and
WHEREAS, to achieve this objective the Monmouth County Republican Organization must recruit the most highly qualified and ethical candidates that embody Republican values and principles;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, unless otherwise provided under the New Jersey Election Code (Title 19):
(1) Any candidate seeking federal, state or county office, who wishes to seek the endorsement of the Monmouth County Republican Organization, must by 5pm, Friday, February 8 of the year of the Republican primary election, file a letter of intent to seek the Organization’s nomination for the office sought.
(2) Any candidate seeking the Organization’s nomination who is not an incumbent having served a full term in the office sought, must:
(a) submit a detailed resume;
(b) provide any and all additional information as determined by the Chairman which may be required in writing;
(b) participate in a full and complete interview and interview process with the screening committee;
(c) if successfully screened, agree to participate in a Republican county convention; and
(d) agree that should they lose the Republican county convention, they will support the winner of the Convention and agree not to run against the Monmouth County Republican line as established by the Chairman.
(3) The Monmouth County Republican Chairman reserves the right to require any incumbent to participate in the selection process and submit themselves before the screening committee. If the Chairman exercises this option, his decision must be ratified by a majority vote of the screening committee. In the event the candidate shall not be required to submit themselves to the screening process, they will appear directly at the County Convention.
(4) Only those approved by a simple majority vote of the screening committee may participate in a Republican county convention to seek the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s endorsement and use of the Organization’s official slogan on the Republican primary election ballot.
(5) The screening committee shall recommend no more than two (2) persons per vacant office to be forwarded to the County Convention.
Make-up of the Screening Committee
(a) The membership of the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s screening committee shall be determined by the Chairman each election cycle. The membership shall consist of the Chairman’s selection of member(s) of the Board of Chosen Freeholders or constitutional officers, member(s) of the State Legislature, municipal chairs from geographically diverse parts of the county, executive board members, and at-large members.
(b) In addition, four municipal chairs representing each legislative district shall be added to the screening committee for potential legislative candidates. The additional chair members will only be allowed to screen candidates from their respective districts.
(c) No potential Republican nominee for the Organization’s endorsement serving on the screening committee may vote on their own screening, but may vote on others taking place during the same year.
(d) All members of the screening committee shall be selected by the Monmouth County Republican Chairman in January of each year and serve at the pleasure of the Chairman.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Congratulations to Freeholder Director Lillian Burry!
The Asbury Park Press reports that Lillian Burry was elected Monmouth County's first female Freeholder Director.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
What will Bill Barham do, II?
All eyes turn to Freehold as the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders reorganize tomorrow, Thursday January 3.
As I wrote in early December, the biggest question is What will Bill Barham do?
Barham has treated the Freeholder Directorship as if it was his birthright. During last year's reorganization he literally declared the chambers "my room." His godfather, Harry Larrison, bestowed the Kingdom of Monmouth on Prince William when he retired. After a brief apprenticeship under Tom Powers, Barham snatched his inheritance away from the deserving and beloved Ted Narosanzik.
But Barham's ambitions of a long reign to match that of his mentor Larrison was thwarted by two women who would not keep their place; Lillian Burry, who has ambitions of her own, and Anna Little who was elected on her promise to reform the old way of doing things in Freehold and meant it. Barham and his co-horts were able to send Little into exile, but not before she "made and indelible mark on Monmouth County" in the words of Burry.
Part of Little's indelible mark is that Barham is no longer electable. Little didn't do this, nor did she set out to. Barham did that to himself. Little simply wouldn't cave to his bullying and intimidation, as bad as it got. And it got very bad.
As blogger "Barry Goldwater" so aptly put it today, "...Barham has the raw ability to be a good leader. Unfortunately, he comes off in the papers as rather pompous, and a poster-boy for old boy politics. Personal interaction with him has not dissuaded many from that same opinion. His potential effectiveness is therefore lost. If he runs in a general election, he will lose."
Last summer when the Freeholder Board passed a resolution that term limits Directors to two consecutive years, Barham openly speculated that he might not continue to serve past January. As "Goldwater" said, "The real question is, will his raw ability allow him to overcome his ego, and gracefully bow out of the race? Not likely."
Here are Barham's options as I see them:
A) Make a deal with the Democrats, John D'Amico and Barbara McMarrow to keep the Directorship and name one of them, most likely D'Amico, Deputy Director. This would actually be very Larrisonian. This would make sense in Barham's mind, because he keeps his inheritance and he thinks he can be re-elected. His tin eared political advisors tell him he's a lock for re-election on the presidential candidate's coat tails. This makes sense for D'Amico, because he knows that Barham will go down in defeat and that the Democrats would finally win control of the county government after 20+ years. By the time D'Amico is up for re-election, 2010, whoever was angry with him for making the deal with Barham would have gotten over it.
B) Support Rob Clifton for Director and announce that he is not seeking another term. This would be Adam Puharic's preference, as he wouldn't have to face a primary and wouldn't have to mount an unwinnable campaign in the fall. Burry is running for re-election, and she won't run again with Barham. Bill being a care taker of the seat for a year clears a field of landmines for Puharic, and allows Adam to write the rules for selecting the new candidate.
C) Resign. This is probably what Barham really wants to do when his temper and ego are not in control. Barham doesn't want to be one of five. He wants to be the boss like Larrison was. But in the post Operation Bid Rig, post Anna Little, Asbury Park Press watching your every move era, being the boss is just not what it was cracked up to be, for Barham.
In normal times and with a democratic (note the small d) chairman, this would be the best option for the Republicans. A convention would select Barham's replacement who would begin to serve immediately and have the benefits of incumbency going into the November election. But these are not normal times and Puharic is not a democratic chairman. A convention to fill a vacancy is governed under state law, Title 19. Puharic can't write the rules. There can be nominations from the floor.
So what will Bill do? He might not even know yet. Chances are he'll support Clifton for Director and buy some time before announcing his intentions regarding re-election.
Whatever he does, next year at this time, Barham won't be a Freeholder. That is a good thing.
As I wrote in early December, the biggest question is What will Bill Barham do?
Barham has treated the Freeholder Directorship as if it was his birthright. During last year's reorganization he literally declared the chambers "my room." His godfather, Harry Larrison, bestowed the Kingdom of Monmouth on Prince William when he retired. After a brief apprenticeship under Tom Powers, Barham snatched his inheritance away from the deserving and beloved Ted Narosanzik.
But Barham's ambitions of a long reign to match that of his mentor Larrison was thwarted by two women who would not keep their place; Lillian Burry, who has ambitions of her own, and Anna Little who was elected on her promise to reform the old way of doing things in Freehold and meant it. Barham and his co-horts were able to send Little into exile, but not before she "made and indelible mark on Monmouth County" in the words of Burry.
Part of Little's indelible mark is that Barham is no longer electable. Little didn't do this, nor did she set out to. Barham did that to himself. Little simply wouldn't cave to his bullying and intimidation, as bad as it got. And it got very bad.
As blogger "Barry Goldwater" so aptly put it today, "...Barham has the raw ability to be a good leader. Unfortunately, he comes off in the papers as rather pompous, and a poster-boy for old boy politics. Personal interaction with him has not dissuaded many from that same opinion. His potential effectiveness is therefore lost. If he runs in a general election, he will lose."
Last summer when the Freeholder Board passed a resolution that term limits Directors to two consecutive years, Barham openly speculated that he might not continue to serve past January. As "Goldwater" said, "The real question is, will his raw ability allow him to overcome his ego, and gracefully bow out of the race? Not likely."
Here are Barham's options as I see them:
A) Make a deal with the Democrats, John D'Amico and Barbara McMarrow to keep the Directorship and name one of them, most likely D'Amico, Deputy Director. This would actually be very Larrisonian. This would make sense in Barham's mind, because he keeps his inheritance and he thinks he can be re-elected. His tin eared political advisors tell him he's a lock for re-election on the presidential candidate's coat tails. This makes sense for D'Amico, because he knows that Barham will go down in defeat and that the Democrats would finally win control of the county government after 20+ years. By the time D'Amico is up for re-election, 2010, whoever was angry with him for making the deal with Barham would have gotten over it.
B) Support Rob Clifton for Director and announce that he is not seeking another term. This would be Adam Puharic's preference, as he wouldn't have to face a primary and wouldn't have to mount an unwinnable campaign in the fall. Burry is running for re-election, and she won't run again with Barham. Bill being a care taker of the seat for a year clears a field of landmines for Puharic, and allows Adam to write the rules for selecting the new candidate.
C) Resign. This is probably what Barham really wants to do when his temper and ego are not in control. Barham doesn't want to be one of five. He wants to be the boss like Larrison was. But in the post Operation Bid Rig, post Anna Little, Asbury Park Press watching your every move era, being the boss is just not what it was cracked up to be, for Barham.
In normal times and with a democratic (note the small d) chairman, this would be the best option for the Republicans. A convention would select Barham's replacement who would begin to serve immediately and have the benefits of incumbency going into the November election. But these are not normal times and Puharic is not a democratic chairman. A convention to fill a vacancy is governed under state law, Title 19. Puharic can't write the rules. There can be nominations from the floor.
So what will Bill do? He might not even know yet. Chances are he'll support Clifton for Director and buy some time before announcing his intentions regarding re-election.
Whatever he does, next year at this time, Barham won't be a Freeholder. That is a good thing.
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