“Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

~ President Ronald Reagan in his first inaugural address.

59% of U.S voters still agree with the 40th President.

56% of U.S. voters think the Republican party should return to the views and values or Reagan, including 85% of Republicans, 61% of unaffiliated voters and 29% of Democrats.

This according to Rasmussen Reports.

Chris Christie should be so advised. Steve Lonegan already knows.

Union Thugs in Monmouth County

The Asbury Park Press is reporting that Monmouth County corrections union leader Pat Panella has responded to potential layoffs by posting unspecified threats against the Monmouth County Freeholders and Administrator Bob Czech on the paper's website.

Excerpts for the app article:

The online posts by corrections union leader Pat Panella, on app.com, the Asbury Park Press Website, implied job actions in event county officials choose to lay off members of his union.

""You have have cornered everyone...the most dangerous thing in the world is to corner anyone and threaten their way of life,'' wrote Pat Panella, president of PBA 240, the union representing 330 prison guards.

In another post, Panella wrote, ""I can tell all of you that you are about to enter the TWILIGHT ZONE.....Good luck in there, it is gonna be a HELL of a ride...I hope you are ready.....You better ask around about how my Union has responded to
threats in the past....We are about to go OLD SCHOOL.''

It seems to me that these comments, "the most dangerous thing in the world", rise to the level of terroristic threats. This is a much more serious infraction than steeling 7 gallons of gasoline.

Panella should be arrested immediately and sent to Gitmo with the other terrorists, since it would just be weird for him to be imprisoned in the Monmouth County jail and guarded by the corrections officers he represents.

Lawmakers want longer terms

NJBiz is reporting that State Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union), Chairman of the Senate Government committee, is proposing a law that would give senators five-year terms, up from the present four years — except the first term in each decade, which is two years. And it would give Assembly members alternating three-year and two-year terms, instead of the present two-year terms.

The measure would require a constitutional amendment to be approved by the voters in November.

Scutari argues that longer terms would give legislators more time to handle complex issues, reduce the influence of campaign contributors and save tax payers the cost of elections.

Last I checked, the NJ Legislature had lower approval ratings than George W. Bush. Can you imagine the reception Bush would have gotten if he proposed over turning the 22nd amendment or extending Presidential terms to 6 years?

I have a better idea. Let's have a constitutional amendment to create term limits. 3 terms per office. That would create a sense of urgency for lawmakers to understand the complex issues and less incentive for them to make simple issues complex. It would reduce the influence of campaign contributors because the lawmakers will have less time to build their fiefdoms. Money spent on elections is the best money a democracy can spend. By the time lawmakers figure out how to really game the system, their terms will be up. That would create much more in savings in the long run.

DOLPHINS ARE SEEN LEAVING SHREWSBURY RIVER

NJ.Com:

HIGHLANDS — Witnesses claim they saw three to five dolphins who had been feared dead in the icy Shrewsbury River swim out of the waterway and into the open waters of Sandy Hook Bay last week.
The owner and several employees of Bahr's Landing, a seafood restaurant in Highlands, said they saw the animals swim past the Route 36 bridge and into the bay on Jan. 15 -- right before the river froze over.

"We were in the dining room talking when, all of a sudden, someone yelled, "Oh, my God! I just saw the dolphins!' " said Ann Luongo, a waitress at the restaurant. "I saw two of the most beautiful dolphins jump out of the river, just like you would at Sea World."

The owner of the restaurant, Jay Cosgrove, said he saw between three and five dolphins swim past the bridge out to the bay.

Luongo said she watched the rest of the afternoon to see if the dolphins swam back into the river, as they have several times before. They did not, she said.

Teri Frady, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the restaurant owner told the agency the same thing, but said she could not confirm or disprove the sighting.

The lack of dolphin sightings in recent days led to fears they had died in the icy waters.

=

Sean Kean Calls on Corzine to Revise Housing Quotas

Fed Correction of Job Data Is More Evidence That Data Is Faulty

Senator Sean Kean (R-Monmouth), a member of the Senate Labor Committee, called on the Corzine Administration to revise the housing mandates set by the Council on Affordable Housing in the wake of federally ordered revisions in state employment data.

“The housing quotas set by COAH were based on inaccurate data, including projections of job growth from commercial development that could be charitably described as educated guesses at best,” Kean said. “Now we learn from media reports that the federal government has had serious questions about the state Department of Labor’s monthly estimates of New Jersey’s employment and has required state officials to reduce their estimates to conform to national standards.

“This is just one more bit of evidence that the Council on Affordable Housing set mandates using data that doesn’t reflect reality. I urge Governor Corzine to order the Council to cancel its new rules, go back to Square One and start collecting reliable data.”

The Record of Bergen County reported the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has ordered the state Department of Labor to stop factoring in data not accepted by the federal government when it calculates unemployment figures. In part because of this order, New Jersey saw its unemployment rate rise by a full percentage point in December, a huge gain for a single month.

“The Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Executive Director of COAH testified before the Senate that they have based their municipal housing obligations on jobs data supplied by the State Department of Labor,” Kean said. “Municipalities filed plans on Dec. 31, 2008, using COAH-mandated housing numbers. Now that the numbers they have relied upon have been called into serious dispute, COAH should not make municipalities waste time and taxpayer money filing plans to build housing based on faulty data.

“It is not good enough for the Corzine Administration to say ‘we will listen to your concerns’ when they know, or should know, that their COAH numbers aren’t worth the paper they are written on. They should admit their errors and start correcting them without being asked, so that taxpayers are not left to pay the tab for their lack of judgment.”

DCA Commission Joe Doria thinks Senator Kean is crying wolf. After all, that's what Doria would do.

Someone call the NAACP and the MC Human Relations Commission

The Asbury Park Press is promoting a bigoted blogger.

Republican voters: Party should move to the right

Rasmussen reports that 43% of GOP voters say their party has been too moderate over the past eight years while only 17% say it has been too conservative. Most Republicans (55%) think the party should become more like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin while 24% see John McCain as the best role model and 11% say they should follow George W. Bush.

Busy Super Bowl Weekend

Saturday

WHO: ASSEMBLYWOMAN AMY HANDLIN, THE BREEZE RADIO, AND BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WHAT: CITIZENS RESOURCE MARKETPLACE

WHEN: SATURDAY, JANUARY 31st FROM 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

WHERE: BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WARNER STUDENT LIFE CENTER, NAVESINK ROOM
765 NEWMAN SPRINGS ROAD, LINCROFT, NEW JERSEY

Sunday

Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno is having a pre-Super Bowl Party not to be missed.

The guests will include Republican Gubernatorial candidates Christopher Christie, Steve Longegan and Rick Merkt.

When: Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, 2009
Where: McCloone's Rum Runner, 816 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ
Time: 10am-12pm.

Tickets are $65 in advance, $70 at the door. Tables of 10 go for $600.

Checks should be payable to: Friends of Kim Guadagno, PO Box 404, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750

For more info email leighmaris@hotmail.com.

A conservative, a writer and defender of the truth

Tommy DeSeno was on the Alan Colmes Radio Show tonight at 10:15 discussing the Blagojevich impeachment.

Newt Gingrinch was also on the show.

You can listen to a podcast of the show here. Tommy's appearance is 11 minutes in.

Colmes ended the segment by calling DeSeno, "A conservative, a writer and a defender of the truth."

Exclusive Footage of the Chamber Train to DC

Overheard on the State Chamber Train to DC

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. to Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre:

"I know you from MoreMonmouthMusings."

The cost of "crying wolf"

Save Jersey's Zebulin Pike caught DCA commissioner Joe Doria accusing New Jersey's mayors of "crying wolf" about the devastating impact the latest round of COAH regulations will have on their communities. Doria, the former Mayor of Bayonne, former Assembly Speaker and former State Senator said he used to cry wolf and grand stand as a normal course of business. Used to?

Doria was Mayor of Bayonne for nine years prior to becoming the Community Affairs Commissioner. As the head of DCA, he has tremendous power over all NJ municipalities and businesses.

Bayonne is facing a $29 million budget deficit. Of course, Doria says he had nothing to do with that problem. How can that be? As Mayor for 9 years he wrote the budget, taxed, borrowed and spent the money, by his own admission "crying wolf" often to get more money. As DCA Commissioner since being Mayor, he had the power to turn down Bayonne budgets, but he didn't.

Let's compare some critical facts about Bayonne to the same statistics about Middletown:

City of Bayonne

4 square miles

57,000 residents

669 full-time employees

$122.5 million annual budget

$148 million in debt

$29 million budget deficit

Township of Middletown

41 square miles

69,000 residents

345 338 full time employees. (It went down!)

$62 million annual budget

$69 million debt

No deficit

As Bob Ingle points out in The Soprano State (now available in paper back) Doria personifies the worst of New Jersey government, on every level. And Jon Corzine gave Doria the most powerful job in the administration.

I've often asked, "Where in New Jersey are Democrats doing a better job governing than Republicans are doing in Middletown and Monmouth County?" The answer is always nowhere.

The reason for that is Joe Doria and his ilk who think governing is a game of crying wolf and grandstanding for the purpose of keeping the trough full of plenty of tax payers money.

New Jersey: Government of the trough swillers, for the trough swillers and by the trough swillers.

A report on Red Bank's "Economic Summit"

By Grace Cangemi

Last night the Borough of Red Bank held its “Economic Summit”. Long on summit and short on economics, the panel, which included Democrat Freeholder Barbara McMorrow, Democrat ex-Mayor Ed McKenna, Democrat appointee Jerry Zaro, and was put together by Democrat Councilman Mike DuPont and hosted by Democrat Mayor Pat Menna, failed to include a single economist.

Toll-Hike DuPont began by exhorting us to “put aside petty political differences” prior to introducing a panel that included all of these Corzine shills. Mayor Menna, as a follow-up, acknowledged all of the Democrat big-wigs in the audience including his buddy Rep. Pallone, while failing to acknowledge a single Republican, although there was at least one state senator and one assemblyman in the audience. Glad to see they’ve put aside their “petty political differences.”

The introductory comments lasted over an hour and were rather telling. Zaro opened, telling us that “there is no better captain in these tough economic waters than Jon Corzine.” I’ve seen a hundred stand-up comics at the Count Basie, but this was the best joke I’ve heard come from that stage – too bad it’s on us.

Zaro, whom Menna referred to as the Czar, touted a half-dozen programs the governor is offering for “economic stimulus.” Apparently, Jon Corzine is going to put us all back to work building bridges and roads. I’ll make sure to tell all my unemployed broker friends. Zaro spoke for over fifteen minutes on money being “put back into New Jersey.” Where the hell is it coming from? And while we’re putting money back into New Jersey, how about asking your old buddy Frank Pallone to bring some money back from D.C.?

Then we heard from Ed McKenna. He told us that landlords need to work with tenants and “be reasonable.” As a 16 year member of the governing body of Red Bank, when asked what should be done to weather this storm on a local level, McKenna failed to offer a single piece of advice about what borough hall could do to keep taxpayers from going under. I’m all for reasonableness, but let’s remember that commercial properties took up to a 30% tax hike in the last reevaluation. What’s reasonable about that? How about reasonable spending practices?

Freeholder McMorrow spoke, mostly introducing county staff members. This was fortunate because when she couldn’t answer the only question she was asked during the latter part of the program, she had someone to answer it for her.

Elaine Sourlis, of Sourlis International, was also a panelist. Ms. Sourlis, widow of Ted Sourlis, talked about how she’d seen this climate before. In fact, “they lost everything in the nineties due to a bankruptcy.” I would have thought that her husband’s fraud conviction played into their misfortune. And I was a little confused as to why the panel included someone who says she “lost everything” in a bad economy. Perhaps hers is a cautionary tale.

Those were just the highlights from a panel that included Peter Reinhart of K. Hovnanian, Timothy Hogan of Riverview Medical Center, President Paul Gaffney of Monmouth University, and Richard Spangler of Investor’s Savings Bank.

I must confess that I asked a question, and I, as always, signed my name. Red Bank is attempting to gain a “transit village” designation for the neighborhood that abuts mine. Given the panel that was seated and their history, I asked about how high-density development will affect property values and if there is any plan to use eminent domain. The mayor was indignant.

He stated that “the transit village won’t necessarily be in the area of the train station.” (A transit village not in the area of the transit hub? Pardon my skepticism.)

He also said that there is no intention to use eminent domain. Excuse my concern, Mr. Mayor. When I look at this esteemed panel, I see that every attorney there has interests in real estate development. Hovnanian had their lawyer in the panel. KHov filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court supporting the use of eminent domain for private gain in Connecticut. And Jerry Zaro? His law firm worked for the City of Long Branch to take homes away from taxpayers there and has long had its fingers in the eminent domain pie. These people make me nervous. They made me nervous in Long Branch, and I lost a home there. Another cautionary tale.

In support of Trenton, I suppose, Mayor Menna told us that he’s proud that Red Bank isn’t fighting the new COAH rules. I’m humble enough to say that I can’t afford to pay for this unfunded mandate. I’ve seen the Red Bank budget. Red Bank can’t afford it either.

So, I spent an evening listening to another Corzine dream team telling us how to handle the bad economy. And not a single person, not one member of this group, ever used the word “spending.” Not once. I waited. I hoped. I held my breath. There was not a single suggestion that taxpayers could get some relief from government spending.

New Jersey needs to wake up from this bad dream and toss these big spenders out on their heads. We need an administration that uses economists, not real estate developers and lawyers, to guide us through tough economic times. We need leaders who recognize that raising tolls, raising taxes, and growing government spending is breaking the backs of taxpayers. New Jersey needs leaders who will stop spending. When your car’s in a skid, take your foot off the gas.

Just Say No

By Mayor Michael Halfacre, Fair Haven

All Republicans, and all those concerned with our State and Federal government fiscal policy, must take heed of that Reagan-era phrase, and oppose the proposed bailout up for a vote today in the House of Representatives. Republicans must stand together to oppose the pork-laden and, by most economists' accounts, ineffective stimulus package.

Republicans can not be sucked in by a token inclusion of tax cuts. To be bought out in that manner will only serve to seal the Party's fate in the 2010 mid-term elections and the 2012 Obama referendum. The current recession will be "owned" by Obama due to his support of the bailouts during his campaign, his "hands on" work during the transition, and this current massive bailout. Combined, they will seal our economy's and Obama's, fate.

To voluntarily accept ownership of this bad idea in the name of "bi-partisanship" will likewise seal the fate of our GOP.

As a start, bailouts are not good long term fiscal policy. The best explanation I’ve seen comes from Michael Ashton, a very smart trader with Nataxis Securities:

Increasing the debt dramatically– unless the debt simply doesn’t matter – implies that a share of future growth will be diverted to replenish the resources diverted to this crisis. If 5% of GDP is expended, and assuming generously that that buys 5% of current growth, then paying it back will require at least a 1% drag for 5 years or an 0.5% drag for 10 years. That’s the low end, and it assumes that wasteful programs are terminated when they are no longer needed and that stifling tax rates used to repay the debt are eliminated as soon as the debt is paid. It hardly needs to be said that the track record on this score is not good.

In my view, a lower level of debt, a lower level of activity, but a faster rate of future growth is better than a higher level of debt, a higher level of activity, but a slower rate of future growth….If initially we have a 10% greater contraction, but 1% greater growth per year thereafter, then it will take just around 11 years to “catch up” – but 20 years from now we’ll be 10% further ahead than we would otherwise be.

…I would argue that sufficient pain needs to be administered so that we can avoid future “unwinds,” the next of which would surely be worse if the Fed and Treasury are out of bullets.

One reason to worry about the huge government programs is that they crowd out private spending. Another reason is that they will need to be paid for some day through lower spending (unlikely), higher taxes (fairly likely), or debasement of the currency as a hidden tax (that is, inflation…and I fear this too is increasingly likely).

Time and again, history has confirmed that the best way to create jobs and stimulate the economy is through tax cuts. After seven years of New Deal policies, unemployment stood at 20%. But Kennedy's 1963 tax cuts, Reagan's 1982 tax cuts, and Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts all created more than twice as many jobs, respectively, than the Obama package promises.

In addition to the foregoing principals that militate against bailouts, we must ask ourselves, why would anyone give the politicians in Trenton any money? The State of New Jersey has proven utterly and completely ineffective at managing its money.

Whether it was a raid of the pension fund, the tobacco settlement, or the bond proceeds of the Schools Construction Corporation, large sums of money in the hands of New Jersey politicians has never proven to instill fiscal responsibility. And Washington wants to hand over 4 plus billion dollars? No thank you.

For goodness sake, Congress demanded Detroit automakers make reforms to their failing business model before a bailout, but New Jersey will not be required to do anything about its failed business model?

Those of us who care about fiscal policy, and the long term health of the free market economy that our great country was built upon, need to remember the names of those in Congress who have voted for these colossal bailout packages. In Monmouth County, Representatives Holt and Pallone have voted for every bailout presented. When, not if, the Bailouts fail, bailout the Country by voting them out in 2010.

How many homeless in Asbury Park?

"Maybe there is another reason why some sniveling white-boy County Worker doesn't want to walk Asbury Park streets, but instead seeks sanctuary in a church."

Tommy DeSeno calls shenanigans.

Lonegan Radio Spot

Steve Lonegan, candidate for the GOP gubernatorial nomination announced that his first radio advertisement will hit the airwaves tomorrow.

You can listen to the spot here.

Obamanation

President Obama gave his first TV interview as President to an Arab TV network.

The President's message to the Muslim world: "America is not your enemy."

Trenton Democrats move to put pension payments of a credit card

The Assembly budget committee approved Governor Corzine's $812 million in "spending cuts" and voted to allow municipalities to defer $541 million in payments due the pension system, according to a Bloomberg report in the Asbury Park Press.

A similar measure failed to pass the legislature in December. Let's hope it fails in the Senate again this time.

Corzine's proposal to defer pension payments is the exact method of the Whitman and McGreevey administrations that lead to the fiscal mess that New Jersey is in.

This recession is an opportunity for the government, as well as businesses and families to correct themselves. To eliminate wasteful spending and to create new efficiencies.

The size of New Jersey's government was more than doubled in the last eight years. The way out of this mess is to scale back, drastically.

"The process will be open" ~ Kevin O'Toole

At a meeting of GOP county chairs, other party leaders and elected officials to meet and question the GOP gubernatorial candidates, State Senator Kevin O'Toole told Politickernj:

“We heard from all the candidates tonight - how they would run in a primary and how they would run in a general election,” said O’Toole, serving in his first year as chair of the chairmen and as Gilmore’s successor.

“Everyone marvels at the job Chris Christie did as U.S. Attorney - that goes across the board, but what’s important now is that the process be open, and it will be.”

O'Toole is the chair of the county chairmen.

If true, this is very good news for the GOP. A fair and level playing field for candidate selection, on all levels, is essential for party unity.

In the past, county chairs throughout the state have often rigged the selection process for awarding the party line to candidates in primary elections. This inevitably leads to resentment and disunity.

As we move to the convention season, all party chairs should ensure a fair and democratic process that includes all county committee people. The chairs should feel free to endorse their favorites and tell the committees why, but in order to bring the party together when the primary is over, the chairs must ensure that the process is fair and open to all candidates.

Roe v Wade and the Rights of the Father

Tom DeSeno's column, Roe v.Wade and the Rights of the Father has attracted a great deal of attention on the Internet. His blog is averaging 3000 visitors a day since he posted the piece on January 22, and he has been overwhelmed with emails from father's who's baby's have been aborted.

Tommy will be live on the Bob Frantz Show, WTAM 1100, Cleavland this evening at 9. The show can be heard live here, or via podcast on demand starting tomorrow here.

HANDLIN TO HOST CITIZENS RESOURCE MARKETPLACE

-RESCHEDULED FROM SNOW CANCELLATION ON JANUARY 10, 2009-

Free "Green" Light Bulbs!


Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (LD-13) to host a Citizens Resource Marketplace co-sponsored by Brookdale Community College and The Breeze Radio. The program will take place on Saturday, January 31st from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Brookdale Community College in the Navesink Room at the Warner Student Life Center at 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, New Jersey.

“The purpose of this free event is to provide citizens with information about the many state resources and programs that are available to the public,” said Handlin.

Handlin created the Citizens Resource Marketplace to help the many constituents who have contacted her office with worries about the current economy. Many were asking for information about how state government could assist them with their financial challenges and were unaware of the many programs available to them free as taxpaying citizens of New Jersey.

“Government always asks for your resources, now it’s your turn,” said Handlin. “Hundreds of state programs are paid for by your tax dollars – come learn what those programs can do for you.”

Program participants include the Department of Community Affairs, the Board of Public Utilities, the Green Resource Team who will hand out free energy efficient light bulbs, the Department of Labor, the Department of Banking and Insurance, New Jersey Natural Gas, Department of Veterans Affairs and Brookdale Community College.

“I am excited to bring together many of our state agencies to explain the resources they offer citizens. I think many people are surprised to learn that there are state programs for just about every household on every income level. This is a one-stop shop for government resources that can help families throughout New Jersey.”

Any member of the public who would like more information about this program can call (732) 787-1170. In the event of snow predictions on Saturday please call (732) 787-1170 for cancellation information.

WHO:ASSEMBLYWOMAN AMY HANDLIN, THE BREEZE RADIO, AND BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WHAT: CITIZENS RESOURCE MARKETPLACE

WHEN: SATURDAY, JANUARY 31st FROM 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

WHERE: BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WARNER STUDENT LIFE CENTER, NAVESINK ROOM
765 NEWMAN SPRINGS ROAD, LINCROFT, NEW JERSEY

Connors and Haines Welcome Chance to Question Doria, Vandenberg on ‘Affordable’ Housing Rules

Senators Phil Haines and Chris Connors, Republican members of the Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee, said they are pleased that Joseph Doria Jr., Commissioner of Community Affairs, and Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director of the Council on Affordable Housing, are scheduled to come before the committee on Monday. The two senators hope to get answers to many questions, including:

· Why is the Council implementing rules and housing quotas based on outdated and sloppy data? COAH’s housing construction quotas are based on outdated estimates that New Jersey will have employment gains of 58,943 positions before 2018. New Jersey lost 15,200 jobs in December alone. Just as important, estimates of the available land for building rely on a study that argues construction is possible in backyards of existing homes, on the median strips of busy highways, and in the protective open space airports have set aside along their runways. The study also ignored restrictions placed on the land for environmental reasons.

· How does COAH intend to reconcile mandates for housing construction that conflict with Corzine administration recommendations to combat global warming put forth on Dec. 15? The COAH rules promote massive new construction in undeveloped areas, while the global warming report says the state should require that 90 percent of development in New Jersey occur in areas already served by public infrastructure and that 99 percent of development be redevelopment of sites already in use. The rules also conflict with Open Space efforts, statewide land use plans, and laws designed to protect the Highlands and the Pinelands

· Why are towns being required to find funding when the state is imposing these “affordable” housing rules? Estimates of the portion of the COAH mandates that communities will have to bear range from $4.8 billion to $20 billion. Many towns submitted plans in December that call for using property taxes to pay for the costs of their “affordable” housing quotas. Others have rightly challenged the rules, arguing they are unfunded mandates. Given that it is now indisputable that some towns plan to spend property taxes to meet the quotas, why aren’t you calling for the state to provide sufficient financing to ensure that property taxpayers aren’t burdened with the costs?

“I expect that our questioning of Commissioner Doria will demonstrate once again why we can’t afford to go ahead with these COAH rules during a time of economic turmoil,” Senator Connors said. “It’s vital to delay the implementation of these job-killing regulations and then go back to the drawing board to create a plan for spurring construction of affordable housing that is based on the priorities of the majority of New Jerseyans, not just a few special interests.”

“No amount of discussion is going to change the fact that these rules are unworkable and unaffordable,” said Senator Haines. “We hope to hear Commissioner Doria and Executive Director Vandeberg say that efforts are well under way to fix rules that are dragging down the state’s economy and threatening to send property taxes soaring.”

Another Democrat Backs Christie

Politickernj is reporting that Perth Amboy Councilman Ken Balut will not challenge Jon Corzine for the Democratic Gubernatorial nomination. Balut said he will back former U.S.Attorney Chris Christie, a Republican, for Governor instead.

Balut follows Holmdel Democratic Chairman Tony Orsini in announcing his support of Christie.

How long before President Obama offers Jon Corzine a job in his administration, installing tolls on the Interstate Highway System perhaps, to spare Corzine the embarrassment of defending his performance? Will Obama come through with a large enough bailout to save Corzine? How long before Dick Codey and/or Steve Sweeney challenge Corzine for the nomination?

Contract with New Jersey

Matt Rooney at Save Jersey and his readers and working on a Contract with New Jersey, a blueprint for the GOP to fix save our state.

I encourage MoreMonmouthMusings readers to participate in Matt's project. The gubernatorial candidates and the legislative leadership are watching. We can make a difference.

The Dream and the 44th

Sunken City Sue said...

FLIPPY'S OUT OF TIME
(With apologies to Mick Jagger & Keith Richards)
NOTE: There are parts in the Stones' original where the boys sing "bop, bop" behind Mick's lead. In this version, substitute "flop, flop" for "bop, bop".

You don't know what's going on,
You've been away for far too long
But you can't come back and be the first in line,
You're out of touch my Flippy,
My poor discarded Flippy
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time

Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
You are all left out
Out of there without a doubt
'cause Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time

A pol who wants to run away (Run away)
Discovers that he's had his day (Had his day)
It don't help ya sayin' you belong to Cryan, oh no
You're out of touch my Flippy
My poor unfaithful Flippy
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy you're out of time

Well, Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
You are all left out
Out of there without a doubt
'cause Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time

You thought you were a clever pol, (Clever pol)
You pushed Inspector General (General)
You can't come back and think it's all just fine, oh no
You're obsolete, my Flippy,
My poor old fashioned Flippy
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time

Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
Yes, you are left out
Out of there without a doubt
'Cause Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time

Well, Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
Yes, you are left out, yes, you are
I said you're left out of there without a doubt
'Cause Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time
I said Flippy, Flippy, Flippy, you're out of time... (to fade)

Mel Hood Speaks Out Against Inspector General Position

Neptune Republican Mel Hood has a Letter to the Editor in today's Asbury Park Press where he makes the case against Deputy D'Amico's proposal for a Monmouth County Inspector General.

Hood sounds like a potential candidate for Freeholder. He would be a good one.

Monmouth County Youth Detention Center Report

Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno has released her report on the feasibility of closing the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center or keeping it operating.

The report is available on the Sheriff's website and here.

There will be a public meeting regarding the report on February 10, 2009, 7PM at the Hall of Records.

Congressman Fails Local Residents

Action Required NOW

By Mayor Michael Halfacre, Fair Haven

Right in our own backyards the United States Navy, with complicity from Representative Rush Holt (D12-NJ) is opening a doorway to potential terrorist activity, millions of dollars in local taxpayer obligations, putting the health and safety of future residents at risk, and stressing to the point of breaking local schools.

Pursuant to the provisions of a Lease entered into in 1988 between the Navy and a private developer, the Navy plans on opening to the public roughly 300 housing units located in the “Laurelwood Housing Area” off of Route 34 in Tinton Falls. The lease calls for the housing to be open to the public until 2040, when it will be demolished and removed from the area.

There is currently open, until January 23rd, a comment period for comments to the “Draft Environmental Impact Statement” relating to the construction of a new access road through secured areas of Earle to reach the housing complex. The “D-EIS” looks at four options, and pays lip service to a fifth, the “No Action Option”.

The comments page can be found here:
http://www.laurelwoodeis.com/Comments.aspx

The Draft EIS can be found here (400 pages):
http://www.laurelwoodeis.com/EisDocument.aspx

Any objective reader will realize that the “No Action Option” is in reality the only viable action. This conclusion is not due to the access road options being untenable, but rather it is due to the very idea of opening this area to unrestricted public access. The Lease Agreement calls for the 300 residences to be given unimpeded access to the public, with no background checks. The area will essentially be an unsecured donut hole, with the highly classified ordnance operations of Earle the donut.

Less than 300 feet from the homes will be munitions bunkers, less than 200 feet from the homes are toxic waste sites. There are currently 29 toxic waste sites in proximity to the housing complex.

The plan will put untold numbers of students into local schools, costing millions in taxpayer dollars. The potential residents of the complex could be exposed to environmental containments, as well as the specter of terrorist activity.

Fortunately, there are residents who have formed a Committee to oppose the opening of the base housing to unrestricted civilian access, and they raise a number of significant issues. Their website, http://www.orgsites.com/nj/nope/ is a must-read for residents of Monmouth County.

The No Action Option urged by NOPE relies upon a reading of the Lease Agreement allowing the United States Government to terminate or suspend the lease provisions in the event of a declaration of a national emergency. Former President Bush has renewed a national emergency declaration every year since 9/11/2001. There is, therefore, a legal justification for cancelling the lease agreement. NOPE sets forth a very strong financial analysis for doing so as well.

However, to date, there has been no move by the United States Navy to discuss the option. Further, Congressman Rush Holt has been completely ineffective in addressing resident’s concerns. The Asbury Park Press reported in December:

Many residents have bitterly opposed the plans, citing a potential huge impact to the school system and security concerns.

Holt repeatedly said he was working on the issue and had been consulting with both the Navy and state leaders to come to an agreement that would benefit everyone. He declined to discuss strategy, however.
Bill Holobowski, co-chairman of NOPE — Neighbors Opposed to Privatization of Earle — said he was nonplussed with Holt's answers.

"I didn't get anything here tonight," Holobowski said, adding that he hoped the entire state congressional delegation could come together and speak with one voice in opposition to the Navy's plans.

This, unfortunately, is what residents of the 12th Congressional District in New Jersey are left with: “I’m working on it.”

I urge all residents of Monmouth County to go to the comments page and post their opposition to the plan to open Earle to civilian housing. Our security is at stake, both financial and otherwise.

Rest In Peace

TOM KEAN: CORZINE’S POLICIES DRIVE UNEMPLOYMENT TO HISTORIC LEVELS

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding news that New Jersey’s unemployment rate has surged to 7.1 percent.

“Only last week, in his State of the State speech, Governor Corzine boasted that by almost any measure New Jersey was doing far better economically than both the nation as a whole and our immediate neighbors. Yet here we are only eight days removed from that speech and New Jersey’s unemployment rate has surged to 7.1 percent.

“The Governor’s taxes, tolls, debt and spending policies have hobbled our economy. The consequences of these choices are negative economic growth, higher unemployment and rapidly expanding budget shortfalls.

“New regulations and taxes that stifle economic growth are still being enacted in New Jersey. The new COAH regulations adopted this July are another nail in the coffin of what was once the most vibrant economy in the nation.

“Until New Jersey’s leaders find the political will and courage to enact true economic reforms, like additional spending cuts, pension reforms and other proposals for spending restrain, we will continue to suffer under high property taxes, growing unemployment and general economic stagnation.”

It is time for conservatives to take back the GOP

Larrey Anderson writes at American Thinker. All Republicans and Conservatives should read Anderson's article.

Security State meets Nanny State. What's the difference?

Outstanding commentary by John Kass at the Chicago Tribute.

The 44th President of the United States of America

It doesn't get more poignant than this.

Tax increase coming to Monmouth

The Asbury Park Press is reporting that the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders will be raising property taxes even if the unionized county workers agree to a wage freeze.

Union officials are demanding that the county provide documentation of other areas being cut before they answer the demand for a wage freeze.

Union leader Hetty Rosenstein raised the issue of the recently awarded food service contract for the county jail which was not awarded to the lowest bidder. She said acceptting the lowest bid would save $500 thousand.

Let's not forget to close the Youth Detention Center and save $2.5 million in the process.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: I Have A Dream

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

A Challenge to the Monmouth County Human Rights Commission

There is racial segregation going on the Monmouth County schools. According to my friend Tom DeSeno, it has been happening since 1996.

Here's what DeSeno had to say about the matter last November:

Now, let's you and I talk about Abbott Districts.

Asbury Park gets $60 million yearly in Abbott funds. It is per capita the most expensive Abbott in the state.

The district includes rich white towns like Avon, Allenhurst, Interlaken and Deal.

In 1996 they started busing the rich white kids past Asbury up to Red Bank Regional, another public high school about 6 or 7 miles away.

That CREATED Asbury as an Abbott district by segregating just the poorest black kids in the county to one school.

Here is a typical conversation I have with people from the rich towns surrounding Asbury:

RICH WHITE GUY: You know Tom, I resent having to send Asbury $60 million in Abbott funds from my tax money each year.

ME: If you stop busing your kids away and put them back in their home district in Asbury, then Asbury will lose its Abbott designation, and you won't have to pay it anymore.

RICH WHITE GUY: You know Tom, on second thought, why don't you just keep that $60 million.

Listen grasshopper, I'm going to teach you a dirty little secret about Abbotts, that the liberal press won't tell you:

Abbott money in Asbury, is "segregation hush money." Both sides of it are guilty.

White people will complain about the money, but won't change anything because they don't want their kids back in Asbury.

Black people will complain about the segregation, but they won't change it either, because wasting $60 million a year in other people's money is just way too much fun!

Meanwhile, Asbury kids are caught in the middle, attending a racially segregated school (and they know it), created by busing white kids away from their home district, as if Brown v Board of Education never happened.

There is a government caused racially segregated school right here where you live, Eric. Just like they had in the segregated south.

You seem to me to be a decent fellow, so I'm betting that deep down, that troubles you on a moral level.

If this were the 1960's, activists would be parachuting in here to stop a school segregated by government action.

Where are the 1960's-style liberal activists in the mold of Bobby Kennedy to stop it? Today they are too concerned about polar bears to even know there is segregation in their own county.

Where are the Republican activists like Martin Luther King, Jr? Surely a Republican in his mold would complain of a racially segregated school. What issue is so important today that it keeps them from this one?

So I'll tell you, like I tell all the people that don't want to face the segregation question underpinning Abbott districts:

Complain about Abbott money all you want - just don't be late with my $60 million check.

Reverend Teasley and Company, what are you going to do about this?

Please, appoint a sub-commission with no conflicts to investigate the Brookdale diversity matter, and take up this much more serious issue post-haste.

A Letter from Joe DiBella to the people of Howell

January 2009

To My Fellow Residents:

I’d like to take this opportunity to formally say “thank you” to the people of Howell for the awesome privilege of having served as both Councilman and then Mayor of Howell Township. As I look back over the past 6 years I am reminded of the many things that together as a community we achieved. I can say without hesitation that I enjoyed every moment of my time serving Howell, even when dealing with the most complex and at times controversial issues. I viewed my time in office as a job assignment to complete an agenda I had promised to achieve. Along the way I did everything within my power to deliver on the many things that were important to the community.

Together as a community we were able to achieve many wonderful things for Howell
Township. We preserved hundreds of acres of farm land and in doing so protected more
land than had ever been preserved previously in the township’s history. Together we also preserved many large tracts of open space for passive and recreational use, including securing the land and infrastructure for the new soccer and softball complex that will serve thousand of children for generations to come. We made repairing and paving our roads a major priority and along the way fixed roads all over the community. We passed a new master plan that materially reduced the number of homes that can be built, passed sweeping changes to prohibit the clear cutting of trees and implemented tough ethics and campaign reforms that stand to this day.

Long before the current economic downturn hit, we implemented tough measures to reign
in spending and reduce the size of government. And together we created a truly
transparent government by launching the township’s cable access channel, televising
council meetings and by launching a self-service web site for all residents. We achieved these and other milestones by working together and by refusing to succumb to the special interests that often polarize the process.

Along the way I was often the target of personal and political attacks aimed at trying to slow our progress or maintain the status quo. That unfortunately comes with the territory. While it was not always easy, I am proud that we stood up to these attacks and in the end we always did what was right, even if it were not always politically popular.

There are hundreds of people I can thank for their support and encouragement over the
past 6 years and to all of them I am grateful. Most of all, I’d like to thank my wife Lisa, my son Nicholas and my daughter Dana for their endless love and support throughout this time. They sacrificed much to afford me the time to serve the community and for that I am grateful. I’d also like to thank the many volunteers that work day and night to serve and protect our community on boards and commissions. I’d especially like to thank our firefighters, EMS organizations and police officers for their continued heroic and self-less acts.

I’d also like to thank the other elected officials I had the privilege to serve with over these past 6 years, including former Mayor Konopka, former Council members Malave, Tobasco, Lucey, Schomaker and current council members Dalton, Howell, Clark and Mayor Walsh. Being the Mayor of Howell Township has been an exceptional experience and one I shall forever be proud of. I love Howell Township and I loved being your Mayor.

I also wish to extend my heartfelt best wishes to the Council and our new Mayor Robert F. Walsh. Mayor Walsh is a compassionate, caring individual with the highest integrity and I know he shall serve Howell Township well in his new role.

In closing, I want to encourage residents to get involved with Howell Township. There is no higher calling than serving one’s community and no greater gift than being involved in Howell. If I can ever be of assistance to you or our community, please feel free to email me at MayorJoeD@yahoo.com.

Respectfully,

Joseph M. DiBella
Former Mayor, Howell Township NJ

Bush Showed U.S. Is No Paper Tiger

Commentary by Debra J. Saunders at Rasmussenreports.

More Macho Sauce

Counties Merge Youth Detention Centers

Gloucester County will close its Youth Detention Center on April 1 and send their delinquents to Camden County. Gloucester taxpayers will save $1.7 million, while Camden tax payers will pick up $650,000.

Why haven't Monmouth and Middlesex Counties merged their Youth Detention Centers yet?

Rise in NJ Consumer Confidence Index

46% of New Jersey consumers believe that their financial situation will improve in the next 12 months, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson study.

The other 54% work in the private sector.

Who is Rev. Earl Thomas Teasley?

In his own words, from his Zoom Info page:

I currently serve on the faculty of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey, teaching college success seminars, psychology and sociology courses and counseling students on academic, personal, transfer, and career matters. I have previously held positions as director of recruitment and admissions at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, director of admissions and enrollment management at Burlington County College, in addition to administrative, counseling and teaching positions with Essex County College, New York Institute of Technology, Prep for Prep of New York and Monmouth University. As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit also, I spent four years between 2000 and 2004, serving as Chair and Managing Partner of Anderson Teasley Enterprises, LLC, managing one of the busiest restaurants in the Rutgers University – Greater New Brunswick community. I am also a licensed New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson with Critelli & Kilbride Realtors in Holmdel, New Jersey, and, in the past, have been particularly successful in utilizing my counseling skills to help first time homebuyers. Now entrenched in the Monmouth County, New Jersey community, I grew up in southern New Jersey’s Winslow Township, where I graduated early from Edgewood Regional Senior High School after completing only the eleventh grade. This period saw the beginning of my entrepreneurial spirit and steadfast determination, as I saved money for college by tutoring students, mowing lawns, and singing and playing the piano for my church. After high school, I attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical languages and literature, and later completed a Master of Arts degree in student personnel administration and counseling at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City. Subsequently, I completed a continuing education program in college admissions and enrollment planning at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.Over the years, I have proudly served as a former chair of the New York Urban League’s Staten Island Advisory Board and board director of the organization’s Central Board, Executive Board member and Professional Development Committee chair of the New York State Association for College Admissions Counseling, president of the Burlington County School Counselors Association, president of the Burlington County College administrative senate, chair of the Pomona College Reunion Fund Committee, and an officer of the Brookdale Community College Faculty Association. Proudly, I am presently one of the two faculty representatives to the Brookdale Community College Steering Committee, the overseeing governance organization of the institution. Most recently, I was elected Chair of the Monmouth County Human Relations Commission, reporting to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, for a term that will span between 2007 and 2009. As a commissioner, I specifically represent the interests and needs of the county’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning community, and serve on the Commission’s Police and Community Relations Core Team. Ostensibly, my past and current experiences and activities are representative of my true self—achieving, motivated, dedicated, leading caregiver.

The Earl (also his own words) is on the faculty at Brookdale Community College, is a realtor and for $250-$500 he will officiate at your wedding. He used to run a restaurant near Rutgers.

He has a masters degree in Student Personnel Administration from Columbia University's Teachers College, was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the NAACP in 2004, and received a Certificate of Special Recognition from the U.S House of Representatives in 2004. He was recognized as a Higher Education Activist by the National Education Association's Emerging Leader Academy in 2006.

He is also Chairman of the Monmouth County Human Rights Commission.

Why my sudden interest in The Earl? Because he is alleging racial bias in the hiring practices of Brookdale Community College.

According to a report in the Asbury Park Press Teasley raised the racial make up of recent high paying administrative hires and the non-promotion and possible dismissal of a black Brookdale employee at the college's Board of Trustees meeting this week.

The employee who wasn't promoted and who received a notice of non-renewal, Cheryl Lonon of Wall Township, was quoted in the APP as saying, "Race matters in America, whether it's a positive thing or negative thing, it matters. I think it matters in my case."

Race shouldn't matter. It still does, but to a much lesser extent than it used to. If race was a factor in determining which administrators were hired at Brookdale or if it was a factor in Lonon's employment status, those decisions should be reversed and those responsible should be retrained or dismissed.

However, the Monmouth County Human Rights Commission should not have a say in this process. Teasley's activism in this matter and his status as a faculty member at Brookdage contaminates the Human Rights Commission's objectivity in the matter. Even if he were to recuse himself from any commission hearings on the matter, his status as chairman of the commission makes it impossible for the body to adjudicate the matter objectively.

The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders should appoint an independent panel to investigate these allegations and arbitrate the matter before it gets out of hand.

Additionally, the purpose and scope of the Human Rights Commission should be examined and better defined. The mission and policy of the commission, per their website, is as follows: (emphasis added)

MISSION STATEMENT

To convene Monmouth County’s leadership representing the Government, Law Enforcement, Clergy, Community, Corporate and Educational sectors of the County to:

Enhance human relations throughout Monmouth County and address issues that may arise in a diverse environment through pro-active measures.

POLICY STATEMENT

Whenever and wherever in Monmouth County actions are taken, words are printed or spoken, pictures and graffiti are drawn that encourage bigotry, bias, or hatred and cause fear and anxiety in any group, the Monmouth County Human Relations Commission should respond as circumstances warrant. The chairperson, together with the other officers and/or the Executive Committee, should consider all pertinent details and determine the best course of action. Any response should offer criticism of the incident and emphasize constructive suggestions on how relationships among the many communities of our multi-cultural society can be improved. Furthermore, the resources of Monmouth County’s Human Relations Commission should be offered.

The mission and policy of the commission as written qualifies the body as a kangaroo court. The commission is empowered to legislate, prosecute and adjudicate. The "accused" has little chance of due process before such a commission. The pro-active measures, warranting circumstances, criticism and constructive suggestions are not defined. Nor are the resources of the commission.

In this case, The Earl, chairman of the commission, has skin in the game. Such a blatant conflict can not be allowed to continue. The risk is that the Commission will be a laughing stock at best. At worst, improving racial relations could be set back rather than enhanced.

Do Not Write Off Steve Lonegan (and His Supporters)

By Eric Sedler

In the past writing for the long lost blog known as Red Jersey, I have written pleas to the conservative wing of the New Jersey Republican party to not write off the moderate wing's numbers and forces. In these pleas, I made the case for conservatives to respect the moderates, work with them (instead of against them), and stop trying to push them out of the party.

Tonight, after attending a Steve Lonegan organizational meeting in Monmouth County, I come bearing a different message, this time aimed at the Moderate Wing of the Republican Party, and Chris Christie's campaign.

Do not write off Steve Lonegan. Equally as important, do not write off his supporters.

You can not simply write off a man and a campaign that turned out 60-70 people on a freezing cold night with snow on the ground to a Freehold Elks Club. The turnout was incredibly impressive, given that it is early January and we are four months plus away from the primary election. Equally as impressive is the fundraising Mayor Lonegan has done. With well over $300,000 raised, he now has over a million in the bank thanks to matching funds. This is not someone who should be completely ignored, as he understands the concept of grassroots well. In the crowd were familiar faces from the McCain effort in Monmouth County, people who worked their butts off to put up signs and make calls in HQ for McCain and the Freeholder Campaign.

While I'm sure that some of these people will be seen at Christie events as well, it's impossible to ignore that there is a good core group of people who know how to deliver votes and manpower to campaigns behind Lonegan, and this is just in Monmouth County.

As for the Mayor's speech, it was everything as advertised. On message, mixed with some historical analogies and stories about his parents, Lonegan painted a picture of a core conservative against the failed Corzine/McGreevey policies that have plagued our state's economy. You can bet that the economy was message number 1 in Lonegan's speech, but he knew the crowd he was speaking to and was not afraid to mention the smaller issues that rev up the engines. While he did go a sentence or two about social issues, one of the things that caught my attention was his focus on the DEP and his advocation for sportsmen, hunters, and fishers of New Jersey.

That's exactly the kind of small issue that's always great to mention at some point in certain speeches and use as an advantage. Just ask Mike Panter about how a bill he proposed to change the make-up of the Fish and Gaming Council could have been one of the reasons why he lost his seat. Lonegan's knowledge of the problems some have with the DEP will play extremely well with this crowd, and it's not to be ignored that this crowd can certainly deliver results.

Make no mistake however, that Lonegan's three points were economic centered and issues that most New Jerseyans care about. Spending, Taxes, and Education. Lonegan also focused much of his attention on COAH, which when mentioned caused the audience to grumble. This is a very positive development, although I'm not so sure on how many informed "regular" voters know about the housing mandate. It definately has potetial to be a kitchen-table issue. However, Lonegan's message of Cutting Spending and Government, Reducing the Tax Burden, and Improving Education are a winning message anywhere in this state.

More impressive was Lonegan's ability to tell the crowd exactly where he stood on the issues and answer every single question asked directly. For those who still had questions or opinions in their mind, he stayed after the event closed to speak to them individually. Heck, he even answered questions on issues that a Governor has no control over. One of the audience members made a comment praising Lonegan for this at the end and remarking how little we see this quality these days. I couldn't agree with him more.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect to me, was the idea in itself. A county organizational meeting for those with questions. It was essentially a town hall forum, Lonegan made his pitch after brief comments by his campaign team and then took questions. It's such a simple concept, yet has rarely been utilized in previous campaigns, especially during primary season. My hope is that all statewide candidates would adopt this idea and hold these organizational meetings from primary until the end. I can't think of a better idea to really organize the grassroots of a statewide campaign.

For those expecting a negative speech about primary opponents from Lonegan, it did not happen. Lonegan barely touched on his opponents in his speech, and did not even mention his biggest one by name except when answering a question about him. The Mayor expressed respect for Chris Christie, and did what any primary contender would do and sold himself as the better candidate on the main issue of the economy.

While some of Lonegan's supporters are already angling their anger at Christie and painting him as same old "establishment" Republican and assigning him positions and stances before he even kicks off his campaign, Lonegan himself is doing the right thing and staying above the fray mostly...at least for now.

My main concern is that this is a primary, and well it's bound to get negative soon enough. While I expect it will, I think it would be better for all candidates to stay on message and continue attacking the real targets of this election: The failed policies of the Corzine administration and the same people who have been in charge of our state over the past few years.

So far Lonegan has done this and I think it's unfair to paint him negatively as long as he continues to do this.

Recently, More Monmouth Musings commenter "Lugar96" wrote, "I think it's time that our party had a reality check. The party apparatus needs to treat conservatives as fellow Republicans with merit who ought to be respected more than tolerated. Conservatives need to be less absolute and realize they can get more of what they want if they work with their fellow Republicans than if they piss and moan because those Republicans aren't conservative enough. It is time to heal old wounds, show some mutual respect and appreciate that we have some very good options this year for our Gubernatorial candidate."

He couldn't have hit the mark any closer. For too long conservatives like Lonegan have been written off by our party like the crazy uncles at family reunions. This is a losing strategy. Lonegan is a valuable person to have in our party, and so are his supporters, even if one or two of them are relentless in their attacks on moderates. They just like their candidate a lot and that's their strategy for winning. Maybe one of these days they'll realize it doesn't really help them win much needed votes, and one of these days the moderate base will realize they better stop writing off conservatives like Lonegan and his supporters.

I do not agree with some of Steve Lonegan's positions. I have not always agreed with some of the past comments he's made and I question some of his previous actions. Sometimes he ends up making enemies instead of friends within the party, but so do most politicians. It's not politics if you don't have enemies.

I made a promise to myself that I would go into this campaign open minded and try my best to objectively listen to each candidate. Tonight I listened to Mayor Lonegan, and I look forward to listening to Chris Christie in the upcoming weeks along with Assemblyman Merkt and Mayor Levine.

At the end, I'll make my decision on who to support and probably keep it to myself. Honestly, at this point I, like most, just want to win. I can't imagine another four more years under Corzine and the same ruling party in this state, it's really a scary thought.

Steve Lonegan has merit, and deserves respect, along with his supporters. The Christie campaign should not overlook Mayor Lonegan and the group of people that run and support his campaign. I also would not ignore Assemblyman Merkt or Mayor Levine. They may be longshots, but they bring valuable ideas and experience to the table.

One thing is for sure, after the primary is over we need to all get on the same boat, and push the nominee of our party to work with his former primary rivals throughout the campaign in bringing their supporters on board and working every day to win this election for our party. No more lip service, respect is to be paid to everyone and there better be a serious effort to court all sides of the spectrum the second the primary ends.

This election is far too important. New Jersey residents deserve change from the failed Corzine policies and the same party that has ruled this state for the past 8 years. New Jersey deserves a leader who takes responsibility for managing this state's finances, not one who places blame on outside factors or unpopular national figures.

Let's not blow the oppurtunity we have by writing off any of the primary candidates and their supporters.

An Offer Town’s Can’t Refuse

By Mayor Mike Halfacre, Fair Haven

By now, many of you have heard about the “Pension Deferral Bill”, officially known as S-7. However, many may not have an understanding of what it means. The real effect of this bill is to put off some of our fiscal problems until 2012, instead of dealing with them today.

S-7 is intended to help solve our State’s budgetary problems by allowing municipalities to forego payment of a portion of their pension (PFRS and PERS) obligation in fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Specifically, a municipality could avoid paying 50% of its obligation this year, 40% next year, and 20% the year after that.

Repayment with interest would begin in 2012. Although not set at this time, it is estimated that the interest rate would be 8.25%, although it could be higher or lower. This is like borrowing on a credit card to put food on the table. It may work for a little while, but if you are living beyond your means, it will catch up to you eventually.

You may have asked yourself, “How does allowing municipal pension deferral help the State’s budget problem?”

It doesn’t. It only helps Corzine’s re-election effort.

Allowing (or mandating, it is not clear yet) pension deferral allows Governor Corzine to avoid making any real budget decisions and instead continue to balance his budget on the backs of suburban municipalities. He can say (and has) that the fiscal mess we are in is so dire, that we must again cut state money to municipalities, as that money is needed elsewhere in his budget. But, have no fear, your property taxes won’t go up, since we are going to let you defer your pension obligation.

For example, in Fair Haven, our total Pension obligation will be approximately $340,000.00 this year. Governor Corzine can now cut our state money by up to half of that, $170,000.00, and force us to defer that amount, leaving a net zero effect on property taxes. Then, if property taxes go up, it is not his fault. His actions left a net zero loss in money to the town.

In Fair Haven, as in most fiscally responsible small towns, we are not interested in his budget gimmicks. As a fiscally responsible elected official, I have no desire to kick the can down the road to 2012, in return for nothing in 2009.

Despite our sound fiscal policies, Corzine is trying to force towns to “take advantage” of pension deferral. Towns have four options for their pension:
1) Pay their share to the Division of Pensions, as per usual;
2) Pay their share to the separate Division of Investments and let the State invest it on our behalf;
3) Invest it ourselves;
4) Not pay it at all and therefore not raise it in the tax levy.
Under the first three scenarios, since the money is being raised anyway, there would be no property tax relief.

Under the fourth scenario, the money would not be raised, and would, technically, reduce the tax levy, thereby reducing property taxes.

However, under all four scenarios, the money must be paid back to the Division of Pensions, with interest, beginning in 2012.

Why would an otherwise fiscally responsible municipality take option 4? Two Words:
Cap Relief.

Governor Corzine, with an apparently genetic predisposition to “Do as I say, not as I do” imposed a 4% property tax cap on municipalities. (The State does not have to follow this rule, which is why the State budget has grown by double digits during his Administration) (As an aside, Fair Haven does not have a “Cap Problem”)

During his “State of the State” address, the Governor went out of his way to advise municipalities that there would be no flexibility in obtaining waivers from this cap, which is a change from prior years, when cap waivers were granted routinely.
Towns with “cap problems” will then be left with no choice: they can cut services, layoff employees, engage in other drastic budget measures, or defer their pension payments.

In other words, like Vito Corleone to Johnny Fontane, Don Corzine has made an offer to towns they can’t refuse.

At the same time, Corzine backhandedly protects the jobs of his favored public employees.

No matter how dire the economy, this kind of budget management can not be tolerated.

Pete Souza

Pete Souza is the newly named White House photographer. Souza was a White House photographer for 5 1/2 years during the Reagan administration and was the official photographer of Reagan's June 2004 funeral.

The photo galleries on Souza's web site are compelling.

Thank you

Farewell to "The Liberator"

How stimulating!

What a surprise! Corzine will not abide by campaign spending limits

If he had accepted campaign spending limits no one would have noticed that a plane landed in the Hudson River today. But just because he's Governor, the news media has to cover the fact that he won't accept public campaign funds or spending limits.

NJGOP Chairman and avid MoreMonmouthMusings reader Tom Wilson issued the following statement:

Corzine Says “NO WAY” to Abiding By Campaign Spending Cap

--He Used To Advocate “A Level Playing Field” But Now The Same Guy Who Bought The Silence Of Katz, Riccio And Golding Is Gonna Try To Buy The Voters Silence--

“Mr. Corzine Diverged For A Moment And Asserted His Belief In The Value Of Public Campaign Financing As A Force To ‘Level The Playing Field.’” (Jessica Bruder, “Battle of the Millionaires As Corzine Leads Forrester,” The Observer, October 2, 2005)

After Voting For The Millionaire’s Amendment

“‘It's Better That I Be On The Side Of The Level Playing Field,’ Mr. Corzine Added.” (Lizette Alvarez, “A Multimillionaire Votes To Level the Playing Field,” The New York Times, March 21, 2001)


Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Republican State Chairman Tom Wilson issued the following statement today:

“Jon Corzine bought Carla Katz’s silence, he bought Rocco Riccio’s silence, he bought Karen Golding’s silence and now he’s going to try to buy the voters’ silence. It’s ironic, but not surprising that Jon Corzine, a guy who said he was ‘on the side of a level playing field,’ now refuses to play by the rules. Corzine’s decision to thumb his nose at the law and the spending cap is just another example of his arrogance and belief that there is no problem he can’t solve with money – his own or the taxpayers. It was one thing when he ran against another self-funding candidate in 2005, but it’s an entirely different matter in a race where every Republican candidate has agreed to a fair and level playing field where issues and performance, not personal wealth, determine who will lead New Jersey out of the mess the Democrats have created.

Jon Corzine supported and signed the Fair and Clean Elections Act saying that publicly funded and capped races would give us more ‘open and accountable’ government. With his decision to reject New Jersey’s hallmark gubernatorial campaign law, he’s again making two things clear – he believes laws are for everyone else and he’s opposed to ‘open and accountable’ government.”

Dad in Chief

President-elect Obama penned a letter to his daughters that is published in today's NY Post and will be featured in Sunday's Parade Magazine.

When I saw the headline while reading The Post over lunch, my first thought was, "ewww, this guy is exploiting his relationship with his daughter's for political gain."

After reading it, I am impressed. I recommend reading it.

Christie should take his time and get it right

My friends at Conservatives with Attitude have been harping on the fact that gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie has not taken any positions yet. As Lonegan supporters, they make themselves look trite. The race for the GOP nomination is not going to be decided between now and Christie's formal announcement in February. Christie should take the time to come up with a well thought out platform from which he can compete with Lonegan for the nomination.

As a conservative with libertarian leanings, I like a great deal of what Lonegan stands for. The main stream media (what is left of it) and the GOP establishment will continue to paint Lonegan as an extremist, which he is not. Yet, I want to hear him debate Christie on the issues and I want Christie to be prepared for the debate. Both sides should welcome the challenge and competition, as we prepare for a critical battle to defeat Corzine and his millions in the fall campaign.

CWA is also making an argument that the gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a repeat of last year's U.S. Senate race. Here they may have a point, but not for the reasons they cite. Christe is no Anne Estabrook, who was woefully unprepared to challenge Frank Lautenberg or to serve if the impossible had happened and she won. Christie was unqualified "on paper" to be U.S. Attorney when he was appointed. He has demonstrated that he can excel in a position for which he has no direct relevant experience. Our most recent election demonstrated that voters discount relevant experience when selecting their leader.

The years race will be a repeat of last years embarrassment if the GOP establishment tries to thwart the competition that Christie will face from Lonegan and the lesser candidates. As we approach the county convention season, New Jersey's Republican County Chairmen and Chairwomen should avoid their past practice of rigging county conventions for the establishment's choice. This makes the conventions irrelevant. The county conventions should be open and exciting debates with vigorous campaigning leading up to each one. Such a system will invigorate the rank and file, increase participation and most importantly attract priceless "free media" to the process, thereby increasing the candidates exposure and name recognition amongst the voting public.

This type of a convention season will inevitably lead to a spirited and exciting primary with different candidates having the party line in different parts of the state. The establishment likes to avoid such races because they think it is a waste of resources and puts their control at risk. It does put their control at risk. So what? What good has such control done for the taxpayers of New Jersey? None.

The free media such a race will attract, and the invigorated grass roots participation in the conventions and primary are worth the risk and the resources. The likelihood of the competitors uniting for the real fight in the fall will be greater and money for the fall campaign will be easier to raise if there is a fair and democratic process to select the nominee.