Highlands Mayor Anna Little is staying in the CD 6 race despite losing the party lines in Monmouth, Middlesex, and Somerset to Diane Gooch, and the Union County line to Shannon Wright.
Little told Politickernj's Max Pizarro that she did not expect to win the party lines and that she remains encouraged by the grassroots support that she is getting.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
You know you're getting old when...
...you hear yourself repeating phrases your grandparents used to say that you swore to yourself that you would never use.
Lately I've been catching myself saying "When I was a kid...." and "When I was in school.." The difference between my grandparents and me, I suppose, is that I am not using those phrases in a lecture to a youngster.
I've been saying these phrases to other adults. "When I was a kid in public school we didn't have class sizes of 15. We often had over 30 kids in a class." Some of the commenters in CD 12 threads will disagree, but I think I got a pretty good education in those large classes. From reconnecting with my classmates on facebook, it seems most of them did too. I read that one of my classmates retired today. I would say he got a better education than I did, in hindsight.
And what about all these six figure superintendents, assistant superintendents and assistant deputy associate business administrators with paid vacations, pensions and car allowances? I was educated in a good size school district in Bergen County. A high school of with 2000 students, a middle school and 5 elementary schools. A superintendent and business administrator ran the system. I never met a vice principal until I got to high school.
When I was a kid, my parents worried more about their federal income taxes than they did about their property taxes.
While I've been paying attention to the congressional races, I've heard something about Governor Christie proposing severe budget cuts and then suggesting a solution to the NJEA and other unions that if they fore go pay raises and contribute a measly 1.5% of their salaries to their health insurance premiums there doesn't need to be any job cuts.
I love Christie, in a Rush Limbaugh kind of way. But I was disappointed that he figured a way to cut spending without eliminating jobs. I appreciate the politics of his solution, but we don't need those large classes and fat cat administrators really.
For once I'm on the side of the unions. Stick to your contracts and cut the jobs. Then we'll find out that we can get by without such small classes. There will be less teachers to administrate which will lead to less dead management weight.
Go Dave Rible! Keeping those administrator salaries $5K below the commissioner of education's salary is a good start. Now we just have to make sure that each superintendent as less assistant deputy associates than Bret Schundler has.
While catching up, I read over at InTheLobby that Senate President Sweeney has drawn a line in the sand and said there will be no state budget passed unless Christie agrees to increase taxes on people earning over $400K. This year is only 3 months old, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make $400K this year, unless I cash in that lottery ticket.
Just as I'm on the side of the unions to hold to their contract and cut the jobs, I'm with Sweeney on this one. There is no way Christie will raise those taxes. Let's shut the government down. Christie already arranged for Atlantic City to stay open. He should do the same for MVC, if he hasn't already. Let's shut the rest of it down and find out what we really can't live without. Just don't pay everyone for their time off like Corzine did the last time it was shut down.
After the state government has been shut down for a month or two, pass a budget that funds only what we found we can't do without.
If I don't post for the next day or two, someone come looking for me. My business is located next door to the Middletown teachers union office.
Lately I've been catching myself saying "When I was a kid...." and "When I was in school.." The difference between my grandparents and me, I suppose, is that I am not using those phrases in a lecture to a youngster.
I've been saying these phrases to other adults. "When I was a kid in public school we didn't have class sizes of 15. We often had over 30 kids in a class." Some of the commenters in CD 12 threads will disagree, but I think I got a pretty good education in those large classes. From reconnecting with my classmates on facebook, it seems most of them did too. I read that one of my classmates retired today. I would say he got a better education than I did, in hindsight.
And what about all these six figure superintendents, assistant superintendents and assistant deputy associate business administrators with paid vacations, pensions and car allowances? I was educated in a good size school district in Bergen County. A high school of with 2000 students, a middle school and 5 elementary schools. A superintendent and business administrator ran the system. I never met a vice principal until I got to high school.
When I was a kid, my parents worried more about their federal income taxes than they did about their property taxes.
While I've been paying attention to the congressional races, I've heard something about Governor Christie proposing severe budget cuts and then suggesting a solution to the NJEA and other unions that if they fore go pay raises and contribute a measly 1.5% of their salaries to their health insurance premiums there doesn't need to be any job cuts.
I love Christie, in a Rush Limbaugh kind of way. But I was disappointed that he figured a way to cut spending without eliminating jobs. I appreciate the politics of his solution, but we don't need those large classes and fat cat administrators really.
For once I'm on the side of the unions. Stick to your contracts and cut the jobs. Then we'll find out that we can get by without such small classes. There will be less teachers to administrate which will lead to less dead management weight.
Go Dave Rible! Keeping those administrator salaries $5K below the commissioner of education's salary is a good start. Now we just have to make sure that each superintendent as less assistant deputy associates than Bret Schundler has.
While catching up, I read over at InTheLobby that Senate President Sweeney has drawn a line in the sand and said there will be no state budget passed unless Christie agrees to increase taxes on people earning over $400K. This year is only 3 months old, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make $400K this year, unless I cash in that lottery ticket.
Just as I'm on the side of the unions to hold to their contract and cut the jobs, I'm with Sweeney on this one. There is no way Christie will raise those taxes. Let's shut the government down. Christie already arranged for Atlantic City to stay open. He should do the same for MVC, if he hasn't already. Let's shut the rest of it down and find out what we really can't live without. Just don't pay everyone for their time off like Corzine did the last time it was shut down.
After the state government has been shut down for a month or two, pass a budget that funds only what we found we can't do without.
If I don't post for the next day or two, someone come looking for me. My business is located next door to the Middletown teachers union office.
Sipprelle on Halfacre Withdrawal
Scott Sipprelle issued the following statement regarding Mike Halfacre's withdrawal from the CD 12 race:
Earlier today, Mike Halfacre called to tell me of his withdrawal from this race and of his commitment to support my candidacy. I am very grateful for this act of leadership and unity on behalf of our party.
Mike is an accomplished Mayor and tireless campaigner, and I am a better candidate for having faced him in this primary. I mentioned to Mike that in my business career, some of my fiercest competitors had often turned into friends and partners. I expect the same will happen here.
At the end of the day, Mike and I share common goals for America and I look forward to his support on the campaign trail as we work toward unseating America's most liberal Congressman and ending Nancy Pelosi's reign as Speaker of the House.
I would also like to extend a hand of partnership to Mike's passionate and hardworking base of supporters. Please join our swelling ranks and know that I am committed to working for you to restore liberty and prosperity to America.
Earlier today, Mike Halfacre called to tell me of his withdrawal from this race and of his commitment to support my candidacy. I am very grateful for this act of leadership and unity on behalf of our party.
Mike is an accomplished Mayor and tireless campaigner, and I am a better candidate for having faced him in this primary. I mentioned to Mike that in my business career, some of my fiercest competitors had often turned into friends and partners. I expect the same will happen here.
At the end of the day, Mike and I share common goals for America and I look forward to his support on the campaign trail as we work toward unseating America's most liberal Congressman and ending Nancy Pelosi's reign as Speaker of the House.
I would also like to extend a hand of partnership to Mike's passionate and hardworking base of supporters. Please join our swelling ranks and know that I am committed to working for you to restore liberty and prosperity to America.
Halfacre withdraws
Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre, 12th District Republican congressional candidate, released the following statement today:
“In light of the results of the last several weeks, I will be suspending my campaign operations as of today and will no longer seek the Republican nomination for Congress from the 12th District of New Jersey. I spoke with Scott Sipprelle a short time ago, wished him luck, and offered my help in any way possible to achieve our mutual goal: removing America’s most liberal Congressman, Rush Holt, from office.
This is a difficult decision, mostly because of the responsibility I feel toward the many, many people who have supported me over the last year. I would like to publicly thank all of those people for their passion, determination, loyalty and selflessness.
It has truly been a humbling and inspiring experience to meet so many new people who were willing to give their time, efforts, or resources in support of my candidacy. I look forward to maintaining those friendships, and working with the people in the 12th District to elect Republicans to office at all levels of government.
Primaries are divisive by their nature, but as long as they are not destructive I believe they make the victorious candidate stronger. I know I will be a better candidate in the future for having gone through this, and I know Scott Sipprelle is a stronger candidate today then the day he got into the race.
I believe that in a primary, you give it your best effort and you shake hands like gentlemen at the end, win or lose. Because I believe that, I am asking my supporters to do what I am going to do: give their full support to Scott Sipprelle in his effort to defeat Rush Holt. The faster we unite in this worthy effort, the stronger we will become, and the better chance we will have to send Rush Holt packing.”
“In light of the results of the last several weeks, I will be suspending my campaign operations as of today and will no longer seek the Republican nomination for Congress from the 12th District of New Jersey. I spoke with Scott Sipprelle a short time ago, wished him luck, and offered my help in any way possible to achieve our mutual goal: removing America’s most liberal Congressman, Rush Holt, from office.
This is a difficult decision, mostly because of the responsibility I feel toward the many, many people who have supported me over the last year. I would like to publicly thank all of those people for their passion, determination, loyalty and selflessness.
It has truly been a humbling and inspiring experience to meet so many new people who were willing to give their time, efforts, or resources in support of my candidacy. I look forward to maintaining those friendships, and working with the people in the 12th District to elect Republicans to office at all levels of government.
Primaries are divisive by their nature, but as long as they are not destructive I believe they make the victorious candidate stronger. I know I will be a better candidate in the future for having gone through this, and I know Scott Sipprelle is a stronger candidate today then the day he got into the race.
I believe that in a primary, you give it your best effort and you shake hands like gentlemen at the end, win or lose. Because I believe that, I am asking my supporters to do what I am going to do: give their full support to Scott Sipprelle in his effort to defeat Rush Holt. The faster we unite in this worthy effort, the stronger we will become, and the better chance we will have to send Rush Holt packing.”
Monday, March 29, 2010
Gooch, Sipprelle, and Arnone win in Monmouth
CD 6
Gooch 28
Little 10
Wright 6
CD 12
Sipprelle 22
Halfacre 13
Freeholder
Arnone 25
Wilkens 21
Rich 13
Gooch 28
Little 10
Wright 6
CD 12
Sipprelle 22
Halfacre 13
Freeholder
Arnone 25
Wilkens 21
Rich 13
Little Wows Conservatives
CD 6 may turn into a race yet
CD 6 contender, Highlands Mayor Anna Little, impressed conservatives gathered a conference sponsored by Americans for Prosperity and Club for Growth on Saturday afternoon. They designated her the most favorable congressional candidate in New Jersey, according to Politickernj.
This endorsement just might provide Little with the boost her fledgling campaign needs. Campaign Treasurer Jane Frotten who also serves as the Atlantic Highlands municipal chair told MoreMonmouthMusings that she has received "over six figures" in pledges since Little's appearance on Saturday.
CD 6 contender, Highlands Mayor Anna Little, impressed conservatives gathered a conference sponsored by Americans for Prosperity and Club for Growth on Saturday afternoon. They designated her the most favorable congressional candidate in New Jersey, according to Politickernj.
This endorsement just might provide Little with the boost her fledgling campaign needs. Campaign Treasurer Jane Frotten who also serves as the Atlantic Highlands municipal chair told MoreMonmouthMusings that she has received "over six figures" in pledges since Little's appearance on Saturday.
Monmouth Screening Tonight
The Monmouth County GOP advisory committee will meet tonight to choose the party endorsed candidates for the June primary.
Coming off dominating performances at the Middlesex County GOP Convention, Scott Sipprelle and Diane Gooch have to be considered the favorites in congressional 12 and 6 respectively. If Gooch and Sipprelle win the primaries, expect a Washington vs. Wall Street theme in the general election.
Shaun Golden will be unopposed for the sheriff's nomination.
The only suspense of the night will be the selection of a Freeholder candidate to be incumbent Rob Clifton's running mate. The favorites are Neptune City Mayor Tom Arnone and former Middletown Committeeman Tom Wilkens. Spring Lake Councilman Gary Rich has yet to figure out how to garner countywide support within the party.
Coming off dominating performances at the Middlesex County GOP Convention, Scott Sipprelle and Diane Gooch have to be considered the favorites in congressional 12 and 6 respectively. If Gooch and Sipprelle win the primaries, expect a Washington vs. Wall Street theme in the general election.
Shaun Golden will be unopposed for the sheriff's nomination.
The only suspense of the night will be the selection of a Freeholder candidate to be incumbent Rob Clifton's running mate. The favorites are Neptune City Mayor Tom Arnone and former Middletown Committeeman Tom Wilkens. Spring Lake Councilman Gary Rich has yet to figure out how to garner countywide support within the party.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Reflections on the Middlesex County Convention
Mike Halfacre, Scott Sipprelle, a representive of the Larsen campaign in CD 7, Congressman Leonard Lance,Fabrizio Bivona, Shannon Wright, Anna Little and Diane Gooch
The photo above was taken moments after Scott Sipprelle gave his speech to the Middlesex County convention while delegates of the 6th district were starting to vote. Mike Halfacre appears to be on the outside looking in. Scott Sipprelle looks like the cat that ate the canary.
That pretty much sums up what happened. The second biggest suprise of the day was Sipprelle's 62% margin of victory. That Sipprelle won was not a shock. His margin of victory was.
The biggest surprise was presumed incoming Middlesex County Chairman Sam Thompson's tiraid against Halfacre while nominating Sipprelle. At least it was a surprise to those of us who had never been to Middlesex convention before.
Current Chairman Joe Leo wasn't surprised. He introduced Thompson to nominate Sipprelle, even though Sipprelle lost the screening committee vote to Halfacre. Sipprelle wasn't surprised. He sat unfazed during Thompson's rant and thanked him at the start of his remarks. The crowd wasn't surprised. They cheered Thompson on.
Halfacre ended his speech with this line, a variation of which he has been using on the trail in recent weeks:
"We don't need the rich candidate, we need the right candidate. Today, you can choose a lifelong Republican, or the other guy. A tax cutting mayor or the other guy. A social conservative, or the other guy."
Thompson got up on Leo's cue and angrily addressed Halfacre in front of the entire convention, "I'm tired of you questioning this man's (Sipprelle) Republican credentials. As a college student he was an intern for Republican U.S. Senator Pete Wilson and he's been a good Republican ever since."
It was great theater. The crowd ate it up.
This was Sam Thompson's convention. The Middlesex GOP is Sam Thompson's party.
Those who have been waiting for Sam to retire so they can move up the ladder should set their sites elsewhere. Sam Thompson has a great deal of fight left in him.
Scott Sipprelle did not defeat Mike Halfacre today. Sam Thompson did.
Not to take anything away from Sipprelle, but Thompson and his team have been working the phones and smoozing municipal leaders relentlessly since he was surprised by Halfacre's victory at the screening committee.
Thompson objected to Conservatives with Attitude's characterization, which was referred to here, that he was strong arming people. When the voting was over this afternoon, Thompson reiterated to me that he didn't strong arm anyone. "Did you check with them?" he asked me, "I don't need to strong arm. If you can't deliver what is the point?"
Whatever Sam did, it worked.
Venables Wins Dem Freeholder Nod
MMM's deep cover mole reports that Spring Lake Councilwoman Janice Venables defeated Vincent Solomeno, Jr by a 10% margin for the Democratic nomination for Monmouth County Freeholder.
Venables will be John D'Amico's running mate. Former Wall municipal prosecutor Eric Brophy will be the Democratic nominee for sheriff.
Venables will be John D'Amico's running mate. Former Wall municipal prosecutor Eric Brophy will be the Democratic nominee for sheriff.
Halfacre will press on
Mike Halfacre is committed to going forward in the primary race for the GOP CD 12 nomination. "Between now and June 8, it is retail politics and Scott Siprelle is not a retail politician," said Halfacre while he and his campaign manager Tom Fitzsimmons where breaking down their greeting table.
Sipprelle dominates Middlesex Convention 220-134
Scott Sipprelle has secured the county line in Middlesex with a dominating performance, 220-134. He is now unquestionably the favorite to win the nomination to take on Rush Holt in November.
Live from the Middlesex GOP Convention
Updates:
12:14 CD 12 roll call. Sipprelle appears to be running away with it.
11:58 Lance wins CD 7--78 to 12. No surprise. Voting for CD 12 will start soon. Sipprelle and Halfacre are working the floor.
CD 6 results: Total Gooch 104, Little 39, Wright 3. Gooch gets the line.
Dunnellen: 5 votes Little
Edison: 1 Little, 1 Wright 39 Gooch
I can't keep up with the count. Gooch is winning the big towns. Little is a strong second.
11:29 Mike Halfacre just told me he didn't see the sand bag coming. "Class act."
11:25 Thompson is lecturing Halfacre, finger in his face. I've never seen anything quite like this. Sam Thompson told me this week that this convention would be like nothing I've ever seen. He his right.
11:23 The voting is starting town by town.
Halfacre is sitting on stage two seats removed from the rest of the candidates. Ouch.
11:15 Sipprelle: "I am the candidate that will win a debate against Rush Holt. If he won't debate me, he will see my smiling face on TV every hour condeming his socialists ideology." Sipprelle hit it out of the park. The crowd loves him.
Sam Thompson is publicly scolding Mike Halfacre for distinguishing himself as a life long Republican. The crowd is cheering him on. Holy molly. Thompson placed Scott Sipprelle's name in nomination even though Sipprelle did not win the endorsement of the screening committee.
Halfacre just got sand bagged. Joe Leo introduced Thompson to do it. Sipprelle knew it was coming. If Sipprelle doesn't win this Thompson will really be angry.
"Just five months ago the 12th district chose a live long Republican lawyer over a Wall Street millionaire"
11:06 Mike Halfacre gets the most enthusiastic welcome from the crowd so far.
"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to cut taxes."
THE MAIN EVENT CD 12
11:05 Save Jersey just posted pre-covention video
11:00 Congressman Leonard Lance, CD 7 is speaking. His opponent, a guy named Larsen went to the Union County convention and sent a surrogate. Lance declares the GOP will win back the House this year.
That's all for CD 6.
10:50 AM Sam Thompson nominates Diance Gooch. Gooch is getting better at her speech too.
10:46 AM Anna Little...her speech keeps getting better. The crowd loves her. " I will do everything in my power to take part alone out of office."
10:42 AM Fabrizio Bivona is up.
10:36 AM Shannon Wright, CD 6 is up. Conservative, pro-life, pro 2nd amendment. Health care that works. "I am an evolved Republican, which means former Democrat."
"I'm running for Congress because my neighbor shoveled by driveway during the snow storm." That was probably a good story, but she didn't deliver it.
10:30 AM Senator Tom Goodwin, Bill Baroni's replacement is speaking. "Governor Christie is on the right track!" The crowd loves it.
MMM is live from the Middlesex County Vocational School this morning. The site of the Middlesex GOP Conveniton.
There are over 800 people here. The auditorium is set up like an national convention, each town has its own section with signs designating who they are.
Supporters of all the candidates are in the vestibule and outside the building passing out literature, holding up signs and general electioneering. Signs and banners for Halfacre, Sipprelle and even a few for Leonard Lance adorn the walls.
There is a power point presentation with announcement and ads for the Congressional candidates scrolling stage.
I'm here with Save Jersey's Matt Rooney. We'll be sharing updates.
MMM will also be providing updates from the Monmouth Democratic convention where we have a mole.
12:14 CD 12 roll call. Sipprelle appears to be running away with it.
11:58 Lance wins CD 7--78 to 12. No surprise. Voting for CD 12 will start soon. Sipprelle and Halfacre are working the floor.
CD 6 results: Total Gooch 104, Little 39, Wright 3. Gooch gets the line.
Dunnellen: 5 votes Little
Edison: 1 Little, 1 Wright 39 Gooch
I can't keep up with the count. Gooch is winning the big towns. Little is a strong second.
11:29 Mike Halfacre just told me he didn't see the sand bag coming. "Class act."
11:25 Thompson is lecturing Halfacre, finger in his face. I've never seen anything quite like this. Sam Thompson told me this week that this convention would be like nothing I've ever seen. He his right.
11:23 The voting is starting town by town.
Halfacre is sitting on stage two seats removed from the rest of the candidates. Ouch.
11:15 Sipprelle: "I am the candidate that will win a debate against Rush Holt. If he won't debate me, he will see my smiling face on TV every hour condeming his socialists ideology." Sipprelle hit it out of the park. The crowd loves him.
Sam Thompson is publicly scolding Mike Halfacre for distinguishing himself as a life long Republican. The crowd is cheering him on. Holy molly. Thompson placed Scott Sipprelle's name in nomination even though Sipprelle did not win the endorsement of the screening committee.
Halfacre just got sand bagged. Joe Leo introduced Thompson to do it. Sipprelle knew it was coming. If Sipprelle doesn't win this Thompson will really be angry.
"Just five months ago the 12th district chose a live long Republican lawyer over a Wall Street millionaire"
11:06 Mike Halfacre gets the most enthusiastic welcome from the crowd so far.
"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to cut taxes."
THE MAIN EVENT CD 12
11:05 Save Jersey just posted pre-covention video
11:00 Congressman Leonard Lance, CD 7 is speaking. His opponent, a guy named Larsen went to the Union County convention and sent a surrogate. Lance declares the GOP will win back the House this year.
That's all for CD 6.
10:50 AM Sam Thompson nominates Diance Gooch. Gooch is getting better at her speech too.
10:46 AM Anna Little...her speech keeps getting better. The crowd loves her. " I will do everything in my power to take part alone out of office."
10:42 AM Fabrizio Bivona is up.
10:36 AM Shannon Wright, CD 6 is up. Conservative, pro-life, pro 2nd amendment. Health care that works. "I am an evolved Republican, which means former Democrat."
"I'm running for Congress because my neighbor shoveled by driveway during the snow storm." That was probably a good story, but she didn't deliver it.
10:30 AM Senator Tom Goodwin, Bill Baroni's replacement is speaking. "Governor Christie is on the right track!" The crowd loves it.
MMM is live from the Middlesex County Vocational School this morning. The site of the Middlesex GOP Conveniton.
There are over 800 people here. The auditorium is set up like an national convention, each town has its own section with signs designating who they are.
Supporters of all the candidates are in the vestibule and outside the building passing out literature, holding up signs and general electioneering. Signs and banners for Halfacre, Sipprelle and even a few for Leonard Lance adorn the walls.
There is a power point presentation with announcement and ads for the Congressional candidates scrolling stage.
I'm here with Save Jersey's Matt Rooney. We'll be sharing updates.
MMM will also be providing updates from the Monmouth Democratic convention where we have a mole.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Return deposit
During his stump speech in Middletown the other night, CD 12 candidate Scott Sipprelle told a touching story of his formative years. Of how he learned personal responsibility from his father, which lead to his Wall Street success and is pertinent to our current situation in Washington.
Scott recounted that the time as a young boy he approached his father and asked for an allowance. "What's an allowance?" Scott said was his father's reply. "It's money that parents give to kids so that they can buy things."
"I have a better idea," said Dudley, the wise foreign service officer. "Why don't you make all the money you want to by picking up bottles on the street and returning them to the stores for the nickel deposits." At that moment Scott Sipprelle became a capitalist.
Who knew that they give back nickel deposits to American kids on bottles in Istanbul?
Scott recounted that the time as a young boy he approached his father and asked for an allowance. "What's an allowance?" Scott said was his father's reply. "It's money that parents give to kids so that they can buy things."
"I have a better idea," said Dudley, the wise foreign service officer. "Why don't you make all the money you want to by picking up bottles on the street and returning them to the stores for the nickel deposits." At that moment Scott Sipprelle became a capitalist.
Who knew that they give back nickel deposits to American kids on bottles in Istanbul?
Why did Sipprelle donate to Schumer?
Scott Sipprelle has been explaining his donations to Democratic members of congress by rationalizing that "90%" of his political donations have been to Republican and conservative causes, and that he donated recently to conservative "blue dog" Democrats in an effort to get them to oppose Obamacare. 2 of the blue dogs Sipprelle donated to voted for Obamacare.
But he always gets testy when asked about his donations to Chuck Schumer.
Wednesday night at the Middletown Republican Club's candidates night a club member asked Sipprelle about his donations. He gave his "90%-blue dog" stump answer. When the questioner followed up with "but you gave money to Chuck Schumer," Sipprelle raised his voice and said "I reject your hypothesis" and went on to condemn excess congressional spending when Republicans were in control during the Bush Administration. He has a point about the excess spending, but that was not the woman's hypothesis. His answer fell flat on the crowd and Middletown GOP chairman Peter Carton attempted to provide damage control.
Back in January, just after Sipprelle got into the race for the GOP nomination to challenge Rush Holt, he told Tea Party activist (and now a candidate for the GOP nomination for Middlesex County sheriff) John Mennella that he donated to Schumer because his boss at Morgan Stanley pressured him to. Sipprelle said he quit Morgan as a result. MoreMonmouthMusings discovered that was not possible, as Sipprelle left Morgan in 1998 but donated to Schumer in 2002.
Why does Sipprelle have such a hard time explaining his relationship with Schumer? Why does he get testy when someone brings it up?
Given Sipprelle's explanation for the "blue dog" donations, i.e. that he was trying to save us from Obamacare, I figured I'd look into what Schumer was up to in 2002 to get insight into why Sipprelle was attempting to influence Schumer.
In 2001 and 2002, Schumer sponsored several bills that were responses to the 9/11 attacks. Bills to strengthen port security, improve law enforcement and intelligence sharing and to provide financial assistance to the families of victims of the attacks. If that is what Sipprelle was supporting, why doesn't he just say so?
Schumer and Dick Durbin were the Democratic leaders in the Senate that arranged for the filibuster against Miguel Estrada's appointment to the U.S. Appellate Court. Democrats were threatened that a Hispanic conservative would be appointed to the nations second highest court. I can't imagine that Sipprelle supported those efforts. But who knows? He won't tell us.
Schumer sponsored legislation to prevent oil and gas drilling on federal land around the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. Sipprelle went to college in upstate New York. Maybe he just wanted to keep his alma mater pretty. I can get that. Why not say so?
Schumer sponsored legislation to amend the IRS code in a way that would support the hotel and restaurant industries in post 9/11 New York. Maybe Sipprelle wanted to deduct his lunch or help out the owner of his favorite watering hole. Who knows? He won't tell us.
Maybe this is it:
Schumer sponsored a series of bills that made home mortgages easier to get. 1% down payments and loan guarantees. Preservation of defenses with respect to the sale or transfer of predatory loans. He also sponsored legislation making it easier for credit reporting agencies to disclose consumer credit scores. Was Sipprelle's hedge fund trading sub-prime mortgages? We don't know. He won't tell us.
Sipprelle closed his hedge fund in 2007. Credit spreads were widening on securitized mortgages at that time, an early indication that the bubble was under stress. I don't know if Sipprelle was trading sub-prime mortgages. He won't say. I bet Rush Holt will be looking into it if Sipprelle is the GOP nominee.
Here's a list of Schumer's legislative activity from back then.
We still don't know why Sipprelle donated to Schumer. He should stop getting testy when the subject is brought up and just answer the question.
But he always gets testy when asked about his donations to Chuck Schumer.
Wednesday night at the Middletown Republican Club's candidates night a club member asked Sipprelle about his donations. He gave his "90%-blue dog" stump answer. When the questioner followed up with "but you gave money to Chuck Schumer," Sipprelle raised his voice and said "I reject your hypothesis" and went on to condemn excess congressional spending when Republicans were in control during the Bush Administration. He has a point about the excess spending, but that was not the woman's hypothesis. His answer fell flat on the crowd and Middletown GOP chairman Peter Carton attempted to provide damage control.
Back in January, just after Sipprelle got into the race for the GOP nomination to challenge Rush Holt, he told Tea Party activist (and now a candidate for the GOP nomination for Middlesex County sheriff) John Mennella that he donated to Schumer because his boss at Morgan Stanley pressured him to. Sipprelle said he quit Morgan as a result. MoreMonmouthMusings discovered that was not possible, as Sipprelle left Morgan in 1998 but donated to Schumer in 2002.
Why does Sipprelle have such a hard time explaining his relationship with Schumer? Why does he get testy when someone brings it up?
Given Sipprelle's explanation for the "blue dog" donations, i.e. that he was trying to save us from Obamacare, I figured I'd look into what Schumer was up to in 2002 to get insight into why Sipprelle was attempting to influence Schumer.
In 2001 and 2002, Schumer sponsored several bills that were responses to the 9/11 attacks. Bills to strengthen port security, improve law enforcement and intelligence sharing and to provide financial assistance to the families of victims of the attacks. If that is what Sipprelle was supporting, why doesn't he just say so?
Schumer and Dick Durbin were the Democratic leaders in the Senate that arranged for the filibuster against Miguel Estrada's appointment to the U.S. Appellate Court. Democrats were threatened that a Hispanic conservative would be appointed to the nations second highest court. I can't imagine that Sipprelle supported those efforts. But who knows? He won't tell us.
Schumer sponsored legislation to prevent oil and gas drilling on federal land around the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. Sipprelle went to college in upstate New York. Maybe he just wanted to keep his alma mater pretty. I can get that. Why not say so?
Schumer sponsored legislation to amend the IRS code in a way that would support the hotel and restaurant industries in post 9/11 New York. Maybe Sipprelle wanted to deduct his lunch or help out the owner of his favorite watering hole. Who knows? He won't tell us.
Maybe this is it:
Schumer sponsored a series of bills that made home mortgages easier to get. 1% down payments and loan guarantees. Preservation of defenses with respect to the sale or transfer of predatory loans. He also sponsored legislation making it easier for credit reporting agencies to disclose consumer credit scores. Was Sipprelle's hedge fund trading sub-prime mortgages? We don't know. He won't tell us.
Sipprelle closed his hedge fund in 2007. Credit spreads were widening on securitized mortgages at that time, an early indication that the bubble was under stress. I don't know if Sipprelle was trading sub-prime mortgages. He won't say. I bet Rush Holt will be looking into it if Sipprelle is the GOP nominee.
Here's a list of Schumer's legislative activity from back then.
We still don't know why Sipprelle donated to Schumer. He should stop getting testy when the subject is brought up and just answer the question.
Middlesex County Convention Preview
Tomorrow morning at the Middlesex County Vocational High School in East Brunswick Republicans will choice the congressional candidates who will have the party line for the June primary for the nominations to challenge Rush Holt who was ranked the most liberal member of congress by The National Journal and Frank Pallone, the architect of Obamacare.
Competing in the 12th district to challenge Holt is an inexperienced, pro-choice candidate with a history of donating to liberal Democrats like Chuck Schumer who is self funding his campaign with his Wall Street wealth and a pro-life small town mayor with a history of cutting taxes and spending.
Competing in the 6th district to challenge Pallone is an inexperienced, pro-choice, inarticulate socialite who does not live in district and who is funding her campaign with her husband's Wall Street wealth and a pro-life small town mayor with a history of cutting taxes and spending.
Competing in the 12th district to challenge Holt is an inexperienced, pro-choice candidate with a history of donating to liberal Democrats like Chuck Schumer who is self funding his campaign with his Wall Street wealth and a pro-life small town mayor with a history of cutting taxes and spending.
Competing in the 6th district to challenge Pallone is an inexperienced, pro-choice, inarticulate socialite who does not live in district and who is funding her campaign with her husband's Wall Street wealth and a pro-life small town mayor with a history of cutting taxes and spending.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Byrnes will nominate Venables at Dem Convention
Middletown Township Committeeman Sean Byrnes, last year's Democratic Freeholder candidate, will nominate Spring Lake Councilwoman Janice Venables to be Freeholder John D'Amico's running mate at the Monmouth County Democratic convention this Saturday morning.
Democratic activist Vin Gopal announced that Byrnes would be nominating Venables, who is competing with Vincent Solomeno of Hazlet, in an email to Democratic convention voters.
Gopal said,
"At this Saturday's convention, we are fortunate to have two very talented candidates seeking our party's nomination for county freeholder. I am proudly supporting Spring Lake Borough Councilwoman Janice Venables for this year's Democratic nomination for Monmouth County Freeholder to run with incumbent Democratic Freeholder John D'Amico. Janice has served on the borough council since 1999 and has a history of winning independent and Republican votes. She was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2009, which was considered a bad year for Democrats. Janice is an attorney by trade, having previously served as municipal prosecutor and as an investigator for the District IX Attorney Ethics Committee.
More than anything, the year is 2010 and it is unacceptable to run 3 men on the ballot by either of the major political parties. Janice is our party's best option. With her running by John D'Amico's side, we can retake control of the freeholder board this year."
Solomeno has won the endorsement of the Professional Firefighters Association of NJ, AFL-CIO, according to a report in Politickernj.
Gopal told MoreMonmouthMusings that former Wall prosecutor Eric Brophy will be uncontested for the Democratic nomination for sheriff.
Little on why she's the best bet against Pallone
In this final segment of the Anna Little interview with Grace Cangemi. Little makes the case for why she is the best candidate to beat Frank Pallone, and the wisdom of having a primary.
She has nice things to say about Diane Gooch.
She has nice things to say about Diane Gooch.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Gooch, Sipprelle Win Franklin Township Lines
CD 6 candidate Diane Gooch and CD 12 candidate Scott Sipprelle picked up the party lines in Franklin Township for the GOP primaries to challenge Frank Pallone (CD 6) and Rush Holt (CD 12)at last night's Somerset County Convention. Incumbent Leonard Lance, CD 7 will be on the line throughout the rest of Somerset.
On the first ballot in the CD 6 portion of Franklin, Gooch was tied 3-3 with Highlands Mayor Anna Little, with Shannon Wright getting 2 votes. On the second ballot Gooch won 5-3.
In CD 12, Sipprelle won on the first ballot, 12-4.
On the first ballot in the CD 6 portion of Franklin, Gooch was tied 3-3 with Highlands Mayor Anna Little, with Shannon Wright getting 2 votes. On the second ballot Gooch won 5-3.
In CD 12, Sipprelle won on the first ballot, 12-4.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Even a Little More
In the 7th segment of her interview with Grace Cangemi, Mayor Anna Little discusses the Tea Parties, the U.S. Census, national security, campaign finance and why she is running now.
DIANE GOOCH CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO UGLY, SEXIST REMARKS FROM FRANK PALLONE'S HATCHET MAN
"Promises Not to Be Cowed by the Same Tired Tactics Pallone Used Against Governor Christie "
Red Bank, New Jersey: On the very first day of Diane Gooch's campaign for Congress, Frank Pallone dispatched a henchman to try to stop the momentum represented by the 200-strong crowd that showed up for Diane's announcement in Red Bank.
Congressman Pallone enlisted his ally Michael Mangan to try to bloody the waters. Mangan, a councilman in Manasquan who also serves as spokesman for the Monmouth Democratic Party, issued a statement dripping with sarcasm and sexism:
"The Rumson billionaire Diane Gooch now wants to entertain herself with politics. She took her and her husband's profits from Wall Street to buy a mansion, to buy a yacht, to buy a newspaper, and now she wants to buy a seat in Congress. No matter how much money she has or spends, she won't be able to buy a true understanding of the concerns of working people. Family bills, health care costs, housing expenses and job security are everyday concerns for most of us during these difficult economic times, but these are issues so distant to her circumstances she wouldn't be able to recognize them with a yachtsman's telescope."
Perhaps Frank Pallone, who has worked in Washington for 22 years and has never held a private-sector job, believes that the women of this community do nothing but shop. But he cannot hide from a record of sponsoring government takeover of health care and voting with Nancy Pelosi a shocking 99.2% of the time. He can mock a woman who has worked hard to achieve the American Dream, but the fact remains that 44 percent of Frank Pallone's contributions come from Special Interest Groups.
If Mangan did his homework, he would find that Diane Gooch wouldn't need to "buy a true understanding of the concerns of working people," because those same concerns dominated her life during much of her formative years. Her family struggled as her father lost his job, her mother battled with terminal cancer, all while Diane worked days to put herself through school at night. Later, she and her husband risked everything to start a business that today has created 1,700 private sector jobs. She overcame these early challenges and succeeded in achieving the American Dream, which should be worthy of praise, not mockery. Frank Pallone may have forgotten where he came from, but Diane Gooch certainly has not.
We've seen this before from Frank Pallone. Throughout last year's campaign for governor, Frank Pallone was trotted out by Jon Corzine to make nasty attacks on Chris Christie. It didn't work last November and it's not going to work this November. It's time to turn the page in Washington.
Editors note:
I relaxed my policy of not publishing candidates press releases before the price of admission has been paid because, quite frankly I find this press release to be alarming.
1) There is not one quote from the candidate. We all know that professional staffers write this things, including the quotes. I have to wonder how professional the staffer is in this case.
2)Call me a chauvinists if you think I am, but I didn't find Mangan's comments ugly or sexist. Sarcastic? Sure, welcome to politics.
I found them to be a gentle preview of the Pallone campaign should Gooch be the GOP nominee. That Gooch would issue an indignant response to Mangan's gentle jab, almost a week after it was issued makes me wonder if she is too far removed from the tough life in Queens and Long Island to be making that the basis of her campaign.
6th district voters may momentarily sympathise with Gooch because her father lost his job when Jimmy Carter was President and because her mother died of cancer. But the vast majority are more concerned about their own jobs and well being now. They want to know how Gooch will impact those challenges, not that her feelings are hurt.
This release plays to Gooch's weakness. If this is her message her candidacy does not stand a chance. If if she is so easily thrown off message, Mangan, Pallone and the DNC will have a field day and won't need to put and dent in Frank's war chest.
3)Is this really the message that Gooch wants to convey on the day that the President signed the health care bill?
Red Bank, New Jersey: On the very first day of Diane Gooch's campaign for Congress, Frank Pallone dispatched a henchman to try to stop the momentum represented by the 200-strong crowd that showed up for Diane's announcement in Red Bank.
Congressman Pallone enlisted his ally Michael Mangan to try to bloody the waters. Mangan, a councilman in Manasquan who also serves as spokesman for the Monmouth Democratic Party, issued a statement dripping with sarcasm and sexism:
"The Rumson billionaire Diane Gooch now wants to entertain herself with politics. She took her and her husband's profits from Wall Street to buy a mansion, to buy a yacht, to buy a newspaper, and now she wants to buy a seat in Congress. No matter how much money she has or spends, she won't be able to buy a true understanding of the concerns of working people. Family bills, health care costs, housing expenses and job security are everyday concerns for most of us during these difficult economic times, but these are issues so distant to her circumstances she wouldn't be able to recognize them with a yachtsman's telescope."
Perhaps Frank Pallone, who has worked in Washington for 22 years and has never held a private-sector job, believes that the women of this community do nothing but shop. But he cannot hide from a record of sponsoring government takeover of health care and voting with Nancy Pelosi a shocking 99.2% of the time. He can mock a woman who has worked hard to achieve the American Dream, but the fact remains that 44 percent of Frank Pallone's contributions come from Special Interest Groups.
If Mangan did his homework, he would find that Diane Gooch wouldn't need to "buy a true understanding of the concerns of working people," because those same concerns dominated her life during much of her formative years. Her family struggled as her father lost his job, her mother battled with terminal cancer, all while Diane worked days to put herself through school at night. Later, she and her husband risked everything to start a business that today has created 1,700 private sector jobs. She overcame these early challenges and succeeded in achieving the American Dream, which should be worthy of praise, not mockery. Frank Pallone may have forgotten where he came from, but Diane Gooch certainly has not.
We've seen this before from Frank Pallone. Throughout last year's campaign for governor, Frank Pallone was trotted out by Jon Corzine to make nasty attacks on Chris Christie. It didn't work last November and it's not going to work this November. It's time to turn the page in Washington.
Editors note:
I relaxed my policy of not publishing candidates press releases before the price of admission has been paid because, quite frankly I find this press release to be alarming.
1) There is not one quote from the candidate. We all know that professional staffers write this things, including the quotes. I have to wonder how professional the staffer is in this case.
2)Call me a chauvinists if you think I am, but I didn't find Mangan's comments ugly or sexist. Sarcastic? Sure, welcome to politics.
I found them to be a gentle preview of the Pallone campaign should Gooch be the GOP nominee. That Gooch would issue an indignant response to Mangan's gentle jab, almost a week after it was issued makes me wonder if she is too far removed from the tough life in Queens and Long Island to be making that the basis of her campaign.
6th district voters may momentarily sympathise with Gooch because her father lost his job when Jimmy Carter was President and because her mother died of cancer. But the vast majority are more concerned about their own jobs and well being now. They want to know how Gooch will impact those challenges, not that her feelings are hurt.
This release plays to Gooch's weakness. If this is her message her candidacy does not stand a chance. If if she is so easily thrown off message, Mangan, Pallone and the DNC will have a field day and won't need to put and dent in Frank's war chest.
3)Is this really the message that Gooch wants to convey on the day that the President signed the health care bill?
AN OPEN APOLOGY
By Grace Cangemi
I was standing in the Barry Goldwater Terminal waiting to board a plane out of Phoenix when I heard the news. After 8 days away from all things political, happily traversing a Red State, my first contact with reality was as upsetting as it was ironic.
I thought that if this mess of a health care plan passed, I would be infuriated – angry and bitter beyond belief. Instead, I found myself feeling apologetic. I’m sorry.
I have no children. Aware that I will have no one to care for me in my dotage, should I be fortunate enough to achieve it, I have always known that I need to provide for myself in such a manner that when I reached the twilight years, I’d be the one paying to keep the lights on.
My parents would never have mortgaged my future to take care of themselves. They would have fought like hell to keep anyone else from putting such a burden on me. And now, it appears, I am being set up to be a burden to someone else’s children. And all I can say is “I’m sorry.”
We fought hard for these children. We tried to lay no further weight on their tiny shoulders. And we failed.
We lost this battle before it started. We lost when we started to think of the Government as some entity that was bigger than us, when we railed against Government as though Government isn’t WE THE PEOPLE.
I know the arguments – this health care bill will cost me. It will reduce services. I will likely get worse care under this bill. But those are not the issues that are on my mind right now.
Right now, I am so very sorry. To every little kid who may someday be forced to pick up one thin cent of my care, I apologize. It was never my intention to burden you. And if, someday, you stand up and refuse (and I hope you do), know that I, for one, applaud you.
I was standing in the Barry Goldwater Terminal waiting to board a plane out of Phoenix when I heard the news. After 8 days away from all things political, happily traversing a Red State, my first contact with reality was as upsetting as it was ironic.
I thought that if this mess of a health care plan passed, I would be infuriated – angry and bitter beyond belief. Instead, I found myself feeling apologetic. I’m sorry.
I have no children. Aware that I will have no one to care for me in my dotage, should I be fortunate enough to achieve it, I have always known that I need to provide for myself in such a manner that when I reached the twilight years, I’d be the one paying to keep the lights on.
My parents would never have mortgaged my future to take care of themselves. They would have fought like hell to keep anyone else from putting such a burden on me. And now, it appears, I am being set up to be a burden to someone else’s children. And all I can say is “I’m sorry.”
We fought hard for these children. We tried to lay no further weight on their tiny shoulders. And we failed.
We lost this battle before it started. We lost when we started to think of the Government as some entity that was bigger than us, when we railed against Government as though Government isn’t WE THE PEOPLE.
I know the arguments – this health care bill will cost me. It will reduce services. I will likely get worse care under this bill. But those are not the issues that are on my mind right now.
Right now, I am so very sorry. To every little kid who may someday be forced to pick up one thin cent of my care, I apologize. It was never my intention to burden you. And if, someday, you stand up and refuse (and I hope you do), know that I, for one, applaud you.
HALFACRE ANNOUNCES PROPERTY TAX CUT IN FAIR HAVEN FOR THIRD YEAR IN A ROW
Despite losing significant state aid, tax cutting Fair Haven Mayor introduces budget which cuts municipal property tax rate
(Fair Haven, NJ) Despite losing nearly $140,000 in state municipal aid, 12th District Republican congressional candidate Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre tonight introduced a municipal budget that cut property tax rates for the third consecutive year, a feat Halfacre attributed to the use of “traditional Republican values”.
“I am happy to announce that for the third consecutive year, Fair Haven taxpayers will pay less on the municipal portion of their property taxes than they did the year before,” said Halfacre. “In this economy, it is crucial that we give relief to homeowners who may be struggling from spiraling property taxes and give our businesses one less spiraling cost to deal with. I’d like to thank the council and the people at Borough Hall for their work on this budget and over the past few years. It has truly been a team effort.”
Fair Haven’s anticipated municipal tax rate for FY 2010 will be 46.5 cents per 100 dollars of assessed property value. The rate was 47 cents in FY 2009, 48.1 cents in FY 2008, and 49.1 cents in FY 2007, Halfacre’s first year in office.
Halfacre also pointed out that this was not the first year Fair Haven had lost municipal aid, saying that the Borough had lost a total of $283,000, or roughly 40% of its aid, over the last three years.
Halfacre credited “traditional Republican values” as the catalyst for the turnaround in the Borough. “When I took office in 2007, quite frankly, the Borough’s finances were a mess. The council and I very quickly set about a complete reorganization of Borough Hall, deciding what the functions of municipal government were and what could be outsourced. We fired the CFO and hired an outstanding new one, we consolidated positions, outsourced non-core functions and shared services where possible.”
Halfacre continued “We applied what I like to think of as traditional Republican values; we decided get government out of as many functions as possible, and the ones we had to be in, we set about to run as efficiently as possible while maintaining services to residents. This budget is the fruit of those efforts- even with the loss of significant state aid, we are able to lower taxes and keep our borrowing to a manageable level.”
Halfacre concluded by praising Governor Chris Christie. “The Governor is doing what the people elected him to do and what we started doing 4 years ago in Fair Haven: making tough decisions which will pay off down the road. I applaud him for his efforts.”
(Fair Haven, NJ) Despite losing nearly $140,000 in state municipal aid, 12th District Republican congressional candidate Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre tonight introduced a municipal budget that cut property tax rates for the third consecutive year, a feat Halfacre attributed to the use of “traditional Republican values”.
“I am happy to announce that for the third consecutive year, Fair Haven taxpayers will pay less on the municipal portion of their property taxes than they did the year before,” said Halfacre. “In this economy, it is crucial that we give relief to homeowners who may be struggling from spiraling property taxes and give our businesses one less spiraling cost to deal with. I’d like to thank the council and the people at Borough Hall for their work on this budget and over the past few years. It has truly been a team effort.”
Fair Haven’s anticipated municipal tax rate for FY 2010 will be 46.5 cents per 100 dollars of assessed property value. The rate was 47 cents in FY 2009, 48.1 cents in FY 2008, and 49.1 cents in FY 2007, Halfacre’s first year in office.
Halfacre also pointed out that this was not the first year Fair Haven had lost municipal aid, saying that the Borough had lost a total of $283,000, or roughly 40% of its aid, over the last three years.
Halfacre credited “traditional Republican values” as the catalyst for the turnaround in the Borough. “When I took office in 2007, quite frankly, the Borough’s finances were a mess. The council and I very quickly set about a complete reorganization of Borough Hall, deciding what the functions of municipal government were and what could be outsourced. We fired the CFO and hired an outstanding new one, we consolidated positions, outsourced non-core functions and shared services where possible.”
Halfacre continued “We applied what I like to think of as traditional Republican values; we decided get government out of as many functions as possible, and the ones we had to be in, we set about to run as efficiently as possible while maintaining services to residents. This budget is the fruit of those efforts- even with the loss of significant state aid, we are able to lower taxes and keep our borrowing to a manageable level.”
Halfacre concluded by praising Governor Chris Christie. “The Governor is doing what the people elected him to do and what we started doing 4 years ago in Fair Haven: making tough decisions which will pay off down the road. I applaud him for his efforts.”
Christie nominates Golden to be Monmouth sheriff
Governor Chris Christie has nominated Shaun Golden to fill Kim Guadagno's term as Monmouth County sheriff.
Golden has been serving as acting sheriff since Guadagno resigned to become New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor.
Golden's appointment is subject to the consent of the NJ Senate. The term expires at the end of the year.
Golden is expected to be the GOP candidate for sheriff in the November general election.
Golden has been serving as acting sheriff since Guadagno resigned to become New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor.
Golden's appointment is subject to the consent of the NJ Senate. The term expires at the end of the year.
Golden is expected to be the GOP candidate for sheriff in the November general election.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Middletown Teachers Union Fighting Christie's Budget Cuts
MTEA Officers call the Governor a "school yard bully"
The following is an email sent to members of the Middletown Education Association on Friday March 19, and obtained by MoreMonmouthMusings just moments ago:
Middletown taxpayers can counter these efforts by:
Call your Assemblymen
Visit their offices
Write letters if you haven’t done so yet
Get your family members and friends to write letters
And my visiting the NJEA website and burning up its bandwidth.
Also, feel free to make comments here. Your legislators read them.
The following is an email sent to members of the Middletown Education Association on Friday March 19, and obtained by MoreMonmouthMusings just moments ago:
To All MTEA members,
As you all are acutely aware, we a facing the fight of our professional lives right now. The devastating cuts that the governor has proposed will have chilling effects across our state and impact our school district to the tune of over 11 million dollars! This will mean layoffs, larger class sizes, and a possible loss of programs. The Board of Education and the Superintendent are in the process right now of developing a budget that will be presented to the County Superintendent on Monday.
We need to stand up to the bullying tactics that our governor is using to incite the public through the media. Governor Christie has said that he would be happy to sign bills that would violate collective bargaining. NJEA has said that we need to PROTECT our collective bargaining agreement! We must think of it as our bible in the workplace! Our collective bargaining agreement gives meaning and integrity to our workplace. Our contract is never reopened in boon economies to provide the benefit of an increase, and we should not be expected to reopen it now, when we bargained fairly for our settlement. On Thursday March 11th at Representative Council, a motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed not to agree to or approve a salary freeze. The NJEA’s stand is also very clear on this critical issue, “We will not open our contracts or freeze our salaries”. Our principles are not for sale.
I welcome any and all suggestions that our members have in order to face this crisis and get the truth out to our community about the lies that the governor is telling. We need as many members as possible to attend the upcoming budget meeting on March 24th to get the word out to the community about how the looming layoffs will affect their children. We as a union must stay together and take action where we can.
This is what NJEA recommends that we can and should do in the next 72 hours:Call your Assemblymen
Visit their offices
Write letters if you haven’t done so yet
Get your family members and friends to write letters
Visit the NJEA website for talking points http://www.njea.org/page.aspx
On the NJEA website is a separate area called Keep the Promise where you will find the analysis of the bills, Q & A, and the truth about pension funding
Use the Legislative section on the NJEA website to Cyber Lobby and also watch the video about our pensions and pass it on to friends and family
We know that there are many questions and concerns that need to be addressed and are going to be holding a General Membership meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd at Jacques at 4:00, to discuss them. Our NJEA Uniserv Representative, Marc Abramson will be in attendance as well. Please make every effort to attend this very important meeting in order to be informed and united as we navigate these unprecedented changes.
We need to fight the schoolyard bully and not back down!
Sincerely,
Linda Guyer, President
Amy Johnson, 1st Vice President
Middletown taxpayers can counter these efforts by:
Call your Assemblymen
Visit their offices
Write letters if you haven’t done so yet
Get your family members and friends to write letters
And my visiting the NJEA website and burning up its bandwidth.
Also, feel free to make comments here. Your legislators read them.
Sipprelle Hits The Airwaves
In a move that is unprecedented in my experience, CD 12 contender Scott Sipprelle is running TV commercials in March.
Spending that kind of money so early in the process is an unorthodox move. Does it mean that Scott's thinks he's running behind Mike Halfacre in the Middlesex County Convention race that will conclude on Saturday? Is he trying to impress the Monmouth County advisory committee voters who will vote a week from tonight?
We won't know the answers to those questions until we see if that ad is running next week. If so, that is a lot of money to be spending to impress less than 500 voters...400 in Middlesex and less than 100 in Monmouth.
It doesn't make sense that the ad is targeting primary or general election voters. The ad is not that memorable. It would have to be run constantly between now and June to make an impact in the primary.
We're in for an interesting week.
Spending that kind of money so early in the process is an unorthodox move. Does it mean that Scott's thinks he's running behind Mike Halfacre in the Middlesex County Convention race that will conclude on Saturday? Is he trying to impress the Monmouth County advisory committee voters who will vote a week from tonight?
We won't know the answers to those questions until we see if that ad is running next week. If so, that is a lot of money to be spending to impress less than 500 voters...400 in Middlesex and less than 100 in Monmouth.
It doesn't make sense that the ad is targeting primary or general election voters. The ad is not that memorable. It would have to be run constantly between now and June to make an impact in the primary.
We're in for an interesting week.
Curley Birthday Fundraiser
Freeholder John Curley is having a birthday celebration/fundraiser on Weds March 24, 6PM-8PM at Taste Restaurant, 10 Bridge St, Red Bank.
Don Burry will be the Master of Ceremonies and offer a roast.
The Reverend Joe Oxley will perform the exorcism.
Download your invitation here.
Don Burry will be the Master of Ceremonies and offer a roast.
The Reverend Joe Oxley will perform the exorcism.
Download your invitation here.
Inside Baseball
Spring training is coming to a close, and opening day is right around the corner.
Just as major league managers are making the final cuts to their rosters this week, Republicans in the Central New Jersey congressional districts 6 and 12 will be making their decisions on who will make the final cut for the party line in the primaries.
If the shoe fits....
Just as major league managers are making the final cuts to their rosters this week, Republicans in the Central New Jersey congressional districts 6 and 12 will be making their decisions on who will make the final cut for the party line in the primaries.
If the shoe fits....
MAYOR ANNA LITTLE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST HEALTH CARE BILL
HIGHLANDS, NJ – Highlands Mayor, Anna Little, the Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District, has said about last night's health care vote in congress: “The current health insurance bills proposed by both chambers of Congress, and The Obama Administration, should be opposed under any circumstances, as they will effectively “socialize” our entire health care insurance and medical delivery system, and create a single payer government run bureaucracy.”
While the health insurance system does need to be reformed, allowing the government to socialize 1/6 of the economy is not the answer. She proposes six areas of reform for the current system that will reduce costs and increase access to health care for average Americans:
Enact Tort reform in order to reduce the practice of “defensive medicine” by doctors and hospitals.
Increase competition within the insurance industry by allowing providers to sell policies across state lines.
Demonstrate a commitment to stop Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
Eliminate tax payer subsidized health care for those illegally in the United States.
Encourage Health Savings Accounts.
Remove anti-trust protections for insurance companies.
Anna wants to end the process of socializing our health care system and begin the process of returning the control of medical care to the consumer.
“Last night's votes in Washington represent social progressive political agendas and special interests. This is NOT the will of the PEOPLE. It is more urgent now than ever that the People stand up and take Government back”, said Mayor Anna Little.
Mayor Little encourages the public to continue to express their opinions on this important matter. “I urge you to write to your NJ Assembly members demanding that the State of NJ pass legislation to make this bill illegal here, especially the mandate and the consequences for failure to comply. These provisions will bankrupt businesses and increase the double digit unemployment rate in NJ.” said Mayor Little.
Public participation in government is essential to its proper operation. We must continue to engage our representatives on this issue, ensuring that our Representatives in Washington clearly understand insisting that they repeal this law as soon as possible.
While the health insurance system does need to be reformed, allowing the government to socialize 1/6 of the economy is not the answer. She proposes six areas of reform for the current system that will reduce costs and increase access to health care for average Americans:
Enact Tort reform in order to reduce the practice of “defensive medicine” by doctors and hospitals.
Increase competition within the insurance industry by allowing providers to sell policies across state lines.
Demonstrate a commitment to stop Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
Eliminate tax payer subsidized health care for those illegally in the United States.
Encourage Health Savings Accounts.
Remove anti-trust protections for insurance companies.
Anna wants to end the process of socializing our health care system and begin the process of returning the control of medical care to the consumer.
“Last night's votes in Washington represent social progressive political agendas and special interests. This is NOT the will of the PEOPLE. It is more urgent now than ever that the People stand up and take Government back”, said Mayor Anna Little.
Mayor Little encourages the public to continue to express their opinions on this important matter. “I urge you to write to your NJ Assembly members demanding that the State of NJ pass legislation to make this bill illegal here, especially the mandate and the consequences for failure to comply. These provisions will bankrupt businesses and increase the double digit unemployment rate in NJ.” said Mayor Little.
Public participation in government is essential to its proper operation. We must continue to engage our representatives on this issue, ensuring that our Representatives in Washington clearly understand insisting that they repeal this law as soon as possible.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spending Cuts
Forget Doing More With Less. Just Do Less
Governor Christie has doled out the tough medicine to municipalities and school boards. If raising property taxes was the answer, there would not be such an outcry. Municipal officials and school board members already know taxes are too high. As Governor Christie has said, the state enabled run away spending for too long and we all, municipal officials and voters alike, kept papering over the problem and avoiding the tough decisions. The time to pay the piper has come.
I'm not going to offer specifics here, but rather a suggested approach to spending reductions from municipal officials and school boards. In no way do I think I'm an expert or know better than those elected. I'm relatively well informed taxpayer and businessman who has made previously unthinkable cuts in order to survive. If there is something here that helps, good. If not, no harm done or intended.
1) Take charge. Most municipal officials and school board members are part time employees who are poorly paid or volunteers. Most have been wise to rely on paid professionals to craft budgets and for guidance as to what is legal and acceptable and what is not. What is necessary and what is not. You need to take charge now. Test the professionals and push harder.
No matter how good and well intended your CFO, administrator or superintendent is, his or her interests are not the taxpayers interests. It is your job to look out for the taxpayers. Push back and demand more cuts. Talk to officials from other jurisdictions for ideas and knowledge.
2)Officials from larger towns should seek advice from officials from smaller towns. They have been managing with greatly reduced funding for years. There will be small towns with budgets that have tax reductions this year. It can be done and you can do it.
3) Take a tax increase off the table. Start your budget with what you spent last year, less the reduction in state funding, less another 5%. That's your revenue. Now make your expenses match it.
4)Surpluses are for a raining day. It's raining. Keep a reasonable surplus. Reasonable is less than your CFO says it is.
5) Reduce debt service by refinancing and for longer terms, especially if you chose conservative shorter terms when times were good.
7) Some sacred cows will have to be gored. With reduced personnel, somethings won't get done. Eventually no one will miss those things. Other things will take longer to get done. That is OK.
Think volunteers. We already use volunteers to serve on boards and commissions. Other tasks can be done by volunteers too.
8) Think with your head. Console with your heart. Don't take anger personally and don't respond to it in kind.
We're all rooting for you and don't envy your task.
Governor Christie has doled out the tough medicine to municipalities and school boards. If raising property taxes was the answer, there would not be such an outcry. Municipal officials and school board members already know taxes are too high. As Governor Christie has said, the state enabled run away spending for too long and we all, municipal officials and voters alike, kept papering over the problem and avoiding the tough decisions. The time to pay the piper has come.
I'm not going to offer specifics here, but rather a suggested approach to spending reductions from municipal officials and school boards. In no way do I think I'm an expert or know better than those elected. I'm relatively well informed taxpayer and businessman who has made previously unthinkable cuts in order to survive. If there is something here that helps, good. If not, no harm done or intended.
1) Take charge. Most municipal officials and school board members are part time employees who are poorly paid or volunteers. Most have been wise to rely on paid professionals to craft budgets and for guidance as to what is legal and acceptable and what is not. What is necessary and what is not. You need to take charge now. Test the professionals and push harder.
No matter how good and well intended your CFO, administrator or superintendent is, his or her interests are not the taxpayers interests. It is your job to look out for the taxpayers. Push back and demand more cuts. Talk to officials from other jurisdictions for ideas and knowledge.
2)Officials from larger towns should seek advice from officials from smaller towns. They have been managing with greatly reduced funding for years. There will be small towns with budgets that have tax reductions this year. It can be done and you can do it.
3) Take a tax increase off the table. Start your budget with what you spent last year, less the reduction in state funding, less another 5%. That's your revenue. Now make your expenses match it.
4)Surpluses are for a raining day. It's raining. Keep a reasonable surplus. Reasonable is less than your CFO says it is.
5) Reduce debt service by refinancing and for longer terms, especially if you chose conservative shorter terms when times were good.
7) Some sacred cows will have to be gored. With reduced personnel, somethings won't get done. Eventually no one will miss those things. Other things will take longer to get done. That is OK.
Think volunteers. We already use volunteers to serve on boards and commissions. Other tasks can be done by volunteers too.
8) Think with your head. Console with your heart. Don't take anger personally and don't respond to it in kind.
We're all rooting for you and don't envy your task.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Revenue Generating Idea
Reading the newspapers over the last couple of days since Governor Christie announced the state funding (I refuse to call it aid, after all it is our money) cuts to New Jersey's municipalities and school boards, you would think we were facing Armageddon.
We're not. We are confronting the fact that we can no longer afford, that we really never could afford but tricked ourselves into thinking we could, the excesses of government that we've come to think of as necessities and requirements.
County and municipal governing bodies, and school boards are suffering from the shock of a shattered fantasy of unlimited funds.
That the cries of "unfair" are coming from both the left and the right, from the unions and the suburban conservative activists, tells me that Governor Christie's cuts are probably on the mark.
To those on the left, the government workers and teachers unions, I really don't have anything to say. They more than any group got us here. They wouldn't listen to me anyway because I'm a wingnut. They should just keep spending their members dues money on shrill ads and use scare tactics on the kids they are supposed to be educating. The public is not buying it anymore and the tactics will backfire. The sooner they spend all their money on propaganda that isn't working the sooner they will shut up.
To my friends on the right who are screaming "the suburbs who elected Christie are getting screwed" I say, You just noticed? Of course we are getting screwed. We've been getting screwed for decades...since the state income tax was implemented, the Abbott and Costello decision and the sermon on Mount Laurel decision.
For people who espouse to be politically savvy, I'm amazed that you still can't count votes.
Christie has to get his budget passed by the Democratic legislature and the State Socialist Supreme Court. Do the math.
Our fiscal problems have been built over decades. They are not going to be solved in one budget cycle. Four cycles maybe if we're extraordinarily lucky, but definitely not one.
Here in Monmouth County we are fortunate. We have excesses that we need to cut. Excesses that we think are necessities but aren't. But we are in much better shape than many places.
I was talking with a lawyer who lives in Montclair (Essex County) yesterday. He happens to be a Democrat. He was praising Christie's leadership and bemoaning the fact that Montclair, a town of about 30,000 (half the size of Middletown) has 112 police officers and a paid fire department of about the same size. When you call the non-emergency police phone number the voice message tells you to hang up and call 911 if you have an emergency. It then says to press 1 to hire an off duty police officer. That is excess.
Still, we have excesses at every level of government here. We just can't see it yet because we think somethings are necessary that are not.
I'll offer some harsh suggestions to my friends who are grappling with budgets over the next few days and weeks. For today I'll offer a light hearted revenue generating idea that would work but I highly doubt any will take seriously.
This morning on app.com I noticed this jersey shore moms (not to be confused with Christine Hanlon's GOP moms) posting about a 50 something Colorado couple that caught the attention of their neighbors while they were gardening in the front yard of their public housing complex wearing only thongs. Turns out the local anti-nudity laws prohibit only genital exposure. The couple was covered.
Just as March goes out like a lamb leading to April showers and May flowers, thousands of people who are like that Colorado couple start flocking to Monmouth County every year to visit Sandy Hook were there is a beach designated for them to let it all hang out. People drive hundreds of miles every weekend in the summer, from Maine and Virginia, to visit that beach. The parking lot for that beach is always to first to fill. I bet it will be half full today, March 20. When Sandy Hook closes because it is filled to capacity, often by 10 am on a nice summer weekend, you can often find some of those people on secluded beaches along the Shrewsbury and the Bayshore.
If managed correctly, designated bayshore beaches, from Aberdeen to Highlands, could generate more revenue than cell tower leases.
Beach badges wouldn't work, but ink stamps like the night clubs use would. The stamps would be more environmentally friendly than badges, another selling point.
You could charge a premium to curiosity seeking gawkers. $10 for a stamp on the glute and $20 for a stamp on the hand.
Labor costs would be minimal. There would be no cost forbadge stamp checkers. Rather there would be a waiting list of volunteers for those positions. You might even get volunteer lifeguards. If the unions show up demanding prevailing wage, counter with only if they comply with the prevailing dress code.
You couldn't prohibit photography because of the 1st amendment. But you could require revenue generating permits. I don't think that such permits would generate all that much revenue because there most certainly would be more "No comment" than "Comment" shots available.
This would also be a boom to area businesses, creating jobs and generating sales tax revenue.
That's my revenue idea of the day. Now I have to run a few errands before the Highlands St. Patrick's parade at 2pm. If you're coming to the parade, keep your shirt on, please.
We're not. We are confronting the fact that we can no longer afford, that we really never could afford but tricked ourselves into thinking we could, the excesses of government that we've come to think of as necessities and requirements.
County and municipal governing bodies, and school boards are suffering from the shock of a shattered fantasy of unlimited funds.
That the cries of "unfair" are coming from both the left and the right, from the unions and the suburban conservative activists, tells me that Governor Christie's cuts are probably on the mark.
To those on the left, the government workers and teachers unions, I really don't have anything to say. They more than any group got us here. They wouldn't listen to me anyway because I'm a wingnut. They should just keep spending their members dues money on shrill ads and use scare tactics on the kids they are supposed to be educating. The public is not buying it anymore and the tactics will backfire. The sooner they spend all their money on propaganda that isn't working the sooner they will shut up.
To my friends on the right who are screaming "the suburbs who elected Christie are getting screwed" I say, You just noticed? Of course we are getting screwed. We've been getting screwed for decades...since the state income tax was implemented, the Abbott and Costello decision and the sermon on Mount Laurel decision.
For people who espouse to be politically savvy, I'm amazed that you still can't count votes.
Christie has to get his budget passed by the Democratic legislature and the State Socialist Supreme Court. Do the math.
Our fiscal problems have been built over decades. They are not going to be solved in one budget cycle. Four cycles maybe if we're extraordinarily lucky, but definitely not one.
Here in Monmouth County we are fortunate. We have excesses that we need to cut. Excesses that we think are necessities but aren't. But we are in much better shape than many places.
I was talking with a lawyer who lives in Montclair (Essex County) yesterday. He happens to be a Democrat. He was praising Christie's leadership and bemoaning the fact that Montclair, a town of about 30,000 (half the size of Middletown) has 112 police officers and a paid fire department of about the same size. When you call the non-emergency police phone number the voice message tells you to hang up and call 911 if you have an emergency. It then says to press 1 to hire an off duty police officer. That is excess.
Still, we have excesses at every level of government here. We just can't see it yet because we think somethings are necessary that are not.
I'll offer some harsh suggestions to my friends who are grappling with budgets over the next few days and weeks. For today I'll offer a light hearted revenue generating idea that would work but I highly doubt any will take seriously.
This morning on app.com I noticed this jersey shore moms (not to be confused with Christine Hanlon's GOP moms) posting about a 50 something Colorado couple that caught the attention of their neighbors while they were gardening in the front yard of their public housing complex wearing only thongs. Turns out the local anti-nudity laws prohibit only genital exposure. The couple was covered.
Just as March goes out like a lamb leading to April showers and May flowers, thousands of people who are like that Colorado couple start flocking to Monmouth County every year to visit Sandy Hook were there is a beach designated for them to let it all hang out. People drive hundreds of miles every weekend in the summer, from Maine and Virginia, to visit that beach. The parking lot for that beach is always to first to fill. I bet it will be half full today, March 20. When Sandy Hook closes because it is filled to capacity, often by 10 am on a nice summer weekend, you can often find some of those people on secluded beaches along the Shrewsbury and the Bayshore.
If managed correctly, designated bayshore beaches, from Aberdeen to Highlands, could generate more revenue than cell tower leases.
Beach badges wouldn't work, but ink stamps like the night clubs use would. The stamps would be more environmentally friendly than badges, another selling point.
You could charge a premium to curiosity seeking gawkers. $10 for a stamp on the glute and $20 for a stamp on the hand.
Labor costs would be minimal. There would be no cost for
You couldn't prohibit photography because of the 1st amendment. But you could require revenue generating permits. I don't think that such permits would generate all that much revenue because there most certainly would be more "No comment" than "Comment" shots available.
This would also be a boom to area businesses, creating jobs and generating sales tax revenue.
That's my revenue idea of the day. Now I have to run a few errands before the Highlands St. Patrick's parade at 2pm. If you're coming to the parade, keep your shirt on, please.
Friday, March 19, 2010
A Little More
In segment six of her interview with Grace Cangemi, CD 6 candidate Anna Little shared her unique perspective on immigration issues. Little is an immigration attorney.
Comment, No Comment
No, this post is not a whether the Sipprelle campaign should have a free "friends and family plan" in the comments of the CD 12 postings. Comments are closed for those until the price of admission is paid or until I change my mind.
This post is about CD 6 candidate Diane Gooch's Comment/No Comment feature in TRT: The Book, as covered by RedBankGreen.
RedBankGreen explains:
To see RBG's Comment/No Comment photos of the candidate, you'll have to visit the site.
Feel free to comment on this photo and which candidate you would like to wipe him (out).
This post is about CD 6 candidate Diane Gooch's Comment/No Comment feature in TRT: The Book, as covered by RedBankGreen.
RedBankGreen explains:
A little background is in order here.
In addition to the weekly newspaper she and her husband bought from Geraldo Rivera in 2004, Gooch also publishes a magazine called “TRT: The Book.” (A “book” is what people who work in the magazine industry call magazines, but never mind.) The Book, which caters to the carriage trade, has been on hiatus for a year because of the recession’s impact on advertising, Gooch says.
Before it went dark, each issue of The Book included in its high-gloss pages a two-page photo feature, with pictures credited to Gooch herself, called “Comment/No Comment.”
On the Comment page were photos of unidentified shoppers, beachgoers and the like, displaying fashion sense that Gooch apparently approved of, though there was no accompanying text: just photos of women, usually, in fitted skirts, adorable prints or stylish hats.
On the No Comment page were unmistakably unflattering pictures of women in too-tight pants, undersized bathing suits, or with their plumber’s smiles showing.
What the pictures had in common was that they appeared to have been taken from a distance without the subjects’ knowledge. Overwhelmingly, they also focused on tuchases.
We’re talking a double truck of dainty derrieres, bulging backsides and flappity mud flaps.
Prior to Gooch’s formal announcement last night, redbankgreen finagled a short sit-down with her. With one of her handlers impatiently urging us to stick to questions about her campaign, we asked Gooch whether she regretted taking and publishing the photos.
“I don’t think I did anything that was hurtful,” she said. “It was supposed to be light and fun.”
She said she had appeared in the No Comment page herself, face-down after a bumpy ride in a fighter jet, and once published a shot of her own sister’s butt, though she didn’t say which page that one ran on.
“Sometimes you just have to give people a break and have some fun,” Gooch said.
We couldn’t agree more.
To see RBG's Comment/No Comment photos of the candidate, you'll have to visit the site.
Feel free to comment on this photo and which candidate you would like to wipe him (out).
Governor Christie Continues To Rein In Spending
Vetoes Minutes of New Jersey Turnpike Authority
Trenton, NJ- Moving forward in his effort to curtail unnecessary and inappropriate spending at the State’s boards, commissions and authorities, Governor Chris Christie today exercised his eighth veto since taking office. Today the Governor vetoed five professional services contracts approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority at its February 23, 2010 meeting.
“The New Jersey Turnpike Authority decided to approve contract costs that ignore New Jersey Administrative Code guidelines for negotiating fair and reasonable fees,” Governor Christie said. “We simply can no longer tolerate this unreasonable spending and must hold these agencies accountable for their actions.”
Governor Christie’s veto concerns the award of five contracts: $2.34 million to Churchill Consulting Engineers for supervision of construction services for certain guiderail improvements and pavement restoration contracts; $980,000 to Hill International for supervision of construction services for construction of the Holmdel Motor Vehicle Maintenance Facility and installation of the PNC Bank Arts Amphitheater improvements; $476,000 to KS Engineers, P.C. for supervision of construction services related to certain contracts for sign panel replacements and overhead variable message sign support structures fabrication; $735,200 to Dresder Robin Environmental Management, Inc for operation, maintenance and compliance monitoring of environmental remediation systems at the Montvale and Vauxhall service areas on the Garden State Parkway; and $545,000 to Hatch Mott MacDonald for operation, maintenance and compliance monitoring of environmental remediation systems at the Brookdale North and Brookdale South service areas on the Garden State Parkway. The fees ranged from 11.5% to 84% higher than the fees proposed by other highly-ranked firms competing for the contracts.
“The Governor's action reinforces the kind of change that I've been working to bring to the Turnpike since the new administration took office,” said Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson.
No veto power was exercised as to any other actions taken by the Authority at its meeting on February 23, 2010.
Trenton, NJ- Moving forward in his effort to curtail unnecessary and inappropriate spending at the State’s boards, commissions and authorities, Governor Chris Christie today exercised his eighth veto since taking office. Today the Governor vetoed five professional services contracts approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority at its February 23, 2010 meeting.
“The New Jersey Turnpike Authority decided to approve contract costs that ignore New Jersey Administrative Code guidelines for negotiating fair and reasonable fees,” Governor Christie said. “We simply can no longer tolerate this unreasonable spending and must hold these agencies accountable for their actions.”
Governor Christie’s veto concerns the award of five contracts: $2.34 million to Churchill Consulting Engineers for supervision of construction services for certain guiderail improvements and pavement restoration contracts; $980,000 to Hill International for supervision of construction services for construction of the Holmdel Motor Vehicle Maintenance Facility and installation of the PNC Bank Arts Amphitheater improvements; $476,000 to KS Engineers, P.C. for supervision of construction services related to certain contracts for sign panel replacements and overhead variable message sign support structures fabrication; $735,200 to Dresder Robin Environmental Management, Inc for operation, maintenance and compliance monitoring of environmental remediation systems at the Montvale and Vauxhall service areas on the Garden State Parkway; and $545,000 to Hatch Mott MacDonald for operation, maintenance and compliance monitoring of environmental remediation systems at the Brookdale North and Brookdale South service areas on the Garden State Parkway. The fees ranged from 11.5% to 84% higher than the fees proposed by other highly-ranked firms competing for the contracts.
“The Governor's action reinforces the kind of change that I've been working to bring to the Turnpike since the new administration took office,” said Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson.
No veto power was exercised as to any other actions taken by the Authority at its meeting on February 23, 2010.
Great Weekend Weather
If you're headed to Washington for the Code Red Rally against ObamaCare, make sure to take in the budding cherry blossoms.
If you'll be in here Monmouth County, take in the Highlands St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday afternoon at 2.
That is if you're not on the golf course.
If you'll be in here Monmouth County, take in the Highlands St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday afternoon at 2.
That is if you're not on the golf course.
Sipprelle Wins Mercer County Line
As expected, Scott Sipprelle won the favorite son endorsement of the Mercer County GOP for the primary nomination in CD-12, besting Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre 49-12 at their county convention last evening.
Middletown Budget Outlook: UG-LY
Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger told a neighborhood meeting at the Middletown Arts Center that the township is losing $1.3 million in state funding and that the budget outlook is worse than imagined, according to a report on RedBankGreen.
Scharfenberger asked the residents to stay informed and to offer ideas to raise revenues and reduce costs in the $62 million budget.
MMM has a large Middletown readership. A township committee member or 5 are known to stop by from time to time. Feel free to make non-snarking recommendations in the comments.
Middletown is the best managed large municipality in New Jersey. It has an opportunity in this budget cycle to set an example to all towns throughout the state who are all facing declines in revenue. Throughout NJ, even in the well managed towns, we have more government that we can afford.
Scharfenberger said that a tax increase and layoffs would be a last resort. I ask him to to take a tax increase off the table. Negotiate contract give backs to avoid layoffs if possible. Privatize services for savings where possible...there are a lot of Middletown area landscapers looking for work...some of whom are already on the township payroll in other functions and maintaining properties on the side.
Consult with smaller towns who have been living without state funding for years to see what cuts they have implemented.
A 5% across the board cut is over $3 million in savings. It won't be pretty. It will be UG-LY, but find a way to get in done without raising taxes.
Scharfenberger asked the residents to stay informed and to offer ideas to raise revenues and reduce costs in the $62 million budget.
MMM has a large Middletown readership. A township committee member or 5 are known to stop by from time to time. Feel free to make non-snarking recommendations in the comments.
Middletown is the best managed large municipality in New Jersey. It has an opportunity in this budget cycle to set an example to all towns throughout the state who are all facing declines in revenue. Throughout NJ, even in the well managed towns, we have more government that we can afford.
Scharfenberger said that a tax increase and layoffs would be a last resort. I ask him to to take a tax increase off the table. Negotiate contract give backs to avoid layoffs if possible. Privatize services for savings where possible...there are a lot of Middletown area landscapers looking for work...some of whom are already on the township payroll in other functions and maintaining properties on the side.
Consult with smaller towns who have been living without state funding for years to see what cuts they have implemented.
A 5% across the board cut is over $3 million in savings. It won't be pretty. It will be UG-LY, but find a way to get in done without raising taxes.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Gooch Kickoff
Diane Gooched kicked off her campaign for the GOP nomination in CD 6 this evening before an enthusiastic crowd of 170 supporters at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank.
Gooch was introduced by Monmouth County GOP Chairman Joe Oxley, presumptive incoming Middlesex County Chairman Sam Thompson and her 15 year old son Stephan. Stephan got the best laugh of the night when he started his introduction with the line, "I've known my Mom for about 15 years."
Gooch, who is not a polished speaker, introduced her self to the crowd as a product of the American Dream. She emphasised her working class roots from growing up in Queens and on Long Island. She spoke of the struggle her family endured when her father lost his job during the Carter administration and the risk that she and her husband too when they started their company, which now employs 1700, people with a loan from the Money Store during the Reagan administration. "Frank Pallone has never held or created a private sector job." she declared, when speaking of her husband's company's success.
Several times Gooch repeated her solution to our nation's problems with health care and the economy: "Get rid of Frank Pallone. I'll tell you what we have to do, get rid of Frank Pallone."
Regarding socialized health care, the candidate spoke of her husband's family members in England and Ireland who have had to wait months and months for necessary medical procedures, including a family member who died the day before a scheduled heart surgery, after an 18 month wait.
Her best moment was when she addressed the fact that the 6th is considered a "safe district." "Is the district safe for the parents of children in our schools from Asbury Park to Plainfield? No! Is our district safe for our residents along the Bayshore dealing with flooding? No! Was Fort Monmouth safe from closure when Frank Pallone was nowhere to be found? No!"
Gooch's prime obstacle to winning the GOP nomination, Highlands Mayor Anna Little, will kickoff her campaign Friday evening, 7PM, at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands.
Gooch was introduced by Monmouth County GOP Chairman Joe Oxley, presumptive incoming Middlesex County Chairman Sam Thompson and her 15 year old son Stephan. Stephan got the best laugh of the night when he started his introduction with the line, "I've known my Mom for about 15 years."
Gooch, who is not a polished speaker, introduced her self to the crowd as a product of the American Dream. She emphasised her working class roots from growing up in Queens and on Long Island. She spoke of the struggle her family endured when her father lost his job during the Carter administration and the risk that she and her husband too when they started their company, which now employs 1700, people with a loan from the Money Store during the Reagan administration. "Frank Pallone has never held or created a private sector job." she declared, when speaking of her husband's company's success.
Several times Gooch repeated her solution to our nation's problems with health care and the economy: "Get rid of Frank Pallone. I'll tell you what we have to do, get rid of Frank Pallone."
Regarding socialized health care, the candidate spoke of her husband's family members in England and Ireland who have had to wait months and months for necessary medical procedures, including a family member who died the day before a scheduled heart surgery, after an 18 month wait.
Her best moment was when she addressed the fact that the 6th is considered a "safe district." "Is the district safe for the parents of children in our schools from Asbury Park to Plainfield? No! Is our district safe for our residents along the Bayshore dealing with flooding? No! Was Fort Monmouth safe from closure when Frank Pallone was nowhere to be found? No!"
Gooch's prime obstacle to winning the GOP nomination, Highlands Mayor Anna Little, will kickoff her campaign Friday evening, 7PM, at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands.
Smoking Gun: Document Shows Sipprelle Is Crying Wolf Over Republican Registration Flack
When the Halfacre campaign released a claim that Scott Sipprelle had not registered as a Republican until 2007 just before the Middlesex County Screening Committee meeting, Sipprelle fired back the next day with documentation that they claimed "proved" that Sipprelle has been a registered Republican since 1988 when he registered in Hudson County, that he was a registered Republican throughout his residency is Bergen County and blamed the Mercer County Clerk for a clerical error that did not carry over his party affiliation when he moved to Princeton in 2001.
The Sipprelle campaign accused the Halfacre campaign of either outright lying or of sloppy research. Even the usually skeptical "Wally Edge" of Politickernj fell for Sipprelle's gambit, scolding Halfacre for incomplete research because "The Sipprelle campaign responded with evidence that their candidate had been voting in GOP primaries since 1988 – documentation that’s not especially hard to find, if you want to find it."
Had Wally critically examined the documents that Sipprelle released, he would have seen that they are not "evidence that their candidate had been voting in GOP primaries since 1988." Sipprelle's documentation showed that he voted in Hudson County GOP primary in 1988, that he registered to vote in Bergen County in 1991, but that he did not vote in a primary until 2000.
Documentation from the Bergen County Board of Elections, obtained today by MoreMonmouthMusings, proves that Sipprelle was an unaffilated voter in Bergen County from 1991 through 2000 when he declared his affiliation at the primary polls.
Here it is:
If Sipprelle stays true to form, he will blame this on a clerical error on the part of the Bergen County Clerk in 1991, just as he blamed the Mercer County Clerk for not properly registering his affiliation in 2001.
When Wally finishes wiping the egg off his face, he should ask the Sipprelle camp if they had this document last week but didn't include it with the rest of the documents they released the day after they lost at the Middlesex County Screening Committee.
A commenter asked me last week if I thought this was a legitimate issue. At the time I said that I didn't think it was any more legitimate than Chris Christie's driving record or mamograms were in last year's election. In and of itself, I don't think Sipprelle's registration is necessarily a disqualifying issue. I don't think his donations to Democrats, in and of themselves, are disqualifying. Both are a legitimate matters of concern for Republican voters and should be addressed by the candidate forthrightly. That Sipprelle refuses to address these issues forthrightly and now in the case of his registration has apparently intentionally withheld relevant documentation while at the same time calling his opponent a liar should be a cause for concern for all Republicans. As Sipprelle would say, it makes you question the source.
Sipprelle has declared that his campaign is a honest one and that he is following Reagan's 11th commandment. He has said that he is a bona fide reformer and a champion of ethics.
As a young adult, Sipprelle came of age in the culture of Morgan Stanley, a once great investment banking institution founded upon the ideals of J.P. Morgan, Jr.
Speaking before the a subcommittee of the U.S.Senate Banking and Currency Committee in 1933, Morgan said,
As we know all too well, few politicians live up to such a code. Now a days, few bankers do either. But Scott Sipprelle has been trying to lead us to believe he follows such a code while feigning righteous indignation about his opponent's "Half-Truths."
The cat's out of the bag. Sipprelle has successfully made mountains out of the registration and donation mole hills because he is not comfortable telling the truth.
There are lots a questions Scott Sipprelle needs to answer before the GOP considers his nomination for Congress. The most important one is "Who are you and what do you stand for?" Really.
The Sipprelle campaign accused the Halfacre campaign of either outright lying or of sloppy research. Even the usually skeptical "Wally Edge" of Politickernj fell for Sipprelle's gambit, scolding Halfacre for incomplete research because "The Sipprelle campaign responded with evidence that their candidate had been voting in GOP primaries since 1988 – documentation that’s not especially hard to find, if you want to find it."
Had Wally critically examined the documents that Sipprelle released, he would have seen that they are not "evidence that their candidate had been voting in GOP primaries since 1988." Sipprelle's documentation showed that he voted in Hudson County GOP primary in 1988, that he registered to vote in Bergen County in 1991, but that he did not vote in a primary until 2000.
Documentation from the Bergen County Board of Elections, obtained today by MoreMonmouthMusings, proves that Sipprelle was an unaffilated voter in Bergen County from 1991 through 2000 when he declared his affiliation at the primary polls.
Here it is:
If Sipprelle stays true to form, he will blame this on a clerical error on the part of the Bergen County Clerk in 1991, just as he blamed the Mercer County Clerk for not properly registering his affiliation in 2001.
When Wally finishes wiping the egg off his face, he should ask the Sipprelle camp if they had this document last week but didn't include it with the rest of the documents they released the day after they lost at the Middlesex County Screening Committee.
A commenter asked me last week if I thought this was a legitimate issue. At the time I said that I didn't think it was any more legitimate than Chris Christie's driving record or mamograms were in last year's election. In and of itself, I don't think Sipprelle's registration is necessarily a disqualifying issue. I don't think his donations to Democrats, in and of themselves, are disqualifying. Both are a legitimate matters of concern for Republican voters and should be addressed by the candidate forthrightly. That Sipprelle refuses to address these issues forthrightly and now in the case of his registration has apparently intentionally withheld relevant documentation while at the same time calling his opponent a liar should be a cause for concern for all Republicans. As Sipprelle would say, it makes you question the source.
Sipprelle has declared that his campaign is a honest one and that he is following Reagan's 11th commandment. He has said that he is a bona fide reformer and a champion of ethics.
As a young adult, Sipprelle came of age in the culture of Morgan Stanley, a once great investment banking institution founded upon the ideals of J.P. Morgan, Jr.
Speaking before the a subcommittee of the U.S.Senate Banking and Currency Committee in 1933, Morgan said,
The private banker is a member of a profession which has been practiced since the middle ages. In the process of time there has grown up a code of professional ethics and customs on the observance of which depend his reputation, his force and his usefulness to the community in which he works...If in the exercise of his profession, the private banker disregards this code, which could never be expressed in any legislation, but has a force far greater than any law, he will sacrifice his credit. This credit is his most valuable possession; it is the result of years or faith and honorable dealing and while it may be quickly lost, once lost cannot be restored for a long time, if ever. The banker must at all times conduct himself as to justify the confidence of his clients in him, and thus preserve it for his successors.
As we know all too well, few politicians live up to such a code. Now a days, few bankers do either. But Scott Sipprelle has been trying to lead us to believe he follows such a code while feigning righteous indignation about his opponent's "Half-Truths."
The cat's out of the bag. Sipprelle has successfully made mountains out of the registration and donation mole hills because he is not comfortable telling the truth.
There are lots a questions Scott Sipprelle needs to answer before the GOP considers his nomination for Congress. The most important one is "Who are you and what do you stand for?" Really.
Let me get this straight......we're trying to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president that also is exempt from it and hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke.
What the hell could possibly go wrong?
Little: How dare any elected representative tell the people that he knows better
In segment 4 of Grace Cangemi's interview with CD 6 candidate Anna Little the mayor discusses the economy's impact on Highlands and how she and her colleagues are dealing with it. This segment is useful for convention/screening voters in the insight it gives into Little's way of thinking and dealing with the economy. The specific content will be of interest to our readers from Highlands.
In segment 5 Little deals with Frank Pallone's failures on the economy, health care and the environment. She chastises him for his failure to represent the interests of his constituents.
In segment 5 Little deals with Frank Pallone's failures on the economy, health care and the environment. She chastises him for his failure to represent the interests of his constituents.
CD 6 Events
Diane Gooch will have a campaign announcement tonight, 6:30, at the Molly Pitcher Inn, Grand Ballroom.
Anna Little will have a "Meet and Great" tomorrow evening, Friday, March 19, 7PM-9PM, at the Shore Casino, Atlantic Highlands.
Anna Little will have a "Meet and Great" tomorrow evening, Friday, March 19, 7PM-9PM, at the Shore Casino, Atlantic Highlands.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sipprelle Foresakes "11th Commandment"
In a release that would have been published here in its entirety had Scott Sipprelle kept his word to debate his opponents or alternatively agreed to an interview, the self proclaimed Wall Street insider accused the candidate he lost the Middlesex County Screening Committee poll to, Mike Halfacre, of running a negative campaign of "Half-Truths."
The sad irony is that Sipprelle's release contains numerous distortions and ommissions.
He even sourced my interview with Halfacre to Politickernj and Save Jersey. Why he is using my material and crediting others for it is not all that of a mystery. Sources close to the Sipprelle campaign said that Scott was very threatened by the content my "Questions for Scott Sipprelle" post, and that he considers a critical look at his record and proposals to be a major threat to his campaign.
The pro-choice Sipprelle questioned whether Halfacre is really pro-life.
Sipprelle said that Halfacre is not really a "tax cutting Mayor" because he voted in favor of Fair Haven's school budget while a board member in 1994 and 1995.
Sipprelle said that Halfacre is not really a businessman because he "raked in well over $100,000 in taxpayer money from 7 different part-time public jobs, including 3 at the same time." That comes out to less than $7700 per year over the 13 years that Halfacre has been a public servant.
Sipprelle said "Governor Christie said that people like Halfacre should be "kicked out" of the system." Christie never said that. In fact, Halfacre's endorsement of Christie during last year's primary, while Sipprelle was donating to Democrats, was considered a major blow to Christie's opponent, Steve Lonegan.
Sipprelle concluded his statement as follows: "As this campaign continues, and Mike Halfacre grows even more desperate, I expect his attacks against me will only intensify," continued Sipprelle. "From this point forward, the next time Mike Halfacre hurls insults at me, I ask all my fellow Republicans in the 12th Congressional District to consider the source."
"The next time" Mike Halfacre hurls insults are Sipprelle will be the first time. Halfacre hasn't insulted Sipprelle. He has raised legitimate questions that Scott would rather not answer.
Republicans of the 12th district should consider both sources...a dedicated public servant with a 20 year record who is raising legitimate questions regarding his opponent's commitment to core Republican principles or a wealthy newcomer who obviously is surprised to have a fight on his hands and doesn't like to be questioned.
That Sipprelle is going on the offensive is a sign that his strategy of refusing to answer legitimate questions or defend is record is not working. He could easily put the issues that Halfacre has raised and the questions I and many others have to rest with honest answers. One can only conclude that he fears that the Republicans of the 12th district will not like the honest answers.
Time's a wastin' Scott. Your best last shot to turn this around is to sit with me or Rooney.
The sad irony is that Sipprelle's release contains numerous distortions and ommissions.
He even sourced my interview with Halfacre to Politickernj and Save Jersey. Why he is using my material and crediting others for it is not all that of a mystery. Sources close to the Sipprelle campaign said that Scott was very threatened by the content my "Questions for Scott Sipprelle" post, and that he considers a critical look at his record and proposals to be a major threat to his campaign.
The pro-choice Sipprelle questioned whether Halfacre is really pro-life.
Sipprelle said that Halfacre is not really a "tax cutting Mayor" because he voted in favor of Fair Haven's school budget while a board member in 1994 and 1995.
Sipprelle said that Halfacre is not really a businessman because he "raked in well over $100,000 in taxpayer money from 7 different part-time public jobs, including 3 at the same time." That comes out to less than $7700 per year over the 13 years that Halfacre has been a public servant.
Sipprelle said "Governor Christie said that people like Halfacre should be "kicked out" of the system." Christie never said that. In fact, Halfacre's endorsement of Christie during last year's primary, while Sipprelle was donating to Democrats, was considered a major blow to Christie's opponent, Steve Lonegan.
Sipprelle concluded his statement as follows: "As this campaign continues, and Mike Halfacre grows even more desperate, I expect his attacks against me will only intensify," continued Sipprelle. "From this point forward, the next time Mike Halfacre hurls insults at me, I ask all my fellow Republicans in the 12th Congressional District to consider the source."
"The next time" Mike Halfacre hurls insults are Sipprelle will be the first time. Halfacre hasn't insulted Sipprelle. He has raised legitimate questions that Scott would rather not answer.
Republicans of the 12th district should consider both sources...a dedicated public servant with a 20 year record who is raising legitimate questions regarding his opponent's commitment to core Republican principles or a wealthy newcomer who obviously is surprised to have a fight on his hands and doesn't like to be questioned.
That Sipprelle is going on the offensive is a sign that his strategy of refusing to answer legitimate questions or defend is record is not working. He could easily put the issues that Halfacre has raised and the questions I and many others have to rest with honest answers. One can only conclude that he fears that the Republicans of the 12th district will not like the honest answers.
Time's a wastin' Scott. Your best last shot to turn this around is to sit with me or Rooney.
Illions: Thompson Arm Twisting for Sipprelle
Conservatives with Attitude! blogger and NJ Conservative Party Executive Director Michael Illions is reporting that the presumptive incoming Middlesex County Chairman, Assemblyman Sam Thompson, is issuing threats to municipal chairs and candidates who are supporting Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre over Scott Sipprelle in the CD 12 race. Read his post here.
Word out of last week's screening committee was that Thompson was visibly upset when Halfacre beat Sipprelle 22-14 in the screening committee poll. Since then several municipal chairs have complained that Thompson had instructed them to stay neutral in the race while issuing his own endorsement of Sipprelle.
So far no one has called upon Jimmy Carter to monitor the convention.
Word out of last week's screening committee was that Thompson was visibly upset when Halfacre beat Sipprelle 22-14 in the screening committee poll. Since then several municipal chairs have complained that Thompson had instructed them to stay neutral in the race while issuing his own endorsement of Sipprelle.
So far no one has called upon Jimmy Carter to monitor the convention.
Janice Venables Enters The Democratic Freeholder Mix
Spring Lake Councilwoman Janice Venables will compete with Vincent Solomeno of Hazlet to be Freeholder John D'Amico's running mate in this year's Monmouth County Freeholder race.
Venables, a practicing attorney in Manasquan, has served on the Spring Lake council since being appointed to fill a vacancy in 1999. She was elected to a full term in 2000 and re-elected in 2003, 2006 and 2009.
Monmouth Democratic Chairman Vic Scudiery told MoreMonmouthMusings that he doesn't have a favorite in the race. "Janice and Vincent will work the room at the convention. The winner will be our nominee." Scudiery did say that he was impressed that Venables was re-elected in Spring Lake last November despite Chris Christie's overwhelming plurality in Monmouth County on the top of the ticket.
The Democrats will choose their nominees for Freeholder, Sheriff and Congress at a "mini-convention" on March 27 for 10 am-noon. Delegates to the convention are comprised of elected officials, municipal chairs and vice chairs, club presidents and vice presidents and at-large delegates determined by a percentage of primary voters in the previous election.
In the GOP, Neptune City Mayor Thomas Arnone, former Middletown Committeeman Thomas Wilkens and Spring Lake Councilman Gary Rich are competing to be Freeholder Rob Clifton's running mate.
Republicans will select their nominees on March 29. The selection committee is comprised of present and former elected officials at the county and state level, municipal chairs and former county chairs.
Little on being a Republican, the rationale for her campaign and the candidate selection process
UPDATE....The video is now viewable. Sorry about that.
In segment 3 of her interview with Grace Cangemi, CD 6 candidate Anna Little discusses her past stormy relationship with the Monmouth GOP, bringing conservatives and grass roots activists into the GOP, her accomplishments in Highlands and the candidate selection process.
Like the previous segments, she covers a great deal in a short time. This nine minutes warrants a close look.
In segment 3 of her interview with Grace Cangemi, CD 6 candidate Anna Little discusses her past stormy relationship with the Monmouth GOP, bringing conservatives and grass roots activists into the GOP, her accomplishments in Highlands and the candidate selection process.
Like the previous segments, she covers a great deal in a short time. This nine minutes warrants a close look.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Governor Christie Launches “Rebuilding New Jersey’s Economy” Webpage
New Page Focuses on Budget Reform
Today, in conjunction with his budget address, Governor Chris Christie launched a new page dedicated to keeping the citizens of New Jersey informed about the budget reform process. The Rebuilding New Jersey’s Economy Webpage will have documents and applications available to the public including:
· Video of Governor Christie’s budget address
· Speech transcripts
· Video messages from various department commissioners
· Budget solutions
· Press releases
· Frequently asked questions and answers
The webpage will be continually updated as Governor Christie and the state departments implement their solutions for FY 2011.
Today, in conjunction with his budget address, Governor Chris Christie launched a new page dedicated to keeping the citizens of New Jersey informed about the budget reform process. The Rebuilding New Jersey’s Economy Webpage will have documents and applications available to the public including:
· Video of Governor Christie’s budget address
· Speech transcripts
· Video messages from various department commissioners
· Budget solutions
· Press releases
· Frequently asked questions and answers
The webpage will be continually updated as Governor Christie and the state departments implement their solutions for FY 2011.
After Shocks
Senator Joe Kyrillos told Politickernj's Max Pizarro that Governor Christie's budget address was "a revolutionary speech for a revolutionary time. I think people are more prepared for it than the political establishment."
I think he's right. I expect Christie's favorable polling numbers will be in the high 50's or better. Democrats will review the polling numbers harder than the do the budget numbers.
In the meantime the Dems are whining cautiously.
The NJ Assembly Democratic twits are whining to their 192 followers.
Senate Majority Whiner Barbara Buono suggested that Christie's budget might not really be cutting spending at all, but rather "only illusory and simply shift the burden onto someone else, like homeowners, college students or low- and middle-income earners."
Our friends at InTheLobby have a great analysis of the speech and the Democrats whining.
You can view the Governor's message at NJN.net by clicking here, or listen to it via NJ101.5's website here.
I think he's right. I expect Christie's favorable polling numbers will be in the high 50's or better. Democrats will review the polling numbers harder than the do the budget numbers.
In the meantime the Dems are whining cautiously.
The NJ Assembly Democratic twits are whining to their 192 followers.
Senate Majority Whiner Barbara Buono suggested that Christie's budget might not really be cutting spending at all, but rather "only illusory and simply shift the burden onto someone else, like homeowners, college students or low- and middle-income earners."
Our friends at InTheLobby have a great analysis of the speech and the Democrats whining.
You can view the Governor's message at NJN.net by clicking here, or listen to it via NJ101.5's website here.
Cause and Effect?
Bob Ingle concludes an otherwise brilliant post at Politics Patrol about Governor Christie's budget as follows:
Christie says he wants a 2.5 percent cap on the growth of property taxes. He said in 1977 when Massachusetts did that, the state was 3rd in property tax burden. By 2005 it had dropped to 33rd place.
How are their schools? Many experts say Massachusetts has the best public school system in the nation. And, as for being progressive, they have a universal health care system and same sex marriage.
FY 2011 Budget Solutions: Fundamental Reform to Rebuild New Jersey’s Economy
Trenton, NJ – Faced with the daunting combination of a soaring deficit years in the making and the continued effects of the national recession, Governor Chris Christie today proposed a $29.3 billion state budget that fundamentally alters spending habits while preserving core services and social safety nets and advancing fiscal reforms to put New Jersey back on the path to prosperity.
Chief among the Governor’s proposed reforms – to shield taxpayers from excessive local spending and tax increases – is a constitutional amendment to impose hard caps of 2.5 percent on municipal, county and school district property tax increases. Combined with other reforms, including those planned for public employee pension and health benefits, Governor Christie is providing municipalities and school districts a tool kit of reforms to control spending and property taxes.
“It is time for every level of government to accept the severity of our fiscal problems, understand and take responsibility for what got us here, and resolve to fix the problems through a fundamental shift in priorities and thinking,” Governor Christie said. “It will not be easy, and it will certainly make some people unhappy. But the alternative – more budget tricks and gimmickry to mask our fiscal problems – risks leaving our children and our children’s children with a legacy of crushing debt and economic decline.”
Governor Christie’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget proposal, as announced today before a joint session of the Legislature, cuts spending across hundreds of state programs and operations, reducing the current year anticipated state-supported spending of $29.86 billion by $1.6 billion or 5.3 percent. It is also $2.9 billion or 8.9 percent less than the adjusted FY 2010 appropriation of $32.1 billion, when non-recurring federal stimulus funding is included.
From a full-funding starting point, all reductions amount to more than $10.73 billion, illustrating the severity of the structural budget deficit that resulted from the relentless expansion of state government over the last decade. Debt growth has accelerated under the crushing, cumulative weight of our overgenerous pension and benefits obligations, aid increases to municipalities and schools have flowed without reform, and the chronic use of debt and non-recurring funding sources have hobbled the budget balancing process.
Even under these enormous fiscal pressures, the budget proposal strives to protect those who are most in need. The budget:
• Preserves the health care safety net by increasing hospital Charity Care from $605 million to $665 million;
• Continues enrollment and benefits for all eligible children into both Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare;
• Preserves access to medications for seniors by maintaining program eligibility for prescription drugs;
• Expands the food stamp program to 185 percent of the federal poverty level;
• Continues to maintain funding for welfare grants to families; and
• Keeps New Jersey parks and beaches open.
The budget proposal reforms and converts the Homestead Rebate Program into a direct property tax credit that ends the costly and fiscally irresponsible practice of borrowing more than a billion dollars each year to send out checks.
School and Municipal Aid
Closing the funding gap, however, still meant extremely difficult choices that will impact funding to municipalities and schools. Nonetheless, Governor Christie seeks to implement meaningful reforms that will blunt the impact of these aid reductions.
Faced with the loss of more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds used as one-time funding for education, this year’s spending plan dedicates nearly $70 million more in state funds to education aid than last year. Still, the use of stimulus funds last year without a plan for replacing that funding means New Jersey school districts will face a net reduction of $820 million. Great care was taken to ensure that no one school district would lose more in formula aid than 4.99 percent of its original Fiscal 2010 budget.
The proposed budget finds savings from a $446 million reduction in municipal and county aid. The municipal aid decline was filtered to ensure that communities would see no more than a $250 increase in local property tax bills. At the same time municipalities, local school districts and higher education institutions will be given a Tool Kit of mandate relief and regulatory flexibility that includes:
• Constitutional caps on spending and local taxes,
• Pension and benefits reform,
• Civil service reform,
• Collective bargaining reform, and
• Management reform
Budget savings totaling $2.85 billion appear across virtually every state program and department and the Legislature. To balance the budget, the Administration also had to forgo a more than $3 billion contribution to the state’s defined benefits plan. These are not choices the governor wants to make, but tough medicine is needed because the disease is so severe.
“There is no sugar-coating this budget,” said Governor Christie. “It is a painful but vital step vital if our state is to regain its financial and economic footing. We are truly at a crossroads. We must make the right choices, come together and act decisively at this place in time or forfeit an opportunity that may never come again. We cannot allow a lack of vision, courage or political will to supplant the responsibility we owe to our citizens and our children.”
Chief among the Governor’s proposed reforms – to shield taxpayers from excessive local spending and tax increases – is a constitutional amendment to impose hard caps of 2.5 percent on municipal, county and school district property tax increases. Combined with other reforms, including those planned for public employee pension and health benefits, Governor Christie is providing municipalities and school districts a tool kit of reforms to control spending and property taxes.
“It is time for every level of government to accept the severity of our fiscal problems, understand and take responsibility for what got us here, and resolve to fix the problems through a fundamental shift in priorities and thinking,” Governor Christie said. “It will not be easy, and it will certainly make some people unhappy. But the alternative – more budget tricks and gimmickry to mask our fiscal problems – risks leaving our children and our children’s children with a legacy of crushing debt and economic decline.”
Governor Christie’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget proposal, as announced today before a joint session of the Legislature, cuts spending across hundreds of state programs and operations, reducing the current year anticipated state-supported spending of $29.86 billion by $1.6 billion or 5.3 percent. It is also $2.9 billion or 8.9 percent less than the adjusted FY 2010 appropriation of $32.1 billion, when non-recurring federal stimulus funding is included.
From a full-funding starting point, all reductions amount to more than $10.73 billion, illustrating the severity of the structural budget deficit that resulted from the relentless expansion of state government over the last decade. Debt growth has accelerated under the crushing, cumulative weight of our overgenerous pension and benefits obligations, aid increases to municipalities and schools have flowed without reform, and the chronic use of debt and non-recurring funding sources have hobbled the budget balancing process.
Even under these enormous fiscal pressures, the budget proposal strives to protect those who are most in need. The budget:
• Preserves the health care safety net by increasing hospital Charity Care from $605 million to $665 million;
• Continues enrollment and benefits for all eligible children into both Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare;
• Preserves access to medications for seniors by maintaining program eligibility for prescription drugs;
• Expands the food stamp program to 185 percent of the federal poverty level;
• Continues to maintain funding for welfare grants to families; and
• Keeps New Jersey parks and beaches open.
The budget proposal reforms and converts the Homestead Rebate Program into a direct property tax credit that ends the costly and fiscally irresponsible practice of borrowing more than a billion dollars each year to send out checks.
School and Municipal Aid
Closing the funding gap, however, still meant extremely difficult choices that will impact funding to municipalities and schools. Nonetheless, Governor Christie seeks to implement meaningful reforms that will blunt the impact of these aid reductions.
Faced with the loss of more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds used as one-time funding for education, this year’s spending plan dedicates nearly $70 million more in state funds to education aid than last year. Still, the use of stimulus funds last year without a plan for replacing that funding means New Jersey school districts will face a net reduction of $820 million. Great care was taken to ensure that no one school district would lose more in formula aid than 4.99 percent of its original Fiscal 2010 budget.
The proposed budget finds savings from a $446 million reduction in municipal and county aid. The municipal aid decline was filtered to ensure that communities would see no more than a $250 increase in local property tax bills. At the same time municipalities, local school districts and higher education institutions will be given a Tool Kit of mandate relief and regulatory flexibility that includes:
• Constitutional caps on spending and local taxes,
• Pension and benefits reform,
• Civil service reform,
• Collective bargaining reform, and
• Management reform
Budget savings totaling $2.85 billion appear across virtually every state program and department and the Legislature. To balance the budget, the Administration also had to forgo a more than $3 billion contribution to the state’s defined benefits plan. These are not choices the governor wants to make, but tough medicine is needed because the disease is so severe.
“There is no sugar-coating this budget,” said Governor Christie. “It is a painful but vital step vital if our state is to regain its financial and economic footing. We are truly at a crossroads. We must make the right choices, come together and act decisively at this place in time or forfeit an opportunity that may never come again. We cannot allow a lack of vision, courage or political will to supplant the responsibility we owe to our citizens and our children.”
Governor Christie's Budget Address
The follow are exceprts of the Governor's address:
“Today, we are fulfilling the promise of a smaller government that lives within its means. Today, we begin doing what we promised we would do. The defenders of the status quo have already begun to yell and scream. They will try to demonize me. They will seek to divide us rather than unite us. But even they know in their hearts, if not yet in their minds – it is time for a change.
…
“Never forget, some of those shouting the loudest are the architects of the disaster we are now suffering. Do we really want another decade of economic failure? No, this spring it is time to clear away the underbrush to make room for growth.
“So, today, we stop sweeping problems under the rug. We will not hide our problems until another day. And we are certainly not increasing the tax burden we place upon our people.
…
“Today, we are taking necessary and decisive action to reduce state spending and reform state government. The problems we have hidden for twenty years are evident for all to see. The day of reckoning has arrived.
…
“We did not dig the hole in which we find ourselves in a day or a year. The massive gap between our resources and our appetite has built up over twenty years. It has been dug by a lack of discipline and unwillingness to say no; made deeper by poor policy choices along the way and quick fixes to avoid tough decisions.
…
“And now that hole is a grand canyon. The distance between New Jersey’s projected revenues for next year and the state’s spending obligations under current law, if nothing is changed, is $10.7 billion. As a percentage of the prior fiscal year’s $29 billion budget, it is a massive deficit – the largest deficit of any state in America, and the largest in our own history – by far. No fiscal crisis we have had in New Jersey’s history compares to this one.
…
“My budget proposes to review state government from top to bottom, and bring it under control. My budget proposes that we reform the way New Jersey government operates; and that we demand reform from the local governments we fund as well.
“My budget proposes that we end the days when New Jersey is a national leader in per person taxes, per person debt, and unemployment – and that we instead turn New Jersey into a national leader in job creation, growth, and opportunity.
“The time for change has arrived, and it is time to get to work.
…
“This plan requires sacrifice by all New Jerseyans. But it is a shared sacrifice. And while holding the line is difficult today, it is necessary for a better tomorrow.
…
“The watchwords of this budget are shared sacrifice and fairness. Individuals contribute, businesses sacrifice, local governments tighten their belts, and we end our addiction to spending. Everyone comes to the center of the room – we jump off the cliff together to stave off certain fiscal death for the hope of economic salvation tomorrow.”
“Today, we are fulfilling the promise of a smaller government that lives within its means. Today, we begin doing what we promised we would do. The defenders of the status quo have already begun to yell and scream. They will try to demonize me. They will seek to divide us rather than unite us. But even they know in their hearts, if not yet in their minds – it is time for a change.
…
“Never forget, some of those shouting the loudest are the architects of the disaster we are now suffering. Do we really want another decade of economic failure? No, this spring it is time to clear away the underbrush to make room for growth.
“So, today, we stop sweeping problems under the rug. We will not hide our problems until another day. And we are certainly not increasing the tax burden we place upon our people.
…
“Today, we are taking necessary and decisive action to reduce state spending and reform state government. The problems we have hidden for twenty years are evident for all to see. The day of reckoning has arrived.
…
“We did not dig the hole in which we find ourselves in a day or a year. The massive gap between our resources and our appetite has built up over twenty years. It has been dug by a lack of discipline and unwillingness to say no; made deeper by poor policy choices along the way and quick fixes to avoid tough decisions.
…
“And now that hole is a grand canyon. The distance between New Jersey’s projected revenues for next year and the state’s spending obligations under current law, if nothing is changed, is $10.7 billion. As a percentage of the prior fiscal year’s $29 billion budget, it is a massive deficit – the largest deficit of any state in America, and the largest in our own history – by far. No fiscal crisis we have had in New Jersey’s history compares to this one.
…
“My budget proposes to review state government from top to bottom, and bring it under control. My budget proposes that we reform the way New Jersey government operates; and that we demand reform from the local governments we fund as well.
“My budget proposes that we end the days when New Jersey is a national leader in per person taxes, per person debt, and unemployment – and that we instead turn New Jersey into a national leader in job creation, growth, and opportunity.
“The time for change has arrived, and it is time to get to work.
…
“This plan requires sacrifice by all New Jerseyans. But it is a shared sacrifice. And while holding the line is difficult today, it is necessary for a better tomorrow.
…
“The watchwords of this budget are shared sacrifice and fairness. Individuals contribute, businesses sacrifice, local governments tighten their belts, and we end our addiction to spending. Everyone comes to the center of the room – we jump off the cliff together to stave off certain fiscal death for the hope of economic salvation tomorrow.”
Monmouth County GOP Moms Meeting
March 24, 10am
Panera in Shrewsbury
Join us for coffee and casual conversation with
Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Deputy Director Rob Clifton
For information, contact Christine Hanlon @ christinehanlonATverizon.net
Panera in Shrewsbury
Join us for coffee and casual conversation with
Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Deputy Director Rob Clifton
For information, contact Christine Hanlon @ christinehanlonATverizon.net
Monday, March 15, 2010
Little: "There's No Doubt In Frank Pallone's Mind That I Can Beat Him"
Segment 2 of Anna Little's interview with Grace Cangemi is jam packed with red meat for conservatives.
During the first six minutes Little calls for a health care voucher system that would give the poor without insurance coverage control over their medical treatments. She asserts her unabashed pro-life commitment. She declared that Washington is governing now without regard to the constitution, calls for the elimination of the Department of Education and unfunded mandates. She says that the federal government's regulations our stifling the economy and choking the free market system. She calls for school vouchers. All of that in six minutes.
You can view the segment in its entirety here.
The last three minutes are political dynamite. Little says, "When we get to the general election I can beat Frank Pallone. I don't think there is a doubt in Frank Pallone's mind that I can beat Frank Pallone."
Little defends Diane Gooch's legal right to run for the seat without living in the district, but says that she thinks residency will be an issue for the voters of the district. She said she is the best candidate for the GOP nomination because she is the only one with any government experience, because she has lived in the district all of her life and because the people of the district will identify with her. "I am the 6th district," she declared.
Enjoy the red meat. Your on your own for the potatoes.
Elsewhere in the district, the Gooch campaign announced that Monmouth County State Senators Joe Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck and Sean Kean have endorsed Gooch, the Monmouth County Vice Chair and the publisher of the Two River Times.
During the first six minutes Little calls for a health care voucher system that would give the poor without insurance coverage control over their medical treatments. She asserts her unabashed pro-life commitment. She declared that Washington is governing now without regard to the constitution, calls for the elimination of the Department of Education and unfunded mandates. She says that the federal government's regulations our stifling the economy and choking the free market system. She calls for school vouchers. All of that in six minutes.
You can view the segment in its entirety here.
The last three minutes are political dynamite. Little says, "When we get to the general election I can beat Frank Pallone. I don't think there is a doubt in Frank Pallone's mind that I can beat Frank Pallone."
Little defends Diane Gooch's legal right to run for the seat without living in the district, but says that she thinks residency will be an issue for the voters of the district. She said she is the best candidate for the GOP nomination because she is the only one with any government experience, because she has lived in the district all of her life and because the people of the district will identify with her. "I am the 6th district," she declared.
Enjoy the red meat. Your on your own for the potatoes.
Elsewhere in the district, the Gooch campaign announced that Monmouth County State Senators Joe Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck and Sean Kean have endorsed Gooch, the Monmouth County Vice Chair and the publisher of the Two River Times.
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