Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Top 10 Reasons to Write In Anna Little



10. She won't be serving in the military come November.
9. It will prevent Adam Puharic from hand picking the eventual candidate.
8. It would really piss off Bill Barham and Malcolm Carton.
7. The Democrats offered her their nomination. How will they run against her?
6. The Asbury Park Press will endorse her.
5. She stood up to Adam Puharic, Bill Barham, Fred Neimann and Malcolm Carton.
4. She proposed Freeholder term limits and a rotational Directorship.
3. She proposed cutting the county budget.
2. She's an articulate, compassionate and powerful WOMAN.

and the number one reason to write in Anna Little:

1. SHE CAN WIN IN NOVEMBER. JUST LIKE SHE DID LAST YEAR!

Seward's Folly is picking up steam

DaTruthSquad has joined the fledgling movement to nominate Anna Little for re-election via write in vote next Tuesday. A good turnout in Manalapn will make a big difference.

If Howell and the Bayshore, especially Holmdel, and come out with bullet votes for Freeholder Little, a historic upset can occur.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Why wait for change?

Today the Asbury Park Press editorial board once again laments the culture of cronyism that controls Monmouth County government. Their editorial is right on target. Farmer John's appointment to head public works and engineering is a classic example of all that stinks in Freehold, and reminds us that the lessons of Operation Bid Rig have not been learned.

The truth is there are powerful financial interests working to make sure the culture of cronyism survives. They use two methods. Monetary rewards for those who go along and get along, and retribution for those who don't. Buck the system, call for reform, act in the best interests of the taxpayers and against the good old boys and you're in for a very rough ride. The recent experiences of John Tobias and Anna Little illustrate this system of reward and retribution perfectly.

The editorial board hopes that the voters will have learned a lesson come November. Even if they do, it won't make a difference. We'll be trading one group of cronies for another. It would be great to have an election over which party can save the taxpayers more, which can bring more ethical reforms. But we're not set up for that this year. We're set up for a race over which group of cronies will divvy the spoils.

In their early campaign statements, the Democrats have demonstrated that they are not interested in reforming county government. Their first proposal is to spend millions to build a new court house. That's the issue to start a campaign with? Let's have another boon doggle, but the Democratic cronies will get rich and get the plum jobs.

As he has been touring the state, US Attorney Christopher Christie has been telling citizens that his team can't stamp out corruption alone. That to really reform government, voters must take ownership of their government back from political hos. We must elect true public servants as opposed to cronies looking to pad their pensions or improve their economic status. Assemblywoman Amy Handlin has expressed similar sentiment in a recent OpEd piece. In a system that is rigged by the hos and for the hos, that is not easy to do. Except next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday is primary day. With the notably exception of Holmdel, the primaries are uncontested in Monmouth County. Turnout will be very light throughout the county. Last year, with a nominally contested US Senate race, less than 10,000 people voted in the Republican primary in Monmouth. Committed reform minded voters can "steal" back our party without spending five or six figures.

We can write in a Personal Choice for Freeholder. With the new voting machines this is very easy to do. The ballots we got in the mail last week give good instructions.

I'm writing in Anna Little for Freeholder and only Anna Little. She gets my bullet vote. I know I'm not alone, as there a significant group throughout the county planning to do the same. There is no organization or money being spent, just disgusted voters who have been whispering to each other to make this happen.

In all likelihood its a pipe dream. But maybe not. One Republican elected official told me last week, "Two months ago I would have told you you're crazy, but now I think it can happen. I'll get people to vote for her." If my readers from Neptune get on board and rally their readers, 3000 bullet votes are possible and the political establishment can be dealt a crushing blow..

Have a good week Adam.

Friday, May 25, 2007

$159,000. It pays to go along and get along.



Wall Mayor John Tobias is set to be appointed as the new head of the county public works and engineering department. He was reportedly the only applicant for the job that currently pays $159,000.

Let this be a lesson to all you mavericks.

UPDATE:

John Tobias was given a one year appointment at $138,000 at last nights Freeholder meeting. The county's contract with Benjamin R. Harvey and Co. for the Halls of Records renovation was terminated.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Methinks he doth protest too much

Ronald Reagan has another denial from Joe DiBella.

This is my favorite part:

I remain loyal to the principals of the Republican Party and hope that in time you shall be able to end this disrespectful nameless "rein of insanity" generated by a few select cowards (losers) who find comfort behind the anonymity of their keyboard and who lack the courage to place their name to their hurtful and divisive remarks.

Brian Reilly, Robert Kleinberg, Bob McKenna and Tom Powers have yet to issue statements.

Lightshines said...

Hughie Cannon has come back from the grave and seeing Bill Barham's attendance record, his work ethic, his appointments and, well, you know, suggests:

Won’t you go home, Bill Barham? You ain’t doin your job
We've moaned the whole year long
There’s applications, honey, that we’re approvin’
How would you know if they’re wrong
You know that one November
They’ll throw you out....with nothin' but a fine tooth comb
Ya, you know you’re to blame, now... you bring us shame
Bill Barham, won't you please go home

Won't you go home, Bill Barham, won't you go on home
We’ve moaned the whole year long
There ain’t no good news honey, while you’re MIA
You know, you did us, oh so, wrong
You know that one November
They’ll throw you out, a nothin but a worthless pol
You know that you’re to blame, now... you bring us shame
So baby, won't you go home
I said now, won't you please go
Bill Barham, won't you please.... go on home

Grasping for power. Losing his grip.


The Asbury Park Press has reported that Freeholder Director Bill Barham is neglecting the duties he campaigned so hard to keep. By state statute, the Freeholder Director is a member of the county planning board. Barham hasn't attended a planning board meeting in 16 months. Barham fought hard in January to keep the directorship, beating out Lillian Burry who was tantalized by the prospect of being the top dog.

More recently, Barham kept his grip on power by lobbying 3 of his colleagues to make sure no one seconded Freeholder Anna Little's resolution establishing term limits on Freeholders and the Directorship. Little proposed that Freeholders be limited to 3 terms and that no Freeholder hold the Directorship for more than 2 consecutive years.

Burry and Democratic Freeholder Barbara McMorrow wouldn't provide a second to Little's resolution, citing a scholarly legal opinion by Malcolm Carton which said the resolution was against state law. Carton has previously gotten Barham in hot water by advising him that it was OK for him to sit in on discussions involving his businesses partner's cost overruns on the Hall of Records project. Maybe Carton told Barham he didn't have to go to planning board meetings. Former Deputy Director Rob Clifton didn't comment, nor did he second Little's resolution.

Jeff Cantor, who is currently the Republican candidate for the seat that Little holds, came out in favor of the term limits. Cantor and Adam Puharic received a reprimand from Barham the next day.

The Democratic candidates for Freeholder were stuck in traffic and couldn't comment.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Who will be the Republican Freeholder Candidates come September?

While Tom DeSeno and "Ronald Reagan" are generating speculation over the identities of Honest Abe and the Monmouth Garbage Man, I thought it might be more useful to have a conversation about who the Republican Freeholder candidates will be come September when the ballots are final (unless the NJ Supreme Court intervenes).

There are those in the know that are convinced Jeff Cantor will not be a candidate, and that he never was going to be. Recently, there has even been speculation that Rob Clifton may be moving on to greener pastures. Despite his protests to the contrary, Joe DiBella is very much a candidate. Brian Reilly, Robert Kleinberg, Bob McKenna and others are waging quiet campaigns and raising money. Tom Powers misses the attention and wants back in. Anna Little is not campaigning or raising money. Rather, she is focused on reforming county government, which at this time means working on getting one of the other Freeholders to second her resolution creating Freeholder term limits and a rotational Directorship.

So my loyal readers, please comment on who you think the Republican Freeholder candidates in Monmouth County will be come September.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Unethical Roadmap to Defeat


Adam Puharic's Ethical Road Map is a farce.

A key component to the road map is the web posting of the county party's ELEC reports. Last year's fourth quarter report, the one that discloses the bulk of funds raised and spent for the election, was never posted. This year's first quarterly report was recently posted. It is an embarrassment and raises some important questions.

At first glance, it would appear that the Monmouth GOP is following in the footsteps of the Bergen County GOP. We're apparently broke. We started the year with just under $11,000 on hand and $4200 in unpaid bills. By the end of March there were two major fundraisers, The Lincoln Day dinner and the Chairman's Birthday party. $67,000 was received, yet $78,000 was spent, Unpaid bills rose to $10,000 and there was $1800 cash on hand. The deficit was $8300.00.

It gets worse as you dig into the report. The report is obviously inaccurate and requires an amendment.

Among the unpaid bills at the beginning of the year was $3000 to Turkey Productions, LLC for of all things, fundraising consulting. According the Schedule E, Debt and Obligations Owed By Committee, the county committee incurred another $5000 in debt with Turnkey, no payments were made, and they are owed $8000.00 as of March 31,2007. Yet a look at Schedule C, Operating Expenditures, Turnkey Productions was paid $3300 on January 27 and $3,800 on February 26 via electronic funds transfer. I guess Turnkey was nervous about accepting Adam's check.

Does this mean that the committee incurred $12,100 with Turnkey during the quarter and only paid $7100? If so, it should have been reported that way on Schedule E. Or, is Schedule C accurate and Turnkey was paid $7100 for the work they performed? If that is the case, where did the missing $5000 go?

Looking through the list of contributors (Schedule A-Itemized Receipts) raises all kinds of questions. Was Adam's birthday party a flop? There are people I know were there who's names are not on the list. Where did that money go? Does Adam have a PAC where he's stashing that money? $2000 from "Friends of Andrew Lucas"? Why did Andrew have $2000 left over from last year's campaign? Who controls the Monmouth GOP PAC? Where did the $1400 they contributed come from and how much do they have now? That will require some digging on the ELEC site.

Lots of questions remain, but one thing is clear. The Puharic administration is far from transparent. The embarrassment deepens.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

The United Socialist State of New Jersey

Homeowner to homeless


State Public Advocate Ronald Chen wants to put a face on what eminent domain abuse has done to folks in New Jersey. He doesn't have to look far. In 2002, Long Branch took 47 Cooper Ave., the home of Bruce MacCloud where he lived 300 feet from the ocean for more than 20 years. He did not want to move; he was not cooperative with the taking and was forcibly removed by police.

Two months later, his house was demolished and today there are million-dollar condos on his 10,000 square feet of land. Almost five years later, MacCloud is still homeless because the compensation courts have yet to hold his trial. The Long Branch legal team keeps postponing his trial for one reason or another. The matter is so embarrassing to the state that no one wants to talk about it.

We should be ashamed of ourselves. As we build homes, schools and hospitals for the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, how can we stand idly by while one of our own is treated this way? Eminent domain has done enough damage, especially in Long Branch. The most recent city budget has a substantial increase in our taxes. Obviously, the redevelopment of Long Branch, as pretty as it may be, hasn't even provided economic relief to the taxpayers. Yet it continues.

Eminent domain threatens the quality of life for property owners and taxpayers alike. Gov. Corzine needs to call for a moratorium on all seizures of private property and require all takings in the state to gain approval through Chen's office. Local boards who have the power to abuse eminent domain should have to answer to a higher power, before they destroy the quality of life for one more family.

The Rev. Kevin Brown

Reverand Browns letter was published in today's Asbury Park Press

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Email from Bret Schundler. Thanks Bret.

"The ice is melting...the sea is rising...hurricanes are blowing...and it's all your fault. Scared? Don't be. It isn't true."

Thus begins a fantastic documentary, "The Great Global Warming Swindle," that you can view by copying the following link into your internet browser:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2332531355859226455

The documentary argues that global warming is taking place, but is not man-made, and will not have catastrophic cirmcumstances. The film also examines how it is that political left-wingers have managed to con the world about the threat (although not scientific specialists in the field), so they can advance an ideological agenda that is a very grave danger to people everywhere.

I strongly encourage you to view this film, and then to email the link to your friends, encouraging them to view it, as well.

Sincerely,

Bret Schundler


The video is 1 hour 16 minutes long.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

South Amboy Councilman called back to Iraq

John F. O’Connell, a newly appointed councilman in South Amboy and an Air Force Reservist has been called back and will report to the Multi National Force – Iraq Headquarters, Baghdad, Iraq in early June.

Will Monmouth County Freeholder candidate Jeff Cantor be far behind? Cantor has posted on this blog that his deployment is probable. He told the Asbury Park Press that "anything can happen."

Friday, May 04, 2007

David Jones is a disgrace



David Jones, President of the NJ State Troopers union is a disgrace. In retaliation for exposing the ticket blist his union members planned for the month of May, Jones revealed "Jersey Guy" Craig Carton's home address and license plate number to the media during a profanity laced press conference. He threatened to do the same to Carton's sidekick, Ray Rossi as well as to all the advertisers on the duo's radio show. If you happen to be pulled over by a state trooper, turn off the radio on your way the the glove box for your registration and insurance card.

Jones made an already tough job, State Trooper, tougher. Animous between the general public and the State Police is not generally warranted and not healthy. He should resign, for the benefit of his members and for the benefit of the people of New Jersey.

When I heard Craig Carton making his statement before going off the air to protect his family, my first angry reaction was to find Jones's home address and publish it here. Finding it was the easy part. Stooping to his level, I just couldn't bring myself to do.

You can write,call or email Jones at:

State Troopers Fraternal Association
2634 Highway 70
Manasquan, N.J. 08736

Phone (732)528-6388
Fax (732)223-4947

president@stfa.org


Update from Lightshines:

Lightshines said...

Since David Jones isn't a professional, we asked Roy Orbison to help him tell his story:

Oh yes I'm the great pretender
Pretending that I'm still a cop
My need is such I pretend too much
I'm a eunuch but no one can tell

Oh yes I'm the great pretender
I threaten and attack and I bluster
I play the game but to my real shame
I bring scorn on the people who serve

Too real is the anger I show to the world
Too real when I feel what my heart
can't conceal

Ooh Ooh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh)
They’re laughing at me, I’m a clown
I’m breaking the law every day (you see)
I wear my hate like a crown
Wondering why good cops let me hang around

Yeah ooh hoo
Too real when I feel what my heart
can't conceal

Oh yes I'm the great pretender
Violating privacy whereever I can (ooh ooh)
I’m not a good cop, but I know how to hate
I'm wearing my hate like a crown
Wondering why good cops let me hang around
Wondering why good cops let me hang around