"Search" and Destroy (in the name of unity, ethics and qualifications)

Found in today's email:

Date: January 24, 2007 4:01:26 PM EST
To: Marj - Direct Title
Subject: Dear Fellow Republican -1-24-07.doc
Reply-To: m.morris@direct-title.com

Dear Fellow Republican,

We have now had the opportunity to read the candidate selection process that our Monmouth County Republican Chairman, Adam Puharic, recently announced in his Wireside Chat. It clearly reflects a tremendous amount of thought, debate, and the careful balancing of our Party’s missions. It also reflects our Chairman’s focus on re-unifying the Party.

Our Party’s ultimate mission is to get Republican candidates elected. To accomplish this, especially on a consistent basis, we must demonstrate our strong ethical values; we must open and create opportunities to serve; we must “build a bench,” and in the end, we must provide a process that elicits truly qualified public leaders and future leaders, who will be willing and able to serve as exceptional public officials.

Adam, with the help and counsel of many intelligent and concerned Monmouth County Republicans, has implemented important and pragmatic refinements to our candidate selection process. These refinements are carefully geared to achieving our Party’s missions - including that ultimate mission of getting our candidates elected, consistently.

I am writing to you to ask you to give our Party Chairman your full support in this important effort. Adam is doing a Herculean job. He is making tough decisions now, so that our Party can be strong in the future.

I am asking you to become an active advocate on Adam’s behalf - any time you find yourself among Republicans.

Thank you for your continued support of our Party.

Josh

Mitt!

The Monmouth GOP is well represented in the Romney Presidential campaign. Check out the video at Jackie Corley's blog.

UPDATE

A NEW CANDIDATE ENTERS THE RACE

Powerful lesson

I chose to use my power as Chairman to punish dissent, instead of healing, bringing people together, and fostering debate without resentment. I learned a powerful lesson – one that I hope the future Chairman will use to success: Power is finite. Once you use it, you immediately begin to lose it. But influence is forever. If you harness your influence, you can see the right ideas come to light, whether they are yours or not.

.....Adam Puharic, May 27, 2006

Candidate Selection Update

01/21/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

I wanted to update you all on the process leading up to our next party convention. Below are some important points I would like you to keep in mind:

1. No endorsements among screening committee members. Though it was implicit in the role, I want to make clear that all screening committee members should avoid publicly or privately endorsing any candidates before the convention. Stay above the fractionalism and small mindedness of the past two conventions. This is about choosing the best candidate for all Republicans, not one to win favor from a specific geographic region or special interest group.

2. No lobbying of screening committee members. Let me make clear that sending gifts or information packets to individual screening committee members is inappropriate. It is also dangerous if your information is not correct. It is also harmful to use surrogates who seek to tear apart our party unity in the hopes of reliving their past glory days. All candidates of good will shall refrain from this type of activity. In the next seven days, a detailed questionnaire will be forwarded to candidates with seats in contention.

3. Municipal chairs will be selected by February 14. All interested chairs, willing to take part in the legislature screenings, must make themselves available to attend the screening committee meeting on February 17th.

Thanks to all of the good Republicans who’ve offered to sit as additional chairs for the process. I will welcome all who have the best interests of this party at heart.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Having Incumbents Screen is Bad for Party Unity and a Recipe for Defeat

As the candidate selection season enters full swing, the Monmouth County GOP is at a critical juncture, and faces a choice that is unprecedented in recent times.

For the first time in years, ever in my limited memory, we have two incumbent Freeholders up for re-election whose previous nominations were contested. The wounds of both of those contests, like the wounds from Operation Bid Rig, are not quite healed.

Rob Clifton was given the party line over incumbent Ed Stominski in 2004, by Chairman Bill Dowd, Senator Joe Kryillos, and a few others in Judith Stanley-Coleman's living room. While Rob defeated Ed in a contentious primary, his selection lead to the ouster of Chairman Bill Dowd, after 18 years of successful service. We have been in chaos ever since. Yet, we have won 8 of 9 contested county seats in three general elections.

Last year, Anna Little won a hotly contested race for the appointment to fill the seat Amy Handlin's seat when Handlin resigned after her election to the General Assembly. Little has been an active and controversial Freeholder, the likes of which we have rarely seen from a new comer. To the delight of her supporters and the consternation of "the establishment," she has ruffled more than a few feathers by refusing and returning what she considered to be tainted campaign contributions and with her vote not to reappoint Malcolm Carton as County Counsel. In a year when an angry electorate crisscrossed columns with their ballots, Little was elected to complete her term.

Clifton and Little both "defied marching orders" when they voted against the reappointment of Malcolm Carton. Anna defied two different Chairmen when she returned PAC money. Clifton also returned PAC money, though not during his own campaign.

Not unexpectedly, there are powerful people in our party, some of whom are on the screening committee, who want to replace Clifton, Little or both on the ballot.

Little has been subject to a baseless character assassination. There has been a whisper campaign about Clifton's electability, given our losses in Aberdeen and Matawan over the train station controversy, with some in the party discretely seeking candidates to oppose him at the convention or in a primary.

Now, both of them are conspicuous by their absence from the screening committee. If either of them are denied the opportunity to be voted up or down by the county committee convention , it will look like retribution for their independent actions and the return to the ways of the backroom deal which lead to Dowd's demise as Chairman. Their respective supporters in the party will be angry and act accordingly.

The Asbury Park Press and the Democrats will have a field day. In their endorsement of Democrats Barbara McMorrow and Greg Gibadlo last November, The Asbury Park Press said:

"This time last year, the two Republican candidates for the five-member, all-GOP Monmouth County freeholder board portrayed themselves as reformers — on ethics, on spending and on the pay-to-pay politics that have long characterized county government. We questioned their sincerity — with good reason, as it has turned out. Both Freeholder Director William Barham and Freeholder Lillian Burry have established their credentials as business-as-usual Republicans, most dramatically demonstrated by their vote to rehire longtime county counsel Malcolm Carton — the personification of patronage, taxpayer waste and abuse, and the arrogance that often afflicts entrenched officials.

Now, two other Republicans, incumbent Anna Little and Manalapan Committeeman Andrew Lucas, are seeking seats on the board in Tuesday's election, saying they are part of a new breed of Republicans, separate and apart from the old guard. We're dubious.


If either Clifton or Little are denied the party nomination without an opportunity to present themselves to the rank and file at a convention, I can imagine an Asbury Park Press editorial that starts like this:

This time last year we said that, "The best hope for badly needed reform is political opposition — something the Republican board hasn't had for nearly two decades." This is true now more than ever, as the Republican Party, in a backroom deal not approved by the County Committee has effectively fired the only two Republican Freeholders who were are part of a new breed of Republicans, most dramatically demonstrated by their vote not to rehire longtime county counsel Malcolm Carton — the personification of patronage, taxpayer waste and abuse, and the arrogance that often afflicts entrenched officials.

Can Dick and Jane be anything more than puppets for the old guard? Would they dare vote differently than the Freeholder Director or Deputy Director, after what happened to their predecessors? ...

I can't imagine how my friend Abe would argue with that one.

I have no problem with incumbents being challenged. But let those challenges be part of a democratic, "representational" process, not an "executive" fait compli.

Personally, I think Clifton and Little would be a lock for victory in November if they each declined to screen and ran in a primary. They would win the primary easily, and be free of the constraints of the "old guard." The Asbury Park Press would love it, and the Democrats would have to run against Rob and Anna's records, which are pretty good, instead of running against the "old guard."

The only thing that could stop them is the "old guard" withholding all their support, or worse throwing their support to the Democrats, like what happened when Brett Schundler was nominated in a primary to run against Jim McGreevey for Governor. Sure, the old guard was counting on McGreevey being a disaster and the old guard coming back to power after a four year hiatus. How did that work out? How have your tax bills been since then? Anyone remember who the State Party Chairman and Executive Director were then?

No, the best way to select our candidates for Freeholder, is to let the elected County Committee members decide. Let them choose between the incumbents, and any challengers the screening committee deems qualified, if we must have a screening committee.

What do you think? Let Chairman Adam Puharic know. His email address is info@MonmouthRepublican.org. His phone number is 732.431.6664. Or you can just post a comment here.

Either way, don't be negative or cast dispersions. This is not personal. It's for the good of the party and for the good of the citizens of Monmouth County. Really.

Governor Geico

Geico lobbyist helped Corzine write State of the State address

A "Wireside Chat" from Chairman Adam Puharic Update
01/15/2007

Dear fellow Republicans:

Over the weekend, I’ve received a large number of calls and emails offering support and encouragement for our decision to reform the candidate selection process and re-introduce a screening committee that has been in place, in one form or another, for the winning part of the last 20 years. I am grateful for the positive energy and messages of praise. Please keep it up, as it is the only salary I draw from this position.

I’ve also received three emails by critics. So in the hopes of clarifying any part of the process that may be murky, I’d like to take a few moments of your time to expand upon the screening process for the 2007 general election:

1. This only applies to the 2007 election. There will be revisions to the process, based on your input, before we re-apply the process for 2008. My intention is to take the amended candidate selection resolution, along with the outline of the party organization we have put in place, and create bylaws to submit for committee input at the conclusion of my first term. But please know that bylaws are secondary to winning elections. Winning in 2007 must come first. There are many democrat-controlled counties with strong Republican bylaws.

2. The County Committee has all of the authority it always had. There will be a convention, and committee members will chose the candidates who represent them. The role of the screen is to do the homework so the committee has only qualified choices before it. The role of the committee is to choose the candidate.

3. The screening committee is not a representational body, it is an executive body. Our great nation has worked very well with a strong executive branch, and a deliberative body (the Congress) to act upon the leadership mandate. Our Republican committee should work the same way. The screening committee is made up of chairs, elected officials, and my executive board members. It is divided roughly equally among the three groups. No one owns this vote.

4. There is no secret behind the membership of the committee. I was not able to reveal it until all of the members were contacted, and consented to participate. Truth be told, I had a five-year old birthday party on Saturday that prevented me from sending this email over the weekend, but such is the life of this Chairman.
The screening committee membership is:

Chairman Sal Alfieri
Chairman Tom Apostle
Freeholder Director Bill Barham
Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck
Chairman Michael Borg
Freeholder Lillian Burry
Political Whip John Cantalupo
Chairman Peter Carton
Second Vice Chair Caroline Casagrande
Chairman Rick DeNoia
SERC Chair, Tom DeSeno
County Clerk Claire French
Leadership Council Chair Tom Gagliano
Vice Chair Molly Giamanco
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin
Assemblyman Sean Kean
Chairman Norine Kelly
Senator Joe Kyrillos
Finance Chair Andrew Lucas
Moderator, Council of Chairs Steve McEnery
Chairman Bob McKenna
Rosemarie Peters
Legal Council Michael Supko
The Chairman (votes to break a tie)

5. All incumbents will screen. I am especially proud of County Clerk Claire French, Assemblyman Sean Kean, and Senator Kyrillos – who all voiced vocal support for submitting before this committee.

6. I am grateful for Assemblyman Thompson’s council on this policy. He has been extremely helpful, with his prior experience as the Middlesex County Chair, in pointing out ways to improve this process going forward. His recommendations will help to create an improved plan for this and future elections.
I hope this answers some questions. Now, I have two questions for all of you:

1. Will you please forward the names of four municipal chairs from each legislative district who will join the screening committee for their respective potential assembly and senate candidates? I will wait to hear from you before deciding.

2. When you learned about this plan, was your first instinct to trust that if was done in the best interest of the party, or was it to cast dispersions and be negative? Where you sit on this point goes a long way to describing who you are.

Thanks for giving me a few moments to better explain the process.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Then-President Ronald Reagan signs the bill commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday on Nov. 2, 1983 in the White House rose garden.


Friday, January 12, 2007

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman Honors The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman issued the following statement today in observation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday on Monday, January 15, 2007:

“The Republican National Committee joins the nation in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and accomplishments. We also look to the future, and continue the commitment to keep Dr. King’s dream of justice, expanded opportunity and freedom alive.

“Every step forward is one worth celebrating. From the recent groundbreaking for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, to the Re-Authorization of the Voting Rights Act, to nearly 3 million minority home owners, record growth in loans to minority businesses, and the narrowing of the achievement gap between black and white students, we have much to be proud of.

“But there is still work to do. Dr. King fought for equality in the eyes of the law. Today our fight is for equality of opportunity. Today we fight for a nation in which everyone has ownership and control over their own lives, from where their kids go to school to owning their own home to controlling their health care and retirement. Today, our Party and our nation honor Dr. King’s Dream by fighting for everyone to have an equal chance at the American Dream.”

It's been a year of hard ball politics

One year ago today, on a lark, I assumed the allonym William H. Seward to post a comment on Honest Abe's blog. I read about the blog in Jim Purcell's column in The Courier. I chose Seward because he, Presidents Lincoln's and Andrew Johnson's Secretary of State, tried to avoid the civil war before becoming a strong supporter of it.

That simple comment:

William H Seward said...
The Courier article about Abe was the best thing
published in The Courier since Handlin challenged Uncle Joe. Last weeks
Keansburg piece wasn't bad either, a good piece of journalism for a change on
Jim's part.

Hopefully the sting of the boss losing last spring is
wearing off and Jim and Jackie will get back to publishing news instead of
vendettas

Saturday, January 14, 2006 3:35:00 PM



lead to several days of banter between me and Purcell, during which Jim made several failing attempts to "out me", introduced "air bathing" into our lexicon (to his almost immediate chagrin) and challenged me to a modern day duel, a boxing match.

Sadly, the boxing match never happened, as Jim would not accept my conditions:

JIM_PURCELL said...
Say Bill:

Seeing as you're so community-minded...here's a suggestion (since you're having so much fun with the "air bath" thing). How about you and I have a charity sporting event for Deborah or perhaps Middletown Helps Its Own or something like that. We can do something that would be striking... and maybe a little different. Maybe we could do something that neither of us have done before... like, say...boxing. That's pretty fun to watch for the crowd. And, since you're having so much fun with me and my physical condition, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem for yo uto decide about.

I have a friend, Buddy Amato, in West Keansburg, who has the insurance and a dojo (complete with a ring and equipment...if you like) and we can sell tickets and raise a few bucks for our favorite causes (for me, I'd probably donate whatever to Keansburg Pop Warner). Heck, I know that someone like yourself (probably strapping and very athletic) will probably have a lot of fun and walk away with a great big "W"...right? Not to mention the satisfaction of proving something very decisive.

If you want to wear a mask...feel free...I promise not to look. I mean, we're talking about a controlled, referee'd charity event. Surely, since you've been laughing so hard at the "air bath" thing that should be no big deal. Or, I guess, you might want to hide your "secret identity" a little more closely? Maybe you don't want to show up because someone might recognize you. I'd understand. So, still laughing "Billy"?

I'm game if you are "Bill." So, you name the time, I got the place and there's a lot of kids out there that can benefit from you walking away with some charity money. You know what...just to kick things off...I'll pledge $200 of my own money. I mean, it's not a lot, but for a guy like you that should be pocket change.

Think about it and give me a buzz. Can't wait to hear from you, Mr. Secretary. Remember, good causes deserve our best efforts...right?

Thursday, January 19, 2006 9:46:00 PM


William H Seward said...
Jim,

For someone who throws insults around as much as you do, its ironic that you are so sensitive to my jeering. I suggest you tone down the insults and now you want to throw punches!

Sorry if you were offended by my "worse visual" comment, but it wasn't meant to poke fun at your physical condition. Even if you were a hunk, you've got to admit that you and I in a circle jerk is a worse visual image than either you or Ben Franklin taking an air bath.

I accept your challenge, but a need some time to train, and for the weather to break because I suggest that we do this in the true Olympian tradition and in honour of air baths, naked.

Between us we could probably get the permits to do so out at Sandy Hook. The potential money we could raise would be much greater if we did it this way, especially if you promoted the event in your paper.

I'd be surprised if each member of the Middletown Township Committee didn't donate $1000 each. Peter Carton would probably donate $10,000.

This could be a really unifying event. Fred Nieman, Bill Dowd and Vic Scudary would all be united behind us. Both Judy Stanley-Coleman and Jim Wassell would contribute. Judge Coleman could be the referee. I won't even wear a mask and I don't care if you look.

Terry and Serena could take turns holding the cards between rounds, assuming we last beyond one round.

You could have Director Bill be in your corner. I'll try to get Jennifer or Amy. I think I'd fight harder for Jen, but Amy would be more motivated to inspire me.

Like you said, good causes deserve our best efforts, so if we are going to do this, lets make sure we raise as much as possible. If you accept my conditions I'll match your personal contribution 10-1 and you can choose which charities get the money.

Give me a call. I'm closer than you think. One of your staff met me face to face this month. If you call me today I'll give $200 to Keansburg Pop Warner.

Friday, January 20, 2006 8:59:00 AM


This was just too much fun. Even though I didn't know a blog from an RSS feed ( I still don't know what an RSS feed is) I was hooked and had a new hobby.

Since that time, Jim and I have developed a healthy respect and admiration for each other. While many Republicans have an unhealthy despise for Jim, there is no question he has insight and that often his predictions prove prophetic. In his editorial about Abe that lead me here Jim said:

"Abe seems generally optimistic about the club, as do the majority of the site's users, but the county chairman, Fred Niemann, and the little group around him can only keep up the façade of critical tolerance for so long, in my opinion. And, I must admit I am just waiting for the day when one of the "grand high muckety mucks" in the new party hierarchy snaps and says or does something extremely crazy or weird on full display for their core constituency. I think it's more a matter of "when" and not "if." "

That was two months before Chairman Fred Niemann made headlines by calling the GOP bloggers al-Qaeda at an Affiliated Dinner.

In June, while commenting on the Chairman's race, Jim said:

Adam has a point of view. He plays on a team. He's a good person. But his point of view isn't populist. Carton, Kyrillos, Alfieri and Co. will play a big role in making the decisions for the GOP and, consequently, the county. If that is what people want then i think it's harkening back to Dowd and the days when candidates were picked in Judy Stanley's living room by eight people or so.


Six months later, we have an unelected and unidentified(officially) screening committee.

I started blogging here at moremonmouthmusings, long before I had any understanding of how the software works, because I was concerned that my banter with Jim was beginning to dominate Abe's blog, and that Abe might cut us off and/or delete the banter.

Far from a folly and much to my amazement, my writing started to have influence in County and State affairs, on both sides of the aisle. I couldn't believe it when a Freeholder candidate was using my endorsement as campaign material at Lincoln Day. When Fred referred to Abe and me as terrorists and the APP printed it, though not naming the blogs, traffic exploded.

Today this blog has between 200 and 500 page loads everday. Over 50% of the visitors are repeat visitors. The blog is read in Washington, Trenton and Freehold daily. Newspaper reporters and editors stop in, as do bankers, lawyers and corporate executives. More importantly, in my view, rank and file Republican, Democrat and Independent voters of Monmouth County check in and contribute.

Thank you to my readers and commenters. To the extent that this blog is relevent is because of you. Despite the fact that I sometimes wish that there was a 12 step program for bloggers, this experience has enriched my life this year.

Apologies to those who have been accused of being me, and for the stress and threats to your livlihood those accusations have created.

Special thanks to Jackie Corley, "Teddy Roosevelt", Terence Wall, "Elephants not Donkeys", Michael Borg, Adam Puharic, Anna Little, Sue Veitengruber, Sharon Migliaccio, Tommy DeSeno and "Lisa."

Thanks to Fred and Dan for all the content, traffic, and for inspiring the Monmouth County Seward Authority; Kramer Hall, Fred Laden, Mr. Whipple, Bob Hope, Voo doo Airbather, Everyone Loves Anna, and a few others I have forgotten about.

To O Ima-bin Fishin thanks for the hardest laugh of the year and for everything else you provide.

To Honest Abe and Jim Purcell, thank you for inspiring the musings of an active and concerned resident of Monmouth County, for different reasons.

All Seats Are Open. Incumbents Must Screen

On January 11, 2007 the Monmouth County Republican screening committee convened and voted unanimously to open all seats involved in the 2007 general election to the screening committee process. All incumbents and interested candidates must submit a letter of intent to Monmouth County Republican Headquarters, PO Box 808 Freehold, NJ 07728. All letters of intent must be received by February 1, 2007.

I am honored and humbled at the courage of this screening committee, and their commitment to reforming the convention process.

Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Who are these courageous screening committee members?

UPDATE---A PARTIAL LIST OF SCREENING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Bill Barham
Lillian Burry
Rose Marie Peters
Bob McKenna

....more to follow

Michael Borg...

Tom DeSeno
Peter Carton
Noreen Kelly

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does all seats mean all seats? If so, that will be a busy committee, screening candidates for all municipal seats from 55 towns, Freeholder seats, constitutional seats,and legistative seats.

Interesting Reading

Adam Puharic

The Chairman's Race

Tough Choice

Chairman Adam Puharic

Be sure to read the comments. Some are prophetic, others entertaining. One doozy is from another blogger who currently says he's a life long Democrat and Laborer who tells it like it is. Last June he said he's a Republican County Committee Member and Adam supporter.

I won't be posting any comments in the old threads. If you have them, please post them here.

Candidate Selection Process

Candidate Selection Process
01/10/2007

After a series of meetings with Republican party leaders on all levels, including county committee members, municipal chairmen, elected officials, and state party leaders, the Monmouth County Republican Organization is proud to announce the candidate selection process for the 2007 general election cycle. The objective of the Monmouth County Republican Organization is to strengthen the Republican Party’s effectiveness in winning elections and governing at all levels of government

On June 13, 2006, I was elected to serve as the Monmouth County Republican Chairman based on a platform of reforming the convention system to include a screening committee so that all potential candidates may be thoroughly vetted, and only those most qualified and able to hold elective office shall be forwarded to a vote of the county committee. Today, we are making good on this promise.

Effective immediately, and unless otherwise provided under the New Jersey Election Code (Title 19), any candidate seeking the Organization’s nomination must agree to submit to a comprehensive interview and interview process before the screening committee, if required.

The membership of the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s screening committee shall consist of member(s) of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, constitutional officers, member(s) of the State Legislature, municipal chairs from geographically diverse parts of the county, executive board members, and at-large members.

A complete reading of the candidate selection process is below. Future announcements may follow.

RESOLUTION CREATING THE
MONMOUTH COUNTY REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION’S
CANDIDATE SCREENING PROCESS

WHEREAS, the objective of the Monmouth County Republican Organization is to strengthen the Republican Party’s effectiveness in winning elections and governing at all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, to achieve this objective the Monmouth County Republican Organization must recruit the most highly qualified and ethical candidates that embody Republican values and principles;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, unless otherwise provided under the New Jersey Election Code (Title 19):

(1) Any candidate seeking federal, state or county office, who wishes to seek the endorsement of the Monmouth County Republican Organization, must by February 1 of the year of the Republican primary election, file a letter of intent to seek the Organization’s nomination for the office sought.

(2) Any candidate seeking the Organization’s nomination who is not an incumbent having served a full term in the office sought, must:

(a) submit a detailed resume;

(b) provide any and all additional information as determined by the Chairman which may be required in writing;

(b) participate in a full and complete interview and interview process with the screening committee;

(c) if successfully screened, agree to participate in a Republican county convention; and

(d) agree that should they lose the Republican county convention, they will support the winner of the Convention and agree not to run against the Monmouth County Republican line as established by the Chairman.

(3) The Monmouth County Republican Chairman reserves the right to require any incumbent to participate in the selection process and submit themselves before the screening committee. If the Chairman exercises this option, his decision must be ratified by a majority vote of the screening committee. In the event the candidate shall not be required to submit themselves to the screening process, they will appear directly at the County Convention.

(4) Only those approved by a simple majority vote of the screening committee may participate in a Republican county convention to seek the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s endorsement and use of the Organization’s official slogan on the Republican primary election ballot.

(5) The screening committee shall recommend no more than two (2) persons per vacant office to be forwarded to the County Convention.

Make-up of the Screening Committee

(1) The membership of the Monmouth County Republican Organization’s screening committee shall be determined by the Chairman each election cycle. The membership shall consist of the Chairman’s selection of member(s) of the Board of Chosen Freeholders or constitutional officers, member(s) of the State Legislature, municipal chairs from geographically diverse parts of the county, executive board members, and at-large members.

(2) In addition, four municipal chairs representing each legislative district shall be added to the screening committee for potential legislative candidates. The additional chair members will only be allowed to screen candidates from their respective districts.

(3) No potential Republican nominee for the Organization’s endorsement serving on the screening committee may vote on their own screening, but may vote on others taking place during the same year.

(4) All members of the screening committee shall be selected by the Monmouth County Republican Chairman in January of each year and serve at the pleasure of the Chairman.

(5) The screening committee shall approve all convention rules by a majority vote at least one week prior to any county Republican convention called by the Chairman.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party

Deja Voo Doo all over again, if true

"FreeHowell has learned that the man who wants to be king(Bob Walsh) had a private meeting at the HQ offices of the County Republicans. He, one of his elves and another person met with the County Chairman (Adam Puharic), the local Chairperson(Noreen Kelly) and the Mayor (Joe DiBella). The information we have suggests that some sort of a "deal" was made to make peace. Word is the man who wants to be king offered to support the Mayor for another office IF he agreed not to run again as Mayor or even step down sooner. This clears the way for the man who wants to be king to become Mayor sooner than in two years."

Vic Hits Back

Monmouth Democratic Chair Vic Scudiery responds to GOP Chair Adam Puharic's Miracle at Airport Plaza in a OpEd piece in today's Asbury Park Press.

Since losing two of three county positions last November, and declaring victory, Vic has been positioning the Monmouth Dems as the fiscally conservative party in Monmouth.

In the background, Democratic activists have been seeking to exploit dissension in the GOP by recruiting frustrated GOP talent, office holders and activists, to switch sides. Look for this effort to escalate as the nominating process heats up.

From the Chairman

2007 Organizational Update: A "Wireside Chat" from Chairman Adam Puharic 01/08/2007

On June 13, 2006, the Monmouth County Republican Committee honored me with the great responsibilities to serve as County Chairman. I campaigned on a platform to unify the party based on three guiding principles: (1) professionalize the organization; (2) raise campaign funds ethically; and (3) concentrate our energies on defeating Democrats—not each other.

With the new year upon us and the dawn of another election cycle, we take the next step in this process through the development of new policies for candidate selection and conventions. As the Asbury Park Press quoted me upon becoming your chairman on June 14, 2006: “Puharic pledged not to abolish the practice of holding county conventions to pick the Republican candidates. He proposed creating... a screening committee for candidates before they are put to a vote of the committeemen and women.”

A Chairman will be measured by his record of wins and losses. I take the loss of Andrew Lucas’ seat personally, and the buck stops here. With this tough experience behind us, I am even more convinced about the need to reform the candidate selection process.

We must make sure no future Republican candidate ever faces a divided base of powerbrokers and convention fanatics – angry that their candidate did not win. Many of the loud convention voices fell silent during the campaign trail, not raising money, not putting up signs, not interested in anything other than their own self-aggrandizement.

This weekend, therefore, I have briefed Republican elected officials throughout the county of my intention to implement a screening committee prior to any county convention. Based on their input, I will modify my original plan design to accommodate their concerns. I have briefed my executive committee, and explained my intentions to the council of chairs during our December meeting.

In the coming days, I will explain the process, including:

The structure of the screening committee and the procedures for dealing with vacancies and incumbents;

The deadlines for interested parties submitting letters of intent;

The process for thoroughly vetting all candidates and forwarding the most qualified;

The schedule for screening potential candidates; and

The schedule for the next convention.

You will also undoubtedly hear from voices of disunion, intent on smearing any plans for reform. Critics will charge that we intend to limit the democratic process. This is not true. I intend to restore a representational Republican form of leadership to this county party that will help ensure victory in future elections.

My fellow Republicans, you know my values. I told you the current convention system was a cancer. My opponents thought they would defeat us by attacking this position. We defeated them, overwhelmingly. This was a clear mandate. Now is the time to stick together and reform this process. I am counting on your support for victory in 2007.

Adam Puharic, ChairmanMonmouth County Republican Party www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

How will we select our candidates?

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

If you know anyone who was at the meeting on Saturday, check their pulse. No one is talking, yet.

Why the secrecy?

Question about Hazlet MVC

Assemblyman Mike "Save the Geese" Panter says there appears to be no conflict but it should be investigated anyway.

Chairman Adam Puharic rightly calls it the "Miracle at Airport Plaza."

While it is a stretch of the imagination to believe the Treasury Department reps didn't know that they were negotiating with the Monmouth Democratic Chair, I doubt there is anything improper, other than appearances, about the transaction itself.

I do have one question though. When was the lease signed, and when did the State start paying rent on the space. Was it before or after the Monmouth Dems had their nominating convention in that space?

Write a caption

Corodemus is out!

CORODEMUS SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION

Deputy Assembly Republican Leader Steve Corodemus announced today that his eighth term representing the people of Monmouth County's 11th legislative district in the state Assembly will be his last. With eight consecutive victorious elections, he is the longest serving legislative incumbent in Monmouth County history. Corodemus has been in elected office for 19 years having served as a Borough councilman for his hometown of Atlantic Highlands.


"Sixteen years is a good run," said Corodemus. "I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish for the people of Monmouth County and New Jersey. I've had more than 100 bills signed into law, including initiatives to protect the environment and preserve New Jersey's beaches. I sponsored two successful amendments to the state constitution. There is more I would like to get done before I leave, most notably a significant and sustainable reduction in property taxes and real ethics reform. But it's time to take stock and look forward to the future.

"I intend to maintain an active interest in public policy. However, my top priority is to devote more time to my wife, son and daughter. My daughter Katelynn is 16 and will be going to college soon enough. I want to be there for her as she makes the transition."

Since his father, who was a partner in his Metuchen law firm, retired, Corodemus said he also needs to spend more time on his practice.

Corodemus said he is troubled by the direction politics and government policy has taken since his arrival in the Assembly in 1991.

"When I arrived Jim Florio was governor, taxes were out of control and New Jersey's economy was nearly at the depression stage," Corodemus recalled. "Political scandals were undermining the confidence of people in their government. Republicans managed to turn the tide, but now the state is sliding backwards at a breakneck pace.

"Property taxes are driving people out of New Jersey. Yet all the Legislature has done in response is to raise billions of dollars more in state taxes, run up the state debt and spend billions of dollars more each year. It's a prescription for disaster."

Corodemus said one political scandal after another has caused people to lose their faith in government again.

"Yet the Legislature continues to turn a deaf ear to cries for change," the assemblyman said. "Nearly 100 corrupt public and political officials have been charged in just the past few years. The cost of running for public office has reached obscene levels, and campaigns have become a muddy mess. Still those in charge refuse to take any significant action to end corruption and restore the public's trust.

"At this point, I would rather spend more time with my family than spend endless days and hours raising money for a campaign."

Corodemus said it is time for the Republican Party in Monmouth County to find "new blood."

"I am not that egotistical to think that I am irreplaceable," Corodemus said. "There are many highly qualified, honest and energetic people out there who would make excellent candidates."

Corodemus is currently a member of the Joint Committee on Ethical Standards and the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee. He chairs the Assembly Republican Policy Committee that developed a comprehensive plan lower property taxes permanently by up to 30 percent and constrain spending at all levels of government.

Over the course of his legislative career, Corodemus was the prime sponsor of the state's beach replenishment funding program and constitutional amendments creating a $300 million dedicated fund for environmental cleanups. He also sponsored the Health Care Accountability Act of 1998, the Global Export Act to develop satellite export centers around the world to promote trade with small and medium size businesses in New Jersey, and a measure providing $98 million for open space preservation.

Race in the 11th is heating up

Tom Catley, left. Dave Rible, right.



The APP reports that Neptune Committeeman Tom Catley has joined Wall Board of Adjustment member Dave Rible in the race for the Republican nod for a vacant Assembly seat in the 11th district.

Assemblymen Steve Corodemus and Sean Kean are vying for the nomination to replace retiring Senator Joe Palaia.

The Press quotes Kean as saying "it's unclear who the party will support'' for the Senate nomination. Hopefully this in a indication that the Assemblymen have agreed to avoid a primary, which would create two Assembly vacancies, or an Independent race by one of the candidates, which could throw the district to the Democrats.

On the Democratic side, Belmar Councilman Matt Doherty, who was an Assembly candidate in 2005, made headlines by proposing an anti-eminent domain ordinance at the Belmar reorganization where he was sworn in. The Press also reported that Doherty left his job at The Bank of New York to set up his own mortgage brokerage in Belmar, in the same building as Belmar Mayor Ken Pringle's software company. Doherty declared that he is foregoing his stipend for his work as a councilman, but has yet to file the paper work to do so.

"Undeterred, I do remain a believer in miracles." ~ Chairman Adam Puharic

In his "Miracle at Airport Plaza" OpEd piece in the APP today, Chairman Adam Puharic has demonstrated that while many other Republicans are busy jockeying for tantalizing positions, he has his eye on the ball.

With wit and humour, Adam launched this year's campaign and skewered the Corzine administration, Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery, Democratic Vice Chair and likely Freeholder candidate Rebecca Aaronson, and Freeholder-elect Barbara McMorrow.

My hat is off to the Chairman for his leadership in publicly pointing out the short comings of our true opponents.

Sadly, the events of the last several weeks have made it clear that we are still in need of a miracle in the Monmouth GOP. It is a miracle that Adam promised to produce when he ran for Chairman. It is a miracle that, today, he made me more of a believer in his ability to produce. Unity.

In order for this miracle to be produced, each of us Republicans will have to be willing for sacrifice some of our personal agendas and suppress our egos for the greater good of the citizens of Monmouth County. If that is not what we are playing for, the greater good of the citizens of Monmouth County, we are on the wrong team.

With that said, I humbly promote an agenda; By Laws. It is my opinion that By Laws will go a long way to producing the miracle of party unity.

After two decades of iron fisted leadership, it is not unexpected that we have experienced the Wild West atmosphere that we have over the last 2 1/2 years. Rules to the game would very likely bring some civility and transparency to the process.

For example, every now and then there are people who think an incumbent office holder should be challenged. In the not too distant past, those decisions were made in back room (or river front parlor, as the case may be) deals. More recently it has been attempted with needless character assassination.

If there were a process established for such a challenge, say 20% of county committee members signatures on a petition, for argument sake, to get on a convention ballot against an incumbent, we may all be better off.

Competition can be good. It can make us better public servants and stronger candidates. While rules to the game may never eliminate back room deals or character assassination, they could reduce the "need" for such tactics, and produce a stronger and more unified party.

Senator Robert Honecker, R-12 ?

Benjamin Franklin, a longtime writer himself, called his anonymous brethren “a bunch of misguided souls who don’t understand that the whole point of writing is self-promotion.”

If Franklin is correct, might Former Assistant Prosecutor Robert Honecker, who penned a feel good OpEd piece in today's APP be a candidate for elective office?

Why not? Honecker leaves the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office after 25 years of service with an outstanding reputation and high name recognition. He is extremely well liked and respected.

He would be a formidable opponent to Senator Ellen Karcher and it is unlikely that he would seek to criminalize french fries.

I doubt the Republican Party could do better at the top of the ticket in the 12th.

I expect that he would be an outstanding State Senator.

Little Addresses the Rumors

As many of my readers know, Freeholder Anna Little as been the subject of a nasty and baseless character assassination attempt from within the Republican Party. This campaign, which began almost immediately after her victory on November 7, 2006, was initially spread through the rumor and gossip mill and escalated to another Monmouth County political blog in mid December.

Today, the rumors were reported by a blog associated with Politicsnj.com and by Jim Purcell's Inside Clamdigger blog.

I sent Freeholder Little an email inviting her to make a statement. Her verbatim statement is as follows:

"First of all, let me thank you for asking me to comment. While you have me at a disadvantage because I do not know your identity and therefore cannot hold you accountable for what you report, I have nonetheless chosen to respond. I hope you will prove that I am not making a mistake.

1. I realized that not being a "Yes Man" would have its price but I didn't expect such vile insinuations about my love for and commitment to my family.

2. I never knew that having a different opinion about who to employ as a county professional, or which campaign contributions to accept, would arise to a character assassination. Certainly county committee conventions and leadership elections leave a bad taste in some peoples' mouths, but starting a character assassination over who is county counsel, and returned campaign contributions was unpredictable.

3. Friends and supporters have gotten to know my kids, and have become very fond of them. A number of people got together unbeknownst to me, and created a Christmas pool to give something to my kids. Upon discovering this, I thanked the group for their generosity and paid for the gifts before taking delivery of them.

I think it is despicable that generosity, inspired by the Christmas season, has been perverted and exploited by these rumor mongers.

4. While I cannot control the overwhelming generosity of those who love and support me, I will do everything in my power to maintain the integrity of the elected office in which I serve.

5. I have not sought, nor have I received any free heating oil for my home. I have paid for all heating oil delivered to my home.

6. There is no truth to rumors about my personal financial situation.

7. We live by role reversal in my family. I am a professional working mother, and my supportive husband works as a legal assistant in my office. Some cannot accept this modern arrangement. If I were a male attorney in private practice, and my wife were my secretary, I am certain that no one would question my ability to support my family.

8. I don't believe the voting public will buy into this nonsense. I am a hardworking person, like most of them.

It is distressing that a minority faction of the Republican Party finds my success so threatening that they would seek to destroy me. My purpose in seeking and serving in elective office is to provide ethical and efficient government.

My pledge to all residents of Monmouth County is to always be their advocate, to consistently strive to provide improved services and tax savings, and to conduct my life consistent with the trust they have placed in me."

~ Freeholder Anna C. Little, Esq.

It is my belief that those who are behind this campaign of character assassination are operating out of their own financial interests, at the expense of the County taxpayers and to the detriment of our Party. They have no regard for the truth and little regard for anything other than their own money and power. These are the same people who lost at three nominating conventions. If they continue on this reckless path, they will be doing great damage to an already vulnerable Monmouth County GOP.

WHS

2007 Predictions

Bill Barham will be Freeholder Director

Lillian Burry will be Deputy Director

Lincoln Day and The Chairman's Dinner will be rousing successes

There will be no By Laws

There will be more indictments

Republicans sweep in the 13th District legislative races against poorly funded opposition which includes Lenny Inzerillo. Pat Walsh does not run for Assembly, but is elected to the Middletown Township Committee. Sam Thompson retires and Rob Clifton wins his seat.

John Bennett seeks the nomination for Senate in the 12th.

Steve Corodemus and Sean Kean flip a coin for the Senate nomination in the 11th.

Andrew Lucas defeats Joe DiBella and Ed Stominski for the nomination for Rob Clifton's Freeholder seat.

The State budget is passed on time with no new taxes.

There will be no meaningful property tax relief.

The APP endorses Joe Oxley for Sheriff and Claire French for Clerk. Greg Gibadlo is the Dem candidate for Clerk.

The APP asks Rebecca Aaronson to pledge to give up her MVC job if elected Freeholder. She refuses and they endorse her anyway.

Meet Governor Kris Kolluri

UPDATE

The power went to his head. He knows better than the residents of Monmouth County.


Governor for a day.

Rest in Peace

Naughty or Nice?

Merry Christmas to all.

PAPAROZZI CLARIFIES FLEET MESS. IMPLORES APP TO REPORT ACCURATELY

County Administrator Lou Paparozzi did an admirable job responding to the APP's "Monmouth Vehicle Fleet Grows" propaganda which was published last Sunday.

Anyone who bothered to read the front page story realized the headline didn't match the "facts" reported in the story. Cullinane and Hidlay were once again twisting the facts and only reporting part of the story, just as they did with the Legal Department reforms articles back in August.

Lou ends his piece, "Once again, we implore the Press to report all of the facts, and in the proper context."

That's a reasonable request, and it would better serve the APP's readers.

That's alot of garbage

Barham turns hot air into cold cash

Great work Bill. Let's reduce taxes with that money, rather than spending it.

Christmas Cards

During this special time of year when we remember and acknowledge our family, friends and associates, I encourage you to remember the ACLU with a Christmas card. Not a Holiday card, but a Chirstmas card.

The address is:

ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004

You might want to write "Gift enclosed" on the envelope.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Just in case you missed it, Gus Toomey III wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving)

Howell still radioactive

"If you claim to have had your fill, you aint seen nothing yet."

Part Grisham novel, part soap opera without the sex (yet?), FreeHowell is a new tell all blog by a disgruntled former insider of the Walsh campaign in Howell.

It is a compelling, entertaining and somewhat believable read.

Who would have thought that Fred Neimann and Sue Veitengruber would be playing for the same team?

Who would have thought that Joe DiBella was only conditionally Fred's horse in the Freeholder nomination races?

While its not quite 24, I am looking forward to the next post.

Principled Leader

Time after time she has overcome the powerful moneyed interests and beaten the odds.

Time after time she follows her conscience and instincts...That angel on her shoulder that some call integrity.

Time after time she has baffled and defied those who have underestimated her.

Not two weeks after her victory, those who can't beat her and won't join her are again plotting a futile attempt to replace her.

She has become the face reform in our county party and our county government, at the time we need it most.

Tuesday November 21, Anna C. Little of Highlands will be sworn in to complete her term. 7pm at the Hall of Records, with a Victory Celebration to follow.

An overflow crowd would send a powerful message to those who would undermine her.

Be prepared to buy a drink or two, in the event that the crowd is too large. This is a new era, and she returned questionable donations.

What if....

Sam Thompson retires?
Does Rob Clifton run for Sam's Assembly seat? If so, who runs for Rob's Freeholder seat?


Steve Corodemus and Sean Kean have a primary for the 11th's Senate seat?
Does Anna Little run for an open Assembly seat? If so, who runs for Anna's Freeholder seat?

Bill Barham is not Director next year?
Who will the Director be?

Does Bill run for an open Assembly seat? Does he challenge Corodemus and Kean for the Senate seat? If so, could Barham and Little be running mates?

Jen Beck does not challenge Ellen Karcher?

Does Lillian Burry run against Karcher?

Is it time to talk about By Laws?

Now that a hard fought election, with bittersweet results, is behind us, what better time to get to work creating the rules under which our county party is governed.

Spring will be here before we know it, with multiple candidates vying for spots on the county and legislative ballots. The candidate selection process and other party rules should be in place by the end of February and I imagine would require a convention for ratification.

Time to get busy.

Democrats ♥ Barbara Mc Clure

Andrea Alexander of the Asbury Park Press reports that the Republicans ♥ BARBARA McMORROW signs were the handy work of Barbara McClure of Ocean Township, a childhood friend of McMorrow's, and not that of Joe DiBella, Lillian Burry or Tom Powers.

Notably, McClure couldn't say how many signs were ordered or distributed.

What happened and where do we go from here?

The Asbury Park Press Editorial Board argues that the election results are a "Nightmare" for the Monmouth GOP. Chairman Puharic says we fought back the tide of the Democrats national success.

Both the APP and Puharic got it wrong.

While Barbara McMorrow's election is historic and significant after 2 decades of all Republican rule, that we won two of three county seats up for grabs is not a nightmare. Operation Bid Rig was a nightmare, and so far we have survived very well.

That Tom Kean Jr carried Monmouth with 53% of the vote disproves Puharic's thesis. The national tide was more of a ripple on Monmouth's shores.

McMorrow's win can be attributed to several factors other than "local voters fed up with corrupt, free-spending, patronage practicing county Republicans." as the APP says. There still are some such Republicans in Monmouth County, but they weren't on the ballot this year.

With no incumbents in the race, McMorrow's victory can be chalked up to name recognition, given that this is her second time out. The APP's endorsement no doubt helped, but was not decisive, as Anna Little's victory proves. The Republicans ♥ BARBARA McMORROW movement, rumored to be supported by both supporters of Joe DiBella and Lillian Burry, also was a factor. Not that the signs made a difference in and of themselves. They didn't. The signs were demonstrations that Republican support for Andrew Lucas was weak and divided.

That Lucas's support was weak and divided is only in part his own doing. He was selected, by one vote, by the reformers of the party, but then embraced the old guard in the chairman's race and continued to dance with both sides throughout the summer and most of the fall. He failed to identify himself as a reformer to an electorate that is still angry over the culture of corruption exposed by Operation Bid Rig. His weak endorsement of Anna Little's position on the county counsel fiasco came too late to be considered anything but pandering. He tried to cruise in by offending neither side. Not a bad strategy for a rookie, but not enough to carry the day in this environment.

Why would DiBella's support of Lucas be lukewarm? Heck, he lost the nominations to both Freeholder candidates by the thinnest of margins, and McMorrow is from his town. His ticket had a tough race and took a "thumping" in Howell. I'd be surprised to find that he had anything to do with the ♥ signs, but given the circumstances I would not expect him expend a great deal of effort for the county ticket. His appearance at Branches was weird though, especially after what happened in Howell.

Would Burry be behind the ♥ signs? Maybe, but that will have to wait for another post, and the answer may not be apparent until January.

Enough about what didn't work.

What worked and why did Anna Little and Rose Marie Peters win?

Little won because she established herself as a reformer and not part of the old corrupt culture. Her refusal of Fred Neimann's PAC money in the spring and again in October, along with her vote against the rehiring of Malcolm Carton as county counsel, convinced the electorate that she is the real deal. Her independence, which can drive her colleagues crazy, won over the voters, if not the APP who couldn't get beyond how she handled her resignation in Highlands.

Peters won because she is clearly better qualified than Bova-Scarano, because no one really cares about who the Surrogate is, and because neither the APP nor the Democrats made an issue of the her only vulnerability.

Where do we go from here?

As a party we need to unite behind a reform agenda. The Freeholder Board needs to cut spending and taxes. We can't have anymore county counsel type headlines. The Republican Freeholders need to unite as four reformers, and prevent McMorrow from taking credit for the reforms, otherwise we lose another seat, maybe two next year.

Rob Clifton, who's seat is up next year, needs to firm up his reformer credentials. He made a good start with his county counsel vote, but the Democrats will come after him on the Matawan Train Station next year. He needs to do a great deal more to make that story ancient history and he needs to do it before he faces a convention or primary challenge. The old playbook for a Republican incumbent doesn't work anymore.

The Sheriff is fine and only a major scandal will hurt him. However, he needs to exert more leadership within the party. The Chairmanship was his for the taking and he passed. Our Chairman had a good rookie season, but he is not universally respected and he needs seasoning and guidance. Only the Sheriff can provide that.

If she keeps doing what she's been doing, Freeholder Little will be fine, in which ever race she runs in next year.

The legislative races in the 11th, 12th and 13th districts are frought with danger.

In the 11th, it looks like there will be a primary between Steve Corodemus and Sean Kean. That will leave two open Assembly seats. This should be avoided, and it will require Corodemus to swallow his pride. Wall Township kept Corodemus and Kean in office last year and Wall Township will overwhelmingly vote for Kean, ending Corodemus's legislative career. While Corodemus has seniority and is a better legislator, Kean is a better campaigner and has union support, in addition to Wall. If there is no primary, Kean, Corodemus and Dave Rubell are the winning ticket in another race against well funded rookies. If there is a primary, look for Anna Little to move from Freehold to Trenton in Corodemus's seat, and look for the Democrats to take control in Freehold. Not a good scenario.

In the 12th, Jen Beck shoud not challenge Senator Trans Fats. It is not worth risking the district entirely. Jen cruises to victory and Declan O'Scanlon can beat the goose defender this time out. We need a well heeled new comer to challenge Karcher. Mayor Kleinberg is a long shot.

In the 13th, Senator Kryillos will have a well funded challenge and the Matawan Train Station will be the issue. If Thompson runs, he wins. Amy Handlin is a lock for re-election.

We remain vulnerable on several levels, but our voters are still Republicans. If we listen to them and respond accordingly we win.

If there are anymore Bid Rig indictments, and there might be, we are in deep doo doo, unless we have a definative break from the past before they hit.

It is true

Republicans ♥
BARBARA
McMORROW

It is true, Republicans do love Barbara McMorrow.

We love her because for two years in a row, when we were at our most vulnerable, she ran inept campaigns against us.

Monmouth RastaMan Nails It!

The Asbury Park Press’s editorial that should have been printed but you will never see

We support Anna Little and Andrew Lucas for Freeholder because we (APP) have been tricked..

What has really changed in a year?

From the Asbury Park Press Editorial of October 30,2005 :

"The Democratic candidates, Manalapan Committeewoman Rebecca Aaronson and former Freehold Borough Councilwoman and Howell High School Principal Barbara McMorrow, of Freehold Township, have run lackluster campaigns. They have failed to demonstrate the grasp of details or the fire in the belly needed to rouse the current board from its lethargy."

Is Gibadlo that much better than Aaronson was?

Has McMorrow developed a grasp of the details or developed a firey belly?

Does this "Gang's" campaign have more luster than last year?

In their latest embarrassment, "The Gang" has put out a campaign piece (with the Governor's money and union money) claiming that Beverly Bova-Scarano was endorsed by the Asbury Park Press. She was not. Will the APP cover the latest gaff?

There are two proven reformers running for freeholder in Monmouth County, and they both have excellent track records. Their names are Andrew Lucas and Anna Little.

Pass it on!

Our winning team, Peters, Lucas and Little, have a great commercial. Perhaps you've seen it on cable.

View it here, and pass it on.

Tommy Turns the Tables on The APP

Nice going Tom.

I can't wait to see the TriCity News.

Whoops! She did it again!

GOP freeholder returns $4,013 raised by party


“Integrity is the essence of everything successful.”
Richard Buckminster Fuller

Go Get'em Adam!

Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic

ON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, DEM BOOKKEEPER DEFENDS WHEELING-

1 Year Ago Dems Took Buckets of Outside Campaign Cash, Set to Do it Again -

Freehold Borough, NJ: Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic today said that Monmouth Democrats are defending wheeling by attempting to redefine their practice of accepting excessive amounts of campaign cash raised from outside of the county in the final days of the campaign.

"The precedent has been set and I expect them to do it again this year," said Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic. "Why else would their own bookkeeper look to defend this practice with only days to go in the campaign?"

In a letter to the editor yesterday, the Democrat treasurer charged with overseeing their party's finances defended wheeling and attempted to belittle the serious negative impact it has on elections. Last year, Monmouth Democrats wheeled in over $200,000 between October 26 and Election Day.

"They are attempting to mislead voters into thinking what they are about to do is acceptable," Puharic said. "The simple fact is they cannot escape from what they have done in the past. We are talking about taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from labor unions, special interest and Camden County party bosses, not grassroots contributions from family members."

In addition to taking over $80,000 from indicted former State Senator John Lynch, Democrats in Monmouth County received over $87,000 from labor unions outside of the county. The New York Council of Carpenters gave $25,000 to local Democrats last year and Camden County Democrat boss Joe Roberts rolled in $37,000.

"The proof is in the finance reports," said Puharic. "I find it hard to believe that New York labor bosses and political bosses from Camden County have a grassroots interest in Monmouth County. Instead of defending this they should join our calls to ban it and pledge not to do it again."

The practice of outside county party organizations and interest groups sending large sums of diverted contributions to impact a local race, known as "wheeling," is one of the most controversial issues in New Jersey politics today. Monmouth Democrats continue to reject GOP calls for campaign finance reforms.

Mystery solved

Why is the political environment in Howell radioactive?

It must be the water.

David Ern, Parkway Water's vice president, said, "The rate increase is necessary to cover the ongoing cost of purchasing water from the Brick Municipal Utility Authority, due to the shutdown of the company's Kirkwood-Cohansey wells in 2004 following the detection of naturally occurring radionuclides at levels above allowable (federal) limits."

The Gang, Part III

19 days to go and the Monmouth County Dems are still looking for tips.

Lenny Inzerillo got booted from their ticket for failing to file ELEC reports, even though the County Disorganization didn't file their's for 2005. Now we learn that Surrogate Candidate, Beverly Bova-Scarano didn't file hers for a failed municipal election in 2002.

Maybe Greg Gibadlo should demonstrate his extensive executive expertise fixing his party's operations before we trust him with the county.

Maybe Babs McMorrow should audit her party's books before we let her hire Charlie Fallon to audit the county.

And how about that PR operation. One would think that this time of year they would be trying to get as much free ink for their candidates as possible. Evidently there's free ink to go around. Chairman Vic, "The Humanitarian of the Year" is the headliner in The Courier this week, with a front page picture and a full page story espousing his generousity.

That Vic is generous is well known. What is puzzling is why he is hogging the spot light from his handpicked candidates, 19 days before the election.

A Big Bonehead Idea

Governor Corzine is again floating the idea of another sales tax increase as a solution to New Jersey's highest in the nation property taxes, according to the APP.

However, this time he wants to let local municipalities impose their own sales taxes while limiting property tax increases to 3% per year.

I could see how this might work for towns with big retail centers and car dealerships. Consumers from Matawan would be paying for the education of Eatontown children. But what about the towns without large centers of commerce to generate sales tax revenue? How many drinks would they have to sell at bars in Sea Bright to send a kid to Shore Regional.

I have a better idea Governor. Tell your ex-girlfriend the party is really over and the unions have to chip in to make the state more affordable. Tell Chairman Joe Crony that there's to be no more double dipping and that pensions are now based on the average compensation of all years of service, not just the last year or three. Tell new employees, sorry no pension, but you can have a 401K.

The Asbury Park Press gives new life to the floundering Dems

Bob Cullinane, right



Skip Hidlay


Meet the new driving force behind the Monmouth County Democratic Freeholder candidates' campaign; Asbury Park Managing Editor William "Skip" Hidlay, and adventure seeking reporter Bob Cullinane.

Back in late August, a divided Freeholder board, after months of study, voted to reappoint County Counsel Malcom Carton. Skip and Bob were not too happy. Neither was I. It was a bonehead move, politically and governmentally, perpetuated by the two Freeholders the Asbury Park Press unwittingly elected last year. As I said in my August 30th post, the boneheads ceded the moral high ground, and the good will of the APP, that our Chairman claimed with his Ethical Roadmap.

For the most part I admire the APP, and their parent, Gannet. More than most, they are holding greedy politicians feet to the fire and exposing waste, fraud and abuse in government throughout their coverage areas. They have done more to reform government in New Jersey than perhaps any other single person or entity. But this time, they have let their emotions and their agenda get the better of them. They should be first and foremost journalists, reporting the facts and reasonable analysis. This week they got it wrong.

They are not stupid, so I assume they know that their coverage of the Monmouth County legal bills is distorted. They have to know that the reforms voted on in August are not reflected in the year to date numbers that they are reporting. Obviously, this week they are up to something other than reporting the news. They are out to influence the upcoming Freeholder elections, "sadly," they say. That the boneheads made another bonehead move by insisting that Cullinane's questions be submitted in writing does not justify Skip, Bob and the rest abandoning their journalistic integrity.

More importantly, what the APP is up to is counter productive to their own agenda. The APP unwittingly gave us the boneheads who are thwarting reform. Now they are unwittingly consolidating the boneheads' power, at least for another year.

By trying to defeat Andrew Lucas and Anna Little, the APP is playing into the hands of the old Republican guard. Neither Anna nor Andrew were the candidates of choice of the party establishment. The rank and file of the Monmouth County Republican party are leading the revolution for better county government, and the APP is about to snuff out those efforts.

Andrew and Anna are the most competent candidates, and they are reformers. Anna voted against the reappointment of Carton and has asked every department head in the county government to prepare budgets with 5% and 10% cuts, in an effort to make our county more affordable. Andrew has proposed a hiring freeze.

What have the Democratic candidates proposed? Barbara McMorrow has proposed an independent audit to find savings. Newflash: There's an independent audit every year. J. Gregory Gibadlo has proposed selling a county golf course to raise money for teen recreation. These two are clueless, and the boneheads will run circles around them while the Trenton Democrats will move in next year with truckloads of cash and attempt to take over our county and legislative seats. As of now, about the only patronage the Monmouth County Dems have is the Matawan Motor Vehicle office. Does the APP really think there will be a reduction in county spending if Trenton takes over?

If the APP would pay attention to the candidates, their track records and their proposals, instead of their party designation, there is no question who they would endorse; Andrew Lucas and Anna Little.

There is no question the APP will influence this election. Before this week's angry distortions by the APP, Andrew and Anna were for all practical purposes running unopposed. The APP has made it a race despite the fact that the Dem campaign deservedly couldn't get any traction. Hopefully, Skip and his team will wake up and smell the coffee. "Sadly," I fear they won't.

Now we have a race for good government. Our opponents are the APP, who is unwittingly playing into the hands of the Old Republican Guard, and two inept Democratic candidates.

Now that we have a race, we can no longer afford to be polite and promote the illusion of party unity. Our candidates and their team need to take a page from Amy Handlin's playbook and unabashedly declare themselves the reformers that they already are.

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Part Deux

UPDATE

The site now includes a link to candidate info and a list of their contributors., but only those who gave less than $300. I guess they are reading this blog. They will probably have a more complete list by the end of the day.

Need a laugh? Check out the new and improved Monmouth Democratic Party website

Is Vic a candidate? One would think so. But the narrative quickly invites you to "visit each link where you will find information on our Surrogate Candidate - Beverly Bova-Scarano, our Freeholder Candidates - Barbara McMorrow and Greg Gibadlo..." Well, I visited the links, and couldn't find any info on the candidates.

Their press release section is very amusing. After reading the release dated today with the headline "Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics " I was left wondering if that headline was intended to be an accurate description of the release. The release starts with the assertion that "Wheeling" is not taking out of county money, because a first year political science student would know that. Huh? I think these folks could benefit from a conversation with a Brookdale or Monmouth Freshman.

The release goes on..."The Republicans think that by simply mentioning the name “Lynch” that they can point the finger at the Democrats and distract voters from the real issues in this election. What they want is the press and the people to forget about the fact that the Monmouth County Democrats, as an organization, did not take one dime from Lynch and in fact gave the Monmouth County Republican Committee $400 – and that both of these facts are easily proven by simply checking the ELEC website

OK, maybe the organization didn't take a dime from Lynch, but candidates on both sides did. That money should be donated to charity.

I looked all through the Monmouth County Dems ELEC reports, even the ones they forgot to file on time, and I can't find where the Monmouth County Dems gave the Monmouth County GOP $400. Can someone find it for me? I know, I'm being picky. Shame on me for reading what you said, instead of what you meant to say. That only works in marriage.

My nomination for the best gaffe on the site goes to the press release announcing the Superhighway to Ethical Reform:

2)Full disclosure on the Monmouth Dems website, www.monmouthdems.com of all campaign contributions, even those under the $300 reporting threshold.

OK, where is it? Can someone find it for me?

Our fine Chairman, Adam Puharic, pledged in his Ethical Roadmap to post the Monmouth GOP ELEC reports on the party's website. There is it, you can't miss it.

As Dem Surrogate candidate Beverly Scarano was quoted as saying in one of the releases, "Saying that things will change has never worked in the past..."

What's your favorite gaffe?