Whelan calls on Levy to step down… on Geraldo; Corzine unpopular with Democratic challengers; Democrats and Republicans debate property tax relief, 8th district Democrats attack opponent over golf course.
ARE THEY SURE WHELAN’S “NATIONAL JOKE” COMMENT WAS AIMED AT ATLANTIC CITY AND NOT GERALDO?
“Sitting on the set of Geraldo Rivera's prime-time talk show on Fox News on Saturday night, Assemblyman James Whelan listened as the flashy host mocked the city's search for its missing mayor during a commercial break.
"Maybe they should get a cocktail waitress to be the mayor down there," Rivera quipped. But Whelan wasn't laughing. The jabbing was the final straw and led to him declaring the first step toward healing the resort's ailing reputation Sunday: The mayor must step down – now.
"The city is a national joke," said Whelan, D-Atlantic, who is in the middle of a heated campaign for a state Senate seat. "It saddens me to say this, but I don't think we can survive if Bob Levy were to come back."
Levy disappeared from public life Sept. 26 as rumors circulated that the mayor would resign amid an ongoing federal investigation into his military records……….
Whelan's unconditional proclamation Sunday heightened the demands he made shortly after Levy vanished, when he called on the mayor to explain the rumors and resign if he broke the law.
Whelan now says the mayor's continued absence has been detrimental to the image of the resort and has paralyzed the city's operations.” (Clark, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_three/story/7507752p-7405508c.html
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST
“A month before the legislative election, Gov. Jon Corzine has been nearly invisible on the campaign trail.
Some Democrats seem to prefer it that way.
It's not that the governor wouldn't be welcomed, said Gina Genovese, the former mayor of Long Hill, who is challenging Republican Sen. Tom Kean Jr. It's just that a campaign visit might unnecessarily raise contentious issues, such as sale of the New Jersey Turnpike. That, and his recent surgery: "It's been very difficult to ask him to do anything for me," she said.
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) prefers to go it alone in his challenge of first-term Sen. Nicholas Asselta (R-Cape May). "Jon Corzine isn't on the ballot," Van Drew said. "I am."
In the 8th District, the Democratic candidates for Senate and Assembly have shied away from any association with Corzine. "We would find it difficult to share the stage with him," said Assemblyman Francis Bodine (D-Burlington), a candidate for the Senate. "I don't anticipate it happening."
Corzine's political advisers dismissed any suggestion the governor has become a divisive influence in the election. They said he remains popular, citing a recent Fairleigh Dickinson University poll that gave him a 54 percent job approval rating, and is much in demand by Democrats all over the state.
"He's the face of our party," said Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), chairman of the Democratic State Committee. "He's a positive force. It would be foolish not to have him out there." ” (Howlett, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1191819417156470.xml&coll=1
AS ALWAYS, PROPERTY TAX IS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE
“Whether state legislators have tamed America's highest property taxes remains a raging debate.
Democrats who control the Assembly and the Senate say yes. Republicans say it's not even close.
Voters will get their say with the November election less than a month away and all 120 legislative seats on the ballot.
Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. and Senate President Richard J. Codey, both Democrats, are making a recent nine-month-long property-tax reform bid the centerpiece of campaigns to keep legislative control. Democrats control the Assembly 50-30 and the Senate 22-18.
Most notably they've touted expanded property-tax rebates recently mailed to most state homeowners. For most, the check equaled 20 percent of their property taxes. The checks averaged $1,051, up from $285 last year.
"This is the most substantial property-tax relief program in state history," said Roberts (D., Camden)…………..
Republicans are unconvinced. Many approved the Democratic plan to send most homeowners rebates equaling 20 percent of their property taxes, but did so while complaining the plan sent no relief to households earning more than $250,000 per year. They proposed 30 percent property taxes for most homeowners and 20 percent for others.
"After six years of record property-tax increases totaling more than 36 percent, all New Jersey homeowners are in need of relief," said 11th District Republican Assembly candidate David Rible.
Republicans contend other reforms are watered-down laws that will prove ineffective. "No one can claim with a straight face that things have gotten better in New Jersey over the past year," said Assemblyman Richard Merk (R., Morris). ” (Hester, AP)
GOLF COURSE IS NO HOLE IN ONE
“The ballroom at the Indian Spring Country Club is called the Aurora Room, named for the Roman goddess who rises from the ocean in a chariot to bring on the dawn and is a reminder of former Councilwoman Dawn Marie Addiego's role in its construction. Addiego was the driving force behind the Evesham course's $4.4 million, 27,700-square-foot clubhouse and millions of dollars more in golf-course renovations.
"We had something that was really an asset for our town, but it was underutilized," she said.
Seven years after its completion, the golf-course project is being used against the GOP's Addiego in her state Assembly campaign.
And the Township Council, controlled by a 4-1 Democratic majority, last month appointed a committee to investigate the golf course's finances – keeping a campaign promise made in the spring.
The panel will comb through golf-course bond deals and contracts and track the flow of money in and out of municipal accounts.
"What really lit my fire was when I found out they took money out of the open-space recreation fund to pay for golf-course debt," Mayor Randy Brown said. "So our kids playing athletics have been deprived of good facilities because of golf-course debt."
Democrats say the township faces devastating payments on bonds issued for the project, and they blame Addiego. Chris Fifis, a Democrat who is running a feisty Assembly campaign against Addiego, accused her of having "poor foresight," and said: "Dawn saddled the taxpayers with this debt."
Addiego was not solely responsible for the golf-course improvements; votes from the five-member council were required to approve spending and other actions. She does not, however, dispute that she took a major role in improving the course.” (Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20071008_In_the_rough_over_Evesham-owned_course.html
LANCE PROPOSES AN ACTUAL DUAL OFFICE HOLDING BAN
“TRENTON When the Legislature reconvenes in November, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance is hoping to spur a debate on the potential conflicts that result when legislators hold public jobs.
"I think you should have to choose a public position," said Lance, R-Warren/Hunterdon. Lance is crafting a bill that would prohibit legislators from holding a paid public job, excluding positions in education, beginning Jan. 8.
The proposal comes on the heels of a New Jersey Policy Perspective report that found more than 700 elected officials hold a second position on the taxpayer dime 38 of them state legislators.
Opponents of a ban on dual job-holding have said the Legislature should be made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience.
"He's so elitist that he's ruled out which jobs someone can have," said Democratic Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, also an undersheriff in Bergen County.
Cryan said his experience as an undersheriff has aided him in dealing with state issues.
"I have specific knowledge on homeland security. I've written bills on legal noticing, foreclosures… ," he said. ” (Graber, Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1191817624100470.xml&coll=8
MIXED RESULTS FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS PROGRAMS IN OTHER STATES
“A decade ago, Maine state lawmaker Deborah Simpson could not have imagined running for office, let alone winning.
"I was going to college, waiting on tables and being a single parent," said Simpson, who had returned to school in her 30s. And her volunteer work on a friend's state Senate race in 1998 convinced Simpson she lacked the well-heeled contacts needed to finance a campaign………..
But in 2000, Maine implemented a "clean elections" program for legislative races. That, along with some cajoling from friends, persuaded Simpson to run.
She qualified for public financing by collecting 50 contributions of $5 each, won the election and rose through the legislative ranks to chairwoman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee………
In New Jersey, it's being tried this year in the 14th, 24th and 37th legislative districts, where 16 of 20 eligible candidates have qualified for taxpayer subsidies by collecting at least 400 contributions of $10 each. (Assembly Speaker Joe) Roberts wants to expand it with some changes for future elections.
But how well such programs have worked in Maine or Arizona — the only states that have used them to elect their legislatures — is sharply debated.
Earlier this year, Maine's Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices credited its clean election law with "encouraging first-time candidates to run," giving "more choices to voters" and "providing a more level playing field in legislative races between incumbents and challengers."
"It's worked great, far beyond what we had a right to think it would do," said Alison Smith, co-chairwoman of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections.
But in 2006, the conservative Goldwater Institute said Arizona's clean elections law "has largely failed to live up to its stated goals" and "may actually harm the political process." ” (Schwaneberg, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1191819429156470.xml&coll=1
MCHOSE STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT CLEAN ELECTIONS
“Money talks in New Jersey politics. This election year, though, a state pilot program intended to lessen the influence of special-interest groups is being tried in three of the state's 40 legislative districts, including parts of Morris County.
All six candidates in District 24 — serving Sussex County and parts of western Morris — opted to take part in the New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections pilot program that had them raise campaign funds from individuals instead of accepting money from large special-interest groups……….
Steve Oroho is the Republican candidate for state Senate in the district while Ed Selby is the Democratic candidate. Alison McHose, an incumbent, and Gary Chiusano are the Republican Assembly candidates. Pat Walsh and Toni Zimmer are the Democratic candidates………
(Allison Litell) McHose, the only incumbent of the 24th District candidates, said she was reluctant to sign onto the program and thinks the current election laws are stringent enough.
"What does it say about you if you don't sign up? That you're corrupt? That doesn't make any sense," McHose said. "The main problem is that we, in New Jersey, don't have money to fund the program on a state level. It's a Trojan Horse — it is a way to deviate attention away from the Democrats' inability to run things." (Van Dyk, Daily Record)
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/COMMUNITIES/710080319/1203/NEWS01
DOOMED
“The state has cut off funding for a project that aims to convert former landfills to luxury housing and golf courses near the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
In a letter from the State Environmental Infrastructure Trust late Friday, developer EnCap Golf Holdings was told it could not withdraw money from a $296 million loan pool because its primary private backer, Wachovia Bank, has pronounced the project in default of loan standards.
EnCap also has been ordered by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission to resume clearing the landfills within 15 days or be in default of a 2006 agreement.
The project has been beset by obstacles recently. In May, the state Attorney General's Office declared EnCap in default of its agreement with the state, and in August it was fined more than $1 million for failing to manage the release of methane at the landfills.
Last month, the Meadowlands Commission gave EnCap 60 days to address numerous financial and environmental issues or be taken off the project.
EnCap officials said they remain committed to the project.” (AP)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20071008_Meadowlands_project_loses_funds.html
PROTESTORS DENY ANY ROLE IN VANDALISM OF CHRIS SMITH'S OFFICE
“Mary Ellen Marino has had enough of the Iraq war.
She is fed up that too many lawmakers from both political parties are acting too slowly or not at all in heeding the message from anti-war activists like herself that it's past time that U.S. troops leave Iraq.
It's a message that Marino, a peace activist from Princeton Borough, and other demonstrators are trying to deliver not just through anti-war marches but also by directly pressuring individual members of Congress through smaller-scale rallies, sit-ins and lobbying of their offices.
Even civil disobedience — generally in the form of purposely occupying a legislator's office even beyond business hours — has become a tactic meant to draw attention and provoke change.
"My concern is that we've done all the things that people can do but the Congress itself is not using the techniques that are available to them" to end the war and even to initiate impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, said Marino……….
Dunphy and Marino were among some 30 people who tried to draw more attention to the anti-war cause when they staged a protest inside and outside Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Smith's Hamilton office on Aug. 29, although the congressman wasn't there himself.
Hamilton police said Friday they are still investigating who is responsible for vandalism that was discovered — cords linking computers were ripped from a central hub, causing a system crash — in Smith's office 30 minutes after the protest.
Several of the protesters present that day have said in press interviews that causing damage to the office wasn't part of the demonstration plan and expressed doubt that any of their fellow demonstrators are to blame.” (Stern, Trenton Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/119181648632820.xml&coll=5
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF THE INTERNETS
“For New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, it gave voters the chance to choose the presidential hopeful's campaign song. Al Gore supporters are using it to draft the "Inconvenient Truth" star as a presidential candidate.
And the slate of presidential hopefuls has used the Internet for various debates — both as a medium to hold them and as a way to respond afterward to questions from the viewers.
Some have called the 2008 race "the first real Internet campaign."
"The presidential candidates have gone to MySpace to personalize their campaign," Rider University political scientist David Rebovich said.
The YouTube and MySpace craze has trickled down to some legislative races in New Jersey for another reason.
"Financially … we can't really fill people's mailboxes with a lot of junk," said Phil Donohue, a Republican Assembly candidate in Gloucester County. ” (Graber, Express-Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-6/119181649932620.xml&coll=2
NOT EVEN GARRETT VOTED AGAINST THIS BILL
“Legislation largely written by Rep. Rob Andrews, D-N.J., to help people who lost their homes to foreclosure or sold them for less than they were worth passed the House by an overwhelming margin Friday afternoon.
Under current law, the difference between the mortgage balance and sale price is considered taxable income. The Andrews bill, which President Bush endorsed earlier this year, would eliminate that tax.
The House vote was 386-27. All New Jersey congressmen voted for it.
The legislation would make sure homeowners "will not be further penalized by being taxed on the difference should the lender choose to forgive that amount," Andrews said.
"It is simply unfair and wrong to tax people on "phantom' income, especially when they have just suffered such a serious economic loss," the Haddon Heights Democrat said.” (Chebium and Lee, Gannett)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/NEWS01/710080361/1006
STRATHMERE WANTS INDEPENDENCE
“STRATHMERE, N.J. – This is a place like no other at the Jersey Shore. Its appeal may be that it's just like everywhere else used to be. It's a place that still has a collection of ramshackle summer cottages without screens in the windows, the kind of little places where the whole house seems to inhale and exhale when the ocean breezes blow the curtains in, and then back out again………..
There are no traffic lights, no boardwalk, only a couple of seafood restaurants and one motel. And the people who live here year-round seem to like things the way they are.
Except for one thing: Their tiny Cape May County town is part of a sprawling 65-square-mile, mainland municipality that some residents contend doesn't provide adequate services to their beach community.
A group called Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach collected signatures from 115 residents – or 83 percent of the registered voters in the town – and last week presented to officials a petition to secede from Upper Township.” (Urgo, Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20071008_Shore_town_tries_to_break_from_township.html
IN FAIR LAWN
“FAIR LAWN — An independent candidate for Borough Council on Friday abandoned his weeklong attempt to withdraw from the November ballot, his lawyer said.
"At this point, our client could not raise the funds to reprint the ballots, and it is in the interest of an orderly election to allow the election to proceed along its ordinary course," said Daniel Zwillenberg, attorney for candidate Allan Caan.
State Superior Court Judge Robert Wilson approved Caan's original request on Monday, but Caan missed the judge's deadline to post $10,000 by 11 a.m. Tuesday to cover postage and printing costs for new ballots.
Zwillenberg said Wilson never responded to a letter he sent Wednesday asking the judge to reconsider. By then, the Bergen County clerk already had mailed voters more than 150 absentee ballots with Caan's name on them.” (Akin, Bergen Record)
IN SHREWSBURY
“SHREWSBURY — Newcomers Rebecca LoBraico and Martha Maloney — the first Democrats to run in a municipal election in at least a decade — will challenge incumbent Republicans Kevin Murphy and Thomas Menapace for two, three-year, Borough Council terms in the Nov. 6 election.
The election will mark the first time that the local GOP will be challenged since the early 1990s.” (Brown, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/NEWS01/710080349/1004/NEWS01
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – NEWS FROM THE WEEKEND
CORRUPTION MAY MATTER ON ELECTION DAY AFTER ALL
“Patricia Rogers of Neptune is an angry voter. She plans to vote against all incumbents, regardless of their positions………..
Melissa Pilchard also has had enough…..
Both women are among a majority of voters in a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey newspaper poll who expressed outrage over New Jersey's political corruption. Sixty percent said they feel New Jersey has "a lot" of political corruption, and that state lawmakers are willing to sell out to lobbyists.
More than 7 in 10 voters said they believed legislators are more concerned about their own financial interests than that of the public. Overall, the poll found that the public's faith in government has slipped profoundly since 2003, when similar questions were asked.
Overall, the poll found that the public's faith in government has slipped profoundly since 2003, when similar questions were asked.
The poll of 688 registered voters was taken days before publication of Gannett New Jersey's investigative series on lawmakers, "Profiting from Public Service: Four Years Later."……….
Joseph R. Marbach, a political science professor at Seton Hall University, said the arrests and indictments of more than 100 officials by the federal government have drawn the attention of average residents who otherwise might not pay attention to politics.
"It shows the voters are aware of what's going on, and they're fed up with corruption in government," Marbach said.
Marbach said voter anger may have risen so far that lawmakers may find defeat at the polls, even if they have not been accused of wrongdoing.
"It may be at a tipping point," Marbach said. "When you get two-thirds of the voting public saying this is of great concern, it could indicate a sea change is coming. It could become a backlash against incumbents."” (Method, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS/710070356
GREEN ACRES
“It might be considered more suburban Gothic than the famed "American Gothic" painting, but state Sen. Ellen Karcher's Christmas tree farm does have a tractor, a barn, a farmhouse and lots of trees.
And there also is a mistake in the 12th District Republicans' allegation that Karcher and her husband, John Hochberg, only sell six Christmas trees a year to barely qualify for a property-tax-saving farmland assessment.
During a tour of the farm Friday, Karcher produced a copy of the pink application for farmland assessment that they fill out annually. On the form, it asks for the "current year harvested or to be harvested acres for land."
On the line for Christmas trees is the number 6 — as in acres, not trees. The annual harvest of lumber products is listed by cords of wood sold, which Karcher's GOP opponent, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, accurately interpreted………..
Tax assessor Walter Kosul said determining the market value and tax bill for the 7.24 acres of farmland isn't as simple as applying the residential tax rate. A stream goes through Karcher's property, and there are wetlands around it, he said, which generally aren't suitable for building on……….
The GOP criticized Karcher, contending that she sold the minimum $510 in farm
products to get the assessment.
But Hochberg said the farm's income is higher than that, and he only shows $510 worth of checks to the township tax assessor to qualify for the assessment.” (Higgs, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/NEWS/71006001
“I DON’T LIKE PAYING TOLLS. NO ONE DOES. THEY ALSO DON’T LIKE BRIDGES FALLING DOWN.”
”The numbers are staggering.
Nearly $100 billion needed for public worker health care and pensions, $14 billion to fix aging bridges and $7 billion to maintain clean drinking
New Jersey residents are probably more concerned about paying the week's grocery bill or the monthly mortgage payment. But one way or another, the state's big-ticket projects are eventually going to take a bite out of their budget.
Just how and when that will happen is a big question. Republicans are accusing Democratic Governor Corzine of waiting until after the November elections to talk about how state taxpayers will foot the bill.
"We all know the taxpayer is going to be the primary piece of the puzzle to that solution," said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris. "That's why [the governor] is so adamant about waiting until after voters go the polls and beyond. No one is ever in a hurry to pass along bad news."
Increasing tolls along the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway has been one possibility raised by Corzine. He has also said a gas tax increase may be examined.
Corzine, who insists his plan hasn't been released because key questions remain unanswered, seems ready to bet voters will accept their responsibility for chipping in to pay these bills.
"I don't like paying taxes," Corzine said. "I don't like paying tolls. No one does. They also don't like bridges falling down."” (Hester, AP)
WHO’S THE BOSS?
“It's been 10 days since Atlantic City Mayor Bob Levy was last seen in public.
His mysterious disappearance amid reports of a federal investigation into the veracity of his military service record, as well as worries about his health, has raised a tricky question: Who's in charge?
Angry local activists stormed city hall yesterday in an effort to "take control" from the city administrator and install the city council president as acting mayor. A few hours later, Gov. Jon Corzine held a news conference on the Boardwalk a mile away to announce that he has asked Attorney General Anne Milgram to offer a formal opinion on whether Levy has abandoned his office, and, if he has, what happens next.
"Clearly, we are faced with an unusual set of circumstances," Corzine said. "I'm not here to advocate a state takeover. I hope it doesn't come to that."
Corzine declined to give a firm deadline for resolving the issue, saying only that it needed to happen quickly.
"It seems to me what the situation is today cannot go on for any extended period," he said. "You can't just create a vacuum that allows for dysfunctional and chaotic behavior."
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, a Republican, questioned Corzine's depiction of the situation as dire, or even serious. ” (Howlett, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1191645988226620.xml&coll=1
NOT SINCE MISS AMERICA LEFT HAS ATLANTIC CITY BASKED IN SO MUCH ATTENTION FROM THE NATIONAL MEDIA
“ATLANTIC CITY – The possible whereabouts of Atlantic City Mayor Bob Levy continue to make national news, including top billing Saturday on AOL's list of news stories, fueling additional media focus on his mysterious absence.
Major news organizations such as Fox News and NPR also are planning coverage into next week.
Levy vanished from public life Sept. 26, the day he signed seven ordinances and city officials said he transferred power to city Business Administrator Domenic Cappella. Officials, his family and his lawyer have refused to say where he is, claiming privacy regulations that experts say do not apply…………….
Conservative online groups have used the Levy situation as another example of corrupt Democrats. At newsbusters.org, a site dedicating to "exposing and combating liberal media bias," conservative commentator Warner Todd Huston cited Levy, last year's corruption arrests and other shenanigans that have made up the past 12 months of resort politics.
Huston concluded, "What's the deal? Is 'corruption' only a Republican thing as far as the entire media establishment is concerned?"
In reality, Levy is a lifelong Republican who switched to the Democratic Party on Dec. 20, 2004. This came three months before he joined the mayor's race in a town where Democrats hold about a 6-1 registration advantage.” (Harper, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_three/story/7507688p-7405421c.html
HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE
“Gov. Corzine promised ethics reforms when he campaigned for governor, but his pledge to end pay-to-play throughout the state has languished without support from his fellow Democrats.
Corzine can point to several ethics reforms he has pushed into law, including a modified ban on dual-office holding for lawmakers, and both Democrats and Republicans praise him for making ethics a priority.
But reformers say a pay-to-play ban and a prohibition against "wheeling" campaign money across county lines are two important steps needed to clean-up New Jersey government. A complete ban would end the practice of rewarding political donors with public contracts at all levels of government, and eliminate a key method of skirting campaign contribution rules.
Corzine said the campaign finance reforms, which he listed as one of his top priorities while running for office, are still high on his agenda.
"We're taking it on and we're going to do more taking it on, directly," Corzine said. "We won't probably get the perfect 10, but we're going to keep working at it."” (Tamari, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS/710070357
“IT’S UP TO YOU”
“Reformers who want to clean up New Jersey's political culture say the job is not just theirs.
Instead, they say, it's up to you.
Sure, some laws could be made tougher. Ethics panels could be revamped, and more could be done to take special interest money out of politics. But reformers interviewed by Gannett New Jersey newspapers said none of those steps are as powerful as a statement by voters on Election Day.
“There will always be those germs of corruption. It is not the rulers themselves who must be trusted, it must be the people, and that leads to a return to civic engagement," said Paula Franzese, chairwoman of the State Ethics Commission and ethics counsel to former Gov. Richard J. Codey, the current Senate president. "All of us as public citizens possess a unique capacity to make our voices heard . . . that make plain that we expect more. Certainly that we deserve better."
Franzese and others said change will require citizens who are involved in their government.
Toms River resident Frank J. Kenny III decided to take action in 2004, concerned that the Township Council was not moving fast enough to adopt an anti-pay-to-play ordinance.” (Tamari and Mikle, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS/710070355
CHRISTMAS IN TRENTON
“In Trenton, Christmas comes in June.
That's when governors and the Legislature put the finishing touches on new state budgets and tack on millions of dollars in spending for pet projects dubbed "Christmas tree" items. They range from new downtown sidewalks to police station upgrades — if the selected recipients have the right political clout………..
Recently, however, the annual spending sprees have come under scrutiny from the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Christopher J. Christie. A federal grand jury has indicted one lawmaker — former budget committee head Sen. Wayne R. Bryant, D-Camden — on charges of using the state budget for personal profit.
Christie has not targeted the grant process itself, but instead is looking for lawmakers who have personally benefited from the annual Trenton tradition.
The grants allow lawmakers to proudly bring taxpayer-funded gifts back to their home districts, but critics say the spending has fueled anger at unchecked state spending.
"You can't make heads or tails of why somebody got money and why somebody didn't," said David Robinson, a Republican Cranford councilman who has sued in the past to block such spending, saying the closed process evades constitutional checks and balances. "It's going to increase distrust of government, increase cynicism. If we can come back from that edge a little bit, it's going to be very healthy for New Jersey."” (Tamari, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS/710070353
A PRIVATE EVENING WITH GARY SCHAER
“"Campaign finance reform? Talk to me after the election. But while we're on the subject, can I hit you up for a donation?"
That's the prevailing sentiment among New Jersey's legislative candidates making their final fund-raising scramble this month.
Despite a new clamor to enact stricter campaign and ethics reforms, there is little interest among candidates to tackle the issue before the Nov. 6 elections. This is the time of year for the candidate barbecue, the overpriced cocktail reception, the all-you-can-eat buffet at the local bingo hall. It's time to hobnob for cash — not take the high road toward reform.
Democratic Assemblyman Gary Schaer of Passaic is holding a $1,000-a-ticket "private evening" with Governor Corzine at the Presidential Suite at the Meadowlands. That's a steep entry fee, compared with fellow legislators charging anywhere from $50 to $500 for their gatherings. And it's surprising, given that Schaer and his colleagues are facing only a nominal Republican threat in the 36th District, a Democratic stronghold.
"He'll do whatever it takes to remain competitive in November,'' said Andrew Schwab, Schaer's chief of staff, who noted that Schaer held an identical $1,000-a-head event last year. "This is his big fund-raiser, the only large-scale one he's doing."” (Stile, Bergen Record)
ADLER PRETENDS HE’S SERIOUS ABOUT RE-ELECTION CHALLENGE WHILE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS
“The Democratic incumbents running for re-election in the 6th District say they have a proven track record of tackling meaningful quality-of-life issues.
Thousands upon thousands of workers no longer have to deal with breathing in harmful secondhand smoke because of an indoor smoking ban he shepherded through the Legislature, said state Sen. John Adler, D-Camden.
Students who attend New Jersey's community colleges can now transfer all their course credits to four-year public universities in the state, said Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, D-Camden, who sponsored the bill and saw it become law last month.
And New Jersey's motorists can now find competitive auto insurance rates in a state where such coverage was often unaffordable for many, said Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, D-Camden, who helped lead the reform effort four years ago.
The candidates now want the opportunity to make an impact on property tax reform.” (Grazyboski, Courier-Post)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS01/710070384/1006
“THE ULTIMATE STATEHOUSE SURVIVOR”
“Joe Doria may be the ultimate Statehouse survivor.
Over the past quarter-century, the burly Bayonne Democrat has weathered political wars in Trenton and on his home turf in Hudson County, where alliances can shift each day.
He lost the Assembly speaker post after voters revolted against tax increases he helped push. His hopes to get the job back a decade later were dashed when Gov.-elect James E. McGreevey engineered a political coup. And Hudson feuds this year finally ended his 26-career in the Legislature.
Each time the popular Doria gets hit, he finds a way to come back. Tomorrow, he trades a state Senate seat and the Bayonne mayor's job for a spot in Gov. Jon Corzine's Cabinet as acting head of the Department of Community Affairs. He is expected to easily win Senate approval after Election Day.
Tomorrow, he trades a state Senate seat and the Bayonne mayor's job for a spot in Gov. Jon Corzine's Cabinet as acting head of the Department of Community Affairs. He is expected to easily win Senate approval after Election Day.
Doria, 61, who will lead a high profile department that oversees cities and towns, is matter-of-fact about his staying power.
"I attribute that to the fact I've always tried to treat everybody fairly," he said. "I consider myself pretty even-tempered and I've been able to develop a positive relationship with both sides of the aisle." ” (Hester, AP)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1191731961182640.xml&coll=1
GUESS WHO SHOWED UP?
“This is the season when Hudson County elected officials hold fundraisers to clear up any debt from the last race, and there were a few such moneymakers held this week. The big one was Wednesday evening for Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise at the Liberty House restaurant in Liberty State Park, Jersey City.
DeGise helpers made some last-minute calls to get support, including shouts to county freeholders. The problem was that the calls were almost literally last minute.
One freeholder asked if the $500-per-person tickets were complimentary and when he was told they were not, declined.
When Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons of Hoboken was asked if he would show up, Fitzgibbons said he would offer the same support DeGise did for the Mile Square City politician's annual fundraising event, a power lunch that featured Newark Mayor Cory Booker but which the county executive and other HCDO leaders boycotted.
Freeholder Tom Liggio of North Bergen had a birthday function that evening, according to other county elected officials. It might have been too last-minute for Freeholder Doreen DiDomenico of Bayonne, but she showed up. There was no way 7th District (West New York, Guttenberg, Weehawken) Freeholder Gerald Lange was attending, and ditto for Freeholder Tilo Rivas of Union City.
Luckily, DeGise could count on Freeholder Al Cifelli of Kearny and two out of three Jersey City county representatives, Bill O'Dea and Jeff Dublin. Eliu Rivera was on a trip. ” (Torres, Jersey Journal)
http://www.nj.com/columns/jjournal/insider/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/119165104643820.xml&coll=3
POTPOURRI
“Jacks are wild – Former state Assemblyman Jack Gibson has apparently been enjoying the freedom since losing his bid for re-election in 2005.
When Rudy Giuliani visited Dino's Seaville Diner in Upper Township last week, Gibson turned customer heads with the ponytail he was sporting.
Fuzzy math – Introducing presidential candidate Rudy Guiliani at an event in Cape May, state Sen. Nicholas Asselta recalled the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that took place "10 years ago."
Fuzzier math – Asked this week how he would help Local 54 employees as a senator from the minority party, state Sen. James "Sonny" McCullough said his response was that Republicans were only two seats shy of capturing the majority in the Senate.
If voters elected him and state Sen. Nicholas Asselta, Republicans could take over the Senate, he said. Just one small problem with that: McCullough and Asselta are both incumbents. So if they win, Republicans would go from 18 seats in the Senate to … 18 seats in the Senate.” (McAleer, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/campaign/story/7507662p-7405423c.html
THE DUMONT DMZ
“There was an awkward moment at the Dumont Street Festival today. Democratic Assembly candidate Carl Manna was walking along Madison Avenue with a couple supporters when he ran into his opponents, State Sen. Gerald Cardinale and Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk, surrounded by an entourage of four youth wearing red campaign shirts.
“Sen. Cardinale! Welcome to Dumont,” said Manna, reaching out to shake the incumbents’ hands.
“Glad to see you’re out working,” responded Cardinale. After parting ways, Manna turned and said
“I think it was only right that I welcomed them to my town. I don’t get to see them here much.”
Manna’s comment reflects an overarching theme of the Democrats’ campaign here in this newly competitive district: Cardinale, Vandervalk, and running mate John Rooney have become too comfortable in office………….
The Republicans are hoping to turn back the tide in Dumont to save their seats, but they’re also rallying the Republican faithful in towns like Old Tappan, where the Republicans were going door to door in an upscale condominium development just before meeting with the Democrats.
“It takes a lot of chutzpa to say I don’t have name recognition,” said Cardinale as he made his way between doors. ” (Friedman, PoliticsNJ.com)
http://www.politicsnj.com/dumont-demilitarized-zone-12445
IN THE FIRST DISTRICT
“Nelson Albano says he is an advocate for victims in New Jersey who addresses the problems both large and small of his constituents.
Matt Milam says he is a self-made businessman who would help immigrants find work legally in southern New Jersey while cutting state spending.
The two Democrats are seeking election in the 1st Legislative District. They presented their platforms Friday to the editorial board of The Press of Atlantic City.
"I went from rebuilding motors in Mack trucks to president," Milam said of his Vineland trucking company, which employs about 90 people.
Milam, who lives in Vineland, is making his first bid for elected office. He said he would bring his small-business perspective to state government to trim spending.
For example, when he decided to cut costs at his Foundry Service Corp., he asked vendors to slash their prices by 10 percent in exchange for full payment in 20 days. Most agreed, he said.
Albano, also of Vineland, is completing his first term in the Assembly after unseating Republican Jack Gibson two years ago. Albano works as a supermarket shop steward.” (Miller, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/campaign/story/7507579p-7405294c.html
MEDICARE
“The federal agency that administers Medicare has stalled payments to thousands of injured workers across New Jersey and the country, plunging some of the most needy into a bureaucracy that freezes their money for months or years, state officials and attorneys say.
The delays started about five years ago when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, wary of paying for treatment that it contends should be covered by private insurers, began reviewing workers' compensation settlements involving its participants and threatening legal action to recoup any losses.
But critics say Medicare's review process is so slow, disorganized and inaccessible that it is punishing workers and threatening to paralyze compensation courts across the country.
"It's really a scandal," said state Labor Commissioner David Socolow.
The backlog of New Jersey cases awaiting Medicare approval last year topped 5,000 — believed to be among the highest in the nation — before dipping to 3,700 last month, state data show. Many of the workers have been waiting at least a year to collect their payouts — typically $25,000 or more. About 250 started with claims that stretch back a decade or more. ” (Martin and McNichol, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1191731974182640.xml&coll=1
IT’S EASY TO FIGHT CORRUPTION WHEN PEOPLE AREN’T TRYING TO PAY YOU OFF
“When asked what most inspired his crusade to replace the culture of corruption with the culture of service in New Jersey politics, Harry Pozycki Jr. quickly pointed to his left and said, "Probably him."
Sitting beside him at a table in the second-floor office of the Citizens' Campaign organization in Metuchen was his dad, Pozycki Sr. or "Big Harry," who was in town for a mid-summer visit.
Pozycki Jr. is chairman of the board of trustees for the nonprofit, which has labored for the past decade to recruit, educate and place civic-minded individuals in government posts and vacant agency and board positions across the state.
Pozycki, 60, told the story of how his dad, soon to be 85, passed up his first real break in life in order to serve his country. He told how his father, coming from humble beginnings in east Chicago, eventually found work at a cousin's funeral home in Trenton before being drafted into the Army during World War II.
"So he's in the Army and they say, "Hey, you know about body parts,' and they have him be assistant to a surgeon, and the surgeon takes an interest in him," Pozycki Jr. said. "The surgeon says, "Harry, you're really smart. I'll pay to even further your education in this,' and so on."” (Racz, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS/710070354
NOW THAT’S BI-PARTISANSHIP
“Republicans and Democrats compete noisily, except when they agree quietly. That usually comes on issues both parties know they can exploit, sometimes for money.
Take a one-page item called "Opinion 26."If you have bought or sold real estate in New Jersey, you have signed Opinion 26, a legally mandated letter that so frightens anyone without a lawyer in any real-estate deal they will drop everything and hire one.
The letter says you can proceed in the realty deal without a lawyer but you are doing so at tremendous risk, and you are far better off by hiring one. Realtors call it "the scare letter from Trenton" that creates work for lawyers, who are typically among the biggest sources of campaign cash for legislators — and who account for a disproportionate share of the Legislature itself, 28 in the state Senate and Assembly.” (Baldwin, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS/710070358
MORE CLEAN ELECTIONS STUFF
“Good government advocates have hoisted Clean Elections programs as the next banner of political reform.
But critics have, so far, staunched the nationwide spread of such programs, which are designed to provide full public funding for campaigns. Clean Elections programs were proposed in 27 states this year.
But of those, the proposals were defeated in 10 states. Action is pending or was postponed in 15 other states.
A plan to extend New Mexico's Clean Elections program to statewide judicial candidates became law in April.
Clean Elections has gained a foothold since Maine launched the first program in 1996.
Three states — Maine, Arizona and Connecticut, which starts its program next year — offer broad public financing for political campaigns. New Jersey is one of four states with limited programs.
Jennie Bowser, policy an-alyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures, a state policy analysis group in Denver, said Clean Elections have become the reform issue of the day for state lawmakers.” (Method, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/NEWS/710060304
IN ATLANTIC COUNTY
“Republican candidate for Atlantic County freeholder John Bettis contends that his Democratic opponent, Charles Garrett, has a "no-show" job with a quasi-state agency that can't provide proof of Garrett's employment.
Garrett says the charge is baseless, that he hasn't missed a day's work in his six years with the South Jersey Transportation Authority, or SJTA, and that Bettis' charge is "politics as usual."
Bettis, a former business administrator in Pleasantville, and Garrett, SJTA community relations manager, are both running for the 1st District seat on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders currently held by the Rev. Lawton Nelson, a Democrat. Nelson opted not to seek re-election to the seat that represents Pleasantville and parts of Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township.” (Barlas, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/campaign/story/7507560p-7405280c.html
“FIRST OF ALL, HE’S A BLACK DUDE”
“John Bettis is not your typical Republican candidate. First of all, he's a black dude.
When Bettis talks about racism, he's very direct; it's not an abstract discussion.
He still stings over his difficulty in finding full-time work when he left the Air Force. He remembers the "For Sale" signs that went up when he and his wife, Doni, who is white, moved into a white Pleasantville neighborhood. It still angers him.
"We learned how to laugh," Bettis said. "I told my wife, 'I don't know what they're complaining about. I met them halfway.'"
Race isn't the only factor that makes the Atlantic County 1st District freeholder candidate a surprising agent of the GOP. His background as an investigator and administrator includes time as a contract negotiator – for a union. Perhaps most unusual: The last time Bettis registered with a political party, it was as a Democrat.” (Froonjian, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/campaign/story/7507556p-7405203c.html
ENCAP
“State officials yesterday cut off funding for the beleaguered EnCap development project in the Meadowlands, further dimming prospects for a plan to put $1 billion worth of luxury housing and golf courses atop six former landfills.
In a letter sent to EnCap Golf Holdings late yesterday, officials with the State Environmental Infrastructure Trust said EnCap is no longer qualified to draw funds from the $296 million pool of loans the Trust coordinated for the project.” (McNichol, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1191645983226620.xml&coll=1
THE LOTTERY
“State officials moved yesterday to rebid the state lottery contract after concerns about potential favoritism scuttled the last round of offers.
Acting Treasurer Michellene Davis announced a new "request for proposal" has gone out to vendors and the new contract should be awarded by April.
Should Gtech Corp., the operator of the state's lottery since 1984, fail to submit the winning bid, it could continue to operate the system through August 2009 under a contract extension negotiated with state officials.
Gtech submitted a $142.5 million bid for a five-year contract in July 2005. Scientific Games, its chief competitor nationally, bid $75 million. Treasury officials decided to seek new offers from both companies. Gtech lowered its proposal to $106.7 million while Scientific Games submitted the same one. Even though its bid was higher, Gtech was awarded the contract in November 2005 because Treasury officials found its system technically superior.
Scientific Games filed a protest, prompting several days of hearings before state Supreme Court Justice Daniel O'Hern Jr. Former Treasurer Bradley Abelow finally decided to rebid the contract for a third time because he concluded it would be impossible to assure the public the MWW Group, a lobbyist and public relations group, didn't influence the Lottery Commission in Gtech's favor. There was a period when MWW worked for both the Lottery Commission and Gtech. ” (Donohue, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1191646011226620.xml&coll=1
IN EDISON
“The political flier being circulated at Edison's Indian festival in August included an ominous warning — "Don't turn Edison into a Newark or Camden!" — while urging voters to oppose a township referendum to create a ward system of government.
Wards would bring corruption, more taxes, and community division, according to the flier financed by an election account for the Democratic council candidates backed by Mayor Jun Choi. "It's scare tactics," said Anthony Russomanno, who has organized a group in support of creating wards in the township..,….
Russomanno, who ran unsuccessfully against Choi's hand-picked council slate in the Democratic primary, said wards would create more accountability for council members and make it easier for residents to voice concerns through their local leaders.” (Din, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1191732043182640.xml&coll=1
IN MONROE
“In the 20 years since Richard Pucci was first elected mayor of Monroe, he has watched the township's library grow from a 4,000-square-foot space in the municipal building into a freestanding center that is soon to grow to 44,000 square feet.
Pucci, a Democrat who is seeking his sixth mayoral term in next month's election, sees the library as a symbol of the caution he and other leaders have taken in making sure their community grows in all the right places.
In the coming years, Pucci said, it will become even more important to balance development projects with land preservation.” (Steele, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1191732079182640.xml&coll=1
IN HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP
“Just hours before voters narrowly approved a budget that cut programs and upped fees, board members in the regional school district quietly okayed a consulting contract for a retiring official who also would collect pension benefits.
Since July 1, former Business Administrator John Nemeth has been paid $12,000 per month, a total of more than $18,500 per month in salary and pension benefits, from a deal approved in an April 16 closed session board meeting.” (Isherwood, Trenton Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/119172990292740.xml&coll=5
IN BELMAR
“BELMAR — Registered voters in the borough who have requested absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 election are being asked to confirm that the ballots they received include the Borough Council race for two open seats this year.
Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle said he knows of at least three voters in Belmar who had requested absentee ballots from the Monmouth County Clerk's Office, who by mistake were sent absentee ballots intended for Brielle's municipal election.” (Larsen, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/POLITICS/710070431/1004/NEWS01
IN RED BANK
“RED BANK — On the heels of a wallet-crushing reassessment last fall, it's no surprise most of the six candidates for three Borough Council seats list taxes and finance as their top campaign issues.
Incumbent Council President Sharon Lee leads the Democratic ticket, running with Zoning Board of Adjustment member Kathleen Horgan for two, 3-year terms; and Historic Preservation Committee member Edward Zipprich is running for a 1-year unexpired term.” (Higgs, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/POLITICS/710070430/1004/NEWS01
IN VINELAND
“The ongoing rift between City Councilwoman Sheena Santiago and the rest of Council boiled over again this week when Santiago accused a fellow council member of being a nonagenarian when he's actually only a septuagenarian.
Councilman James Forcinito, 73, took offense to Santiago's implication that he's nearing 100 years old.” (Zatzariny, Daily Journal)
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/NEWS01/710060349/1002
