ARE MONMOUTH COUNTY REPUBLICANS CHEATING?

    That was the title of the front-page above the fold article in Sunday's Asbury Park Press, which at times appears to be more of a 527 for the Democrats than a journalistic organ. In it they point out that for 30 of the last 33 years the Monmouth County Republican Party has won the Column 1 ballot position.
    The Press has a history of running this type of article for the purpose of bolstering their editorials endorsing Democrats for county office, in this case Michael Steinhorn for county clerk over Claire French. Such articles are often long on emotion and short on facts. Predictably, The Press consulted with a college professor for an expert opinion.
    The fact is, the selection of ballot position is set forth by state law, N. J. S. A. 19:14-12. It is all spelled out in minute detail and has been for decades. If The Press has a problem with how this is done, let them address it to the New Jersey Legislature. If Steinhorn feels that the selection process has in any way been compromised, it is his duty to report it to law enforcement and not just whine.
    Let's now look at a couple of passages from the statute:
     "Any legal voter of the county or municipality, as the case may be, shall have the privilege of witnessing the drawing."
     Ok, so it's done in public. That's easy. So was Mr. Steinhorn or any of his Democrat running mates present for the selection to see that it was on the up and up? Was County Democrat Boss Vin Gopal (who is not the G. O. P.'s pal)? For that matter, did the Asbury Park Press send a reporter to cover it? Not much of a watchdog, are they? More yip than woof.    
     "The drawing for the positions which the names of candidates and bracketed groups of names of candidates, nominated by petition for office, and for the columns which the political parties which made nominations at the next preceding primary election and for the general election shall occupy upon the general election ballot, shall be held at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the eighty-fifth day prior to the day of the general election."
    The 85th day prior???? That's August 13th! Two months ago! Yet they only print it now? Could The Press be more interested in performing an October surprise than in reporting the news? Hardly investigative journalism.
    The Press, while reporting that the G. O. P. got column 1 for 33 out of the past 30 years, fails to make the connection that this translates into additional votes. Who had Column 1 during the 3 consecutive years when Barbara McMorrow, John D'Amico and Amy Mallet were elected Freeholders? How about when Ellen Kärcher defeated John Bennett for the 12th District Senate seat (not to mention the Dems sweeping the Assembly seats at the same time)? Democrats elected a lot of people to various offices during the 1980s. Running from column 2, Congressman Frank Pallone carried every municipality in his district for at least a decade until 2010 when Anna Little handily carried the Monmouth portion if the district and made serious inroads in Middlesex. And if having the first column was that important Why is Pasquale Menna the mayor of Red Bank and Jon Hornik the mayor of Marlboro?
    There was a time when the print media was openly partisan. You had Republican papers and Democrat papers, but they were open about their biases. You could "see them coming". Too, there usually wasn't a media monopoly in a market. Republican, Democrat and non-partisan papers competed for readership.
    Later, newspapers for the most part shed their party labels and became equal opportunity journalists. Both sides knew that if they didn't act properly it could be made public in the paper.
    For about a quarter century the trend has been toward the media carrying water for the Democrat Party and for left-wing causes. This differs from the old days of partisan newspapers because they are masquerading as unbiased. Additionally, newspapers are often owned by large corporations or trusts, creating a monopoly in a market. There is no daily competition anymore to the Asbury Park Press. None.
   

UNION COUNTY BUCKS COMING IN

Is Union County the Democrats' idea of "where Democrats are doing a better job governing than Republicans?"
Well?
We've been monitoring the Monmouth County Democrats ELEC Reports and sure enough, they are getting some big bucks wheeled in from their Union County bosses.* The Democrats have been very coy with their filings, with separate filings for County Commissioner (neé Freeholder) candidates Amy Mallet and Bill Shea and Surrogate Candidate Michael Steinhorn, as well as a joint Mallet-Shea account. They try to hide behind sworn statements for the candidates and run the show out of the Monmouth County Democrats account. Most of these are from the Monmouth County Democrats account, except for that from Joseph Cryan, who contributed directly to Friends of Freeholder Mallet.
The Dems are obviously utterly unfazed by criticism of their wheeling. It's just what they do.
Checking the 48 hour reports, we find big bucks from two out of three 20th District (Union County) legislators. On October 26 the Assemblywoman Annette Quijano Election Fund contributed $5,000.00. Two days later, on October 28, the Election Fund of Senator Raymond J. Lesniak contributed $10,000.00. The third representative from that district, rootin' tootin' double-dippin' Undersheriff/Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, made his $1,000.00 contribution directly to Amy Mallet's campaign on September 18. Quijano's predecessor, child-porn impressario Neil Cohen has contributed to legislative races in the past.
Union County's neighbor to the north, Essex, has also shown its generosity through the largess of Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-34). On April 12 the Committee to Elect Sheila Oliver gave $1,000.00 and on July 7 she ponied up another $500.00.
Between Union and Monmouth Counties lies Middlesex, always fertile ground for wheeled bucks. On July 8 the mysterious Sayreville-based Democracy in Motion PAC contributed $5,000.00; they gave another $10,000.00 on September 15. This contributor first appeared here in 2009. Also from Sayreville is 19th District Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski; on February 10 the Election Fund of John S. Wisniewski contributed $1,000.00 and another $2,500.00 on September 15.
This is what has surfaced so far. Certainly more will come to light after the election. Meanwhile, we will be delving into their Big Labor contributions.

*Of course, with the Democrats, down is up and up is down and wheeling isn't wheeling, so I guess the money isn't really wheeled. Or something.

JOE AZZOLINA BRIDGE

Senate Bill No. 2073 Designates bridge on Route 36 over Shrewsbury River (a/k/a Highlands Bridge) as "Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge."
This bill was recently introduced by Senators Sean Kean and Joe Kyrillos (primary sponsors), and Bob Singer as co-sponsor. A-2938, an identical bill in the Assembly, was sponsored by Mary Pat Angelini and Declan O'Scanlon.
Referred to the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.

CONSOLIDATION OR CENTRALIZATION II

Sen. Sean Kean has written an article on the Bozo-coiffed Gov. Corzine and Education Commissioner Davy's attempt to centralize power. Click here!

LUCAS & LITTLE WIN!

No, sports fans, you're not reading a draft from last year's election. Mayor Andrew Lucas of Manalapan was reelected to the Township Committee along with his running mate Susan Cohen, overcoming both an independent candidate and a local party split to defeat two Democratic opponents. And in Highlands, Freeholder Anna Little handily won election as that borough's next mayor, defeating a Democrat, an independent and a write-in candidate backed by Middletown Republican Judith Stanley-Coleman. Earth to Judy: While Highlands may be somewhat surrounded by Middletown (Sandy Hook is part of Middletown.), it is not a part of Middletown, having seceded many decades ago. Butt out.
Election night was, all in all, not too shabby for Monmouth County Republicans.

Stick a fork in him. He's "Well Done."

That's right. Assemblyman Sean Kean coasted to victory over former assemblyman, former freeholder and all-around supporter of curmudgeonly County Counsel Malcolm Carton, John "Well Done" Villapiano; Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini defeated the other two Democratic johns in the 11th District.

Back to the Christmas tree farm, Ellen!

Jen BECK! romped to victory over incumbent Democratic Senator Ellen Kärcher. Kärcher was rocked by ethical questions about her Camden County connections and her property's farmland assessment. Desperate, she went viciously negative against BECK! and that was all she wrote. Democratic assemblyman Mike Panter will pant no more in Trenton; he and his running mate Amy Mallet having been bested by Declan O'Scanlon and the underestimated Caroline Casagrande. The 12th District thus returns after a brief hiatus to the G. O. P. column.

13th an easy GOP win.

In the 13th District, Sen. Joe Kyrillos soundly defeated Democrat Lenny "ELEC" Inzerillo for another term representing that district. Inzerillo's campaign was known for the pink placards pasted to his posters promoting pandering points. (Like that? I wish I thought of it before the election!) Assembly members Amy Handlin and Sam Thompson crushed Democrats Pat Walsh and Robert Brown, keeping the 13th solidly Republican.

Had Enough?

The voters in the 30th District clearly spoke that they had had enough of the Trenton Democrats and their games and defeated the Democratic ticket of Steven Morlino for senate and Jeffrey Williamson and Sharon Atkinson for assembly. Sen. Bob Singer and Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Joe Malone soundly defeated the Democrats. The 30th, like all districts representing Monmouth County in Trenton, will be solidly Republican.

County to remain under GOP control; Silent Steve silenced

In the county races, we won at least three out of four, with Jeff Cantor's race up in the air. Kim Guadagno was elected Sheriff over Democrat Jack Hill. She will become the first woman to hold the Sheriff's office in Monmouth County. In 2008, all Monmouth County Constitutional officers will be women.
County Clerk Claire French roared to victory over Amod Choudhary of Colts Neck for another five year term. Claire has run the Clerk's office in a modern and professional manner, and will continue to do so.
On the freeholder level, things were closer. Freeholder Rob Clifton was high vote getter. For the second seat, John "Flippy" D'Amico (A supporter of curmudgeonly County Counsel Malcolm Carton from way back.) right now holds a razor-thin edge over Jeff Cantor. This should be decided once provisional ballots are counted; Jeff's a good guy and hopefully he can pull it off. "Silent Steve" Schueler was low man and will definitely not be a freeholder. Shows what silence can do.
As we get more information, it will be posted. We'll probably also talk about the towns, too.

DEMS GONE WILD

In the last week or so the highly funded Democratic legislative candidates have really amped it up. The volume, that is.

It's shrill.

In the 11th District, they are airing a radio commercial blasting Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini. In it they say that Rible is accepting contributions from developers and Angelini awards no-bid contracts. Barry Goldwater, the Voice of Reason, refers to a shrill e-mail from ex-NFL player Phil Villapiano supporting his brother, Malcolm Carton supporter and former assemblyman and freeholder John "Well Done" Villapiano.

In 12, incumbent Senator Ellen Kärcher (D - Monmouth/Camden), has brought the rhetoric to new levels of cattiness with her Rastaesque attacks on her opponent, Assemblywoman Jen Beck, where she digs into the long-ago driving record of a then-twentysomething Beck. Kärcher also attempts to defend her farmland assessment.
On the assembly level, the Democrats appear to have distanced themselves from Kärcher, and are attempting to run as pseudo-Republicans. Assemblyman Michael Panter is airing commercials with himself as a corruption fighter. Earth to Mike: Your bosses in Trenton, Camden and Newark will never allow any worthwhile legislation to see the light of day. Amy Mallet is trying to portray herself as a born-again conservative. Her latest commercial piece calls for cuts in state government. Amy, get real. Your bosses will make sure that you vote to send our tax dollars to the cities. For more in-depth reading on the 12th, see The Voice of Reason. Barry's writings are informative and very well researched.

The 13th District has been pretty quiet, with the Democratic legislative candidates looking more like they are running for Middletown Township Committee. Lately, however, Senate candidate Leonard "ELEC" Inzerillo has had some stickers affixed to his signs. A recent late-night sojourn through the Bayshore has revealed at least two: "Control Traffic" and "Lower Tuition". The tuition stickers were all located around the Brookdale Community College area.
Huh? What's up with that, Lenny? Got a plan? Weird.
This has been an update on the zany madcap Democratic legislative campaigns.

THE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

Up for election this year are all 120 members of the New Jersey Legislature.
Since the 2001 election, both houses have been in Democratic hands. Before that, the GOP held majorities in both houses for over a decade.
Can we win it back this year?
That depends. Some say the Republicans are weaker because of the retirement of a number of veteran lawmakers, including Sen. Joe Palaia and Assemblyman Steve Corodemus. But are we? Here in Monmouth County, we have strong Legislative candidates in each district. It may matter more what we as Republicans stand for.

Having a strong set of statewide issues on which to run is a powerful start. The Democratic Legislature has received some very bad publicity of late, topped off with the Feds investigating the supposedly non-partisan Office of Legislative Services.
If we strongly state what we are for, rather than meekly what we're against, we can do this. Here is a list, not in any particular order, of some important issues:

• Property Taxes - Time to wrap up this issue. New Jersey has had the highest in the nation for far too many years, under both Republicans and Democrats. This issue calls for a hard look at school funding, as well as an elimination of duplication of municipal services. Creating another "rebate" for those who "qualify" after jumping through a fiery hoop, and which can be rescinded at any time doesn't cut it.
• School Funding - Goes hand in hand with property taxes. We can't keep funding education the way we do. This includes a reform or abolition of the so-called Abbott Districts. More is spent per student in these districts than in many upper-crust private schools, yet Johnny still can't read, let alone graduate. Nothing will change here either as long as the school monies are sent right into the hands of the urban Democratic machine bosses.
• Ethics - You can talk about ethics all you want, but, like gun control, if you're not going to enforce the laws already on the books, nothing's going to change. U. S. Attorney Chris Christie is doing a good job sending corrupt pols to jail, but he's the only one. The much-celebrated State Attorney General Stuart Rabner, appointed by the Bozo-coiffed Gov. Jon Corzine, has done little or nothing in that regard. The Legislature too must seriously police the ethics of its members, and drop the club atmosphere.
• Legal Reform - This issue covers a number of subcategories, including personal injury. Frivolous lawsuits, many by serial litigators, must be stopped, but this must not be tightened up to the point that we hurt legitimate people. This issue also includes judicial appointments. Although appointed by the governor, these positions are confirmed by the State Senate. There is no reason that the Senate should confirm any stiff the governor nominates. Having good, solid judges and justices, and not lightweights like Deborah "Because I Said So" Poritz, will go a long way towards cleaning up the legal system. It will also have a positive ripple effect in many other issues, too.
• Regulatory Reform - Overregulation is what keeps jobs out of New Jersey. Make no mistake, we are in competition with other states for businesses (= jobs). If we don't compete, we fall behind. Simple as that. It's already happening.
• Oppose Overdevelopment - And mean it. This goes back to property taxes. Towns go on a "ratable chase", supposedly to keep taxes stable. But it just becomes like climbing a mountain looking for the top when there is no top. Overdevelopment leads to...
• Eminent Domain - A hot button issue if there ever was one. Right here in Monmouth County is Long Branch, which is becoming a national poster child for eminent domain abuse. The arrogance of Democratic Mayor Adam Schneider on this issue just attracts more attention. Eminent domain was intended for public works like roads, bridges and parks. The abuse of the process to make rich developers richer only hurts the process when it is used for its intended purpose. Time for some reform here with teeth. Sharp teeth.

This list could go on and on. As I said above, we have a strong legislative team here in our Monmouth County districts, both incumbents and newcomers. Our team will only become stronger with strong stands on issues that are important to Monmouth County voters.

12th DISTRICT HEATING UP

This week has had a lot of activity with candidates announcing for State Senate and Assembly races here in Monmouth County. In the 12th District, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck has made it official that she will oppose Democratic Sen. Ellen Kärcher for the senate seat. Beck, as the only GOP member of the 12th District legislative delegation, and there had been speculation for quite some time about her intentions.
Beck will be challenged in the June primary by Manalapan Township Committeeman Joseph Locricchio, who has opted not to participate in the Steering Committee process established by County Chairman Adam Puharic.
On the Assembly side, three people so far have filed letters of intent with Puharic. They are Little Silver Councilman Declan O'Scanlon, Jr., who narrowly lost by 65 votes to Democratic Assemblyman Michael Panter in 2005; Fair Haven Councilman Thomas Gilmour, and Caroline Casagrande of Colts Neck, who serves as Manalapan Township Attorney.