CURMUDGEONLY COUNTY COUNSEL CARTON SHOULD QUIT

UPDATE!!!!

Today, March 13th, the Asbury Park Press, in an editorial, calls for the Board of Chosen Freeholders to issue Carton a letter of reprimand. We believe that that is not enough. He is obsolete, has become a liability to the entire Board, and should be replaced.

UPDATE!!!

The irony of it all is that today, March 11th, begins Sunshine Week, dedicated to open public records.

********************************

County Counsel Malcolm V. Carton has "jumped the shark." The Asbury Park Press reports that he has responded to Freeholder Anna C. Little's request for information on his billing records in a very snide and sarcastic manner. Read Will Seward's account here.
It doesn't matter whether you support Freeholder Little or not, the operative word here is "freeholder." Carton was insubordinate and inappropriate. His response demeans the entire board, particlarly where he has the audacity to hint that he would bill for the act of providing his billing records!
It also doesn't matter whether his cost overruns are legitimate or not. Let's assume that they are. Since his billing and fees were raised as an issue, the County has imposed guidelines as to what his costs should be. If he does go over his guidelines, he owes it to the Board (His client) to have the information readily available.
Carton was reappointed by a controversial 3 - 2 vote last summer, with Freeholders Robert D. Clifton and Little dissenting. Knowing that the Asbury Park Press just flat dislikes the guy and would look for any opportunity to blast Carton as well as the Board of Freeholders, one would think that Carton would owe the Board the courtesy of being on his P's & Q's and not go out of his way to generate negative press. After all it's not his name on the ballot. The Press has been known to attack in a frivolous manner; it makes no sense to hand them (Or the Democrats!) legitimate ammunition.
It's time for Carton to be replaced. There are plenty of competent attorneys already doing legal work for the county that can step up to the job.

150,000 HITS!

Sometime today, my hit counter turned 150,000. When I began this blog, I never thought I would be seeing numbers like this.
Recently, the counter has been turning at a rapid pace; sadly, the reason is no doubt due to the disappointing circumstances our party finds itself in.
Hopefully, better times are to come.

Special thanks go to the many readers who help make this blog possible, including but not limited to William H Seward (and his Seward Authority), Lew Alcindor, Jim Purcell, Jackie Corley, Teddy Roosevelt, Elephants not Donkeys, Sue Veitengruber, Kaiser Sose, Ginger Hoffmeyer, Howard Stern, Cliffwood Soccer Dad, Sharon Migliaccio, Edwin Stanton, Barry Goldwater, Concerned Monmouth Republican and the multitudes of readers who choose not to post.
Thank you all!

BARRY GOLDWATER'S ADVICE

Do not underestimate the power of forgiveness. Often, all you need to do is ask.
...blogger Barry Goldwater.

Recently the vast editorial staff here at the Monmouth County Republican Blog called for the resignation of Adam Puharic as County Republican Chairman. We were of the belief that there was just no way to extricate himself from the mess caused by his handling of the screening process.
Today, we are temporarily suspending the call for resignation.
Why?
New GOP blogger Barry Goldwater, of the Voice of Reason, has some interesting advice for Chairman Puharic; all should read it.
If the chairman follows Goldwater's "Roadmap to Relevance", there is a possibility of getting our party back on track, thereby avoiding what now appears to be a certain train wreck this November.
Adam, the ball's in your court.

NOW WHAT?

"There is a bit of a vacuum, and it is fair to say we only have a month. I think the party faces some tough times."

...Former County Republican Chairman William F. Dowd, referring to the race for County Chairman last May.

He was right.

The Monmouth County GOP is in a very vulnerable position going into the 2007 election, with the retirement of two out of three legislators in the 11th District, our one Republican in the 12th District facing a contested primary in June and an incumbent Democrat in November.

Then there's the county situation.

First, Chairman Adam Puharic did everything in his power to deny the "line" to incumbent Freeholder Anna Little because he didn't like her. Going into the March 24th Convention are three newcomers vying for her place on the ballot; Marlboro Township Committeeman Jeff Cantor, Ocean Township Committeeman Dave Hiers and Spring Lake Councilman Brian Reilly. The winner of the convention may face Little in the June primary, depending upon her decision.

To top it all off, award-winning Sheriff Joe Oxley has informed the Steering Committee that he will not run for reelection. This news was broken by blogger RonalD ReagAN over the weekend. The County GOP is now seen as casting about for a sheriff candidate; William H Seward at More Monmouth Musings reports that Monmouth Beach Commissioner Kim Guadagno may be interested.

So, what do you think will happen? Who will get the legislative and freeholder line? How will our party fare this November?

A CHIROPRACTOR'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Not a spine to be found. Anywhere.
That is how the Monmouth County GOP looks as County Chairman Adam Puharic bumbles his way to a Democratic victory this November.
It is time for Republicans to think about what's going on and do something about it. It's not about Freeholder Anna Little, it's about principle.
Puharic has manipulated the candidate selection process from day one to deny the line to Freeholder Little because he didn't like her. She was too independent. Why, if only she had followed Puharic's lead unquestioningly during last year's campaign, she would have... probably lost.
It's time for some of the elder statesmen of our party to stand up and be counted. Where she is now, so may you be. While I can understand to a point that some officials would fear the same treatment as Freeholder Little, others such as Assemblyman Steve Corodemus, are not running and are beyond the reach of Puharic's vendettas. Still others such as Sheriff Joe Oxley have the status, the gravitas, that it would be difficult for Adam to dump him. And if enough elected officials protest, there is a certain safety in numbers that Puharic would be hard pressed to react.
So grow a spine or grow a pair, but stop him before he screws up again!

PRESIDENT REAGAN'S 11th COMMANDMENT

Much has been said about the great President Ronald Wilson Reagan's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt speak no ill of a fellow Republican."
This has been used frequently during debate between members of our great party. Sometimes it's used to stifle debate. Here in the Great County of Monmouth, our GOP County Chairman has invoked the 11th Commandment and then gone and spoken ill of his fellow Republicans!
So thye vast editorial staff here at the Monmouth County Republican Blog decided to research the 11th Commandment and find out just exactly what The Gipper's intent was. What was its context?
It didn't take long to find a timely (Feb. 2, 2007) Opinion Journal article by Peggy Noonan, President Reagan's former speechwriter, who has a unique insight into our 40th President. We strongly recommend following the link to read her full article (Click her name.), but in a nutshell Ms. Noonan explains:

"The 11th commandment meant the fight should never be mean, low or unnecessarily injurious to the person, or the party. But a fight could be waged--should be waged--over big, big things."

Well. That doesn't mean stifling debate at all. Far from it. I guess difference of opinion isn't out of order after all.
Our County Chairman should read Ms. Noonan's article. More than once. Memorize it. Learn from it. For all of his invocations of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, the way he is running our party, what with squashing debate and pursuing those who don't follow in lockstep with him, is more akin to Richard Milhous Nixon or William Jefferson Clinton than Ronald Wilson Reagan.

PUHARIC SHOULD RESIGN

Back in June, the Monmouth County Republican Blog did not support Adam Puharic for County Chairman; we believed James Giannell would be a better choice. That having been said, once Puharic was elected we congratulated him and gave him every benefit of the doubt. Although there were lurid tales leaking out of Aberdeen about his raging temper and despotic nature, we took him at his word when he wrote:

"I made many hard decisions, and numerous mistakes. One of those mistakes cost me an important friendship. 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."

We believed him when he said he had learned his lesson.
Apparently he had not.

"Remember Admiral Nelson. In the year 1800, the British Admiral Horatio Nelson won the important battle of Trafalgar, which led to British dominance for almost one hundred years. Before the battle he wrote, 'A commander can do no wrong if he turns his guns toward the enemy and fires away.' The next chairman must not waste one word on Republicans. It is time to focus on beating democrats."

Rich Kohler of Hazlet, who blogs at The Middle Road, commented here expressing concern about a Puharic chairmanship last June:

"Although all the talk of uniting the Party against the Democrats sounds inspirational, I can’t shake a nagging suspicion that it’s just rhetorical code for a “no dissension” approach to leadership, and that the real losers are the people who thought they were voting for change by electing Puharic."

"My wife, who is new to the County Committee, clarified her apprehension (which she characterized as minor and potential) as such: 'By vilifying dissension, the leadership creates a kill-the-messenger atmosphere and the balance of power ends up teetering unproductively between “disruptive” naysayers and self-interested “public” servants.'"

At the time, we downplayed Rich's concerns. How prophetic he sounds now!
Today we are faced with a bad situation that didn't have to happen at all. Two incumbent freeholders are up for reelection, Robert Clifton and Anna Little. By all accounts, both have performed well on the Board, and are interested in running again. Normally, they would be accorded the courtesy of an acclamation vote at the convention.
Puharic decided to pursue a vendetta against Freeholder Little because of differences of opinion during last year's campaign. (Clifton, too, may be in Puharic's crosshairs.) He devised a screening process which specifically targeted Freeholder Little by requiring her to be the only incumbent to screen. When called on this, he changed the process and required all incumbents to screen; this was merely cover for his original scheme.
The situation deteriorated and now has made the newspapers. This has embarassed the Party; the Party is not Puharic, it is the sum of its membership.
Puharic even went so far as to hold a meeting with Freeholder Little with two men present assuming intimidating poses. The freeholder reported that Puharic said that they were to protect her from his temper. Protect her from his temper? This is an outrage to every good Republican– over 550 of us who attended Lincoln Day Monday night -- was he implying that he might physically strike her? That he needed the two men there to restrain him? Is this the type of individual who we want leading our great Party?
In less than a year, this chairman has become an embarassment to our great organization. His utter and amateurish lack of political instinct is apparent, and not only in the way he has handled the Little candidacy. His strident opposition to the 12th District State Senate candidacy of Joseph Locricchio against Jennifer Beck has given Locricchio more free publicity and exposure than Joe could hope to get on his own. Jen Beck, please take note. And every time Adam bashes the blogs, my hit counter goes off the charts!
A few weeks ago I would have said that he still had a way out and save face by revising the process and working this out with Freeholder Little.
That window has closed.
While it is normally not healthy for a political party to frequently change chairmen, it would be absolutely malignant for Adam Puharic to remain at the helm of the Monmouth County Republican Committee. On Wednesday, I posted a comment on More Monmouth Musings calling for Puharic's resignation. Today, the Asbury Park Press has joined me. I'm not known as a fan of that paper, but they're right on this one.
Finally, a note to all the great Republican candidates. Take a good, hard look at what is going on here. Where Anna Little finds herself, so might you. Be prepared to take steps to prevent this type of fiasco from happening again.

UPDATE

February 24th

Two things. First, I was going to pose the question whether anybody knew what the get-together at Republican Headquarters on Wednesday and Thursday evenings was about. Never mind. I believe I have my answer. Today I received a comment from a veteran Republican who wished not to be published. This individual's complaint was that they had received a mailing from the County Republican Organization which was the same as Chairman Puharic's diatribe against Freeholder Little.
Your contributions at work.

Second. Back in late December, William H Seward ran a post on More Monmouth Musings entitled 2007 Predictions. In it, he predicted that Howell Mayor Joe DiBella would screen for freeholder. Mayor DiBella posted the following comment stating that he had no interest in running; he also voiced his opinion on the attacks against Freeholder Little.

Joe_DiBella said...
Interesting predictions. Bit you absolutely have at least one wrong. I will certainly not seek the nomination for Freeholder under any condition. I am very happy with my position as Mayor. I think Drew would be an exceptional candidate and there are many other good people available as well, Bob McKenna to name another. Plus, with the non sense that some are trying to pin on Ms. Little, which is disgusting, I frankly have no taste for such politics.Saturday, January 06, 2007 3:22:00 PM

Thank you for standing up and speaking your mind, Mr. Mayor.

CHAIRMAN PUHARIC'S IRESIDE PAP

Standing strong against the voices attempting to destroy our party
02/20/2007


Dear fellow Republicans:
Tonight, I received word from the Asbury Park Press that Anna Little has decided not to seek our great Republican Party endorsement, and instead is considering to run off the line in a primary or has even hinted at switching parties. Switching parties? This is an outrage to every good Republican – over 550 of us who attended Lincoln Day last night -- that she would betray our hard work, use the election victory we all worked towards together, and throw all of it away for her personal glory.[OK. Switching parties? Adam, you sound like your RastaMan friend here.]
As a result, I will honor her request and I remove her for consideration as a Freeholder candidate in 2007. Despite her attempts to undermine her running mates, Monmouth County Republicans like Claire French, Joe Kyrillos, Sean Kean, and Jennifer Beck will prevail in the fall.[Undermine? Oh Adam, do explain.]
In her comments, she will claim that the candidate agreement our party asked candidates to sign is the sole reason she is leaving our party – but nothing could be further from the truth. She did not have to sign it, and I told her this. [The only "agreement" that amounts to a hill of beans is the Oath of Office. You know, the one that says "under the authority of the PEOPLE." Not under the authority of the Party. Not under the authority of Puharic.] From the beginning, Anna Little and her supporters have attempted to divide our party by embarrassing fellow Republicans in the Asbury Park Press.[Oh, I guess you must mean that pesky vote against curmudgeonly County Counsel Malcolm Carton. How dare she!] Only Anna Little and the renegade candidate attempting to undermine Jennifer Beck’s run at Ellen Karcher have made an issue of the candidate selection process. [Undermine? It's called a primary. The law allows it. So, is Rudy Giuliani "undermining" Mitt Romney's run at the White House?] For them, it was an excuse to embarrass our party, and to undermine our leadership. [Adam, you are an embarassment to our party.] They have failed, and in their failure they are now joined as a campaign ticket against all Monmouth County Republicans. [Say what?]
Truth be told, Anna Little was not living up to her promises when she ran for office. She has proven ineffective in reforming county government, [Careful here, Adam. Either county government is reforming or it's not. If it's not, then you've just attacked all the Republican freeholders.] and instead attacks her fellow Republican Freeholders. She has not lived up to her responsibility as a party leader. Instead of being an active part of the 2006 campaign, Anna’s supporters organized into a counter-organization known as “Anna’s Army.” They met independently of the true campaign, making decisions counter-productive to her great running mates Andrew Lucas and Rosemarie Peters. [And she won, Adam. Sounds like "Anna's Army" was pretty effective after all. Would that Andrew had an organization like that. He might have been a freeholder today.] They made independent campaign expenditures without consulting their running mates. [Each of the three candidates had their own campaign account and treasurer. Oh, and did I mention that Anna won.]
And last night, Anna’s supporters attempted a quiet boycott of Lincoln Day in a poor attempt at protest. [Lincoln Day was a nice event. Freeholder Little was there herself. But attendance has been going down for several years. Because a few people may have had other committments, it doesn't constitute a boycott. But, once again, Adam, we find you and the libelous blogger Rasta on the same page. One wonders. Are you him? Do you know who it is? Are they working at your behest? No, you don't have to answer now. It means so much more when you're sworn under oath.] Instead this backfired, with over 500 Republicans of good cheer replacing them without much effort. This party is moving on. We have moved past the angry scowls and negative spin of an agenda-driven cabal. [Cabal? Be careful with those conspiracy theories.]
On March 3, our screening committee will convene to select two Freeholder candidates [TWO?? I thought the screening committee was supposed to select two for each position, meaning that all four should all go right to the convention. Wow. I wonder which two he means here. Adam, are you targeting Rob Clifton now? Rob, watch this guy.] among a qualified pool of four great Republicans, including Freeholder Robert Clifton, Ocean Twp. Councilman David Hiers, Marlboro Council President Jeff Kantor, and Spring Lake Councilman Brian Reilly. Freeholder Clifton has publicly supported this process, along with all of the Assembly and Senate candidates. [How 'bout the Sheriff?] They deserve our support and our unity.
The voices of dissention have made their voices heard. It is time for the voices of party unity to speak. I am writing to ask for your support to work together, and stand strong in the face of shrill voices [The shrillest voice in this debate is your own, Adam. Unless you're hearing some voices that the rest of us can't.] that would destroy our party. I need your help.
---------------------------------------------------------------

LITTLE WILL NOT SCREEN

Freeholder Anna Little has issued a statement that she will not participate in Chairman Adam Puharic's screening process. You can read her statement in its entirety at More Monmouth Musings.
An interesting analysis of Chairman Puharic's strident response can be found at Concerned Monmouth Republican.

LINCOLN DAY REPORT

The 44th Annual Republican Lincoln Day Reception was held tonight at the Addison Park in Aberdeen. As predicted, Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso and Freehold Township Chairman Tom Apostle, co-chairs, ran an outstanding event. Over 300 people attended.
Tagg Romney was the invited speaker; he spoke on his father Mitt's presidential ambitions.
County Chairman Adam Puharic was there, as was Middlesex County Chairman Joe Leo. (Trivia: This is probably the first time that two GOP chairmen of two counties share a ZIP Code.)
All four Republican freeholders were in attendance; Director Bill Barham, Deputy Director Lillian Burry and Freeholders Rob Clifton and Anna Little.
Interestingly, and despite press stories that he would be barred, Manalapan Committeeman Joe Locricchio was there.
Others included Assemblymembers Sean Kean, Jen Beck, Amy Handlin and Sam Thompson; former County Chairman Fred Kniesler, Declan O'Scanlon, Sr. and Declan O'Scanlon, Jr., former Freeholder Director Tom Powers, former freeholders Clem Sommers and Frank Self, Howell Mayor Joe DiBella, Marlboro Mayor Robert Kleinberg, Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas, curmudgeonly County Counsel Malcolm Carton and his cousin, Middletown Chairman Peter Carton, Aberdeen Chairman Michael Borg, Manalapan Chairman Steve McEnery, Assistant County Counsels John Lane and Sal Alfieri, Matawan Councilman Paul Buccellato, Holmdel Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman and many others.

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY

UPDATED UPDATE!!!

Sunday Afternoon

William H. Seward of More Monmouth Musings reports that the freeholder candidate screening has been postponed to March 3.

UPDATE!!!

Sunday Morning, February 18

Adam has released the names of the Legislative candidates endorsed by the Steering Committee to appear before the March Convention. So far, nothing on the County level candidates, although Sheriff Joe Oxley and County Clerk Claire French have no opposition. When more information comes out, we'll post it here.
The legislative candidates are:
10th District: Sen. Andrew R. Ciesla; Assemblymen James W. Holzapfel and David W. Wolfe.
11th District: Assemblyman Sean Kean for Senate; retired Wall police officer David Rible, Mary Pat Angelini, , Monmouth Beach Commissioner Kim Guadagno and Neptune Committeeman Tom Catley for Assembly. Ocean Township Mayor Bill Larkin was eliminated in this round.
12th District: Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck for Senate; Colts Neck attorney Caroline Casagrande, Little Silver Councilman Declan O'Scanlon, Jr. and Fair Haven Councilman Tom Gilmour for Assembly. Jen Beck will face Manalapan Committeeman Joseph Locricchio, who opted to forgo the screening process, in the June Primary.
13th District: Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr.; Assembly Members Amy H. Handlin, PhD and Samuel D. Thompson, PhD.
30th District: Sen. Robert W. Singer; Assemblymen Ronald S. Dancer and Joseph R. Malone III.
The contested 11th and 12th District assembly teams will be narrowed down to two each at the convention.

*******************

Today, February 17, is the date scheduled for the meeting of the Steering Committee for the purpose of selecting a list of candidates to present at the March convention.

The screening committee membership is:
Senator Joe Kyrillos
Assemblyman Sean Kean
Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin
County Clerk Claire French
Surrogate Rosemarie Peters
Freeholder Director Bill Barham
Freeholder Lillian Burry
Aberdeen Chairman Michael Borg
Freehold Twp. Chairman Tom Apostle
Howell Chairman Norine Kelly
Little Silver Chairman Rick DeNoia
Manalapan Chairman Steve McEnery
Marlboro Chairman Sal Alfieri
Middletown Chairman Peter Carton
Wall Chairman Bob McKenna
County Chairman Adam Puharic (votes to break a tie)
County Vice Chair Molly Giamanco
Second Vice Chair Caroline Casagrande
Political Whip John Cantalupo
SERC Chair, Tom DeSeno
Leadership Council Chair Tom Gagliano
Finance Chair Andrew Lucas
Legal Council (Counsel) Michael Supko

It will be interesting who they choose. Will they prove multitudes of critics wrong and give both incumbent Freeholders Anna Little and Rob Clifton (with 2 others) a pass to the Convention? Such a move will also help slap down a particularly vicious and slanderous hate blog which has posted libelous material over the past few months.
When we have more material, we'll post it here.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1809 - 1865

Today is the 198th anniversary of the birth of the 16th President of the United States, and the first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

"When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and true maxim that 'a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.' So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the great highroad to his reason, and which, once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing him of the justice of your cause, if indeed that cause is really a good one."

LINCOLN DAY SPEAKER

The county GOP sent out this notice about the guest speaker at Lincoln Day:

Tagg Romney To Be Guest Speaker At The 44th Annual Monmouth County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner
02/09/2007

Please join us in welcoming Tagg Romney, son of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and senior advisor to the Mitt Romney for President Exploratory Committee, at the 44th Annual Monmouth County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner being held Monday, February 19th at Addison Park on Route 35 in Aberdeen.
Our cocktail hour starts at 6 pm with three hours of hors d’oeuvres and serving stations. The program will start at 7 pm featuring our exciting guest speaker and candidates. Tickets are just $45 per person.
This is the largest gathering of its kind in the State. Please join all of your elected officials and candidates for a night of good food, fellowship and fun!
As an agent of a federal candidate, Tagg Romney does not solicit and is not soliciting any funds in violation of federal election regulations. Specifically, he solicits only those funds drawn from a personal account within federal limits, and does not solicit funds from corporations, labor organizations, government contractors, or foreign nationals.

It appears that Mitt Romney has a lot of support among the leadership of the Monmouth County GOP.
While it is still early for the 2008 election, and whether you support Romney or someone else for president, this is a bit of positive news at a time when so much negative energy is around.
Positive? For a couple of reasons.
One is that, with talk of a possible early presidential primary, New Jersey becomes relevant once again on the presidential level. Hopefully, Mitt Romney will not be the last GOP presidential candidate we see in Monmouth County.
Another is that this is the first time in many years that there has actually been a guest speaker at Lincoln Day. It is said that big name guest speakers were once the norm at Lincoln Day, the biggest event on the County GOP calendar. Speakers would usually be some Cabinet or Congressional leadership figure. It is even said that George H. W. Bush spoke at a 1970's Lincoln Day.
So, with all that's going on, whether you support Romney or someone else or whether you support Chairman Puharic or not, come out and have a good time at Lincoln Day. Tom Apostle and Serena DiMaso ran a nice event last year, and this one promises to be nice, too.

THERE'S A NEW GOP BLOG IN TOWN

That's right, folks, another Monmouth County Republican has joined the Blogosphere. You'll find Concerned Monmouth Republican on my links menu.
This blog offers some interesting takes on what's going on here in the Monmouth GOP. Welcome, CMR!

ANOTHER MUST READ

William H Seward has an excellent post this morning which should be read by all Republicans who care about the future of our great party.

LITTLE WON'T PARTICIPATE IN BACKGROUND CHECKS

"...you cannot turn a girl into a trial attorney and then try to turn her into a wilting rose."
...Freeholder Anna Little

Freeholder Anna Little has announced that she will not participate in County Chairman Adam Puharic's background check program, in which a candidate is recommended to voluntarily pay a $1,000 fee to have their background checked by an investigator with a political background.

"If he doesn't want me on the ticket, he should look me in the eye and say that."
...Freeholder Anna Little.

Exactly. If the chairman has any doubts about the freeholder's electability, he should sit down and calmly discuss it with her.
Instead, it appears that games are being played. From the January 10 Candidate Selection Process correspondence:

(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)[sic.] 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.

The language very transparently targets Freeholder Little. Why? When this resulted in criticism, he backtracked the very next day:

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.

Adam took office with much promise. He presented himself as his own man, and took efforts to distance himself from his predecessors, Fred Niemann and Bill Dowd. Recently, however, he appears to be on a search and destroy mission. For what or whose purpose?
Freeholder Little has performed well in office and has defended her seat in a very tough election. With control of the Board of Freeholders on the line, now is not the time to play games with the county slate.
Adam owes that to the candidates, the County Committee and the people of Monmouth County.

PRESS GETS IT RIGHT THIS TIME

And it's a shame.
The Monmouth County Republican Blog has been critical of the Asbury Park Press' reporting and editorializing on Monmouth County government and the freeholders' campaign.
We can't be critical of this one.
In this editorial, the Press scores County Chairman Adam Puharic for his proposal to require candidates to put up $1,000 "to pay an investigator to sniff their dirty laundry."
I posted the following on William Seward's blog yesterday (Italics are from the editorial; my comments are in Boldface.):

• Those who aren't chosen by the 24-member Republican screening committee as party-line candidates should have serious concerns about how the information will be used if they pursue a primary fight or an independent challenge to the Politburo-approved candidates.
• And those who are chosen should have serious concerns, if elected, should they attempt to deviate from the "party line" while in office.
• The fee alone could deter some candidates from running.
• That may be part of the idea.
• Puharic estimated the cost at $1,000, but other party members were told it would be $2,000 or $2,500. Puharic defended the plan, saying "background checks are something every big company does."
• Possibly. But I guarantee that they do not spend $1,000, $2,000 or $2,500 a pop for the checks. That would be cost prohibitive and a bad business decision. No, they pay a small subscription fee for a service. The dollar amount leads me to question just who will be doing these background checks, and why such a high fee. Is Adam looking to throw business at an inflated price to a politically connected firm?

The Monmouth County Republican Blog has been critical of the Press, and I'm sure, will be again. We cannot, however, criticize them when our party leaders by their actions have brought the bad press upon themselves.

THE RACE FOR FREEHOLDER

Four people have filed letters of intent with Chairman Adam Puharic for this year's freeholder race. They are:

• Robert D. Clifton - Incumbent freeholder, former Mayor of Matawan. Clifton is completing his first three - year term on the board.
• Anna C. Little - Incumbent Freeholder, former Highlands Borough Councilwoman. She is completing the one - year unexpired term of Amy H. Handlin, who resigned from the Board after taking a seat in the State Assembly.
• J. David Hiers - Ocean Township Committeeman, former fire chief. Hiers had thrown his hat in the ring last year, but later withdrew and endorsed the candidacy of Howell Mayor Joseph DiBella.
• Brian J. Reilly - Spring Lake Borough Councilman. Reilly also ran last year; after being defeated on the first ballot at the April 8th Convention he endorsed Andrew Lucas, who got the nomination.
• A possible fifth candidate may file with Puharic today. UPDATE! Will Seward says it might be Freehold Township Committeeman Anthony Ammiano, who served as Mayor for 2006. UPDATED UPDATE!!! It's Marlboro Township Committeeman Jeff Cantor.

The Steering Committee will meet on Saturday, February 17th and select two candidates for each open position; those names will then be voted on at the County Convention on Saturday March 24th.
Candidates are expected to undergo background checks, for which they are asked to pay up to $1,000. There was talk that it would be up to $2,000, but the amount has been clarified in today's (2/2/07) Asbury Park Press by Chairman Puharic.

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.

HE'S BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

This just in.
We have it on reliable source that former County Chairman Fred Niemann has been spotted recently in the Metropolitan Café with Freeholder Director Bill Barham and Freeholder Rob Clifton.
What were they up to?
Were they discussing strategy for the upcoming campaign? Were Bill and Fred giving Rob an "exit interview"?
Anyone know what's up?
Both Barham and Clifton in the past were recipients of $5,000.00 contributions from the Committee for Responsibility and Trust in Government, an East Brunswick based PAC chaired by former State Senator Jack Sinagra (R - Middlesex). Clifton had returned the contribution; Barham has not.
The Committee for Responsibility and Trust in Government dispersed all its funds in October to several local campaigns in Middlesex County and folded up its operation. A CPC-F form was filed with ELEC and it is no more.

COUNTY CAMPAIGN 2007

New Year's Day is behind us. It's 2007. It'll be a busy year on the Monmouth political scene. All the legislators will be up for election. On the county level, we have the County Clerk, the Sheriff and two Freeholders.
From all indications all the county officials are running for reelection: County Clerk Claire French, Sheriff Joe Oxley, and Freeholders Rob Clifton and Anna Little.
There is, however, talk around Freehold that there may be a challenge against both incumbent freeholders. This is compounded by the fact that both freeholders have been inexplicably excluded from the new steering committee. While there may be other, logical reasons for that, it looks suspicious.
Some question the electability of Rob and Anna without giving any specifics. It may be more like retaliation for their votes against curmudgeonly County Counsel Malcolm V. Carton. Whatever the reason, we Republicans should be very wary of the motives of anyone attempting to unseat two officeholders.
There are some people who are said to have thrown their names in the ring. At this time, we will not list any names of potential contenders until these individuals make an announcement.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Having Incumbents Screen is Bad for Party Unity and a Recipe for Defeat
...William H. Seward

William H. Seward at More Monmouth Musings has an excellent post on Chairman Adam Puharic's new Steering Committee.
This is a matter of concern to all Republicans, and Seward's post should be required reading.
Link.

COUNTY ELECTION BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Back in 2005, then-County Chairman Fredrick Niemann nominated Howell Republican Chair Norine E. Kelly to a 2-year term on the Monmouth County Board of Elections replacing Robin Lemesevski of Freehold Township. Mrs. Kelly was also Vice Chairwoman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee at the time.

Norine Kelly's term on the County Board expires on March 1. Fred Niemann is no longer the County Chairman, and it is not known what Chairman Adam Puharic's intentions are here.

According to New Jersey Election Law (Title 19) N. J. S. A. 19:6-18, those responsible for nominations to the Board are Chairman Puharic, Vice Chairwoman Mollie Giamanco, State Committeeman John Bennett and Mollie Giamanco in her capacity as State Committeewoman.

Will Mrs. Kelly be reappointed? Is anyone else interested in the job?

JEN BECK MAY CHALLENGE KÄRCHER

Today's (1/10/'07) APP reports that 12th District Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck may challenge Democratic Senator Ellen Kärcher this year.
While Beck has not decided on this, a senate run has been rumored since her election to the Assembly in 2005. Beck is the only Republican legislator in the 12th, and has been on many GOP activists' short list for a senate candidacy.

Beck, a native of Erie, Pa, is a Red Bank resident and served on the Red Bank Borough Council before serving in the Assembly.

APP ATTACKS FREEHOLDERS

An editorial in today's (January 8, '07) Asbury Park Depress attacks the Board of Chosen Freeholders for selecting William C. Barham for a second year as Director. While the Monmouth County Republican Blog has favored rotating the leadership (We were leaning to Lillian Burry.) and has in fact been critical of Barham at times, we must challenge the APP on this issue.
Their motivation has not been and is not good government. Their motivation has been to elect Democratic freeholders. Period, end of story.
In order to bring about this goal, the APP and its editors, while hiding behind the screen of populism and good government, criticizes every action and policy of the county.
Now, let's have a go at their editorial [Bold & bracketed comments are mine.]:

Limit tenure of director

Before William C. Barham was elected Monmouth County freeholder director for a second straight year last week, board members were stalemated on whether the job should be rotated.
We agree with Freeholder Lillian Burry's position that no freeholder should serve as director for more than two consecutive years, though she was likely jockeying for the job in 2008. [Jockeying for the job. And this is a problem because? Wouldn't Burry as director meet your goal of rotation?] Burry campaigned on tenure limits when she ran with Barham in 2005. Barham has made it clear he doesn't want to surrender the title anytime soon.
"The director's job is more about what has to be done tomorrow than today," he said. "You have to see what needs to be done 20 years down the road." Actually, that's the job of the whole board.
Barham cited his qualifications in presenting the case that he should retain the position. Which ones? His employment with a construction firm now hundreds of thousands of dollars over budget and three years behind schedule on its renovation work at the County Hall of Records? [This project is nothing new. And you only report on it now?] Or being the handpicked successor of the late Harry Larrison Jr., who served as director for 21 of his 39 years on the board and was charged shortly before his death with soliciting bribes from two developers? [Simply because Larrison was charged with taking bribes doesn't mean that Barham takes bribes too. Guilty by association? Or does the APP know something we don't? If so, please report what you know to U. S. Attorney Chris Christie. Otherwise, knock off the National Enquirer garbage.]
Barham said the job's "not a political position, it's a working position with a lot of responsibility." No, it's not. It's about ego. [Ohhhh. So that's why the State Legislature provided for the selection of a Freeholder Director. Ego. Riiiiight.] He gets to run meetings and sign county documents. [Running meetings. That's the people's business. Signing county documents. Like multi-million dollar contracts? But none of that is a lot of responsibility. Noooooo.] Those are the only additional official duties of the director. [Welllll, if the directorship is not that important, why even bother with this editorial?]
Last year, though not all board members had publicly declared who they supported and Freeholder Ted Narozanick expressed interest in the job, Barham was able to produce a nameplate identifying himself as director immediately after the vote. [Maybe he had privately polled the membership beforehand and realized he had the votes. You need to count to three to get anything passed by the Board of Freeholders. In fact, last year, Barham actually got only three votes.]Craving the job that badly is unhealthy. [Unhealthy? Oh, like repeatedly slanted and inaccurate reporting? Hellooo Bald Avenger.]
Burry, who was voted deputy director last week, said she would support Barham this year, but that "I strongly believe two years is enough and someone new should be picked next year." Namely, herself. [And this is a problem because??? You have a problem with a second year for Barham, and you have a problem with Burry being interested in the directorship. Who, pray tell, does the Asbury Park Depress actually want for Freeholder Director??? And, no, you can't dig up Raymond Kramer.]
Barham said he won't go along with any restrictions on how many consecutive years a director can serve in the future. No surprise there. And Freeholder Robert Clifton, who has presented himself as a reformer but has moved in lockstep with Barham [Lockstep? Like on the vote to reappoint County Counsel Malcolm Carton? Come on, what does the APP take its readers for? Stupid? Note that most routine business votes on the Board are unanimous; the County Counsel is a pretty important vote; Clifton and Freeholder Anna C. Little were the dissenters.], would only say he prefers an unofficial agreement that directors not serve more than two years.
The other freeholders — Democrat Barbara McMorrow and Anna Little — should join with Burry and insist on a two-year limit for the director's job. [I would even go for a one-year limit. But anything the Board does can be undone by a later Board, making it an unenforceable gentlemen's agreement. The State Legislature can impose a limit on a director's terms, and even on a freeholders' terms.] And they should work to ensure that it goes to someone next year who doesn't regard the post as a birthright. [And who does the APP think that should be? If they really believed this issue to be important, and not simply an opportunity to sling mud, they could have made a recommendation prior to the reorganization, i. e., "We like ____ because...". ]

Rotating the directorship is a good idea, but it's not a be all - end all. For the Depress to act as though it is is disingenuous at best. They have set a policy wherein every action taken by the Board of Freeholders is wrong.
The Depress' goal is twofold: To elect a Democratic Board, and to be a "player" in the New Jersey political scene. Their parent company, Gannett, can be viewed as either a third political party, or a special interest group like the New Jersey Educational Association.
It is important in a free society to have a free press vigilant to governmental abuse. But when that press goes beyond vigilance and slants its reporting to suit an agenda, just how free are we?

BISHOP ON SCHOOL DISTRICTS

"Where’s the “Tax Revolt” like the one our founding fathers declared in the 1776 American Revolution?
"Rather than fight, taxpayers are heading south where government is much cheaper than New Jersey’s State, County and Municipal governments."
...Gordon Bishop.

Award-winning columnist Gordon Bishop has an interesting take on the 611 overlapping school districts here in New Jersey. There are only 566 municipalities in the state, meaning that there are 45 more school districts than there are towns!
Bishop explains the history behind how we got there.

LINCOLN DAY '07!!!

The following went out today from Republican Headquarters:

Dear Fellow Republican:
The 44th Annual Lincoln Day Reception will be held on Monday, February 19, 2007 at Addison Park (formerly The Garden Manor), Route 35, Aberdeen. We hope you will attend and be part of the excitement!

Our cocktail hour starts at 6 pm with three hours of butler hors d’oeuvres and serving stations. The program will start at 7 pm featuring our exciting guest speakers and candidates. Tickets are $45 per person and may be obtained using the order form below. This is the largest gathering of its kind in the State. Please join all of your elected officials and candidates for a night of good food, fellowship and fun! As in past years, a Souvenir Program Journal will be published. We need your help and greatly appreciate your continued support of this very important effort. Please follow up on your previous years’ ads and solicit new ones as well. Remind supporters that over 600 people attend this event and will see their advertisement. A 2007 Souvenir Program Journal form is enclosed.

Why not consider a Municipal Page, highlighting your 2006 local winners, your county committee or club? The success of this event depends on your support. Be part of the new energy we are experiencing in the Monmouth County Republican Party.

With best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

ADVERTISING RATES

FULL PAGE AND RESERVED TABLE OF TEN TICKETS . . . . $600
GOLD PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300
FULL PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200
HALF PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110
QUARTER PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60
PATRON (One line name and address) . . . . .. . . . . . . . $25

DEADLINE FOR ADS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007
Please make your check payable to:
“MCRC”
P.O. Box 808 • Freehold, NJ 07728
Telephone (732) 431-6664 • Fax (732) 431-6619
Sponsorships Available: Bar $1000 (6); Music $1000; Entertainment $1000
(Call For Additional Information)

DIRECTOR BARHAM AGAIN

Freeholder Director William C. Barham was selected this afternoon for another year guiding the county ship.
The Deputy Director for 2007 is Lillian G. Burry, replacing Robert D. Clifton. The other freeholders are Anna C. Little, Republican, and Barbara McMorrow, Democrat.
Outgoing Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick was honored with a portrait, to be displayed in the Hall of Records. Ted was honored as "Freeholder Emeritus" a few weeks ago.
The vast editorial staff here at the Monmouth County Republican Blog wishes Director Barham, Deputy Director Burry and the entire Board the best of luck in 2007!

HAZLET DEM ANNOUNCES FOR SHERIFF

The Independent reports last week that Det. Glen Mason of the Hazlet Township Police Dept. has announced his candidacy to run against award-winning Sheriff Joe Oxley.
Mason is expected to retire from his municipal job this year.
No newcomer to politics, Mason is a Democratic County Committeeman in Hazlet, the former hometown of County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery. He has also served on the Hazlet Board of Education.
Oxley earned the 2006 Ferris E. Lucas Sheriff of the Year Award at the National Sheriffs’ Association Annual Conference and Exposition.

RESOLVE TO BE UNITED IN '07

A good New Years' resolution for Monmouth County Republicans is to be united this year. That doesn't mean being mind-numbed, lockstep Kool-Aid® drinkers, it simply means to start acting like a team!
In 2006 we lost the first freeholder race since 1986 - 20 years ago. The reality is, Andrew Lucas didn't have to lose. The reality also is that the Democrats are now looking at Monmouth County and salivating. Salivating that yet another domino is going to fall.
Let's take a look at what's at stake this year:

The Legislature

All legislative seats are up this year. Wouldn't it be nice to take back both houses? Of course it would! So, let's work together here in our own corner of the state for that goal. We need to hold Districts 11 and 13, and retake the senate seat and one assembly seat in 12. 13 looks OK right now, but the withdrawal of Assemblyman Steve Corodemus opens two vacancies in 11. It is expected that Assemblyman Sean Kean will go for retiring Senator Joe Palaia's seat, but there may be some jockeying by newcomers for the two Assembly positions. OK, but once the choice of candidates is made, people need to put their egos in a drawer and get behind the team. In District 12, a number of names have been bandied about as challengers to the two Democratic legislators, Senator Ellen Kärcher and Assemblyman Michael Panter. Again, let's stay united here.
We don't want to see a Democratic sweep of our legislative districts.

The County

We not only have two freeholders up this year, Rob Clifton and Anna Little, we also have both County Clerk Claire French and Sheriff Joe Oxley having to run for reelection! So ya think the Democrats will be pouring money into the county race? Ya think the Asbury Park Depress will endorse the Democrats, no matter what? Ya think?
Count on it!
Control of the county government is at stake for the first time since the 80's, and the Democrats smell blood. This, sadly, won't be like the 80's, where the Democrats might get control for a year or two and then we're back. No, they are playing for keeps this time. If they get in, it will be very hard to dislodge them. An obvious example is Bergen County, until recently a Republican powerhouse. The GOP became disunited and the Democrats slithered right in. The Bergen Republicans remain split, and the Dems remain solidly in control. Passaic County is another example. Also once under GOP control (The RNC's Mike DuHaime's father was Freeholder Director there.); the Dems got a foothold and are now firmly in possession.
Democrat bucks will be wheeled into Monmouth County from all over the state this year. Let's unite behind our team and make it all a waste of money for the Dems.

Locals

Big towns - that means you, Howell and Middletown - get it together.
Howell has no local race this year, so here's an opportunity to put aside local differences and help the county team.
Middletown, like the county, has control at stake. Time to resolve the local issues that have been eroding pluralities, then go forward, or local Democrat Boss Joe Caliendo will be king again like back in the 70's.
Other towns are big enough to make a difference. Places like Wall, Neptune, Ocean, Manalapan, Aberdeen, Freehold Twp. and Hazlet should all do their best not only to keep or regain local control, but to try and build pluralities for the county and legislative teams.

TIME TO CUT THE CRAP

William H. Seward has an important statement from Freeholder Anna C. Little addressing acts of character assassination leveled against her on a blog which was formerly linked here but since this has been started has been de-linked.
The posts and comments on that blog are reminiscent of those made here about a year ago which caused me to end anonymous commenting and activate comment moderation, as well as those made on Ronald Reagan's and Wally Edge's blogs which caused me to de-link both of them.
Sadly, it appears that this rumor activity is coming from within our own Republican Party; from a faction or sub-faction which lost at three County Conventions. A faction or sub-faction that would like to bring back the "bad old days" of the boy's club.
The best way to fight this type of activity is by confronting it head-on with the truth. Freeholder Little has done that.
Hopefully now these morons trying to destroy her will cut the crap.

WHO WILL BE DIRECTOR FOR 2007?

!!!UPDATE!!!

According to today's (January 3, '07) APP, Director Bill Barham has the votes for another year.

Every year by state law the Board of Chosen Freeholders must select one of its members to serve as Director, and the time will soon be upon us.
Freeholder William C. Barham, the current director, has held the leadership for the past year, having succeeded Thomas J. Powers in the directorship. At the present time, it looks like two freeholders have emerged as contenders for the job. It is said that Barham would like another year at the helm, and Freeholder Lillian G. Burry is said to be actively interested in the directorship. Some GOP activists are said to like Freeholder Robert D. Clifton to be director, and Freeholder Anna C. Little as deputy director; it is unknown at this time whether Rob and Anna are interested. It is also not certain who has the votes to become director. One must be able to count to three. (votes)
What's your opinion? Who do you think will be director? Who would you like to see? Would a second year of Bill Barham bring continuity, or would we be in danger of an "imperial directorship" of one-man rule, as under the late Harry Larrison, Jr? Should it be rotated from year to year like the mayoralty in many towns? If so, who should be the next to step up? Lillian? Rob? Anna?
Let us know.

GERALD R. FORD, JR. 1913 - 2006

APP SCOOPED!!!

UPDATE

Great Op-ed piece today (January 3, '07) by Chairman Adam Puharic. And where is Barbara McMorrow on all this??? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm?????

The staff at the Asbury Park Depress reads the Monmouth County Republican Blog, it's true. We have it on good authority that star reporter Bob "The Bald Avenger" Cullinane himself logs on frequently.
Over a week ago, this blog reported on the impending relocation of the Matawan Motor Vehicle Agency, Rebecca Aaronson, agent, to Hazlet's Airport Plaza Strip Mall, County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery, owner. Aaronson is also Scudiery's vice chairman.
This past Wednesday, the APP finally reported on the subject. Five days after we ran the story. Today (Dec. 23, '06), they ran another article and an editorial critical of the move.
What were they waiting for?

A COURT GONE OUT OF BOUNDS

Assemblyman Michael Carroll writes about the New Jersey Supreme Court and its serial rewriting of the State Constitution. The Court, which often uses "because we said so" as the legal basis for its decisions, has been compared by some Republicans to the Soviet Politburo.
This is an ongoing problem in this state, and is an issue for all of our legislators to ponder. The State Senate votes to confirm all judicial appointments. With open senate seats in the 11th and 12th districts, GOP committee members should press potential candidates on where they stand on judicial appointments. Senators should not unquestioningly confirm every hack the governor sends down the pipeline.
It is important that the checks and balances of three co-equal branches of government are not disrupted by a rogue branch, in this case the judiciary.

TENANT FOUND FOR VACANT HAZLET STORE!

A vacant furniture store in Hazlet's Airport Plaza will be fallow no more. The state Motor Vehicle Commission, which has maintained an agency on Route 34 in Matawan for over 20 years, will be relocating to the Route 36 location in January.
Defeated former Democratic Freeholder candidate Rebecca Aaronson of Manalapan is the agent at that office.
It was not ascertained at press time whether Airport Plaza landlord and County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery would receive rent payments for the space, or if he was letting it out of the goodness of his heart.

FREEHOLDERS' MEETING PUNCTUATED BY STANDING O's

At last night's (Nov. 21st) Freeholders' meeting, Freeholder Anna Little, accompanied by her husband Robert, their kids, her mother and her brother, was sworn in to an unexpired term on the board. After Anna took the oath of office, the entire room erupted in a standing ovation. Anna has worked very hard as a freeholder, and her victory was well deserved.
The Asbury Park Depress story is here.
Later, Freeholder Ted Narozanick, a former Englishtown fire chief, was honored by the Bayshore Active Fire Chiefs Association for his many years of service. Ted was also presented with a proclamation from the Monmouth County Library Commission for his work over the decades in building up the Monmouth County Library System. Ted's recognitions were also met with standing ovations.
Ted has served many years in different capacities for this Great County of Monmouth; as he retires from the Board he will be missed. Anna, who only came to the Board this year, has hit the ground running and clearly will have a great future as a freeholder.

ANNA LITTLE TO BE SWORN IN

Freeholder Anna Little will be sworn in on Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Hall of Records.
Anna is the epitome of the new, youthful Republican leadership in this great county. Despite baldly partisan (And largely futile!) efforts on the part of the Asbury Park Depress to label her otherwise, Freeholder Little has, in a short time, earned a reputation as a no-nonsense reformer.
Please make an effort to attend this meeting and show your support for this outstanding official!

B. McCLURE COMES FORWARD

The perpetrator of the ♥ signs has come clean! Read about it here.
Your comments?

GOP WINS 2 OUT OF 3

Tonight saw the election of Rosemarie Peters as Surrogate and Anna Little as Freeholder. Sadly, after much hard work, Andrew Lucas was narrowly defeated by Democrat Barbara McMorrow. Read the returns here. The new Board of Freeholders will be 4-1 instead of 5-0. Andrew is a great guy and was a good candidate; we wish him well and hope to see him back soon.
Democrats also won in many towns.
What brought this on? Was it the national situation (The war, Foley, etc.), county issues, the Asbury Park 527 Press? What will this mean for the future?

NOW VOTE!

OK, a few more hours and the voting starts. Some of you may have already voted by now. Many of us have been campaigning for the team each in our own way. Phone calls, stuffing and addressing, signs, lit drops; some are candidates.
Phone banking will continue into tomorrow.
After all the hard work, it's now time to vote!

Republicans ♥
BARBARA
McMORROW

Well, not exactly. We haven't found any who do.
Maybe you've seen the signs. They've been spotted in Howell, Wall, Freehold Township and Colts Neck. The disclaimer says they are paid for by "Friends of Barbara McMorrow, B. McClure, Treasurer".
So far, the vast editorial staff here at the Monmouth County Republican Blog has found no reports filed with ELEC from this mysterious committee. Who are they? How much money do they have and where did it come from? And who is B. McClure?
It seems rather typical that the Democrats have a mystery fund. Kind of like Beverly Bova-Scarano's 2002 mystery fund. Are they running two sets of books here?

NO SURPRISE HERE

APP endorses Democrats for freeholders.
And Tommy DeSeno takes on the Press here.

SOME ELEC STUFF

This was originally part of the previous post. We separated it because we believe this issue to be important enough for its own post. HA

We found other things while surfing ELEC. One is that the Aberdeen, Hazlet and Middletown Democrats' reports all seem to be in the same handwriting, although they each have different treasurers. Weird I know. Also, of the ten Bayshore towns, six have not filed ELEC reports for their Democratic County Committee in years. They are Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport and Matawan. So a whole "cottage industry" of fundraising and spending could be going on, below ELEC's radar. In fact it is; sometimes it appears:

• Hazlet: On Oct. 24, 2005 we have a $2,600.00 contribution from a "Democratic Club of Hazlet" to the local Dem campaign. No ELEC reports filed by this club, so we don't know how much money it has, or where it came from.
• Keyport: On Oct. 14, 2005 the "Keyport Democratic Club" gave $5,000.00 to the local Democratic campaign. No ELEC report for that club, either.
• Matawan: This one was a little involved to find, but we found it while looking for payments to Courier. The 2005 Democratic campaign closed out its accounts by contributing to a future 2008 local campaign. OK, it's legal, and there are ELEC reports for the '08 account. There aren't ELEC reports to be found for "Matawan Democrats", which received $500.00 from the 2008 campaign fund.
• Middletown: There appears to be a "Middletown Democratic Social Club", with an address in Long Branch, which shows up on the Middletown Democratic Executive Committee's fourth quarter 2005 ELEC report with a $1,200.00 contribution on October 5. There are no ELEC reports for the Middletown Democratic Social Club.

Compliance with ELEC is very important. It appears however that the Monmouth County Democrats honor this mainly in the breach and otherwise take a very cavalier attitude. This was a survey of ten towns; certainly this behavior will show up elsewhere in the county; we'll be looking, too.

As part of his Ethical Roadmap, Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic has established a Compliance Commission for the purpose of providing reference to local GOP organizations for compliance with Campaign Finance Laws. The Democrats ridicule this; they do so at their peril as they are frequently out of compliance.

This is not going away, Vic.

DO PAPERS USUALLY DO THIS? AND SOME ELEC STUFF

On Monday we received a communication addressing a situation in Matawan. The writer alleged that for the second year in a row, Courier has appeared in driveways in Matawan, shortly before Election Day and featuring articles favorable to the local Democrats. The writer went on to say that the local Democrats should report this on their ELEC reports as an in-kind contribution.
Back in January, the Monmouth County Republican Blog reported that the Flynn - DaSaro losing 13th District Legislative Campaign was given an in - kind donation of $2,100.00 from Courier. This was promptly refuted by Courier publisher and sometime - Democrat Jim Purcell; the bill was finally paid to Courier.
While we knew that Courier doesn't do in - kinds (Purcell said!), we thought this did bear some research, and so we directed the Honest Abe Research Foundation to look into this. They went through the Democrats' 2005 ELEC reports of every Bayshore town, including Matawan, and found some interesting stuff.

• Aberdeen: On Oct. 19 and Oct 21, 2005, the local Democratic Executive Committee made two payments of $960.00 each, totaling $1,920.00, to Courier for "Distribution". This was reported by the executive committee as an expenditure made on behalf of the Aberdeen Democratic campaign; the campaign failed to report this as an in - kind from the executive committee.
• Atlantic Highlands: Nothing spectacular. The Dems buy advertisement in Courier, that's about it.
• Hazlet: On a 48 - hour Report dated November 3, 2005, the Hazlet Democratic campaign reported paying $1,940.00 to Courier for "Ads and Paper Delivery". While they did file the 48 - hour report, the Hazlet Dems failed to file their 20 - Day Post - Election financial report. Their 11- day Pre - Election report closes with a balance of $6,230.00 and no expenditures whatsoever reported. While we know about the $1,940.00 paid to Courier, we don't know what they spent the other $4,290.00 on, or if they raised and spent more!
• Highlands: Only 48 - hour reports filed listing contributions to the local Democratic campaign. No expenditures listed.
• Holmdel: No Dem advertisements in Courier. No distribution or delivery of the paper.
• Keansburg: Non - partisan elections.
• Keyport: No advertisements by local Democrats or distribution reported. There was a $2,500.00 contribution from some Raritan Bay Leadership Fund, a New Brunswick - based PAC (Lynch?).
• Matawan: No record of any payments by local Democrats to Courier.
• Middletown: Their ELEC reports show many advertising bills in Courier, and Middletown Democrat boss Joe "King" Caliendo does advertise heavily in that paper. They do not, however, make mention of paying for paper delivery.
• Union Beach: No campaign reports found. Nothing. (Did any Democrats even run there in '05?) Sworn statement filed for Dem County Committee.

Jim Purcell is a frequent visitor to this Blog and we hope he will explain this newspaper delivery matter.

LOOKING FOR TIPS? THE DEMS SHOULD LOOK FOR A CLUE!

A report in the Sunday Asbury Park Press is very telling with regards to the county Democrats. After bad publicity on their County Organization's failure to file ELEC reports, and then the Lenny Inzerillo matter and his withdrawal, you'd think they'd get a clue!
Nope.
Democratic freeholder candidate J. Gregory Gibadlo, who is looking for tips, filed a report with ELEC stating that he plans to raise and spend no more than $3,500.00 for his race. In a countywide race.
Right.
More is raised in a town election; sometimes single contributions exceed $3,500.00!
Speaking of town elections, Highlands GOP council candidate Art Gallagher has blogged that the Highlands Democrats filed no ELEC reports for the October 10th reporting.
Let's look now at Democratic surrogate candidate Beverly Bova-Scarano, who has accepted contributions from convicted former Senate President John Lynch, Jr. Our candidate, Rosemarie Peters, points out the discovery of a mysterious 2002 campaign account, for which no ELEC reports were filed whatsoever!
Really.
These people sure are in disarray. Or are they? Some Republicans have alleged that the Democrats are keeping two sets of books. One for public viewing and a secret account? Imagine that.
Stay tuned. This is not going away.

SO WHAT'S UP IN HOWELL?

So far, it's been a quiet county campaign this year. As the Democratic candidates hone their skills at writing ELEC reports and concession speeches, Surrogate candidate Rosemarie Peters, Freeholder Anna C. Little and Freeholder candidate Andrew Lucas are working hard, meeting people and not taking victory for granted. Indeed, Anna has built a solid reputation as a no-nonsense reformer.
Something weird has been going on in, you guessed it, Howell.
A few weeks ago, we saw the withdrawal of the entire Democratic ticket in the township. This leaves in the field the Republican ticket of Deputy Mayor Pete Tobasco, Mauro Raccuglia and Ed Skibicki; and an Independent ticket led by Councilman Bob Walsh.
What's weird is that this is the second consecutive year that the Democrats have not run a ticket in Howell. Now, that would normally be the Democrats' problem, but the word "deal" has been thrown about here. Some have alleged that the Democrats never intended to field a slate in Howell, and that they would back the Independents.
Now, the Independent group in Howell appears at least in part to have originated as a faction within the local GOP that chose to skip the primary process and go right to the General Election. Indeed, a number of its supporters remain committed Republicans on the county level, attending such functions as Lincoln Day and The Affiliated. That would make a deal with the Dems less likely.
Why is this even relevant in a county blog? Howell is Monmouth County's largest municipality in land area, and is second only to Middletown in population and registered voters. It is an important town for county candidates to carry. We might win without Howell, but it sure helps to have it in our column.
So does the current situation help us or hurt us on the county level? Is the withdrawal en masse of the Democratic ticket part of a deal with the Independents, or just another in a series of Democratic fumbles in Monmouth County? Does it hurt the county Democrats not to have local candidates?
Your comments, please.

100,000 HITS!

The Monmouth County Republican Blog just turned

100,000 HITS!

Thank you for your continued support!

O'GRADY SENTENCED

Former Middletown Mayor Raymond O'Grady was sentenced today to 43 months in federal prison. That's 3 years and 7 months.
This is a good thing, let this be an example to all public officials who may be tempted by corruption; at the same time we must have compassion for his family and all the other innocents affected by this case.

THE THIRD POLITICAL PARTY

There is a third political party here in Monmouth County: The Gannett. Their daily newspaper, The Asbury Park Press, ran a series of articles in Sunday's edition obviously timed to influence the upcoming election for freeholders. Gannett has an agenda, and that is to be a player on New Jersey's political stage. Influencing this election would clearly be a way to achieve their agenda.
The Press has been critical of the freeholders' 3 - 2 vote reappointment of Neptune City's Malcolm V. Carton back in August as County Counsel. Now, while the vast editorial staff here at the Monmouth County Republican Blog may have voted differently had they been on the board, it appears that the Press just doesn't like the gruff Carton and bases its opinions thusly. Lost in all this is the fact that Freeholder Anna C. Little voted against Carton's reappointment! Her running - mate, Andrew F. Lucas, isn't even on the board yet, making this issue moot as to this election.
Still, the Press attempts to drive the news, not just report it.
It is important in a free society to have a press vigilant to governmental abuse. But when that press goes beyond vigilance and slants its reporting to suit an agenda, just how free are we?
The Press has attempted to use the Carton reappointment as an issue to influence this year's election even though no freeholder running this year or next voted favorably on the reappointment.
In past articles, they attempted to paint rank & file county workers as political hacks, publishing names, salaries and overtime for all to see.
Their biased reporting in 2005 prompted a fact-laden response from then - Freeholder Director Thomas J. Powers.
As stated above, a free press protects us from government abuse. Operative word here being free. Sadly the Press (with a capital P), which as part of the Gannett empire holds a near monopoly on daily print media in Monmouth County, has been likened to a schoolyard bully. If you give the bully your lunch money in September, expect to give it up every day until June unless you fight back.
Our freeholders, beginning with Director Powers and continuing under Director Bill Barham, are fighting back. They are fighting back by doing what they believe to be right, and by not being cowed by the print media.
What can we do as Republican activists? County Chairman Adam Puharic said it very well in this week's Wireside Chat: Stick together.

And a stovepipe hat-tip to Bayshore Journalista for the "third political party" idea.