Newberry Announces For Freeholder
By Art Gallagher
Wall Township Committeeman George Newberry has sent a letter to County Committee members seeking their support for the GOP nomination to run as Freeholder Lillian Burry’s running mate this fall. 
A full size copy of Newberry’s letter can be found here.
Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas and Spring Lake Councilman Gary Rich are also expected to compete for the nomination. Former Middletown Committeeman Tom Wilkens, who narrowly lost the nomination to now Freeholder Tom Arnone last year, will not be a candidate this year.
The Monmouth GOP’s Annual Lincoln Day Dinner is the traditional kickoff for candidates seeking county and legislative office. With Republican incumbents seeking reelection for the legislature, surrogate, and Burry seeking a third term as freeholder, the nomination for Democratic Freeholder Amy Mallet’s seat is the only race that is expected to be competitive in the screening process.
The Lincoln Day Dinner is this Sunday evening at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands. For information on reserving your seat, download the reservation form here.
More from my site
Kingmaker without a portfolio
Coming Attractions
Walsh To Challenge Freeholder Incumbents
Gray Will Not Be A Candidate For Freeholder
MMM Year in Review – February
MMM Year In Review – March- Photo Finish
Monmouth Democrats Are Off And Running
Report: Rich not running for re-election as Monmouth County Freeholder
Lucas Farm Purchase Stalled in Manalapan
So let’s get this straight:
This guy co-hosted the Finance Gala last summer;
His PO Box is the same one that the Monmouth GOP uses, i.e. look where your Lincoln Day check went;
He has a list of the “Advisory Group” which doesn’t really exist in advance of the “Screening Committee”, as the “Chair” unilaterally decides who gets to be on it.
Good Luck to the other candidates, but this has already been decided.
Hey Chairman Joe, how are those bypass coming along?
That should be by-laws.
By the way, is it legal for a candidate committee and a party committee to share a PO Box?
I also received this letter. I suspect it was sent to all county committee members, or maybe it was sent to county committee members who attended the Sean Kean event, or some other event… but enough speculation, certainly “The Fixer”, who is so concerned and dedicated to “fixing”, has reached out to George at 732-280-9011 to ask who the letter was sent to, how or why he is using the same PO Box as the Lincoln Day committee and all of the other important question and “the Fixer” is going to share the answers with us here.
I’d say this much, the effort to reach out is appreciated and rather than write the guy off, maybe it’s worth doing some homework and research… or even CALL THE GUY…. I bet you can still find a public pay phone and claim to be “The Fixer” on the telephone if you want to remain “anonymous” even.
Jim, mail sent by a candidate to County Committee people introducing themselves is quite common. But, what is ironic is that Newberry asked for our support in that letter; but in reality the County Committee people have been removed from that decision process in a great part. Our Chair uses a nominating committee for that effort, a policy that I and a great many others disagree with.
I also seem to remember Chairman Oxley saying he would look at the situation during his comments at the County Reorganization last June. But, there has not been one word about that since then.
Finally, I also do have a bit of a concern with the use of the county mail box in Newberry’s mailing. I think it is a concern in that it might create an image of the County Chair endorsing the candidacy.
As well, John Lane lives in Wall Twp and I understand he does a lot of the stuff for the County. So, there might be the connection as well as a reason for concern. Or it could just be a simple mistake & misunderstanding. But, what is important is that Mr. Newberry come forward and explain why the County P.O. Box was used in his mailing
After all, Mr. Newberry; if you are going to run for office a P.O. Box is cheap insurance against suspicious minds and questions like this so early in your candidacy.
The Fixer approves the above comment.
are public records, as are our voting lists.. duh, anyone can get them.. many folks in the party have the same treasurer, so what’s the big deal?.. all are R’s, all are better than the best D’s, so, since it’ll be a low-turnout year, let’s get behind whichever of the gentlemen who is selected!
looks like we need to askour Chair for some refresher courses soon on how it all works, who’s who in the org., etc.. nothing’s wrong with asking all elected county committee members for their support: it is the DUTY of all duly-elected Munic. Chairs in each town to poll their people before going in to the nominating vote..John Lane is one of many in the party who helps out and volunteers every year: when the call goes out to participate by joining the Affiliated and Federation clubs, work on any of the various campaigns, the county fair, etc., anyone can and should get involved!!
anyone else find it ironic that Newburry is being pushed???? Why is that ironic you ask; b/c the municipal attorney in Wall Twp is none other than…………… Joe Oxely
Fair & open process my rear
In case anyone doesn’t know, that PO Box is the same one used by John and Mary Fran Lane of Wall, who also run Lincoln Day. Doesn’t it make sense that Newberry would have their support? He was their Mayor.
Just as a follow-up, I had the chance to speak with George Thursday night and talk about some of these issues, and others. My notes are here:
http://averagenoone.blogspot.com/2011/02/chatting-with-george-newberry-at-lbrc.html
the MCRC’s main box address is in Colonia, the address of their main treasurer, attorney Ron Gravino, who has ably assisted the county and state with reporting duties for MANY years.. here’s an idea: let’s focus on WHO can bring our 2011 County ticket, consisting of Surrogate Rose Marie Peters, Freeholder Lillian Burry, (and the new person), the most winning VOTES, ok?