Handlin Calls For Probe Of Community Colleges Spending and Perks

STUDENTS AND TAXPAYERS DESERVE ASSURANCE THAT THEIR

TUITION AND TAX DOLLARS ARE USED PROPERTY

Concerned that recent scandals at county colleges in Monmouth and Gloucester counties could be representative of a larger problem, Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin today asked State Comptroller Matt Boxer to look into the contractual perks and spending habits of county college presidents throughout New Jersey.

The presidents of Brookdale Community and Gloucester County colleges have recently resigned amid accusations of fiscal impropriety that have triggered criminal investigations.

In the letter, Handlin wrote:

Dear Comptroller Boxer:

 

Two presidents of New Jersey’s county colleges have recently resigned amid accusations of fiscal impropriety that have triggered criminal investigations.

 

While I hope these are isolated examples, I cannot have faith that these issues are unique to Monmouth and Gloucester counties given the propensity for waste and abuse in New Jersey’s public agencies and institutions.

 

New Jersey’s county colleges are an important asset for the future of our state. Students and taxpayers deserve assurance that their tuition and tax dollars are handled responsibly, effectively and ethically at these public institutions, especially during trying economic times when personal finances and state revenues are so severely strained.

 

Your office has produced tremendous results for the public exposing wasteful and abusive spending in New Jersey. Therefore, I respectfully request that you review the contracts, perks and spending policies of county college presidents so the public knows whether the scandals at Brookdale Community and Gloucester County colleges are mere coincidence or representative of a statewide epidemic.

 

I hope my concerns are misplaced and that your office finds efficiently-run county colleges. If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach me at my office: (732) 787-1170.

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County seeks nominations for 2011 planning awards

Plans, projects, individuals and municipalities are included

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Planning Board is accepting nominations for its 2011 Planning Awards.

Through its annual Planning Award program, the Monmouth County Planning Board honors outstanding plans, projects, individuals and municipalities that have significantly influenced planning in Monmouth County.

“The annual planning awards are an important way to recognize the people and organizations that demonstrate excellent planning on projects constructed within the county,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, a Planning Board member. “Our hope is that these projects inspire others to plan and to work for a great Monmouth County.”

Any individual or organization is eligible to submit a nomination application. Projects or plans must be located in Monmouth County and have been completed between May 31, 2010 and June 17, 2011.

Nominations must be received by June 17, 2011 and must include a completed nomination form and supporting data. The nomination forms can be found on the Planning Board section of the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com, or can be requested by calling the Planning Board at 732-431-7460.

“Projects may be nominated from a wide range of planning-related categories,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, also a member of the Planning Board. “They can include but are not limited to areas involving environmental conservation, historic preservation, development, redevelopment, plans and ordinances, and publications and planning media.”

Winners will be honored at the Planning Board’s annual awards dinner in the fall.

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WISNIEWSKI:NEW LEGISLATIVE MAP WILL WITHSTAND TEA PARTY COURT CHALLENGE

(TRENTON) — Assemblyman John Wisniewski, the Democratic Co-Chair of the Legislative Apportionment Commission, issued the following statement on the Tea Party’s court challenge to the recently approved redistricting map:

     “We are extremely confident in the constitutionality of the recently adopted map, which underwent a through review by not only our attorneys, but former Attorney General John Farmer, who served as counsel to the 11th member of the commission.

     “This is a map that not only met traditional redistricting criteria but improved upon compactness, competitiveness and one-person, one-vote standards and will ultimately be found constitutional,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). 

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Bayshore Tea Party Group Launches “Two Tons For Our Troops”

Middletown, NJ – The Bayshore Tea Party Group is sponsoring “Two Tons for our Troops,” a supply drive for the 13^th Marine Expeditionary Unit, “America’s 911 Force” now in international deployment.

A Marine Expeditionary Unit has about 2,200 personnel and consists of command, infantry, aviation and combat logistics. The 13th MEU is based out of Camp Pendleton, CA.

The Bayshore Tea Party Group has set a deadline of May 15 to collect two tons of supplies. Communities, individuals and other organizations are encouraged to help reach that ambitious goal. The collection point is 275 Route 35 North, Red Bank NJ 07701 (just north of the Pine Street jug handle.) The following items would be gratefully accepted and appreciated:

ENTERTAINMENT

X-box games, DVDs, games, books, magazines

FOOD – Non Perishable Only

Non-melting candy, powdered drink mixes, Gatorade mix, chips, protein powder/bars, beef jerky, Airborne, Vitamin tablets, Emergen-C

TOILETRIES

hand sanitizer, body wash, toilet paper, body lotion, mouth wash, foot powder, chap stick, Clorox wipes, toothpaste, tooth brush, nail clippers, bath towels, Lysol, Q tips, face wash, dental floss shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, shower curtain, small bath rugs, febreeze, hook toilet fresheners

CLOTHING

Black/brown socks, white ankle socks for PT

MISCELLANEOUS

Stamps, envelopes/stationery, notebooks, phone cards, paper towels, hair clippers, batteries (AA/AAA 3 VOLT), duct tape, small fans,  large trash bags, cable ties, combo locks

Please visit our website at www.bayshoreteaparty.org for information on how you can become involved with the effort to restore American exceptionalism and fix our broken state and federal governments. 

The Bayshore Tea Party Group Headquarters is located at 275 Rt. 35N in Fairview, NJ. Please contact [email protected] or call 732-842-6652 for more information.

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One Meadowlands Racetrack Union Imperils Deal to Save Standardbred Racing

Trenton, NJ – Governor Chris Christie today called Thursday’s inaction by the union representing the mutuel clerks at Meadowlands Racetrack on a proposal from prospective track operator Jeff Gural a potentially fatal obstacle to continuing racing operations at the East Rutherford facility.

In the face of unsustainable racetrack losses, and the recognition that jobs and livelihoods could nonetheless be saved, substantial progress had been made to save standardbred racing in negotiations with Mr. Gural. That progress included the overwhelming acceptance by another racetrack union of new contract provisions.  

Said Governor Christie: “Apparently, one group has decided on its own to put at risk the livelihoods of many others. We were patient and accommodating, but these deadlines for achieving self-sustaining horse racing are very real.  This is an unfortunate outcome to say the least.” 

The failure of Local 137 to vote will trigger the following consequences, which Local 137 was keenly aware would occur: Live racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack will not resume on May 7 as previously scheduled. Meadowlands simulcasting will cease as of May 12. Racetrack employees were issued notices March 8 of potential layoffs as required by law, and absent a vote by Local 137, those layoffs will commence on May 12, the first date for which the legal cessation of all operations at the racetrack can now occur.

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CASAGRANDE: DEPUTIZE PRIVATE ACCOUNTANTS TO HELP DELIVER EVEN MORE SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS

CASAGRANDE BILL WOULD PROVIDE WORK FOR PRIVATE ACCOUNTANTS,

CURB GOVERNMENT WASTE AND GENERATE SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS

            The State Comptroller’s recent report that state government wastes millions of dollars on uniforms for state workers who don’t wear them, is another outrage that proves the capacity for waste in New Jersey government is endless, said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, the sponsor of a measure that would pay private accountants to audit wasteful government spending – at no cost to taxpayers.

            “This bogus clothing stipend is one of many outrageous examples of waste hidden deep within New Jersey’s many layers of government,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said. “Matt Boxer and his office consistently do an excellent job unearthing these abuses, but New Jersey governments’ capacity for waste is bottomless and we could always use more diggers.”

            Casagrande sponsors, A-1828, which would allow the State Comptroller to hire private certified accountants on a contingency basis. Their pay would be a percentage of the savings they uncover and deliver for taxpayers.

            “We often talk about running government like a private business, so let’s see what happens when we deputize private accountants,” Casagrande said. “This will help the State Comptroller conduct more investigations with greater impact. It will also create jobs for enterprising accountants in a way that saves money, unlike some recent proposals that would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions without guarantee of one new job.

            “Governor Christie will make sure Governor Corzine’s clothing allowance is hung out to dry in the next public employee contract, but this example proves that special interests and a complicit government will sink to any depth, so let’s even the score with vigilante accountants working for taxpayers against waste,” Casagrande added.

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Red Bank Regional Students Excel In Applied Technology

RBR Students Win the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot III National Championship

Photo credit, Red Bank Regional High School

Little Silver:  A team of six students from Red Bank Regional High School’s Academy of Information Technology out-performed 11 other teams from across the nation to win first place April 2^nd in the nation’s largest and most prestigious high school cyber defense competition.

The CyberPatriot III National Championship is co-sponsored by government, non-profit and commercial sources under the direction of the non-profit Air Force Association (AFA), whose mission is to promote an understanding of cyber defense and its importance to our national security.

            The RBR team was the only team from the entire Northeast region of the United States to have qualified to the championship finals, which were held in Washington, D.C. during a two-day program.  The winning RBR team—nicknamed Team Mantrap, after an industrial term in cyber security lingo—includes Chris Barry of Bradley Beach; Jared Katzman of Little Silver; Adam Cotenoff, Josh Eddy, Jack Kelleher, and Colin Mahns of Shrewsbury. As finalists in the competition, Team Mantrap had already beat approximately 174 other teams from across the country.

            In addition to bringing home The President’s Trophy, each of the winning students received a $2000 college scholarship from Northrop Grumman, the main sponsor of the final competition. Five of the team members will graduate high school in June, and all intend to pursue careers in cyber security. As their RBR teacher and advisor Mandy Galante says, the CyberPatriot Championship opened many new doors to these students.

 “It means scholarship monies, eligibility for Honors Scholar status at their universities, prospects for job internships, and most of all, networking with industry leaders. It means a future for my students where their talents will be recognized and nurtured so that they can join the ranks of cyber leaders of their generation,” says Mrs. Galante.

The first wave of that recognition hit immediately after the competition, when the winners were announced at a celebration banquet attended by corporate executives, defense contractors and government officials, all of whom were vying to speak with members of Team Mantrap. Included among the cyber industry experts was Dr. Vincent Cerf, one of the founders of the Internet, a guest speaker at the program’s symposium—and a quasi-deity to computer wonks around the world.

The RBR students are still ebullient from their victory, but not necessarily surprised that they won. “We worked well as a team, and spent many hours preparing for it,” explains Adam Cotenoff.  “I knew from the way our guys were working and the points that were registered on the board that we were ahead.”

            They nearly drove their advisor out of her mind, when they started packing up their notes ten minutes before the actual end of the competition. “It’s cool,” they said to her, when they saw the panic on her face. “We did fine.”

The competition took place over a five-hour stretch in a large room where each team was ensconced in its own makeshift section. A scoreboard listed each team’s progress as the challenge evolved, but the identity of the teams was kept anonymous, so no one knew which team was actually in the lead. Throughout the competition, most of the teams’ scores tracked closely together, except for the still-anonymous winning team, which maintained a clear distance ahead of the others. Team Mantrap didn’t know it, but it was actually way ahead.

            Adam Cotenoff had discovered the CyberPatriot III Competition early in the school year and asked Mrs. Galante if it might be something they could look into. The elimination process began six months ago with 186 teams registered from around the United States. Applicants included public, private and high technology focused high schools. The three qualifying competitions took place at the teams’ own high schools during all-day weekend sessions. The schools’ computers were tied into the AFA server, which provided software for the competition and real-time scoring, as students successfully identified and eliminated cyber threats against their computers within a specified time-frame. The resulting twelve national finalists were invited to the final event, with all expenses paid by the AFA sponsors.

As Team Captain Jack Kelleher comments, “Originally, Team Mantrap got involved because it sounded really cool and because we would always rather do hands-on applications of the stuff we learn in textbooks. As time went on we got better and better, we started to think, ‘Hey we could win this thing!’ Just like a sports team, we reviewed our last game to find areas for improvement. We documented game plans, and we did drills over and over again.”

            The students had also recently been interviewed by German Public Radio while they competed in another competition. The German radio reporter was interested in showcasing the school’s program since cyber security has become a national priority for all industrialized nations.

            In addition to her students’ hard work and preparation, Mrs. Galante believes Team Mantrap had beneficial advantages. RBR offers a very unique computer curriculum that is not available in many other schools. Students take specific courses which lead to certification in computer networking and computer security. The latter is directly applicable to the CyberPatriot III competition. They also had the guidance and mentorship of Herb Kelsey, an RBR parent who, at one point in his career, was the head of cyber security for IBM.

            Mr. Kelsey  commented, “Five years ago the government set out to see how they could get our young people involved in an industry that was rapidly becoming a national security priority. This competition is an outgrowth of that concern.”

Mrs. Galante agreed that there was a deeper meaning to the CyberPatriot event.

She explains, “At one point during the symposium, I heard General Lord, CIO US Air Force, speak about identifying the young people who will hold the tip of the spear in cyber defense for our nation. These students are not just geeks, with left-brains perfectly developed to speak code and manipulate bits. These young men and women are the ones who when they see a challenge, they will rise to meet it. When presented with a problem, they will strive to solve it. And when they hear a call to duty, they will answer it. These are the young men and women who will hold that cyber spear to keep our systems resilient, reliable and robust.”

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OCEANPORT TASK FORCE COMMENTS ON DECISION BY THE NJSEA TO NEGOTIATE WITH DEVELOPER AND ENTREPRENEUR MORRIS BAILEY ON THE LEASE OF MONMOUTH PARK RACETRACK

The Monmouth Park Task Force is pleased with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority‟s choice to begin negotiations with developer and entrepreneur Morris Bailey for a five-year private lease to run Monmouth Park Racetrack. The NJSEA expects to turn over track operations by June 1, 2011 to the successful lease operator.

“Oceanport is pleased the Authority is taking the next step toward for a self-sustaining industry in New Jersey and returning Monmouth Park Racetrack to its place as the premier location for thoroughbred horse racing. We look forward to his plans for revitalizing the facility and capitalizing on the OTW‟s. I look forward to seeing Monmouth Park under his management.” „ Said Mayor Michael J. Mahon, Task Force Chairman “We‟re hopeful Mr. Bailey will bring a fresh excitement to the 2011 season and quickly build on the success of the Elite Summer Meet held last year. Monmouth will be an exciting place again for horse racing. Oceanport and Monmouth Park Racetrack will continue our long standing partnership and we look forward to working with Mr. Bailey as he takes the reins.” Stated Councilman and Task Force member Joseph Irace

“The Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has been hoping a lessee would step forward who would be committed to maintain Monmouth Park as a racetrack. This is critical for the Borough as we look to preserve jobs, protect the environment, maintain open space and preserve this historic centerpiece of horse racing in Monmouth County and the Jersey Shore.” Said Mayor Michael J. Mahon

The Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has continued to maintain the position that

VLT‟s, slot machines, or an all out gaming casino in the Meadowlands is the only way to protect horse racing in New Jersey. All the surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania,

Delaware and Maryland now have some form of gaming at their race tracks. This uneven

Playing field enables our competitors to lure New Jersey horseman out of State with larger purses and better quality horse racing. This will continue to challenge the industry as new operators take the reins at both the Meadowlands and here at Monmouth Park Racetrack.

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Kyrillos: “Is The Cost of Unused Sick Leave Payments Sinking in Yet?”

“In total, these municipalities (Newark, Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Trenton, South Brunswick, East Orange, Hackensack) paid more than $39 million last year to more than 700 employees who cashed in their unused sick and vacation time.”

–The Star-Ledger, 4/11/2011

Trenton—  In light of new information showing eight municipalities in New Jersey paid out $39 million in terminal leave payments to departing public employees, Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex) called for Senate Democrats to explain their continued defense of the practice:

“I have to wonder if the cost to the taxpayers of this outrageous public employee perk is sinking in with my Democrat colleagues.”

“Even more frustrating is that some of the municipalities with the largest terminal leave debts are also recipients of huge amounts of state aid, paid for by the rest of the state’s beleaguered taxpayers.”

“Contrary to the claims of Trenton special interests defending the practice, sick leave is not a form of deferred compensation.  These payments are wrong in any amount and must be ended, not just capped, by the Legislature.  This is a vote the Senate needs to hold this month.”

“If the Majority party continues its crusade to preserve these payments, the taxpayers deserve an explanation as to why they should pay for a public employee perk that the majority of New Jersey workers do not receive themselves.”

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Red Bank Elks Name Leo Olsen, 4, Child Of The Year

On Saturday April 2^nd, the Red Bank Elks Lodge #233 held its 100^th Annual Charity Ball, honoring 4-year old Leo Olsen, our Child of the Year.

Every year the lodge finds and supports a local child with special needs and provides assistance to the child and the family throughout the year and beyond. Leo Olsen was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, and has had other health challenges throughout his very young life.  And although his motor skills have been greatly affected, Leo’s spirit and courage remain unswayed. His mother Cristina, army veteran father Fred, older brother Pierce and younger brother Ty, feel truly blessed to have this smart, loving and funny little boy in their lives.

And now, so does the Lodge.

Leo called the Lodge members he met at the Ball his “Elk friends”; and his new friends gave Leo 3 of his favorite things: a Panda bear stuffed animal (he later named “Elky”), a NY Giants T-shirt and a NJ Devils hat.

At the charity ball, the lodge raised money for items that can help make Leo’s life and mobility a little easier-a wheelchair ramp, car lift, or any other household and transportation needs. Leo has had some tough obstacles, but he’s strong, truly special, and deserves a shot at independence.

And the night was topped off when Leo and his brother Pierce sang along to one of their favorite country songs, The Impossible, by Joe Nichols:

And Billy couldn’t feel his legs
Said he’d never walk again
But Billy said he would and his mom and daddy prayed
And the day we graduated, he stood up to say:
Unsinkable ships, sink
Unbreakable walls, break
Sometimes the things you think would never happen
Happen just like that
Unbendable steel, bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I’ve learned to never underestimate
The impossible

The Red Bank Elks Lodge also supports many other local special needs children throughout the year by sponsoring “Camperships”, trips in the summer to the NJ Elks Special Needs camp, Camp Moore. This year, the Red Bank Elks will send 9 children for a week-long stay and 24 young adults for a weekend, to enjoy the pool, playground, and daily activities at the camp-helping each camper experience new adventures, lasting friendships, and opportunities that promote independence and greater self-confidence.

Also, every month, in partnership with Red Bank Parks and Recreation department, the lodge hosts a dance for special needs children in the community. And the next dance will be held on Wednesday April 20^th at 6pm, at the Red Bank Elks Lodge, 40 West Front Street.

And some other upcoming events are a Wine Tasting and Gift Auction fundraiser on April 17^th from 3-6pm and a Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday May 8^th from 9am-12pm, proceeds benefitting the Special Needs Children.

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