Middletown Library Director and Democratic Committee Candidate Worked Together To Undermine Oversight, Raise Funds For Democratic Campaign

State Senator Barbara Buono and Linda Baum, Democratic candidate for Middletown Township Committee, 8/25/12 facebook photo

Middletown Library Director Susan O’Neal submitted incomplete and haphazardly organized emails between herself and Linda Baum, a past and present Democratic candidate for Middletown Township Committee, in response to Judge Lawrence M. Lawson’s ruling last week that the emails are government documents subject to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act.

MMM received the 298 pages of emails which include numerous duplicates, many truncated pages that cannot be fully read and omit relevant attachments, late this morning from Middletown Township via OPRA request.  The emails can be viewed via Scribd at the end of this post.

The emails reveal a ongoing endeavor between O’Neal and Baum to undermine the oversight of the library by its Board of Trustees and the Township Committee.  Additionally, Baum and O’Neal planned to use the library to forward the political objectives, including political fundraising, of Baum and the Middletown Democrats.  Middletown Democratic Chairman Don Watson was copied on several of the emails.

In his ruling dated July 1 denying Baum’s motion to thwart the release of the emails requested by Middletown Clerk Heidi Brunt on behalf of Township Committeeman and Library Trustee Tony Fiore, Lawson wrote that Baum argued the emails have “absolutely nothing to do with the official business of the library” and do not relate to public operations.

Lawson wrote that “Baum argues that she has no relationship with the Library, nor is she an agent of the library in any respect.”

The emails reveal otherwise.

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Lautenberg’s Family Endorses Pallone

APP.com photo

The family of the late U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg has endorsed Congressman Frank Pallone to fill their loved one’s seat in Washington.

In a statement released by Pallone’s campaign, the family said, in part:

We are saying: Stick with Frank.

Frank Pallone, like Frank Lautenberg, has always looked out for working families in New Jersey and made them his top priority – in fighting for economic justice, healthcare reform, environmental protection, education and so many other issues.  Frank Pallone, like our Frank, will put in the hours and hard work necessary to fight for New Jersey in the Senate.  And Frank Pallone knows that gimmicks and celebrity status won’t get you very far in the real battles that Democrats face in the future.

Frank Pallone worked with Frank Lautenberg for many years.  He understands what it takes to take on and defeat Republicans and the special interests that attack the well being of working families.  While it may not always attract glamorous headlines, Frank knows that to be effective you must put New Jersey and your principles first, not your own glory.

In a veiled swipe at Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the front runner in the August 13 primary according to independent polls, the family also said:

When New Jersey Democrats examine the Senate candidates closely, they may be surprised to find out that not all of them share core Democratic values or loyalty to the party.  And one candidate stands out as the best hope of continuing the progressive legacy of Senator Frank Lautenberg – Congressman Frank Pallone.”

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Spitzer is back in politics

Spitzer to join Weiner in making a come back

The New York Times is reporting that former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is reentering the political arena with a run for the office of New York City Comptroller. Spitzer resigned the governorship five years ago amid a prostitution scandal involving Ashley Dupree of Monmouth County.

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who was forced to resign after tweeting nude and nearly nude pictures of himself to young women, and lying about it, is also making a political comeback. Weiner is running in the New York City Democratic Primary for Mayor.

Spitzer and Weiner are hoping that New York voters are as forgiving as South Carolina voters when it comes to personal indiscretions.  Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford’s political career appeared to be over in 2011 after he left his state to be with his Argentinian mistress.  Sanford was elected to Congress in May.

Jim McGreevey has to be tempted.

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Senate Candidates on the Trail

The Democratic and Republican candidates in the August 13 special U.S. Senate primary traveled throughout New Jersey to meet voters on July 4.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker toured the Jersey Shore with former Senator Bill Bradley.  Charles Measley met up with Booker in Long Branch.

Cory Booker and Charles Measley. Bill Bradley in the background, left.

Measely said he urged Booker to kick Congressman Frank Pallone’s ass.  Booker applauded and said he would.

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Plumsted Comitteeman Running For Senate In Both Primaries

Are you a Republican not satisfied with Steve Lonegan or Dr. Alieta Eck as your only choices in the special primary for U.S. Senate?

Maybe you’re a Democrat who has never tweeted with Cory Booker, don’t like the big government approach that Frank Pallone and Rush Holt espouse and can’t figure out why Sheila Oliver is running.

Maybe your devastated that Joe Ruddy Rullo decided not to run as an Independent after all, so far, as of now.

Plumsted Township Committee Jack Trotta has a solution for you.  Write him in on August 13 in whichever primary you vote in.

Trotta, a Republican, is running with the support of Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Plumsted Mayor David Leutwyler, according to Tri-Town News.

Trotta’s platform?  He’s middle-class and thinks there should be a middle-class vote in the Senate.

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Zipprich Has More Campaign Cash Than Angelini and Casagrande Combined

Assembly candidate Ed Zipprich and Senator Barbara Buono and NY’s Gay Pride Parade, 6/30/13 facebook photo

Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich, a Democratic candidate for Assembly in the 11th legislative district, announced today that he has outraised his Republican opponents, Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande, over the last two fundraising periods and that he has more cash on hand than Angelini and Casagrande combined.

RED BANK–  Today, Ed Zipprich, candidate for New Jersey Assembly (NJ-11), announced that he has outraised his opponents, Mary  Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande, over the last two fundraising  periods.  Zipprich raised a total of $21,793 during the pre and  post-primary reporting periods while Angelini and Casagrande combined to raise a total of $12,200.  Additionally, Zipprich has $42,819 on hand  compared to Angelini and Casagrande’s combined $37,873–$23,966 on hand for  Angelini and 13,907 for Casagrande.”

“I am humbled by the amount of support I’ve received across the 11th district,” said Zipprich.  “It shows our campaign is building momentum  and that voters are starting to pay attention to the differences between myself and my opponents.  Whether it’s on raising the minimum wage,  ending special tax breaks for millionaires, or finally bringing marriage equality to New Jersey, the residents of the 11th  district know I will fight for them.”

MMM verified Zipprich’s numbers at the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission’s website.

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Both GOP Candidates Favor Marriage Equality

The two candidates competing for the Republican nomination to complete the late U. S. Senator Frank Lautenberg’s term favor same sex marriage being legal.

Reacting to the U. S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan said,

“Today’s decision is the unfortunate result of an activist, liberal court that has little respect for the Constitution and our nation’s founding principles. While I believe government should not be in the business of marriage, it is not the Supreme Court’s responsibility to make that decision. Laws should be made by legislatures, not by unelected judges. To do so is a usurpation of our democratic tradition at the heart of this country’s founding.”

I wonder if Lonegan would have called the decision “unfortunate” if the Court ruled that the government should not be in the business of marriage.

UPDATE  A few readers have mentioned that Lonegan’s statement does not make it clear that he favors marriage equality.  Here it is: While I believe government should not be in the business of marriage ….

If government doesn’t regulate marriage and who can get married, than same sex couples can be married.

Dr. Alieta Eck said,

“While I personally believe that traditional marriage is an important institution to defend, the Supreme Court was correct in rejecting a federal attempt to define it. Marriage is a religious institution. There was a time when the general consensus agreed with organized religion, but those times have passed. We must never abandon the Constitution in guarding equal protection and free association under the law.”

The four candidates competing for the Democratic Senate nomination, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Congressman Frank Pallone, Congressman Rush Holt and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver also support marriage equality.

The Democratic and Republican nominations for Senate will be decided in special primaries to be held on August 13.  The new senator will be elected in a special election to be held on October 16.

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Money Can’t Buy Love For Pallone

Congressman Frank Pallone has the weakest support of the four candidates vying the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, according to a Kean University poll released yesterday, three weeks into the ten week campaign for the nod.

Of the 366 likely Democratic voters Kean surveyed, only 6% say they will vote for Pallone of August 13.  49% say they favor Newark Mayor Cory Booker.  Congressman Rush Holt and State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver each are supported by 9%.  5% favor an other candidate and 22% are unsure.

In a June 10 Quinnipiac poll that did not include Oliver, Pallone came in last with 9% to Booker’s 53% and Holt’s 10%.

Both polls were taken before Pallone asked for and received MoreMonmouthMusings endorsement.

Pallone had $3.7 million in campaign cash as of his March filing with the Federal Election Commission.  Booker had $1.6 million and Holt had $797 thousand.

Steve Lonegan is leading Dr. Alieta Eck, 45%-15% among the 321 Republican voters Kean surveyed.

Governor Christie’s approval rating is 70% and wins reelection over State Senator Barbara Buono by 30 points, according to the Kean poll.

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More Monmouth Musings Endorses Frank Pallone

We received an email from Frank Pallone today asking for our endorsement.

Dear Art,

I need your endorsement. The support of friends like you is what has allowed me to fight for the issues that matter most to New Jersey families. But fighting is not enough. We need true leadership in Washington that stands up for what is right. ….

Congressman, we’re honored that you asked. We’re happy to accept.

MoreMonmouthMusings hereby endorses Congressman Frank Pallone in the Democratic Special Senate Primary on August 13.

Pallone has the best of the slim chances to defeat Newark Cory Booker for the nomination.

If Pallone is the Democratic nominee in the Special Senate Election on October 16, the Republican nominee, either Steve Lonegan or Dr. Alieta Eck, would have a much better chance of winning, than if Booker is the nominee.

Booker has been endorsed by the Essex County Democratic machine and the South Jersey/George Norcross Democratic machine.  If Pallone beats Booker, Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and Norcross won’t have a U.S. Senator at their beck and call.  Pallone won’t owe them.  He’s never been much of a team player with them.  He certainly wouldn’t be beholden to them if he beats Booker.

In that case, Norcross and DiVencenzo might sit out the October 16 Special Election or secretly help the Republican nominee win, figuring that Pallone would be finished if he lost to Lonegan or Eck.  They would then make sure Booker gets the 2014 Democratic nomination and count on winning the Senate seat in 2014.

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Buono’s Daughter Comes Out Against Christie

Tessa Bitterman, State Senator Barbara Buono’s 23 year old daughter, sent a fundraising email to her mother’s supporters this morning where in she declared she is gay and blasted Governor Chris Christie for vetoing same sex marriage.

Growing up, my mom was always there for me no matter what. I’m gay and from an early age I felt free to express myself with my mother, knowing she would always support me for who I am.

As a gay American I have a stake in what our governor says about marriage equality. And I have been deeply shocked by Chris Christie. As governor, he has been a giant roadblock to New Jersey achieving equality for all. By failing to support marriage equality, Christie is blatantly delegitimizing an entire group of people.

I have also seen Chris Christie misrepresent himself as a moderate to New Jersey – that’s why it’s even more important to stop him before he takes his radical show on the road when he goes national after this election.

My mom is facing a huge deadline on June 30th at midnight. If we want to stop Christie – if we want to keep his politics of polarizing and dividing people from spreading beyond New Jersey – we’ve got to click here and donate to my mom’s campaign before the big deadline on Sunday.

Now that Christie is running for re-election, he is more than happy to try and portray himself as a moderate. But the truth is – his record scares me. It scares me because if he takes his brand of deception national, all Americans are in for a rude awakening.

It might not seem like a lot but anything you donate now will go a long way. Can you click here and donate today?

Thanks,

Tessa

Bitterman, of San Francisco, California, is Buono’s daughter by her first husband, Lawrence Bitterman.

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