DOT: No Additional Red Light Cameras

“O’Scanlon: A good step, but rip-offs continue

NJ101.5 photo

The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced yesterday that no additional red light cameras will be installed in the state under the pilot program that is scheduled to run through the end of next year, according to an Associated Press report.

The program, which includes 76 cameras throughout New Jersey, was started in 2009 ostensibly to promote public safety and reduce motor vehicle accidents.  DOT says they are not installing new cameras because there is not enough time to collect data from them before the program expires.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon says no more data is needed from any of the cameras.  They don’t enhance public safety, but are safety hazards.  The program is a money grab from New Jersey motorist.

“We know these cameras do  not improve safety,” O’Scanlon said, “The data is indisputable. Every objective study on this  equipment demonstrates that. Subsequently, many jurisdictions are choosing to  eliminate the cameras altogether. But the camera companies continue to  relentlessly push for more cameras – clearly demonstrating that their only  motivation is stealing more money from NJ residents. It is long past the time  that New Jersey join the bandwagon and end this  failed program.”

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Low turnout is a major risk for LD 13 incumbents

LD 13:Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach

The idea that State Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon could be defeated by their Tea Party challengers, Leigh-Ann Bellew for Senate and Edna Walsh and Stephen Boracchia for Assembly, in the June 4 primary is unthinkable, even laughable, to many Monmouth County Republicans.

But recent history and a look at the numbers indicate that an upset with statewide consequences could very well be in the making if the challenge is not taken seriously.

With only nominal competition in the governor’s race, voter turnout in the Republican primary on June 4 is likely to be very low.   Therein lies the danger for the incumbents. Even “good Republicans” rarely vote in primaries.  Even fewer if there is no perceived competition.

There are 34,216 registered Republicans in the 13th district. In the 2011 primary, the last time the legislature was on the ballot, only 2,274 Republicans voted.   The challengers know that.

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O’Scanlon Sees Light on Red Light Cameras!

Little Silver, April 1- Asm  Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) today announced that he had an epiphany early  Easter Sunday morning – now sees light regarding the true reason for supposed  highway safety rules and regulations!

“I  can’t believe how long I’ve been so misguided and naive!” said O’Scanlon.   “All this time just not getting it!  It’s all about the money!   Huge piles of money for local officials to spend in their budgets, more  piles of money for campaigns of compliant state elected officials and truckloads  of the stuff for lobbyists!  Hell, in at least one instance we have actual  “gifts” given by a camera company to officials running a program”.

“I  just never visualized the potential.  I was always focused on the fact that  our traffic laws and enforcement methods should be justified by sound  engineering and focused on actually increasing safety.  What an idiot! Now  though, unburdened by the shackles of actually caring about any of those  irrelevant concerns, I see the true potential of the tools we have at our  disposal.”

O’Scanlon  invited legislators to join him in not only abandoning the effort to end the red  light camera program or – even make it more fair to motorists – and actually go  the other direction.  O’Scanlon’s new plan calls for cameras at every light  at every intersection.  He goes further and calls or the installation of  new traffic lights at EVERY intersection.   “Imagine the revenue  potential!” he exclaimed. “But we can do even more!  Part of my legislation  will eliminate yellow lights all together.  Every single time a light  change we’ll nail a few unsuspecting suckers – kind of like now except we’ll  nail even more!  Another section of the legislation will mandate that every  motorist come to a full stop every 100 feet.  We’ll tell them it’s for  “safety”, really!”

Other  sections of O’Scanlon’s legislation would lower speed limits to 15 mph.   “People won’t be able to leave their driveways without breaking the law.   Think of the $ we’ll make!!!” said O’Scanlon. “The entire, brilliant  package will be called the Road Improvement Program to Promote Outstanding  Freeway Focus – RIPPOFF, for short!  I have probably just begun to scratch  the surface here” conceded O’Scanlon.  “I am sure over the next few weeks  and months we’ll come up with even more ways to attack out constituents  innocently driving to work or to their kids schools or music lessons.  This  program will be like a vacuum of their hard earned money.  And we have the  pioneering red light camera program to thank for starting us down this  path!”

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Gonzalez: “It’s very likely” that the Bayshore Tea Party Group will field a primary slate

Bayshore Tea Party Group co-founder Barbara Gonzalez said that the group has six candidates collecting signatures in preparation of filing for the Republican primary.

Three of the candidates are collecting signatures to run for the State Legislature in the 13th District against Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon.  Two are preparing to challenge Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso, and one is preparing to run against Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Gonzalez would not name the candidates, claiming that they have decided not to announce they are running until their petitions are completed and filed.  “April 1st will be here before you know it,” she said.

When told that a source told MMM that the group’s primary challenge had “fizzled out,” Gonzalez said, “You better get better sources!”

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Barnegat Woman Should Have Gone To The Airport

photo credit: elitedaily.com

A Barnegat women was arrested last week after exposing her breasts to security cameras.

Wendy Tucker, 56, got out of her car and flipped her middle fingers at security cameras before lifting her blouse and exposing her breasts to the cameras, according to the Asbury Park Press.  The cameras were being monitored by police dispatchers.

Tucker was arrested on the strength of a no-bail warrant issued in Atlantic County. She was additionally charged with lewdness. She is being held at the Atlantic County Jail.

The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department declined to say what the underlying charge for the no-bail warrant is.  The Barnegat Police have yet to respond to the same inquiry.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon said that Tucker’s actions were not exactly what he had in mind when he encouraged New Jersey motorists to protest red light cameras.

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O’Scanlon Slams Red Light Camera Settlement. Encourages Federal Judge To Throw It Out.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon has been doggedly fighting for New Jersey motorists who have been getting ripped off red light cameras for months.  Yesterday, O’Scanlon issued a scathing statement opposing a proposed settlement in the class action law suit against American Traffic Solutions, the Arizona company that installs and operates the red light rip offs.

U.S. District Court Judge Peter Sheridan held a hearing on the proposed settlement that would refund an average of $6 to motorist who were ticketed $85-$140 by cameras that were not properly calibrated.

“We have unequivocal, documented proof that the standard used to set yellow light times didn’t abide by the law – resulting in a huge percentage of the tickets issued as a result of these cameras to be undeserved” said O’Scanlon. “We have equally irrefutable evidence that the supposed yellow-light-timing recertification process was a sham blatantly designed from the start to justify perpetuating the status quo – rather than treat motorists fairly under the law.”

“First NJ motorists were cheated by their own state government when the DOT implemented the pilot program and didn’t follow the law, then they were screwed again in the phony yellow light recertification fiasco. They continue to be screwed by the camera companies and the local governments which collude to steal from them.” said O’Scanlon. “This settlement sells them down the river one more time – and amounts to nothing more than a get-rich-quick scheme for the attorneys involved. The beleaguered motorists of NJ have been abandoned or outright attacked by their government at every level, and relentlessly victimized by the predatory camera companies. Hopefully Judge Sheridan will take a stand and NJ Motorists will be able to count on one branch of government willing to give them a small victory.”

Sheridan has yet to rule.

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Bayshore Tea Party Wants Bennett To Change The By-Laws

Still won’t reveal their primary candidates names

Bayshore Tea Party co-founder Bob Gordon told MoreMonmouthMusings that he would recommend that the groups’s candidates for the Legislature from the 13th district, sheriff and freeholder not file as candidates in the June 4 Republican primary if GOP Chairman John Bennett would allow the candidates onto the March 23 County Convention ballot without having to submit the signatures required under the new by-laws to challenge incumbents.  He would not guarantee that the so far unnamed challengers would abide by the results of the convention and not file for the primary if they lose in Colts Neck on the 23rd. “That would be up to the candidates,” he said.

Gordan said that county committee members inclined to support the Tea Party challengers are reluctant to sign convention petitions for fear that they will be challenged in the next committee election in 2014.

The deadline to submit petitions for the convention ballot passed last week.  Primary petitions are due on April 1.

Neither Gordon nor fellow co-founder Barbara Gonzalez would name the potential challengers.  Gordon said that there is a full slate of candidates to take on Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon in the 13th district. On the county level, Sheriff Shaun Golden faces a challenge while Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso may only have one challenger, if the candidates file.

Posted: March 12th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2013 Election, Amy Handlin, Barbara Gonzalez, Bayshore Tea Party Group, Declan O'Scanlon, Joe Kyrillos, John Bennett, Monmouth County Republican Committee, Monmouth GOP, Shaun Golden | Tags: Amy Handlin, Barbara Gonzalez, Bayshore Tea Party Group, Bob Gordon, Declan O'Scanlon, Joe Kyrillos, John Bennett, Monmouth GOP, Monmouth Republicans, Serena DiMaso, Shaun Golden, Tom Arnone | 14 Comments »

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Bayshore Tea Party Preparing Primary Slate for LD 13, County Offices

The Bayshore Tea Party Group is preparing a primary slate to challenge 13th district legislators, Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon, and county office holders, Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso, according to the group’s co-founder Barbara Gonzalez.

Gonzalez told MoreMonmouthMusings that the group has six candidates who are clearing their potential candidacies with their families and employers.  She wouldn’t name any of the candidates but expects to make a formal announcement next week.  If the slate declares, they will bypass the Monmouth GOP convention on March 23 and file to run in the June 4 Republican primary.

Gonzalez said that former Highlands Mayor Anna Little, who twice ran and won in Congressional primaries with the group’s backing, is not one of the candidates.

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CASAGRANDE-MUÑOZ-SIMON-O’SCANLON: STOP PAYING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FOR UNUSED SICK TIME

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS AGREE WITH GOVERNOR’S CALL  TO

END BIG PAYOUTS FROM PROPERTY TAXPAYERS TO RETIRING  PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

Assembly Republicans Caroline Casagrande, Nancy Muñoz, Donna Simon and  Declan O’Scanlon, who sponsor legislation to end the practice of  paying public employees for unused sick time, were pleased that Governor  Christie remains committed to providing this vital property tax relief that has  been blocked by some Trenton politicians.

            “We have capped property taxes and saved billions by reforming public  employee benefits. It’s time to finish the job and save property taxpayers from  giving big checks to retiring public employees,” Assemblywoman Caroline  Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Anyone who is serious about winning the war  against sky-high property taxes should embrace this common sense  reform.”

            Governor Christie repeated his call for sick pay reform during  yesterday’s budget address as part of the items needed to further improve  New Jersey’s  fiscal health.

            “The historic bipartisan reforms we supported resulted in the slowest  growth of property taxes in 24 years, after a decade of crushing increases,”  Assemblywoman Nancy F. Muñoz, R-Union,  Somerset and  Morris, said. “We can do even better for property taxpayers by enacting a  sensible law that requires the use of sick days for what they  were intended.”

            Assembly Bill 2495, sponsored by 23 Assembly Republicans,  would prohibit payments to public employees for unused sick leave. The  legislation would also prohibit sick leave for those who have been indicted and  require medical documentation for absences of six or more consecutive  days.

            “Bringing governments’ workplace policies in line with those in the  private sector should be a no-brainer,” Assemblywoman Donna Simon, R-Hunterdon,  Somerset, Mercer  and Middlesex, said. “In the public sector, the taxpayer is the boss and we can  improve the bottom line for both property taxpayers and our state’s finances  with this logical reform.”

            A few recent examples have highlighted how much money unused sick time  costs property taxpayers:

• $2.2   million to 15 retiring Atlantic City employees this   month
• $306,000amount former West New York mayoral aide claims she’s   owed
• $150,000 to Hackensack Police   Chief

“Governor Christie has proposed a budget with the highest  level of school aid and largest debt payment in state history, while we have  achieved the smallest property tax growth in state history,” Assembly Republican  Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, said. “Governments throughout  New Jersey  could deliver even more for taxpayers if Democrats in the Legislature agreed to  work with us to eliminate these grotesque payments that have no practical  purpose other than personal profit.”

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O’SCANLON ASKS LOCAL RESIDENTS TO DONATE UNNEEDED FURNITURE

Non-profit to collect furniture for those affected by  Sandy

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon today announced that a local  non-profit, Love INC, has been awarded $50,000 in gift cards for furniture  through the Robin Hood Foundation to help in the Bayshore area. Additionally,  Love INC’s used furniture store “Furnished With Love” located in Long Branch will be having a sale of high quality used  furniture on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday March 3 in the Highlands at Our Lady Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church  from 10 AM to 3PM.. The Assemblyman asked that local residents donate any  furniture that is in good shape.

“This is  another step in stabilizing this area that has suffered so much,” said O’Scanlon  (Love INC’s chairman). “Now that families are being stabilized with  reconstruction the next step is making them livable by meeting their very basic  furniture needs. We all recall the masses of debris on the curbside of many  homes with the devastation being particularly immense up and down the Bayshore  area. Love INC has been in existence for 18 years helping families in Monmouth County and continues to make a mark where  it’s needed the most.”

Carolyn Eyerman, the executive director also added “that  in 2012 over $20,000 worth of free furniture was given to qualified and screened  clients in Monmouth County.”

Brand new mattresses and box springs as well as new bunk  beds are also available with free delivery to all Bayshore residents with  purchases made on March 2nd and 3rd. Love INC’s role in the community is not  only to provide furniture, but acts as a community clearinghouse for local area  churches to help with a variety of needs from rent assistance, elder care, used  cars for transportation, free haircuts and haul out services.

“I really hope that our neighbors fortunate enough to  make it through the storm unscathed will reach into their hearts to help out  those who may have lost everything,” O’Scanlon stated. “Let’s be honest, we all  have some extra furniture that’s just taking up space – this way, not only will  it get used, but it will go to a family who really needs it.”

Furniture donations are especially needed right now with  the needs so overwhelming. Free pickup and tax receipts issued from “Furnished  with Love” trucks. Please call 732-222-1923 and find out how you can help. For  those looking to contact Love INC directly, please call 732-542-7012.

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