Linda Baum trying to convince voters to support her last summer. facebook photo
Linda Baum, a past and present Democratic candidate for Middletown Township Committee, presents herself as an advocate of open government and transparency. She even wrote an article on her campaign website about how citizens can made Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests.
Yet, when it comes to her own email correspondence with Middletown Library Director Susan O’Neal, Baum is far from open and transparent. She sued the Library Board of Trustees and Township Clerk Heidi Brunt to prevent her emails from being released under an OPRA request made by Brunt on behalf of Township Committeeman Tony Fiore. Fiore is the Township Committee’s representative on the Library Board.
Judge Lawrence M. Lawson ruled on Monday that Baum’s emails with O’Neal are government records and must be released per the OPRA request. Lawson’s decision can be viewed here.
Baum argued that the emails were private, had nothing to do with Library operations, and could be used against her politically.
Fiore asked Brunt to file OPRA requests for the emails that O’Neal exchanged with Baum and Melanie Elmiger from January 2012 and May 15, 2013 when it became apparent that Baum and Elmiger had information about Library business that had only been discussed in executive sessions and was not yet public.
“I look forward to seeing the emails that Linda Baum attempted to illegally block from the public,” Fiore said, “It is a shame that her frivolous lawsuit will cost the taxpayers of Middletown and the Middletown Public Library thousands of dollars that could have been used for other purposes.”
Former Democratic Senate, Assembly and Freeholder candidate Lenny Inzerillo and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate posing with pizza this evening at a Middletown Democratic fundraiser. facebook photo
It seems better than soliciting votes at a cemetery, but it is still illegal.
Linda Baum, the Democratic candidate for Middletown Township Committee was asked told to leave Middletown High School South on Tuesday. Baum was greeting students on their way into school. When school started she entered the building and asked the administration to announce her presence over the intercom and have students come to meet her.
This was not Baum’s first attempt at seeking ineligible voters. Over the summer she campaigned at the River Plaza Elementary School.
Baum did not return MMM’s calls seeking comment. She is challenging Deputy Mayor Steve Massell for a three year term on the committee.
Anna Little, with good reason, has been taking credit for John Bennett’s election as Monmouth GOP Chairman. If not for Little endorsing her benefactor and encouraging the County Committee members who are also Tea Party activists to vote for Bennett, Christine Hanlon would be Chairwoman.
Little’s reward, whatever it is, will come sometime after she loses to Frank Pallone in November.
The biggest change that Bennett has made since taking over the helm of the Monmouth GOP six weeks ago is to start to make good on his campaign promise to raise the money necessary for county campaigns. He has informed the Monmouth GOP ticket of Freeholders John Curley and Serena DiMaso, as well as County Clerk Claire French, not to worry about rasing money for the fall campaign. He has instructed office holders not on the ballot this fall, including the legislative delegation and the sheriff, all of whom have campaigns next year, to suspend their fund raising activities effective August 1 so as not to compete with his efforts for the current campaign.
Joe Caliendo is stepping down as chairman of the Middletown Democratic Party after 25 years. He will continue to serve on the County Committee and as Sergeant-At-Arms of the county organization.
Caliendo was reelected as the Middletown Democratic leader on June 5. He was an instrumental supporter of Vin Gopal’s landslide victory as Monmouth County Democratic Chairman. His resignation is effective upon the election of a new Chair.
The Democrat’s Executive Committee will hold a special election on July 18th.
Don Watson
Port Monmouth resident Don Watson, President of the Democratic Social Club and Sergeant-At-Arms of the local committee has announced his candidacy. Watson will likely be the only candidate.
Former School Board Member Lenny Inzerillo, a past candidate for Assembly, Freeholder and State Senate, told MMM that he had been approached to run for Chairman but was not likely to run. “Why rock the boat?” Inzerillo said.
Former Township Committee Member Sean Byrnes said Watson “is a hard worker and will probably do a good job.”
