Union Contributions To Sean Byrnes’ Campaigns (So Far)

Total amount received from unions in 2007, 2009 and 2010:  $185,800

2007 Contributions (both his name and Middletown Democrats who wheeled it to him):

From his campaign in 2009 from his account and the Monmouth Democrats who funded his campaign with $177,000

2010

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Vin Gopal Should Get His Facts Straight

By Tony Fiore, Deputy Mayor Middletown Township

In response to Vin Gopal’s article on MoreMonmouthMusings, I believe this email below will set the record straight. 

Often times the majority is criticized by the Democrats in Middletown for not listening to Sean’s ideas despite the fact that they are not usually economically or practically feasible.  The notion that Sean’s voice is never heard is nonsense and we do implement his ideas when practical.  We obviously took his direction to use the automated system to announce the Recycling program “not too close” to the announcement of changes to our leave and brush pickup.

 While we all can agree that the lateness of the call to some residents was not intended due to a computer glitch, there was never a second call done to apologize for it.   If Mr. Gopal would like to question the integrity of the Tea Party, I suggest he get the facts straight before he does so.

I stand with the Tea Party in working to retire Frank Pallone and Rush Holt from Congress and take great offense to anyone questioning their motives.  It is no surprise to me that Mr. Gopal would write this type of letter after he has been an active fundraiser for Mr. Byrnes and has even hosted an event that he advertised in his newspaper earlier this year honoring special guest Frank Pallone. 

—–Original Message—–
From: Byrnes, Sean
Sent: Thu 8/26/2010 5:24 PM
To: Maloney, Ted; MayorsOffice; Twp Committee
Cc: VanNest, Jim; Mercantante, Anthony; Posten, Sam; Herrschaft, Cindy
Subject: RE: Fall Brush Collection “Reverse 911”

At some point, maybe not so close on the heels of this announcement, we should also do that for the recycling pickup.  You may have done it already, but we will probably need to push this pretty hard to get the word out and start getting compliance.

—–Original Message—–
From: Maloney, Ted
Sent: Thu 8/26/2010 12:15 PM
To: MayorsOffice; Twp Committee
Cc: VanNest, Jim; Mercantante, Anthony; Posten, Sam; Herrschaft, Cindy
Subject: Fall Brush Collection “Reverse 911”

Mayor and Committee Members,

In speaking with Tony Mercantante yesterday, I have decided to broadcast a “Reverse 911” call this evening to notify residents of DPW’s upcoming brush collection.  An email will also be sent to residents with registered email addresses.  The message is below:

This is a recorded message from the Middletown Township Public Works Department.  The Fall Brush Collection will begin on Monday, August 30th in Zones F and H.  To obtain a complete brush collection schedule, please visit www.middletownnj.org/collectionor call the Brush Collection Hotline at 732-615-XXXX.  Again please visit www.middletownnj.org/collection or call 732-615-XXXX for the current brush collection schedule and updates.  Thank you and have a nice weekend.

As you can see, I am also setting up (with the help of Todd Costello and Jim Dudek) a brush collection hotline that will feature an audible version of the full brush collection schedule.  This hotline, which will remain in effect for all future collections, will also give the caller the option of pressing “0” to speak with a live operator (during business hours).  Our standard postcards are in the process of being mailed to each resident, but may not reach every resident prior to their collection start date.  I wanted to make you aware of this notice in case you are questioned by residents.

Thank you,

Ted

__________________________________________________
Joseph E. “Ted” Maloney, PE, PP, CME, CPWM

Township Engineer – Director of Public Works

Township of Middletown

52 Kanes Lane
Middletown, NJ 07748

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Why Vin Questions The Integrity Of The Tea Party Movement In Monmouth County

By Art Gallagher

Because he wants his friend Sean Byrnes to be reelected to the Middletown Township Committee, and because he wants to create a distraction among the Tea Party members during this crucial last week of the election.

The wonderful thing about Integrity is that is isn’t shaken when its questioned.  It is strengthened by being questioned. If you ever see someone get upset by their integrity being questioned, it is a sure sign that he or she has an integrity issue.  Someone with their intergrity intact simply answers the question when it is asked.

So, as a member of the Tea Party Movement in Monmouth County, and a visible supporter of Gerry Scharfenberger, I am happy to answer the questions Vin raises.

I am not a spokesperson for any Tea Party group.  The official spokespeople know they are welcome to submit their own material for the front page or simply comment.

I, and I think the Tea Party groups, support Gerry Scharfenberger for another term on the Middletown Township Committee,  not only because of the R after his name, not even primarily because of the R after his name.  I support Gerry because he has done an excellent job leading Middletown.  I support him because he is one the hardest working most conscientious elected officials I know.

The Tea Party groups have not blindly supported Gerry because he’s an R.  They’ve held his feet to the fire over the budget and operations of Middletown.  He has answered their questions and earned their support.

Vin raises five issues as reasons not to support Gerry.  1) This year’s municipal budget which accounts for the majority of the property tax increase, 2) the recycling robocalls, 3) the arts center, 4) the municipal pool, and the sewage authority.

The most important concern is the budget.  Gerry has explained this years difficult budget well. Taxes had to be increased because of a loss of state funding ( I refuse to call it aid), an almost $1 million unpredictable increase in the cost of snow removal last winter, unexpected retirements that cause big payouts in unused vacation and sick time, and a decline in revenue from recycling.

Had Gerry asked me, I would have advised him to wait on the recycling robo calls until after the election.  My reasoning would have been political, not governmental.  The moment I received the robo call while sitting at my desk at 9PM, I knew it would be criticised politically.

From a governmental point of view, there should probably be robo calls the day before every recyling pickup until the majority of people’s behavior changes and recycling increases.  Robo calls are cheap.  The reaction the recent ones prove they get attention.  An increase in recycling will be good for the townships budget and good for the environment.  Gerry should keep making those calls….after the election…and before 8PM.

The art center and the pool are silly issues to use against Gerry.  They were both in the works either before or very early in his tenure on the township committee.  I agree the art center was too expensive and is under utilized.  Now that it is there, we need to maximise its use and keep the costs down.  The pool should be sold.

The sewage authority is a patronage pit, as are countless authorities throughout New Jersey.  Gerry didn’t create the pit and Sean Byrnes will not clean it up.   Governor Christie has started the process of cleaning up the cess pool of New Jersey’s waste and abuse in all levels of government, including authorities.  Gerry Scharfenberger is the Governor’s partner in the clean up.

Even though the sewage authority is a patronage pit, my sewer bills are lower in Middletown than they are in the other Monmouth County towns where I own property.

Even though my Middletown taxes went up, they are lower, as a percentage of property value, than the other towns in Monmouth County where I pay property taxes.

Yes, I am a partisan Republican, like Vin is a partisan Democrat.  Yet, I have used this blog prominently over the years to criticise Republicans, including Gerry.  I admire Vin telling us he didn’t vote for Ellen Karcher or Jon Corzine.  I understand why he’s not telling us which Democrats he’s not voting for this year, however his questioning of the Tea Party’s integrity would have more weight if he was honest about which Democrats he’s not voting for this year and if he went public about that before the election.  I don’t expect him too, but like he said, if we’re going to lay the cards on the table…..

Even though I am a partisan Republican, as a taxpayer I appreciate divided government.  Early in is tenure, I had hoped Sean Byrnes was the kind of Democrat I could support in a minority position.  He has not proven himself to be that.  He hasn’t added value to the governance of Middletown.  He has used his minority status to try to create partisan wedges rather than to improve the service and costs of Middletown government.

That the government employees unions contributed $74,000 to Byrnes Freeholder race last year tells me all I need to know.  When the Governor’s tool kit gets passed, Middletown will be able to run government even more efficiently than it does now.  If Byrnes is beholden to the unions, he will not be as aggressive as need be in reducing the costs of government.

That Byrnes, as a member of the Township Committee, voted on an appointment of a community member he was involved in litigation with as a private attorney, raises sufficient questions about his judgement to disqualify him for another term. 

Under Republican leadership, Middletown has the one of the lowest, if not the lowest, costs of municpal government per capita than any other town in New Jersey.  The number of municipal employees has decreased by almost 25% over the last 10 years, 10% this year.

As I have asked many many times, name a town in New Jersey where Democrats are doing a better job than Republicans are doing in Middletown.  Let me amend the question for this year; name an municipality with a population and land mass the size of Middletown where the municipal government has done a better job in the last six years than Middletown’s municipal government has done  in the last six years with Gerry Scharfenberger’s leadership.

Vin’s a good friend to Byrnes.  I’m proud to call him my friend too, and I am proud to be able to be friends with my political adversaries.  We need more of that kind of relating as we fix our broken state.  

To my Tea Party friends, don’t be distracted by Vin’s volley. We have too much work to do this week.

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Why I question the Integrity of the Tea Party Movement in Monmouth County

By Vin Gopal

If Frank Pallone or Rush Holt or John D’Amico sent out taxpayer funded automated phone calls at 10:00pm at night two weeks before an election, how would YOU react? I recall my friend Art Gallagher often saying that the art of franking, sending out taxpayer funded newsletters during an election year is wrong. I agree with him. So I ask not only Art but conservatives who claim to believe in smaller government, those who consider themselves members of the Tea Party movement, how would YOU react if Frank Pallone or Rush Holt sent out a taxpayer funded robocall two weeks before an election urging people to recycle? 

Because thats what Middletown’s Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger did. Then he sent another taxpayer funded robocall apologizing for sending out the late night call. So how come those, whom call themselves members of the tea party movement or conservatives, how come they don’t speak out about Mayor Scharfenberger’s actions? Or is it basically hypocrisy 101 – hear no evil, see no evil when it comes to Republicans. Is that it? If thats it, thats fine but lets just put it out on the table and lets understand that this movement is NOT about stopping taxpayer abuse but it is simply to elect Republicans. As long as everyone is honest, it make its much easier to communicate if that is indeed what the tea party movement is about.

Middletown has a mayor who spends taxpayer money like water, he supports a patronage mill-filled Middletown Arts Center, which the entire town pays for even though a small percentage of residents use it. Now the Mayor wants to discuss privatizing or selling the taxpayer funded swim club – after 6 years in office, now he brings it up after pressure from the lone Democrat on the committee, Sean Byrnes, who urged the mayor that government should not be in the business of running a pool club. But you won’t see Scharfenberger and his buddies go after the unnecessary Sewage Authority – why would you, when their attorney, Middletown political boss and GOP Chairman Peter Carton has the most to lose from a missing sewage authority. At every turn and every corner, under Mayor Scharfenberger’s watch, Middletown’s taxes skyrocketed more than any other municipality in Monmouth County. The few short examples I listed is just a piece of Scharnfeberger’s record of being a tax and spend politician.

I love the attacks that Mayor Scharfenberger has gone after Sean Byrnes on in his attack mailers….that he is a career politician (Sean has served 2.5 years on the Middletown Township Committee, 1 year as a prosecutor in Atlantic Highlands and 22 years in the US Coast Guard) meanwhile the Mayor has been elected in Middletown for almost the past 6 years and runs a patronage mill in town.

So is the Tea Party in Monmouth County nothing more than an umbrella group trying to convince us to defeat Democrats? Is this an organization that will look the other way on their own fiscally irresponsible members if they simply have an R next to their name? I seriously question the integrity of anyone who says they want to stop the abuse of taxpayers but who say nothing and look the other way when the mayor of the county’s largest municipality sends out a taxpayer funded robocall 2 weeks before the election asking voters to recycle.

Yes, I’m a Democrat because I believe in certain core principles of my political party. I didn’t vote for Ellen Karcher and I didn’t vote for Jon Corzine. I wrote out about the disgusting tactics of those Democrats in South Jersey who tried to create a fake candidate in the 3rd Congressional District in order to manipulate and deceive voters. I like to think, even though I vote Democrat more often, I still have a mind of my own and when members of my own party who are not fiscally or ethically responsible, that we have a moral right to call them out. I question why my counterparts in the other party don’t do the same. Is it because all they are about is politics and elections and not about public policy? I hope that’s not the case.

So as you are reading this, Mayor Scharfenberger and his friends will attack me in the comments section and elsewhere, they will quickly attack Sean Byrnes, making up things that have nothing to do with his taxpayer funded automated phone calls and they will quickly attack anyone else because they are unable to justify why it was necessary to spend taxpayer money 2 weeks before an election urging voters to recycle. They will try to distract the voters and they will be unable to defend the question at hand – why they are sending out taxpayer funded automated phone calls 2 weeks before an election asking voters to recycle. Watch them – watch their excuses.

I have many close friends who are members of the Tea Party. My business partner hosts tea party meetings at his restaurant. But as I watch this, I now question the integrity of this organization of self-proclaimed conservatives who continue to support a Mayor who is responsible for the largest tax hike in the history of Middletown. While Fair Haven’s conservative mayor was able to stabilize taxes in his town, Mayor Scharfenberger skyrocketed taxes in Middletown and yet the Tea Party leaders and conservative leaders all over Monmouth County seem to support him.

Is that what it comes down to? The Tea Party is okay with anyone fiscally irresponsible as long as they have an R next to their name?

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Don’t Be Trashy, Recycle

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Russian Mob Funding Byrnes and Whatshername’s Middletown Campaign

By Art Gallagher

It is come to MoreMonmouthMusings’ attention that the same Russian mob that looted Middletown’s bank accounts over Labor Day weekend could be funding the township committee campaign of Sean Byrnes and his running mate, Whatshername.

$13,000 of the $370,000 that the Slavic cyber looters made off with has yet to be recovered.

If the Middletown Democrats filed their October ELEC report, it was not published on ELEC’s website this afternoon.  Byrnes’ ELEC report says he’s only raised $150.00 for his campaign.  Whathername has raised only $3000.  So who’s paying for all those signs?   It could be the Russian mob!

I know. I’m being ridiculous.  About as ridiculous and David Axelrod and President Obama are when they say that the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity are funding their anti-Democratic incumbent ads with foreign money. 

I’m being as ridiculous as the Middletown Democrats were last year when the alleged that the Middletown GOP bribed and coerced Steve Massell into running for township committee last year.  I’m being as ridiculous as the Middletown Dems were last year when they claimed that the GOP township committee raised their salaries, after they gave up their stipends.

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3 Car Accident on Route 36 in Middletown, 1 Fatality

A 3 car accident that resulted in the death of an elderly woman closed down Route 36 for over 2.5 hours this evening.

Middletown Police Lieutenant Robert Stefanski said the accident was reported at 6:47PM and that southbound Route 36 remains closed at 12th Street in the Belford section of the township while the investigation continues.

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Over 80 people charged in $3 million computer-bank scam

Middletown was one of dozens of municipalities and businesses victimized

By Art Gallagher

Federal and state authorities from NY and PA arrested over 80 “money mules,” primarily eastern Europeans ages 19-25 visiting the United States on student visas, who facilitated hackers using the “Zeus Trojan” virus to empty the bank accounts of dozens of municipalities and small businesses throughout the nation.

As reported by MMM on September 20 , Middletown was hit for over $370,000 over the Labor Day weekend.  Thanks to prompt action by the township’s finance staff and police department, all but $13,400 was quickly recovered.

According to the complaints unsealed in Manhattan federal court on Thursday, the cyber-attacks began in Eastern Europe, and included the use of a malware known as the “Zeus Trojan,” which was typically sent as an apparently-benign email to computers at small businesses and municipalities in the United States. Once the email was opened, the malware embedded itself in the victims’ computers, and recorded their keystrokes – including their account numbers, passwords, and other vital security codes – as they logged into their bank accounts online. The hackers responsible for the malware then used the stolen account information to take over the victims’ bank accounts, and made unauthorized transfers of thousands of dollars at a time to receiving accounts controlled by the co-conspirators.

These receiving accounts were set up by a “money mule organization” responsible for retrieving the proceeds of the malware attacks and transporting or transferring the stolen money overseas. To carry out the scheme, the money mule organization recruited individuals who had entered the United States on student visas, providing them with fake foreign passports, and instructing them to open false-name accounts at U.S. banks. Once these false-name accounts were successfully opened and received the stolen funds from the accounts compromised by the malware attacks, the “mules” were instructed to transfer the proceeds to other accounts, most of which were overseas, or to withdraw the proceeds and transport them overseas as smuggled bulk cash.

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Breaking News: Middletown Victim Of Cyber Attack

By Art Gallagher

An international crime syndicate with ties to the Ukraine hacked into Middletown Township’s computer system early this month and withdrew over $370,000 from the township’s bank accounts, according to confidential sources within the township.  All but $13,000 of the stolen funds have been recovered.

“Who told you?” was Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore’s confirmation that the cyber attack occurred, when asked about it by MoreMonmouthMusings.

The theft was discovered by finance department personnel on September 9. The Middletown Township Police Department was able to get all but the $13,000 that had already been withdrawn from the thieves accounts frozen and returned to the township.

Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger confirmed that the majority of funds had been recovered and said there were ongoing efforts to recover the missing $13,000.  Scharfenberger also said that he was told that the federal government was already investigating similar incidents at other municipalities.

Fiore said that the method of the attack was new and blocks for such attacks had not yet been developed.  He said that social networking sites were being restricted from the township’s computers are a precaution against future attacks.

Special Agent Bryan L. Travers of the FBI declined to comment on a ongoing investigation or to divulge what other municipalities or businesses have be victimised.

Travers said the these types of cyber attacks usually occur on holiday weekends and advised that finance managers should conduct pending business before a holiday and shut their systems down until returning to work.

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Towns Need Passage of 33 Bills in Mayor’s Toolbox Legislation

By Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, Middletown

Now that the legislature is back in session, all eyes are focused on Trenton as the debate over Governor Christie’s “Mayor’s Toolbox” begins in earnest.  The 33 bills contained within the “toolbox” are critical to give local governments the ability to cut spending that they are legally unable to do now.  It is imperative that the legislature act quickly to implement these essential reforms.  Unfortunately, it appears that resistance is growing to many of the bills from special interest groups that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, regardless of how damaging it is to those who pay local property taxes.  These special interests appear oblivious to the current economic crisis the country is facing.

The only hope that residents of New Jersey have to cut the state’s highest in the nation property taxes is to allow their local officials to cut their budgets, get reasonable concessions from the unions, have significant pension and benefit reform and remove education funding from the backs of local property owners.  The people of New Jersey simply cannot afford to subsidize a system that has grown way too big and way too expensive.  Many residents, if they are lucky enough to still have a job, have often had to accept a pay cut or a pay freeze, contribute 30% or more to their health care, and fund their own retirement through a 401k or similar plan.  It is time for government to be brought in line with the private sector and Governor Christie’s reforms will allow local officials to do just that.

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