What if we held an election and nobody cared? Part 1, 11th district

In seven weeks New Jersey voters will have the opportunity to elect an entirely new state legislature.

Patrick Murray’s Monmouth University/Neptune Nudniks poll conducted in August indicates that New Jersey voters disapprove of their legislature by a 48%-35% margin.  Democrats disapprove by 45%-38%.  Independents, the majority, disapprove by a whopping 50%-28%.  Surprisingly, Republicans approve of the legislature by a 45%-41% margin.  Public workers disapprove by 55%-26%.

Based solely on those poll results, one might expect that we’d be in the middle of a spirited campaign with Democrats and public workers rallying to throw the Republicans out of office.  Obviously that is not the case.  Democrats control the legislature that their base and Independents disapprove of strongly.

Due to Dr. Alan Rosenthal’s decision that New Jersey voters are better off being continuously represented by legislators they don’t know, there are only a handful of competitive legislative races.  The Democrats will continue to control the legislature for the next two years.  Probably the next ten years.

11th District

The 11th district race is the only local race that is remotely interesting, so far.

There are two reasons that it is interesting. Independent candidate Dan Jacobson is colorful and is wisely using MMM, as well as his own publication to generate interest in his campaign.  Republicans are not happy about this, but MMM has had a long standing policy welcoming voices other than Art Gallagher’s.  Democrats have foolishly ignored the opportunity for years despite Gallagher’s overt invitations.

The other reason that the 11th district race is interesting is that Senator Jennifer Beck made gay marriage an issue.  That’s right, Beck, not Jacobson, not MMM, gave gay marriage prominence in this race.  She did so when she told Gannett columnist Jane Roh that she would change her vote on the issue.

“There are lots of reasons why I ultimately voted no. My position has evolved. I spent a lot of time on this issue, and at the end of the day, I would support it if it came before me.”

The Democrats, jumped on Beck’s curiously timed  “flip-flop.”   She had given them an issue.

The issue heated up again when Beck told Garden State Equality that she would vote to override Governor Christie’s veto of same sex marriage if given the opportunity.  Put on the spot, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini took the same position with some reluctance.

As a result, Beck and Angelini’s running mate, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, is now in a tough spot.

Casagrande has been, ummm, straight, in how she has responded to the issue.  She could have remained silent and let people continue to assume that she was against gay marriage rather than say she has yet to take a position.   This has resulted in attacks by Jacobson, Olivia Nuzzi and other Democrats who scoff at Casagrande’s insistence that the issue is not simple and that the rights of religious organizations need to be respected as well.

Gay marriage advocates say they have no problem with religious rights being protected and that is no longer a valid reason to withhold support of marriage equality.  While that might be true now, it has not been true in the 11th district’s recent past.  The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association lost the tax exempt status of its Pavilion in 2007 when it refused to allow a lesbian couple have a civil union ceremony there.  The Methodist organization told the couple they could have their ceremony on the boardwalk that is also owned by the group, but not in a structure where religious ceremonies are held.

That compromise wasn’t good enough and the couple complained to the State Division of Civil Rights.  Eventually, Lisa Jackson, Governor Corzine’s DEP Commissioner and now President Obama’s EPA Commissioner, declined to recertify the pavilion’s tax exempt status which the Camp Meeting Assoication had enjoyed under New Jersey’s  Green Acres program.   Reports indicate that the loss of tax exempt status for the structure cost the association about $20,000 per year.

New York’s recently enacted gay marriage law would have protected the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association from the lesbian couple’s complaint and from Jackson’s punitive action had it been law in New Jersey in 2007.   I’d be willing to bet that Jacobson, Nuzzi and the 11th district Democratic candidates did not know that before it reading here.  Garden State Equality was front in center in the 2007 fight against the Camp Meeting Association.  I’ve yet to hear a peep from them about the rights of the religious or the rights of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association in particular with regard to gay marriages now that New York has set a new standard.

While the gay marriage issue is not going away, so long as Chris Christie is governor it is not a practical political issue for a legislative race.  While Democrats are expected to continue their hold on the legislature, there in not enough support from their side of the isle to override a veto.  Garden State Equality blew their chance to get a gay marriage law passed when they agreed to Governor Corzine’s request that they not push the issue until after his re-election race.

The importance of gay marriage to voters in the 11th district depends on who you believe.  Beck told MMM that Garden State Equality told her that there are 10,000 same sex couples in the 11th district.  I would would want to see a list and match it up to the voter registration records before I bought that claim.  There is no historical evidence of such a voting block.

Until I see such a list, I won’t be convinced the issue is as critical to 11th district voters as 6 of the 7 candidates running seem to think it is.  Its the economy and those who are trying to make the campaign about something other than the economy think the voters of the 11th district are stupid.

While all this chatter is fun, it won’t have much of an impact on election day.  Despite a 10,000 voter registration edge for the Democrats, Jacobson and the Democrats expect the Republicans to win a low turnout election by a wide margin.

Coming soon, What if we held an election and nobody cared?  Part 2, 13th district.

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Monmouth County Qualifies For Diasater Relief

Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre told MMM that Monmouth County will be included in President Obama’s declaration of a major disaster, making the county, its municipalities, businesses and individuals eligible for FEMA disaster relief.

Halfacre received a call Saturday evening from Chris Stark of the Governor’s office with the news which the Governor wanted to get out immediately.

FEMA inspectors canvassed damage throughout the county eariler throughout the day.

In a conference call with the media on Friday, Bill Vogel, FEMA’s Coordinating Officer, said there are two kinds of federal assistance available for major disasters.

Public Assistance is granted to government entities and non- profits for infrastructure repair, including roads, parks and government buildings.  The threshold for Public Assistance is $3.27 per capita per county.  Vogel said that currently there is only money available in this fund for debris removal and emergency repairs until Congress authorizes additional funds. 

Individual Assistance, as the name implies, is funding for citizens and businesses that have suffered disastrous damage.  These monies are fully funded and need no additional Congressional authorization.

Vogel said that all survivors who have suffered damages should register with FEMA by calling 800-621-3361 or on the web at fema.gov.  FEMA and NJ OEM employees that are canvassing the state this weekend will make their cells phones available to survivors to immediately register.

Residents should contact their own insurance companies immediately. FEMA assistance will only pay for damages that are not covered by insurance.

Major Dennis McNulty of NJ OEM said that Disaster Recovery facilities will be established throughout the state and open for business by Tuesday September 6.  The locations of the Disaster Recovery offices will be posted on fema.gov and ready.nj.gov.

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Monmouth County Park Closures

Due to the weather forecast, All Monmouth County Park System Parks, Golf Courses, Activity Centers, Environmental Centers, Visitor Centers, Program Buildings & Historic Sites will be closed to the public on Sunday, August 28^th. All Monmouth County Park System programs, activities, classes, lessons, clinics, trips & Group Picnic/Shelter rentals for Sunday, August 28^th have been cancelled

Some additional information regarding specific programs & parks:

–      Turkey Swamp Park Campgrounds will close at 12noon, Saturday, August 27^th and will remain closed to the public until further notice.

–      Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park will be closed beginning Sunday, August 28^th and will remain closed to the public until further notice.

–      The Dorbrook Recreation Area Sprayground will be closed beginning Sunday, August 28^th and will remain closed to the public until further notice.

–      The Going Batty Campfire program at Turkey Swamp Park for Saturday, August 27^th has been cancelled.

–      The Navesink River Kayak Trip for Sunday, August 28^th has been cancelled.

–      All boat tours at the Manasquan Reservoir for Friday evening, 8/26 thru Sunday, 8/28 have been cancelled.

–      Creature Feature at Huber Woods Environmental Center for Saturday, August 27^th has been cancelled.

–      The Monmouth County Youth Golf Tournament scheduled for Monday, August 29th at Bel-Aire Golf Course had been cancelled.

–      The Park-A-Day Camp for Monday, August 29^th departing from the Coastal Activity Center has been cancelled for Monday only.

–      Camp Seven Presidents for Monday, August 29^th has been cancelled for Monday only.

–      Charmin Discovers at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park for Monday, August 29^th has been cancelled for Monday only. 

Unless contacted separately by Park System staff, all programs & activities scheduled for Saturday, August 27th will be conducted as planned.

Updated information regarding the parks, golf courses and programs/activities which begin on Monday, August 29^th will posted on our website www.monmouthcountyparks.com as it becomes available. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or call (732) 842-4000 ext 4312 

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Monmouth GOP May Face Tougher Election Than Expected

By Art Gallagher

Throughout the spring and summer the conventional wisdom has been that the Monmouth GOP will not face serious challenges in legislative and county races of 2011.   2011 is supposed to be a “good Republican year.”

It still could turn out that way. Probably will.  But MMM has learned that the Democrats think they have unexpected opportunities.

On the legislative level, the Trenton Democratic machine has taken interest in the new 11th district. 

Back in April after the new legislative map was released the Democrats were scrambling to field a slate of candidates.  No Democratic elected officials would challenge Republican incumbents Senator Jennifer Beck or Assemblywomen Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini.  Now the Democrats think the 11th is in play and will dedicate financial and human resources to elect Ray Santiago to the Senate and Marilyn Schlossbach and Vin Gopal to the Assembly.

Both sides fear that Independent Assembly candidate Dan Jacobson will draw votes away from them and could end up being a spoiler.   In his column in last week’s triCityNews, Jacobson said that he expected to take votes from both sides and that he would need 20% of the voters to cast an uninformed protest vote for him in order to win a seat.  Jacobson said he expects Beck, Casagrande and Angelini to prevail in November.

On the county level, the Democrats are planning a character assassination on Freeholder Lillian Burry.  They will allege conflicts of interest on Burry’s part going back to her tenure as Mayor of Colts Neck and continuing in Freehold.

Game on.

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Freeholders Set To Approve Union Contracts

By Art Gallagher

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders are scheduled to approve five union contracts at their Regular Meeting on Thursday June 23, 7 PM at the Neptune City Municipal Building, 106 W. Sylvania Ave, Neptune City.

MMM attempted to learn the terms of the contracts today, to no avail.  We’ll follow up tomorrow.

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What if Kyrillos goes to Washington?

By Art Gallagher

From the getting way ahead of ourselves department, what impact would Joe Kyrillos’ election to the U.S. Senate next year have on the Monmouth County political landscape?

Kyrillos’ entry into the U.S. Senate field is probably an indication that bio-tech entrepreneur John Crowley will not be a candidate.  As a former State GOP Chairman and Christie confidant, Kyrillos would not announce an exploratory committee if he had not already explored the level of support he would have with the GOP power and fundraising establishment.    Should Kyrillos seek the nomination to challenge Senator Robert Menendez, he will probably get it.

If Kyrillos beats Menendez we will probably also have a new President on January 20, 2013.   For Menendez to be beat in 2012, Obama’s showing in New Jersey will have to be weak and without coat tails.

Should that happen, the Monmouth County Republican Committee would elect a 13th district Senator who would serve until a special election in November of 2013.  Assembly members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon would likely seek to move up into Kyrillos’ seat.   If one of the Assembly members moves up, the committee would then be charged with filling an Assembly vacancy.

The field for the Assembly seat could be crowded, as there is a deep bench of GOP talent residing in the new 13th district.

Middletown is the largest town in the district and has a wealth of electable talent.  Freeholder John Curley, Mayor Tony Fiore and former Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger would all be strong candidates.  Scharfenberger would face giving up his job in the Christie administration.   Curley, who will probably be Freeholder Director in 2012 with Rob Clifton moving to the Assembly in the 12th district, would have a tough choice between Freehold and Trenton. 

If Curley sought and won the Assembly seat, it would set off a county wide race for his replacement on the Freeholder Board, assuming he is reelected next year.

Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre, the only Mayor in history to lower property taxes four years in a row, would be a formidable candidate.

Marlboro, the second largest town in the district would probably be the source of Democratic candidates.  Mayor Jon Hornick would have his shot to move up.  He would be a strong Senate candidate against Handlin or O’Sanlon.  Jeff Cantor could be a Democratic candidate for Assembly.  The Marlboro GOP has yet to recover from the splits that contributed to Hornik defeating former Mayor Robert Kleinberg in 2007 or Cantor’s switch to the Democratic party in 2009.  Cantor was a GOP candidate for Freeholder in 2007.

Hazlet Mayor Scott Aagre would deserve consideration should he have aspirations for higher office.  Union Beach Councilman Charlie Cocuzza is popular and ambitious.

Keyport Mayor Robert McCleod, a former municipal judge who took one for the team to run against Frank Pallone in 2008 could decide that he is better suited to serve in the Assembly than to preside over the rough and tumble of Keyport politics.

Former Highlands Mayor and former Freeholder Anna Little could be a contender depending upon how her 2012 congressional ambitions work out.

If Little doesn’t run, her close ally, Atlantic Highlands Mayor Fred Rast could be a contender.

From the southern part of the new 13th, Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace has made a good name for himself as a strong advocate of Oceanport’s interests with Fort Monmouth and Monmouth Park.  However, Irace’s advocacy for Oceanport has ruffled feathers with Republicans in the County, the Legislature and the Christie administration.  He would need a strong grassroots organization to move up.

From the Monmouth GOP should have conventions department, if Freeholder Director Rob Clifton is elected to the Assembly this November, the Monmouth Republican Committee will be required to have a Title 19 convention to choose his replacement on the Freeholder Board in early 2012.  Should Kyrillos go to Washington in early 2013, the Monmouth GOP could potentially have three Title 19 conventions in early 2013; one to elect Kyrillos’ replacement in the State Senate, one to choose a 13th district Assembly member assuming either Handlin or O’Scanlon moves up to the Senate and one to elect a Freeholder should Curley seek and win the vacant Assembly seat.

It will all be enough to turn Chairman Joe Oxley grey, assuming he is reelected Chairman next June.

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Charitable Choices

By Art Gallagher

Something has been bothering me about the Jersey Shore Workcamp project I wrote about yesterday.  It is the same thing that bothered me about a similar project I wrote about in July of 2009.

Why are churches and high schools throughout the country sending teenagers here to Monmouth County New Jersey to fix up the homes of the needy?    Why are 440 kids coming here next month to do their charitable work instead of going to Newark, Camden, New Orleans, Mississippi or the South Bronx?

Why is there a need here?

Something I read in the Two River Times this morning made the conditions that allow for the Jersey Shore Workcamp bother me even more.

Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl is raising money, tax deductible money, for the Rumson fireworks.  He sent a letter to residents of Rumson, Navesink and Fair Haven asking for contributions to the Rumson Endowment Fund, Inc, a 501 c 3, to fund Rumson’s $100,000 fireworks display.

In the TRT article, Ekdahl is quoted as saying that the Rumson fireworks mirror the famous Red Bank Kaboom fireworks.  7500 people enjoy the Rumson show, not including private parties.  5000 of those people watch pyrotechnics from the Oceananic Bridge where they have great views of both the Rumson and Red Bank fireworks.

I have nothing against fireworks, I just don’t like crowds.  I went to the Red Bank fireworks once in the 90’s.  The show was spectacular but the crowd was too much for me.   For the last couple of years I’ve preferred to watch the NY fireworks from a distance on my deck in Highlands while listening to the Red Bank and Rumson shows.   Even if the Gooches or the Halls invited me to a private fireworks party I would think twice for fear that the short drive to and from home would take hours with all the traffic.

I think the good people of Rumson, Navesink and Fair Haven should spend their money however they like.  If they want to chip in $100,000 per year for fireworks for all to enjoy, fine with me.

But there is something unseemly about the fact that a week later 440 kids from throughout the country will be coming to the neighborhood, and paying $449 each to do so, in order to fix up the homes of the poor and disabled.

Anyone who wants to volunteer or contribute to the Jersey Shore Workcamp can contact Bill Bechtoldt at 732-671-1036.

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To Reduce Tax Burden, Shared Services Are A Necessity

By Freeholder Thomas Arnone, Monmouth County

The shared services initiatives spearheaded by Monmouth County government have been extremely successful. Under often difficult circumstances, the county has provided key services and recorded very significant cost savings to local partners.

It is estimated the county has saved municipalities millions of dollars through successful sharing of 911 dispatch, public works assistance, Planning Board, cooperative purchasing, information technology and digital records management, among others.

For example, one municipality publicly reported an estimated savings of more than $600,000 per year by participating in the county shared services dispatch program conducted through the Sheriff’s Office. I am pleased to report Neptune Township recently joined the county’s shared services dispatch program, which will save local taxpayers $1 million over the life of the agreement and generate $1.8 million in revenue for the county over the same period, helping to offset expenses and hold the line on taxes.

Monmouth County shares services with all 53 municipalities in an effort to reduce local costs through strong community partnerships. The success of the initial program has allowed for expansion into additional partnerships with police departments, fire departments, first aid squads, authorities, commissions and public schools and institutions of higher learning.

Recently, I instructed our shared services staff to perform a Web-based survey of municipal partners that will serve as a catalyst to an expanded shared services program. This comprehensive survey, which is being conducted now, will help solidify the focus of the program going forward. Based upon the survey responses, the county will continue to streamline and improve its outreach, education and implementation methods to best serve the needs of the community.

The initial response from the survey has been overwhelmingly positive in favor of increasing shared services and expanding the county outreach program. For example, initial responses indicate 100 percent of respondents would consider increasing their use of shared services if the county provided the service at a cost that is less than they currently pay, allowing them to deliver quality services to their constituents at a reduced cost.

Ninety percent of respondents who have used Monmouth County’s shared services stated they are extremely likely or very likely to use the services again in the near future. Nearly 52 percent of respondents stated they first learned of shared services from a Monmouth County shared services representative, from the county shared services Web site or by attending a county shared services seminar or educational outreach event.

Further initial responses showed 100 percent have considered implementing shared services in their own town in an effort to reduce costs. Ninety-six percent of respondents said they would benefit from access to a centralized county Web-based database and interactive posting site and 96 percent said they would have strong interest in attending county sponsored shared services seminars and speaker series.

A large majority indicated a “user fee” was the most attractive way for their organization to pay for shared services, solidifying the county model of covering costs, providing quality services and generating revenues.

Under my leadership, Monmouth County shared services will continue to offer top-quality services to its local partners. Due to economies of scale, the county’s fee-based business model often will provide these services for less than what it would cost a town or school district to do the work themselves, or what it would cost an outside provider to do it, therefore saving taxpayers money.

In addition, the county will be able to offset its costs by pursuing increased revenue opportunities through the newly developing fee-based system. In today’s economic climate, shared services have ceased to be an option and have indeed become a necessity if governments are to deliver top quality services to constituents at more affordable costs.

The new two percent cap and rising institutional costs such as health care and pensions will make the upcoming budget year perhaps the most difficult ever. With true leadership and courage we must continue to tackle these difficult issues head on.

I will not be deterred by the criticism of those who seek self service over progress. Together, we must seize this moment in history to continue to expand shared services if we are to reduce the heavy tax burden on New Jersey citizens and preserve the high quality of life we all have come to enjoy in Monmouth County.

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Freeholders To Vote On Term Limits For Boards And Commissions

By Art Gallagher

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a resolution that would establish term limits for volunteers who serve on autonomous county boards and commissions.

The county has seven such boards and commissions; the Parks Commission, Mosquito Commission, Library Commission, Board of Health, Monmouth County Improvement Authority, Bayshore Regional Outfall Authority and the Brookdale Board of Trustees.

If the resolution is approved, boards whose members have terms of three years will be limited to four consecutive terms.  Those boards with four year terms will be limited to three consecutive terms.  Boards whose members are appointed for five years will be limited to two terms.

The resolution allows for former board members to apply for different boards when they are term limited out and to reapply to the board they served on after sitting out a full term.

The resolution will go into effect on May 1, 2012, if approved.

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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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