Real Jersey Guys and a Real Jersey Gal on the Radio

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre will be our guests this afternoon on The LaRossa and Gallagher: Real Jersey Guys On The Radio Show.

We’ll be talking about Hurricane Irene and her aftermath.  What worked, what didn’t work, what is working and what is not working.

Please call in with your stories, comments and questions to 609-447-0236 or 609-447-0237.

The LaRossa and Gallagher: Real Jersey Guys On The Radio Show is broadcast every Tuesday from 5PM-6PM on WIFI AM 1460 and on your computer or smart phone here.

The show is sponsored by Repatriot Radio.

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CASAGRANDE: OUR COMMUNITY CAN BE PROUD OF ITS SELFLESS NATURE AND COMMUNAL SPIRIT

VOLUNTEERS CAME TOGETHER AND HELPED MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE AT COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL SHELTER

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande congratulated all the volunteers who helped more than 1,000 people seeking shelter from Hurricane Irene at Colts Neck High School this weekend.

“You learn a lot about a community during times of distress, and ours did an exceptional job coming together to help people during one of the worst storms ever to land in New Jersey,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said. “Many volunteers stayed the entire weekend, whether cooking meals for hundreds of people or tending to health concerns. It was amazing to watch all the coordination and effort involved to protect very vulnerable people from nature’s fury. Our community can be proud of its selfless nature and communal spirit.”

Casagrande volunteered at the Red Cross shelter set up at Colts Neck High School, along with student members of the sports foundation, staff from Colts Neck and Freehold Regional high schools, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey and Red Cross volunteers.

“There were so many volunteers helping so many people that it’s impossible to remember them all, but everyone deserves thanks and congratulations for a job well done,” Casagrande said. “I hope we never need another shelter like this, but if we do, everyone should consider helping out because it was such a rewarding experience.”

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Beck, O’Scanlon and Casagrande Voice Opposition To Toll Hikes

12th District Legislators Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande today announced their opposition to the massive toll hikes proposed by the Port Authority.

“With so many of our own residents here in New Jersey unemployed, adding another undue burden, a 150% toll hike on working families is not the right course of action,” Beck said. “This is another battle in the fight for our State to remain an affordable place for our families. New Jersey has already lost residents who’ve left the State for more affordable places to live and another toll increase is counter-productive to New Jersey’s economic recovery.”

“Senator Beck, Assemblywoman Casagrande and I completely oppose these massive toll hikes, and we support Governors Christie and Cuomo in their efforts to derail them,” said O’Scanlon. “To nearly double the tolls and PATH fares in a time of economic difficulty makes no sense. This will be one more barrier to economic activity in the tri-state area, and a tax increase on people who already having a hard time making ends meet.”

The Port Authority is holding several hearings today at 8am and 6pm, often in difficult to reach places. Casagrande said that was not a coincidence.

“We saw the same thing for the Corzine toll hikes on the Parkway and Turnpike. They hold the hearings at a time when the very people who would be affected by this – commuters – are on their way to or from work so they can’t attend. They’re not interested in hearing or considering the public’s opinion, because if they did, their ears would be burning. This is an outrageous burden to put on people who have to drive into the city or to visit loved ones in the New York area.”

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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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Jacobson files for Assembly In The 11th

By Art Gallagher

Former Democratic Assemblyman and tri-CityNews publisher Dan Jacobson has filed his petition to run for Assembly in the 11th legislative district as an Independent.

Jacobson’s candidacy creates a five way race for two Assembly seats.  The Republican candidates are incumbents Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini.  The Democratic candidates are restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach and publisher Vin Gopal.

Jacobson said told MMM that his candidacy is not a reflection upon his opponents, but on the process.  “Legislative elections in Monmouth County are stale and rarely competitive,” said Jacobson, “this is an opportunity for me to say my peace in a way that most candidates can’t because they are beholden to their party and special interests.  If I can do that and perhaps make the race more interesting and competitive, that in itself will be a public service.”

Jacobson considers himself a Libertarian on economic and social issues.  He said economic issues are paramount in this race. School vouchers are an example of where he thinks both parties have failed the public.

“What is an more important issue for the poor than educating their children? When I was last ran for the Assembly in 1993 I advocated starting a voucher program in the urban districts and then phasing them in throughout the state.  Since then the Republicans have had control and the Democrats have had control and there has been no improvement with how we educate our kids.”

Public employees unions are another area of government that Jacobson wants to reform.   “It is wrong that unions are collecting mandatory dues from our public employees and using that money for political purposes. Unions should set up PACs and let their members contribute voluntarily is they so choose.”

Of his opponents, only Angelini returned a call for comment.  “Dan is a friend.  I welcome him into the race and look forward to hearing his take on the issues,” said Angelini, ” I think there will be many common themes between us.”

 “I don’t understand why he is doing this,” said Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vic Scudiery, “Dan should worry about his newspaper.”  Scudiery was chairman when Jacobson last served in the Assembly.

Jacobson filed 77 signatures with his petition.  He said he was told that 50 are required.

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Casagrande Gives Birth To Theodore Charles Chance

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and her husband Stephen Chance are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Theodore Charles Chance.

The baby was born early this afternoon, measuring 21 inches and weighing 8 lbs., 9 oz..

Mother and child are resting comfortably, while dad and little brother Harrison, age 2, are thrilled at the newest addition to their family.

Rivals, the football recruiting service, immediately listed little Teddy as a five star football recruit in the class of 2032. Neither Asw. Casagrande or her husband would comment on the rumor that Teddy has verbally committed to Penn State University, his parents alma mater.

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A Birthright Baby Shower For Casagrande

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, who is expecting her second child, will be the guest of honor at a “baby shower” to benefit Birthright of Monmouth County, an organization that helps expectant mothers in need of emotional or material support.

The event will be held on Monday, May 23^rd from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 pm at Courtyard on Main, 30 East Main St., Freehold (Courtyard on Main is the catering facility upstairs from the Main Street Bistro Positano). Everyone is invited to attend, guests are asked to bring donations for Birthright of Monmouth County including: diapers of all sizes, layette items, clothing up to 18 months, formula, fitted crib sheets, wash cloths, towels and gift cards. Lt. Gov Kim Guadagno along with Sen. Jennifer Beck, Assemblywomen MaryPat Angelini and Amy Handlin, County Clerk Claire French, Freeholder Lillian Burry , Mayor Anna Little, Committeewoman Barbara McMurrow, Councilwoman Carol Mazzola and State Committeewoman  Christine Hanlon will be hosting the event. 

“With our state and our country still experiencing difficult economic times, there are a great number of expectant and new mothers who need some assistance,” said Casagrande. “This is a good opportunity to do something for those mothers and children who could use a little help.”

Casagrande stated that all of the donated items would be given to Birthright; this is not a personal baby shower.

Birthright International is a non-political, non-judgmental organization dedicated to helping women through their pregnancy dilemmas. It has over 400 chapters worldwide, including Monmouth County chapters in Red Bank and Freehold.

Anyone interested in donating items can contact 732-701-0009.

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CASAGRANDE: DEPUTIZE PRIVATE ACCOUNTANTS TO HELP DELIVER EVEN MORE SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS

CASAGRANDE BILL WOULD PROVIDE WORK FOR PRIVATE ACCOUNTANTS,

CURB GOVERNMENT WASTE AND GENERATE SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS

            The State Comptroller’s recent report that state government wastes millions of dollars on uniforms for state workers who don’t wear them, is another outrage that proves the capacity for waste in New Jersey government is endless, said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, the sponsor of a measure that would pay private accountants to audit wasteful government spending – at no cost to taxpayers.

            “This bogus clothing stipend is one of many outrageous examples of waste hidden deep within New Jersey’s many layers of government,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said. “Matt Boxer and his office consistently do an excellent job unearthing these abuses, but New Jersey governments’ capacity for waste is bottomless and we could always use more diggers.”

            Casagrande sponsors, A-1828, which would allow the State Comptroller to hire private certified accountants on a contingency basis. Their pay would be a percentage of the savings they uncover and deliver for taxpayers.

            “We often talk about running government like a private business, so let’s see what happens when we deputize private accountants,” Casagrande said. “This will help the State Comptroller conduct more investigations with greater impact. It will also create jobs for enterprising accountants in a way that saves money, unlike some recent proposals that would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions without guarantee of one new job.

            “Governor Christie will make sure Governor Corzine’s clothing allowance is hung out to dry in the next public employee contract, but this example proves that special interests and a complicit government will sink to any depth, so let’s even the score with vigilante accountants working for taxpayers against waste,” Casagrande added.

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Something For Dan Jacobson To Consider While Mulling An Assemly Bid

By Art Gallagher

Republican publisher and former Democratic Assemblyman Dan Jacobson says he is mulling running for Assembly in the 11th legislative district GOP primary. 

The potty mouth pundit says he supports incumbent Mary Pat Angelini, in large measure due to her pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage positions and that he is considering a challenge to Caroline Casagrande.  It’s not that Dan has a problem with Casagrande, like he does with Sean Kean. It’s that he thinks he can cause a transformational change in Trenton if he heads to the Assembly beholden to no one.  Free of party ties, donor expectations or special interest loyalty, Dan thinks he can go to Trenton and make government more responsive to the people and less responsive to the special interests.  Dan’s goal is laudable. His proposed method is fool hardy, unless he can recruit many many other candidates of a similar mind set and get all of their petitions signed between now and Monday at 4PM.  Not going to happen.

But Dan knows that already.  He’s lived it already the last time he was in the Assembly 20 years ago. The fun he had driving the leadership crazy is probably more on his mind now than the frustration he experienced. That memory of the fun could be what is driving his consideration of a bid.

What Dan apparently doesn’t realize is that if he files to run for Assembly in the 11th district GOP primary he doesn’t get to choose who he is challenging.  He says he is considering a challenge to Casagrande and not Angelini, but the balloting doesn’t work that way. 

Assuming Mary Pat, Caroline and Dan are the only candidates in the primary, the election would be a 3 way race for 2 nominations.  Dan can say he’s only challenging Caroline all he wants.  The truth is that it would be a 3 way race for 2 nominations and Dan could end up knocking off Mary Pat instead of Caroline.

From my point of view Jacobson is a bigger threat in a 3 way to Angelini than he is to Casagrande. Take it from me, the powerful Republican blogger as Dan calls me, if Jacobson runs he is more of a threat to Angelini than he is to Casagrande.

By both perception and reality, Angelini is more liberal than Casagrande.  While the very popular Angelini will likely be the top vote getter in the general election, she has some problems with the conservative Republican base.  Hardcore conservative voters can be fickle.  Many will vote for Casagrande and no one else.  Many will vote for Casagrande and Jacobson, just to send a message to Angelini.  They won’t mind if Jacobson beats Angelini, figuring they can knock Jacobson off in two years with a real conservative.

Angelini and Casagrande will be bracketed together on the ballot.  Assuming Dan is the only primary challenger, his name would be appear in the column immediately to the right of Angelini and Casagrande on the ballot.  If the party organization positions Mary Pat and Caroline alphabetically, which would make sense since they have the same seniority, Angelini’s name would appear above Casagrande’s.  Jacobson’s name would appear on the ballot right next to Angelini, making it appear on the ballot that Dan is running against Angelini.  Even though the instructions will say “Vote for Two,” many uninformed voters will think they have to choose between Angelini and Jacobson before voting for Casagrande who will appear to be unchallenged.  Some will chose Jacobson and then vote for Casagrande.

Just some food for thought for Dan to include in his mulling this weekend.

Kitten, kitten, kitten.

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Beck, O’Scanlon, Casagrande Praise Governor’s Action on Wagering Bills

Trenton— Senator Jennifer Beck and Assemblymen Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande (all R- Monmouth/Middlesex) today said that Governor Christie’s actions on off-track, exchange wagering, and pari-mutuel betting legislation will strengthen New Jersey’s horse racing industry. Governor Christie signed A-2926 and A-3200, which establishes a system of exchange wagering for in-state and out of state races and single pool betting, respectively. The Governor offered a conditional veto recommending minor changes to A-1705, which expands off-track and account wagering.

Senator Jennifer Beck

“Horse racing is vital part of our regional economy and helps preserve significant amounts of open space in our state. Exchange wagering and pari-mutuel betting will help the industry adapt to a changing market and consumer preferences and lend a much needed boost to the racing industry’s revenues. The Governor has also offered sensible revisions in his conditional veto of the off track wagering bill that I believe can and should be swiftly adopted by the Legislature.”

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

“I have always believed that revitalizing Atlantic City and saving the horse racing industry do not have to be mutually exclusive endeavors. I am very pleased that the Governor has signed two bills that will help horse racing survive through innovative and creative betting instruments. I also want to thank him for working with and listening to racing advocates such as myself as he plots an improved course for the gaming industry as a whole in New Jersey.”

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

“The most effective type of aid horse racing can receive is that which helps the industry stand on its own two feet. Exchange and single pool pari-mutuel betting are a step in the direction of doing just that. Off track betting is also a critical component of the equation for a stronger horse racing industry, and I call on my colleagues to swiftly take up the changes recommended in the Governor’s conditional veto which are neither unreasonable nor a threat to the overall objective of the bill.”

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