Red Bank Elks Name Leo Olsen, 4, Child Of The Year

On Saturday April 2^nd, the Red Bank Elks Lodge #233 held its 100^th Annual Charity Ball, honoring 4-year old Leo Olsen, our Child of the Year.

Every year the lodge finds and supports a local child with special needs and provides assistance to the child and the family throughout the year and beyond. Leo Olsen was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, and has had other health challenges throughout his very young life.  And although his motor skills have been greatly affected, Leo’s spirit and courage remain unswayed. His mother Cristina, army veteran father Fred, older brother Pierce and younger brother Ty, feel truly blessed to have this smart, loving and funny little boy in their lives.

And now, so does the Lodge.

Leo called the Lodge members he met at the Ball his “Elk friends”; and his new friends gave Leo 3 of his favorite things: a Panda bear stuffed animal (he later named “Elky”), a NY Giants T-shirt and a NJ Devils hat.

At the charity ball, the lodge raised money for items that can help make Leo’s life and mobility a little easier-a wheelchair ramp, car lift, or any other household and transportation needs. Leo has had some tough obstacles, but he’s strong, truly special, and deserves a shot at independence.

And the night was topped off when Leo and his brother Pierce sang along to one of their favorite country songs, The Impossible, by Joe Nichols:

And Billy couldn’t feel his legs
Said he’d never walk again
But Billy said he would and his mom and daddy prayed
And the day we graduated, he stood up to say:
Unsinkable ships, sink
Unbreakable walls, break
Sometimes the things you think would never happen
Happen just like that
Unbendable steel, bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I’ve learned to never underestimate
The impossible

The Red Bank Elks Lodge also supports many other local special needs children throughout the year by sponsoring “Camperships”, trips in the summer to the NJ Elks Special Needs camp, Camp Moore. This year, the Red Bank Elks will send 9 children for a week-long stay and 24 young adults for a weekend, to enjoy the pool, playground, and daily activities at the camp-helping each camper experience new adventures, lasting friendships, and opportunities that promote independence and greater self-confidence.

Also, every month, in partnership with Red Bank Parks and Recreation department, the lodge hosts a dance for special needs children in the community. And the next dance will be held on Wednesday April 20^th at 6pm, at the Red Bank Elks Lodge, 40 West Front Street.

And some other upcoming events are a Wine Tasting and Gift Auction fundraiser on April 17^th from 3-6pm and a Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday May 8^th from 9am-12pm, proceeds benefitting the Special Needs Children.

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Middletown Introduces Budget With Nearly $4 Million In Spending Cuts

Conforms With 2% Cap Levy Law Absent Needed Tool Kit Reforms

MIDDLETOWN – The Middletown Township Committee anticipates introducing its 2011 municipal budget that is $3.87 million (5.9%) less than the Township’s 2010 budget.

“Middletown’s proposed municipal budget is very austere and in full conformance with the new 2% cap levy law despite the Legislature’s continued failure to enact the Governor’s tool kit reforms that would empower the Township to make further cuts,” said Middletown Mayor Tony Fiore.  “We are hopeful to continue to rein in spending through ongoing negotiations with the Township’s collective bargaining units with a focus on decreasing the Township’s health care costs.”

“Cuts in the proposed budget include the layoffs of 26 employees, including 10 police officers, and the third consecutive year of salary freezes for the Township’s managerial employees,” continued Fiore.  “Middletown will continue to focus on core governmental functions while seeking other ways to continue to reduce costs though interlocal agreements and the Township’s solar initiative that is currently under way.”

Proposed Budget Data and Facts

·         The proposed 2011 municipal budget is $61,114,285 compared to the adopted 2010 budget that was $64,979,576.

·         The proposed budget represents an actual decrease in spending of $3,865,291 (5.9%) from the 2010 budget.

·         The largest cost drivers offsetting the Township’s $3.87 million in budget cuts are tax appeal refunds, State-mandated pension contribution increases of 22%, and costs associated with deferred charges due to numerous retirements last year.

·         The proposed 2011 budget anticipates an increase in the total tax levy of $1,357,855 which complies with the new 2% cap levy law and will cost the average Middletown homeowner approximately $5 per month.

·         The municipal budget makes up only approximately 22% of the average property tax bill, the remaining portion relates to the school and county tax levies.

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Incumbent battles are plentiful under BTPG’s “The People’s Map”

Middletown, NJ –Several articles have come out recently displaying the hysterics surrounding the possibility of a handful of legislators who may lose their jobs as a result of the Apportionment Commission’s final map. Meanwhile, an analysis of “The People’s Map” illustrates nicely how genuine competition between and among parties and incumbents can be easily achieved by simply drawing district lines according to the Constitution.

Below are some of the intra-party battles created as a result of the non-gerrymandered map produced by the Bayshore Tea Party Group:

• ·         District 4: Sen. Steve Sweeney (D) v. Sen. Fred Madden (D)
• ·         District 13: Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R) v. Sen. Jenifer Beck (R)
• ·         District 21: Sen. Barbara Buono (D) v. Sen. Bob Smith (D)
• ·         District 27: Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R) v. Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R)
• ·         District 31: Sen. Brian Stack (D) v. Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D)
• ·         District 9: Asm. Ronald Dancer v. Asw. Diane Gove v. Asm. Brian Rumpf

There are 11 additional districts in which incumbents of the same party would be pitted against one another. This is what representative democracy should look like.

While politicians holed up in lavish accommodations at one of New Brunswick’s finest hotels wheel and deal for their own personal benefit, voters are left with the scraps from a rancid political meal. “The People’s Map” changes that dynamic and forces long-term incumbents, many of whom have benefited for a decade from our previously Gerrymandered districts, to defend their records with their constituents and actually campaign for reelection.

It is a uniquely American ideal that no man should be entitled to the benefit of another’s labor. This ideal is no more applicable than in the world of electoral politics.

Upon discovering the information, primary map-maker and Bayshore Tea Party Group Redistricting Committee Chairman Sean Spinello stated:

“One thing that struck me with all the attempts at manipulating the matchups and wanting easy victories was that it sounded like old time boxing promoters…except with less integrity.”

The Bayshore Tea Party Group was heartened recently by NJ Apportionment Commission Co-Chairman and Assemblyman John Wisniewski’s statement citing the importance of adhering to the NJ Constitution with regard to the legislative map drawing, as reported in The Star-Ledger on March 28.

As per Chairman Wisniewski’s admonition, we expect that the Commission will issue a map fully compliant with law and the New Jersey Constitution, such as “The People’s Map.”

 
Please visit our website at www.bayshoreteaparty.org for information on how you can become involved with the effort to restore American Exceptionalism and fix our broken government. [email protected] or call 732-842-6652 for more information.

The Bayshore Tea Party Group Headquarters is located at 275 Rt. 35N in Middleotwn,NJ. Please contact

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Marathon Demonstration For “The People’s Map”

Bayshore Tea Party Group to Lead Demonstration to End Partisan Gerrymandering

Together with groups and voters from around the State, BTPG will gather in New Brunswick

http://www.politickernj.com/46261/dems-head-behind-closed-doors-rosenthal-and-map

Members of the Bayshore Tea Party Group and other concerned citizens will hold a constant demonstration from tonight at 7PM until the Commission votes on the map that will bind New Jersey for the next 10 years.
 
All groups and individuals concerned with the odious process of Gerrymandering and with the intentional dilution of their vote on the altar of protecting incumbent politicians are invited and encouraged to attend.

It’s time the voters of New Jersey stood up and demanded an end to partisan Gerrymandering. That time is now.

Please visit our website at www.bayshoreteaparty.org for information on how you can become involved with the effort to restore American Exceptionalism and fix our broken government. 

The Bayshore Tea Party Group Headquarters is located at 275 Rt. 35N in Middletown, NJ. Please contact [email protected] or call 732-842-6652 for more information. 

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REPUBLICANS CANGEMI, MIZZI TO RUN FOR RED BANK COUNCIL

Former Councilwoman Grace Cangemi and Joseph Mizzi announced today that they would be seeking the Republican nomination for Red Bank Borough Council in the upcoming municipal election.

Cangemi, who served on council in 2007 and 2008 said she looked forward to getting back into the fray.

 “Unfortunately, many of the same issues which I’ve been talking about since 2008 are still issues which need to be addressed,” said Cangemi. “Tough decisions need to be made and they need to be made in an environment that is open and transparent. This council doesn’t seem to recognize that affordability is the most important issue that residents and businesses face, maybe because their one party control has insulated them from the people who need them to take serious action.  We need a borough government that is both transparent and responsive.  The current council fails on both counts.”

Mizzi, a finance professional and part time economics professor, agreed and said the council needed some different voices.

“Unfortunately, when you have one party rule for so long, a kind of groupthink sets in and no dissenting views are considered,” said Mizzi. “I thought when Grace was on council she brought a different perspective that was refreshing and that’s what we’d both like to do again; challenge old assumptions and see if there isn’t a better way of doing things.”

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Bayshore Tea Party Group Releases Revised Legislative District Map

Middletown, NJ – The Bayshore Tea Party Group issued a revised version of “The People’s Map” to the Apportionment Commission. The changes are as follows:

· Moves Egg Harbor Township, Weymouth and Estell Manor from District 2 to District 1;
· Moves Atlantic City, Brigantine and Absecon from District 1 to District 2;
· Makes cosmetic corrections to several inadvertently miscolored municipalities that do not affect the population outcomes of any other District.
In response to inquiries received following the release of “The People’s Map”, the Bayshore Tea Party Group Redistricting Committee would like to clarify some questions the public may have with the creation of our map:

 
“The People’s Map” was created entirely by hand and without the assistance of any computer program, such as the program in use by the Apportionment Commission and political parties;
“The People’s Map” was drawn using public census data obtained via the internet, pencils and a calculator;
No funding or other outside support from any person or organization was provided for the creation of “The People’s Map”. The aforementioned pencils, paper and calculators were provided by the Bayshore Tea Party Group, which is funded entirely through the generous donations of our members and the public.

The Bayshore Tea Party Group would like to acknowledge and thank Monmouth University’s Patrick Murray for the notes he provided upon his review of our map.

BTPG would also like to publicly acknowledge Jim Meyer of Gateway Press in Atlantic Highlands, NJ for his hard work in preparing “The People’s Map.”
Please visit our website at www.bayshoreteaparty.org for information on how you can become involved with the effort to restore American Exceptionalism and fix our broken government.

The Bayshore Tea Party Group Headquarters is located at 275 Rt. 35N in Fairview, NJ. Please contact [email protected] or call 732-804-3733 for more information.

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Governor Chris Christie Reaffirms Commitment to Reform in Newark Public Schools

Trenton, NJ – In a visit to Ann Street School this morning, Governor Chris Christie engaged in a conversation with students and members of Newark’s education community, reaffirmed his commitment to bringing fundamental reform to Newark Public Schools and underscored the importance of community involvement in reform efforts and the process of selecting a new superintendent.

“It has been 15 years since the State of New Jersey took over public schools in Newark with the hope of transforming the district and ending its failure of so many of our children. But a decade and a half later, with the exception of a few bright spots of progress, we have yet to achieve our goals of providing a quality education to every child.  The work of changing Newark’s education system did not begin the day I came into office, but I believe we have brought this issue into sharper focus in this Administration with our education reform efforts and partnership with the City and community at large,” said Governor Christie.  “As we endeavor to change the status quo, cooperation at every level – the State, the City’s leadership, Education Task Force, School Advisory Board and the whole community – will be critical to replicate the bright spots and successful models in this school district, and improve the public schools across this city. In partnership, I believe we will finally accomplish meaningful change and reform for the children of this city, and in areas across the state where opportunity is not being delivered.”

The Christie Administration has taken numerous, proactive steps to ensure that every opportunity for reform and progress is seized and that progress continues in Newark, even while the selection of a new superintendent is underway.  Rochelle Hendricks, who recently served as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education, has assumed responsibility for the Newark Public Schools during this transition period.  Hendricks is a dedicated, accomplished education professional with the knowledge and background necessary to achieve progress during this interim period.  She is working closely with interim-superintendent Deborah Terrell to ensure that the district’s most pressing challenges are met with solutions as soon as possible.  Both are working closely with the educational and community leadership in Newark to deal with the serious challenges facing the district today, most specifically the budget gap and the shortage of quality schools.

Governor Christie also outlined the process being undertaken by the State, in cooperation with the Newark community, in the selection of a new superintendent for Newark Public Schools:

The next Superintendent of the Newark Public School system will send a strong signal to the community that Governor Christie and the Administration are serious about real reform and real results.  As a result, the process for choosing the next superintendent is built on transparency, community involvement and real input from educators. The selection process, already underway, for finding a qualified, dedicated superintendent has been set out to be broad, thorough and staged to allow for plenty of community input along the way.  

·         The first stage began in January when Acting Commissioner Cerf solicited names of top candidates in conversations with national reform leaders and local community leaders.

·         The second stage was to seek sound input and guidance from members of the community on critical education reform issues, ongoing and emergent challenges that will face the incoming superintendent, and the qualifications demanded of the next superintendent. This began the process of engaging a wide swath of people who live and work in the Newark community:

o    The School Advisory Board, headed by Shavar Jeffries, is the body elected by the people of Newark to represent them in the schools and a critical source of advice and counsel;

o    Mayor Cory Booker, who is providing valuable leadership as an advisor in the process, offering input and guidance into the reform challenges facing Newark schools, and lending his perspective in the superintendent search process;

o    The Education Task Force, a group of Newark community leaders who provide guidance around education policy and consist of leaders from Newark Public Schools, higher education, parents, the non-profit community, and the charter school community;

o    Various educational leaders, including principals, parent representatives and teachers; and

o    Local representatives, including members of the city council and the legislature.

Each one of these groups represents a different part of the City of Newark and its education and civic community. As such, through each stage of the process, they have provided and will continue to provide counsel on the needs of the Newark Public School System and the qualifications necessary for the next superintendent.

·         The final stage of this process, which is now beginning and will continue over the coming weeks, will allow for each of these groups to meet face to face with prospective candidates.

o    Finding the next superintendent of the Newark Public Schools can and must integrate a high level of community involvement and investment in the process. Bringing real change to education in the public schools begins and ends with the community; the community’s input will inform the recommendations ultimately made to Governor Christie for this vitally important decision. 

At that point, after sufficient time has been spent on soliciting community input and feedback, listening and considering all of the insights and recommendations of the aforementioned groups, Governor Christie will meet with each of the final candidates prior to the Education Commissioner’s final selection being made in May, ensuring that the new superintendent is in place by the end of the school year.

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James O’Keefe III to Headline Bayshore Tea Party Group’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Fresh off the resignation of NPR top executives, O’Keefe to give a behind the scenes peek.

Middletown, NJ—The Bayshore Tea Party Group is proud to announce its first annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, this Thursday, March 17^th, 2011 at Ye Cottage Inn in Keyport, NJ. James O’Keefe, the Jersey boy who blew the lid off of the corrupt ACORN racket, will headline the event on the water in Keyport.

O’Keefe most recently exposed National Public Radio (NPR) executinves meeting with prospective donors that may have violated federal law. The tirade O’Keefe caught on film resulted in the resignation of NPR’s President Vivian Schiller.

Prior to the rampage, NPR Foundation President Ron Schiller made it clear to the Country that NPR would be better off without federal funding. Suffice to say, we agree.

Details:

Who:     James O’Keefe, III headlines at the Bayshore Tea Party Group

What:   1^st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Where: Ye Cottage Inn, 149 West Front Street, Keyport, NJ 07735

When: Thursday, March 17^th, 2011

                7-9 PM

How:     $50 at the door / $1000 event sponsorship

Noted in Politico as one of the most “prominent” tea party groups in the State of New Jersey and the Country, the Bayshore Tea Party Group is an all-volunteer organization working tirelessly in Monmouth County and New Jersey to implement Constitutional and Conservative policies throughout New Jersey through a variety of channels.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50818.html

For more information on the Bayshore Tea Party Group, please visit the website at www.bayshoreteaparty.org or find us on the web elsewhere:

http://www.facebook.com/BayshoreTeaParty

http://twitter.com/bayshore_tparty

http://www.youtube.com/bayshoreteaparty

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State Unfunded Pension Liabilities Exceed $1 Trillion

Analysis marks pension liabilities as root of state budget crisis

WASHINGTON, DC- The nation’s top state budget watchdog, State Budget Solutions, released a report on this week demonstrating the dramatic extent of unfunded liabilities facing the state government public employee pension funds- ranging from $1 trillion to $2.8 trillion dollars depending on the study used in the analysis. “This report shows that states have been fooling the public and the federal government for years,” said Bryan Leonard, author of the study. “The breadth and depth of the public pension crisis is finally coming to light and the numbers clearly speak for themselves.”

The analysis provides comprehensive data from three studies to demonstrate a consensus about the scale of the unfunded pension crisis spreading across the nation, just as public employees rally against proposed reforms in wages and benefits in states like Wisconsin and Ohio. “It’s clear that this study reveals that the increasing costs of supporting the unfunded liability that is needed to pay government employee pensions is the real driver of the budget crises in the states,” said Bob Williams, President of State Budget Solutions. “Our report demonstrates that legislators and governors need to come to grips with the pension funding crisis or it will put their states in fiscal peril for decades.”

According to the study, states with the largest pension liabilities are California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. State governments use a special accounting method, known as GASB, which differs from that of the private sector. “Under GASB, government pension funds have not accurately portrayed the real value the pension funds. If states were required to use private sector accounting rules, like those used in the Novy-Marx & Rauh studies, the liabilities are much more dramatic,” said Williams.

A full state-by-state analysis of the public employee pension unfunded liability can be found at statebudgetsolutions.org.

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Kyrillos Commends Action On SCAT Employees

Middletown—Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) today noted the Monmouth County Freeholders swift disciplinary action against workers involved in last week’s ‘sick-out’ of SCAT bus drivers:

“The Freeholders did the right thing by immediately suspending three individuals who called out sick on Friday, February 25th- only to be caught on camera at a protest in Trenton,” Kyrillos said. “The actions of these employees and others, who organized a disruption of bus service endangered the well-being of SCAT’s developmentally disabled and elderly clients. It is my hope that county officials will summarily be able to ascertain if others were absent without proper excuse and take appropriate action.”

Kyrillos also said the incident exemplifies the urgent need for civil service reform. “The fact that the civil service system may drag out the termination process for these employees is ludicrous,” Kyrillos said. “While some personnel matters are complex, getting caught on film being involved in an organized ‘sick-out’ and lying to your employer should be grounds for immediate termination. The fact that the system protects these employees from being fired on the spot, and may cost taxpayers thousands in legal proceedings, is reason enough to reform civil service laws.”

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