Mallet & Mason Sail Through Democratic Primary Election

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Michael W. Mangan
June 3, 2008
Spokesman

Office: 732-922-2700
mike@monmouthdems.org

Candidates Call for Reduced Spending
and Reforms to County Government

OCEAN TWP – Democratic Candidates for Freeholder Amy Mallet (D-Fair Haven) and Glenn Mason (D-Hazlet) swept the Democratic Primary Election yesterday, taking 3,182 more votes than the Republicans. As the campaign moves into the General Election phase, the candidates pledged to cut spending and end Republican corruption when party control changes in November.

The Primary showed further the desire for change, with Democrats outvoting Republicans up and down the ballot in Monmouth County. With the Primary Election behind them, the candidates have launched their campaign to change Monmouth County government. Recent electoral successes and some 40,000 new Democrats in Monmouth County now put Mallet and Mason within striking distance of creating the first Democratic majority on the Board in 20 years.

“We have had tax and spending increases for the past twenty years in Monmouth County and its time for that to change. We need to cut spending now – and not just the same old rhetoric during and election year,” said Mallet. In 2005, then-candidate Lillian Burry ran on a platform of cutting spending. Since then, Ms. Burry has raised spending every single year.

Democrats also pledge to bring honesty and ethics back to the board. Over the past 20 years, public officials in Monmouth County numbering in the dozens have been arrested, indicted, or convicted, for illegal activities while in their public positions. “It’s time to finally and permanently close Club Monmouth and put the horrible chapter of waste, fraud, and abuse in Monmouth County behind us,” said Mason.

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Mason: Would not re-appoint Malcolm Carton

According to new Democratic candidate for Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Glenn Mason, he would not, if elected, vote to re-appoint controversial county counsel Malcolm Carton.

Mason said his reluctance to re-appoint Carton comes not only from the counsel's "arrogance to the board," but also from the fact that taxpayers would realize a cost savings from not using Carton anymore (as a result of Carton's high hourly rates).

Instead, Mason said that he favors opening up the selection process for county counsel (as well as other positions) up to a broad pool of qualified candidates, with an eye toward saving taxpayers money.

Mason said there are times when the best candidate for a position can be the lowest bidder. A complete interview with Mason will be in this week's Courier. In the meantime, be sure to check The Courier Online's YouTube feature for a brief talk with the new candidate.

In the upcoming Courier...Glenn Mason on the Campaign Trail

In this upcoming edition of The Courier, I will be writing a feature about Democratic candidate for Freeholder Glenn Mason. The interview will discuss the road the retired detective took to take part in the upcoming 2008 General Election. In addition, Courier will be posting excerpts of the interview on YouTube. There will also be a "Clamdigger Special," where Mr. Mason will discuss the party and its direction in 2008. Be sure to read The Courier (Thursday), check out The Courier Online YouTube section (by tomorrow afternoon) and come back to The Inside Clamdigger (by 6 p.m. tonight) for more news and information.

Mason, Mallet could be Dem front-runners for freeholder slots

Retired Hazlet Township police Det. Glenn Mason is considered by many to be a strong comer for the freeholder nod for the Democratic Party. Former Assembly candidate Amy Mallet is also considered to be a popular choice.

Mason is president of the Hazlet school board and has been an active Democrat in the Bayshore for several years.

LEHRER WON'T RUN; NEVERTHELESS FIELD COULD BE SHAPING UP

According to the APP, former Judge Al "Hollywood" Lehrer will not be running as a candidate for freeholder this year.

What names are out there for the Dems? According to the rumor mill I have heard there is Amy Mallet, Mike Beeson, Glenn Mason and Lenny Inzerillo. There is also rumored to be possible Howell and Belmar candidates, respectively (no names yet).

It is a loss for Democrats that Judge Lehrer will not be running. He is a great candidate, but more importantly he would have made a great freeholder. Still, that doesn't mean there are not several good candidates out there for the Democratic Party.

Click on the headline to go to the APP story about Lehrer.

Mason appointed as public information officer for flotilla

Hazlet resident Glenn Mason was appointed as the public information officer for U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 2-4 tonight.

The USCGA serves to augment the U.S. Coast Guard's active duty component. Among other missions, the USCGA conducts vessel inspections and assists in waternorne rescue operations in the Raritan Bay.

When he is not serving the community in the USCGA, Mason is a detective on the Hazlet Police Department. Flotilla 2-4 is based in Keyport and regularly meets at the Senior Center.

Courier will be covering the USCGA extensively throughout the summer, focusing on the varied missions the group performs and services they offer to area residents.