Home sales hit seven-year low

This story is from UPI and doesn't have a "happily ever after..." But it is thorough and good financial reading. Click on the headline and go there.

No. Jersey Chapter loses 2 troopers

Long-time members of the North Jersey Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association have passed away: John Larkin and Ralph Waters.

Mr. Larkin died on July 26 this year. He is a former soldier with the 513th and 517th parachute infantry regiments, respectively. He was a World War II veteran, who earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, as well as Purple Heart, Bonze Star, and French Liberation medals. Mr. Larkin took part in, among other actions, the Battle of the Bulge.

Major Ralph Waters, 88, passed away on May 2. He was a combat veteran of World War II, who took part in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Among other awards, he received the Purple Heart.

These troopers were good men, dedicated to their country and their families. In the end, they had lives that were exemplary. Deepest sympathy to their families.

Caption: Iron Mike is a statue celebrating the airborne spirit at Ft. Bragg, NC, home of the U.S. Army Airborne.

Czeck-Acker controversy to be reported in Courier

The Czech-Acker connection will be explored not in this week's Courier, but the following. Assigned to the storyline will be Middletown reporter and Staff Writer Alexis Nulle.

Rizzo runs story about candidates forum

There was a good story in the APP today, by Nina Rizzo, of the Coastal Monmouth Bureau. A female candidates forum was held at Brookdale Community College yesterday. Click on the headline and go to the report.

Among those who took part in the forum was Sen. Ellen Karcher, Assemblywoman Jen Beck and Assembly candidate Patricia Walsh.

CAPTION: Patricia Walsh

APP pens piece about proposed mortgage bail out

The APP has an editorial about the state-level bail out plan for mortgages. Watching this state's economy is like being unable to pull one's eyes away from a terrible car wreck. The closer one looks, the more horrified they become. Click on the headline and go there.

Jackson man makes ultimate sacrifice in Iraq

There is the story of a fine young man, from Jackson, who died while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq. The APP story is a good one. Click on the headline and go there.

Caption: "Iron Mike" is a well-known statue at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

Freeholder candidates clarify position on Carton

While the Malcolm Carton storyline is not one I am going to follow up on in the newspaper, the Dems assert their position was not made clear in the context of a story in another newspaper. Since I have not seen this release printed anywhere, I suppose that makes this press release something of an "exclusive."

PRESS RELEASE

Sept. 19, 2007

Michael W. Mangan
Director of Communications
Mobile: 732-996-0361
Office: 732-922-2700
mangan@squandems.org

D'Amico and Schueler Would Not Re-Appoint Carton

MONMOUTH COUNTY -- Judge John D'Amico and Mayor Stephen Schueler, Democratic candidates for freeholder, [on Sept. 19] clarified their position regarding Monmouth County Counsel Malcolm Carton. Despite Adam Puharic's incorrect assumptions and consistent with previous Democratic viewpoints, D'Amico and Schueler would not vote to re-appoint Carton for another term.

"Malcolm Carton may be a very capable attorney, but his relationship with members of the Monmouth County GOP has been too close for too long," said D'Amico. "Quite simply, it's time for him to go. The public shouldn't forget that Republicans began to break their ties with Carton, who is a GOP fundraiser, only after pressure from the Democrats and the Asbury Park Press coupled with the threat of a tight election year."

Both Democratic candidates agree that while there is nithing that can be done in the short term, gtiven his three-year term as county counsel, under a Democratic majority this would be his last term as Monmouth County counsel.

"Carton is the personification of pay-to-play. The Republicans claim to be the leaders on this issue, but the reality is that they have continued to employ Carton only because thousands upon thousands were deposited into their campaign war chests," said Schueler. "Reform in Monmouth County has been happening because of one person, Barbara McMorrow. The GOP can try all it wants to paint themselves as reformers, but the public knows that corruption over the past 20 years belongs to the GOP."

Columbia hosts controversial international leader

On Channel 4, Lester Holt today had the dean of the Columbia School of International Studies on, Dr. John Coatsworth. Students at Columbia will be taking part in a question-and-answer period with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmandinejad, after he gives a speech.

The bumper sticker people, whose sense of enlightenment extends to what can be slapped on the back of a car and read inside a few seconds, are giving Columbia grief for the visit. I am sure Columbia will be fine. They are providing an incredible learning experience for the 500 students who will have the opportunity to ask questions of one of the most controversial leaders in the world.

This Iranian president says some very hateful, evil stuff. He's a bad guy, and maybe one of the worst on the planet. But he's also in charge of a country and, if one is studying international relations in a serious way (e.g. studying at Columbia) then there's got to be educational worth hearing this nonsense first-hand.

Dr. Coatsworth deserves a lot of credit for setting this up for the students. It's definitely better than popping in a DVD during class.

Gelinas reviews Greenspan book for NY Post

In the New York Post today, the newspaper I voluntarily read (along with the Daily News) as often as I can, there is a great review of Alan Greenspan's latest book, The Age of Turbulence. The review is by Nicole Gelinas.

There is a great pull-out quote on Postscript 37 by Gelinas: "The real Greenspan legacy is that Americans nearly forgot about inflation." It's good. Greenspan's book is out there right now, by Penguin Press. In this age of the dumbest lawmakers ever on the planet, it is probably good reading for people wanting to talk about money and America, which virtually assures that anyone involved with government directly will not read it.

I haven't read it yet, but definitely will. Basically, most politicians today get their platforms from bumper stickers or get told what to say from angsty staffers fresh out of college and still living in their parents' basements. Yeah...and they're in charge of the economy via the governmental harassment they heap upon small business from their ivory towers the electorate mistakenly puts them in.

This election season is probably 'no business,' as usual

New Jersey's economy is in the tank. This state is not business friendly, seniors cannot retire here, unemployment in the Garden State is nothing to brag about, the State Government has the financial sensibility of a drunken sailor on liberty, and there is an election coming up.

A friend of mine and I were having a conversation about money last night; a good one. My big thing about this election is this should be the one where every candidate talks about how they are going to save money, and not add new burdens onto the budgets for the respective positions they are seeking.

This friend of mine said that, without solving the union problems in the state, there isn't going to be any real 'fixing' of anything. I responded that the place to begin is actually creating incentives to business, and drawing businesses back to the state, while stimulating the private sector that already exists here.

He believes a few unions (not all) are so impacting the state and other budgets to a degree that real economic progress can't happen because the upward-moving pension burden is too difficult for anything to overcome. It's a logical argument.

I have always favored the private sector approach because the economy is rooted there, and in New Jersey's case it is the element that is most pillaged, abused and taxed.

His take on this election was probably the one that was most likely: Nothing different, new or redeeming is going to happen this November. That's a cynical way to look at things, but voters in New Jersey have every reason in the world to be cynical.

Recognition event for NJ MIAs/POWs, Gold Star mothers

In Holmdel, a recognition event for N.J. MIAs, POWs and Gold Star Mothers. Click on the headline and go to the APP story.

Titans topple Rumson rival

Keansburg tops Rumson in a dramatic match-up. The APP has a great video of it. Click on the headline and go there.

Dubai gov't makes move to buy majority shares of NASDAQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2007

CONTACTS:
Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744

DUBAI PURCHASE OF MAJOR STAKE IN NASDAQ DESERVES EXAMINATION, SAYS SEN. MENENDEZ
Menendez applauds NASDAQ for submitting to CFIUS process, calls for “vigorous and thorough” review

WASHINGTON – The Borse Dubai stock exchange, which is controlled by the Dubai government, is announcing today that it will purchase a major share in the NASDAQ exchange, as well as the London Stock Exchange.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who was one of the first to raise concerns over the ill-fated Dubai ports deal last year, released the following statement:

“Certainly, the integrity of our financial markets is vital to our national stability and security, and it is wise to know everything we can about the controlling interests, particularly if foreign governments are involved. These are uncharted waters, and we must ensure that foreign government ownership does not have the potential to disrupt the market.

“NASDAQ has announced it will submit to the CFIUS review process – that is the right move, and I applaud them for undertaking it. The review must be vigorous and thorough, answering all lingering questions. The more information and understanding we have, the more we can be certain of the stability of our markets.”

# # #

Hot off the grapevine...rumor about next administrator

I received an anonymous letter, posted out of the Kilmer post office on Sept. 10. I give very little credence to such things, and it was derisive where it involves parties. But something that was interesting was that the letter writer said they overheard a conversation in public, by a former county official, saying that Marc Acker was "going to be the next administrator for Monmouth County." According to these assertions, the posting was likely.

The person said that Birdsall Engineering is also likely to become a larger player in the future.

The assertions were speculative, as anonymous letter writers always have to be approached with fistfuls of salt, but I am going to look into some of the things they brought up in the letter. Whoever wrote this, thank you very much, but next time add a name and telephone number.

Some upcoming interviews in The Courier

Courier will be interviewing Monmouth Democratic County Clerk candidate Amod Chadoury and Monmouth County Democratic Freeholder candidate John D'Amico the week after next. The newspaper has not not, as of yet, been contacted by any GOP candidates for Monmouth County freeholder. Thus far, Courier has interviewed the Republican candidates for clerk, Claire French, and sheriff, Kim Guadagno. In this upcoming edition, 13th District Assemblyman Sam Thompson.

Note to local candidates: Now is the time to arrange for campaign interviews. To arrange for interviews, call (732) 957-0070, ext. 6116. All interviews are conducted at Courier and original photography is taken by Courier.

CNN-Money: Expect slow holiday sales

CNN-Money are expecting slower than normal holiday sales this year. Click on the headline and go there.

Shanley moves on to public relations

Courier Staff Writer Scott Shanley has accepted a position at the Lotus Association, a New Brunswick public relations firm, where he will be serving in an account managing position. He is the former Middletown, Hazlet and Keansburg reporter for The Courier.

Scott was an incredible member of our staff, one of the best natural writers I have had the pleasure to work with and has great dedication to whatever he is doing. Everyone here at Courier wishes Scott the very best of luck in his new endeavors.

Greenspan: Euro may replace dollar

In an unrelated matter, News Max posted a piece about former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who says the euro may replace the American dollar. Click on the headline and go there.

The euro: Beating the dollar and making it look easy

For people interested in money: The dollar is getting pounded again the euro. Yes, the euro -- not even real money. In a 'worst-to-first' Cinderella story (at the expense of Americans), click on the headline and read about what is happening with the dollar's 'slugfest' against the 'titanic euro' in a post printed on a NY Post blog.

GM News: Fish kill problem in Keyport

Karen Bowes hit one out of the park over at The Independent, in a piece about a Keyport fish kill. It's solid work that is incredibly pertinent to the Bayshore. The story is great. Click on the headline and go there.