Eagleton has a voting guide

The Eagleton Institute of Politics has a voting guide for this year. A link to the guide was posted on the APP's Web site. Click on the headline and go to the guide.

Gerry Scharfenberger...and his Middletown flyer

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger has a flyer circulating. In it, he is making some new allegations.

In his flyer, he is saying "The Courier newspaper, opwned by the town center personally called candidates to run against Tristan Nelsen and me and is personally calling individuals asking them not to vote for us."

In addition, he says, "Information from OPRA requests filed by the Courier is used in Democrat press releases."

And he concludes the 'bullett portion' with his flyer by saying, "Letters written to the paper by me refuting inaccuracies are never printed, while Democrat letters, particularly those of the party chairman Joe Caliendo appear regularly."

Besides from having some grammar issues, Mr. Scvharfenberger is factually challenged as well.

No. 1: The Middletown Demcorats run themselves. The Middletown Demcorats are a very determined bunch of people, in my experience, and to say that the owner of this newspaper, or the newspaper itself, can tell them what to say or think would be ridiculous. Part of an earlier assertion in Mr. Scharfenberger's letter is one that the Democrats would approve a Town Center; kinda hard given the fact the only Demcorat on the committee right now used to head the group formed against it.

No. 2: As for OPRA requests, they are public. This newspaper prints information it receives in OPRA requests. People read the newspaper -- thereby the information -- and so if they use it that would be their business. Public information is just that -- not supposed to be a poker chip by a repressive government. The Courier prints information, and then people read it.

No. 3: Neither Gerry Scharfenberger nor anyone else on this committee (sans Patrick Short) has communicated with the newspaper at all. This is their problem -- they do not communicate well.

With all of that said -- what about the Town Hall corruption and the GOP selling the township out for the sake of their chairman/bond counsel/water and sewerage commissioner, Mr. Peter Carton? How about refuting that he is the chairman of the GOP, a sitting appointed official, and his company got the bond work for the township (and he's in charge of the bonding arm for his firm)?

Town Center is an old song, and the recording has dust on it. If Mr. Scharfenberger wants to reform government in Middletown, then him and his committee can stop spending money like it's water and dreaming up new buildings to bond for, which never make revenue. Gerry Scharfenberger plays fast and loose with the truth, as evidenced by this piece of nonsense. To resort to this garbage for the sake of politics is more of the same from this character.

It takes a lot of brass...

Whether or not the Republicans win or not, it takes a lot of gall for any governing body to name an administrator in the midst of a control election. Robert Czech has been the standard bearer of expensive big town government. He hasn't been thrifty in office and his attitude toward the public is terrible. If this is the best the GOP can come up with, it's a reason why they shouldn't be in office.

For the Board of Chosen Freeholders to name possible county administrators a week before the '07 elections, where a new group could be in control in a short time, is the height of hubris. Who is named as the next county administrator should be the decision of the Board of Chosen Freeholders that is convened after reorganization -- not this one.

What should have been an important decision for this county has been reduced to a political backroom stunt, and that is a shame. This kind of decision-making is why there needs to be a regime change, and an attitude readjustment in Monmouth County.

APP reports Czech going to county: I had it first

This blog reported on the Middletown administrator, Bob Czech, being offered a position at the county during the election season, on Sept. 26. In addition, this blog reported on Mark Acker, a county official, likely receiving the job in Middletown at that time. When that occurred, Mr. Czech was asked to comment on the possibility of his going to the county and Mr. Acker going to Middletown, and this was what was received.

One of the problems with government these days is that it isn't candid, to say the very least, but to say the most -- it just doesn't tell the truth. While the situation with Mr. Acker has yet to clarify itself, and a decision may or may not be announced with regard to his employment in the township, I guess that means I'm batting .500 so far on this one.

Click on the headline to go to the APP story.

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Herrschaft, Cindy <cherrsch@middletownnj.org>
Date: Oct 2, 2007 12:31 PM
Subject: Middletown Response
To: Alexis Nulle <alexisnulle@gmail.com>

Middletown Response
The following information is attributed to Township Administrator Robert M. Czech.

Thank you, Cindy Herrschaft, Middletown PIO

-- I have not received an offer from the county. There is absolutely no truth to the statement by Mr. Purcell that Mr. Acker was or is coming to Middletown. It was never even considered. Other than that, I have no further comment.

Homeland Security head starts blogging

Michael Chertoff, the head of the Dept. of Homeland Security, has started blogging. It's interesting. Click on the headline if you want to go there.

Passeggio pens piece on anonymous bloggers

Courier Senior Staff Writer Alyssa Passeggio wrote a piece about anonymous bloggers for the newspaper. The story is thought-provoking and raises some interesting points. Click on the headline and go there.

New poll finds Americans cynical

Americans generally do not buy into the direction that things are going these days, according to a new poll. Neither do I. America is a great nation, but the direction it is moving in right now just does not make a lot of sense.

Elected officials are spending tax money like a bunch of drunken sailors on liberty, and things could be a lot better. Government on many levels seems unsound right now.

Things can turn around, but it takes new initiatives and not more of the same. This election is another opportunity to revisit the way government is approached. At some point, new initiatives take new faces and new priorities.

13th District Dems are making some noise during well-run campaign

BlueJersey.com has an entry that just came up about the 13th District Dems. No matter what the outcome of this year's fall classic, Lenny Inzerillo, Pat Walsh and Bob Brown deserve a ton of credit for running a great show. Also hats off to key staffers Pat O'Keefe and Matt Morehead.

MIDDLETOWN TWP. POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

MIDDLETOWN TWP. POLICE DEPARTMENT

Prepared by Det. Lt. Joseph C. Capriotti

On Tuesday October 30, 2007 at about 4:15PM Middletown Township Police Officers Anthony Bumbico and Sean Sweeney responded to Leonardville Road in the Leonardo section of the Township to investigate a report of a man going door to door soliciting donations for the San Diego fire victims.

The two officers located Michael J. Barich, age 37, from Washington Avenue, Leonardo on Leonardville Road. He told the officers he was raising money for the Red Cross to send to the fire victims in San Diego but the officers found no affiliation with him to any charitable organization. A record check on Barich revealed he was wanted for Contempt of Court by the Municipal Court of Monmouth Beach.

He was arrested by the officers on the outstanding warrant and additionally charged with Disorderly Conduct for his unlawful soliciting and disturbing residents. He was released after posting $100 bail.

The Middletown Township Police Department is cautioning residents about persons who may seek to use the tragic wild fires in California to solicit donations that may never get to the intended recipients. Anyone soliciting money or selling door-to-door in Middletown Township is required to have a Solicitors Permit from the Township. If unsure about the legitimacy of a solicitor, residents should contact the Police Department with a description of the solicitor or request information flyer about the charity from the solicitor with an address where a direct donation can be made.

Blogging woes in Barnegat

There is a Barnegat blogger who is having a problem with a local school board because she operates a blog. There is a segment of people who really hate blogs, but this takes an inappropriate problem way too far by impacting a blogger's life. This woman is operating a blog using her own name, with the idea of providing a forum for her community. It seems such a thing is somehow scorn-worthy in the minds of some, and it is not reasonable. Click on the headline and go there.

Scharfenberger, Nelsen: Not answering questions as usual

Middletown Township Public Information Officer Cindy Herrschaft and Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger have made it very clear in recent years that The Courier, all of its staff and every reporter, can only contact the mayor or any member of any appointed commission through Ms. Herrschaft. Not only has there been a total inability for the Middletown Committee to communicate effectively with at least this newspaper, but this broad brush policy this administration has put in place is nothing if not near-sighted.

While it is not the place of government to field political questions, a story being developed for this week about GOP campaign literature in town has not been answered by the mayor or his running mate, Ms. Tristan Nelsen, because both of these people are either elected or on a board. So once again, a great big excuse for not answering questions about issues. But at this point, there really isn't much of a need to state a policy: The Middletown Committee doesn't like answering questions that are hard and have established many procedures that emplace a near total inability for this newspaper to communicate with it.

That is their choice. The choice of the staff at The Courier is to keep asking questions, in the hope that one day one will be answered.

The format for tonight in Highlands

Format for the Candidate Panel

The format for the candidate panel will include these questions, with each of the five candidates being given 2 minutes to answer each question. The program is intended to run from 7-10 p.m., so not all questions may be asked for the sake of time and audience participation.

The last half hour of the event, questions will be taken from the audience, selected at random, read by me to the candidates. At that time, each candidate will have 2 minutes to answer each question. So, no question can be directed solely at one candidate. And, no audience member may directly ask questions to the candidates or ask more than one question.


1. How are you going to lower taxes in the borough of Highlands as an elected official should you win this term?
2. How are you going to help attract businesses to the borough?
3. How do you believe the Route 36 corridor should be used? Business or residential?
4. Is the Highlands Business Partnership working in the borough, what do you see as its role in reinvigorating the town?
5. The fire house has been an issue of debate in town for a few years. What is your plan to get the firefighters into their house during this term should you win office?
6. What is the most important thing about Highlands that should not change with progress?
7. Should a library be an issue in town? If so, how should it be funded?
8. What are you plans to improve municipal infrastructure, but more importantly how are you going to fund it?
9. Recreation in town is an important issue: Should there be improvements and, if so, how are you going to fund improvements?
10. Flooding remains to be an issue in town. What is your plan to alleviate flooding, and how are you going to fund it?
11. What do you believe is the most important issue in town?

There will be an intermission roughly half-way through the event, and questions will be placed in a box at the door by audience members.

Social Security: It's worth fighting for

Greg Bean has written a good piece about how New Jerseyans would, in many cases, leave if they could. What goes into this? Taxation, cost of living...a lot. But one thing that perked up my ears in his editorial was when he noted Social Security and said "if" it is around in the coming years. Mr. Bean's reference is an entirely logical and sensible sentiment. It makes sense. However, I absolutely believe that Social Security is the first national priority.

Social Security is the most important national priority and that is a program that is going to have to be fought for in the coming years.

Social Security is slowly coming into the cross hairs of Washington politicians, and sooner than not someone is going to bring up the long-term viability of this program in a very real way. But Social Security is not something that should be surrendered. Politicians, commentators and every kind of speculator regularly discuss what they believe to be "the most important thing" government does.

In my opinion, one of the few things I believe the Federal Government does of real lasting worth is Social Security. And if we let it go away, then that would be a mistake that generations after us would have to contend with.

Click on the headline to go to a very thoughtful piece by GM's Greg Bean.

Courier will be diving into election coverage

The Courier will be covering the polls on Election Day and reporting events as they occur in the Bayshore's 10 towns. Come to the Inside Clamdigger and the BayshoreNews blog for what is happening in various districts, beginning at 10 a.m. During the day, we'll be posting up-to-the-minute interviews with candidates and polling officials, as well as trying some exit polls. We'll also be sending photographers around to take photos from various election locales.

Last year went very well, so this year we'll be doing more with digital recording also, courtesy of YouTube. So be sure to stop by on Tues., Nov. 6.

News in from Financial intelligencer: Recession ahead

News from the Financial Intelligencer isn't good. But for those with an interest in the stock market or the economic picture, click on the headline and go there.

Check out what's happening in the NFL

The NFL is always going to be news in the Bayshore. The Giants are running hard after the Cowboys, while the Jets try and sort out several outstanding questions. Meanwhile, the de facto Super Bowl winning favorite will receive their anointing oil next week, following a clash between the so-far perfect Indianapolis Colts and the dynastic New England Patriots. The collision between the irresistable force versus the immovable object will take place in Indy next week, in a titanic clash of wills and training during what is bound to be the great gridiron contest of this regular season.

Click on the headline for the standings. Personally, I'm pulling for the Pats.

The APP has endorsed Hill and Choudhary

The APP has endorsed Jack Hill for sheriff and Amod CHoudhary for clerk.

Click on the headline and go there.

Red Sox are world champs

OK, so the Red Sox are the champions of baseball...again. Since the Sox being the two-time champions of baseball is one of the signs of the Apocalypse, I suppose it is time to stock up on extra water and bread.

Click on the headline and go to an AP report brought to you by YahooNews!

County GOP is broken and a fresh look at board would help

The Monmouth County GOP is a dysfunctional organization right now. Between partisan appointments of unqualified people (e.g. Tobia); a skewed sense of priorities in choosing candidates (e.g. the Little controversy); ethical problems (e.g. some of Niemann's PACs are still open and functioning); and questionable people surrounding the center (e.g. Moretti, Malcolm Carton), I can't say that it is as healthy as it could be. Republican leaders in the county need to reform the political organization in place, to cut the every day corruption that is going on in Freehold.

Add to this the fact that Gibbons, Del Deo (Peter Carton) has all the bonding work for the county (a very conflicted individual out of Middletown who really is running a lot of the county GOP's political show these days), and the question of just what this party is doing comes to mind.

To the candidates: I do not know Mr. Cantor, but I think it is harsh to say he does not have enough experience to be a freeholder. I do believe there is a culture of dysfunction in the county GOP (the party and in the Hall of Records) that Mr. Cantor, someone who seems to be a straight shooter, would have to be fighting at the same time he was trying to pass laws to cut taxes. The Monmouth GOP is not the right organization today to be able to serve the needs of the residents and taxpayers of Monmouth County, in my opinion, because of those problems.

I do not believe that either John D'Amico or Dave Schueler would have that problem, and after speaking with them I think they want to streamline government and look at the systems of government and see what can be done cheaper and more efficiently. Since I am a Monmouth taxpayer, I like that idea.

Both John D'Amico and Dave Schueler seem to be genuine people with real credentials.

I really believe that the long fix in Freehold is going to be revisiting policies and procedures (maybe all of them) to close the gaping loopholes that are currently in there where it involves the everyday business of doing gov't. D'Amico and Schueler want to lower taxes and will have the majority to do it; I pay taxes in Monmouth and want my taxes lowered: Simple enough.

Weather.Com has a great fall foliage feature

A great fall foliage feature is at Weather.com. If you are interested in fall foliage, click on the headline and go there.