Curley may be freeholder candidate again

By ARTHUR Z. KAMIN

This is not against Amy A. Mallet, Monmouth ‘s Democratic freeholder-elect, the underdog who beat out Republican John P. Curley by a razor-thin margin of about 350 votes in last month’s historic and nerve-wracking general election that gave her party control of county government for the first time in 23 years.

Mallet waged a strong political campaign. She held her own under some vicious personal attacks by the GOP. Indications are that she will be an active participant in honest and responsible Board of Freeholders-run decision-making So there are no immediate problems there.

But this also is about a lament that Curley, a former Red Bank councilman, was defeated at the polls. He was the first breath of clean, fresh air in the county Republican freeholder candidate ranks in a long time. He ran an election battle that was refreshing and forthright. He was not afraid to tackle ethical issues. . He spoke his mind about GOP insiders, past and present.

Republican leaders didn’t know quite how to handle him. He often was called a “loose cannon”—but some partisan party people found it more advantageous to support him than a Democrat.

Still, it was good to see Curley, another Republican potential officeholder coming to the forefront among the super-special lines of state Sen. Jennifer Beck of the 12^th District and Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin of the 13^th District.. Handlin is a former freeholder deputy director who started the county board on a path of much-needed ethical and fiscal reform after the corruption days under the late former Republican Freeholder Director Harry Larrison, Jr. Many Republicans don’t like to talk about those scandal-ridden times and treat them as if they never happened.

Curley said he likes being mentioned in the same company as Beck and Handlin, whom he regards as “two progressive legislators” And the encouraging news today is that Curley is expected to be a freeholder candidate again next year. “I loved every minute” of the campaigning, he said , “and would certainly enjoy doing it again.” . He added: “I continue to stay in contact with elected officials throughout Monmouth in an effort to keep my fingers on the pulse rate of our citizens.” He’s too good to lose.

Things can change in the whole selection process for both parties between now and November--but it appears that Curley coiuld be up against an experienced and formidable foe in incumbent Freeholder barbara mcMorrow. Reports indicate the board's now Democratic majority will name her as director next month to replace Lillian G. Burry.

Curley, who said, “I do not bend to the whims of others,” said he was scolded privately during the campaign by Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton and outgoing Freeholder William C. Barham, both Republicans, after he came out publicly in favor of giving a new name to Brookdale Community College’s tarnished Larrison Hall, a county monument to the longtime freeholder director charged in 2005 by the FBI with accepting bribes. He died before the case went to trial. Then U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie led the charge that brought the corruption arrest of 11 officials in the county.

“They told me taking that stand would cost me 500 votes,” Curley stated. And, as it turned out, they may have been right . But that didn’t stop Curley. So you have to admire the guy. He said he “never was concerned about an admonishment, continuing: “Be true to yourself and your beliefs and you never have to look over your shoulder.”

Clifton, through a spokesman, said he never discussed Larrison Hall with Curley. Barham hasn’t been heard from. Curley stands by his story. Interestingly, Beck and Handlin took stands identical to Curley on the new name for Larrison Hall issue.

Curley also took on another heavy-hitter in Malcolm V. Carton, chief county counsel and a former Larrison lieutenant and crony. Curley got the ball rolling to reduce the hourly rate for couny attorneys and to prevent them from being hired as fulltime employees. “This practice costs too much money long-term,” Curley said. And he won’t stop at just hiring a handful. “I believe in shrinking the size of government and not creating more pensioners.” He wants a term limit on Carton’s position. That’s tough talk—but it is in the best interests of taxpayers.

So if Curley runs again for freeholder, it will add to the excitement of next November’s election in Monmouth County. Just think—Christie the reformer might be the Republican candidate for governor on the same ticket with Beck seeking to run for lieutenant governor. And the icing on the cake: Handlin will seek Assembly re-election.

While the economy will continue to be the main issue, with that potent GOP political lineup, voters can be sure that the ravages of corruption that laid this county low in disgrace not too many years ago will not be forgotten and discussed openly. And the symbol of those dark days – an academic building on the county’s community college campus no less—will get another name to herald a new ethical era for the county and the state.

(Arthur Z. Kamin, Fair Haven, is an independent journalist who has taught English and journalism as a Brookdale adjunct instructor.)

Beck presses for ban on dual-office holding

Caption: The Biltmore Estate, near Asheville, North Carolina. This has nothing to do with the post, other than the fact that as a private entity it runs better than anything any government ever dreamt up.

According to a press release sent out by Sen. Jen Beck, R-Monmouth, there were tensions at the Senate on Monday after partisan bickering over financial aid for cities and allowing some legislators to continue holding more than one elected office.

Reportedly, Democratic Senate President Richard J. Codey publicly did not receive comments by 12th District Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, in a positive way.

Senate President Codey reportedly rebuked Beck as she continued to discuss her bid to bar everyone from holding more than one elected office, even though her bid to force a vote on her bill had already failed. Senators were reportedly on another issue by then.

The release said the reported rebuke came after "Republicans" asked the Senate to give the Senate Budget Committee subpoena power to investigate a special state aid program that mainly benefits cities. Sen. Steve Oroho, R-Sussex, said legislative staff told him his request was in order.

In my opinion, Sen. Beck is doing the right thing by pushing for the dual-office ban, regardless of who doesn't want to hear about it: It's overdue and the right thing. I think Sen. Beck has put forth some strong bills and some good government issues that have great merit. As a resident in District 12, I am glad she's doing the right thing in Trenton.

Indeed, there are many issues in this state that need to be investigated, and it is right to do so. But politicians with subpeona powers is the same thing as putting foxes in charge of a hen house, in my opinion. Investigations in this state seem to always come from a partisan direction, and that just isn't going to get anything done, in my view. Political partisanship has cost this state nearly everything and continues to every day. No problem that is attempting to be solved through partisanship will be.

A special counsel from neither party armed great independence is the way to address problems in New Jersey, to my view (and there isn't one of those anywhere). Otherwise, it's just folks in red shirts trying to score more points in the newspapers than guys with blue shirts. Who needs that except them?

As a resident in District 12 I am encouraged by the good government legislation coming out of the new team there. But I don't think cheering for Team GOP is going to do anything at all that is productive for anyone but Republican leaders personally. It's the same thing, different day between Republicans and Democrats on the state level, generally speaking. And as a resident, voter and taxpayer in this county and state -- I could care less if any 'side' gets re-elected. I'm voting for whoever lowers my taxes, cleans up government and isn't a profiteer. I don't care how they part their hair, who they go to a chicken dinner with, or if they carry a photo of George Washington in their wallet. It's about saving money and getting rid of the corruption.

Cudos to Sen. Beck, but I'm far from rooting for the whole team on her side of the aisle. Good government isn't done in party 'teams' -- it's done by elected individuals who aren't screwing up, and are seeking to get something done. It's just good luck, in my opinion, that there's strong production coming out of District 12 for the moment.

Letter from Sen. Jen Beck announcing meeting

Sen. Jen Beck is the elected representative to the Senate from my area. She sent an e-mail about an upcoming meeting the governor is holding in Marlboro. I never used to get these kinds of notices from Sen. Karcher. I find this informative and refreshing -- my elected representative communicating with all her constituents. There can't be enough of this in government.

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Dear Constituent,

Governor Corzine will be holding a town hall meeting on February 4^th from 7-9pm Marlboro High School to discuss his plan to borrow $40 billion and pay for it with an exorbitant road tax. We strongly urge you to attend this meeting and let the Governor know how you feel about this public policy which will dramatically affect so many of us in this district. This plan will increase the cost of living for everyone in the state, but the largest burden will unfairly fall on the hardworking people of Monmouth and Mercer Counties .

During our recently completed election campaign we opposed this idea and as your elected state legislators we continue to oppose it. At a time when people are leaving New Jersey in droves because it is unaffordable, the last thing we need to do is make it even more unaffordable with this massive road tax.

(For those of you in Mercer County , a date for that town hall meeting has not been announced. When it is, we will let you know.)

If you have any questions, you can email us at SenBeck@njleg.org.

Sincerely,

Senator Jennifer Beck

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon