Response to Deputy Mayor Brightbill about flood map series

At the Monday, April 21st meeting of the Middletown Committee, Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill made a passing reference to this newspaper’s current storyline about the new FEMA flood maps.

It was my choice to deal with every aspect of this issue’s relevance to the Middletown area, and among those aspects are partisan points of view — told equally.

At the meeting, Deputy Mayor Brightbill said she was “shocked and amazed” that a local paper would “…want to comment on a local level about the FEMA flood maps.” She went on to say that the flood maps are “…certainly not a political issue…”

Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger echoed these sentiments and also noted that the “forum” held by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, had addressed the matter adequately. So, I am left wondering, if it is his assertion that the assemblywoman’s forum was the whole thing, everything that anyone in Northern Monmouth County ever needs to know about the FEMA flood maps?

The fact is that this year’s election contest is a vital one in Northern Monmouth County, and this flood issue is an all-important one to area residents. These residents deserve to know what potential elected office holders plan to do about this issue, as flood insurance rates have wide-ranging effects on thousands of Middletown residents. Let’s not forget that the real-estate business could be better.

When the parties contribute to the discussion, and the facts of what is ongoing about this issue are presented alongside these positions, the hope is that residents benefit by knowing what is going on with their community, and the intent of those who are seeking or currently possess leadership in that community.

To say that the government, organized under anyone, is the final word about anything in the United States is a bold assumption that amounts to hubris. Metaphorically speaking, my belief is that government wakes up in the morning, has its coffee, and seldom fails to disappoint. In fact, government only seems to work appropriately when it is questioned, and this is especially true in Monmouth County: doubly so in Middletown.

Deputy Mayor Brightbill is a candidate this year, along with Anthony Fiore, for two seats on the Middletown Committee, representing the GOP. The candidates for the Middletown Committee from the Democratic Party are James Grenafege and Patricia Walsh. Since the flood map issue is going to impact more than 2,000 Middletown homes, I hope that all these folks have considered just what they would do about it should they get the voters’ nod to raise their right hand for an oath in January.

Middletown’s government has been deceptive, on many levels, in the past about many things. It’s a way of doing business in the township. Consequently, in benefit to all candidates concerned, it was the intention of this paper to survey the stand that various candidates have taken so as to give greater accessibility to the thought processes of the town’s leaders and proposed leaders.

Of course, this series will also deal with real-estate values, insurance companies, FEMA, neighboring Bayshore towns, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the opinions and thoughts of Bayshore residents and other municipal governments.

The idea of the series, being written by Staff Writer Melissa Gaffney, is to provide a total picture, as best as possible, for the everyday Bayshore resident. I believe that the forum was not all that helpful for many things where it involves residents.

Partisanship is a part of life in Monmouth County, like it or not. I think that Assemblywoman Handlin’s proposed policy, which as stated is essentially to blame Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Monmouth, falls short of helpful information. Meanwhile, I do hope that Rep. Pallone’s solution to this crisis is better than simply noting that Bayshore flood remediation efforts, which were put on this year’s Federal Budget and removed by the administration as a “Christmas tree item” -- and it was -- is better than just blaming President Bush. Let’s face it: To date, partisanship has marked this process.

However, I believe the most dynamic questions are going to relate to the disparity between the estimations of FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers’ assessments about the berms, which were removed.

In the meantime, politics is a part of this stew, and if someone is under the impression that politics is devoid from this issue it would be either incredibly egotistical or simply naïve.

The Middletown Committee is conferring with its paid Washington DC lobbyists. The township is putting out 1,800 leaflets to Bayshore residents. I suggest that politics is thick in Middletown, and what might best serve residents is simply getting all the facts straight from all sides of the matter.

If the candidates in Monmouth’s largest municipality have something to say about the real estate and insurance destinies of thousands of residents, I opine that now (when it is wanted) is a good time to let people know what they think.

‘Business as usual’ is not going to save one resident $1. Like it or not, there are points of view to be listened to about this matter. As for Courier commenting, I will explain for the benefit of Deputy Mayor Brightbill (who noted this during her comments): Editorials are things where individuals comment. What is going on right now is a series, written as news. There is no comment in news other than those offered by those interviewed. Actually, I, for one, have no position on this yet. Then again, I am not the one who is proposing to either hold office or is currently holding office, as the fine folks up at the dais in Middletown are.

Information about this issue needs to be broad and as comprehensive as possible. If Deputy Mayor Brightbill and Mr. Fiore do not wish to comment about this then that is their prerogative. But, to say that no one else should comment about this in their community is just ridiculous. If anyone wants to say anything about this issue, from any perspective, then Courier wants to print it.

Click on the headline to go to Ms. Gaffney's story.

Caliendo hosts Democratic event in M'town

M'town Dems host event at chairman's home

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo hosted an event at his township home on Daniel Drive this past Wednesday.

About 200 local Democrats came out for the mixer.

Dignitaries included county Democratic candidates: Jack Hill, for sheriff; John D'Amico and David Schueyler, both for freeholder; Amod Choudury, for clerk; Patricia Walsh and Robert Brown, for 13th District Assembly; and Sean Byrnes and Janet Moscuzza, who are running for Township Committee.

Other dignitaries included Middletown Committeeman Patrick Short.

"It's always great to get a chance to come to Middletown and get an opportunity to speak with people here," said Hill, who is also the chief of police for Belmar.

D'Amico said the county candidates have been working hard to spread their message of reform in Monmouth. "There is a lot of energy around the campaign and I am enjoying the chance to work with so many people who are dedicated to governmental reform," he said.

Caliendo appreciated that the candidates took time out of their busy schedules to attend the event. "This is the best slate of candidates I can think of to represent Monmouth. Every resident in this county will be fortunate to have this group of people representing them beyond November," Caliendo said.

Caption: Taken during the county convention: (L-R): Jack Hill, candidate for sheriff; Patricia Walsh, 13th District Assembly candidate; John D'Amico, candidate for freeholder; Leonard Inzerillo, 13th District Assembly Senate candidate; and Robert Brown, candidate for 13th District Assembly candidate.

Walsh posts on blog about eminent domain

A good post about eminent domain on Pat Walsh's blog. Click on theheadline and go there.

Caption: Pat Walsh and Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo.

Walsh posts on Monmouth County freeholders' decision

Mrs. Walsh has a well thought-out post on her site, discussing patronage and Monmouth County, a big subject. She also references the Sunday Press and its editorial about the Tobia hire by the freeholders.

One thing struck me: If Monmouth County voters voted for change last year, as they did, then probably the newer members on the Board of Freeholders should do something other than what everyone else has always done. It's not what the voters wanted. It's what is wrong with this county. And, Mrs. Walsh is right in her post and, respectively, the Press is right in its editorial.

WALSH: TIME FOR BENEFITS IN MUNICIPALITIES TO BE CURTAILED

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication

POC: Patricia A. Walsh
Democrat for 13th District Assembly,
Tel: (908)601-1252
Email: walshforassembly@yahoo.com

WALSH: TIME FOR BENEFITS IN
MUNICIPALITIES TO BE CURTAILED

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Middletown school board member Patricia A. Walsh is running for the 13th District Assembly as a Democrat this fall.

“In Middletown, Committeeman Patrick Short has proposed a significant reform for that governing body. Indeed, he is proposing reform for all part-time elected and appointed politicians in that township,” Walsh said.

The Democratic Assembly candidate said this is a worthy message for every municipality in the state, and something that will bring some tax relief to residents throughout the Garden State.

“It is time for the gravy train to come to stop and for the emphasis of good government to be serving the people and not politicians, their families and their political friends,” Walsh said.

“I intend to bring Committeeman Short’s message to Trenton and put it into a bill and get it introduced and get that bill adopted,” Walsh said.

Walsh said she intends on serving the district full time, 24 hours every day, 365 days per year. “My only intention is to bring tax relief to our residents, while bringing comprehensive funding to our schools and supporting our police and fire departments,” she concluded. “As for part-time municipal politicians, they can get a job like everyone else who has to work hard to get benefits.”

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Caption: Democratic Assembly candidates Robert Brown and Patricia Walsh.