A Teachable Moment

Editor’s note:  Freeholder Director Lillian Burry submitted this column back in February. In light of the recent “push polling” negative campaign tactic on the part of the Monmouth County Democrats and what looks to be an ugly seven weeks coming before election day, we thought it might be a good idea to run her column again.

By Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Photo by Vinnie Amessé © www.amessephoto.com

When Vin Gopal launched his latest attack, I heard from friends with two different types of advice.  Some said I should fight back immediately because silence would suggest I had no defense.  Others said I should do nothing because to respond to bullying would make me just look defensive.  I thanked them all for their kind thoughts but told them all the same thing.  I see this as a teachable moment to be shared with everyone who may be thinking of someday entering public life.

You may see public office as I do – a way of giving back to society and being thankful for the success you’ve had in your professional life.  In an ideal democracy opponents would challenge you by putting forth a competing vision of the future they would work for and offer up their record of accomplishments so people could judge whether or not they had as good a record as yours when it comes to getting things done.  Unfortunately, that’s not how our democracy has evolved.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Need help around the house? Call Larry and Joe

If Democratic freeholder candidates Larry Luttrell and/or Joe Grillo come knocking on your door any time in the next seven weeks…invite them in and put them to work!

The Democrats’ campaign is not only fraudulent phone calls, defaming good county employees, and lying about the ethics of distinguished public servants.  They are also offering to do household chores for voters as they go door to door.

Yesterday in Aberdeen, Luttrell helped a voter take down a tree!

In Howell last week, Grillo came across a voter who is a customer of his family’s tile business. Giuseppe sealed the guy’s grout for free!

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Democrats Push Polling in Monmouth County

Professional pollsters call the tactic “unethical” and “fraudulent”

Senator Cory Booker and freeholder candidates Larry Luttrell and Joe Grillo have deployed a campaign tactic dubbed “unethical” and “fraudulent” by the American Association of Public Opinion Research. photo via facebook

The Democratic Party is deploying a controversial campaign tactic known as “Push Polling” in Monmouth County on behalf of Senator Cory Booker and their county freeholder candidates. MMM has received reports of such calls being delivered to unsuspecting voters in Shrewsbury, Neptune and Manalapan.

The automated calls, which do not disclose who they are being made on behalf of or who is paying for them, purport to be opinion surveys. If the voter responds that they favor Republican U.S. Senate nominee Jeff Bell rather than Booker, they are subject to a series of “If you knew” questions that distort Bell’s record and lie about his positions.

If the voter responds that they intend to vote for Monmouth County Freeholders Lillian Burry and Gary Rich for reelection, the are subject to “If you knew” questions that accuse the incumbents of unethical hiring practices, dirty dealing on Open Space acquisitions and criticizing the length of their public service in various municipal and county offices.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

New Jersey updates alimony laws

“The law is a compromise between those who said the law had to be “radically reformed” and those who thought the law was “perfectly fine”

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

NJEA Spent Nearly $60M on Campaigns and Lobbying in Past 15 Years

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Governor Vetoes Statewide Ban on Smoking at Public Beaches, Parks

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Christie Grappling With Bond Downgrades, Budget Shortfalls, Casino Closures

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 12-14, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, September 12

• Dinner with the Boys at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Sound of Music at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• I Ought To Be In Pictures at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Belmar Pro Surfing Competition – MORE INFO

• Count Basie 365: The Gambone Project (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Used Book Sale at Red Bank Library – MORE INFO

• Comedian Kevin Meaney (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Harry Chapin’s Music: Lies & Legends (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Work: A Series of One Act Plays at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Garden State Line at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Terry Bozzio at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• John Eddie at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Growing Older, Staying Healthy (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Computer Skills for Job Hunters (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• Meet Artist Robert Mueller at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• D-Day Exhibit at NJ National Guard Militia Museum (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

The hardest thing about being in politics is the politics

By Freeholder Deputy Director Gary Rich

Gary Rich, Deputy Director, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders

The hardest thing about being in politics is the politics. Truthfully, it’s not something I have much of a tolerance for. I’m an ideas man. I see a problem and I want to fix it. I like logic and honesty, which may sound like an odd thing to have to say, but you’d be surprised how many people these days seem to lack both completely or just don’t have the time for them. What I don’t have time for is games—they serve no one and they have no place in serving the public.

People today are looking for real leadership—maybe in part because it seems to be so sorely lacking from so many politicians or would-be politicians at all levels of our government. The people we serve need substance. Not empty accusations. Not grandstanding for the sake of show. Not whining about problems without offering solutions. And not making up facts when the mood strikes.

The truth is, in Monmouth County we’re providing that leadership. We’re making the tough decisions. We’re partnering with our municipalities to fix problems. And we’re getting things done.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

FDU Poll: 36% of NJ voters approve of Obama, 42% will vote for Booker

photo via facebook

The political landscape in New Jersey is ripe for a historic shift this November. But a shift in New Jersey’s representation in Washington is not likely to happen because the New Jersey Republican Party is wholly unprepared for the opportunity.  The nincompoops who lead the NJGOP gave up on the U.S. Senate race in January.  They gave up on picking up seats in the Congressional Delegation in 2012 when the new congressional map was drawn.

According to a Fairleigh Dickinson Univeristy Public Mind Poll released this morning, President Barack Obama’s approval rating among New Jersey registered voters is a dismal 36%.  49%, including 21% of Democrats and 45% of Independents, disapprove of the President’s job performance.  Senator Cory Booker is 8 points below the magic number of 50% that an incumbent needs to be comfortable in a reelection race.  Those are the kind of numbers any opposition party/candidate would pray for 8 weeks before an election.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet