Saturday Morning Cartoons: The Beatles

Do you remember a time when all we worried about on a Saturday morning was waking up to watch our favorite Saturday morning cartoons.

For those of you who reminisce fondly about these times, do you remember this one. The first episode of the popular Beatles cartoon from 1965on ABC :

The Beatles Cartoons - A Hard Day's Night

President Obama's Weekly Address: 5/30/09

The President discusses the breadth and depth of experience held by his nominee for the Supreme Court. In the course of a life that began in a housing project in the South Bronx and brought her to the pinnacle of her profession, Judge Sonia Sotomayor accumulated more experience on the federal bench than any incoming Supreme Court Justice in the past 100 years, touching nearly every aspect of our legal system.

VITALE CALLS ON CHRISTIE TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF HIS TOP ADVISER AND CHIEF FUNDRAISER'S WORK PRODUCT

For immediate release: May 29, 2009
Contact: Sen. Joseph Vitale (732) 887-5069

“Does Christie condone using state taxpayer money to pay for a state senator’s political adviser?”

TRENTON - Citing an Associated Press report that John Inglesino, a top political adviser, chief fundraiser and long time friend of Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie was put on the state payroll of Senator Joseph Pennacchio as a “political adviser” for the minimum $3,000 required to keep him active in the state pension system, Senator Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge) called on Christie to join them in demanding the release of any work product related to the position.

“Does Christie condone using state taxpayer money to pay for a state senator’s political adviser?” asked Vitale.  “He says he did not know that his long time friend, political adviser and chief fundraiser was put on a state payroll to extend his state taxpayer funded benefits, so Christie should  join me in demanding the release of Inglesino’s work product for Senator Pennacchio.  We all deserve to see exactly what this “political adviser” did in his state taxpayer funded job that allowed him to pad his pension.”

Vitale called on Pennacchio to release any documents that were authored by, copied to or mention Inglesino to illustrate the work he performed to earn his taxpayer-funded salary and pension benefits. Vitale said such documents could include, but not be limited to, memos, letters, emails, reports, or any other written correspondence, as well as Inglesino’s calendar of appointments and or schedules and records of meetings and phone logs.

Inglesino entered the state pension system 13 years ago as Mayor of Rockaway Township.  He stayed in the system as a Morris County Freeholder.  Upon losing the freeholder position, he was added onto then Assemblyman Pennacchio’s payroll the day after his freeholder term ended, keeping him in the pension system.  Pennacchio said in an Associated Press interview that he hired Inglesino because he was getting a “top-notch political adviser”.  Being placed back on a state payroll for the minimum required $3,000 allows Inglesino to increase his state-taxpayer funded retirement benefits and puts him a year closer to the required 25 years of state service for lifetime medical benefits.

“In an interview on 101.5, Christie said he believes ‘pension abuse is terrible’ and, in his role as U.S. Attorney and as a gubernatorial candidate, never hesitated to condemn this exact behavior,” said Vitale.  “Yet, the people closest to him continue to disregard his public ethics pronouncements.  He needs to join me in demanding the release of Inglesino’s work product for Senator Pennacchio because it looks like his close friend and chief fundraiser is abusing the state-taxpayer funded pension system.”

This is not the first time a friend of Christie’s has run afoul of his public ethics pronouncements.  After condemning dual office holding, Christie was the featured guest at a fundraiser for Carl Block, the mayor of Stafford and Ocean County clerk.  Block subsequently lost his bid for re-election as mayor.

Inglesino has said previously that he and Christie have been friends for 15 years.  Inglesino’s law firm was the recipient of a $3 million no-bid contract from Christie while he was still U.S. Attorney.  Inglesino, his partners and their spouses subsequently gave the maximum funds allowed to Christie’s campaign and Inglesino later co-hosted a $500 a plate fundraiser after Christie said he would no longer accept campaign donations from lawyers that received no-bid contracts from him. 

Previously, Assemblyman Rick Merkt alleged that Inglesino offered him a major position in Christie’s administration or campaign if he stayed out of the gubernatorial race.  Democrats have asked the state Attorney General’s office or the United States Attorney’s office to investigate the claim.

Al Roker gets ripped for snapping court pix & tweeting during jury duty

Today Show weatherman Al Roker took some good hearted ribbing from his co-hosts Matt Lauer and Merideth Viera today over his Twittering from the jury pool at the Manhattan Court House yesterday.

Below is the news account from the NY Daily News followed by video from this mornings Today Show, it is good for a laugh or two so check it out.

NY Daily News -

Al Roker's stint on jury duty was short - and Tweet.

The "Today" weatherman got into hot water yesterday for snapping pictures of jurors waiting to be called in the 15th floor assembly room at Manhattan Supreme Court - and posting them on his Twitter page.

"I'm not breaking laws...just trying to share the experience of jury duty," Roker wrote on his page. "One that I think is important and everyone should take part in."

Roker's postings set the blogosphere atwitter and in no time his pictures of jurors - their faces mostly blurred - popped up on TMZ.com and other Web sites.

Just as quickly, Roker found himself on the defensive.

"So everyone is clear, I am NOT taking pictures in the courtroom," he wrote. "So folks need to lighten up. I am in the jury lounge."

Read More

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Abu Ghraib Abuse Photos 'Show Rape'

May 28, 2009 by The Telegraph/UK

Is rape torture or do we just care about waterboarding? Both are abuses of power and most deffinately torture. Read this excerpt from todays Telegraph and tell me what you think.

Photographs of alleged prisoner abuse which Barack Obama is attempting to censor include images of apparent rape and sexual abuse, it has emerged

At least one picture shows an American soldier apparently raping a female prisoner while another is said to show a male translator raping a male detainee.Further photographs are said to depict sexual assaults on prisoners with objects including a truncheon, wire and a phosphorescent tube.

Another apparently shows a female prisoner having her clothing forcibly removed to expose her breasts.

Detail of the content emerged from Major General Antonio Taguba, the former army officer who conducted an inquiry into the Abu Ghraib jail in Iraq.

Allegations of rape and abuse were included in his 2004 report but the fact there were photographs was never revealed. He has now confirmed their existence in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

The graphic nature of some of the images may explain the US President’s attempts to block the release of an estimated 2,000 photographs from prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan despite an earlier promise to allow them to be published.

Maj Gen Taguba, who retired in January 2007, said he supported the President’s decision, adding: “These pictures show torture, abuse, rape and every indecency.

“I am not sure what purpose their release would serve other than a legal one and the consequence would be to imperil our troops, the only protectors of our foreign policy, when we most need them, and British troops who are trying to build security in Afghanistan.

“The mere description of these pictures is horrendous enough, take my word for it.”

READ MORE

Townships Presentation to Middletown Board of Education A Lot About Nothing

I returned home a short while ago from the Township's' special presentation to the Middeltown Board of Education concerning the installation of artificial turf fields on the campuses of Thorne and Thompson Middle Schools. To be frank, It was a waste of time. The township had no real plan to present and no real answers to questions.

It seemed as if Township Administrator Tony Mercantante was somewhat unprepared, he had a few ariel shots of the proposed sites with superimposed rectangles to simulate where the fields would be installed and not much else.

Mercantante basically just asked the Board of Education if they would like to partner up with the township on this project. When BOE members asked specific questions he answered that all the details would have to be worked out during land lease and partnership negotiations and that problems would be ironed out then.

About two dozen residents voiced concerns about the projects and asked the BOE to keep in mind the hidden costs that may associated with this plan. A couple of other residents mentioned the safety and injury concerns associated with artificial surfaces.

Overall though, it was a waste of time for the public to invited to hear because there was just not enough details and as I stated earlier, there are many questions that need to be answered like, who would be responsible for maintaining the fields? What about insurance liabilities? Who would be responsible for supervising or policing them during off hours? Who gets preference of use, the school system or sports leagues? Who replaces the carpet when it wears out in 10 years do to over use? What about lighting, concessions, locker rooms and bathroom facilities? All of these questions and more need to be answered before this project can move forward, not just brushed over with false statements or promises that can not be kept.

So let it be known that I am not opposed to the fields per say, I think that it is a good idea, a win-win situation for both the Township and the Board of Education, but it has to be done right all of the I's need to be dotted and all the T's crossed before I feel comfortable with giving this matter my unconditional support.

There is also the problem that I have with this years township budget. How can we spend money on obvious luxury items around town when we can't balance our budget? The adoption of the budget is almost 6 months late and have a proposed 9.2% tax increase associated with it. if we have money lying around for 3 athletic fields maybe we should drop the idea for the 3rd and use that money to off set the shortfall in the current budget.

One thing that was lost at the meeting, which I feel that I should mention is that even if these fields are not approved by the Board of Education, the Township seems to have every intention on moving forward with installing an artificial surface over the football field that is located at Croydon Hall. This is the 3rd field mentioned and is used by Pop Warner teams in town.

Olbermann Interviews Water Boarded Radio Host, "Mancow" Muller

Right-wing radio host Eric "Mancow" Muller, who had once called Barack Obama "a secret Muslim" had been saying waterboarding isn't torture. But unlike Sean Hannity and others, he put his money where his mouth was, and went through with being waterboarded to prove it.

He lasted a 6 seconds saying its worse than anything he ever imagined, equating it as being worse than drowning. He said that it is definitely torture and he would have said anything in the world to make them stop.

Keith Olbermann congratulated him on his efforts and has donated $10,000 to the Veteran of Valour charity founded by Sgt. Klay South, who administered the waterboarding.

Watch the interview and then you can decide if waterboarding is torture or not:

The Pros and Cons of Artificial Fields at Middletown Middle Schools

Tonight there will be a special presentation by Middletown Township Administrator Tony Mercantante, to the Middletown Board of Education that will outline a plan to have artificial turf fields installed at the campuses of two township middle schools believed to be Thorne and Thompson. The meeting will be held in the auditorium of Middletown High School North. This plan is expected to be controversial so the public is strongly encouraged to attend the 6:30 pm presentation.

I’ve thought about this idea since I heard about it late last week, it is not necessarily a bad idea. If done right it would benefit both the school system and the township. The BOE has the expertise in managing and maintaining artificial turf fields already with the athletic fields installed at both high schools and if a mutually acceptable partnership could be worked out then the township gains by being able fulfill a goal of its Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

The P&R Master Plan recommended that the township consider the installation of 2-3 artificial turf fields to go along with the two high school fields if the differences between the BOE and the township could be worked out. By doing so, it would allow the use of the high school fields by the various sports leagues in town and the need for further fields in town would be negated.

Could the Town and the BOE work out such differences? It would be quite an achievement if they could. There are many questions that need to be answered like, who would be responsible for maintaining the fields? What about insurance liabilities? Who would be responsible for supervising or policing them during off hours? Who gets preference of use, the school system or sports leagues? Who replaces the carpet when it wears out in 10 years do to over use? What about lighting, concessions, locker rooms and bathroom facilities? All of these questions and more need to be answered before this project can move forward.

Why not spend that money, which is burning such a hole in the township's pockets on maintaining or improving the currents natural turf fields, or building new ones around town? Over a 20 year period the costs of a natural turf filed is less then that of an artificial turf field.

What makes the artificial fields more desirable is the fact that you can hold more events on them because of the superior drainage and surface, so the additional costs are justified by the number of additional games that can be played on them.

The lingering question in my mind however remains whether or not the township can afford to spend the $2-3 million needed for these fields in a time of economic uncertainty for the township. The township budget has a shortfall of $2.4 million dollars and we are looking at a 9.2% tax increase to make up the difference, to me the installation of any athletic field is a luxury not a necessity at this time.

Middletown GOP Candidate Massell Proposed Tax on Homeowners Who Cut Down Trees

Middletown Planning Board member and GOP Candidate for Township Committee, Steve Massell, recently proposed to the township committee that homeowners should be taxed for cutting down trees on their properties.

During the public comments portion of the May 18th Middletown Township Committee Meeting, Massell read from a front page article of the Asbury Park Press, the first paragraph of a story entitled “Justices OK tree-clearing fee in Jackson”.  

The paragraph stated that the “The state Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Jackson's tree-removal ordinance, which requires property owners to replace any healthy tree taken down or pay into a fund dedicated to planting trees and shrubs on public property.”

Massell said that he was upset at seeing sections of town “clear-cut” by developers in order to build housing developments like Harmony Glen, which is off of Harmony road, behind the Shoprite. He felt that by charging homeowners upwards of $800 per tree (to be put in a general fund for tree and shrub replacement like the Jackson tree-removal ordinance calls for), would be a good way to dissuade developers from building in town. He never thought of the cost to the average homeowner that would like to build a single family home on a private lot or the homeowners that would like to expand their existing homes. Deputy Mayor Scharfenberger pointed out to Mr. Massell that as a member of the planning board, he should be aware that the township already has ordinances in place to force developers into replanting a certain number of trees that had been clear-cut once a new development has been completed.

Steve Massell then left the podium, mumbling to himself something about how he still thought it would be a good idea if the township committee considered the Jackson ordinance, which surprises me. One would have thought that Massell would have first talked about this with his fellow GOPers before presenting his idea in front of the committee, after all Pam Brightbill and Tony Fiore sit on the planning board with Massell.

I have a couple of things I would like to point out to Steve Massell:

First, as a Planning Board member, you have a say in how builders develop property in town. When a builder brings prints to the planning board for approval why don’t you insist that a property could not be clear-cut? Have builders submit plans that leave some trees and shrubbery in place, I am sure that an architects could handle planning such a development.

Second, in the winter 2005 edition of Middletown Matters, then Mayor Tom Hall address the issue in the Mayor’s Message titled “Keeping the trees was not an option for the Crestview Drive & Route 35 site”.

He stated, “…can’t help but notice a new landscape. The stretch of woods located next to the revamped shopping center has been replaced with a barren, unattractive construction site.” “…I share the sentiments conveyed by many in phone calls, letters and conversations: I’d rather keep the trees. However, that’s simply not an option.” 

So Steve, before you propose a tax on residents make sure that you do your homework first and check with the other members of your party before presenting such an idea, particularly since as a Planning Board member, you can already take steps against clear-cutting

Who is Sonia Sotomayor?

by Eric Zimmermann

 May 1, 2009

Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor is name most talked about as Justice Souter's possible replacement.

What do we know about her?

Originally appointed to the federal court by President George H.W. Bush, Sotomayor was elevated to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by President Clinton. Born in 1954, she's a graduate of Yale Law School and served as assistant district attorney for New York County from 1979-1984.

In the next few days and weeks, we're likely to hear a lot more on Sotomayor's legal opinions, which will become fodder in a possible confirmation battle.

As a preliminary sketch, here are a few of the more colorful cases Sotomayor helped decide. NOTE: I am not a lawyer, so I can't speak to the constitutional significance of each of these decisions.

In 2004, a panel of judges including Sotomayor revoked the citizenship of Jack Reimer, then 96, when it came to light that Reimer had served in the German Army in WWII. Here's the twist: Reimer was originally drafted into the Russian Army, but was captured by the Germans in June 1941. He was forced to train as a guard and, prosecutors alleged, helped clear Jewish ghettos forcibly. Prosecutors alleged Reimer had misrepresented his wartime activities when he originally applied for a U.S. visa under the Displaced Persons Act.

Here's how Sotomayor ruled:

"As an initial matter, Reimer argues that it would be unjust to consider his wartime conduct 'assistance' in persecution, contending that he was obliged either to go along with the commands of his superiors or face death himself," Sotomayor wrote. "This argument, however, is plainly foreclosed by Fedorenko. There, the Supreme Court rejected the argument that those forced into the Nazis' service should not be held responsible for their conduct, reasoning that, if Congress had intended for visas to be withheld from only those who voluntarily assisted in persecution, it would have stated so in the [Displaced Persons Act]."

In September 2003, Sotomayor joined in a ruling that upheld the constitutionally of so-called "perp walks" for alleged criminals. As long as there is not an "an inherently fictional dramatization" involved in the scene, the court ruled, perp walks could continue.

"The image of the accused being led away to contend with the justice system powerfully communicates government efforts to thwart the criminal element, and it may deter others from attempting similar crimes," wrote Judge Fred Parker.

In 2004, Sotomayor joined a ruling that upheld a law targeted at the Ku Klux Klan that would ban mask-wearing in public.

"The masks that the American Knights seek to wear in public demonstrations does not convey a message independently of the robe and hood," the court decided. "That is, since the robe and hood alone clearly serve to identify the American Knights with the Klan, we conclude that the mask does not communicate any message that the robe and the hood do not. The expressive force of the mask is, therefore, redundant."

This is only a tiny glimpse of Sotomayor's legal philosophy. Stay tuned as operatives on both sides of the fight dredge up past opinions of all the possible nominees.

Sotomayor to be Obama's Choice for Supreme Court

News is coming fast and furiously, the AP and the Today Show have just announced that Sonia Sotomayor will be President Obama's choice to succed retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justic David Souter. 

Odds on Favorite For Obama's Supreme Court Pick

Just posted on Political Wire:

The White House will announce President Obama's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court at 10:15 am.

The Intrade political futures markets predict Obama will pick Elena Kagan, followed by Diane Wood, Sonia Sotomayor and Jennifer Granholm.

It is interesting to me that there are no men begin mentioned to replace Justic David Souter. We'll just have to see later this morning.

Obama to Announce Supreme Court Pick Today

 

A short while ago ABC News's George Stephanopuolos announced on his Twitter page that President Obama will be making an announcement today, between 10:00 - 10:30 am concerning his choice to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court left by Justice David Souter. 

According to his latest entry  "... the rollout out team is ready to go when Obama pulls the trigger, and administration official tells me "stay on your toes."

Who will it be? Stay tuned

Twittering on Memorial Day: Messages from Menendez and Pallone

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone took the time today to send the following Memorial Day messages out to their constituents via Twitter.

Each chose to use their 140 keystrokes to honor the sacrifices of our armed services men and women differently, Menendez with a message of thanks and Pallone with a quote from 

Shakespeare, each appropriate and poignant.  :

Senator Menendez - Memorial Day, a day of reflection, remembrance and thanks. Thanks to those who have served and are serving, so that we might enjoy freedom.

Congressman Pallone - "Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once." Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

Memorial Day 2009; Remembering the "Faces Of The Fallen"

This Memorial Day as people gather to celebrate the beginning of the summer, lets not forget the 4,962 service men and women who have given their lives to protect our freedoms, while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is import that we remember the "Faces of the Fallen". Those men and women, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our Country. 

To see and remember the latest heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice  in the service of our country, to protect and uphold each of our rights and freedoms, click>>> Here

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day !

President Obama's Weekly Address: 5/23/09

President Barack Obama calls on the American people to join him in paying tribute to Americas veterans, servicemen and women particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - and their families.

Leave Rush Limbaugh Alone! WTF !?! moment

Rush Limbaugh: "MSNBC Leave Me Alone"

U.S. Officials Admitted that Boys Were Sodomized In Iraq Prison

In a related story to the Jesse Ventura "Water boarding is Torture" and whether or not enhanced interrogation techniques qualify as torture, comes a story from Washington's  Blog about how U.S officials have admitted that boys had been sodomized in Iraqi prisons by U.S troops or contractors as a way to persuade others into talking and giving information to their interrogators.

The people responsible for this abomination should be held fully accountable for their actions starting with Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld then all the way down the chain off command. This type of prisoner abuse is totally uncalled for and is a clear violation of any and all laws that govern men.

Read it and judge for yourself:

Many people have heard Pulitzer prize winning reporter Seymour Hersh's claim that boys were sodomized at Abu Ghraib and that the Pentagon has video of the rapes.

Many people think that they'll believe it when and if they ever see the video. But we don't need to wait for the military to release the videos. There is already proof that Hersh is right.

For example, the Guardian wrote in 2004:

The October 12 memorandum, reported in the Washington Post...came to light as more details emerged of the extent of detainee abuse. Formal statements by inmates published yesterday describe horrific treatment at the hands of guards, including the rape of a teenage Iraqi boy by an army translator...

According to the leaked memorandum ... it also called for military intelligence officials to work more closely with the military police guards at the prison to "manipulate an internee's emotions and weaknesses"...

In the Washington Post report, one detainee, Kasim Hilas, describes the rape of an Iraqi boy by a man in uniform, whose name has been blacked out of the statement, but who appears to be a translator working for the army.

"I saw [name blacked out] fucking a kid, his age would be about 15-18 years. The kid was hurting very bad and they covered all the doors with sheets. Then when I heard the screaming I climbed the door because on top it wasn't covered and I saw [blacked out], who was wearing the military uniform putting his dick in the little kid's ass," Mr Hilas told military investigators. "I couldn't see the face of the kid because his face wasn't in front of the door. And the female soldier was taking pictures."

It is not clear from the testimony whether the rapist described by Mr Hilas was working for a private contractor or was a US soldier...

Another inmate, Thaar Dawod, describes more abuse of teenage Iraqis. "They came with two boys naked and they were cuffed together face to face and Grainer [Corporal Charles Graner, one of the military policemen facing court martial] was beating them and a group of guards were watching and taking pictures from top and bottom and there was three female soldiers laughing at the prisoners," he said.

More convincingly, the Telegraph wrote in 2004:

America was braced last night for new allegations of torture in Iraq after military officials said that photographs apparently showing US soldiers beating an Iraqi prisoner nearly to death and having sex with a female PoW were about to be released.

The officials told the US television network NBC that other images showed soldiers "acting inappropriately with a dead body". A videotape, apparently made by US personnel, is said to show Iraqi guards raping young boys.

(If that link becomes broken, see this).

There you have it: the Telegraph implied in 2004 that U.S. officialsadmitted that there was a video of guards raping boys. Even if the Telegraph's implication is wrong, there is strong evidence that such rapes did in fact occur as Hersh said.

And whether or not any of the rapists were U.S. soldiers or contractors, at the very least, American soldiers aided and abetted the rape by standing around and taking videos and photographs.

Whether or not Obama releases the photographic evidence, he must prosecute all of those who committed such atrocities, stood around and watched, ordered them to be committed, or created an environment in which they could occur.

See also this.

The Jesse Ventura Tour: If You Missed Any Of It, You Missed A Lot

This past week former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura made the talk show rounds to promote his book "Don't Start The Revolution Without Me" that was released in paperback this weeks. He spent the week appearing on shows like Hannity, The View, Fox and Friends and Larry King, he also made an appearrence on the Howard Stern Radio Show . If you missed any of the interviews this week you missed a lot, it was all very entertaining. 

Jesse is a very out spoken critic of the Bush Administration's use of torture techniques like "water boarding" and believes that any type of torture is wrong. He feels America is better than that and doesn't need to stoop the level of the terrorist.

Being I already posted earlier this week Jesse's appearence on the Sean Hannity, I had to follow it up with these two:

Ventura on The View


Ventura on Fox and Friends

Middletown Board of Education Announces Possible Plan To Install Artifical Turff Fields At Middle Schools

My son came home from school last week and asked me if I had heard anything about an artificial turf field being planned for installation in the field that is part of Thorne Middle school's campus? I told him that I had not, but that I had heard that new fields were going to be install at the Croydon Hall complex and over at River Plaza. When I asked him why he had asked, he mentioned that all of the kids had been talking about it during the day. 

I didn't think much of at the time because when you deal with teenage middle schoolers anything can come out of them at any moment.

Today however I find out from the Asbury Park Press, that the Board of Education announced last night that a presentation will be made by the Township at the regular board meeting on Wednesday, May 27th, on a plan to install artificial turf fields at Thompson and Thorne Middle Schools and that Board President Laura Agin, has invited the entire Township Committee to be present at the presentation of this proposal.

Is this really a good idea at this time and are these fields going to be at the expense of the township? There are so many unanswered questions to this proposal.

I am not opposed to these fields, but  I do question if we have the funds to be spending millions of dollars on fields when there are infrastructure problems that are of higher priority? The town is experiencing a $2.4 million budget shortfall which equates to over a 9% tax increase in order to balance the budget.

If these fields are to be built all questions need to be answered. The BOE will not decide this right away, they need to hear all of the concerns, discuss all of the details and then make a decision.

As we all know, they are very familiar with turf field installation due to past experiences. The BOE needs to hear from everyone so that they understand there are more than Pop Warner and soccer parents that have concerns and since this proposal involves township residents, ALL discussions must be held in public.

That is why it is imperative for all concerned residents to attend and voice their opinion at the next Board of Education meeting on May 27th. 

Limbaugh & Cheney v. Powell

Today on MSNBC, anchor Contessa Brewer pointed out that Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney, rather than attacking Colin Powell - or as Brewer put it "two guys who have multiple draft deferments are going after a four-star general" - should use their influence and considerable stature within the Republican Party to champion substantive ideas - DemRapidResponse

Middletown Budget Meeting Tonight: 9.2% Tax Increase To Be Voted On: UPDATE

Tonight's Middletown Budget Meeting at Town Hall st to start at 8:00p has been cancelled with no word on when it will be re-scheduled.

The reason given for the postponement is the mysterious illness of CFO Richard Wright.

You can read about the detail of this postponement of the budget and it's ramifications in today hard copy of the APP, the online story doesn't give the whole story.

Read the online notice >>>Here

Middletown Budget Meeting Tonight: 9.2% Tax Increase To Be Voted On

Tonight there will be a public hearing on the 2009 Township Budget. This meeting will be held down at Town Hall, in the Court room and will start at 8:00 pm . 

The Committee will vote on a 9.2% tax increase in the budget. I encourage everyone to attend this meeting and see how your government works.

There are better ways to preparing a budget for a town the size of Middletown besides the method currently being used. The majority feels that they, themselves, are the most qualified even though they do not have the credentials to qualify as a budget committee. 

The GOP rely on department heads and appointees to provide them with a dollar amount that they will need to operate, instead of providing a figure for them to work with. The majority does not insist on the department heads to justify their requests. 

Democrat Sean Byrnes, has proposed several times to form a finance committee over the course of the past year. This has been met with much resistance, to say the least, all you have to do is listen to the audio from Monday night's committee meeting to hear for yourself.

The town has already appropriated or spent 50% of this year's budget that will be voted on tonight, how will it be possible to close the $2.4 million shortfall that exists inin this budget without such a large tax increase?

This is evident of the total lack of planning and mismanagement that can not continue if Middletown is to get its' fiscal matters in check. 

This meeting should not last more than an hour, there are no excuses for not attending  to make you voices heard.

This is Your Money

The Jesse Ventura Smackdown Interview with Hannity

If you haven't scene this awesome smackdown of Sean Hannity by the one and only Jesse " The Body" Ventura, former Governor of Minnesota, then you are in for a real treat.

Ventura puts Hannity in his place over a number of issues, from the "Obama deficit", 9/11 and Monica Lewinsky.

Hannity literally does not know where to go and he looks foolish trying to defend President Bush and laughing at the notion hat Barack Obama is a very intelligent man because he can read off a teleprompter- something that Hannity does everyday.

Audio: Finance Committee? Who Needs a Finance Committee in Middletown, The GOP Majority Does a Great Job of Raising Taxes On their Own

During Committee comments at last nights township committee meeting in Middletown, Democrat Sean Byrnes once again implored the Township Committee to establish a "budget finance committee".

 The Finance Committee's purpose would be to oversee the budget process and look for potential cost saving within the budget. The committee would begin to look at the townships revenue streams from the moment that the new fiscal year starts on January 1st, not the day after election day. In this way the township can begin to identify possible saving early in the budget year and have a budget ready by the following January, not 5 1/2 months past. 

Because of this lack of financial planning  Middletown has needed to rely on temporary budget resolutions to keep the township operating, so far almost 50% of the current fiscal year budget for 2009 has been spent without any cost saving measures.  This type of budgeting by the GOP majority can not go because it has lead to the need to have proposed budget tax increases of 25% over the past 4 years.

Here is Sean Byrnes's opening comments from last nights meeting as it pertains to the Finance Committee:

After Byrnes finished  his opening statement, Patrick Short backed him up by stating that at the next workshop meeting he will re-introduce Byrnes's ordinance to form a finance committee.

Short's announcement flabbergasted Deputy Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, as the senior member of the township committee and leading member of the GOP majority, Scharfenberger needed to state his opposition to the a finance committee.

Gerry feels that he and the other members of the majority do a great job overseeing the budget process by allowing their department heads to dictate to the committee, their needs as opposed to the other way around. Again I will point out that he and his GOP buddies have done such a great job at handling the budget process, that Middletown finds itself lacking $2.4 million and looking at a 9.2% tax increase to come up with the funds. Also to be noted is the fact that because of a one shot budget gimmick last year (selling the township's cell tower leases), we are left with an almost identical budget shortfall this year as last.

Listen to what Gerry had to say about the Finance Committee:


After Mayor Pam Brightbill made her usual incoherent opening statements the meeting was opened up for public comments. A few residents addressed the issue of the finance committee and thought it was a good idea.

Locust resident Jim Grenafege, who is no stranger at township meetings, blasted Gerry Scharfenberger for his arrogance and his lack of experience on budgeting matters outside of the township:

Mr. Grenafege was right on target, so much so that the Mayor had to cut him off by telling him he was out of speaking time.

It is really a shame that most residents do not see how members of  GOP majority,their elected officials, behave and treat citizens who disagree or question their authority. 

Hopefully these audio clips from last nights meeting will help them to understand who are the real tax and spenders in town.  

Middletown Passes Ordinance To Eliminate Health Bennies for TOMSA Commissioners, Sorta

I attended the Middletown Township Committee meeting last night, a meeting that I am happy to say ended early, if you think that 10:25 PM is early.  Typically these meetings in Middletown have been know to last till midnight on occasion.

One of the more interesting outcomes of tonight's meeting was the passage of an ordinance to eliminate the health benefits for commissioners of the Township Of Middeltown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA). What made it interesting was the fact all current commissioners of TOMSA have been grandfathered under the ordinance and will be able to keep their benefits! The ordinance only applies to newly appointed commissioners.

That's right read it for yourself below: 

TOWNSHIP OF MIDDLETOWN NOTICE

This is a copy of Ordinance No. 2009-2967 that was introduced at a scheduled meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of  Middletown, April 20, 2009 held over for further consideration upon second and final passage at a meeting of the said Township Committee
to be held In the Main Meeting Room in the Township Hall, One Kings Highway, Middletown, on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., at which time all persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard.

AMENDING CHAPTER 47 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE GOVERNING THE TOWNSHIP OF
MIDDLETOWN SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Middletown has previously eliminated the receipt of health benefits for members of the Township Committee and other appointed officials; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Middletown believes it is the best interest of the taxpayers of the Township to eliminate the receipt of pension and/or health benefits by part-time elected and appointed officials; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Sewerage Authorities Law, N.J.S.A. 40:14A-5(d), the Township Committee is limited in its ability to amend the compensation paid commissioners of the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority; and 

WHEREAS, the recently adopted Public Employee Pension and Benefits Reform Act of 2008, P.L. 2008, c. 89, however, helps restrict the Public Employment Retirement System benefits and eligibility for health benefits received by any commissioner of the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority appointed after November 2, 2008.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by the Township Committee of  Middletown Township, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, that Chapter 47 of the Code of the Township of Middletown (1996) be amended to include the following:

§ 47-5. Benefits Restricted.

No member of the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority hereinafter appointed shall be eligible to receive any benefits not otherwise provided for pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 2008, c. 89.

This is really an outrage and a few people questioned the logic behind grandfathering in the current commissioners for as long as they continue to serve on the board of TOMSA continuously.

A few people were upset because according to the Public Employee Pension and Benefits Reform Act of 2008, that is soon to take effect, any part-time worker or appointed official who earns less then $7,500 a year would no longer be eligible for benefits.

Committeeman Sean Byrnes wrote the original draft of the ordinance which intended to have benefits for the commissioners end upon the dates that their currents terms expire but it was changed by Township Attorney Brian Nelson to protect current sitting TOMSA commissioners. 

It should also be noted that after presenting the revised  ordinance to the committee, Mr. Byrnes's name was missing from it and Mayor Pam Brightbill's name was in his place, which is another clear and sad example of how the GOP majority tries to take credit for ideas that weren't their own.

In this case however, Mayor Pam can take the credit and the consequences that go along with it.

All of the Sewerage Authority commissioners have been good loyal Middletown Republican insiders, they have been either Republican mayors, committee members or party leaders and this blatant attempt by the Middletown GOP majority to protect their own will not go unnoticed by residents who are struggling to make ends meet.

Nepotism and Cronyism has to end in Middletown, if it doesn't then residents will forever be burdened with its outcome of high taxes and inefficient government. 

Residents have to remember that when the current TOMSA commissioners  terms expire that they insist that they not be reappointed. Otherwise they will continue to receive costly health benefits for a job that pays them $1750 for less than 12 hours of work per year.     

Burger Buddy

If you missed the season finale of Saturday Night Live this weekend, you missed a classic skit, Will Farrel was back to parody George W. Bush.

In the skit, George (Will) helps Dick Cheney (Darrel Hammond) prepare for his interview on Meet the Press. At one point during the interview prep, George says to Dick, "I wish I had a burger buddy" like vice president Joe Biden.

Very funny stuff!

Obama at Notre Dame

If you were like me today and didn't get around to watching much T.V., you probaly missed the big news item of the day.

No it wasn't the second Lonegan-Christie debate, who wants to hear two blowhard promising you everything in the sky but who will be unable to accomplish anything if elected the next Governor of NJ.

The big news item of the day was President Obama's commencment address to the graduating students at Notre Dame University. Obama addressed the student body amidd anti-abortion protesters,thirty-nine of which were arrested, including Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff identified as "Roe" in the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that struck down state laws banning abortion.

If you missed it like I did, then check out the entire address from this CNN video

president Obama's Weekly Address: 5/16/09

The President discusses breakthroughs on two issues where stakeholders from all sides, once opposed, are coming together for real reform. On health care and energy, solutions would provide key pillars for a new foundation for the country.

There Is Too Much Disagreement For Disagreement’s Sake.

I spend a lot of time preparing and looking for things to write about and/or post on this blog.  I found the following blog post from Newark's Mayor Cory Booker extremely interesting and enlightening.

 It pays homage to Jack Kemp, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) and one time Vice-Presidential candidate,who passed away last week. 

It is well worth a once over. 

Booker talks about when he was a young man and how he was a fiercely committed Democrat until he had a change of heart when he had the opportunity to meet Jack Kemp.

Kemp at the time was the HUD secretarty under the 1st President Bush and  Booker was working with youth in East Palo Alto, California while attending college. It was a chance meeting that changed Booker's outlook and the blog post pays homage to the late 

"In a time of persistent challenges that still call into question our most sacred aspirations as a country, we cannot afford shallow callous divisiveness in our public debate. We become distracted from productive labors by our perceived opponents; we become focused on them and not on our larger calling to advance our nation; our debate becomes more about scoring points against an adversary and less about advancing our common cause. And we DO have a common cause.

In college, I was a fiercely committed Democrat – a meeting Jack Kemp, then Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, challenged my blind partisanship. I met Secretary Kemp in East Palo Alto, California where I was working with youth. He was a Republican, I was a Democrat yet somehow he cut right through my then natural state of cynicism. I must confess that I almost regretted that I immediately liked this Bush appointed HUD Secretary. My mother has a saying, “who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say.” It wasn’t his gift for gab that struck me but the power of his ideas and his authentic spirit. Kemp was clearly passionate about urban spaces and the people of cities. He immediately engaged me (a college student) in a direct candid manner; he appealed to my compassion and my logic. And more than that, it was obvious that he was not in East Palo Alto looking for a photo op surrounded by people of color — he was there to listen, to share his ideas and hear concerns.

After that meeting, I sought out more about Jack Kemp. I ordered some of his speeches and read what I could. I found I disagreed with him on some matters of policy, but reading and listening to him, I found that he always challenged me in the most productive of ways. My study of Kemp encouraged me to learn more about subjects from tax policy to international trade and, on occasion, I had to yield to the strength of his ideas and change my views. "

Continue reading >>> Here

Olbermann's WTF!?! Moment: GOP's 'Democrat Socialist Party'

Classic Olbermann, a truly golden moment that can't be missed. It's laughable how the GOP just doesn't get it.

Here is Keith's WTF!?! comments on the RNC's resolution to refer to the Democratic Party as the "Democratic Socialist Party"

Checks Headed Out for Food Banks and Energy Assistance

Here is some welcomed news for low income individuals and families, beginning this week more than $28 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits and State Food Purchase Program assistance will be distributed throughout the state. The funding, part of  Governor Corzine's Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan, will provide energy assistance for 101,900 households and $1.85 million for food assistance to food banks.

Let officials know it's time to cut fluff in Middletown

While thumbing through the Asbury Park Press yesterday I can across a letter in the Opinion section of the paper written by Wall residents Rick and Sandy Hankins.

If I didn't know better, I would have thought that they were expressing concerns about Middletown. Like Middletown, it seems as though the Wall Township Committee has a problem with living within its means and the Hankins are saying enough is enough already. 

After years of property tax increases they are imploring residents to go to the township commitee meetings and voice their concerns and tell their elected officials " it's time to cut the fluff". I happen to agree with them.

On Wednesday May 20th, there will be a special Middletown Township committee meeting to discuss the (5 1/2 month late) proposed township budget. This proposed budget is expected to call for a 9.2% tax increase that will close a $2.4 million shortfall.

Middletown residents need to attend this meeting and make themselves heard loud and clear by telling the committee majority that enough is enough and it is time to cut the fluff.  We can't afford to pay for their reckless spending anymore.  

Below is an excerpt from the Hankins letter that appear in the APP:

...I have heard that some members of the committee do not believe taxpayers seriously want tax relief. A wise man once said, "the game is won by those who show up." If taxpayers want our elected officials to heed their voices and are serious about seeing better cost management and local tax relief, now is the time to make your voices heard. Residents should write or e-mail the committee.... 

We can have tax relief if we convince our elected officials we seriously want it. There has been enough fluff included in the budgets over the years that we really could see lower budgets and reduced taxes for several years without much work or any significant loss of services.

Rick and Sandi Hankins

WALL

Antitrust Eyes Turn Toward Google

Could this be the begining of the end of Google as we know it? I, for one certainly hope not. 

The Hill is reporting that the Obama Administration signaled this week that they will be taking a closer look and a more aggressive stance againt monopolies, which will surely mean trouble for the internet giant, even though  it's executives and many of its employees have thrown huge amounts of cash  and support to Obama. 

Read all about it  from TheHill .com >>>Here

Coast Guard “KIDS DON’T FLOAT” Program Comes to Monmouth County

Now that spring has sprung and the weather is warming up boat owners are prepping their vessels for the summer boating season that will offically kicks off over Memorial Day weekend.

I recieved the following press release from the United States Coast Guard Auxillary that stresses the importance of wearing life jackets while out on the water, particluarly children.

The release announces details of this years "Kids Don't Float" program that will be instituted in Monmouth County for the first time by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, based at the USCG Station on Sandy Hook: 

KIDS DON’T FLOAT, but if the US Coast Guard Auxiliary has its way they will. For many years the US Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary have been educating the public on the importance of all boaters using lifejackets, most especially children. In the State of New Jersey it is the law that children 12 years of age and younger must wear a lifejacket at all times while underway on the deck of any boat.

However preaching the obvious and getting results are two different things. Ten years ago a group called Safe Kids USA in Homer Alaska worked with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to establish a program of installing lifejacket loaner stations at local marinas. The concept is simple; they erected a rack on the waterfront and hung child size lifejackets on hooks. Boaters with children heading out on the water who did not have lifejackets could simply borrow one from the rack. It was understood that upon returning, the lifejacket would be returned to its hook ready for use by the next child.

The program was so successful that there are now 400 such sites across Alaska and the program has spread across the nation. Division 2 of District 1SR of the Coast Guard Auxiliary based at USCG Station Sandy Hook is instituting the KIDS DON’T FLOAT program here in Monmouth County. The first lifejacket station will be established at the Atlantic Highlands Marina, Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

The station and lifejacket rack will be erected on the waterfront in time to coincide with National Safe Boating Week May 16-23 2009. A ceremony establishing the station will be held on Saturday 16 May to kick off the program. The Division Honor Guard, local dignitaries, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Active Duty Coast Guard representatives will join the boating public for this event.

Atlantic Highlands will be the first such station in our area and if as expected the program is successful other local marinas will receive stations too. The program will begin with six lifejackets available in children’s sizes. It is anticipated that the supply of jackets will grow through donations of local businesses and individuals. While it might be thought that offering these jackets for free with no deposit might lead to loss of the property, the experience in other areas has been that the supply of jackets actually tends to grow.

Nothing is more important to most of us than the safety of our children especially when they are engaged in as stimulating and satisfying an experience as boating. We invite and encourage all who are interested in boating and our kids to join us on Saturday, May 16th at 11 a.m. on the launch ramp at Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina to launch this program. This will also be a great opportunity for people to visit with their neighbors who are members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and arrange for your complimentary Vessel Safety Check. Lets all start the season right for a fun and safe summer on the water.

For more information contact:

Bill Szilasi

Staff Officer - Public Affairs

Division 2, District 1 (SR)

(732) 275-6201

Does A Cap On Legal Expenses Mean More Money For Lawyers Or Less? In Middletown There Is No Such Thing As A Cap!

If a township issues an ordinance or resolution to cap the legal expenses that an individual lawyer (who also happens to be on a $50,000 retainer) at $310,000 a year, doesn't that mean that said lawyer doesn't receive reimbursement for fees that exceed the $310,000 mark during that year?

I thought so, but apparently some of members of the Middletown Township Committee think otherwise.

Township Attorney Bernie Reilly, who until this year was the only Municipal Attorney in town, has been designated to handle all of the Townships litigation needs while new kid on the block and political cronie Brian Nelson, deals with municipal matters.  Each has been given the same deal with the Township, a $50,000 retainer and a cap on legal expenses of $310,000.

When Nelson was designated as Municipal Attorney and Reilly as Litigation Attorney, there were immediate objections by Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes, the Democrats that sit on the Township Committee.  In a time of economic stress and with a projected $3 million budget shortfall,they questioned how could the Republican majority justify doubling the expenses that the township pays in legal counsel.

They answered by saying, the expenses for each lawyer were capped at $310,000 each and because of Nelson limited roll as just "Municipal Attorney", he should not exceed the cap on legal counsel that was in place. Their argument was the same for Reilly.

Well guess what, here we are 5 1/2 months into 2009 with no budget in place and the township committee slips in Resolution. 09-137  which authorizes the payment of an additional $7,041 to Bernie Reilly for work done in 2008.

How is this possible if there is a cap in place, a cap that Reilly agreed to no less? Unbelievable.

This is the game that the Middletown GOPers play to keep their buddies employed. They set a price, but have no intentions on holding their cronies to it. With the employment of two special litigators Nelson and Reilly, the potential to exceed the $310,000 amount stated in the resolutions voted on at re-org day is obvious now.

This is what keeps the tax rate on the upward spiral year after year (9.2% proposed for this year). If the town operated legally and stopped frivolous law suites against their adversaries (the Azzolina's and Schwebel's) there would be no reason for half the lawsuits brought on. 

And if this was not enough the Township also authorized the additional payment of $12,000 to The Special Construction Litigation Lawyer,Paul A. Sandars III of the law firm  of Lum, Drasco & Potisan LLC  for ongoing legal work on the Cultural Arts Center.  

Their legal work was capped at $45,000 by the township committee in Resolution 8-026 last year.

You can read more about this at MiddletownMusing, where Pat Walsh picks it a part.

 

Happy Mother's Day

President Obama's Weekly Address: 5/9/09

This week the President recaps a busy week, from strides on fiscal discipline, to financial stability, to cracking down on tax havens and tax breaks for shifting jobs overseas. For his next big step, he calls for a credit card reform bill: "Americans know that they have a responsibility to live within their means and pay what they owe. But they also have a right to not get ripped off by the sudden rate hikes, unfair penalties, and hidden fees that have become all-too common in our credit card industry." Watch Your Weekly Address to find out what he plans to do about it.

Azzolina may sell liquor license in Middletown

Another brutal court fight ends with Middletown coming out as the loser.

Back in 1998, before all the infighting and bad blood between life long resident and former NJ State Asemblyman Joe Azzolina and the Republicans that run Middletown, the township issued a 3rd liquor license to Mr. Azzolina's company, Circus Liquors Inc. 

In 2005 when the battle over Mr. Azzolina's "Town Center" project was boiling over, Middletown "realized" that the 3rd liqour license that they issued was illegal because the State limits the number of licenses a person or company can hold to two, so they wanted it back.

Mr. Azzolina said "No", he paid the town for it, it was his and he would sell it. 

This of course sparked another lengthy and expensive court fight, that the township hoped would force the Azzolina family to cave in under yet another retaliatory, expense and pressure filled, drawn out legal battle.

Last year it seemed that Middeltown won the battle when the State Appellate Court ruled in favor of Middletown.  Not conceding that the battle was lost, Joe Azzolina appealed the case to the State Supreme Court.

So, in today's Asbury Park Press comes word that the Supreme Courts has made it's decision. 

The Justices ruled unanimously yesterday to overturn the lower courts ruling, which would have allowed Middeltown to confiscate the illegal liquor license and sell it to another party.  

Once again Joe Azzolina comes out on top and wins the war. He can now sell the lquor license himself. 

No doubt, this loss cost Middletown big time legal fees that could have gone to better uses if they would have just swallowed their pride and allowed Azzolina to sell the license himself in the first place. But because of the hard feelings and bad blood between the ruling Middeltown GOP and the Azzolina family over "Town Center" they decided to fight him in court.

This is just another example of how the Republicans have screwed Middletown over the years. And when you think of it, the one to have made out the most from this is Bernie Reilly, the Township Attorney, it must have made him a fortune. 

American Optimism Grows

Political Wire-

A new McClatchy/Ipsos poll finds the public mood "appears to be lightening," with 55% of Americans saying they think the country is moving in the right direction and only 38% saying it's on the wrong track.

Just a month ago, the right track/wrong track margin was 45% to 48%.

In addition, President Obama remains highly popular, with 65% of Americans approving of how he's handling his job and 31% disapproving.

Yankee Switch-Pitcher Pat Venditte Is Living History

Has anyone hear of this "baby bomber" phenom, Pat Venditte? He is pro baseballs only ambidextrous pitcher and he plays for the Charleston RiverDogs, a Single A- Level minor league team of the New York Yankees.

"You'll probably never witness an unassisted triple play in your lifetime, right? (There have been only 14.) Or see an intentional walk with the bases loaded. (Six.) Or watch one player hit two grand slams in an inning. (Once.)

But you can see something right now that hasn't been around in baseball since the late 1800s: a switch-pitcher.

His name is Pat Venditte, he's 23, and he's pro baseball's only ambidextrous pitcher. This living piece of history is more than a YouTube star; he's throwing almost daily for the Charleston RiverDogs, the Yankees' Single-A club. And he's not just throwing: He's blowing through hitters like a Cub Scout through Skittles. At one point in April, the closer's ERA was 0.00 in 6 1/3 innings, and he hadn't blown a save in five games.

Last season, he had 23 saves for the Staten Island Yankees, with a 0.83 ERA. And best of all, the kid can relieve himself!"

You can finish reading about this "switch-pitcher" over at ESPN Magazine, in the meantime I think that I will be looking at the schedule for the Lakewood BlueClaws soon to see if they have a local match up with the RiverDogs so I can check out Pat Venditte for myself.

Taxes and Middletown, Perfect Together

As anyone who follow this blog knows, I am no fan of the Middeltown GOP and their bond, spend ,tax and then blame others, policies. 

Since late February, I have been pointing out that the Middletown Republicans, who have controlled  the township committee for the past 20 some odd years, have been planning a 9.2% municipal tax increase this year in order to plug a $2.4 million hole in the township budget that has not been adopted yet. This budget shortfall is approximately the same as last years, when the township used  a couple of one shot revenue gimmicks in addition to a 7.2% tax increase balance the budget.

In order to keep Middletown running for the past 5+ months, temporary budget resolutions have needed to be passed by the township committee. At last count, nearly 50% of  the expected operating expenses for the township for fiscal year 2009 have already been spent or have been allocated  to be spent. 

Now, how will it be possible to cut $2.4 million from the last remaining 50% of budget to avoid a 9.2% rate increase?  You can't, unless your willing make very hard choices. Choices that the Republicans in town have refused to make for the past 20 something years.

That is why, with this years increase, Middletown's tax rate will have risen 25% over the past 4 years.

At some point you need to look in the mirror and stop blaming others for your short comings. 

Like Middletown, other municipalities around that state, as well as along the bayshore, have been saddled with reduced aid and unfunded mandates from Trenton. However the impact has not had nearly the same adverse effects as here, because instead of blaming others, these towns  looked at themselves and made choices that dealt with the problem instead of playing the avoid and blame game. 

There are two other very good posts today from Pat Walsh's Middletown Musings blog and Matt Morehead's A Voice for Youth blog that address Middletown's budget dealings. 

Walsh's talks about the townships use of deferred school board taxes, while Morehead's post asks why other towns in the area have been able to keep their tax rate stable while Middletowns has skyrocketed.