Press Release: Committeman Sean F. Byrnes Calls For Sweeping Changes To The Way Middletown Does Business

Press Release

December 21, 2009

In Middletown today, Committeeman Sean F. Byrnes called for sweeping changes to the way Middletown does business. Since joining the Committee in 2008, Byrnes has continuously called for the creation of a Finance Committee to oversee the preparation of Middletown’s budget, evaluate expenses and investigate restructuring how services are delivered. However, his efforts have failed to garner support from Republican members of the Township Committee.

Citing the worst budget environment in the Township in 20 years , Byrnes called on his fellow Committee members to make dramatic changes to the way the Township does business:

“We find ourselves sinking deeper into debt with fewer tools for pulling ourselves out. Last year, we limped through the year relying upon one-time revenue line items, a request to exceed our cap on increasing tax levies to citizens, and a decision to defer $1.5 million in pension contributions. Yet, by year’s end, we still needed an emergency appropriation of $1.4 million, payable in 2010, to pay escalating health care expenses. I am estimating that we begin 2010 with a shortfall that approaches $5.0 million. We will need a specific plan, very early in the year to offset this shortfall.”

To address the looming budget shortfall, Byrnes has recommended exploring the following cost-saving measures:

1. Requiring all capital spending projects in 2010 to be competitively bid among 5 pre-approved engineering firms.
2. Retaining the Township attorney and other professionals to operate on a fixed fee monthly retainer basis and eliminate all hourly billing for all but complex litigation.
3. In 2010, combining the property maintenance functions within Public Works and the Parks & Recreation Department into one Department within the Department of Public Works, responsible for all property maintenance.
4. In 2011, combining the property maintenance functions currently operated separately by the Board of Education and the Township Committee into one department to maintain all property within the Township.
5. Eliminating the Sewerage Authority thereby eliminating the administrative, overhead and professional fees associated with the operations of this Authority.
6. Soliciting private contracts for 50% of the leaf and brush pickup in 2010 and a larger percentage in ensuing years.
7. Shifting to a once per week trash pickup in conjunction with mandatory recycling of paper and a campaign to encourage a far greater percentage of composting within the Township. Reducing the volume of paper and vegetable waste will substantially reduce the volume of disposable waste and the need for more than one trash pickup per week.
8. Offer early retirement to the more senior maintenance workers in the Parks & Recreation Department and Public Works Departments where salaries in the Parks & Recreation Department dedicated to property maintenance exceed $1.0 million.
9. Commence discussions with the Library Board to consolidate the Arts Center operation into the Middletown Public Library, which has a steady funding source and currently offers arts programming that is similar to programs offered by the Library.
10. Continue the initiative started by Committeeman Fiore to negotiate a new health care payment arrangement, as the existing self-insured relationship for claims has produced double-digit increases in costs that cannot be sustained.

On a County-wide basis, Byrnes has recommended a consolidation of police, fire and school administration.

“The taxpayers cannot sustain the spiraling salary, benefit and pension costs that follow the large administration that oversees the delivery of police, fire and educational services. We need our locally elected State representatives in Monmouth County to propose State-wide legislation that gives counties and municipalities the ability to engage in consolidation efforts and other cost-sharing measures. The current statutory and regulatory framework ties the hands of municipalities that might be willing to take bold steps to cut costs. ”

Mr. Byrnes also pointed out that two Township officials, Deputy Mayor Scharfenberger and Township Attorney Brian Nelson have been appointed to the transition team for Governor –elect Christie.

Citing the rare opportunity presented by the current economic climate and voter dissatisfaction, Byrnes said, “I am hopeful that Mr. Scharfenberfer and Mr. Nelson will seize this opportunity and advocate for sweeping changes to the laws that foster duplication and overlap of governmental services. As an example, the legal separation of Boards of Education and municipal government is too stark. There must be greater shared services between these public entities and even some degree or merger of some functions such as property maintenance, recreation, human resources and purchasing.”

“The old system is broken, everyone knows it, and we need to be creative and willing to re-design how services are delivered to taxpayers at the local, county and state level. If we do it right, the end product will look a lot different than what we have right now.”

New Years Day Hangover Remedies

Here is a reposting of a blog entry from last year that is timely and appropriate if you are planning to party hardy tonight while ringing in the New Year.

If you are going to party it up tonight in celebration of the New Year, then you will more than likely be in need of a good hangover remedy.

Most hangover remedies are hit and miss and not based on any facts or science, generally they do not work. I have always found that drinking plenty of water is the best cure for hangovers because the alcohol that is consumed dehydrates your body which leads to the hangover.

But if you find yourself in dire needs of a hangover cure in the morning then maybe one of the suggestions in the following video may help ( just keep the volume down as to not worsen any headache that you may have):

According to Terry Condon of NYC's Gallagher's Steak House, there are at least 5 things you can do to help 'fix' a hangover

"It's Your Town Hall" Newsletter Issue 2 -Middletown Goes to MCIA To Consolidate 2009 Bonds

The second issue of the "it's Your Town Hall" Newsletter is ready and available to ready.

Issue 2 discuss the special township committee meeting that was called for on Dec. 17th at 5:30 pm to discuss the refinancing of approximately $13 million worth to township bonds. The township will be refinancing these bonds with the Monmouth County Improvement Authority (MCIA).

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders formed the Monmouth County Improvement Authority in 1986 as a conduit to cost-saving alternatives to the traditional methods of public capital finance for municipalities, boards of education, local and regional utility authorities and other local and county government entities.

As part of this resolution the Township of Middletown has agreed to pay all costs and expenses, including legal fees, in connection with the administration and enforcement of this bond in addition to its share of the amounts payable between the Authority and the town.

The refinancing of these bonds is expected to save the township a considerable amount of money in interest payments over the course of the next 20 years.

To receive a copy of the biweekly issues of "It's Your Town Hall", send email contact info to: itsourtown@yahoo.com

To read this weeks issue click >>> Here

UPDATE: It has come to my attention that the amount of the bond refinancing was not for a total of ~$ 13 million but for $5.966 million, which is a big difference (sometimes it can be a little confusing when reading ordinances or resolutions)

Also not included with the posted newsletter was the last page of the resolution which stated the bonding firm of Gibbons P.C. which happens to be firm that the GOP leader in Middletown works for and our curent Township Atorney worked for as a bond attorney.

Letter: Why Are Turf Fields Top Priority During Worst Economic Times Since The Great Depression?

Politics has overcome any sense of good government in Middletown Township.This is an egregious miscarriage of politics masquerading as government in this community.

When economic conditions are ignored and artificial turf fields are the major priority of the township committee members, there is something radically wrong with those elected and hired to administrate in this township. Most families are endeavoring to keep jobs,keep their homes, and trying to keep food on their tables and pay their bills. Their prime concern is not whether their kids have artificial turf fields to run on for sports activities.

There are many residents and citizens in this community that can connect the dots in this scenario. Remember the vicious political rhetoric of the 2008,2009 campaigns for township committee and the 2009 freeholder race and the individuals responsible for those vicious accusations against the democratic candidates in those races...( the alleged petitions for recall of the board of education member were never circulated or filed). These names connected to all that vicious rhetoric are the same names that trace connection to the turf field company favored for the current endeavor to construct two turf fields in Middletown during the worst economic circumstances since the Great Depression.

These questions demands answers......Is this proposal for turf fields somehow payment of a political debt for that vicious ranting that commanded so much attention in the fall of 2008 and again in 2009? Is common sense or reason absent when this township cannot pay it's financial obligations without emergency resolutions,refuses to consider a finance committee and choses turf fields over jobs.

This all reeks of political motivation and ineptitude.Smell the coffee residents of Middletown....it's your tax dollar at work. You pay these bills!

These are not the times for this kind of ignorance from those who claim to govern.This suggests incompetence when one examines the priorities of those chosen to serve in this community!!


Barbara R.Thorpe

President Obama's Weekly Address: 12/25/09 Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve

For the first time in a weekly address, the President is joined by the First Lady as they celebrate Christmas. They both honor those serving overseas, those who have sacrificed for their country, and the families that stand by them.

Merry Christmas: Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul Bill, Obama Praises Their Accomplishment

The President praises the Senate for passing health insurance reform, another major step towards this historic goal.

Here are his remarks:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. In a historic vote that took place this morning members of the Senate joined their colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a landmark health insurance reform package -- legislation that brings us toward the end of a nearly century-long struggle to reform America’s health care system.

Ever since Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform in 1912, seven Presidents -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- have taken up the cause of reform. Time and time again, such efforts have been blocked by special interest lobbyists who’ve perpetuated a status quo that works better for the insurance industry than it does for the American people. But with passage of reform bills in both the House and the Senate, we are now finally poised to deliver on the promise of real, meaningful health insurance reform that will bring additional security and stability to the American people.

The reform bill that passed the Senate this morning, like the House bill, includes the toughest measures ever taken to hold the insurance industry accountable. Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny you coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition. They will no longer be able to drop your coverage when you get sick. No longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for the treatments you need. And you’ll be able to appeal unfair decisions by insurance companies to an independent party.

If this legislation becomes law, workers won’t have to worry about losing coverage if they lose or change jobs. Families will save on their premiums. Businesses that would see their costs rise if we do not act will save money now, and they will save money in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare, and extend the life of the program. It will make coverage affordable for over 30 million Americans who do not have it -- 30 million Americans. And because it is paid for and curbs the waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this bill will help reduce our deficit by as much as $1.3 trillion in the coming decades, making it the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade.

As I’ve said before, these are not small reforms; these are big reforms. If passed, this will be the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important reform of our health care system since Medicare passed in the 1960s. And what makes it so important is not just its cost savings or its deficit reductions. It’s the impact reform will have on Americans who no longer have to go without a checkup or prescriptions that they need because they can’t afford them; on families who no longer have to worry that a single illness will send them into financial ruin; and on businesses that will no longer face exorbitant insurance rates that hamper their competitiveness. It’s the difference reform will make in the lives of the American people.

I want to commend Senator Harry Reid, extraordinary work that he did; Speaker Pelosi for her extraordinary leadership and dedication. Having passed reform bills in both the House and the Senate, we now have to take up the last and most important step and reach an agreement on a final reform bill that I can sign into law. And I look forward to working with members of Congress in both chambers over the coming weeks to do exactly that.

With today’s vote, we are now incredibly close to making health insurance reform a reality in this country. Our challenge, then, is to finish the job. We can't doom another generation of Americans to soaring costs and eroding coverage and exploding deficits. Instead we need to do what we were sent here to do and improve the lives of the people we serve. For the sake of our citizens, our economy, and our future, let’s make 2010 the year we finally reform health care in the United States of America.

Everybody, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.

The Night Before Christmas - A Disney Silly Symphonies

NORAD Tracks Santa 2009 - Night Before Christmas

Hey Kids,

Santa will be leaving the North Pole in just a matter of minutes, If you would like to track his whereabouts and follow him and his reindeer around the globe in real time, then you need to contact NORAD throughout the day.

The NORAD Tracks Santa Web site is the form of a public relations program by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) involving the countries of Canada and the USA. Every year for over fifty years on Christmas Eve NORAD has told stories of how their powerful tracking systems such as the Distant Early Warning Line (DEW Line) detected Santa Claus leaving the North Pole to deliver his presents.

Santa will be taking off from the North Pole and making his first stop of the night in Auckland New Zealand at 5:00 am (eastern standard time).

You can check in hourly at the NORAD Santa tracker, to see just how close Santa is to delivering presents to your house.

In the mean time enjoy Santa recieting the Night Before Christmas.

Giuliani Not Running for NY Senate or Governor

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says he isn't running for political office next year so that he can concentrate on his lucrative law and consulting businesses.

Giuliani says his businesses have ''significant commitments'' for next year that would make it impossible to run for either governor or the U.S. Senate.

Giuliani spoke at a news conference in Manhattan to endorse former U.S. Rep. Rick Lazio in the governor's race. He told WABC-TV earlier Tuesday that he would not go into politics this year.

His most recent foray into politics ended with a stinging loss to John McCain in the race for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is >>> HERE.

Video:Christmas at the Whitehouse 2009

A glimpse of this year's holiday decorations at the White House.

NJPP Monday Minute: 12/21/09 Too few women in New Jersey government

When the New Jersey legislature convenes in January, women will hold top leadership positions in both the Senate and Assembly. Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver will become Speaker and Senator Barbara Buono will be the first woman to serve as Senate Majority Leader in the state. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, this will make New Jersey one of only a handful of states where women serve in top legislative leadership slots.

Until recently, New Jersey ranked poorly in the number of elected female officials representing the state. From 1985 to 2005, the numbers were abysmal. When compared to other states, New Jersey ranked in the bottom percentile, with women making up only about ten to twelve percent of the state Legislature. Yet beginning in 2005, the situation gradually improved. In January 2010, women will make up 28 percent of the Legislature's 120 members. At that time, there will be 26 women in the New Jersey Assembly and eight in the Senate, ranking the state as 15th highest in the percentage of women in the Legislature.

Despite improvements in the number of women in the Legislature, women have held few other high elected positions during the state's history. Only one woman, Christine Todd Whitman, has served as governor; no women have been elected to the U.S. Senate from New Jersey; and only five women have made it to the U.S. House of Representatives from the state. And since Margaret Roukema retired from the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, the state's 13 House seats have been held by men only.

New Jersey's political infrastructure doesn't help. When it comes to deciding who will run for legislative seats - and providing the money to do so - the county chairs of each party hold the most power. Women occupy only four of those 42 seats: Ailish Hambel (R-Sussex), Alice Furia (D-Burlington), Lois Zarish (D- Hunterdon), and Peg Schaffer (D- Somerset).

Ingrid Reed, Director of the New Jersey Project at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University believes there are many reason why we need women in public positions. She believes that society needs their talent and they make a difference.

Indeed, a report by the Eagleton Institute's Center for American Women and Politics showed that female legislative leaders have different priorities than their male counterparts. Women legislators of both parties are more likely to support liberal or more moderate positions on issues such as hate crimes and racial prejudice in job hiring and are more likely than male legislators of either party to work on legislation specifically intended to benefit women.

So what can be done to increase the numbers? Reed suggests introducing women role models and policy makers to high school and college-age students to encourage their involvement in politics. In addition, she believes there should be more opportunities for women to get information, training and support for running for office.

There are many studies that show that having more women involved in the electoral process makes a difference in the public policy debate. While New Jersey has made strides in this area, it will be a greater benefit if more women are elected to office.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Some Toons To Wrap Presents By

We're in for some nasty weather later on today, some reports say that we may get as much as 14- 18 inches of snow before all is said and done! It's a perfect day to stay indoors, catch up wrapping all those Christmas presents I bought for the family and get ready for the snow to come.

But first I need some toons to put me in the proper mood:

"The Abominable Snow Rabbit"


"Frosty The Snowman"


"Jack Frost"

President Obama's Weekly Address: 12/19/09 The Patients Bill of Rights and Health Reform

The President looks back to the bipartisan Patients Bill of Rights, a bill that was defeated in Congress at the hands of special interests and their supporters, and notes that health insurance reform covers the same ground and much more in terms of giving the consumers the upper hand over their insurance companies. He calls on the Senate to allow an up-or-down vote, and for those opposing reform to stop using parliamentary maneuvers to drag it out.

Friday Morning Humor: It's a Wonderful Life Lost Ending

Everyone know the heart warming Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" and it's happy ending. The townsfolk of Bedford Falls come to George Baileys rescue on Christmas Eve with enough cash to thwart old man Potter's attempts to finally take over the Building and Loan.

Recently unearthed however is a somewhat more controversial alternative ending that director Frank Capra had cut from the ending of the movie. Capra had no intentions of allowing anyone to see this alternative ending , it was believed to have been destroyed by Capra himself until a copy of it surfaced in some old film collectors attic a few years back, or so the story goes.

I think that you will find it interesting but I hope that it doesn't ruin the holiday classic for you the next time you happen to see it!

Byrnes: 2010 Will Bring Layoffs To Middletown

BY TOM SHORTELL - The Independent

Growing financial woes and increasing debt will force the township to institute layoffs next year, Committeeman Sean Byrnes said at the Middletown Township Committee workshop Dec. 7.

Byrnes predicted the township would cut people from the municipal payroll because of a myriad of financial problems. In 2010, the township faces shrinking revenue and mounting debt, he said. Additional restraints could emerge if New Jersey's financial problems bring less state aid or if unions win their lawsuit to end government furloughs, he said.

"There's going to be layoffs," Byrnes said.

The township will also face contract negotiations with four labor unions next year, including the Policemen's Benevolent Association and the Superior Officers Association, said Anthony Mercantante, township administrator.

"[Next] year is going to be ugly — UG L-Y, ugly," Byrnes said.

The township has begun making a layoff plan should the Township Committee ultimately decide it's the best way to manage the budget, Mercantante said. However, he said the move is a precaution commonly taken by municipalities before budget discussions begin.

"You just need to be prepared, not knowing how much the Township Committee is going to raise taxes, if at all," he said.

The state's Civil Service Commission would have to approve any layoffs, Mercantante said. The process typically takes months, he added.

"The existence of a plan does not necessarily mean layoffs are going to happen," he said.

The committee's two Democrats, Byrnes and Committeeman Patrick Short, raised the issue of layoffs in a debate over how to pay $1.3 million in health insurance bills and workers' compensation. The township's insurance manager warned the committee during the summer that insurance costs were running high for the year, they said.

The workshop agenda contained a resolution to pay those bills with money from the not-yet-created 2010 budget through an emergency appropriation.

The Democrats, however, refused to vote for the resolution. The $1.3 million, when tallied with existing debt, would put the township in a $4 million deficit to begin 2010, Byrnes said.

"It's a huge number, and it's frightening. I think we can do it [balance the 2010 budget], but I think there's a lot of radical steps that need to be done," Byrnes said....

Read More >>> Here

Middletown - "It's Your Town" Newsletter

To help better inform residents about the goings on and what happens during the monthly Township Workshop and Business meetings, the Middletown Democratic Club has put together what is hoped to be, a bi-weekly newsletter.

The newsletter it tiltled "It's Your Town" and after each Township Committee meeting a newsletter will be issued. It will contain some of the highlights of the meeting, copies of resolutions that were voted upon, ordinances introduced and/or voted on. It will also try to include comments that were made by Committee members and the general public.

This newsletter will cover much more than what you will read in any local newspaper.

If you have any form of interest in your local government and would like to receive future issues of this newsletter send an email to itsourtown@yahoo.com and you will be placed on a mailing list for future issues.

Read the "It's Your Town" newsletter >>> Here

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Some Toons To Decorate The Tree By

The Christmas Tree is up and it is time to decorate, we need some holiday inspiration to help make decorating the tree this year a a bit more festive.

I can't think of anything more appropriate than a few good classic Christmas "toons" to get us in the proper mood.

Howdy Doody Christmas


A Christmas Dream


Hector's Hectic Life

President Obama's Weekly Address: 12/12/09 Learning from History to Reform Wall Street

The President explains that while he continues to focus on jobs, it is also profoundly important to address the problems that created this economic mess in the first place. He commends the House of Representatives for passing reforms to our financial system, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency, and blasts Republican Leaders and financial industry lobbyists for their joint pep rally to defeat it.

There's Still Work To Be Done On NJ Marriage Equality Bill

As we know from my last post, the state Senate Judiciary Committee last night narrowly approved historic legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey by a 7-6 margin.

It was a bold move on their part but the fight for marriage equality does not end there, there is still work to be done. The Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote on Thursday.

It has been pointed out to me that one of the main reasons why New York's marriage equality bill was defeated recently was because New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. who is usually a gay rights supporter voted no on the the NY state gay marriage bill. He stated the reason for his "No" was over 70% of the email, calls and letters on the subject were against the bill.

The roll call vote was made it was carried out in alphabetical order, so his early no vote was an excuse for others to vote no and defeat the bill.

We can't allow this type of situation to happen again here in New Jersey, it's time to contact your NJ State Senate representatives and let them know that marriage equality for same sex couples is not a religious issue but a civil rights issue that is morally right.

Alphabetically Monmouth County's represntative Sen. Jennifer Beck(R-12th), would vote 5th and there for could sway others vote for or against this legislation. Call or email her office and tell her to vote in favor of marraige equality on Thursday unlike her vote Monday night against it.

Then do the same for each of Monmouth County's other State Senators Joe Kyrillos (R-13th) and Sean T. Kean (R-11th). Let them know that the rights that all opposite sexed couples share should be passed on equally to all couples that love each other irregardless of their sexual preferences.

If you don't live in Monmouth County but wish to contact one of your State Senators to express your support for the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act, here is the contact list for all of New Jersey's legislative members

After grueling hearing, state Senate committee approves New Jersey gay marriage bill 7-6

NewJerseyNewsroom.com/Tom Hester Sr.

After nearly nine hours of testimony and debate the state Senate Judiciary Committee Monday night narrowly approved legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey.

The panel voted 7 to 6 in support of the measure, the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act, at 10:07 p.m. and sent to the full Senate for a floor vote on Thursday.

The vote was met with loud applause and cheers by most of the people in the hearing room.

Voting in favor of the proposal were Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer), Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex), Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), a co-sponsor of the measure, Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), Sen. Bob Smith, (D-Middlesex), Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson), and Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), the other co-sponsor. Voting in opposition were Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic), Sen. Christopher Bateman (R-Somerset), Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen), and Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth).
The hearing at the Statehouse Annex in Trenton grew testy at times as committee members and proponents and opponents of the legislation snapped at each other. At one point, Cardinale called a lawyer who was testifying a liar and moments later Gill, an attorney, apologized on behalf of the panel.

Proponents and opponents of the bill on the committee agreed to end public testimony at 9:10 p.m. Testimony began at 2:28 p.m.

Read More >>>Here

It's Payback Time In Middletown: So Far Township Facing $4 Million Budget Shortfall For 2010 - Layoffs Pending

I attended the Middletown Township Committee Workshop meeting last night to hear what would be said about the Emergency Appropriation Resolution 09-277.

This resolution was for the purpose of borrowing ~ $1.5 million from next years budget to pay for worker's compensation claims and other employee medical benefits that the township did not budget for this year.

There was a lively discussion on the subject that lasted nearly an hour. Committeemen Sean Byrnes and Patrick Short questioned the Township Administrator about how and why, with less than 30 day left in the calendar year, did the township find that it needed to borrow such a large amount of money against next years budget when the projected budget for next year was already a few million dollars short.

The simple answer was the Township did not foresee that worker's compensation claims and other employee health benefit claims would be at such a level as to need more money than budgeted for in the previous year's (2008) budget. And after all, the bills needed to be paid.

The money that was set aside this year for health benefits and claims was ~ $2 million less than last year. The reason being was because recent trends over the past several years showed that health claims rose and fell from one year to next. With this in mind, the powers that be who shaped the 2009 budget decided to gamble on the trends downward slope and under funded the Township's health care plan.

In the 2008 budget ~ $6 million was appropriated for benefits but at the end of the year, much like this year, an emergency appropriation 0f $500,000 was needed as opposed to an ~ $1.5 million. I would say that their gamble did not pay off.

Committeeman Byrnes was relentless in his questioning and would not support the resolution as written without assurances from the rest of the committee that further review of township finances would be made before the end of the year. To get these assurances Byrnes only agreed to support a resolution for $800,000 of the $1.5 million emergency appropriation at last nights meeting. The other $700,000 will be appropriated through a new resolution at the December 21st committee meeting if Byrnes receives proper answers to his questions about how next years budget will be addressed.

The reason why Sean Byrnes is being such a stickler over the 2010 budget is because at this present time it is being projected by the Township Committee, that there will be a minimum of a $4 million shortfall in revenues next year with this resolution and by the time January or February comes around it could be a couple of million more dollars short.

When Byrnes pressed the Township Administrator over what plans he intends to present to the Committee to curtail costs next year the administrator, Tony Mercantante said that among other things, plans were in the works for employee layoffs starting in either January or February of 2010 but paper work must first be filed with the State before any layoffs could take effect.

With this in mind I have to ask once again, why not listen to Sean Byrnes and establish a nonpartisan Finance Committee that could identify problems like this in advance and work towards budget solutions before they become problems in the first place?

NJPP Monday Minute: 12/7/09 Accountability woes plague local governments

The state and local governments in New Jersey raised nearly $56 billion in tax revenue in 2008. Local property taxes contributed just over 40 percent to that; the other 60 percent came from the state--mainly from income, sales and corporate business tax collections.

While the state raises 60 percent of all of the public money spent in New Jersey, it spends considerably less than that because a certain amount of the money it raises is given to local governments to spend. In 2008, school districts, municipalities and counties collected just over $23 billion in property taxes. In addition to that, the state gave them $13.3 billion in state aid. In total they spent $36.5 billion, or more than 65 percent of all the public money available in the state.

If local governments spend the bulk of the state's public money, they should be accountable to taxpayers and to the state. But they really aren't. Not since 1995, when the Department of Community Affairs printed its last comparison of municipal budgets, have taxpayers been able to compare the spending in one municipality against another.

The State Commission of Investigation's most recent report of December 1, 2009, examined taxpayer-subsidized benefits received by public employees in 75 municipalities, counties and quasi-independent local authorities. For a dose of reality it compared these benefits to those received by state employees. About 80 percent of the 75 local governmental units audited were found to provide questionable benefits including:

• Lump-sum cash payouts to retiring employees for unused accumulated sick leave in amounts exceeding the $15,000 maximum authorized for employees at the State level. In numerous instances, such payouts are not restricted by any cap.
• Annual cash payouts for unused sick or other leave to active employees. In nearly two-thirds of these instances, this occurs even though the same governmental unit maintains some form of cap on sick leave redemption at retirement.
• Paid time off for personal events and other special purposes beyond holidays and vacation.
• Cash payouts pursuant to various forms of severance and bonus provisions for departing employees. A lack of standards and payout limits makes this practice open to abuse, even though the arrangements are sometimes fairly negotiated and aimed at achieving long-term savings. The specific terms of such arrangements, however, can be hidden from public disclosure by confidentiality clauses.

In one of the report's most egregious examples, the Commission found that Camden, one of the poorest cities in the nation with fiscal problems so severe that the city's administration is under State supervision, 20 retiring municipal employees shared in $2.3 million of unused sick days, vacation time and benefits.

Despite a recession that has sapped tax revenues and forced layoffs, "The gravy train continues to roll without impediment for select groups of employees on the public payroll," the report reads. "Startling amounts of taxpayer-funded booty continue to be dispensed across New Jersey without regard for the common good."

Among its recommendations, the Commission suggested payout caps for unused time off and contributions to health care coverage of at least 1.5 percent of an employee's salary. As New Jersey faces an increasing fiscal crisis, this is one area where significant amounts of taxpayer money can be saved.

It's Payback Time In Middletown: Emergency Appropriations Needed to Pay Bills - Part 2; Update, Resolution 09-277

At tonight's Middeltown Township Workshop meeting, the members of the Committee intend to introduce Emergency Appropriation Resolution 09-277 .

As I posted Thursday, the intention of this resolution is to borrow against next years budget $1.5 million, in order to pay worker's compensation claims and other employee medical benefits.

With just a few weeks left in the calendar year, this emergency appropriation is scandalous. How can it be possible, as the resolution states that "...no adequate provision was made in the 2009 budget for the aforesaid purpose..." ?

Why wasn't this caught earlier in the year when some other solution may have been possible? After all, the budget wasn't adopted until August for peete's sake. Some one must have known about this before now.

This is a prime example of why Sean Byrnes's proposed Finance Committee is needed! It shows that the individual Township Committee members do not have the time, experience or expertise to act as their own "individual finance committee" as stated by the GOP members who are opposed to Byrnes's idea.

2010 is already shaping up to be an ugly budget year, this resolution will only make it that much worse.

Tonight's meeting will be at Town Hall and will start at 8 pm, if you would like to express your concerns about this resolution I suggest that you get there early because sitting is limited.

Residents need to let the committee know that this type of appropriation of funds is unacceptable and could have been avoided if planned for properly.

A Finance Committee could have foreseen such a problem in advance and advised the powers that be of this type of potential problem.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Christmas Comes But Once a Year

It's Grampy to the rescue as he saves Christmas for a home full of orphans.

President Obama's Weekly Address: 12/5/09 Pushing Forward on Jobs

Following the best jobs numbers since 2007, the President recognizes that such trends are cold comfort to those who are struggling and pledges to continue pushing forward towards positive job growth. He looks back at the Jobs Forum he hosted days before and looks ahead to further action. He emphatically restates why he ran for President in the first place: to fight for a country where responsibility is still rewarded, and hard-working people can get ahead.

Football Friday: Princess Picks The Cowboys over The Giants

It's NFL week 13 and the Giants playoff hopes hang by a thread, a loss to Dallas Cowboys this week would all but seal the Giants fate.

So it is a bit disheartening to see that Princess the Prognosticating Camel of Popcorn Park Zoo, has chosen the Cowboys this week to all but end the Giants season.

As Princess explains "... things have changed, college teams tackle better than the Giants are now, so how are they supposed to stop the Cowboys running backs? And the Giant offense, they need somebody to wake them up! Hey, how about we plan a road trip, get me up to their practices and I'll shake them up. But unless I get up there before Sunday, Dallas is winning this one..."

It hurts to admit that she may be right but honestly, I don't know who is having a worse season the Giants or Princess.

Princess's record for this season is once again at .500, W7 - L7

Bob Brown To Make 12th Appearence on Strategy Room This Morning At 11:00

Bob Brown, former Democratic candidate for the 13th Legislative District will be making his 12th appearance on Fox News's online web program the Strategy Room.

For those of you who are not familiar with Bob Brown, he is a retired Old Bridge NJ police officer who was shot in the line of duty. He attended Seton Hall Law School during his time on the force and is now a practicing lawyer.

Brown will be joining the panel discussion during the 11:00 hour to discusst "COPS AND CASES" and will be joined by:

Bill Stanton-Former NYPD Officer
Keith Sullivan-Personal Injury Attorney
Dr. Dale Archer-Psychiatrist, DrDaleArcher.com
Joseph DiBenedetto-Criminal Defense Attorney

They will be discussing of cases, civil or criminal that have been in the news during the week.

If you would like to watch Bob on the Strategy Room, you can see it >>> Here at 11:00 am

Video: Same-sex marriage supporters march on statehouse in New Jersey

From tvjersey-

More than 600 people marched in Trenton calling on state lawmakers to pass a same-sex marriage bill in New Jersey. Supporters of the bill say the time is right to bring a marriage equality bill to a vote before Gov. Jon Corzine, who supports gay marriage, leaves office. But there is strong opposition to the bill and rival protesters at the statehouse -- though significantly outnumbered -- voiced their conviction that marriage should be restricted to one man and one woman. (Video by Nyier Abdou/The Star-Ledger)

It's Payback Time In Middletown: Emergency Appropriations Needed to Pay Bills - Part 2

Two weeks ago I posted about how Middletown was having a hard time paying its bills. The Township Committee needed to pass Resolution no. 09-263 authorizing an emergency appropriation of ~ $1.5 million to pay the interest on a tax anticipation note.

Today I have heard that another emergency appropriation of $1.5 million is needed before the end of the month to pay the benefits of Township employees. Where is this money coming from you ask? It will be borrowed and rolled into next years budget.

So even before the next calendar year starts, Middletown will find itself with a $3 million budget deficit before other budget shortfalls are even identified.

From what I have been told theplans for this second emergency appropriation will be introduced at the Township's workshop meeting this coming Monday night.

Stay tuned for more details next week.

ACORN Founder To Hold Q&A Event In Montclair

Wade Rathke, founder of ACORN will be holding a Q&A event in Montclair on Saturday afternoon from 3:30-5:30 pm. I received the following emailand thought was intriguing enough to send it along. If it weren't for the fact that I have to work on Saturday I just may have gone to learn for myself what ACORN is really all about !

We would like to pass along this invitation from BlueWaveNJ and Shelterforce. The event will be moderated by NJPP board member John Atlas.


Saturday, December 5, 2009
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church, Peierls Room
67 Church Street, Montclair

Join BlueWaveNJ for a presentation by and conversation with Wade Rathke, founder of ACORN and its chief organizer for 38 years. Learn about the history of the organization and its massive voter registration drives and why the organization became the target of Fox News and other right-wing commentators. Participate in a frank discussion on the organization's recent scandals and possible lessons for other community organizations and concerned citizens that want to build a strong progressive movement.

Wade Rathke has been engaged in community organizing across the United States and Canada for over 42 years. He is the head of a local union in New Orleans and an international community-based group. He also chairs the Organizers' Forum. In his new book, Citizen Wealth, Wade has drawn lessons learned from his years of organizing low and moderate -income communities.

The discussion will be moderated by John Atlas. John's book about progressive politics and poverty, Seeds of Change, The Story of ACORN, America's Controversial Anti-Poverty Group, University of Vanderbilt Press, is due out next year.


Please RSVP to confirm your attendance and the size of your party: marciam@bluewavenj.org

AN OPEN LETTER CALLING ON DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS TO POST MARRIAGE EQUALITY LEGISLATION FOR A VOTE

The following letter, which was signed by more than 200 prominate democrats from around the state, was sent to the State Legislature in an effort to convince members there to support marriage equality:

We believe that equality and fairness are fundamental principles of New Jersey's Democratic Party, and that is why we call on the state legislature to vote immediately on, and pass, the marriage equality bill.

New Jersey has a proud history of supporting civil rights. It was this legacy that encouraged many of us to become involved in politics. We believe that allowing committed gay and lesbian couples to marry is, at its core, about treating our family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors with dignity and respect.

We appreciate that this is a difficult issue for some state legislators. But marriage equality is an idea whose time has come. We are confident that the voters will stand by those elected officials who do the right thing.

When our children and grandchildren look back on this moment, we want to be able to tell them that we, too, did the right thing.

As Martin Luther King poignantly reminded us, "the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." That is why we're proud to lend our names and our voices to this important cause. We do so in our capacity as private citizens and Democratic voters, and not on behalf of any particular office or organization.

The full list of signers:

Philip Alagia

Stephanie Albanese

Albert Alvarez

Hiver Ambrose

Rob Angelo

Byron Arnao

Paul Aronsohn

Frank Askin

Alison Badgett

Ann Baker
Edward Barocas
John Bartlett
Elsbeth Battel
Dan Benson
Rosemary Bernardi
Michael Beson
Ravinder S. Bhalla
Randy Bishop
Rick Bolger
Peter Bondi
Cory Booker
John Borowsky
Barry Brendel
Kelsi Browning
Tonio Burgos
Marge Caldwell-Wilson
Aaron Carter
Jason Cassese
Leah Casterlin
Bill Castner
Salma Chand
Ron Chen
Colleen Connolly
Tai Cooper
Rob Corrales
Maureen Coxwell
Jenny Crumiller
Jeff Curley
Sean Darcy
Bob DeCheine
Lizette Delgado-Polanco
David DelVecchio
Steve DeMicco
Shane Derris
George Devanney
Donna Dolce
Chris Donnelly
Craig Dorsett
Janellen Duffy
Liz Duthie
Charles Eader
Rosi Efthim
Paul Eisenman
Michael Embrich
John Evans
Everette Falt
Ben Feldman
June Fischer
MichaelAaron Flicker
Janice Fuller
John Fuller
Karen Gaffney
Allen Gannett
Jeff Gardner
Rob Garrison
James Gee
Angelo J. Genova
Mike Giglio
Brendan Gill
John Gizis
Jen Godoski
Chad Goerner
Adam Goldfarb
Steven Goldstein
Vin Gopal
Jeff Grayzel
Adam Green
Marta Harrison
Avery Hart
Maria Havasy
Joshua Henne
Victor Herlinsky
Carol Hoernlein
Rush Holt
Deborah Howlett
Rafi Jafri
Michele Jaker
Kyle Jasey
Bianca Jerez
Paul Josephson
Jeffrey Kaszerman
Dan Katz
Michael Kempner
Sheila Kenny
Steven W. Kleinman
Justin Kolman
Janice Kovach
Orin S. Kramer
April Kuzas
Adam Lambert
Justin Lambert
Tim Larsen
Jay Lassiter
Brad Lawrence
Bertin Lefkovic
Chris Leitner
Liz Lempert
Steve Lenox
Cathleen Lewis
Juanita Lewis
Kay LiCausi
Mada Liebman
Brooke Liebowitz
Doris Lin
Jose Lozano
Ian MacAllen
Blair MacInness
Gordon MacInness
Colleen Mahr
Francisco Maldano-Ramirez
Claire Manning
James W. Manning, Jr.
Marcia Marley
Laura Matos
Mark Matzen
Rocco A. Mazza
John McCarthy
Raymond J. McCarthy
Regan McGrory
Matt McHale
Jack McHugh
Pat McKenna
Cathy McLaughlin
Juan Melli
Alicia Menendez
Rob Menendez, Jr.
Naomi Michaelis
Ruth Miller
Bernie Miller
Maggie Moran
Tricia Mueller
Neil Mullin, Esq.
Lauren Murphy
Michael Murphy
Rachel Napear
Adam Neary
William Northgrave
Joseph Novick
Ed Oatman
Lucy O'Brien
Bonne O'Flanagan
Kat Orr
Frank Pallone
Jim C. Peeler
Desiree Peterkin
Cristina Pinzon
Barbara Plumeri
Braxton J. Plummer
Andrew Poag
Michael Premo
Dan Preston
Ronald C. Rice
Chip Robinson
Julie Roginsky
Arlene Romoff
Mariel Rosen
Hetty Rosenstein
Keith M. Rosso
Steve Rothman
Nathan Rudy
Jorge Santos
Peg Schaffer
Julie Schreck
Carolyn Schwebel
John C. Schwebel
Michael Sedita
Jed Seltzer
Shawn Sheekey
Scott Shields
Zach Silber
Troy Singleton
Babs Siperstein
David Smith
Nancy Erika Smith
Vincent Solomeno
Robert Sommer
James Souder
Jason Springer
Domenick Stampone
Adam Steinberger
Jake Stuiver
Carol Tangorra
Rosanna J. Tangorra
Earl Thomas Teasley
Brett Tinder
John Valentine
Frank Vespa-Papaleo
Tom Vincz
Joe Waks
Mike Wallace
Elnardo Webster
Dana Wefer
Scott Weingart
Terry West
Joseph Wojtecki
Betty Wyka
Tom Wyka
David York
Alison Zayas
Joshua Zeitz
Harry Zikas, Jr.
Dawn Zimmer
Matt Zinader
Ed Zipprich

N.J. Democrats Demand Marriage Vote

Advocate.com-

In the wake of reports indicating that New Jersey lawmakers may be reluctant to bring a marriage equality bill to the floor during the lame duck session, some 200 Democrats sent a letter on Tuesday urging senate and assembly leaders to take a vote on the bill.

The prominent Democrats want action on the measure before the session ends and governor-elect Chris Christie, a Republican who has vowed to veto the marriage equality bill, takes office on January 19.

According to the Associated Press, “the Democrats, including members of congress, fundraisers and lobbyists , released a letter to leaders in the senate and assembly Tuesday demanding the bill be voted up or down before the lame-duck session ends in January.”

On Monday, a report in the Star-Ledger suggested that prospects for the marriage equality bill looked extremely bleak. Lead sponsor Senator Loretta Weinberg was quoted as saying, “I can’t say I’m confident now.”