Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus Will Celebrate Women Making History

For Immediate Release:

The Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus will celebrate Women Making History in New Jersey on Monday, March 24, 2014 at the Watermark, 800 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. The event will highlight some of the contributions that women have made in contemporary society, and also recognize those individuals who have worked to build our nation from its first settlers to those who worked for Equality of Rights throughout U.S. history. Guest speakers are Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, LD-37, Executive VP Milly Silva, 1199 SEIU and Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, Candidate CD-7.

“Last year’s event at the Watermark was very successful,” said Retha Onitiri, co-chair of MCDWC, “and we anticipate that attendance will double this year as membership continues to grow.” Although the caucus is celebrating women, we encourage all members to bring their significant other to enjoy our guest speakers, music, hors’doeurves and remarkable information about women who have made a big difference in our lives. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Advance tickets may be purchased online ($47) HERE or at the door ($55) or paid by check to:

MCDWC “Women Making History”; mail check to P. O. Box 444, Millstone Township, NJ 08510-0444. All contributions will be dedicated to the election of democratic women candidates in 2014. For more information, visit www.monmouthdemswomen.com or call Retha at (609) 903-3433.

NJ WATCHDOG: Lt Gov Debate - Snooze or Big News?

For Immediate Release:


The upcoming debate between New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and challenger Milly Silva could be one of the most boring political occasions of this election year.

Or it could be one of the most revealing events yet. It all depends on what questions are asked Friday evening at Kean University in Union.

For three years, the GOP lieutenant governor has dodged inquiries about her involvement in a pension scandal, first reported by New Jersey Watchdog.

False statements by Guadagno as Monmouth County sheriff enabled a top aide to improperly collect $85,000 a year in retirement pay in addition to an $87,500 salary.

The controversy is the focus of a hush-hush state criminal investigation that began in 2011. Guadagno, Gov. Chris Christie and the attorney general have all declined comment through their spokespeople.

Despite an abundance of public appearances and photo opportunities, Guadagno has never held a press conference, as noted by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Katz. The debate could put her on the spot for the first time.

Democrat Silva may be reluctant to tackle Guadagno on pension issues.

A newcomer to the political stage, Silva is executive vice president of 1199SEIU – a labor union that represents nearly 400,000 workers in government and the private sector.

The other person who could bring up the pension issue during the debate is the moderator, Luke Margolis of News 12 New Jersey.

As a public service, New Jersey Watchdog offers a step-by-step primer on the Guadagno pension affair, along with documentation. Click on the links to see the supporting records:

1) In 2008, then-Sheriff Guadagno hired Michael W. Donovan Jr. as “chief of law enforcement division” at a salary of $87,500 a year. She announced the appointment in a memo to her staff. The sheriff's official website identified Donovan as "sheriff's officer chief," supervising 115 subordinate officers and 30 civilian employees.

2) Donovan was already collecting an $85,000 a year state pension as a retired investigator for the county prosecutor. While double-dipping is often legal in New Jersey, this case was different.

3) Since the position of sheriff's officer chief is covered by the pension system, Donovan should have been required to stop receiving benefits, re-enroll in the retirement plan and resume contributions to the pension fund.

4) Instead, county payroll records, the oath of office and a news release by Guadagno identified Donovan as the sheriff's "chief warrant officer" – a similar sounding, but low-ranking position that's not in the pension system. A chief warrant officer is responsible for serving warrants and other legal documents.

5) Yet on Guadagno’s organizational chart, Donovan was listed as chief of law enforcement. The position of chief warrant officer was not on the chart.

6) While sheriff's chief, Donovan pocketed $227,000 in checks from PFRS. Since he did not re-enroll in the pension plan, he avoided another $18,000 in contributions. If the state decides Donovan violated pension law, he could be forced to repay $245,000.

7) Guadagno is also at risk. Under state statute, "Any person who shall knowingly make any false statement or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of this retirement system...shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

8) The attorney general's Division of Criminal Justice began an investigation in May 2011 at the behest of a pension board, according to a sworn statement by a state official.

9) Rather than use his constitutional authority to appoint an independent investigator, Christie allowed DCJ to run the case – an apparent conflict-of-interest. Guadagno is a former DCJ deputy director and now Christie's second-in-command. She sits in the governor's cabinet alongside the attorney general, who is in charge of DCJ.

10) Unless there are criminal charges – an extreme unlikelihood given the political circumstances – DCJ will not comment or release records of the investigation, according to a sworn statement by Deputy Attorney General Anthony A. Picione.

11) If Guadagno and Christie get their way, the case will be swept under the rug.

Any questions?

# # #

The story is now online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org. For media inquiries, contact Mark Lagerkvist at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

Booker's Father Passes Away

My condolences go out to Newark Mayor and Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Cory Booker and his family. Earlier today Booker’s father died.

Booker was to be in Red Bank today along with gubernatorial candidate Senator Barbara Buono and her running mate Milly Silva, attending today's Monmouth County Democrats GOTV rally at the Bates Elks Lodge #220 on Shrewsbury Avenue.

According to PolitickerNJ, Booker’s father, Cary Booker, had recently suffered a stroke. Cary Booker was 76 years old.

Public Polling Update: Right Direction Wrong Direction

It's now September and as you can see people are starting to wake up. The polls are moving in Barbara Buono's direction....

The Fairleigh Dickinson poll results released September 3rd, 2013 underline Governor Chris Christie's fading popularity. Christie's approval rating mirrors the "direction of the state"; voters who feel that the state is heading in the wrong direction also disapprove of the Governor. A plurality of voters felt that New Jersey was moving in the wrong direction throughout 2010, 2011, and the beginning of 2012. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, optimism about the state's direction – and Governor Christie's performance – spiked upwards, peaking in late November, 2012. Since then, voters have progressively expressed more and more dissatisfaction with the direction of the state and the Governor's performance.  Fewer than half of New Jersey voters think the state is moving in the right direction, and this figure, like Christie's approval rating, is trending downwards. It's no surprise that New Jerseyans feel the state is going in the wrong direction when you look at the consequences of Governor Christie's policies. 400,000 people are still looking for work, property taxes have increased 20 percent and he is wildly out of touch when it comes to reducing gun violence and marriage equality. Whether it is about social justice, economic fairness or public safety, the Governor has been wrong for New Jersey's families and they cannot afford another four years of the same failed leadership. Public Poll Summary This new information comes on the heels of two polls performed in the last ten days of August showing the race for Governor is tightening. The Farleigh Dickinson poll released August 29, 2013 offers more good news for the Buono campaign. The gubernatorial election continues to tighten at a steady pace – in Farleigh Dickinson polling alone, the margin has shrunk from 43 points in January, to 36 points in March, to 30 points in June, to 24 points today. Chris Christie's vote share has dropped from 64 percent to 50 percent, and shows no signs of slowing. The Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll signals strong positive movement for Barbara Buono and a tightening race. The margin in the gubernatorial horse race is the smallest margin we have seen to date. There seems to be significant movement both away from Christie and toward Buono. Christie receives his lowest vote share in any public poll since Hurricane Sandy. His favorability rating has dropped 16 points since June in public polling, and his unfavorable rating is rising steadily. The main challenge for Buono at this stage is, accordingly, to further increase her name recognition. The farther she can spread her message, the closer this race will get.

Buono Statement on Labor Day

New Brunswick, NJ – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono issued the following statement to commemorate Labor Day: "Labor Day is a time to celebrate the men and women who exemplify the ideals of our great country and reflect on how the labor movement has moved our state and our nation forward. Because of unions, we have fairer pay and safer working conditions. The labor movement continues to be the foundation of our middle class, offering prosperity and opportunity to millions of union of members to achieve the American Dream. "During the last four years, Governor Christie has attacked unions in our state, demonizing their members and citing them as the problem. He has vetoed raising the minimum wage, pay equity for women and seeks to drive a wedge between workers while fighting for policies that favor corporations and protect millionaires." "While today is a time to reflect on how far we have come, tomorrow we continue our fight on behalf of workers across New Jersey. As the daughter of a union butcher, I promise to be on the frontlines, building on the progress made by previous generations and protect the rights of workers everywhere."

Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus calls on Governor Christie to demand the immediate resignation of Chairman Jose Arango

Below is a Joint Statement from the Monmouth County Democratic Women's Caucus Co-Chairs, Red Bank Councilwoman Kathy Horgan and Ms. Retha Onitri:

"Hudson County Republican Chairman Jose Arango’s disrespectful and demeaning statements about Milly Silva, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, would be outrageous if they weren’t so stupid.

"Mr. Arango apparently has little respect for women and even less for himself in making such moronic assertions. His comment that Senator Barbara Buono’s choice of running mate is “like picking my secretary,” is an insult to every woman – or man – who has ever worked as a secretary and who could probably run the company better than the boss.

"Would Mr. Arango say the same thing about Governor Christie’s choice of a female Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno? The Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus calls on Governor Christie to demand the immediate resignation one of his advisers, Chairman Jose Arango."

New Jersey Women's Leaders Call on Governor Christie to Denounce

Below you will find a letter from women leaders across New Jersey demanding that Governor Christie condemn Hudson County Republican Chair Jose Arango’s offensive comments and call for his resignation.

July 31, 2013
From: Women Leaders of New Jersey
To: Governor Christie

Dear Governor Christie:

Today, your Hudson County Republican Chair, Jose Arango, made deeply offensive comments about the Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee, Milly Silva.

According to PolitickerNJ, Mr. Arango belittled and demeaned Ms. Silva’s qualifications in what can only be described as blatantly sexist remarks.

Ms. Silva has worked since the age of 14, getting a good education and rising to become an influential leader in the State of New Jersey. As Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU, Ms. Silva oversees more than 8,000 members and helps negotiate multi-million dollar contracts that are good for business and workers.

We ask you to join us in condemning Jose Arango’s misogynistic comments and call for his resignation. Statements like this cannot be a part of this campaign and demean all women in the state of New Jersey.

We deserve better than his disrespect and contempt.

Sincerely,

Loretta Weinberg, Senate Majority Leader

Nia Gill, Senate President Pro Tempore

Nellie Pou, Senator

Teresa Ruiz, Senator

Bonnie Watson Coleman, Assemblywoman & Buono for Governor Campaign Chair

Marlene Caride, Assemblywoman

Valerie Vanieri Huttle, Assemblywoman

Mila Jasey, Assemblywoman

Angelica Jiminez, Assemblywoman

Pamela Lampitt, Assemblywoman & Chairwoman of the Assembly Women & Children Committee

Annette Quijano, Assemblywoman

Celeste Riley, Assemblywoman

Grace Spencer, Assemblywoman

Linda Stender, Assemblywoman

Shavonda Sumter, Assemblywoman

Connie Wagner, Assemblywoman

Nancee May, President of the New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women

Amy Papi, 2nd Vice President of the New Jersey Federation Democratic Women

Peg Schaffer, Somerset County Democratic Chairwoman

Liz Muoio, Mercer County Democratic Chairwoman

Lauren Murphy, President of the Women Empowered Democratic Organization of Passaic County, and Clifton Democratic Chairwoman

Kathy Makowski, President of the Middlesex County Federation of Democratic Women

Red Bank Councilwoman Kathy Horgan & Retha Onitiri, Co-Chairs of the Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus

Leslie Huhn, Chair of the Sussex County Women’s Caucus

Jamie Lombardi, Executive Director of the Sussex County Women’s Caucus

Buono Statement in Response to Arango’s Offensive Comments

New Brunswick, NJ – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono issued the following statement in response to the insulting comments made by Hudson County Republican Chairman Jose Arango:

"Jose Arango's wildly sexist statements are an insult to accomplished women everywhere who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Milly Silva has worked since the age of 14 to lift herself out of poverty and risen to become an executive overseeing thousands of workers and multi-million dollar contracts. I urge Governor Christie to demand the immediate resignation of Jose Arango and make clear such outrageous attacks have no place in his campaign. And the next time Mr. Arango thinks about demeaning a woman's achievement, maybe he'll remember the mothers and sisters and daughters across New Jersey who deserve better than his condescension and disrespect.”

--------------------------

**  Earlier today Hudson County Republican Chairman Jose Arango in rather sexists tones, dismissed Milly Silva, Barbara Buono's choice as Lt. Governor, as being basically  unqualified to be her running mate and compared her to his secretary stating:

 “Poor thing, it’s like picking my secretary. She’s a very nice person. The union likes her, but even in the union she’s vice president. She hasn’t been a committeewoman. It’s like the guy in CVS with no expertise who suddenly gets promoted to pharmacist. It’s like the guy saying, ‘I work at CVS, I can be the pharmacist.

Look, she’s a great person, but they just picked her because they couldn’t find anyone else, No one knows Milly.”

ICYMI: Buono Names Milly Silva Candidate for Lt. Governor

July 29,2013

New Brunswick, NJ – Today, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono announced her selection of Milly Silva to serve as Lieutenant Governor candidate. The Buono-Silva ticket is only the third all-female gubernatorial ticket in American history and the first in New Jersey.

Silva has spent her life fighting to lift up those in need. For a decade, Silva has been a leading the fight for working and middle class families. As the Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU, Silva was tasked with overseeing the region’s daily activities to ensure that its 7,000 workers earn living wage and businesses have a high quality workforce.

"Milly Silva is a woman whose fundamental beliefs align with this campaign’s guiding principle – that a strong New Jersey doesn’t come from the top down but stems from a robust middle class," said Senator Barbara Buono.

"That’s why today I am so proud to announce that she will be my running mate."

Raised by a single mother in the Bronx, Silva is the product of opportunity and quality education. In the seventh grade, she was awarded a scholarship to attend a prestigious middle school – an opportunity that enabled her to pursue her dream and obtain a quality education. She later graduated from Columbia University, becoming the first member of her family to obtain a college degree – on the back of loans, grants and a work-study program. She understands firsthand the power of opportunity the need to increase access to quality opportunities for all New Jerseyans.

“I am honored to stand with Senator Buono today as we embark on this journey to restore New Jersey,” Silva said. “Senator Buono has always been a strong advocate for our middle class and our working people, our women and our children and our seniors – and I am proud to be on the ticket with a woman who shares my values.”

Silva resides in Montclair with her husband, John, and their three young children.