Letter: Birdsall& A Tale of Two Crimes

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

When it comes to political corruption, serious crime pays in the Ocean County, New Jersey Superior Court.

Case in point: Howard Birdsall of Birdsall Services Group, pleaded guilty to corporate misconduct and fraud charges, admitting to making countless illegal political donations to score high-value government contracts. Under the terms of his plea before Judge James Den Uyl, he will get a four year sentence, with likely immediate Intensive Supervision Parole release. Mr. Birdsall might never see a day in prison.

Yet Jon Peditto, a local photographer who victimlessly grew 17 marijuana plants for his own usage and occasionally shared a joint with friends, was recently sentenced to eight years in state prison, with an over two year mandatory minimum, by fellow Ocean County Judge James Blaney.

Judge James Den Uyl should reject the sentencing recommendation in Mr. Birdsall's plea deal, and require Howard Birdsall to actually serve at least a decade in prison for his serious crimes or face a trial. The public cannot accept otherwise.



Eric Hafner
Toms River

Letter: Prosecutor Should Overlook Summer Shore Recreational Drug Use To Combat Heroin Distribution

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

As we approach another summer season on the Jersey Shore, many residents and visitors are going to be bringing commonly enjoyed substances such as cannabis, cocaine and MDMA with them to enhance those great summer nights.

But our current drug laws and police state mentality make tourism difficult and punish both consumers and local residents who supply these social tonics to other residents and tourists, supporting the local economy.

New Jerseyans should have a right to smoke a joint, pop a molly or do a line when they go down the shore. None of these activities are any worse than alcohol consumption, and our draconian drug laws disproportionately impact the future career opportunities of youth.

To encourage tourism in Seaside Heights, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato should suspend enforcement of laws against cannabis and club drug possession county-wide, while reallocating all drug enforcement resources to combat heroin distribution.


Eric Hafner
Toms River

Letter: Ocean County Prosecutors Should Prosecute Over Twitter Threat

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

I was horrified to learn that the Ocean County Prosecutors Office will not be criminally charging Jill McGuinness of Jackson NJ, for making threats over Twitter to bomb Jewish residents of Lakewood and run them over with her car.

The fact her father is New Jersey State Trooper Steve McGuinness seems to be the reason she is avoiding criminal prosecution. The NJSP has previously admitted to racially biased policies.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato should be fired for his professional incompetence and corruption in refusing to prosecute this aspiring Nazi terrorist.

I call upon the FBI to begin a federal investigation into the matter.

If the FBI fails to act, Mossad should capture her and hold her in detention in Israel to protect the Jewish community.



Eric Hafner
Toms River

NJ Watchdog: NO MATTER WHO WINS OCEAN COUNTY ELECTION, TAXPAYERS LOSE

For Immediate Release


No matter who wins next month's election, the sheriff of Ocean County will still be a double-dipper – and maybe a pension millionaire.

Since 1986, Sheriff William Polhemus has pocketed $929,793 in pension pay in addition to his salary. He currently receives $165,941 a year – $122,669 in salary plus a $43,272 pension as retired Seaside Heights police chief.

Both of his election opponents – Independent Dennis McMenamin and Democrat George "Bob" Armstrong – also draw pensions as retired law enforcement officers.

McMenamin receives a $90,398 a year tax-free disability pension. As a Stafford Township police lieutenant, McMenamin was injured in a 2006 on-duty accident involving an all-terrain-vehicle.

While the state considers him to be "totally and permanently disabled," McMenamin contends his disability would not impair his ability to serve as sheriff.

Democrat Armstrong gets a modest state pension of $7,836 a year from his five years of service as investigator for the State Commission of Investigations and the Division of Criminal Justice.

The story is online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org