NJDSC Chair LeRoy J. Jones, Jr. Statement on President Joseph R. Biden

For Immediate Release

July 21, 2024

TRENTON, NJ: NJDSC Chair LeRoy J. Jones Jr., is releasing the following statement:

I’ve maintained from the outset that I believe President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has done historically tremendous work serving as our President these last four years. President Biden’s decision to step back and allow for the selection of a new candidate to represent the Democratic Party against Donald Trump is just the latest example of what it looks like when someone prioritizes public service over their own self-interest and places the needs of the country above all.

I would like to thank President Biden on behalf of New Jersey Democrats for his lifetime of service and for his unique ability to rise to the moment once again and allow us all to devote our collective focus to making sure we defeat Donald Trump in November. I cannot imagine how difficult it was for him to arrive at this decision.

Trump’s rambling, meandering “speech” as the standard bearer for the Republican Party at the Republican national convention has hopefully served to crystallize the clear and present danger he poses to our country and our very democracy.

With the world watching, Trump used his stage to praise dictators, demonize immigrants, and advance disproven lies about both election fraud and his multiple ongoing legal issues. He lied almost two dozen times about everything ranging from inflation and job creation to his deadly response to Covid, while also somehow finding a moment to praise a fictional movie cannibal. And, yet, Trump never touched upon Project 2025 and his desire to eliminate every woman’s right to determine her own health care.

It is long past time that we all devote our full energy to defeating Donald Trump and making sure we elect Democrats up and down the ballot this November, starting with Kamala Harris for President if she is selected as the nominee. This threat is real and it deserves everyone’s full focus. President Biden’s action today allowing us all to move forward should serve as the exclamation point on a truly extraordinary career of service to the American public. Now we need to come together and hold up our end as Democrats.

In President Biden’s own estimation, Vice President Harris has been a tremendous partner in the fight to put America back on the right track and if she successfully obtains the Party nomination then we need to organize behind her and do the work to deliver New Jersey. In fact, one of the things the New Jersey Democratic Party does best is win elections, so we are certainly looking forward to being part of this historic process in seeking to determine the full extent of our national Democratic ticket against Trump, Vance and the engineers of Project 2025. We also have many incredible candidates, like our own Senator Cory Booker, who could be excellent VP nominees. That said, no matter the candidate, New Jersey is prepared to deliver for the Democratic Party.

Congressman Pallone Statement on President Biden’s Decision to Step Down as Democratic Presidential Nominee

For Immediate Release

 July 21, 2024

 Contact: Victoria Bonney, 202-577-8541

 WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) today issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s announcement that he will not seek re-election as the Democratic Presidential nominee: 

 “President Biden's decision to step back from the nomination reflects his selflessness as a leader. His legacy of putting his country first is underscored by more than fifty years of public service. I am grateful for his calm leadership while navigating the most challenging role on the planet, especially after four years of tumult and division sowed by Donald Trump. Now, our party must come together to defeat the authoritarian policies of the Republican nominee and ensure American democracy endures.”

Pallone Condemns Republican Plan to Defund Amtrak by 12%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2024

Contact: Victoria Bonney,  202-577-8541

 LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (CD-6) today sharply criticized House Republicans’ proposal to cut Amtrak funding by 12% in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation Appropriations bill. He urged Republicans from New Jersey and New York to stand up to the reckless plan to defund public transit serving the Northeast Corridor. 

 “This 12% cut to Amtrak is a direct attack on the hardworking commuters of New Jersey and New York who rely on these services every day,” said Pallone. “We’ve invested billions through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade and modernize our rail systems. Slashing Amtrak’s budget now undermines those efforts and puts our progress at risk.”

 The proposed Transportation-HUD Appropriations funding bill, overseen by Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), would reduce Amtrak’s annual federal funding by over a billion dollars. Pallone emphasized the importance of maintaining robust funding for Amtrak to ensure reliable and safe transportation for millions of Americans. 

 “These cuts are utterly unacceptable,” Pallone continued. “Reduced funding will only lead to more delays, service disruptions, and outdated infrastructure. I call on my Republican colleagues from New Jersey and New York to stand up against this radical proposal and protect our constituents.”

Press Release: Middletown Republican Party fails to file campaign finance reports for 4 years

For Immediate Release 

10/26/2020 

 MIDDLETOWN – On October 22, 2020 -- in “Middletown GOP says they’ve filed campaign finance reports. NJ says they haven’t.” -- the Asbury Park Press reported an alleged serious violation of New Jersey campaign finance law by the Middletown Township Republican Organization, involving the Organization’s failure to file quarterly financial reports to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) for the last four years. Even though the State sends written reminders to political organizations to file these reports, the Middletown Township Republican Organization has not filed a report since the 3rd quarter of 2016, when it reported $39,000 on hand.  State Assemblyman Gerard Scharfenberger’s daughter, Alannah, was listed as the Treasurer when the last report was filed in October 2016. She is married to Middletown’s Mayor, Tony Perry, who was appointed to the Township Committee in November 2017 to fill his father-in-law’s seat. Since 2016, the Organization has made contributions to other political campaigns and committees in the amount of $22,650, per the ELEC reports filed by those other entities. Those outflows and the initial collection of monies have gone unreported by the Middletown Republican Organization. The Asbury Park Press obtained copies of multiple violation notices mailed out by ELEC. 

These reporting requirements matter. New Jersey’s Pay-to-Play Law prohibits a local government from awarding a contract to a vendor who has made a political contribution unless a “fair and open process” has been used. For the last 4 years, the donors to the Republican Organization in Middletown are unknown. This hurts transparency and diminishes the ability of the citizenry to hold public officials accountable. The State’s Pay-to-Play laws are also intended to address “wheeling”, the practice of channeling money through different political committees to circumvent contribution limits. When political organizations ignore their reporting requirements, enforcing the law becomes difficult. 

The flagrant refusal to abide by the law is especially damaging in Middletown, where the Middletown Republican Organization oversees a network of appointments and contributions that can be financially rewarding for the professionals who participate. The all-Republican Township Committee laid the groundwork for pay-to-play when they abandoned a more rigid pay-to-play ordinance in 2012. https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/new-pay-to-play ordinance-adopted-at-committee-meeting. Since then, Committee members Fiore, Settembrino, and Hibell have been depositing campaign checks from T&M Engineering; the firm has somehow always been appointed as Middletown’s Engineering firm under this “fair and open” process for over 30 years. This appointment can lead to revenue for the firm exceeding $1.0 Million in a single year. Campaign donations have also come from Maser Consulting, the engineering firm consistently hired by the Middletown Sewerage Authority year to year, and from the law firm of our Township Attorney (Archer & Greiner). 

 More disturbing, Gibbons PC, the law firm of the Republican Party Chairman, Peter Carton, has been appointed as bond counsel to Middletown for decades. (Mr. Carton is quoted in the APP article and claims the required ELEC reports were filed but somehow went missing, and that he, a partner at one of the largest law firms in the State, has no copies.) Middletown is also an important cog in the County Republican sphere of influence, and it is there that he makes his biggest score, where every year his law firm, Gibbons, is appointed Bond Counsel for the County of Monmouth, earning $495/hour for this work. So much for competitive bidding. Remarkably, when Middletown receives financing from the Monmouth County Improvement Authority, Carton’s firm represents both the County and Middletown.

The “fair and open process” exception in the State’s Local Unit Pay-to-Play Law is intended to drive down contract costs through competition, but is a joke when Middletown appoints the same professionals every year. The Township has had the same engineering firm for approximately 40 years. The Middletown Committee members vote together on almost every single matter put before them, because, we believe, they have no choice.

Since 2016, numerous republican candidates have been elected or appointed to the five-member Middletown Township Committee, including Patricia Snell, who is currently running for re election on the 2020 ballot. The gravy train of donations is no secret. Public records between 2016 and 2020 tell a familiar story. In 2018, Tony Perry received two donations from T&M Engineering of $1600 and $1200. (We also should not be surprised that More Monmouth Musings blogger Art Gallagher was actively blogging in support of the republican team, since his company, Gallco Media, https://www.linkedin.com/in/artgallagher/, is getting paid by them. Mr. Perry’s campaign made payments of $1360 to Mr. Gallagher’s company (Gallco) for “Social Media Consulting”.) Committeeman Rick Hibell is no stranger to the benefits of the township’s amended pay-to-play ordinance, having received in 2018 $600 from T&M and $1,000 from Archer & Greiner, the law firm of Middletown Township Attorney Brian Nelson. Newcomer Ryan Clarke has joined in this professional largesse in 2020, receiving $1,000 from the law firm of the Township Attorney, $1,750 from Maser Consulting, the engineering firm of Middletown’s Sewerage Authority, and $1,450 from the ever-reliable T&M Engineering.

But when it comes to collecting professional donations, Committeeman Tony Fiore reigns supreme. In his campaign in 2017, our Township Engineers (T&M), whom Mr. Fiore voted to reappoint every year since then, made donations of $2,600 and $600 to his campaign. Maser Consulting, our perennial Sewerage Authority Engineers, made donations of $2,600 and $1,200. Not to be outdone, Archer & Greiner, the law firm of our Township Attorney, Brian Nelson, donated $2,000. That’s $9,000 in donations for Mr. Fiore from outside professionals working for Middletown. Committeeman Settembrino was right behind him with the following donations from T&M for his 2016 campaign: $2600 on 5/10/2016, $900 on 7/21/2016 and $600 on 9/13/2016. In 2019, Settembrino raked in $1,600 from T&M, $1,000 from our Township Attorney, and $1,200 from Maser.

“This is a serious matter,” said Middletown’s Democratic Chairman, Michael Morris. “We should question not only the ethics of Republican officials, but whether taxpayers have been overcharged for contracts that were awarded without competitive bidding when the law required it,” Morris continued. “That is not putting taxpayers first,” he said.

For supporting documentation .... Click Here

 

Middletown Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
April 12, 2018

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Middletown man who was arrested as part of Operation School’s Out pleaded guilty to the distribution of child pornography, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Dale Williams, 46, of Leonard Avenue in Middletown, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Distribution of Child Pornography) before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr.


In pleading guilty, Williams admitted he used Peer-to-Peer file-sharing software to download child pornography images and videos.

In exchange for his guilty plea, the State agreed to recommend a sentence of 3 years in New Jersey State Prison. Upon his release from prison, Williams will also be subject to the provisions of “Megan's Law.” Sentencing is scheduled to take place on July 6, 2018 before Judge Falcetano.

Williams was arrested on July 21, 2017 as part of “Operation School’s Out,” a summer-long operation into online consumers of child pornography that resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals. The operation was carried out by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit and Monmouth County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force between July 20 and August 31, 2017.

Assisting in Operation School’s Out were members of the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit, New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, New Jersey ICAC Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigations, New Jersey State Parole Board, and the Asbury Park, Belmar, Eatontown, Freehold Township, Hazlet Township, Holmdel Township, Howell Township, Keansburg, Keyport, Long Branch, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township, Middletown Township, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Sea Bright, Tinton Falls, and Wall Township police departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Margaret Koping.

Williams is represented by Richard Lomurro, Esq., of Freehold.

Victor Scudiery Endorses Welle For Congress

For Immediate Release:
12/18/18


Red Bank, NJ – Victor Scudiery, who chaired the Monmouth County Democrats for 23 years, endorsed Josh Welle for Congress in the 4th Congressional seat held by Chris Smith for 37 years.

Josh Welle

In a statement, Scudiery said that “Josh understands the challenges our working families face to pay their mortgages, their bills and their health care. He’s taken the time to listen to our residents’ concerns and has innovative ways and ideas to make Washington work for us again.

“His experience in the Navy and in starting a tech business, give him critical insight into the jobs and careers of the 21st Century. He can help shape a new economy for our region and nation.

“I am particularly struck by Josh’s leadership skills. The Navy taught him well. He has the experience of a Naval Officer who must put service first and protect the rights of all people. We need more people who put service before self in Washington.”

Welle welcomed the support of the chairman, who helped to elect a Democratic majority to Monmouth County government and ended 35 years of Republican rule.

“I’m honored to have the support of such an important leader in politics and business,” Welle said. “Victor’s care and concern for his employees, our party and our institutions is legendary. With his counsel to help guide me, I believe we’re even closer to winning in November.”

“MACARTHURCARE” HAS NEW JERSEY HOUSE GOP RUNNING FOR COVER -- LITERALLY

[Trenton] — Efforts to revive the Trump administration’s attempt to cut off health care insurance coverage for 24 million Americans have New Jersey’s House Republicans running for cover -- literally.

Although the revised bill has allowed Rep. Tom MacArthur to attract the national spotlight, it has also sent him running from reporters. In fact, there were numerous accounts (here, here) of the third-term Congressman's cowardice.

MacArthur’s proposed legislation, which is designed to curry favor with the radical, conservative House Freedom Caucus, has largely been panned by policy experts for being worse than the previous bill. It would once again allow insurers to cover fewer benefits and charge older and sicker patients exorbitantly high premiums. And in a classic display of hypocrisy, the Republican's amendment carved out an exception for the Congress and its staff.

While MacArthur dodges accountability, Rep. Frelinghuysen is also scrambling to find ways to appease his leaders. News reports indicate that he was forced to apologize for his opposition to the flawed bill, and his perceived insubordination even prompted the Republican leadership to consider removing him from his committee chairmanship in retaliation.

“Put aside for a moment the widespread unpopularity of these hastily-crafted bills and the questionable political motives at work. New Jersey’s House Republicans are not only considering how to harm their constituents’ health while enriching corporations, but their biggest priority appears to be how to get away with it,” said John Currie, the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. “At best, these guys have forgotten that they serve their constituents, not special interests. At worst, they are being compelled to do what is wrong for their communities for political reasons. Either way, it is disturbing, and it is reason enough to remove them from their elected offices.

In C-SPAN Survey Of Presidential Historians: Obama Ranks 12th Best

From C-Span:
Press Release


(Washington, DC, February 17, 2017) – As the nation marks Presidents Day 2017, C-SPAN is releasing the results of its third Historians Survey of Presidential Leadership, in which a cross-section of 91 presidential historians ranked the 43 former occupants of the White House on ten attributes of
leadership.

As in C-SPAN's first two surveys, released in 2000 and 2009, Abraham Lincoln receives top billing among the historians. George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt retain their top five status, while Dwight Eisenhower moves into the top five for the first time.

Former President Barack Obama enters the ranks for the first time in the #12 position. Notably, his
leadership category ratings range from #3 for "Pursued Equal Justice for All," to #39 for "Relations withCongress." His predecessor, George W. Bush, has benefitted somewhat from the passing of years: His ranking at #33, is up three places from our 2009 survey. Dwight Eisenhower also advanced three spots since 2009, moving to the #5 position from #8 overall. Bill Clinton remains unchanged at #15.

The biggest presidential loser from our 2009 survey is Andrew Jackson, who was #13 in 2009, and who now stands at #18 overall.

Three presidents continue to hold the same bottom rankings as they did in 2000 and 2009: James
Buchanan remains in last place at #43, preceded by Andrew Johnson (#42), and Franklin Pierce (#41).Note that they rank even lower than William Henry Harrison, who served for only one month.
The most-average U.S. president, as rated by our historian participants is Ulysses S. Grant, who ranks 22 out of 43 presidents.

A team of academic advisors has guided C-SPAN for each of its three surveys: Dr. Douglas Brinkley,
Professor of History at Rice University; Dr. Edna Greene Medford, Professor of History, Howard
University; and Richard Norton Smith, presidential historian and biographer. The team approved the tencriteria, the same used in C-SPAN's 2000 and 2009 Surveys, consulted on the list of invited participants, and supervised the reporting of the results.

Full rankings for each of the 43 presidents as well as shareable/social media graphics are available at
www.c-span.org/presidentsurvey2017 .

Our Advisory Teams' Observations:

 Douglas Brinkley:
"Once again the Big Three are Lincoln, Washington and FDR - as it should be. That Obama came
in at number 12 his first time out is quite impressive. And the survey is surprisingly good news
for George W. Bush, who shot up a few notches."

 Edna Greene Medford:
"Although 12th is a respectable overall ranking, one would have thought that former President
Obama’s favorable rating when he left office would have translated into a higher ranking in this
presidential survey. I am especially surprised that he was ranked at 7th in moral authority
(despite heading a scandal-free administration); 19th in administrative skills; and 8th in
economic management (despite having helped to save the auto industry and significantly
reducing unemployment). But, of course, historians prefer to view the past from a distance, and
only time will reveal his legacy."

 Richard Norton Smith:
"The golden age of the American presidency, according to this survey, is 1933-1969. Five
presidents from this era each rank in the top ten which tells you something about the criteria
that historians tend to use. It reinforces Franklin Roosevelt's claim to be not only the first
modern president but the man who, in reinventing the office, also established the criteria by
which we judge our leaders."

Methodology

C-SPAN's academic advisors devised a survey in which participants used a one ("not effective") to ten ("very effective") scale to rate each president on ten qualities of presidential leadership: "Public
Persuasion," "Crisis Leadership," "Economic Management," "Moral Authority," "International Relations," "Administrative Skills," "Relations with Congress," "Vision/Setting An Agenda," "Pursued Equal Justice for All," and "Performance Within the Context of His Times." Surveys were distributed to historians, biographers, and other professional observers of the presidency, drawn from a database of C-SPAN's programming, augmented by suggestions from the academic advisors. Participants were guaranteed that individual survey results would remain confidential. Survey responses were tabulated by averaging all responses in a given category for each president. Each of the ten categories was given equal weighting in the total scores. Overseeing tabulations, as they did for the past two surveys, were C-SPAN co-CEO/CFO Robert Kennedy and Dr. Robert Browning, a political scientist who serves as Executive Director of the C-SPAN Archives.

LONG BRANCH RESIDENT UPS REWARD $5,000 FOR CAPTURE OF POLICE ASSAILANT

From NJ State PBA:
11/14/16

Vin Gopal

In order to bring attention and awareness to the September 21, 2016 attack on Long Branch police officer Michael Monahan, Long Branch resident Vin Gopal is committed to giving $5,000 on top of the PBA's $25,000 reward through the NJ COP SHOT program and Monmouth County Crime Stoppers bringing the total reward to $30,000.


Anyone with information about the incident is asked to reach out to Detective Joe Spitale of the Long Branch Police Department at 732-222-1000. The rewards will be given for information which leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of any suspect(s) in the assault of a police officer.

"We appreciate a Long Branch resident stepping up in order to bring attention back to this issue. It has been nearly two months since the incident and it is important we capture the individual who assaulted Officer Monahan," stated New Jersey State PBA President Pat Colligan.

The NJ State PBA is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Monmouth County at 1-800-671-400 or to text “TIPPCOP” plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES). NJ Cop Shot is a program run by the New Jersey State PBA.

There are two (2) ways to report a crime while remaining completely anonymous (confidential).
1. Call the tip line 1-800-671-4400

2. Text “TIPCOP” plus your tip to: 274637 (CRIMES)

FULTON CALLS ON DIMASO TO REIMBURSE TAXPAYERS FOLLOWING ASBURY PARK PRESS INVESTIGATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2016


HAZLET – Following today’s front page investigative report from the Asbury Park Press exposing the fact that Monmouth County Freeholder Serena DiMaso has been in violation of receiving family health coverage at the expense of Monmouth County residents, Sue Fulton today called on DiMaso to immediately reimburse county taxpayers. Fulton is a candidate for freeholder who has twenty years experience managing at Fortune 100 companies.

Freeholder Serena DiMaso

“Today’s investigative report exposes exactly what is wrong with our government in Monmouth County,” said Fulton. “Serena DiMaso has worked the system to all of our detriment, giving taxpayers the bill for her family health coverage in clear violation of the law. Freeholder DiMaso owes Monmouth County taxpayers a proper explanation for why she betrayed the public’s trust and forced us all to pay for her family health coverage and she should immediately pay back every dime.”

According to the APP, DiMaso paid for COBRA, the federal system offered to former full-time county employees in which they pay monthly in order to keep their health benefits for up to 18 months after leaving their jobs. DiMaso was operating in violation of a years old resolution stating that county freeholders cannot receive health benefits. Also according to the APP, on January 21st of this year the Monmouth County freeholders unanimously passed a resolution that extended health benefits to part-time employees who work 30 hours a week, even though that threshold has been in place since 2008. The resolution from this year, which DiMaso voted on, also removed the restriction on the freeholder’s ability to receive coverage.

“Freeholder Dimaso is not a full-time employee, she should not have been receiving COBRA through the county, and she certainly should not have voted on a resolution that could only serve to try and justify her actions in advance of her campaign for re-election,” said Fulton. “Serena DiMaso’s actions would have swift consequences in the private sector, I can’t imagine why her position in the service of county taxpayers should be any different.”

Candidates for Township Committee, Mary Jo Fabiano & Ralph Borgess Pledge to Do What It Takes to Stop MCRP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2016

Middletown Township Committee Candidates Mary Jo Fabiano and Ralph Borgess announced that, when elected, they will do everything it takes to oppose the Monmouth County Reliability Project (MCRP). They expressed disappointment with how the Township Committee has handled JCP&L’s proposal. They stated that the Committee is not acting aggressively enough to challenge JCP&L’s conclusions that allegedly support the project.

The MCRP has been proposed by JCP&L and includes installing a 230kV power line along the NJ Transit right of way from Red Bank to Aberdeen. The power lines will be installed on monopoles that could reach as high as 200 feet.

Ralph Borgess said that the Township needs to be more aggressive in approaching this issue. “Maser Consulting, the engineering firm contracted by the township as a utility expert needs to analyze the project from two perspectives:

1. Is the project necessary?
2. If necessary can the project be constructed in a way that minimizes the negative impact on Middletown residents?

There are better ways to advance the project, if it deemed to be necessary, while protecting the health of the residents in the path of the electric lines and preserve property values.”

Mary Jo Fabiano cited health concerns that may be caused by exposure to high voltage electrical lines. “This project runs along the NJ Transit train line, which is in close proximity to a number of schools as well as over 400 residences. Can we take the chance of continually exposing residents and children without conclusive data telling us this is safe?”

Both candidates agree that, if the need is there, this project should be moved underground where there are no unsightly monopoles and it is shielded by the earth it is buried in so that any negative health consequences are minimized.

########

Mary Jo Fabiano and Ralph Borgess are Democratic candidates for the Middletown Township Committee website: www.ABetterMiddletown.com

Salute to Patriotism Gala Celebrates 21st Anniversary of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



The Gala on October 27 will honor New Jersey Senate President Senator Steve Sweeney for his support of Veterans

Holmdel, NJ (September 15, 2016) – This year’s New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation Salute to Patriotism Gala will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Memorial and honor Senator Steve Sweeney for his support of veterans and active duty military. The gala will be held Thursday, October 27, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m., at the Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, 20 Shore Oaks Drive, Farmingdale, NJ. Since 1995, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial has provided a place to honor those who have served and continue to serve our country. The Memorial is a place “To Remember, To Heal, To Honor” through ceremonies and outreach programs. The adjacent Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center is the only museum of its kind in America.

Senator Steve Sweeney, the President of the New Jersey Senate since 2010, has represented the Third Legislative District since 2002, and has been a leader on important state issues, including fighting to improve the lives of our state’s Veterans. As Senate President, he has dedicated himself to making sure New Jersey Veterans are treated with dignity and respect. The Senator oversaw the passage and enactment of numerous pieces of legislation benefitting Veterans and their families including:

• Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program telephone hotline
• Military Dependents Scholarship Fund Act
• Veterans Haven Council to protect Veterans against the danger of homelessness
• Tax and incentive programs for Veterans and Veteran-owned businesses

Senator Sweeney has long believed that Veterans are among the most dedicated and hardworking individuals, and fought for the Helmets to Hardhats Program that assists Veterans looking for work in the construction industry, particularly through a partnership with the Turnpike Authority. To make sure Veterans receive the public recognition for their sacrifice that they deserve, Senator Sweeney successfully called for legislation and resolutions to rename several roadways in honor of our state’s military men and women, including designating a portion of Route 47 in Glassboro as “South Jersey Vietnam Veterans Highway.”

While serving as Gloucester County Freeholder Director, Senator Sweeney committed himself to making sure Veterans had a strong advocate. Some of his most significant accomplishments include creating a full-time Veterans Affairs Office, opening a health clinic for Veterans, building the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery and beginning the acclaimed Wall of Heroes Memorial to honor those men and women killed or missing in action in service to the United States Military.


The Gala will feature an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, silent auction and live music. Tickets are $200 for individuals and $400 for couples. Dress is business attire. Moderator for the evening is Jack Ford, noted legal analyst.

Michael Warner is the Gala Chair, and Gala Vice Chairs are Senator Dawn Addiego, Senator James Beach, Bobby Briant, Jr., Duane Sarmiento, and Sheriff Whip Wilson. The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation Executive Director is Bill Linderman and the Board of Trustees are Chairman Clark W. Martin, Bobby Briant, Jr., Roy D. Budd, Harry Chowansky III, Francis P. Crotty, James S. Cusick, Beverly Fedorko-Ott, Thomas P. Ford, Jess Le Vine, Robert W. Looby, Frank A. Messineo, Gordon S. Pingicer, W. Peter Ragan, Sr., John C. Ricker, Harry Sassaman, Jack Tully, Michael Warner, Gilbert “Whip” Wilson, and Herb Worthington.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 732-335-0033 or visit www.njvvmf.org.

Monmouth County Republican Chair and County Sheriff Shaun Golden and his Candidates for County Office on Trump: . . ?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Monmouth County Democrats
6/10/16


“It’s time for Golden to tell his ticket where they stand on Trump so they can let Monmouth County voters know.”

HAZLET- Editorial writers, columnists, politicians and voters everywhere are continuing to talk about Donald Trump’s racist, bigoted remarks made in the aftermath of revelations that his Trump University was preying on hard-working middle class families and seniors.

Some Republican Leaders have come out against their presumptive nominee for President and some are attempting to rationalize Trump’s statements.

However, Monmouth County Republican Chairman and candidate for Sheriff Shaun Golden and his entire hand picked County ticket have silently shrunk away from the Trump controversies. Rather than let their constituents know where they stand, they continue to put their partisan politics before the communities they were elected to serve in the hopes that voters forget by November 7th.

It’s time for Golden to tell his ticket where they stand on Trump so they can let Monmouth County voters know.

This is what people are saying in Monmouth County, across New Jersey and throughout the country:

http://politickernj.com/2016/06/trump-based-attacks-surface-as-state-republicans-stay-mum/

“We expect office holders in Monmouth County to stand against racism, bigotry and anyone who would take advantage of hard-working middle class families and seniors,” wrote Democratic freeholder candidates Sue Fulton and Matt Doherty. “Donald Trump and his Trump University targeted and took advantage of countless people – and now he is attempting to defend that behavior with more bigotry and bias.

“Mr. Trump is the standard-bearer for their party; we need to whether our office-holders share Mr. Trump’s values, or whether they will put their community ahead of party loyalty.”

http://www.app.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/06/08/christie-trump-defense-racist-remarks/85608982/

Trump’s remarks were purely racist, despite denials by Trump himself and by Christie. He made a judgment about the judge based solely on his heritage. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said Trump’s comments were “the textbook definition of racist comments” — a textbook Trump could fill by himself with his bigoted remarks about Mexicans and Muslims and his sexist remarks about women.

Nonetheless, Ryan said he would support Trump regardless. But at least he repudiated Trump’s remarks instead of trying to rationalize them, as Christie did.

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/06/chris_christies_endless_ambition_leads_him_to_embr.html

He was asked about Trump's novel assertion that a judge of Mexican descent should be barred from presiding over the Trump University fraud case. Because, you know, he's Mexican.

Trump later added that Muslim judges should probably be barred as well.

Republicans everywhere winced. Their undisputed leader was slicing up America into racial and religious fiefdoms, and sowing profound disrespect for the rule of law.
Should black defendants now insist on having black judges? Whites can only trust fellow whites? Christians can only trust fellow Christians? If we followed Trump down this wormhole, where would it end?

Forget about the freedom and prosperity that the rule of law has brought: Let's go tribal.
Suddenly, the comparison to Adolf Hitler made by Gov. Christie Whitman seems prophetic.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who endorsed Trump only a few days ago, called it "a textbook definition of a racist comment."

http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/trump-may-become-the-textbook-definition-of-racism-1.1613971

Horrible things happen when average people do nothing, when they refuse for self-serving purposes (See: Christie) to acknowledge a truth that needs to be acknowledged. The candidacy of Donald Trump is built on fear, frustration and racism.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/06/08/editorial-grassley-ignores-judicial-crisis-and-trumps-racism/85549460/

As Edmund Burke said, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. And when it comes to Donald Trump, there are invertebrates that have shown more spine than (Iowa) Sen. Charles Grassley.

http://www.salon.com/2016/06/07/no_way_out_for_trump_backing_republicans_hes_doubling_down_on_racist_remarks_as_gop_leaders_struggle_to_respond/

“The GOP Trump train was already full of uneasy passengers, people who know he’s a charlatan but are too cowardly to take a principled stand. Things escalated this week when Trump let loose a string of nakedly racist statements about a Mexican-American U.S. District Judge (Gonzalo Curiel) and promptly followed it up with another, equally racist statement about a hypothetical Muslim judge . . . “

“You’d think that time would’ve occurred when Trump proposed banning all Muslims from entering the country or when he suggested killing the families of suspected terrorists or when he propounded birther conspiracies, but nope, this was the final straw. As I wrote yesterday, the time for Republicans to criticize Trump has long past. Claiming an American judge can’t do his duty on account of his Mexican heritage is revolting, but no more or less revolting than a dozen other things Trump has said or done. Hence all this moralizing from Republicans feels flat and empty at this point.
At any rate, you can expect more angst from Republicans in the coming months. The price of hopping aboard the Trump train is going to rise immeasurably between now and November. Trump’s statements about Judge Curiel have been universally loathed, and yet he’s made it clear he has no intention of backing away from them. In fact, as is his custom, he’s doubling down . . . “

“None of this is surprising. This is who Trump has been since he lunged into presidential politics. He won’t back down. He’s going to own every stupid and hateful thing he says. And now, because they opened their doors to him, the Republican Party is going to own it too.”

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/trump-house-republicans-racism-224000

Or, in the case of endangered Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), ditching Trump altogether.

By the end of the day, Trump had issued a new statement blaming the media for his problems, without apologizing to the Indiana-born federal judge, Gonzalo Curiel, who is presiding over lawsuits against Trump University. Trump then declared he was done commenting on the matter.

But the damage was already done.

"I have spent my life building bridges and tearing down barriers — not building walls. That's why I find Donald Trump's belief that an American-born judge of Mexican descent is incapable of fairly presiding over his case is not only dead wrong, it is un-American," the first-term senator said. "After much consideration, I have concluded that Donald Trump has not demonstrated the temperament necessary to assume the greatest office in the world."

NJDSC: REP. SCOTT GARRETT TURNS TO OTHER EXTREMISTS FOR FUNDING AS HIS ANTI-LGBT VIEWS REPEL CORPORATE DONORS

(Trenton) -- According to the latest campaign finance records, the hateful anti-LGBT views of North Jersey's resident Tea Party extremist, Rep. Scott Garrett, have made him toxic to the corporations that previously supported his campaign.

Garrett raised one-fourth of the amount he took in from businesses at this time in the previous election cycle, reports show. And, Garrett’s First Quarter fundraising from businesses plummeted from an average of nearly $64,500* over the last three election cycles to just $15,500 raised from businesses this quarter. To fund his campaign, Garrett is now relying more heavily on donations from far-right Tea Party groups and members of Congress who share his long track record of hostility to equal rights for the LGBT community.

Garrett became radioactive to corporate donors after Politico reported this summer that the Tea Partier refused to contribute to the House Republicans’ fundraising arm because it supported gay candidates. Soon after, BusinessWeek dubbed Garrett "Wall Street’s Bigot in Washington."

Many companies have corporate policies that explicitly require LGBT equality. These and others have publicly distanced themselves from Garrett and announced that they will no longer write checks to him. These companies include Goldman Sachs, Capital One, BBCA Compass, U.S. Bancorp, Nomura Holdings, PNC Bank and State Farm. A recent Star-Ledger editorial noted the similarities in Garrett’s fundraising failures to the wave of companies speaking out against anti-LGBT laws in places like North Carolina and Mississippi.

State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) said Garrett’s stalled fundraising is proof that corporations are standing with their LGBT customers and employees against Garrett’s hate and bigotry.

"Scott Garrett is way out of step with New Jersey's values, and I'm glad that businesses are joining the fight against bigotry by withholding campaign funds from him. Public officials should stand up for tolerance and decency, not against them. Clearly, corporate interests are recognizing that funding anti-LGBT extremism tarnishes their respective brands, and hurts their bottom lines," Weinberg said.

With his corporate wells drying up, a desperate Garrett has turned to national Tea Party groups to fill his depleted coffers. In the first three months of 2016, the proportion of contributions Garrett received from anti-LGBT Tea Party groups increased six-fold compared to the three previous election cycles.

Notably, Garrett received $5,000 from FRC, a Radical Right group with a long history of disparaging the LGBT community. Last week, an FRC spokesperson called LGBT rights activists "un-American" for opposing laws that permit discrimination of LGBT individuals.

Similarly, Garrett’s reliance on checks from his fellow anti-LGBT Tea Party members increased nearly 30-fold, from only $1,000 or 0.5% of his contributions this time last Congressional cycle to $29,795 or 11% in the first quarter of 2016. For example, this year, he took money from the likes of Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia, who has claimed that the LGBT movement wants to "eliminate free speech", compared being gay to alcoholism and drug addiction, and fallaciously stated that LGBT people have "tendencies to lie" and "tendencies to be violent."

A sampling of Garrett’s anti-LGBT cronies follows:

• Family Research Council (FRC) – According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “FRC often makes false claims about the LGBT community based on discredited research and junk science.” FRC gave Garrett $5,000.
• Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) – Hice claimed the LGBT movement wants to “eliminate free speech,” compared being gay to alcoholism and drug addiction, and asserted that LGBT people have “tendencies to lie” and “tendencies to be violent.” He gave $1,000.
• Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) – In the 113th congress, Meadows earned a 30% rating from the HRC. He gave $8,795.
• Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) – Congressman Ribble has earned 0% ratings from the Human Rights Campaign for his votes during the 112th and 113th Congresses. He gave $1,000.
• Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) – Rep. Fincher earned a 30% rating from HRC during the 113th Congress and a 0% rating in the 112th Congress. He gave $2,000.
• Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) – Rep. Aderholt earned a 0% rating from HRC in the previous three Congressional terms. He gave $1,000.
• Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) – Rep. Babin is co-sponsor of a bill that would undermine the government’s ability to combat anti-LGBT discrimination. He gave $1,000.
• Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA) – In the 112th and 113th Congresses, Rep. Rigell earned a 0% rating from HRC. He gave $2,000.
• Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) - In the 111th, 112th, and 113th Congresses, Rep. Lummis earned a 0% rating from HRC. She gave $1,000.
• Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) – In the 111th, 112th, and 113th Congresses, Brady earned a 0% rating from the HRC. He gave $1,000.
• Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) - In the 111th, 112th, and 113th Congresses, Burgess earned a 0% rating from HRC. He gave $1,000.

CANTOR: GOLDEN’S TRUMP SILENCE ONCE AGAIN HIGHLIGHTS HIS CONFLICTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 21, 2016



HAZLET- On the heels of Donald Trump’s victory in the New York Republican Presidential Primary, Monmouth County Democratic candidate for Sheriff, Jeff Cantor, today questioned why Monmouth County Sheriff and County Republican Party Boss, Shaun Golden is refusing to let people know whether he stands in support of Trump for President. Trump has already been endorsed by the head of the New Jersey Republican Party, Chris Christie, as well as by Golden’s fellow Party Boss, Ocean County’s George Gilmore.

With New Jersey’s June 7th Primary date looming and the Republican nominee for President far from decided, Trump’s many controversial positions have forced Golden’s position as Republican Party Boss to again come into sharper focus in conjunction with his position as the County’s highest ranking law enforcement official. This is just the latest conflict of interest brought on by Golden’s positions as both County Republican Party Chairman and County Sheriff.

“Donald Trump has advocated for advanced torture methods, called for a wall to be built to discriminate against people and even said at one point that women seeking abortions should ‘be punished,’” said Cantor. “Donald Trump’s hateful, bigoted positions have been very clear from the outset of his campaign for President and it is well past time for Shaun Golden to work through his conflicted interests as Party Boss and County Sheriff and let us all know whether the Monmouth County Sheriff believes Donald Trump should be our next President. The fact is that in his ‘day job’ as County Sheriff, Shaun Golden is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure and safety for over 600,000 Monmouth County residents, so his party politics are not my concern.”

This conflict has long been an issue, even within Golden’s own party, as evidenced by statements made during Golden's recent run for Republican Party Chairman by former Monmouth County Prosecutor and President of the Monmouth County Affiliated Republican Club, John Kaye, former Monmouth County Republican Chairman Fredrick Niemann as well as Manalapan Township Republican County Chairman Steve McEnery and Freehold Township Republican County Committee Chairman Anthony Graziano.

Former County Prosecutor Kaye said that holding both the Chairman and Sheriff’s positions: “ . . . would immediately create conflicts for our Freeholders and vulnerabilities for our candidates that put everyone at risk . . . This is because the Sheriff’s office is part of the county government and subject to the Board of Freeholder’s review for funding. “

Former Chairman Niemann wrote: “You are either an elected official or a party leader. You can’t do both. To do both is an inherent conflict of interest.”

At the same time, McEnery and Graziano cited numerous potential ethical conflicts in Golden serving as Party Boss and Sheriff and they wrote: “ . . . he will, among other things, be seeking approval for various necessities tied to the County’s largest Department, including its budget, from the very same people who will be looking to him for support, endorsement, and financing during election cycles.”

**********

Jeff Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Gopal And Cantor To Golden: Do You Support Donald Trump?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2016


HAZLET- Following Republican Presidential front runner Donald Trump's repeated calls to reinstitute waterboarding as a means of interrogation and for torture methods that would go further, Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal and Monmouth County Democratic candidate for Sheriff Jeff Cantor, a 30 year military veteran, released the following statement asking Monmouth County Republican Chairman and County Sheriff Shaun Golden if he supports Trump for President.

" Like millions across the world, we were appalled to see the most recent atrocities carried out by those that would seek to plunge our world into chaos and violence. Also, like many, we want to see everyone involved brought to justice so that they may be punished and so they may shed light on any other potential plots against humanity. However, in a civilized society, torture can never be the answer. The fact that the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for President, Donald Trump, proudly stands in favor of torturing suspects is truly disturbing. While it may be a bit unorthodox for both the Democratic Chairman and the Democratic candidate for Sheriff to both call on Shaun Golden to say whether he endorses Donald Trump for President, it is entirely appropriate in this case given the fact that Golden serves two very important and influential roles in Monmouth County.

Serving as Monmouth County Sheriff, Shaun Golden is the top law enforcement official in Monmouth County, and county residents deserve to know if he stands in support of someone who strongly and proudly advocates in favor of torture. As the Monmouth County Republican Chairman, Shaun Golden most certainly needs to take into consideration the fact that the head of the Republican Party in New Jersey, Chris Christie, has been among Donald Trump's most outspoken supporters. While these two positions may be at odds, it is time for Shaun Golden to let everyone know if he stands in support of Donald Trump. We would appreciate the Chairman's answer before his hand-picked Freeholder candidates pass the budget for his Sheriff's Department tonight."

Jeff Cantor previously announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Sheriff. Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Middletown Official Indicted in Tax Fraud for Not Reporting Income

Todd W. Costello, Middletown's director of Management Information Systems has been charged with Tax Fraud by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office. I wonder what else they'd find if they dug a little deeper into Middletown's shady dealings?

Here is the press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office as posted on ahherald.com:

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Monmouth County grand jury has returned an indictment charging the director of Management Information Systems in Middletown Township for underreporting his income on his 2010-2014 tax returns and failing to disclose income from outside his employment with the township, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Todd W. Costello, 45, of Jackson, is named in a 14-count indictment charging him with five counts of third degree Filing a False Return, five counts of third degree Failure to Pay Taxes, and four counts of third degree Tampering with Public Records. If convicted, each of the third degree counts carries a potential sentence of three to five years in a New Jersey state prison.

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the New Jersey Department of Treasury Office of Criminal Investigations, revealed Costello underreported his income by more than $535,000 on his 2010 to 2014tax returns. Costello is employed in Middletown Township as the director of Management Information Systems.

In total, the investigation determined Costello failed to pay more than $22,000 in additional New Jersey state taxes on income received.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor William Somers.

Costello is represented by Christopher Adams, Esq., of Holmdel.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Middletown Crime Index Drops to Lowest Level Since 1969

Middletown Public Information
February 3, 2016

The number of index crimes in Middletown hasn’t been so low since 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first landed on the moon, the Jets and Mets won championships and Woodstock rocked a small town in upstate New York.

“This landmark reduction in crime reflects Middletown’s unwavering commitment to public safety,” said Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, Ph.D. “It’s a testament to the fact that our Police Department has some of the nation’s finest and most dedicated officers.”

The Middletown Police Department has reported there were 520 index crimes in 2015, which equates to an Index Crime Rate of 7.82 per 1,000 people. Index crime decreased by 9.72% in 2015, down from 576 index crimes in 2014 when the Index Crime Rate was 8.66 per 1,000 people. Overall, the Index Crime Rate has decreased by more than 23 percent since 2013, when there were 677 index crimes and the Index Crime Rate was 10.18 per 1,000 people, said Police Chief R. Craig Weber.

Index crimes are murder and non-negligent homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson, Chief Weber explained.

“We had to comb the archives and go all the way back to 1969 to find the last time there were fewer than 520 index crimes recorded in Middletown. In 1969 there were 496 index crimes. Although there were 24 fewer crimes 47 years ago, the Index Crime Rate would have actually been higher at 9.18 per 1,000 people because the population was lower,” Chief Weber said. He noted the population in 1969 was approximately 54,000; today it’s approximately 67,000.

Under Weber’s watch, the number of burglaries in 2015 was also at a 15-year low with 86 burglaries reported, which was a 25 percent decrease from 2014. Comparatively, there were
245 burglaries recorded in 1969. There were also 42 cars reported stolen in 1969, compared
to nine cars stolen in the Township during 2015.

“At this point 2015 marks Middletown’s safest year in nearly five decades,” said Chief Weber who took the helm in 2014. “I’m very proud of the outstanding job our officers have been doing. The amazing record-breaking results they have achieved with these historically low crime figures speak for themselves.”

Police attribute some of their success to a more focused approach on crime, including anti-crime patrols. In the last year, patrol and plain clothes officers caught several suspects in the act of committing burglaries. Another factor has been the relentless investigation of criminal activity. For example, detectives were recently able to solve a burglary from 2013 based on fingerprint evidence and arrested a suspect, Chief Weber said. He noted that leveraging advanced technology and improved information sharing are other contributing factors.

“We are very pleased with the downward trend in crime. Middletown is a great town and we appreciate the ongoing support from the community,” said Chief Weber, a life-long resident.

There are nearly 18,000 agencies that report crime statistics to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. Visit njsp.org to learn more about crime reports.

Chris Smith's Words Have Consequences

For Immediate Release:
1/27/16


WHY IS CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH NJ (D4 - R) STILL TALKING ABOUT BODY PARTS?

D4CC calls for Chris Smith to cease using the fraudulent smear videos and hateful lies to spread his EXTREME agenda.

Eleven states have found no evidence of wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood and eight states declined to investigate. The only people who engaged in wrongdoing are the criminals behind the fraudulent videos.

We are glad they are being held accountable but Congressman Chris Smith NJ (R), Chair of the Congressional Pro Life Caucus, continues to use the videos as justification for pushing his anti-abortion agenda.

Smith's words have consequences.The rhetoric comparing Planned Parenthood to "baby killers" and murderers is what provoked the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado where three innocent people died and left six children without a parent.

As Chair of the Congressional Pro Life Caucus and an elected member of Congress, Smith has a responsibility to rule with integrity and honesty.

Chris Smith Speech on Roe v Wade Anniversary - 1/22/16

Recent undercover videos by Center for Medical Progress have exposed in numbing candor several high level Planned Parenthood leaders gleefully talking about procuring children’s organs for a price, all while altering gruesome dismemberment procedures to preserve “intact” livers, hearts and lungs from freshly killed babies.

Watch the videos yourself at centerformedicalprogress.org.
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Blog/4520/rep_chris_smiths_statement_on_the_2016_march_for_life.aspx


Learn more about Smith's Voting Record: http://bridgeproject.com/things-rep-chris-smith-wants-to-investigate-birth-control/

District 4 Coalition for Change
P.O. Box 685
Englishtown, NJ 07726

Over 300 Supporters Help Kick Off 2016 Monmouth County Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2016

BELMAR MAYOR DOHERTY AND FARMINGDALE COUNCILMEMBER IMMEN KICKOFF FREEHOLDER CAMPAIGNS


BELMAR – Surrounded by over 300 supporters, including New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, State Democratic Party Chairman John Currie, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Union County Sheriff and Former State Democratic Party Chairman Joe Cryan, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Former US Senator Bob Torricelli, State Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (Hudson), State Assemblyman Jamel Holley (Union), State Assemblyman Daniel Benson (Mercer), State Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (Monmouth), State Assemblyman Joann Downey (Monmouth), Former State Assemblyman Jason O'Donnell (Hudson), Middlesex County Freeholder Ken Armwood, Essex County Freeholder Leonard Luciano and mayors and councilmembers across Central New Jersey including Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik, Atlantic Highlands Mayor Randi LeGrice, Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long, Manasquan Mayor Ed Donovan, Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini, Matawan Mayor Joe Altomonte, Neptune Mayor Kevin McMillan, Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton, Lake Como Mayor Brian Wilton, Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna, Brick Township Mayor John Ducey and dozens of other councilmembers and mayors from across Central New Jersey, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty and former Farmingdale Council member Carly Immen formally kicked off their campaign for the two seats that will be contested on Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders this November.

Doherty and Immen join Sheriff candidate Jeff Cantor and Surrogate candidate Vincent Solomeno as prospective candidates on the Democratic slate for Countywide office in November.

“We believe in putting people before politics,” said Mayor Doherty. “It’s that belief that has allowed us to attract great new businesses to Belmar that put people to work, help keep taxes down and provide tremendous destinations for residents and visitors alike. We have had no tax increases in Belmar in five years, while just last year the County freeholders raised property taxes millions of dollars on middle class families. That is simply unacceptable.”


“I’m not running for a cause or to protest something,” continued Doherty. “I’m running because it is becoming almost impossible to raise a family in Monmouth County with the skyrocketing county taxes. I’m running to help attract more businesses countywide and I’m running because more needs to be done to get Sandy impacted families countywide back in their homes. And our team is running to win.”

Matt Doherty has been Mayor of Belmar since January, 2011 and previously served as a Councilman in town starting in 2007. Since becoming Mayor, Belmar residents have yet to see a tax increase on the municipal level. He is a Financial Advisor for Metlife Premier client group of New Jersey in Wall. Mayor Doherty graduated Georgetown University with a BA in government in 1995 and went on to earn his Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University in 1997. He and his wife, Maggie, are raising their three children, Hannah, Claire and Séamus, in Belmar.

“County property taxes have continued to rise because Monmouth County government has had no checks and balances of late,” said Carly Immen. “Instead of running government the same way you would run your household or business finances the Freeholder Board has become a solely partisan operation consistently draining money from the pockets of middle class taxpayers. My husband and I are raising our family here in Monmouth County and there is nothing more important to me than ensuring that we get things back on track and moving in the right direction, and I believe that public service is the most direct route towards achieving that goal.”

Carly Immen proudly served as a member of the Farmingdale Borough Council and successfully formed a self-supporting Recreation Commission to bring community events and programs to residents of all ages, a first for Farmingdale. She also led the effort to build and install a Little Free Library in town and is currently active in the Farmingdale School PTA and as a Farmingdale Recreation Commission volunteer. She is the Marketing Director for the Atlantic Club and Milagro Spa and holds a Bachelors degree in English with a minor in political science. Carly is married to Kevin Immen, Director of Sales for United States Beverage and a United States Marine, and together they are raising three daughters, Charlotte, Mary Cate and Erin.

Jeff Cantor previously announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Sheriff. Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. He has also been a Councilman in Marlboro since 2004 where he has served as the Council liaison to the Police Department and as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Council. Cantor is also a licensed Emergency Medical Technician for the Township of Marlboro and has been a member of the Marlboro First Aid Squad since 1996, volunteering countless hours to protect and serve the population of Marlboro as well as the surrounding towns.

Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Vincent Solomeno announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Surrogate last week. Raised in Union Beach, Solomeno graduated from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.) at Sandy Hook before earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton. He is the recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship and J. William Fulbright Scholarship. As a Fulbright Scholar, he received a Master of Arts from the University of Amsterdam for his study of the roots of radicalization in Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Netherlands.

Solomeno is a Captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard. He has served as an Engineer platoon leader, logistics manager, rear detachment commander, and public affairs officer. From 2010 - 2014, Solomeno was the full time Command Historian of the New Jersey National Guard. He returned in September 2015 from an overseas deployment to Central and Southwest Asia. A recipient of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, he was called to active duty during and after Superstorm Sandy, working in devastated communities across Monmouth County.

In addition to his service on the Hazlet Land Use Board, Vincent Solomeno is a trustee of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association, a member of the American Legion, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), the Netherland-America Foundation, and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Keyport.