Gopal Seeks Reelection As Monmouth Dems Leader

Monmouth County Democratic Chairman, Vin Gopal, has announced his intensions to seek reelection as County Chairman via an email blast to members of the Democratic County Committee.

In the 4 short years that he has lead the Party, Chairman Gopal has done an extremely effective job of getting Democrats elected countywide and his efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Monmouth County has become the new battleground for NJ politics.  Democratic leaders from all parts of the state are coming to Monmouth County looking for his endorsement because they feel that the Republican hold on Monmouth County is slipping and the opportunity to make inroads have been paved.

Chairman Gopal has my support!


Fellow Democrat:

After four years as Democratic Party Chairman in Monmouth County, I am proud of what we have accomplished together. We have competitive elections at the county and local levels that have never been competitive before, Democrats have won majorities in towns throughout the County that once were under solid Republic control, and for the first time since 1991 the two Assembly seats in the 11th Legislative District are occupied by Democrats.

These accomplishments have forced statewide Democrats to take notice of what is going on right here in Monmouth County, and the state of our party is stronger than ever before.

Thank you for your tireless dedication, for your vocal support of Democratic candidates and democratic values, and for donating your time and your hard earned money to our party. It has been a rewarding and exciting journey in Monmouth County, one that would not have been possible without you.

Today, I am emailing our 900 Democratic County Committee Members to humbly ask for your support as I seek re-election as Chairman of the Monmouth County Democrats.

I have had the privilege of working with each and every one of you to continue to build upon the great work of my predecessor and I hope that you will not only give me the pleasure of continuing to do so in a third term as Chairman, but that you will take some time to reflect upon the great accomplishments of our party over our last four years together.

The following are just some of what we have accomplished in the last four years...

- The election of two state legislators in the 11th District (all Monmouth County - 18 towns from Colts Neck to Neptune) for the first time since 1991

- Election of a Democratic Mayor in Matawan, defeating an 8 year Republican incumbent

- Election of a Democratic Mayor in Atlantic Highlands, replacing an 8 year Republican incumbent

- Winning a Democratic Majority in Allentown for the first time in over 30 years

- Election of new Democratic Mayor in Spring Lake Heights, replacing Republican incumbent

- Election of the first Democrat Elected in Fair Haven in over 30 years, now making it a swing town

- Election of the first Democrat Elected in Neptune City in over 25 years, now making it a swing town

- Election of first Democrats Elected in Farmingdale in over a decade, now making it a swing town

- Breaking the all GOP Committee in Hazlet Township, now having 2 members on the governing body

- Election of first Democratic Mayor in Loch Arbour in over a decade

- Breaking the all GOP Committee in Manalapan for the first time since 2008

- Election of first Democratic Mayor in Ocean Township in over a decade

- Election of first Democratic Mayor in Oceanport in over a decade

- Election of Democratic Councilmembers in Union Beach for the first time in over a decade

- Maintaining Strong Democratic Majorities in towns throughout Monmouth County - from Aberdeen to Belmar and Marlboro to Lake Como - towns which have helped build the county party


Once again, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Vin Gopal

Chairman, Monmouth County Democrats

Does Tony Fiore Have Women Issues?

Does Middletown's former Mayor, Tony Fiore have an issue with women? He certainly "Liked" this picture that was posted to his Facebook page on Sept. 14th.

The image is offensive on so many levels and is inappropriate for an elected official to display so proudly on his social media page. You would think that Fiore would be smart enough to understand how inappropriate and degrading the image is to women but he is so self-absorbed, smug and cocksure of  himself that I suppose he thinks the picture is harmless and funny. Tell that to former Baltimore Raven's running back and Rutger's University alum Ray Rice's wife, Janay Palmer Rice. I'm sure she'd think it's hilarious.

For a pompous politician who is up for reelection this year, you'd like to think he'd be a little more careful about his image and what he'd allowed others to publicly post or share with others on his social media accounts, let alone agree with what's posted with a thumbs-up Facebook "Like".

Below is a screenshot of the offensive post to Tony Fiore's Facebook page. The only editing I did to the picture was to delete the individuals name and picture who posted it to Tony's page. Notice that Tony "Liked" the picture.

UPDATE: 

Evidently Middletown Township Committeeman Tony Fiore doesn't want anymore people trolling his Facebook page. As of this morning, his profile page has been deleted along with the many other offensive posts he condoned.  I only wish that I had taken screenshots of some of those - MM 9/26/14


UPDATE:

I'm working on a follow up report to this post. To clear things up Tony Fiore's Facebook Page was not deleted. Instead of having his personal page open to the public as it was when this post first appeared, he has changed its settings and is now "Private". I and a few others have been "blocked" and can no longer see any updates posted to Facebook from Tony Fiore.  Good for me I have pictures.... MM 9/30/14

Rush Holt Will Not Seek ReElection To Congress This Novemenber

Earlier today Congressman Rush Holt announced that he will not seek reelection to Congress this year. below is his statement:

Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. 

It has been and remains an immense honor for me to represent the people of New Jersey’s 12th District. I first ran for office because I believed that government can be a positive force in our lives to build community and to increase individual opportunity. I ran for office because I believed that a representative can build confidence in our self-government by providing conscientious service so that every person knows that he or she has a voice and a stake in our country. After nearly two decades in public life, I believe these things even more strongly. I have been taught by the wisdom of my constituents and am as hopeful as ever about the strength of our community, constitution, and country. 

I started my career as a scientist and teacher. I have in my life sought many ways to serve, and I will remain involved and will contribute to our community to whom I owe so much. I am proud of my service in the House and am pleased to point to accomplishments in policy areas and in service to individuals in central New Jersey.

There is no hidden motive for my decision. As friends who have worked with me know, I have never thought that the primary purpose of my work was re-election and I have never intended to make service in the House my entire career. For a variety of reasons, personal and professional, all of them positive and optimistic, the end of this year seems to me to be the right time to step aside and ask the voters to select the next representative. 

This is not the time to discuss next steps in my career; that can come later. This is not a farewell. My dedicated staff and I remain on the job this year and will work hard with the President and New Jersey's fine other members of the House and the Senate to continue to advance the public's interests. The people I am so fortunate to represent should have no doubts that I will maintain the high standards I have set and they deserve and I am confident my successors will do the same.
I thank you for all your help.


Sincerely,

Rush Holt

Pallone Statement on Senator Frank R. Lautenberg’s Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement today commending U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg’s years of service to New Jersey and the nation upon his announcement of his retirement from the Senate:

Frank Lautenberg has been an extraordinary leader in the U.S. Senate and he has served as a moral guidepost on so many critical issues. He has had an indelible impact on some of the most important issues facing New Jersey and our nation throughout his tenure including gun violence prevention, improving our nation’s transit systems and transportation infrastructure, making Americans healthier through anti-smoking initiatives, and rebuilding our state after the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. From his military service, to his philanthropic work, to his time in the U.S. Senate, Frank Lautenberg has defined public service and what it means to live the American dream.

Senator Lautenberg has been at the forefront of some of the most important movements to protect our environment, an issue critical to New Jersey and the nation. I witnessed his commitment to environmental stewardship firsthand when we worked together on legislation to address inequities in the Superfund system so we can better clean up toxic sites throughout the state. Senator Lautenberg and I also worked together to champion the issue of keeping our waterways clean and safe when we introduced the BEACH Act.

I have peen proud to serve with Senator Lautenberg and even prouder to call him a friend. I look forward to continuing to work together in the coming months to continue to address the issues that are important to him and New Jersey. Like all New Jerseyans, I am grateful for his service to our state and our nation.

Lautenberg Announces That He Will Not Seek Reelection

The Star Ledger is reporting that U.S Senator Frank Lautenberg will not be seeking reelection in 2014. I suppose that the latest poll from Monmouth University that shows Cory Booker with a 15 point  lead over Frank Lautenberger may have had something to do with his decision not to seek reelection :

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a pugnacious and plain-spoken Democrat who has represented New Jersey for three decades, will not seek re-election to a sixth term next year.

“I am not announcing the end of anything. I am announcing the beginning of a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals and create more opportunities for working families in New Jersey,” Lautenberg told The Star-Ledger. “While I may not be seeking re-election, there is plenty of work to do before the end of this term and I'm going to keep fighting as hard as ever for the people of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.”

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg waits for an elevator in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. today following a Democratic leadership luncheon. Lautenberg has decided he will not seek re-election in 2014.

The decision by Lautenberg, 89, who has been giving mixed signals for months, marks the end of a political era in New Jersey and one that is likely to set off a fierce primary battle as Democrats, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker, jockey for the rare open seat.

Lautenberg, who was a successful businessman, has been one of the Senate's most strident liberal voices over an approximately 30-year career, parrying with Democrats and Republicans alike on a broad array of domestic issues.

Read more.... Here 

Amy Handlin Gets Tony Palughi Loyalty Award

This scathing letter that doesn't pull any of its punches against Republican Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, appears online at the Atlantic Highlands Herald.

The letter was written by the former Republican Chairman of Freehold Township Romeo Cascaes and gives some very strong reasons why she shouldn't be supported by fellow Republicans in a reelection bid for her 13th District Assembly seat tomorrow.

Dear Editor,

I would like to nominate Amy Handlin for the Tony Palughi Loyalty Award. She has certainly earned it.

The Tony Palughi Loyalty Award, which I just created, should be awarded to the person who has consistently spit upon those most responsible for their own success.

As you know, some years back Tony Palugi got himself into a peck of trouble with the feds, then turned on Harry Larrison by incriminating him in order to receive a lighter sentence. Harry had been like a father to the bum.

Now, once again, Ambitious Amy throws Harry Larrison under the bus, when in fact she should thankfully pray for him and for all Harry did to further her career in politics (Harry would affectionately call Amy, “The Gentle Lady”).

First, he supported Amy in her initial quest for the nomination. Without his support she would never have advanced up the political ladder. Moreover, when Amy rankled many Republicans who had worked hard for her elections over the years, it was Harry Larrison who, on at least two occasions, saved Amy from being dumped from the ticket. When most Republicans abandoned her, it was Harry Larrison who asked me to help her raise funds for her empty war chest, produce campaign materials and other such necessities of a successful re-election effort. I assure you Harry did a lot more than I did on Amy’s behalf.

I knew Harry Larrison for 40 years. I never once detected a crooked bone in his body. He loved Monmouth County and worked very hard for it. He was a visionary who looked beyond the problems of the moment to plan for a Monmouth County “for our children’s children.” No one, dead or alive, has done more for this county than Freeholder Director Harry Larrison, Jr.
Now, on the eve of her latest re-election campaign Amy comes out with a new book about her years on the Board of Chosen Freeholders – calling it “Crony Capitalism.”

She was a member of the Board for 16 years; why has she waited so long to “expose” this nasty system. Where was she for 16 years? She had 16 opportunities to vote against Harry Larrison as Director of the Board, the leader and head crony; 16 opportunities to speak out and do something.

She did nothing!

Instead, for 16 years she was an integral part of it - she was a Principal Crony - and helped perpetuate its existence, if in fact it did exist at all, other than in her mind.

When Tony Palughi was appointed Bridge Superintendent, did Freeholder Handlin rise in protest? No! She did nothing! In fact, she willingly accepted Tony’s help in all of her re-election campaigns without so much as a whimper.

So now, Amy Handlin authors a book about the bad Republican freeholders just before her two Republican running mates are vying to retain their well-deserved seats on the Board. The timing of the release of her book is intended to help Handlin get re-elected but it sure won’t help her fellow Republican freeholder candidates.

As always, Amy Handlin thinks only of Amy Handlin.

Amy Handlin is a self-absorbed, self-righteous human being who doesn’t deserve the loyalty of Republicans nor the electorate.

Romeo Cascaes
Former Republican Chairman
Freehold Township