A Christie Editorial Analysis: A factual review of the Christie term

By Brian Froelich
Monmouth County Freeholder Candidate


The Asbury Park Press editorial opinion endorsing Christie was disappointing as well as inaccurate. The Press then went on to endorse practically all of the Republican Legislative candidates based on the candidates support of the Christie agenda. So the Press editorial deserves a full response.

The Press’s basic (but factually unsupported) opinion is that Christie’s programs to turn the state around, to contain government spending (at all levels of government), to bringing public employee salaries and benefits under control, and to make New Jersey attractive to businesses again have been largely successful. Yet this assessment seems later contradicted when, in discussing Buono, the Press defines New Jersey’s pressing current problems as property taxes, jobs and a lethargic economy.

Even the Star Ledger, which endorsed Christie while (at least figuratively) holding its nose, admitted that his achievements are “only modest” at best and miserable when compared to his “measurable failures”. They called some of his agenda a “catastrophe” and his budget claims “fraudulent”. They found his ego entertaining but damaging. In sum they considered him “overrated”. In the end they perversely, but not without reason, blamed limited Democratic Party support for Buono for their Christie vote.

Bob Braun, one of the most respected reporters and opinion writers in New Jersey, wrote a scathing analysis of his former employer’s opinion supporting Christie.

So let’s look at the facts.

First, nobody in their right mind would think that this state is turning around! Our unemployment remains regionally high and our employment growth anemic. High paying jobs in key industries (like pharmaceuticals, high tech, etc) are leaving and being replaced by low wage service jobs. Foreclosures in New Jersey are some of the highest in the nation. The office vacancy rate in Monmouth County, for example, is over 30%. One large high tech building, that alone represents 2 million square feet, has stood vacant for years. And Christie’s billion dollar subsidies to attract business have been largely fruitless. Whatever “clear signal to the business community that it is welcome in New Jersey” that the Press believes Christie has sent has clearly not been received.

From a finance point of view the results are similarly poor. Our bonds, already lowly rated, have been downgraded again. One study called Christie’s budgets “structurally unsound”. And a recent New York Times article detailed and criticized his budget “gimmicks”. Even the Wall Street Journal is not impressed with his financial antics. In 2012 they wrote; “The proposed use of dedicated revenues—a form of revenue often called a one-shot—has increased threefold since Mr. Christie's first budget in 2010, and is nearly seven times as much as he put in last year's spending plan”.

In short there is not a scintilla of evidence that anything that Christie has done is having a positive economic effect. And he has bet the ranch, so to speak, that online gaming will bail him and us out of this hole in the future.

Regarding specific projects, his gamble to support the gaming industry in Atlantic City (e.g. Revel) and the failed Meadowlands Shopping Mall crapped out. And Christie passed on the one project that would dramatically improve the regional economy in both the long and short term. The Hudson Tunnel would have created an economic asset with a hundred year lifespan and doubled river crossing rush hour capacity. It would have created thousands of short and long term jobs, raised home values and tax revenues, and brought a regional economic boom. But he wouldn’t bring his Press praised negotiating skills to get it done. His mishandling of the faulty $400 million federal education application was clearly inept.

The Press listed the merger of UNDMJ and Rutgers as a specific accomplishment. It is an incredibly bad idea that only a politician, but no reasonable business person, would endorse. UMDNJ is a financial and managerial disaster. Combining it with an already large complicated (and even challenged) institution before it is running smoothly is a clear error. I am a strong supporter of Rutgers President Barchi. But a merger at this point is expensive and puts both institutions at unnecessary risk.

And Christie has really done nothing to contain spending at any level of government. His state budget is back to Corzine levels largely as a result of raising pension fund payments back to the more responsible Corzine level. His 2% local spending cap scam has more holes than Swiss cheese. His cuts to education, town aid, and property tax rebates just made it more difficult for towns and middle income home owners. The best evidence of his present failure is that NJ debt, tolls, transit fares, electricity bills, tuitions, and property taxes (by 20%!) have all gone up while home values and ratables have gone down. His overly aggressive revenue projections have forced him to defer payments to future years increasing future budget pressures.

Public employee salaries and benefits are clearly an issue that needs more attention. But most towns and Boards of Education have been tackling this problem on their own out of sheer necessity and local pressure. And both Democrats and Republicans (and even unions!) at the state and local levels have been successfully making progress on this problem.

Even with some issues during and after, by most reasonable judgments Christie did his job during the Sandy Storm. The Press credits his popularity to this effort. But only since Katrina has simply doing your job during natural disasters been considered a high standard.

Finally, and even after labeling it disrespectful, the Press was especially supportive of Christie’s “style that has resonated… with a majority of New Jersey residents”. While that may be true it will still be considered unfortunate by many that the Press confused talking tough with talking straight and bullying with statesmanship.


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This post is from Brian Froelich's blog located on Howell Patch

What Is A Freeholder And Why Is This Election Important?

What is a Freeholder?

As a candidate for Freeholder the questions that I get most are; what is a County Freeholder and why should I vote for you? I hope this column answers those questions.

Brian Froelich

The Monmouth County government is a large enterprise that employs over 3,000 people and is responsible for over $1 billion of your taxpayer money. And, while most people agree that monopolies are not good in either business or politics, the Republican Party machine has controlled and monopolized the Freeholder Board for 24 of the last 25 years. And despite talking about ‘small government’ they keep building a larger one. For example a) they increased taxes by over 100% (from $149 million to over $300 million). b) They built one of the largest jails in the United States. (It is 50% too big and one third empty.) c) They spent over $100 million in deficits to maintain, not one but, two county nursing homes. (Most counties have none since NJ has over 300 private homes.) d) They admit that the County Library system budget of $19 million for 13 branches is ‘out of control’. And e) they recently built 2 new office buildings when the county office vacancy rate is over 30%. (They spent $40 million when similar space is selling for less than half that amount.)
As just a simple example of the issue, Hudson County (not known as a paragon of fiscal virtue!) has a higher population but raises lower total taxes than Monmouth County.

The result of this Republican Party monopoly is that in Monmouth County homes values and tax ratables are declining; unemployment is, and has been, one of the highest of surrounding counties; poverty is increasing (especially for the very young and old); population growth is one of the lowest of surrounding counties, and a rising crime rate and heroin epidemic is an acknowledged fact.

In addition there has been a constant stream of scandals. Chris Christie, when he was a United States Prosecutor said that Monmouth County corruption runs “wide and deep”. Nothing has changed. We have had scandals in every area of county government from the Freeholders, to the Sherriff’s office, to the Clerk’s office, to Brookdale College, etc. The ethical scandals ranged from Birdsall illegal donations (which the Freeholders refused to disclose), to the million dollar award to Republican Mayor Lucas (which Freeholder DiMaso subsequently admitted shouldn’t have passed), to having a Republican Party executive and campaign coordinator managing $100 million in annual county purchases (which Republican Freeholders don’t see as a conflict). It is time to say enough is enough.

Few residents attend Freeholder meetings so Monmouth County residents need a watchdog on the Freeholder Board. If elected, Larry Luttrell and I will insure that all reasonable alternatives are considered, that business logic is applied, and the ethical rules are implemented and enforced.

In any case, please vote on Tuesday, November 5

Brian Froelich

Candidate For Freeholder

PS You can find out more about my background and positions at www.froelich4freeholder.com

FROELICH: County purchasing still murky, post-Birdsall

Democratic Monmouth County Candidate for Freeholder, Brian Froelich, wrote an Op-Ed that appeared in the Asbury Park Press over the weekend.

While reading Froelich's Op-Ed, keep in mind (as a friend pointed out) that this is the same Freeholder Board that repealed strong county level pay-to-play restrictions because they were 'too confusing' and didn't complement weaker state level restrictions. Shortly thereafter there is the Brookdale College scandal and the Birdsall debacle, with Birdsall being a common element in both scandals. Time to bring ethics back into goverment and the political process in Monmouth County.

From the APP:

Each of the Monmouth County Republican freeholders received campaign contributions donated illegally by the Birdsall Engineering Group that were designed to influence the county purchasing process. But the freeholders and their administrators are in constant refrain that such corruption doesn’t really affect the purchasing process.

In harmonic chorus, Freeholder Thomas Arnone says the bidding and purchasing process is “independent from the freeholders,” County Counsel Andrea Bazer says the purchasing department and process is “above reproach,” and Purchasing Director Gerri Popkin says there is no tie-in between political fundraising and purchasing.

But Chris Christie’s comment when he was U.S. Attorney that political corruption in Monmouth County was both wide and deep may ring more true. Facts indicate that Monmouth County purchasing may be neither independent, beyond reproach or disconnected from political fundraising.

While Arnone (of Neptune City) declares independence, the Monmouth County Fair and Open Process resolution indicates that purchasing is not independent and that the freeholders have control and “sole discretion” over county purchasing processes.
For example, bids for some services (e.g., engineering) often are for one year but can be renewed annually for an additional two years without bidding. In fact, the New Jersey Institute of Government Attorneys stated “the definition of the ‘fair and open process’ is so ambiguous as to be meaningless.”

Meanwhile, numerous vendor complaints about county purchasing procedures indicate that the process may be well within the realm of reproach. For example, recently various vendors complained that the purchasing department was using distributor, rather than manufacturer, part numbers; was purchasing trucks that don’t meet U.S. emissions standards; was specifying 30-day delivery on custom trucks; and that they should hold important pre-bid meetings (a common industry practice).

At a recent meeting, a vendor complained about several problems he has had with purchasing, including the department not bidding certain items, mislabeling items, etc.
Other facts indicate that the connection between political fundraising and purchasing may be longstanding as well as deep. Popkin has been Monmouth County purchasing director for 26 years, with responsibility for purchasing $100 million in goods and services annually. She also is a longtime, active and important Republican political operative.
Popkin (also from Neptune City) was the Monmouth County Republican campaign coordinator (for 23 years), the Monmouth County GOP secretary, the Neptune City GOP municipal chairwoman, and is the current vice president of the Monmouth County Affiliated Republican Club.

Popkin even advertises that she holds some of these political positions as well as her purchasing position, thus making a direct and visual connection between purchasing and political fundraising. State ethics rules prohibit a state official from using his or her official title for the purpose of fundraising for, or promotion of, a private organization.
As a matter of minimum and sound business practice, Popkin should be rotated out of such a highly sensitive county purchasing position while maintaining such a high profile political position.

THIS IS WHY THEY WOULDN’T TELL US!!!

Brian Froelich

This is why the Monmouth County Republican Freeholders wouldn’t tell us if they received any money from Birdsall- because they did!

It was reported today that all of the current Ocean and Monmouth (Republican) county Freeholders received money from the indicted Birdsall organization. The records show that Monmouth politicians got over $66 thousand dollars and Birdsall received over $4 million in contracts.

In Birdsall’s home of Monmouth County the Freeholders (Arnone, DiMaso, Burry, Curley, and Rich) received $18,200 from 2008 to early 2012. In addition Sheriff Shaun Golden, Clerk Claire French, and various Monmouth Republican organizations received Birdsall funds. Arnone and DiMaso also received donations when serving as municipal officials.

Sources said that donors understood the message to be ‘if you want to work, you better pay up’. And a Birdsall executive admitted that these illegal donations were given to "curry favor" with officials and "gain a competitive advantage" and that they "regularly won contracts" for the company. One article on the subject said that “(s)ecret donations flowed every year like free wine from Birdsall.”

For example “(i)n November 2011, at a fundraiser hosted by Birdsall, the company wrote Monmouth County Freeholders Gary Rich Sr. and Lillian Burry corporate checks for $300 each, then gave Burry another $1,200 and Rich $900 in secret checks.”

And while critics and campaign experts have said that the Birdsall money should be given back, some politicians are responding that the money has already been spent.

Interestingly, Birdsall also gave substantial donations to Manalapan Committeeman and former Mayor Andrew Lucas who was involved in a recent controversy along with the Freeholders. The Freeholders awarded Lucas over $1 million for some land preservation rights. That transaction was widely and highly criticized.

In November the voters’ broom will sweep clean the Freeholder/Birdsall mess.

Brian Froelich
Candidate, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Monmouth Dem Candidates Praise Republican Freeholder For Speaking Out Against Christie's Special Election

Brian Froelich and Larry Luttrell

Democratic  candidates  for  Monmouth  County  Freeholder  Larry  Luttrell  and  Brian Froelich  praised  Republican  Freeholder  John Curley  for  coming  out  against  Chris   Christie’s  decision  to  hold  a  special  election  in  October.  Most  of  the  $24  million  price   tag  for  the  two  special  elections  will  be  passed  down  to  individual  counties.  The October elections will cost Monmouth County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Freeholder  Curley  blasted  the  Christie’s  decision  to  “throw  the  burden  on  the  county”   for  the  special  election,  which  will  occur  less  than  three  weeks  before  the   November  general  election.  “With  all  the  problems  from  Sandy,  now  we’re  left  with   towns  are  devastated  and  the  tax  base  is  deficient,”  said  Curley.  “I  believe  the  county   should  be  paid  before  [the  special  election].”

Democratic Freeholder candidate Larry Luttrell agreed, "Monmouth taxpayers  shouldn't  be  forced  to  pay  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  for  Chris Christie's  political  games.  If  Christie  wants  this  election  in  October  so  bad,  we  should   let  him  pay  for  it, not  the  hard-­working  residents  of  this  county."

Despite  objections  from  Freeholder  Curley,  his  Republican  colleague,  Tom  Arnone   supports  the  October  special  election.  “What  the  governor  has  supported  is  the   correct  avenue  to  take,”  Arnone  said.

" I'm not surprised at Mr. Arnone's position" added Freeholder candidate Brian Froelich.  “Fleecing  the  Monmouth  County  taxpayers  for  their  own  political  gain  is  business  as  usual  for  Arnone  and  DiMaso.”

For  more  information  on  the  Democratic  Freeholder  candidates,  go to www.bettermonmouth.com.

NJ.com: Monmouth Democrats primed for up-hill battle in Freeholder race

NJ.com posted a nice profile piece on Monmouth County Democratic Freeholder candidates Brian Froelich and Larry Luttrell last night and plan on posting follow-up story on Monday to discuss the issues that they plan on running on which are near and dear to their heart. Check it out, it's a pretty good intro piece that should start the discussion on the candiates.

From NJ.com:

They are ready to rumble, but they know they are playing Rocky to Republicans’ Apollo Creed.

The two Democratic candidates for Monmouth County Freeholder, Brian Froelich, 67, of Spring Lake, and Lawrence Luttrell, 41, of Holmdel, plan to take the fight to the GOP incumbents.  

“I’m excited about the opportunity, I appreciate the Democratic Party with entrusting me with this mantle,” Froelich said. “I hope to get around and talk to as many people as I can and let them know what we would like to do.” 

The pair are running against Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone, of Neptune City, and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, of Holmdel. 

Both Democrats realize that they face an entrenched Republican political apparatus.
“There’s no way that we’re going to out-fundraise a 30-year incumbent institution,” Froelich said. “They may not have Birdsall anymore, but they have a lot more people willing to support incumbents and entrenched leaders.”

There is also an enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans – the incumbents are riding high after easily winning a contested primary against Tea Party challengers. The Democrats, on the other hand, were uncontested.

The primary contest galvanized the already strong Republican organization, but Luttrell says the pair will catch up by taking their message directly to voters.

“Obviously, we’re planning to get the message out there, hitting the ground and getting to the people as much as possible,” Luttrell said. “One of the things we’ve been doing is establishing a good ground game and getting out the vote and talking to people.”

All the things in my life that allowed me to have what I have were created by Democrats, it is my turn to give back. 

Luttrell said it is the Democrats’ compassionate message and track record of helping people of all walks of life that make them the best choice for Monmouth County during these difficult times. He pointed to his family’s purchase of a home in Monmouth County using a Federal Housing Association loan, his public education and federal grants that allowed him to attend law school.

“All the things in my life that allowed me to have what I have were created by Democrats, it is my turn to give back,” Luttrell said. “I have to preserve those things and create other opportunities for the future.”...   

Continue reading

Monmouth County Democratic Candidates Look to Unseat Incumbents for Freeholder, Sheriff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


Monmouth County Democratic Sheriff candidate Ruben Scolavino and Freeholder candidates
Brian Froelich and Larry Luttrell officially begin their campaigns today after winning their respective
primaries on Tuesday.

Ruben Scolavino, 37, is an attorney and former prosecutor who says the problem with the current Monmouth County Sheriff’s department is wasteful spending. “Taxpayers spend millions every year on financial mismanagement in the Sheriff’s Department. When elected Sheriff I will conduct an operational audit to eliminate wasteful spending and identify cost-savings.”

Brian Froelich, 67 from Spring Lake, is a successful business executive who feels the Monmouth CountyFreeholder Board has participated in a number of unethical practices over the past several years. “After gaining control of the Freeholder Board in 2010, the incumbent Freeholders repealed the Ethics resolution and went on to award their friends millions of dollars in contracts and sweetheart deals” said Froelich. “It’s time to put an end to this corruption and start looking out for the taxpayers.”

Larry Luttrell, 41, is an attorney and former prosecutor from Holmdel who says to look at the Andrew Lucas land deal as an example of corruption. “The Freeholders granted a $1.15 million payday to their political crony Andrew Lucas, disguised as farmland preservation. This type of corrupt, old-fashioned patronage needs to be stopped.”

An Open Letter to Freeholders

The history of the Republican Party rule in Monmouth County is one of corruption and scandal. Even, then US Attorney, Chris Christie has said that public corruption in Monmouth County ran "both wide and deep."

And now in 2013 we have Birdsall and more pay to play issues raised.

(Brian Froelich)

Several Birdsall executives have been indicted for making large and widespread illegal political donations. Presumably they made them in expectation of receiving government contracts. And Birdsall has historically been a significant contributor to county Republicans. We also know that Birdsall has received millions of dollars of contracts from Monmouth County that have been approved by these Freehold Board members.

Birdsall’s principal alleged tactic was to make many small individual donations below the publicly reportable amount in order to hide these actions from public scrutiny.

But each Freeholder has the actual, detailed, nonpublic records of any such donations- the very information that Birdsall was trying to hide from the public.

The citizens and voters of Monmouth County have a right to know specifically the number and amount of donations, if any, each Freeholder received- in any form, directly or indirectly- from Birdsall and/or its employees for the last 6 years.

Each Freeholder should disclose all such information and make all such records available for inspection by the public and the press prior to this upcoming primary election.

I’ll assume that if they publicly report this information and that actual contradictory information subsequently becomes available that they will have the decency to resign their Board seat.

I ask for their immediate public commitment to such action.

Sincerely,

Brian Froelich, Democratic Candidate for Freeholder

3 Years Later Brophy Was Right To Oppose Federal Detainees Held At Monmouth County Jail

Democratic Freeholder candidate Brian Froelich, wrote a letter that appeared in the Asbury Park Press over the weekend that stated how 2010 Monmouth County Sheriff candidate, Eric Brophy, was correct to oppose housing federal detainees in our county jail sighting the need for excessive overtime and other costs associated with it.

Now 3 years later, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, has decided to end the program that he championed as a money saver for the county, sighting excessive overtime costs and other expenses as his reason to end the program! Go figure...

Here's the letter:

The Asbury Park Press and the Monmouth County Republicans were wrong again.

When Democrat Eric Brophy ran against Republican incumbent Shaun Golden for sheriff in 2010, he said that housing federal detainees in the Monmouth County Jail for the federal government was causing expensive overtime, costing the county money, and should be stopped. Golden disagreed.

The Press endorsed Golden on that basis and said: “Brophy argues the county is losing money by housing federal detainees, saying it costs $179 per day to house an inmate, while the federal reimbursement rate is only $105. Golden’s argument that the county actually saves money … is more convincing.”

On Monday, Sheriff Golden’s office reported it would stop housing federal detainees in order to reduce corrections officers’ overtime and save money.

Now, if Golden and Republican freeholders would also stop hiring double-dipping pensioners, they might get close to saving the taxpayers what Democrat Brophy and others would have been saving taxpayers for the last three years.

Brian Froelich

Democratic candidate for freeholder

        

Monmouth Dem Freeholder Candidates Slam GOP Board

MANALAPAN - Democratic Candidates for Monmouth County Freeholder, Brian Froelich and Larry Luttrell, slammed the Republican Freeholder Board's decision to give almost 1.2 million taxpayer dollars away to a local GOP party boss.

“Once again, the all-Republican monopoly on the Freeholder Board has exercised its power against the interests of Monmouth County residents," said Froelich. "This time, the Freeholders granted a $1.15 million-dollar payday to one of their own in the guise of 'farmland preservation.' Whether it is preservation bonuses, pension privileges, or old-fashioned patronage, this Board continues to remind us that absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Clearly, there is an apparent conflict of interest with this land deal," added Luttrell, a former prosecutor. "This November, Monmouth County residents will have a chance to elect fair-minded watchdogs that will restrain this biased and unbalanced Freeholder Board. Shame on Freeholder Serena DiMaso for voting to give taxpayer money away to one of her political cronies. This needs to change in November.”

General election for Monmouth County Freeholder takes place Tuesday, November 5th.

Froelich For Freeholder: 'Once more unto the breech'

I would like to thank the over four hundred Democrats from every Town and District in Monmouth County who nominated me at the convention this past Saturday to run for Monmouth County Freeholder in the November election.

The monopoly control of any political body by one political party is not healthy and leads, inevitably, to corruption. The Republicans now have an unchallenged and unhealthy monopoly on the Freeholder Board. And they have tried to abuse that advantage for the benefit of their friends. A Democratic watchdog is minimally required to provide necessary sunlight and oversight on their actions.

Brian Froelich

Here are some examples. The current Lucas land deal is the latest Board scandal. But when it first came up for a Freeholder vote several years ago, the only Freeholder who voted against it was the only Democrat, Amy Mallet. If not for Amy, this sleazy deal might have slipped by without notice. Then, once Amy left the Board, the Republican monopoly voted quickly to repeal its ‘pay for play’ ethical prohibitions. And it was the Democrats that pointed out the long term misfeasance (or malfeasance) in the Republican Monmouth County Clerk’s office regarding voter ballot positioning.

The duty of the minority party is to be a watchdog on the majority.

Here are some abilities I can bring to the role of resident watchdog on the Freeholder Board.

On the current Freeholders Board we have a landscaper, a car dealer, a salesman, a real estate agent, and a lawyer. These are all fine professions and small businesses to be represented on the Board. But none of these members are educated or experienced on the accounting, finance, or management skills needed to monitor the half billion dollar enterprise which is Monmouth County.

I have a degree in finance and an advanced degree in accounting and law and I was an auditor with the largest accounting firms in the world. And I know about monitoring government agencies. I performed special audits of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) here in New Jersey and of the Board of Education in New York City. Both of those audits uncovered real problems in those agencies.

I also know about controlling large organization as well as small. I served as a controller of a subsidiary of a New York Stock Exchange company. And, besides starting my own small business, I managed multi-billion dollar businesses for American Express- one of the most well managed companies in the world.


In short, I will bring important, necessary, and missing education, experience, and management skills to the Freeholder Board. These are abilities that will help the Board and county agencies and make me a formidable watchdog for the residents of Monmouth County.

I seek your support for this important role.

Brian Froelich

Candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder

Spring Lake, NJ

People versus PACs

Given the storm and short time until election, this is likely the last- and shortest- request I can make. But it is critical.

I received a copy of Rep Chris Smith’s slick, 4 page, extra sized, mail brochure that was delivered on Saturday. It contains some astounding claims.

-He claims to be a “steadfast... defender of Social Security and Medicare” although he voted to privatize and voucherize these programs, slash Medicaid, and end many senior programs.

-He claims to protect women when women groups reject his claims of support and consider him a virulent opponent.

-He heralds his fight for curing diseases but not his fight against Obamacare.

-He features a headline about FEMA, a department and budget that he and Republicans voted to slash and vow to eliminate along with the Department of Education.

-He talks about his tax relief and job creation efforts but fails to mention that the plans he has supported, and continues to support, favor the wealthy and will continue to devastate the economy and cost jobs. His district has some of the highest unemployment in the country.

But it is a slick, impressive and expensive brochure to produce and deliver. He is funded by many organizations- and even some unions- that feel they have to deal with him since he is the incumbent and favorite to be re-elected.

I can’t match Smith’s funding from PACs and other sources. I depend on people to spread the truth and to be more powerful and effective than PACs and fancy brochures.

While I know many are still caught in Sandy’s grip, I ask for your help over these next 24 hours so that we can all have a better future.

Please be safe out there- and don't forget to VOTE.

Brian Froelich,
Democratic Candidate for US Congress (NJ, 4th Dist.)

http://www.froelich4congress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BrianFroelichForCongress

Comcast Newsmakers Interview with Brian Froelich Candidate for Congress NJCD4

If you live in the 4th Congressional District you may want to watch this video.

Brian Froelich is running against longtime entrench, right-wing Republican Chris Smith, in the newly redrawn district that now includes 21 towns that previously weren't part of it.



To learn more about Brian Froelich and his campaign you can go to his website froelich4congress.com

TO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ANNA LITTLE AND CHRIS SMITH...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The following is a release from Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal on behalf of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (Monmouth-6) and Brian Froelich (Monmouth-4) - Democratic Candidates for US Congress in Monmouth County:

"This week, Joe Kyrillos broke from the Republican Party’s stalwart position against raising any taxes, even on the wealthiest people and most profitable corporations in America. However, when the GOP establishment attacked his stance, Joe Kyrillos quickly backtracked. This incident does raise an important question that effects all NJ voters – where does our the Republican Senate Candidate stand on the issue of tax fairness and where do the Republican Members of Congress and candidates stand on this issue. New Jersey Democrats have consistently been leaders on this issue, pushing for a millionaires tax that would ask everyone to pay their fair share.

  Now is the time to ask these Republicans where they stand – do they stand with the Joe Kyrillos who has spent over 2 decades in Trenton protecting the wealthy at the expense of New Jersey’s working families and opposed the Millionaires tax? Or do they stand with the Joe Kyrillos who seems to only have existed only for one newspaper report and realized that he was on the wrong side of NJ families in his repeatedly demonstrated opposition to a millionaires tax."

Froelich Opens Campaign HQ, Stop By And Show Your Support

"Froelich For Congress" Campaign Officially Kicks-Off By Thanking Middletown Democrats For Their Support

I would like to thank all my fellow Democratic colleagues and friends in Middletown and beyond for their voting support in the primary. It was a strong and enthusiastic turnout and the 'Froelich for Congress' campaign has officially begun.

Brian Froelich

Now the real work begins on the November election to replace the Republican 32 year incumbent ideologue- Chris Smith. Everyone agrees that collectively Congress is dysfunctional. Yet if we don’t hold individual Congress members to a standard higher than just showing up for photo ops we will never break this destructive cycle. Today's partisan members work only to defeat their opponents instead of working cooperatively to achieve mutual success for citizens.    

Smith's public relations efforts can't hide his Congressional record of 32 straight years of increasing national spending, deficits, and debt, And, since he has had a Republican President for 20 of those years, a Republican Senate for 16 years, and a Republican Congress for 14 of the last 18 years, he can't blame it on the other team. He has been wrong for the economy, wrong for seniors, and wrong for women's rights. In 1994 he signed the 'Contract with America' pledging to support term limits for Congress. Its time to enforce his contract- at the voting booth in November.

I will bring effective, cooperative, and fiscally responsible leadership to the Congress that can produce positive results and reduce the national debt. For all of the facts see my website at www.froelich4congress.com

Brian Froelich, Democratic Candidate for Congress (NJ 4th District)

www.froelich4congress.com

Monmouth Democrats Have Spoken And The Candidates Are...

Monmouth County Democratic Convention

There weren't many surprises tonight at the Monmouth County Democratic Convention, where the only decision that delegates needed to make was who would get to take on Republican Chris Smith in the new 4th Congressional District.

For delegates that live in the 4th district they had to choose between Red Bank Attorney Patricia Bennett or semi-retired businessman Brian Froelich, both presented themselves well and gave inspired introductions of themselves. When the votes were counted it was Brian Froelich who earned the Party nod over Bennett and will take on Chris Smith in November.

Brian Froelich

Congressman Frank Pallone was also at tonight's Convention accepting the Monmouth Democrats endorsement for himself and Senator Robert Menendez. Pallone spoke about the importance of democratic values and the differences between the proposed federal budget President Obama presented to Congress a number of weeks ago and the one that Rep Paul Ryan and the Republicans presented yesterday, he said that was a clear difference between the two. The President's budget wants to invest in things like infrastructure and education, while the Republican budget wants to cut taxes for the wealthy, decrease education spending and eliminate Medicare and Medicaid for seniors and the working poor.

Congressman Frank Pallone

 For the Monmouth County Freeholder race former Hazlet Mayor Kevin Lavan and last year's Freeholder Candidate Bill Shea, were unopposed for the Party's nod. It was announced that Kevin Lavan would be seeking to fill the unexpired term up for grabs against newly appointed Freeholder Serena Dimaso, while Bill Shea will be looking to fill the full term against current Freeholder Director John Curley.  

Kevin Lavan and Bill Shea

And rounding out the ticket it will be Rumson's Michael Steinhorn who will be running for Monmouth County Clerk for the Democrats.

Michael Steinhorn

Those that participated in tonight's Convention were enthusiastic and felted that they were putting forward an extremely strong ticket, they left feeling united behind the candidates and vowed to work hard on the behalf of each one knowing that the political landscape is shaping up on both the national and local levels, to be a big fight about values and the roll of government in our lives.

Two Monmouth County Dems vie to unseat U.S. Rep. Smith in the fall

I had been hearing this past week rumblings concerning potential Democrats that may or may not be interested in running against Republican Congressman Chris Smith in the 4th Congressional District, unfortunately however no one wanted to comment or go on the record with names of the individuals that were interested in taking on Smith. Being Democratic County Committeeman myself, I found this slightly frustrating.


Currently I reside in the 12th Congressional District and for the past 9 years Congressman Rush Holt has been my representative in Congress but with the congressional redistricting that took place earlier this year,  I am not sure if I am now in the new 4th Congressional District which would make Smith my Congressman if reelected in November or in the new 6th Congressional District that would make Frank Pallone my new Congressman in November.  My confusion as to what congressional district I will now reside in comes from the fact that the dividing line between the old 12th and 6th districts was the yellow line that runs down the middle of my street. No one has been able to tell me if this current line in the street will be still be the divide between districts as of yet, I hope to find out though next Thursday night.


Next Thursday night the Monmouth County Democrats will be holding their annual Convention to nominate candidates for both of the newly formed congressional districts that now stretch across the County and split Middletown along the bayshore. 


So I was greatly interest today when I found an article posted on NJ.com this morning that named two Monmouth County residents willing to take on the incumbent Smith in the 4th and give us County Committee people something to think about heading into the convention.


According to the NJ.com posting and confirmed with a phone call, Red Bank Attorney Patricia Bennett and Spring Lake executive Brian Froelich will be introducing themselves to convention delegates next week, vying for right to take on Chris Smith.


I don't know much about either Bennett or Froelich, but i'm looking forward to finding out more next Thursday night, but in the mean time here is what NJ.com had to say about them:

Bennett, 65, is an elder-law attorney. She previously served as the county surrogate for Monmouth and a councilwoman in Howell. 

"I've done a few firsts in my life and for me, it's time for a woman to take Chris Smith down," Bennett said.

Bennett said she was spurred to run by Smith's stands on senior care, saying he voted for U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's 2012 budget plan, which included a provision to privatize Medicare starting in 2022. 

And she takes issue with what she calls Republicans' current attacks on birth control and women's reproductive rights. Smith, who is against abortion rights, co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Pro-Life Caucus. 

"Women's rights are being assailed on vigorously by the Republican party," she said.
"No woman can sit back and let this happen without a fight." 

Froelich is a semiretired executive who now serves as a business consultant. He previously worked as a senior vice president for American Express and CEO of senior housing developer Senior Campus Living LLC. 

Froelich said he's more concerned with fiscal than social issues, and he said Smith has had his chance to try to lower the federal deficit or work out solutions to the still feeble economy. 

"If somebody came to me as a businessman with Chris Smith's record, I wouldn't hire him," Froelich said. 

As someone who has never run for public office before, Froelich said he had a "clean record and a business record."