NJ-12 Candidate Linda Greenstein Has An Enemies List

State Senator Linda Greenstein is running for Congress in the 12th Congressional District to replace Congressman Rush Holt. I don't think things are going very well for her. I can't see how see expects to gain any support after the outburst she had back in March at a local Democratic Party leader’s meeting which had been called to discuss the then upcoming Mercer County Democratic Convention.

 Evidently the meeting didn't go very well for Greenstein and she let the Party leaders from Ewing Township, East Windsor, Hightstown, Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrence Township, Pennington, Princeton, Trenton and West Windsor Township know it by announcing - rather Chris Christie-ish - that they were all on her "enemies list".

It doesn't seem like Greenstein is cut out for Congress if you ask me. If Middletown were still in the 12th Congressional District, I'd be supporting one of the other candidate such as State Senator Bonnie Waston Coleman or Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.


Linda Greenstein's Enemies List: from Progress First on Vimeo.

Hat tip goes to the Down with Tyranny blog where you can  read more about this.

Local Governments, Elected Leaders Slam Excessive Cost of Christie’s Special Election

For Immedate Release:

This week, local governments and elected officials across New Jersey decried the exorbitant cost of Governor Christie’s decision to hold an extra election on a Wednesday in October only three weeks before the general election. His cynical ploy to suppress voter turnout is going to cost New Jersey’s taxpayers well beyond $24 million. With no plans to pay for the costs immediately, local governments are scrambling to rearrange their budgets and calling the decision ‘mind-numbing’, ‘fiscally irresponsible’, and ‘bad governing.’ Read for yourself below.

Special Senate primary, election will cost Bergen County $1.6M apiece, clerk says
By S.P. Sullivan//The Star-Ledger
The special Senate primary and election to replace the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg will cost $1.6 million each to pull off, the Bergen County Clerk said this week. "There's a lot of costs that come with putting an election together," John Hogan told NJ.com. "Even though there may be a lesser turnout, you still have to put the same amount of work in."

Hunterdon County legislators continue to push back against N.J. special election
By Andrew George//The Express-Times
Democratic state legislators from Hunterdon County are continuing a push this week to change the date of this November's general election to coincide with the special election scheduled for October. On Monday, state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat whose 15th District covers parts of Hunterdon and Mercer counties, introduced a bill he cosponsored with Assemblywoman Linda Stender aiming to change the general election from Nov. 5 to Oct. 16, the scheduled date for the special election.

..."What is truly mind-numbing is to expect voters to return to the ballot booths three times in three months at a great cost to taxpayers in reopening schools shut down for the summer, paying poll workers and providing overtime for added police security," Gusciora said in a statement earlier in the week.

Bergen County freeholders seek court order requiring state to pay for special Senate election
By Jim Norman//The Record
The Bergen County freeholders agreed unanimously Wednesday to direct their attorney to seek a court order requiring the state to pay for the costs of the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Frank Lautenberg. Noting that the election — set by Governor Christie for Oct. 16 after Aug. 13party primaries — would add $3.6 million to budgeted election costs, the county is asking for immediate reimbursement from the state.

Monmouth officials want state to pay special election cost up front
By Christopher Robbins//The Star-Ledger
Monmouth County officials are happy to hold a special election for U.S. Senator in October, but they would like the state to pay the costs up front. “We budgeted for the November election and the primary, we did not budget for this election,” Freeholder Gary Rich said. “We are reaching out to the state and asking if they could to fund this up front.” At their next meeting, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will consider a resolution to request that the state pay for the Oct. 16 special election and the Aug. 13 party primaries.

Union County Freeholders decline to fund special U.S. Senate election
By Richard Khavkine//The Star-Ledger
Calling Gov. Chris Christie's decision to hold a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant after the recent death of Frank Lautenberg just weeks before an already scheduled election fiscally irresponsible, the Union County Freeholders on Thursday night declined to allocate the roughly $850,000 to fund the special balloting day, scheduled for October. Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh said holding two elections within weeks at such a cost was an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. "To have a special general election three weeks before (the scheduled election), that doesn't make any sense," Jalloh said this morning. "I haven't been given an good reason as to why we would fund this twice."

Mercer County freeholders express concerns about special October elections
Times of Trenton
The all-Democratic Mercer County Board of Freeholders said last night they are concerned about the impact of the special October election on local voters and budgets. Their objections coincided with an Appellate Court ruling yesterday that the October election can be held as scheduled. “Without question, the Governor was authorized to call a special election in this circumstance,” state Superior Court Judge Jane Grall wrote.

Where's Barbara Buono?

New Brunswick, NJ – Below please find the public schedule for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono for Wednesday, June 12

ATLANTIC COUNTY

NJ State AFL-CIO COPE Legislative Endorsement Conference

Wednesday, June 12, at 9:00 a.m.

 Caesars Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
 2100 Pacific Ave,
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

MERCER COUNTY

 State ELC Dinner

Wednesday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m.

Hyatt Regency
102 Carnegie Center
 Princeton, NJ 08540

Disaster Recovery Centers Now Open for You

The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now opened disaster recovery centers throughout central New Jersey to help area residents recover from Hurricane Sandy. At the centers, visitors can receive information about different types of state and federal disaster assistance, get help completing disaster relief applications, inquire about the status of their applications, and more. Each center is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily.

If you want to file a claim, you need not visit a recovery center (the website DisasterAssistance.Gov works well), but if you would like to get answers in person, you can visit any of these locations:

Hunterdon County
Department of Public Safety Annex
77 Park Avenue
Flemington, New Jersey 08822

Mercer County
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, New Jersey 08550

Middlesex County
Sayreville Senior Center
423 Main Street
Sayreville, New Jersey 08872

Monmouth County
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center
945 Hwy. 36, Atlantic Highlands
Leonardo, New Jersey 07737

Somerset County
Somerset County Human Services
27 Warren Street
Somerville, New Jersey 08876

Should you encounter any difficulties in your dealing with FEMA, please do not hesitate to contact me by sending an e-mail or calling 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658).

Advancing the 9/11 Commission’s Recommendations on Civil Liberties

After years of dormancy, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board – which was created in response to a 9/11 Commission recommendation that “there should be a board within the executive branch to oversee… the commitment the government makes to defend our civil liberties – finally held its first meeting late last month.

I am pleased to see the Board moving forward and hope that it becomes a powerful voice for Americans’ constitutional rights. As our Founders understood, our civil liberties are essential to ensuring that America remains both free and secure.

An Update on the 12th Congressional District

I will be returning to Congress in 2013. However, the people of New Jersey whom I represent will change somewhat. The new 12th Congressional District, as determined by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission last year, will no longer include areas in Hunterdon and Monmouth counties that have been incorporated into other districts, and will include additional areas in Union, Somerset, Middlesex, and Mercer counties. Altogether, I will be the representative of about 735,000 people, only slightly more than currently.

Please know that, until the new Congress convenes in January, I will remain completely dedicated to representing the people of the current 12th Congressional District. No matter where you live within the district, I still need to hear your voice and your ideas, and I will remain available to serve you.

Whether or not I will have the privilege of representing you in the 113th Congress, please know that serving you is the greatest honor of my life.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

New Jersey Early Voting Hours and Locations

If you are thinking of voting Tuesday but are afraid that you may not be able to make it to the polls due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy or for some reason, early voting in New Jersey has begun. If voters can make it out between now and Monday, to their respective county seats, they will be able to cast their vote earlier, before Tuesday.


Cross posted from Patch

By Jacklyn Corley

Hurricane Sandy has turned many New Jersey residents' lives upside down. If you want to do your civic duty and vote in the 2012 election but aren't sure you will be able to make it to the polls on Tuesday, county clerks' offices will be holding weekend hours.

Simply stop by the central and southern New Jersey election offices listed below for the county in which you reside and are registered to vote, and cast an election ballot.

The Mercer County Clerk's Office will have walk-in voting at two locations: the Old Courthouse, 209 S. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Trenton and the County Administration Building, 640 S. Broad Street, Room B-8, Trenton.

The hours of operation are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the following Mercer County officials:

• County Clerk's Office - 609-989-6998
• Superintendent of Elections - 609-989-6750
• Board of Elections - 609-989-6522

In Middlesex County, early voting is available at the Middlesex County Clerk's Office in the County Administration Building, 75 Bayard St., New Brunswick. The hours of operation are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the following Middlesex County officials:

• County Clerk - 732-745-3827
• Commissioner of Registration - 732-745-3471
• Board of Elections - 732-745-3471

To accommodate walk-in voting, the Monmouth County Clerk of Elections Office, located at 300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold, will be open to the public on the days and hours listed below:

• Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the following Monmouth County officials:

• County Clerk - 732-431-7790
• Superintendent of Elections - 732-431-7780
• Board of Elections - 732-431-7150

Ocean County residents can submit ballots at the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Ave, Room 116 - First Floor, Toms River. A second early voting location is available at the Ocean County Southern Service Center, 179 South Main Street, Stafford. Call for more information 609-597-1500 about that location. Hours for early voting are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the following Ocean County officials:

• County Clerk - 732-929-2018
• Commissioner of Registration - 732-929-2167
• Board of Elections - 732-929-2167

In Union County, the clerk's office will hold walk-in voting at two locations: Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth and Union County Annex, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield. Hours for early voting are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m

For more information, contact the following Union County officials:

• County Clerk - 908-527-4996/4997
• Commissioner of Registration - 908-527-4123
• Board of Elections - 908-527-4123