What's Important To Middletown Voters?

 As we enter into the 2024 Primary season and on to the General election in the fall, I want to know what's important to Middletown voters? What's on your mind and what can we do to enact positive change, not just in Middletown but throughout Monmouth County and the State?

Here are a few things that I will be basing my campaign for Township Committee on:

• Advocacy for Responsible Development: I want to prioritize responsible development practices that honor Middletown's character while fostering sustainable growth. I understands the importance of striking a balance between economic advancement, environmental conservation and the quality of life. 
• Fair Taxation: I would like to address the issue of rising property taxes, I am pledging to champion fair and equitable taxation policies that alleviate the burden on residents while ensuring essential services receive adequate funding. The annual reassessments of our property and homes are hurting families and are the cause of skyrocketing property taxes.
• Education: I would like to tackle the concerns surrounding the quality and equity of education in Middletown. I denounce the infiltration of extremist views within the education system and pledges to cultivate a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

By no means will the above be the only issues my campaign will be focused on. There are numerous issues that plague Middletown that get overlooked by current members of the Township Committee and residents alike. Let's shed some light on these issues and get things done that will create positive change in our community.

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts

Beware of the Sample Ballot

 

FYI - Be prepared and let everyone know, it has come to my attention that sample ballots will be mailed out to residences through out the State and Monmouth County starting on 10/23 whether you have already returned your vote-by-mail ballots or not.

People no doubt, will be confused as to why they are receiving a sample ballot even though they have voted already. People should be aware and let others know that they can ignore the sample ballot when it arrives, especially if they have already voted. 

The sample ballot could be identical to the vote-by-mail ballot that everyone has already received .... it will not and does not replace the mail-in ballots that everyone already has or has sent back to the County. 

It should be noted that sample ballots did not go out to voters before the Primary elections earlier this year as normal. People need to know they can ignore them if they have already voted. If people haven't voted yet, they need to know not to mail or drop off the wrong voting form.

****************************

UPDATE 10/20:  There's no need to fear as previously warned. It appears that if voters receive anything in the mail over the next few days from the County Clerk, it will information on where to physically vote (polling locations in your town) and the locations of County Dropboxes. An actual sample ballot should not be mailed to residents as previously mentioned. --MM

What's the Deal with Voting on Nov. 3rd?

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted since July 4th! A lot has been going on since then which I'll fill everyone in on at a later time. But for now, people have been asking me, what's the deal with voting on election day? So let me try and explain as best I can. Keep in mind, this information is Middletown specific but for the most part it is similar throughout Monmouth County and the State.

So here's the deal that everyone must know and understand ... the polling locations will be open on Nov. 3rd and there will be 10 locations available in Middletown where residents can vote. There are 46 voting districts in Middletown, so each of the polling locations will hold multiple districts within. It should be noted however, that if anyone goes to a polling location to vote in-person they will be asked to fill out a paper provincial ballot, which will be counted after all other ballots are counted.

From what I understand there will be 1 voting machine per location (not district), which may or may not be the case. In order for someone to vote by machine, that person must be disabled and unable to psychically fill out a paper ballot. That person must also sign an affidavit claiming that they are in fact disabled. If it is found that they aren't disabled, they can be prosecuted for voter fraud.

Be aware that the mail-in ballots can be taken to the polling locations on Election day to be handed in. However, the person handing in their ballot will need to sign the "book" and show ID at that time. The ballot may then be treated as a provisional ballot and not be counted until all other votes are counted.

Locally, the best bet is to drop off ballots at a dropbox located at either Middletown Town Hall, Middletown's Croydon Hall, the Hazlet DMV location or any other location within Monmouth County.

If people prefer to mail their ballots via USPS the ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3rd and received no later than Nov.10th ... the sooner they are mailed the better.

There is also an option to vote in person anytime at the Monmouth County Board of Elections (and Clerks office, I think).

I hope that answers everyone's question.

*****************************

UPDATE 10/20:

There is still a little confusion regarding mail-in ballots that are delivered to the polls on Election Day. Those ballots will NOT be treated as provisional ballots and counted after all other ballots. They will however be the last mail-in ballots counted before provisional ballots are counted.

Before provisional ballots are counted the local Board of Elections must certify those that filled out provisional ballots on Election Day, did not also mail-in a ballot previously. Provisional ballots will be crosschecked with mail-in ballots to ensure that no one votes twice.... MM

2/19/19 Tony Fiore & 911 Safety: What Price Should We Put On Life?

How much does a life cost and what price would you put on it?

I'm asking this question because after viewing the video from Tuesday night's Middletown Township Committee meeting, I was left slightly stunned after hearing Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore's public comment regarding a recent stabbing that took place in North Middletown at McMahon Park.

During Committee Comments, Tony Fiore addressed social media criticism about an alleged delayed  response time by Middletown police after the stabbing in McMahon Park last week. The delay was blamed on the Monmouth County 911 dispatch operator not being able to identify the location of McMahon Park. Fiore then assured those listening that there really wasn't a delay and that police were on the scene in less than 4 minutes after the call came through.

Fiore then continued to state that he asked for some statistics and found that since Middletown turned over it's own 911 system to the County in 2016 via a shared- service agreement, the township had saved a "few million dollars". He said that since that time there has been 101,000 calls to 911 that the County dispatch had received, of those calls, 93,689 were actual emergencies and of those calls, ONLY 16 were delayed due to a wrong address or the need for additional information or clarification from the 911 dispatch operators. He then stated that those 16 delays represented  less than .07% of all calls and gloated, saying that he thought that it, turning our 911 call center over to the County,  has been a good deal.

I say Bullshit!

If 1 life was lost or 1 person suffered unnecessarily due to delayed response times from a 911 call center, which resulted in a  life long complications, than it isn't worth the money saved.

How can you look into someones eyes,  who lost a loved one or suffered needlessly, with a straight face and say it was worth it? You can't ... but I'd like to see our deputy-mayor attempt to explain it to someone who has experienced such a loss or tragedy.

I'm sure that if he or someone he cared about, was affected by a delay in response time after calling 911 for help, because the dispatcher on the other end of the phone was unfamiliar with an area or gave first responders the wrong information, he'd be the first to want answers and accountability from those involved. And I bet afterwards, he wouldn't think it was such a good deal.






Update 2/27/19:

It was brought to my attention last week, that the incident that I had mentioned above, the stabbing at McMahon Park,  may not have been the social media incident that lead Tony Fiore to make his comments that have been posted in the video. More than likely it was a different account of a recent event that taken place at McMahon Park a day or so prior to the reporting of the stabbing by the Asbury Park Press, which had a delayed response from 911.  The social media post was apparently
taken down sometime after initial posting but thanks to a forward thinking individual, there was a screenshot taken, which I have posted.  I apologize for any confusion.

Two be fair to the 911 operator who was involved in this incident, I will give the benefit of doubt to them, the name of McMahon Park was misspelled in the social media post as "McMann". If the caller spelled out the name of the park to the 911 operator wrongly,  then I can understand the confusion but not necessarily the delay. Any police officer or dispatcher in Middletown should know where a McMahon/McMann park is without hesitation. The name of the park is pronounced, as far as I know and others are concerned as, McMann, there is only one.  If that was the case, then all the dispatcher needed to do was inform local authorities of the incident at "McMann" park and send the help that was requested.

 

Upcoming Candidate Forums / Debates

(Info provided by MiddletownDemocrat.org)

Accelerated Tax Sale Wednesday, December 27, 2017

This year's township accelerated tax sale is scheduled for December 27th. There are a few prominent names on the list, if your name is on the list contact the Middletown tax office to see how to resolve the issue before the end of next week.


From Middletown Township public information:

MIDDLETOWN NOTICE

ACCELERATED TAX SALE OF REAL ESTATE FOR UNPAID TAXES AND SEWER CHARGES TOWNSHIP OF MIDDLETOWN IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH

I, Judith Vassallo, Collector of taxes in and for the Township of Middletown, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, hereby give notice that according to the statutes requiring me to make public the unpaid taxes and sewer charges. I will on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 9:00 AM in the Courtroom of the Municipal Building, Middletown, New Jersey, sell the lands and real estate hereinafter described to make the amounts chargeable against such lands, together with interest on said amounts and the cost of sale at Public Venue.

The sale shall be made in fee to such persons as will purchase the same, subject to redemption at the lowest rate of interest, but in no case in excess of 18 percent per annum; providing any person at the sale shall offer to purchase the property subject to redemption offer a premium over and above the amount due the municipality, and in such case the property will be struck off and sold to the bidder who offers to pay the said taxes, assessments or charges, plus the highest amount of premium. The sale is made under the provisions of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey Title 54. The said lands to be sold and name of the persons against whom said taxes and sewers were assessed and the amount hereinafter set forth include taxes and sewer charges for the year hereinafter set forth against each property, with interest calculated to the date of sale. These charges are for unpaid taxes and sewer for the year 2017.

Industrial Properties may be subject to the Spill Compensation Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq.), and the Industrial Site Recovery Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq.). In addition, the municipality is precluded from issuing a tax sale certificate to any perspective purchaser who is or may be in any way connected to the prior owner or operator of the site.

In the event that the owner of the property is in the military service, on active duty, the Tax Collector should be notified immediately. Only Cash, Certified Check or Bank Cashier Check will be accepted for payment. Prospective bidders must register with the Tax Collector prior to 9:00 AM on the day of the sale. No unregistered bidders will be allowed to participate in the sale.

******************************

Here is the latest list of properties included in this year's sale 

For those that don't know what an Accelerated Tax Sale is, HERE is an explanation for those that are thinking on bidding on a property.

Letter: A Call To Investigate the Monmouth County Family Court

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



Dear Editor,

Under the corrupt regime of Governor Chris Christie and with the help of Senator Joe Kyrillos, Monmouth County's Most Infamous Superior Court Judge, Paul X. Escandon, was granted lifetime tenure in June 2016 in a 22 to 9 vote, despite the fact that dozens of women spoke out against him at the hearing, recalling discriminatory and unlawful treatment they experienced during his time as a Family Court Judge. Convicted mobsters (who chose not to go into Witness Protection) were given custody of children, and emancipation orders (to terminate support) were handed out like candy, relieving fathers of support obligations, even when the law clearly said otherwise.

Since Judge Escandon's egregious behavior became common knowledge and resulted in organized groups of protesters, he was reassigned to hear civil cases, with many tenants describing similarly unfair treatment in Landlord Tenant court. Judge Escandon previously worked as a private lawyer defending criminals facing narcotics trafficking charges, so it is not unsurprising to see someone used to representing ruthless drug cartel members, being so unfit to protect the interests of mothers, children, and low-income tenants.

I know these mothers were telling the truth because I am also one of Escandon's victims. Escandon personally cut off the minuscule child support my mother received for me, on a motion filed by Vincent Stripto of Drain & Warshaw P.C., despite my being a full-time college student, with disabilities, and Escandon had me falsely arrested in the hallway of the Monmouth County Courthouse, with the statute that I was charged under having been found unconstitutional by the Appellate Division in 1985, and invalidated ever since. Rule of law was ignored. Judge Escandon’s behavior was something you'd expect to see in an episode of The Sopranos, not a Court of Law.

I have suffered from severe PTSD since age 16, when a mentally-ill man who was on felony probation for False Public Alarm (bomb threat) and Eluding Police named Stephen D. Calhoun made a false police report about me, and I was jailed where I was subjected to physical assault and torture by Monmouth County Youth Detention Center Officers. Mr. Calhoun's defense in his case was that he should have been found not guilty by reason of insanity (you can read about Mr. Calhoun here https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2009/a6027-06-opn.html ) yet Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Apostolou Jr. withheld this very relevant exculpatory evidence from discovery, in violation of Brady v. Maryland. I went from being a Criminal Justice student who started college at 15 with a 4.0 GPA and graduated from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Youth Week two years in a row (held at the county police academy), with a rising political future that began with volunteering on my first Presidential campaign at age 13, continuing with Gubernatorial and Legislative races, to suffering from severe PTSD, and facing ridicule and discrimination as if I had committed a serious offense I was entirely innocent of, as the truth about the "witness" Mr. Calhoun's admitted psychotic criminal behavior was hidden until I found it years later, thanks to his failed appeal in State v. Calhoun (Docket No. A-6027-06T46027-06T4) being published online. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's office had sent defamatory material based on Mr. Calhoun's false allegation regarding me to Brookdale Community College, where now-convicted felon ex-President Peter F. Burnham expelled me from the school, before he was sent to prison for corruption. In my life, the Monmouth County Courts and Prosecutor's Office have long been a major source of injustice, and this system must be stopped from continuing to harm others. These are not courts of justice, but tools of terror.

In court papers, Drazin & Warshaw lawyer, Vincent Stripto ridiculed me for using medical cannabis to help treat PTSD (under the order of a California Psychiatrist), which New Jersey has now legalized. The Municipal Judge I faced in a Middletown Township (Monmouth County) court case for possessing my medicine, Judge Richard B. Thompson, has since been suspended without pay due to an on-going corruption investigation. Thompson had also been the Judge who heard a citizen's complaint I filed, and had wrongly refused to find probable cause in my criminal complaint against Bradley Beach Police Officer Terry Browning for Official Misconduct in my juvenile case, and Stephen D. Calhoun for (a repeat) offense of False Public Alarm and Filing a False Police Report in the same matter.

My father, who makes six figures, did not provide any financial support until he was ordered to pay child support when I was 15. Escandon terminated the support at age 21, despite my full-time college enrollment, and successful academic progress. A deadbeat dad could not ask for a more favorable judge.

I urge state Senator Vin Gopal and Governor Phil Murphy to stand up for the rights of women and children by calling for a thorough legislative and criminal probe of Escandon's activities, particularly during his time as a Family Court Judge, as well as how my juvenile case before Judge Eugene Iadanza was mishandled by the court and Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. I am owed a formal state apology for the abuse I have suffered, as well as financial compensation, and those who did wrong must punished. Until justice has been achieved, until the day that I die, I will not and cannot stop fighting for what is right, by any means necessary to achieve justice.

REV. DR. ERIC HAFNER
FORMER CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE
TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY

Letter: Freeholder Curley is an honest, ethical man

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

Dear Editor,

Having first met Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley many years ago, and at one point being in a position where I frequently spent time around the man, it is clear to me that the allegations made against him are not only baseless, but form a retaliatory political witch hunt.

I have observed the behavior of Freeholder Curley around many women, including my own mother, and I can say without any hesitation that he never sexually harassed anyone.

As blunt as he is, Freeholder Curley has been Monmouth County's loudest voice for doing the right thing, even when it means throwing members of his own party under the bus. This scares the corrupt.

For many years, Freeholder Curley has stood up to corruption and misconduct in "Club Monmouth". Were it not for Freeholder Curley (and then Freeholder Amy Mallet) the corruption at Brookdale Community College would have never been uncovered. Curley put ex-Brookdale President Peter Burnham in jail for theft. Others on the board are still out to get him for this.

Freeholder Curley and I had a bit of a personal falling out, so if anyone was going to trash the man, it would be me. But despite our differences, I can say Freeholder Curley is an honest, ethical gentleman. Stop this nonsense and let the man continue his excellent public service, because Freeholder Lillian Burry is the one with a broomstick and vendetta.

Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Former Congressional Candidate
Toms River

Letter: ELECTION RESULTS - VICTORY!

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

Dear Editor,

The people of New Jersey won on Election Day. Not only did we get Ambassador Phil Murphy, an all around great guy, elected as Governor, we had many local victories too.

In Toms River, we enjoyed a Democratic victory with 3 of 4 Township Council Seats going to Democrats Daniel Rodrick, Laurie Huryk, and Terrance Turnbach. Congratulations to the local team!

Vin Gopal knocked out Republican incumbent Jen Beck in Monmouth County's District 11, to become the district's next State Senator. I know Vin Gopal will be a strong voice in Trenton for working class families.

We must all work together to undo the damage Christie did to New Jersey, and make the Garden State Progressive Again! Yes to legal cannabis, women's and LGBT rights! Hands off Assata Shakur! Black Lives Matter! Recognize Lenape Native Rights! Make Housing a Right! Free College! Free NJ Weedman! Expand Public Transportation! Support Unions!

Let's take a left turn in New Jersey Politics.

Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Toms River

Wilton and Donlon Statement on County Equal Pay Lawsuit

Immediate Release: 
October 27th, 2017

Freehold NJ - The following is a joint statement release by candidates for Monmouth County Freeholder Brian Wilton and Margie Donlon:

"We stand by Laura Lieneck and Robin Ostrowski, the two Monmouth County Parks workers who spoke out about earning less than their male counterparts. It is unacceptable that in 2017, women still need to fight for equal pay in Monmouth County. We are both parents to young daughters. Our mission is for them to live in a world where they will never be limited because of their gender.  It is disheartening that our own county government would utilize these discriminatory practices. We call upon the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to investigate the equal pay ratio among public workers in Monmouth County thoroughly and immediately. Another day of unfair wages is wrong for every employee of Monmouth County and beyond."

Wilton & Donlon For Freeholder

Margie Donlon is a doctor and an environmentalist and Brian Wilton is a prosecutor and a small town mayor. They're running together for Monmouth County Freeholder.

Shameless Plug: Update: MONMOUTH COUNTY MAY GET SPOTLIGHT IN GOVERNOR’S RACE

The article from last week's Two River Times, that I was asked to contribute to is now online for those that no longer get their news the old fashion way. By that I mean purchasing a copy of the newspaper from the news stands.

Here's a snippet of what I had to say:

"MONMOUTH COUNTY MAY GET SPOTLIGHT IN GOVERNOR’S RACE"

... Michael Morris, who publishes the “Middletown Mike” liberal/Democratic leaning political blog, not surprisingly, sees it differently. As a reaction to Trump and two terms of Christie, “I think the base is really fired up,” Morris said. “I’m talking extremely fired up.”

Activity among grassroots progressive organizations has been strong and that may lead to some upsets, Morris expected. That includes the 13th Legislative District, a traditionally Republican stronghold, which includes Republican-dominated Middletown, the county’s largest municipality, Morris said. “This is the first time in a long time I can actually say that,” he noted. And he’s saying it in part, because Murphy “is telling people around the state that he’s ‘all in for Monmouth County,’” and “do what it takes to win the county,” said Morris, who is a Middletown Democratic committee member.

That takes money, time and resources on the ground, Morris said.... 

Hit the hyperlink above and read the full article if you're curious to see what others had to say

Shameless Plug

Available on newstands now is the latest edition of the Two Rivers Times. I was interviewed by reporter John Burton and asked my opinion on this year's upcoming election. Specially, what I thought the roll of Monmouth County would play in this year's Governor's race between Phil Murphy (Middletown) and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno (Monmouth Beach), both Monmouth County residents. And whether or not this years' governor's race, only 1 of 2 in the nation this year - the other being Virginia, would garner any national attention and/or be seen as a referendum on Chris Christie or Donald Trump.

The article won't be available online until next week so make sure you pick up a copy at a store near you.

Action Together: Meet Some of the Democratic Candidates

ActionTogetherNJ - Monmouth County

Organizer of Meet Some of the Democratic Candidates

We are Action Together Monmouth County and are a county group within Action Together NJ & Network

We fight for civil liberties, social justice, and environmental protection. We advocate for equality and human rights for all people. We protect those who face discrimination, disenfranchisement, and persecution. We fight for legislation that helps the working class, and supports equal pay and a living wage for all workers. We support and collaborate with existing advocacy groups who share our beliefs. We will fight to elect progressive leaders who share our values. And we will fight against elected officials who don’t.

Hope you can join us to meet some of the democratic candidates.

Introduction by Congressman Frank Pallone

Monmouth County Freeholders:

-- Dr. Margie Donlon and Mayor Brian Wilton, Esq.

NJ State Senate:

--LD 11: Vin Gopal

--LD 12: David Lande, Esq.

--LD 13: Sean Byrnes, Esq.

--LD 30: Amy Sara Cores, Esq.

NJ State Assembly:

--LD12: Gene Davis

--LD13: Mariel DiDato and Tom Giaimo, Esq.

--LD30: Eliot Colon

Register for the April 29 event at https://meetmonmouthcandidates.eventbrite.com/.

NJ FRAMES Open House

TRENTON – On Thursday, February 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Two River Theater in Red Bank, the Department of Environmental Protection will host an event for the public to offer input about flooding concerns in the Two Rivers region and learn what steps are being taken to improve flooding resiliency in the area.

The open house will feature booths where the public can learn about flood resiliency efforts, sea- level rise, ecology basics and more.

The open house is part of the DEP’s New Jersey Fostering Regional Adaptation through Municipal Economic Scenarios (NJ FRAMES) project, which aims to help officials in the region understand the impacts of flood resiliency decisions in the communities surrounding the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a year ago awarded New Jersey a $900,000 Regional Coastal Resilience Grant to help the 15 municipalities in northeastern Monmouth County develop a regional plan to address the potential impacts of storm surge and other coastal hazards.

The Two River Theater is at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank.

Directions from Garden State Parkway:

 Take Exit 109 toward Red Bank/Lincroft
 Go three-tenths of a mile and turn left onto Route 520/Newman Springs Road
 Go three-tenths of a mile and turn left onto Half Mile Road
 Go six-tenths of a mile and turn right onto West Front Street
 Go 1.2 miles and and turn left onto Bridge Avenue. Destination is on the left.


************************************
Learn more about NJ FRAMES

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.”

Letter: Corrupt Monmouth County Tax Board

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


Dear Editor,

Recently great attention has been paid to corruption on the Monmouth County Tax Board, specifically involving the revaluation program. But every county needs to pay more attention to their tax boards as well.

What few understand is that county tax commissioners are patronage jobs, provided not to the best qualified, but the most well-connected by the Governor. Few also know these well-paid part-time jobs result in taxpayer paid family health insurance policies for those holding these positions.

There were previously attempts in the state legislature to rein in the free health insurance for these positions that border on no-show jobs, yet thanks to the help of now Convicted Felon and Fraudster, the not-at-all-honorable, Albert Coutinho, who used his position as a State Assemblyman in Newark (elected as a Democrat, but frequently loyal to Republican power brokers) these patronage part-time positions kept getting full-time employee benefits on the taxpayer dime.

Monmouth County has people like Wayne Pomanowksi, a Christie loyalist and Republican power-broker who was also a supporter of Essex County's Albert Coutinho, who are leeching off of the taxpayer's dime, while claiming to be self-made business people.

The next time there is an Operation Bid Rig, the feds should have a chat with Wayne Pomanowski, and the next Governor should remove him from the Monmouth County Tax Board.



Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Toms River, NJ

Congressman Pallone’s Statement on Withdrawal of Petition to Transfer JCP&L’s Transmission Assets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2016



Long Branch, NJ- Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement on Jersey Central Power and Light’s (JCP&L) withdrawal of a proposal to transfer its high-voltage transmission lines to a sister company, Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT). Both companies are owned by FirstEnergy.

“I am encouraged by the decision to withdraw the transfer application between JCP&L and MAIT,” said Pallone. “There were numerous unresolved questions about the consequences of this transfer, including how ratepayers would be affected, and whether BPU would have authority over MAIT. Given that FirstEnergy has filed an application to construct a 10-mile transmission line in my district known as the Monmouth County Reliability Project (MCRP), approving this transfer could have had unforeseen impacts on my constituents in Monmouth County. I appreciate the work of so many of my constituents and the state Rate Counsel who stood against this transfer and its potential to hurt the quality of life in our communities.”

Congressman Pallone has consistently raised concerns over the proposal, including at a meeting before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in Freehold, NJ last week.
Pallone’s statement can be found below:

Statement of Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.

Before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Freehold Township Municipal Building

August 30, 2016

Thank you, Chairman Mroz and Members of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for holding this second public hearing on Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corporation’s proposal to transfer all the transmission assets of its Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) subsidiary to a multi-state transmission-only company called Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT). While, as you know, at the previous meeting in Morristown, I was able to submit and have read into the record a letter expressing some of my thoughts, I am pleased to be here in person to more fully present my views on this proposal.

To be clear, I share the concerns that the Board voiced in its objections to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding FERC’s approval of this proposal earlier this year. The BPU’s stated concerns over this effort in part center on whether the newly formed entity would even be subject to New Jersey’s authority. As I have stated previously, this is particularly prescient in the face of a recent U.S. Supreme court ruling – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission v. Electric Power Supply Association — which called into question many previous assumptions about what aspects of our electricity grid were under the jurisdiction of the federal versus state government.

More importantly, perhaps, for the purpose of this hearing, I also strongly agree with the concerns raised by the state’s rate counsel regarding the potential impact to customers and the impact this restructuring would have on the company's priorities and performance. I commend the compelling argument that Director Brand and her office have put forward in opposition to this transaction generally, as well as in specific regard to the effort to have MAIT recognized as a public utility under New Jersey’s laws. Conferring upon MAIT the legal status of public utility would allow it to use eminent domain and circumvent local zoning laws and boards in building new assets.

In New Jersey, public utilities must have local customers that receive electricity over a distribution network and submit to the BPU. A transmission-only company could not meet this test, so FirstEnergy appears to be trying to gain for MAIT all the benefits of a utility by transferring five distribution customers from JCP&L to MAIT in a convoluted effort to meet the most minimal definition required for a public utility. The Division of Rate Counsel has correctly raised bright red flags around this effort. One of the Division’s expert witnesses, Gregory Booth, went so far as to label the effort a “sham transaction” because it serves no business purpose and doesn’t provide any economic benefit, stating further that “reliability and safety can only worsen, while it will cost more to provide the distribution service.” Another of the Division’s expert witnesses, Scott Hempling, noted that the customers would be transferred without their consent in service of the asset transfer signaling “that public utilities can be shells, customers can be commodities, and the…government-granted privilege of providing life-enabling service to loyal customers, free from competition— can be obtained for reasons other than merit.”

There are numerous other significant issues raised by allowing JCP&L to transfer all its transmission and some of its distribution assets and customers to MAIT. Rate Counsel expert witness David Peterson succinctly sums up one of the concerns I previously raised regarding a potential future sale by MAIT of these JCP&L asset. Mr. Peterson notes that in such a sale, the benefits would accrue to FirstEnergy stockholders, “JCP&L’s customers, who have been paying for those assets all along, would not share in the profits” despite the fact that it’s the JCP&L customers who have been paying for those assets. Similarly, another Rate Counsel witness, Matthew Kahal, is troubled by the potential that

The asset transfer to MAIT and its planned capital expansion may be a prelude to a future MAIT transaction – a sale of MAIT to a third party, a spinoff to shareholders or even the sale of hard assets. It is unclear how such a transaction (if it were to occur) would affect JCP&L customers.
Mr. Hempling echoes these concerns in his submission and goes further to raise questions about BPU’s ability in this scenario to protect New Jersey customers from unjust and unreasonable transmission costs and even BPU’s jurisdiction over the quality of transmission planning, construction and operation.

These are all matters with which I’m particularly concerned given that FirstEnergy has filed an application to construct a new 10-mile transmission line in my district known as the Monmouth County Reliability Project (MCRP) as part of the company’s multi-state “Energizing Our Future” effort. JCP&L has stated that the reason for the MCRP is “to enhance service and modernize the electric system.” The fact that FirstEnergy is using “Energizing Our Future” in comments as part of its justification for the MAIT transaction raises warnings in my mind about its true purpose. Certainly, JCP&L has had major issues with reliability and service for more than a decade. However, the addition of a new transmission line isn’t the only way to achieve resilience: technological advances have spurred new ways to guarantee reliability in the electric system including using cleaner, less expensive distributed technologies. Yet, a transmission-only company would have no real incentive to look at such an option since building a new line would make money for MAIT, while substituting alternatives would not appear to provide such benefit to MAIT shareholders.

Moreover, a number of the Division of Rate Counsel’s experts who filed testimony in opposition to the transfer of the transmission assets to MAIT assert that JCP&L’s reliability issues have more to do with management issues that won’t be solved by building more infrastructure. Mr. Booth, who I cited earlier, is very pointed in his criticism regarding the poor reliability of the JCP&L system and notes that “[t]echnology alone will not solve the reliability deficiencies.” He specifically points to the role that non-infrastructure issues play in the excessive duration of outages on JCP&L’s system, stating that the company is “deficient” in areas such as the quantity of personnel available to respond to an outage and the adequacy of the personnel dispatched for outage restoration, travel time to the affected location, and the communication processes to establish the location of the outage. He notes further that “JCP&L has downsized staff and closed and consolidated operating centers in hopes that technology can overcome some of these deficiencies.”

In closing, I hope BPU will give serious attention to the concerns that I, the Division of Rate Counsel, and many others have raised about FirstEnergy’s efforts to transfer JCP&L’s transmission assets to MAIT and to have MAIT recognized as a public utility. Furthermore, I believe that the final disposition of this matter is a critical factor for consideration in any decision regarding the approval or disapproval of FirstEnergy’s proposed Monmouth County Reliability Project. At a minimum, I urge the Board to refrain from taking any further action to consider the MCRP until all the issues surrounding MAIT and JCP&L’s assets have been completely resolved. Setting aside the numerous concerns I cited in my statement, the questions over jurisdiction alone raised, not only by the Rate Counsel, but also the BPU itself in its FERC filings, should be reason enough to justify that linkage.

Thank you again for holding this hearing and for your attention to this matter.

Candlelight Vigil For Dallas Officers

Chelsea Clinton Coming to Monmouth Tomorrow to Campaign for Hillary Clinton in Long Branch & Hazlet

On Tuesday, May 17, Chelsea Clinton will return to New Jersey ahead of the Democratic presidential primary on June 7th to campaign for her mom at events in Long Branch and Hazlet.

At these events, she will ask New Jerseyans for their support and urge them to go out and vote for Hillary Clinton. She will also discuss why her mom is the best candidate to raise incomes for New Jersey families, to improve education, and to break down the barriers that hold too many Americans back.

Details on the trip are as follows:

Long Branch Organizing Event
WHERE: Charlie's Ocean Grille, 29 Avenel Blvd, Long Branch
WHEN: 12:00 PM, Tuesday, May 17
PUBLIC RSVP

Hillary for New Jersey, Monmouth County Office Opening
WHERE: Monmouth County Democratic Headquarters, Airport Plaza Shopping Center, 1342 State Route 36, Hazlet (NOTE: Storefront next to Forum Tuxedos)
WHEN: 2:00 PM, Tuesday, May 17
PUBLIC RSVP