Letter: Rescind Mental Health Appointment

To the Editor,

As a former mental health counselor and school psychologist with a doctorate in rehabilitation counseling, I am dismayed and aghast that Freeholder Burry has appointed William Bucco, her former campaign manager, as the acting assistant director of Monmouth County's Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Reportedly, Mr. Bucco has only an undergraduate degree in business and zero mental health experience. Mrs. Burry commented that he saved money in the last county job she gave him. Such bean -counting does not provide the much -needed empathic support to the clients of these county services.

The current county crisis of heroin addiction, homelessness and post-Sandy stress requires experienced, competent professionals to lead this critical division.

The appointment of Mr. Bucco needs to be rescinded.

Carolyn Schwebel, Director, Equalizers,
Advocates for People with Disabilities
Leonardo NJ

APP LETTER: Ex-Burry aide unqualified for post

The following letter was posted online over at the Asbury Park Press website earlier today. It hits the nail right on the head and points out exactly what's wrong with the Queen Bee of Monmouth County politics, Freeholder Lillian Burry and her lack of judgment towards the people she appoints to county postitions. It's political patronage at its worst.

 From the APP:

William Bucco of Aberdeen, a 28-year-old campaign treasurer for Freeholder Lillian Burry’s 2011 re-election campaign, should not have been appointed as acting assistant director of the Monmouth County Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Monmouth County is facing a heroin epidemic and we need competent experts, not political socialites to assist residents battling addiction. Bucco lacks the background necessary to help implement the complex solutions we need to reduce harm and save lives.

Has everyone forgotten that Bucco’s predecessor as Burry’s campaign treasurer was attorney John Cantalupo of Colts Neck? Cantalupo resigned after he came under scrutiny in relation to the corruption that took place at Brookdale Community College while he was employed as attorney for the college board of trustees.

Burry pushed the corrupt Lucas farm deal that resulted in her political ally, former Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas, being given $1.2 million in county farmland preservation funds. Lucas has since been arrested by the FBI and is under federal criminal indictment on financial fraud charges relating to the deal.

Burry and the Republican Party have broken the taxpayer trust. We need new leaders and a federal criminal investigation to put a stop to these incidents that have made our local government look like a “Sopranos” episode.

Justin Cooke
Middletown and Colorado

Sunset Event at Sandy Hook with Amy Mallet - July 12th

Celebrating Freeholder Mallet's Environmental Advocacy

Please Join

Freehold Amy Mallett

For a fundraiser celebrating

"Sunset At The Shore"

Tuesday July 12th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

The Seagull's Nest at Sandy Hook

Entertainment by Keith Rella

Suggested Contribution $75.00

Please RSVP To:

info@amymallet.com

or call Meredith Demarco (732) 739-8888

If you can not attend please mail your donation to:

Friends of Freeholder Mallet

P.O Box 8726

Red Bank, NJ 07701

Freeholder Amy Mallet's Re-Election Kickoff

You are cordially invited to attend

Freeholder Amy Mallet's Re-Election Kickoff

w/ Special Guest

Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono

CO-HOSTED BY:

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik

Chairman Victor Scudiery

Hon. John D'Amico

Marlboro Council President Frank LaRocca

Holmdel Committeeman Larry Fink

Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich

Red Bank Councilwoman Kathy Horgan

Neptune Committeeman Randy Bishop

Manalapan Committeewoman Michelle Roth

Wall Township Democratic Chairman Eric Brophy

Bradley Beach Mayor Julie Shreck

Ray Santiago, Esq.

Sean F. Byrnes, Esq.

Jonathan Lomurro, Esq.

Mr. John Amberg

Mr. Chuck Fallon

Mr. Justin Braz

Bella Vista Country Club

100 School Road East

Marlboro, NJ

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

6:00pm to 8:00pm

Tickets: $75

Sponsorship: $300

Please make checks payable to 'Friends of Amy Mallet'

RSVP to Vin Gopal

vin.gopal.2008@gmail.com or 732-299-5625

Monmouth County Freeholder Amy Mallet Deserves Credit For Library's $6M Budget Cut

It's good to see that someone at the county level is looking out for the tax payers here in Monmouth County.

After weeks of pressure, Freeholder Amy Mallet was successful in her efforts to have the the budget for the Monmouth County Library System scrutinized more closely and its a good thing that she did because the freeholder board's finance director, Craig Marshall, found$6M in surplus funds that the Library Commission had been stockpiling in it's rainy day fund.

Thanks to this finding the library commission will reduce its tax levy by $430,000, which would make the tax levy for the library system the same as in the previous year.

It's too bad that Freehold Director Lillian Burry, places partisan politics ahead of good fiscal practices, by refusing to give Freeholder Mallet credit for the savings. It shouldn't come as a surprise thought because Mallet has accused Burry in the past of obstructing closer looks at the budgets of other county departments.

Bob Jordan of the Asbury Park Press wrote about it in an article published on line Friday and which appeared in print yesterday.

"A closer look at the Monmouth County Library Commission's books — not those on the shelves, but the accountant's books — has led to good news for taxpayers, with significant budget and tax levy reductions.

Pressure by the county Board of Freeholders prompted the semiautonomous commission to cut its annual budget by $6 million and reduce its tax levy by $430,000, putting the levy at the same $12.15 million used in the previous year. The freeholders approved the new levy April 22.

The changes followed weeks of pressure from Democrat Amy Mallet for stepped-up scrutiny of the library budget. The freeholder board's finance director, Craig Marshall, found that the commission was stockpiling excessive surplus funds — with enough money in its rainy-day fund to run operations for nearly an additional year. Marshall also uncovered budgeting for unneeded items and overbudgeting for other purchases...."

You can read more of the story >>> Here

As one commenter, voiceoflogic, wrote in response to the article:

How was this not scrutinized before? Are we to believe not all budgets were loooked into before we started jacking taxes and laying people off and jeopardizing thier livihoods. Wonder what other pots of gold will be found under the next overturned rock.

I happen to agree, in this time of economic turmoil every stone should be overturned to find what lays beneath for possible savings.

I applaud Freeholder Mallet for taking the initiative and applying the same standard to the County Library Commission as Governor Christie took on local school boards across the state by making them use their budget surpluses to hold down tax levies.

With the further scrutinising of the budgets from all Monmouth County governmental departments, what other excesses will be found that could potentially save tax payers of this county money?

Monmouth Freeholder Barbara McMorrow: Ask Thanksgiving Day Guests to Bring Donations for Food Pantries

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us are planning what we are going to eat for Thanksgiving Day dinner. However, there are also many Monmouth County residents who are not planning a big dinner on Thanksgiving Day. They are worrying about putting food on the table for their families each and every day.

As liaison to the Department of Human Services for Monmouth County, I know that this year, donations to the food pantries throughout Monmouth County are way down and requests for food are way up. There are many working families who can't put gas in their cars and food on their tables.

I have a suggestion to make. If you are hosting dinner this Thanksgiving Day, when friends and families ask what they can bring, please ask them to bring a bag of nonperishable food items. The next day, please take the food that you have collected to your local food pantry or the Monmouth Ocean FoodBank.

There is so much for which I am thankful. However, I am most thankful to know that the great generosity that defines us as Americans will inspire each one of us to do whatever we can to help those around us who are in need.

Barbara J. McMorrow
Monmouth County Freeholder

Glenn Mason says "Thank You"

What an experience it has been for me to have had the privilege to run in the campaign for Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Immediate thanks go out to all the volunteers who gave their time and support to help Amy and myself through this election. There is no campaign without the tireless efforts of volunteers, and I cannot thank them enough. Thanks to my family and life long friends for their unconditional support, and to true and loyal friends like Lenny, Erv and Joe Caliendo who were always there to help organize, motivate and lend their experience. Their support was unwavering and constant. I would also like to thank the Municipal Chairs, the Mayors and Committee people and the Staff at the County office as well as all the Union’s which supported us.

If it were not for Chairman Scudiery, I would never have been given this tremendous opportunity and chance to serve the people of Monmouth County.

It was a pleasure and an honor to make a run for the Office of Freeholder, and without the support from both Freeholders John DAmico and Barbara McMorrow, I am not sure I would have learned as much or made it as far as I did.

A special thanks goes to my running mate and future Freeholder, Amy Mallet. The people of this County are going to see what a brilliant and compassionate person she is as she serves this County. Once again I appreciate the chance I was given, and my only regret is I will not be able to serve the people of this county.

I believe that in future elections, with people like Chairman Scudiery and Chairman Oxley (republican), you will see better run elections with less “DIRTY” politics and more attention on the issues.

In closing, all should know that if it was not for Mike Mangan, County Director who stepped up and tirelessly took over my campaign, I would not have been able to finish as well as I did. I thank you all. I will always remember what a life changing, memorable experience this has been, and the many great friends I have met along the way.

Respectfully,
Glenn Mason

Monmouth Republican Freeholder Candidates at Odds

Back on Sept. 25th I posted about the bad blood and animosity between the two Monmouth County Republican Freeholder Candidates, Lillian Bury and John Curly. I mentioned how Burry and Curly did not get along and that the both could not stand each other. I also mentioned that Curly was snubbed by Burry and was not invited to a fundraiser of hers.

Well, it seems as though the bad relations between the two have been noticed by others. The Asbury Park Press's Bob Jordan wrote about it in yesterday's paper:

"Republican Lillian G. Burry is running for another term as a Monmouth County freeholder, but don't go to the Burry campaign Web site's five pages of text and 21 pictures if you want to learn about her running mate.

That's because John P. Curley isn't mentioned on the site or included in any of the photographs. Indeed, there is no hint that the Republicans have a two-candidate ticket in the Nov. 4 county elections.

The county elections annually feature heated Democrat versus Republican contests, but this year's version has added Republican vs. Republican fireworks."...

This obvious split between the republican ticket should be a boost to their democratic rivals Glenn Mason and Amy Mallet, dissention amongst the ranks this close to an election is never good. Lets see if Mason and Mallet can capitalize on it.

Amy Mallet, Monmouth County Freeholder Candidate, addresses attendees at Chairman's Ball

Democratic Candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder, Amy Mallet, was in attendance Friday night for the 19th Annual Monmouth County Chairman's Ball, which was held  at the Buttonwood Manor in Matawan.

 Watch the video , "Things are Looking Good!"

Breaking News: Mallet's 2003 Campaign Debt Officially Paid Off

Here's a scoop, you read it here first !

The Asbury Park Press will be reporting that this years Democratic Candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder, Amy Mallet, has officially retired her 2003 campaign debt and the account will be closed out tomorrow.

I just received word of this development from Monmouth County Democratic spokesman Mike Mangan, who said that the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee (DACC) has made an "inkind" contribution to the Mallet account for the money which was outstanding. 

Mike Mangan said that the ELEC reports will be filed first thing in the morning and that the 2003  Mallet & Gemma account is officially closed out.

This is good news for democrats throughout the county, now that Mallet's debt has been retired we wont be distracted from the real issues that effect the county. I am sure however, a few republican bloggers will have something entirely different to say about it tomorrow. 

Be sure to read all about it in the APP tomorrow.

The Curely Shuffle

I have to wonder what is really behind former Red Bank Councilman and current GOP candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder, John Curley's move to Middletown. It just doesn't seem right, why all of the sudden did he resign from the Red Bank Town Council and state that the reason for his resignation was that he was moving to Middletown?

From all that I have read and heard about him, he seems to be a man with a great amount of integrity, so to me this just doesn't add up.

I wonder if he made some kind of deal with the Middletown GOP to be a candidate for the Middletown Township Committee, if his current bid for Freeholder is unsuccessful this November.
After loosing the last two elections in Middletown the local Republican Party is desperate for a decisive victory to maintain control in town, I wouldn't put it past them.