Posted on September 1, 2010

Newark Star Ledger- In another salvo of who said what following the state’s failed Race to the Top application, former education commissioner Bret Schundler released a chronology of the events he believes led to his firing, saying that he is not a liar as the governor has claimed.

Last Friday, Gov. Chris Christie fired Shundler, alleging the former education commissioner misled him about whether the Department of Education attempted to provide correct budget information during an in-person presentation of the state’s Race to the Top application. Because the state did not provide information about its education spending in 2008 compared to 2009, reviewers docked the state 4.8 costly points in a competition it lost by three points.

Said Schundler: “I could accept being fired ... But I will not accept being defamed by the Governor for something he knows I did not do,” Schundler wrote in the chronology. “The Governor called me a liar this week. That was the last straw. I have no choice now but to defend my name through this chronology of facts and the attached evidence.”

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Posted on August 25, 2010

Basic incompetence will leave our schools and homeowners paying the price

(Trenton) –New Jersey Democratic State Party Chairman John Wisniewski released the following statement today following attempts by Governor Christie and his Republican colleagues to shift the blame for his stunningly naive mistake Christie administration missed out on qualifying to receive $400 million in Race to the Top education funding by 3 points after they answered a 4.8-point question incorrectly and Governor Christie a:

“Let's make one thing clear: the loss of this funding is the fault of one singular person – Chris Christie. The NJEA and other education stakeholders came to an agreement on a Race to the Top application, negotiated in good faith with Education Commissioner Schundler, that included the CORRECT answer to the questions and many reform measures that the administratin was pushing for. Five days later Governor Christie personally torpedoed that agreement, publicly scolded his Education Commissioner and submitted his own application without even giving the teachers or any other group a chance to sign on. He can try to revise history as much as he wants but the facts are clear and so is his Four Hundred Million Dollar Mistake.”

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Posted on August 19, 2010

Ocean County freeholder candidates plan to make Barnegat Bay an issue

From the Asbury Park Press, August 18, 2010

Two Democratic candidates for the Ocean County Board of Freeholders said they will make Barnegat Bay an issue in the fall campaign.

Stricter oversight of new development and requiring developers to mitigate environmental damage should be on the agenda of county government, said freeholder candidates Shaun O'Rourke of Point Pleasant and Michael Collins of Eagleswood.

"Recent statements by county officials in opposition to legislation aimed at reducing stormwater pollution raises serious concern about the level of commitment to protecting the bay," O'Rourke, a former Ocean County parks naturalist and a fishing guide, said in a statement issued by the Democratic campaign.

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Posted on August 14, 2010

A new website will help you understand what the new Health Care Bill means to you

Click Here to Find Out More

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Posted on August 2, 2010

TOMS RIVER: Ocean County Democratic Chairman Wyatt Earp announced today that the Ocean County Democratic Committee selected Michele Rosen as its candidate for County Clerk.

Mrs. Rosen, a longtime community and Democratic activist was chosen at a special meeting of the Democratic County Committee on Sunday, August 1 in Toms River.


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Posted on July 27, 2010

Barnegat Bay and other coastal communities are facing mismanaged storm water basins, leading to nutrient overload problems. Rep. John Adler recently introduced a measure in Congress to fund $20 million a year to move forward in solving the issue and benefiting the affected communities. Although Adler cited Barnegat Bay specifically as an “economic engine for the region,” he is attracting broad Congressional support from other coastal states with similar issues.

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Posted on July 9, 2010

Seventy-five dedicated Democrats from Ocean and Monmouth Counties joined with state and national Democratic leaders at the Democracy for America (DFA) Field Organizing Campaign Academy held June 26-27 in Brick. Arranged by Christopher Leitner, Ocean County Democrats Training Coordinator, with the support of Ocean County Chair Wyatt Earp, the training was described by all attendees as a worthwhile way to spend a summer weekend.

State Democratic Chairman John Wisniewski, Congressmen Frank Pallone and Rush Holt, and DFA founder, Jim Dean shared their experience and knowledge with local candidates and activists.

Chairman Wyatt Earp opened the Saturday session and requested that the participants take what they learn at the session and put it to work to make all Democratic campaigns more effective. "Democrats in Ocean County need each and every one of you to take part in the democratic process", Earp said. He added, "Applying your talents and interests contributes toward our collective success."

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Posted on July 2, 2010

Asbury Park Press, June 30th, 2010

As Ocean County government goes, the recent appointment of County Clerk Carl Block as county administrator should come as a surprise to no one. That is the way it has been for 20 years of one-party control, and that is the way it
will continue to be until Ocean County residents wake up to the fact that this is not government "of the people, for the people, and by the people." It is, and has been, government of the politically connected, for the politically connected and by the politically connected, and it is costing taxpayers dearly.

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Posted on June 19, 2010

In the real world, the ideal in filling a job vacancy is finding the best person. That's not the case in New Jersey politics, and especially not in Ocean County.


Earlier this week, longtime double-dipper Carl W. Block was appointed as the next Ocean County administrator. In accepting the job, Block said he will resign his elected office, that of county clerk. That is not a selfless act of public service: Block will earn $149,500 per year as administrator, 30 percent more than his $115,000 salary as clerk.
Asbury Park Press Editorial June 18th, 2010

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Posted on June 17, 2010

TOMS RIVER: Democratic Freeholder Candidates Michael Collins and Shaun O’Rourke spoke out today regarding the appointment of current Ocean County Clerk Carl Block to replace the outgoing County Administrator.

“Once again, the all-Republican Freeholder Board has cut a back room deal that benefits one of their cronies.”, said Michael Collins of Eagleswood. “In a move even the Asbury Park Press called “a well-guarded secret”, the Republicans rewarded one of their own instead of conducting a search for the best qualified candidate”.

As County Clerk, Block received a salary of $115,344 in 2009 and until his recent defeat took home an additional $10,000 as Mayor of Stafford Township. The $149,500 reported salary accepted by Block represents an increase of almost $35,000 in salary and benefits and would result in a significant increase in his taxpayer-funded retirement pension.

“Years of total Republican control of Ocean County have led to wasteful spending and bad choices. Especially in these tough economic times, Ocean County taxpayers are entitled to expect that their elected officials are looking out for them not their political allies.” commented O’Rourke of Point Pleasant. “One thing is clear…Kelly, Lacey and rest of the Freeholder Board do not believe they are accountable to anyone. No one is watching the store.”

Both Collins and O’Rourke have made government transparency and a review of County spending practices a central part of their campaign against incumbent Republicans John Kelly and James Lacey.

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Posted on June 17, 2010

In 2008, the Ocean County Democrats proved they could mount a serious challenge for the office of County Clerk against Carl Block. The announcement of the back room deal elevating Block to the position of Ocean County Administrator presents an opportunity we welcome.

Now that it is public, I have begun to reach out to party leaders and the Ocean County Democratic Organization will conduct the usual candidate search and selection process that is open and transparent, in stark contrast to the way the Republican Freeholders conduct themselves.

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Posted on June 8, 2010

TOMS RIVER—Michael Collins and Shaun O’Rourke, the Democratic candidates for Ocean County Freeholder, said today that they will wage a vigorous campaign against their Republican rivals in this year’s general election.

“Michael and I intend to spend the next several months explaining to Ocean County voters why years of total control by the incumbent Freeholders who now want to be reelected to office has led to an enormous waste of taxpayer money,” O’Rourke said.

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Posted on June 5, 2010



Ocean County Democrats and Democracy for America (DFA) are teaming up to provide local Democrats with an amazing opportunity to help win back New Jersey this year: DFA Campaign Academy. The DFA Campaign Academy mission is to focus, network, and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies to take back our country, manage successful campaigns or run for office themselves.

Best of all: we're hosting this training right in Ocean County in Brick Township! Make sure you sign up to join DFA Campaign Academy training by registering online!

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Posted on April 14, 2010

Congressman John Adler received the strong endorsement of the Ocean County Democratic Organization for the 3rd District Congressional seat on Wednesday evening at the Democrats 2nd annual mini convention. Congressman Adler, along with Howard Klienhandler, a Lakewood attorney who received the endorsement in the 4th Congressional district, will be the top of the Democratic endorsed slate in the June Primary.

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Posted on April 9, 2010

The Sierra Club recently endorsed Congressman John Adler for Congress. "The Sierra Club strongly supports Representative Adler for reelection because he strongly supports efforts to protect the environment and families and to create a clean energy economy," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter.

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Posted on April 8, 2010

According to the legislative budget office, senior citizens will pay more in income taxes, while upper income earners will earn less. In addition, seniors citizens would lose property tax rebates averaging $1,200, significantly increasing their share of the overall tax burden. Meanwhile, those who make over $400,000 would pay less in taxes

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Posted on April 7, 2010

Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari's insensitive comments last week about unemployment in Ocean County rank right up there with "Let them eat cake."

At an agenda session Wednesday, Vicari called unemployment checks a disincentive to work, implying that people who receive them are choosing not to work. In case he hasn't noticed, the unemployment rate has been hovering around 10 percent — closer to 12 percent in Ocean County — for some time. The overwhelming majority of people who are unemployed are jobless because they were downsized and can't find another position.

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Posted on March 30, 2010

Amidst the first tax hike in over a decade, non-resident golfers can now thank Ocean County taxpayers for buoying their courses during the ongoing economic hardship. Earlier this month, the Republican members of the Ocean County Board of Freeholders unanimously approved a 7.1% tax increase.

Following this news, the Press of Atlantic City reports that multiple township- and county-owned golf courses throughout Atlantic and Ocean counties were left deep in the red after 2009’s economic recession. Taxpayers were left with the remainder of the bills, left to subsidize amounts from $5 to more than $14 – per game.

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Posted on March 22, 2010

“Yesterday we made history. President Obama and Democrats in Congress achieved what Presidents since Teddy Roosevelt have attempted – to pass comprehensive health insurance reform to help the American people. This is a victory for all New Jerseyans. With this landmark legislation, we will have a health care system that works for us, not insurance companies.

“Health insurance reform will provide unprecedented protections for every American consumer and will put health care decisions back into the hands of families, not insurance companies. American families will feel the impact of this legislation immediately. Insurance companies will no longer be permitted to deny coverage to children and adults due to a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies will no longer be permitted to kick children off their parent’s health insurance when they turn 18. And insurance companies will no longer be permitted to drop insurance for hard-working people all across the country because they get sick.

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Posted on March 20, 2010

LITTLE EGG HARBOR — The Great Bay Democratic Club called for Republican Committeeman and former Mayor Scott Stites resignattion following his arrest for unemployment fraud.

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Posted on March 8, 2010

NJ Transit announced Friday it wants to increase fares by 25 percent and cut back on service because of a $300 million budget deficit for the coming fiscal year, outraging both commuters and day-trippers.

"I'm not pleased with it," said Freehold Township commuter Michael DiPiazza, who got off a train at the Aberdeen-Matawan station. "I understand we have to make the budget work and a reasonable increase is in order."

But a 25-percent increase "is not reasonable," he said.

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Posted on March 8, 2010

The Ocean County Board of Freeholders voted unanimously Wednesday to foist a nearly 7.1 percent tax rate increase on residents, all the while arguing with a straight face that it has been fiscally responsible and austere.

Raising property taxes on the backs of homeowners during an achingly long recession before you have exhausted every other option — including furloughs, layoffs, reducing services and tapping more deeply into the surplus account — is the very definition of irresponsible.

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Posted on March 8, 2010

For the first time in more than a decade, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders has increased the tax rate of 25.4 cents per $100 of equalized property value to 27.2 cents, an increase of 1.8 cents.

Between declining revenue streams and added financial burdens imposed by state government, the freeholders argued that a tax increase was necessary to offset an $8.1 million deficit in the county's $347.9 million 2010 budget.

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Posted on March 8, 2010

Former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan, once dubbed the "second dirtiest player in the NFL" by Sports Illustrated, looks like he has a lock on the Republican nomination for the 3rd District seat now held by Democrat John Adler. The Ocean and Burlington county GOP bosses apparently reached an accord on serving Runyan up to voters in the June primary.

The only serious challenger to Runyan, Toms River Councilman Maurice "Mo" Hill, bowed out last week. Hill, a dentist and retired rear admiral, was the preferred candidate of Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore. Runyan was the choice of Burlington County GOP Chairman William Layton. Why involve the Republican voters in the district through an open primary? Why substitute their judgment when power brokers can do the job?

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Posted on March 8, 2010

The Board of Chosen Freeholders introduced the 2010 budget Wednesday, and members of the public alternately praised and bemoaned its accompanying 1.8-cent tax rate increase.

The government cut $9.7 million from 2009's budget to create the $347.9 million spending plan, but the freeholders said they had to increase taxes about $25 a year for the average county homeowner to make up for plunging revenues and rising costs.

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Posted on March 8, 2010

The Ocean County freeholder board will introduce a 2010 budget Wednesday that, if adopted, will increase the county tax rate 7 percent. A tax hike in this economic climate is the last thing county residents need.

Before the freeholders breathe the words "tax increase" again, they should go back to the cutting board. And Ocean County taxpayers should show up in droves at the meeting (4 p.m. in Toms River) and insist that the freeholders keep hacking away at expenses.

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Posted on March 8, 2010

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he'll let a tax hike on businesses take effect if the federal government doesn't help the state replenish the unemployment fund.

Employers could see an increase of up to $1,000 per employee in their unemployment tax starting July 1 unless the fund is infused with state or federal money.

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