Page 2 Thursday, September 21, 2006 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION By GOP Candidates for Scotch Plains Council Peyton's Comment on State Budget Impact Republican Scotch Plains Town- effect on property taxes. The New Peek at the Week ship Council Candidates offered com- Jersey constitution dictates that state ments on the recently completed state aid should reflect yearly cost of liv- In Politics budget process and how it will affect ing increases and once again our By Paul Peyton of The Leader/Times municipalities like Scotch Plains. state government is acting in an un- Deputy Mayor Nancy Malool, her- constitutional manner. For the last Point and Counterpoint self a former legislative aid to the three years our municipal tax in- late Assemblyman Alan Augustine crease has been minimal and we Deadlines: Don’t Do the Switcharoo said, “In my experience it has been firmly believe that had Trenton State Republican Committee Chair- U.S. Senator Robert Menendez hailed quite common for June budget nego- passed on the constitutionally man- man Tom Wilson sent a letter to State the Senate’s passage of his amendment tiations to be a rather tense time in dated increases in state aid we would Democratic Committee Chairman Joe requiring the Bush administration to Trenton. With the yearly June 30 have been able to freeze municipal Cryan last week requesting that he sign award port security grants using a single, deadline looming, squabbling and property taxes this year.” a pledge to follow state laws by not “consistent standard in determining posturing rules the day; but normally Rich Duthie, the third member of replacing U.S. Senate candidate Robert risk.” The Senate voted unanimously to the tension is between Republicans the GOP council ticket offered, “I Menendez on the November ballot after include Mr. Menendez’s measure in the and Democrats. have been following the property tax THANK YOU…Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums celebrate their the September 20 state statute deadline. final port security bill set for passage “The 2006 budget fiasco turned issue for some time now and that is fifth anniversary at their annual “Pub Night” at Roselle Catholic High School. Democrats replaced Robert Torricelli late Thursday. “We must determine risk out to be a rather messy and embar- one of the reasons that I am now a Pictured, left to right, are: Union Fire Chief Fred Fretz, piper Dennis Conner, with Frank Lautenberg in 2002 after the same way for all U.S. ports to ensure rassing battle amongst Democrats as candidate for the township council. Linden Deputy Fire Chief Joe Dooley and Pipe Major Ed Donnelly. winning a legal challenge of the state that those who face the greatest risk key Democratic legislators faced off This year I attended municipal bud- deadline to change candidates. receive the funds they need,” Mr. with our new Governor, Jon Corzine. get hearings and spoke first hand with “Over the last six weeks the public Menendez said. As state spending proposals rose to our mayor and council regularly to Public Records Seminar Set has been bombarded with news stories College GOP ‘Street Theater’ Does unprecedented levels and large defi- get an understanding of the process. detailing the many questionable, cer- ‘For Rent’ for Menendez tainly unethical and possibly illegal deal- In response to the ethical questions cits were left over from the “It has really been enlightening to September 28 in Cranford ings of your current candidate for U.S. raised by recent disclosures concerning McGreevey administration, the battle see that contrary to state govern- Senate, Bob Menendez. Last week, a Senator Bob Menendez, the New Jersey amongst Democrats turned out to be ment, there is not a lot of discretion- CRANFORD — Union County at all levels of government,” said Tina federal subpoena was served seeking College Republicans performed a “Street just which taxes were going to be ary spending that goes on in Scotch citizens are invited to a seminar on Renna, President of the UCWA. records in connection with $300,000 in Theater” presentation of “For Rent” hiked to cover the spending. Ulti- Plains municipal government. Re- using the Open Public Records Act Approximately 100 people at- rent payments Mr. Menendez received during a Democratic fundraiser on Sat- mately, Governor Corzine got his viewing what the recent trend in (OPRA) to obtain public documents tended a UCWA-sponsored program from an entity for which, as a member of urday, September 16, in East Brunswick. way and the sales tax was raised to a both municipal and school aid has from their local governments. The last year on effective advocacy and Congress, he actively sought federal “Senators should be role models for level we haven’t seen since the days been from Trenton shows quite seminar will be held on Thursday, participation in municipal govern- funding,” Mr. Wilson said. the future leaders of the country, but Mr. of Jim Florio.” clearly how state government ac- September 28 at 7 p.m. at the Cranford ment. Many who attended then ex- “I have signed this pledge and am Menendez has shown poor judgment Councilwoman Carolyn Sorge tion, or inaction as the case may be, Community Center, 220 Walnut Av- pressed an interest in learning more asking today that you do so as well,” Mr. and questionable ethics on several deci- stated, “Although our new governor directly affects property taxes. While enue, Cranford. The meeting is free. about OPRA. Wilson said. sions he’s made while representing the raising the sales tax to 7 percent I am pleased that special hearings The Union County Watchdog As- Please RSVP by contacting Tina Menendez Blasts Senate For ‘Status citizens of New Jersey – collecting hun- received most of the attention from are taking place in Trenton regard- sociation (UCWA) is sponsoring the Renna at (908) 709-0530, or e-mail at Quo’ On Port Security dreds of thousands of dollars personally seminar. The New Jersey Foundation [email protected]. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez re- while fighting successfully to secure the media, there were several other ing the statewide property tax crisis, leased a statement September 13 follow- federal funding for the group paying taxes and fees raised to cover the I fear that the clout of special inter- for Open Government, the state ad- The New Jersey Foundation for ing the defeat of his port security amend- him, aggressively supporting an attor- runaway spending. Especially dis- ests, looking to protect their respec- vocacy organization dedicated to open Open Government seeks to increase ment, which he said “would have re- ney general who used her position to get turbing was that at the last minute, tive pieces of government spending, government, will provide training and transparency, accountability, honesty quired a plan for scanning 100 percent of her boyfriend out of a traffic ticket and after agreements were reached on will be too much for our legislators materials. Questions from attendees and democracy in government. See cargo containers entering our country.” accepting campaign contributions from the tax increases, legislators were in Trenton and no real changes will will be answered and follow-up sup- www.njfog.org for more information. “It is inconceivable to me that Presi- 37 convicted felons. We’re outraged and scrambling to include special pork take place. port will be provided. The Union County Watchdog As- dent Bush and the Republican Congress doing our part to spread the truth about spending projects for their districts “I am firmly with Mayor Marks, “Hosting events such as this one in sociation believes that good govern- can talk about providing real security for the real character of Senator Menendez,” back home. our township council and so many Union County gives us the opportu- ment can only be achieved through a the American people, yet insist on only said College Republicans Chairman “Our residents should also under- other municipal officials across New nity to educate the public and give checks and balance system that in- scanning 5 percent of cargo containers Frank Luna. stand that, for the third year in a row, Jersey who are calling for a Citizens them the necessary tools to partici- cludes the watchful eye of the people. entering our country,” Mr. Menendez said. The performance included portrayals the state budget froze state aid to Convention to address real property pate in the legislative process thereby See www.unioncountywatchdog.org “The Senate Republicans crafted legisla- of real estate agents, some Hudson municipalities and this has a direct tax reform.” holding elected officials accountable for more information. tion designed to cover their shameful County bosses and an impersonator of vote on this critical issue.” Mr. Menendez. Kean Criticizes Mendendez on Stender Says Ferguson Accepted Security of U.S. Ports $$$ From Convicted Felon Ney GOP U.S. Senate candidate Tom “Rep. Mike Ferguson has taken thou- Kean, Jr. told Gannett Newspapers, “Bob sands of dollars from convicted felon Menendez has proven yet again that he’s Rep. Bob Ney and should immediately ineffective in getting the job done for the divest himself from those funds,” said people of New Jersey.” He said he sup- Linda Stender for Congress Campaign ports screening all cargo arriving and Manager Ed Oatman. “(Rep. Ney) agreed leaving U.S. ports. on Friday to plead guilty to federal crimi- House GOP Unveil September nal charges that he made false state- ‘Border Security Now’ Agenda ments and conspired to commit fraud House Republican leaders an- and violate federal lobbying laws in the nounced their September “Border Se- congressional corruption probe spawned curity Now” agenda. The agenda in- by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.” cludes 10 border security priorities that Mr. Oatman said, “Mr. Ferguson’s TuitionTuition VacationVacation House Republicans said they would financial ties to Ney and former House pass before the end of the month. The Majority Leader Tom DeLay are reason first item on the list, the Secure Fence enough for voters to vote him out of Act, passed the House on September Congress.” 14. Included are more border fencing Report Says State Sen. Bryant and improved surveillance technology, Made $38,000 for UMDNJ No Show more funding for secure border initia- State Senator Wayne Bryant, chair- tive, funding for more border patrol man of the Budget and Appropriations agents, “Catch and Return” instead of Committee, worked a “no show job” at “Catch and Release” on immigration, the University of Medicine and Den- detention and deportation of alien gang tistry that paid him $38,220, according members, expedited removal of alien to a Star Ledger article published Sep- criminals, increase in prosecution of tember 17. He allegedly used the posi- alien smugglers, criminalization of con- tion to lobby for taxpayer funds. Mr. struction and financing of border tun- Bryant resigned in February, shortly af- nels, detention of dangerous aliens ter federal authorities and Governor Jon unable to be deported and reaffirma- Corzine began looking into the scandals tion of the authority of state and local at the hospital, the article stated. law enforcement to enforce immigra- The Ledger quotes sources as saying tion laws. that Mr. Bryant worked at UMDNJ three Menendez Amendment Passes hours a week on campus and reportedly For Risk-Based Port Grants only read newspapers.

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