Thursday, February 25, 2010
Morris Habitat plans to send shelter kits to Haiti
The Morris Habitat ReStore is leading a campaign to collect at least $2,500 from local residents to pay for 10 emergency shelter kits for the people in Haiti affected by the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12. You can contribute now by clicking the “Pay Now” button to send a secure online credit card donation via PayPal.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
March Concerts at the Morris County Library
Concerts take place at the Morris County Library Saturday, March 6th and 13th:
Serenata Trio (flute, guitar and violin), Saturday, Mar. 6th, 3PM, play a program of Italian composers, Fera Italia
Sospiro Winds, string ensemble, peform March 13th, Saturday, 3PM.
Serenata Trio (flute, guitar and violin), Saturday, Mar. 6th, 3PM, play a program of Italian composers, Fera Italia
Sospiro Winds, string ensemble, peform March 13th, Saturday, 3PM.
Free Morris County Libary Movies - February and March
Friday Films, 2PM
films are free and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis [public meeting room]
February: Black History Month
Amistad 1998, R, 2hrs, 35m
Lady Sings the Blues 1972, R, 2hrs, 24m
Cry the Beloved Country 1995, PG-13, 1hr 51m
Ali, 2001, R, 2hr 37m
March: Irish Films
The Boxer 1997, R, 1hr, 54m
Veronica Guerin 1972, R, 1hr, 38m
Far and Away 1995, PG-13, 2hrs 20m
Good Will Hunting, 2001, R, 2hrs 2m
films are free and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis [public meeting room]
February: Black History Month
Amistad 1998, R, 2hrs, 35m
Lady Sings the Blues 1972, R, 2hrs, 24m
Cry the Beloved Country 1995, PG-13, 1hr 51m
Ali, 2001, R, 2hr 37m
March: Irish Films
The Boxer 1997, R, 1hr, 54m
Veronica Guerin 1972, R, 1hr, 38m
Far and Away 1995, PG-13, 2hrs 20m
Good Will Hunting, 2001, R, 2hrs 2m
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Morris County Library - Walk and Talk
Greystone Then and Now
Tuesday January 26 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
presented by Preserve Greystone
Geri Silk facilitator
Interactive Gallery tour based on the photography on display in the library's second floor gallery, followed by audience participatory discussion.
Tuesday January 26 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
presented by Preserve Greystone
Geri Silk facilitator
Interactive Gallery tour based on the photography on display in the library's second floor gallery, followed by audience participatory discussion.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Morris Museum's Model Trains Gallery REOPENS!
Winter Festival
Model Trains Gallery Opening
Sunday December 27 Noon - 4 p.m.
Enjoy a day of winter fun for the whole family at the Morris Museum’s Winter Family Festival. The festival is included with museum admission, and is free for museum members.
Train enthusiasts of all ages can experience the romance of the rails in the reopening of the Morris Museum's Model Trains Gallery. This permanent exhibition, All Aboard! Railroads Real and Imagined opens with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon.
Children and adults are invited to visit the Model Trains and to participate in special activities:
Explore hands-on activities in our new, permanent Model Train gallery
Make a train picture frame
Design a railroad
Make your own snowflake
Create a snowman
Decorate a sleigh bell
Enjoy a performance by the Brightest Star Carolers
Listen to a 'train conductor' read the holiday favorite, The Polar Express
Also on 12/27, The Bayer Children’s Theatre Series at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre presents Santa Claus Meets the Wicked Wizard. This fun-filled musical comedy is a holiday treat for the whole family.
Shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All tickets: $8
Model Trains Gallery Opening
Sunday December 27 Noon - 4 p.m.
Enjoy a day of winter fun for the whole family at the Morris Museum’s Winter Family Festival. The festival is included with museum admission, and is free for museum members.
Train enthusiasts of all ages can experience the romance of the rails in the reopening of the Morris Museum's Model Trains Gallery. This permanent exhibition, All Aboard! Railroads Real and Imagined opens with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon.
Children and adults are invited to visit the Model Trains and to participate in special activities:
Explore hands-on activities in our new, permanent Model Train gallery
Make a train picture frame
Design a railroad
Make your own snowflake
Create a snowman
Decorate a sleigh bell
Enjoy a performance by the Brightest Star Carolers
Listen to a 'train conductor' read the holiday favorite, The Polar Express
Also on 12/27, The Bayer Children’s Theatre Series at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre presents Santa Claus Meets the Wicked Wizard. This fun-filled musical comedy is a holiday treat for the whole family.
Shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All tickets: $8
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Toys For Tots at the Morris County Library
The Morris County Sheriff's (for the Marine Corps) Toys for Tots drive starts at the Morris County Library on Monday, runs through 12/11.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Congratulations Governor Christie! NJ State and Municipal Employees - Update your Resumes!
The election for the Governorship of New Jersey is finally over. Thousands of hours of negative campaigning and commercial advertising have led to a Chris Christie (R) victory over incumbent Jon Corzine (D). None of the three candidates offered particularly appealed to New Jersey residents as evidenced by the pathetic voter turnout. There was little to be excited about. The choices were "Christie: He May Be A Fat Republican But He's OUR Fat Republican!" versus "Corzine - At Least I'm Not Gay Like The Last Guy!" versus "Daggett: I Am SO NOT a Third Party Spoiler Candidate!"
So as someone who did vote (albeit unenthusiastically) I wondered what sort of ramifications a Christie governorship would entail, I was surprised that the voter turnout wasn't a bit more robust in favor of Corzine by New Jersey State employees. Remember all the whining about furloughs? Well, that's going to look like the "good old days" after Christie takes office.
Take a look at his future mandates (garnered from his website [http://www.christiefornj.com/about/88-ways-chris-christie-will-fix-nj.html]:
88 WAYS CHRIS CHRISTIE WILL FIX NEW JERSEY
(I've just listed the ones that I find interesting)
MAKING EVERY DOLLAR COUNT
SEVEN:
I will run our state government like a business by having the State Auditor conduct regular performance reviews on all state programs, local governments and school districts to ensure they are performing their intended purpose with respect and care for tax dollars.
TRANSLATION: I'm going to get my hands dirty and strip local and municipal governments and school districts of state funds if I disagree with their ideology or political bias. I will feel free to nose in on our schools (subsidized in large part by our property taxes and make bizarre little changes to the status quo.
EIGHT:
I will recoup wasted taxpayer dollars by appointing a Special Prosecutor to conduct a thorough audit of government programs and will seek reimbursement of misspent funds until our State Auditor is in place.
TRANSLATION:
Do you like your state job? Not for long, I am going to appoint an attorney to take a fine-toothed comb to all your programs and expenses and require all back-up on employee purchases be signed in quadruplicate by at least two administrators on permanent leave. MWAHAHAHAHAH!
TEN:
I will eliminate wasteful and inappropriate state purchases by appointing a “Taxpayer Advocate” in the Division of Purchase and Property to audit each and every government purchase order until our State Auditor is in place. No more $600 cellphones for state employees.
TRANSLATION: No new purchases that advocate anything the Religious Right may disagree with, no new school playgrounds or parks if they are in urban areas (he's a Morris County Republican, what do you think will happen?) etc. Does your state agency have a budget that it routinely rubberstamps? Yeah, that's done. Prepare to be inundated with bizarre questions from clueless, overpaid auditing drones who examine your procurement database with a fine-toothed comb but miss the big picture. Social services and teachers will suffer disproportionately, those in the urban areas (Newark, Camden, Trenton, Jersey City) where the "poor people" hang out, even more so.
ELEVEN:
I will require a “sunset” provision of four years on any new or expanded program and veto spending for any new (or expanded) program that doesn’t include such a provision. I’ll measure the performance of each and every government program. If a program isn’t serving taxpayers efficiently and effectively, I’ll eliminate it.
TRANSLATION: Say "goodbye" to S-Chip also known as NJ Family Care . Did you lose your job and your kids don't have healthcare? Sucks to be you!
THIRTEEN:
I will save taxpayer dollars and end political cronyism by eliminating political patronage jobs (at least the ones held by members of the Democratic party).
TRANSLATION: If you or your office is even semi-liberal or if you we appointed by Corzine, prepare for a bloodbath. Also prepare to have senior management replaced with more ideologically-friendly individuals, i.e. lots of Conservative Republicans. See George W. Bush circa 2001.
FOURTEEN:
I will lower overtime costs by reducing the number of state holidays and eliminating those not recognized as federal holidays.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to Lincoln's Birthday (I think Corzine actually swapped this one out with the day after Thanksgiving), Good Friday (What Would Jesus Say?), Election Day and the Day After Thanksgiving.
Current New Jersey State Holidays = 13, New and improved post-Christie New Jersey State Holidays = 10.
FIFTEEN:
I will increase efficiency and lower costs by changing to a single, unitary approach to state public employee compensation, benefits, and work rules – ending the separate statutes governing health benefits, antiquated civil service rules, and the collective bargaining agreements.
TRANSLATION:
Remember all the healthcare, pension and vacation options you used to have? Yeah, those days are GONE! Prepare for (gulp!) doctor co-pays and (gulp!) deductions from your paycheck for mandatory healthcare contributions!
SIXTEEN:
I will fight pension abuse, starting with the removal of more than 300 political appointees who are a part of the pension system by virtue of being paid to attend monthly meetings of boards and commissions of which they are members.
TRANSLATION: Prepare for the coming Democrat bloodbath.
SEVENTEEN:
I will increase fairness and reduce costs by bringing the compensation and benefits for the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) back in line with employees who have defined contribution plans (such as federal government employees) by closing defined benefit plan for new state employees, and replacing them with defined contribution plans. Only state workers who would have been enrolled in PERS will be placed in the existing defined contribution plan and this change would not apply to first responders, police or firemen, teachers, local government PERS or members of other retirement systems.
TRANSLATION: See Number Fifteen. Note that if I win the election I will forget the section regarding it's non-application to police, firemen, teachers, etc.
EIGHTEEN:
I will eliminate pension and health benefits for all part-time employees and political appointees. Only full-time employees should qualify for a public pension.
TRANSLATION: If you are a money-saving part-timer who is saving your state or municipality a full-timer's salary by being a part-timer, it's time to look for employment elsewhere as you have no more access to state benefits. Single parent? Sucks for you. If you have part-timers in your office, get ready to do their job as more and more leave in order to find jobs with benefits. Will these jobs be replaced? I don't know, how soon is it before Christie or your municipality/school district enacts a hiring freeze?
NINETEEN:
I will require all new state hires and state employee retirees to contribute to their health insurance costs.
TRANSLATION: Sorry, I'm totally in favor of this one although it counts as a negative to new hires and retirees. It certainly makes you wish you meandered to the polls and VOTED FOR CORZINE! (ahem...)
TWENTY:
I will implement aggressive economic growth strategies via public-private partnerships like the “New Jersey Partnership for Action.” The Partnership for Action will save taxpayer dollars by consolidating Trenton’s many inefficient and ineffective fragmented economic development activities into one single agency.
TRANSLATION: Prepare to be pink-slipped if you are a Democrat or were appointed by Corzine.
TWENTY ONE:
I will further consolidate and streamline government by eliminating the position of “Chief of the Office of Economic Growth.”
TRANSLATION: Because THAT LOSER happens to be a Democrat and as we all know, New Jersey certainly doesn't need any of that stinkin' Economic Growth right now.
FIXING GOVERNMENT
TWENTY FIVE:
I will reform New Jersey’s boards and commissions by only appointing those without conflicts of interest, refusing to create boards and commissions where the memberships create new conflicts of interest, and implementing statutory changes (as needed) to remove any current agency members with conflicts of interest.
TRANSLATION: All Democrats have conflicts of interest because they are not Republican and I am.
TWENTY SIX:
I will hold government officials accountable for their actions by requiring any elected or appointed official convicted of a crime connected to their official position to forfeit their pension benefits.
TRANSLATION: If you are a Democrat, try not to get a parking ticket.
TWENTY SEVEN:
I will strengthen our weak “pay to play” laws by eliminating special interest labor union loopholes to ensure labor unions are treated just like any other entities that have contracts with government.
TRANSLATION: Time to grind the unions into dust for not supporting me, this will make the RNCC sit up and take notice come 2012!
THIRTY:
I will increase honesty and openness in government by requiring fully searchable and transparent websites for all state and local governments and school districts, providing links to property records and taxes, government payrolls, expenditures, school performance report cards, and other information. All information would be accessible to the public no later than 45 days following the close of each fiscal year.
TRANSLATION:
We have this already. However, the tight 45 day reporting timeframe will be a nightmare for all smaller school districts and municipalities without a dedicated administrator or accountant.
THIRTY TWO:
I will allow voters the opportunity to access candidates’ Personal Financial Disclosure Statements online. Currently, these Statements can only be accessed in person, in Trenton. I’ve already proactively posted my Statement on this website to allow you the opportunity to view my financial background.
TRANSLATION:
If you are a candidate running for New Jersey office, prepare to be Identity Thefted.
CUTTING TAXES
THIRTY THREE:
I will cut New Jersey’s income taxes across the board for all taxpayers. Our tax rates are oppressive and are driving residents out of state. No more.
TRANSLATION: I will pacify my Republican overlords and donors but I still have absolutely no clue where the missing revenue will be coming from.
THIRTY EIGHT:
I will help New Jersey’s small businesses lower health insurance costs by allowing the purchase of health insurance policies from out-of-state insurance companies that offer better rates or better coverage. More competition and more consumer choice will lower costs.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out.
THIRTY NINE:
I will provide relief from our state’s overbearing regulations – restoring balance and fairness – by creating a permanent “Red Tape Review Group.” The “Red Tape Review Group” will bring both elected branches of government together in a bi-partisan fashion to perform a top-to-bottom overhaul of New Jersey’s Administrative Code.
TRANSLATION: "Red Tape Review Group" = Republican Revenge Red Tape Review Group. I also don't think that Christie has the authority to do this without buy-in from the Assembly.
FOURTY NINE
I will make our state more affordable for consumers and businesses by making it more difficult to file class action lawsuits for frivolous reasons.
TRANSLATION: I don't give a fuck about plaintiff's attorneys in New Jersey who file class-action lawsuits or care to quantify state tax revenue which is garnered from such large class-action legal settlements. Where we will get the tax dollars to offset this policy is a mystery to me.
EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN
FIFTY TWO:
I will devote more resources to assist parents and educators attempting to start new charter schools by utilizing my revamped Department of Education (DOE) to encourage and nurture those seeking to start a charter school.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY THREE:
I will appoint a Commissioner of the Department of Education whose priority will be approving high-quality charter school applications, unlike the Corzine Administration, who in 2008 approved only one of twenty-two applications.
TRANSLATION: Wow! Corzine approved one!?! Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY FOUR:
I will ensure that the application of the school funding law treats charter schools fairly, and that state aid follows the child to the charter school, as the law intended.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
SIXTY EIGHT:
I will help more New Jerseyans afford health insurance by permitting insurance companies to offer “mandate-free” policies. These policies might better fit the needs of some consumers who may not need extravagant benefits, such as young or single consumers.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
SIXTY NINE:
I will reduce the cost of health insurance for small businesses by allowing national trade associations and membership organizations that have health plans to market to their New Jersey members.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
BRINGING BACK OUR CITIES
TRANSLATION: I WILL CRUSH THESE TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRAT STRONGHOLDS. MWAHAHAHAHHA!
SEVENTY:
I will implement my innovative program, CityTrak, to measure progress and enforce accountability in the areas of education, economic development and crime. CityTrak will combine organizational development with data and geographic systems technology. If a program is working, it will stay in place; if a program isn’t working, we’ll get rid of it. With the implementation of CityTrak in our urban communities, failure will no longer be an option.
TRANSLATION: PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD, PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD. This is a great way for me to manipulate statistics and withhold funds from the urban centers of New Jersey while transferring them to my republican cronies in the suburbs.
SEVENTY ONE:
I will institute the “First Houses” Program to foster growth policies that encourage rapid new population influxes to generate a true re-birth of our cities.
TRANSLATION: My Republican cronies and their bank shareholders will reap the benefits of investing in those Newark, Trenton, Jersey City and Camden foreclosures.
SEVENTY TWO:
I will exempt new residents living within Garden State Growth Zones from New Jersey’s gross income tax to attract people to our urban communities and encourage new market-rate residential housing.
TRANSLATION: If you are in the highest tax bracket in New Jersey and want to avoid paying income taxes, buy an apartment in Jersey City or Elizabeth and list it as your primary residence while keeping your McMansion in Mendham or Alpine (after switching it into your mother's name). How this missing tax revenue is to going to be made up is a mystery to us all...
SEVENTY THREE:
I will keep the most dangerous criminals off of the streets by proposing an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution that will mirror federal bail laws and permit pre-trial preventive detention based on public safety concerns.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to habeas corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought before the court to determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining them. The individual being held or their representative can petition the court for such a writ. According to Article One of the Constitution, the right to a writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended in cases of rebellion or invasion or the public safety. Christie's contention is that pre-trial preventive detention is a public safety concern. What if the police have arrested the wrong person or if a police officer has a grudge against an innocent citizen? I"m not sure if I trust the government of New Jersey enough to justify the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Who defines "the most dangerous criminals?" - Christie? A prosecutor as yet unnamed? We should trust the judiciary system enough to deny bail when the prosecutors and the judge determine that the individual should be refused bail due to the severity of his/her crimes and flight risk. Anything else would be unconstitutional and in violation of the precepts of our Founding Fathers. Christie is not above the law on this issue.
SEVENTY SIX:
I will create new programs that provide alternatives to gang membership, facilitated by community groups, faith-based groups, and other local institutions.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY SEVEN:
I will create gang prevention programs in schools that focus on the dangers and consequences of gang membership, as well as after-school programs.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY EIGHT:
I will create and train local neighborhood watch groups to report gang activity.
TRANSLATION: So I can transfer/layoff more police officers from these distressed urban areas and shift the burden onto the (Democratic) ACORN-loving, unpatriotic, socialist, terrorist-sympathizing citizen watch groups.
EIGHTY:
I will create Garden State Growth Zones to streamline and make available all incentives, tax breaks, loans and grants to all municipalities in the program.
TRANSLATION: Membership in the Garden State Growth Zones will require a hefty donation to CHRISTIEPAC2012.
I will admit, Christie was endorsed by the Sierra Club so he can't be a complete waste of chromosomal material. We'll see in four years how this all turns out. On one hand, I realize that New Jersey needs to reign in a succession of political appointees and assorted dead weight. On the other hand, New Jersey has not contributed to it's employee healthcare fund or pension fund adequately since Governor Jim Florio (D). Republican Christine Todd Whitman (R), running on a tax-cutting platform, defeated Florio in the 1993 governor's race. To help pay for her promised tax cuts, Whitman, like her predecessor, turned to the pension fund. In 1994, at her urging, the legislature adopted another pension "reform" act that allowed her to reduce state and local contributions to the plan by nearly $1.5 billion in 1994 and 1995 (source is the prior link from cnn.com). Can Governor-elect Chris Christie fix the pension underfunding and enable New Jersey state workers to retire comfortably? I sure hope so. However, my psychic powers are whispering "PENSION BONDS, PENSION BONDS..."
So as someone who did vote (albeit unenthusiastically) I wondered what sort of ramifications a Christie governorship would entail, I was surprised that the voter turnout wasn't a bit more robust in favor of Corzine by New Jersey State employees. Remember all the whining about furloughs? Well, that's going to look like the "good old days" after Christie takes office.
Take a look at his future mandates (garnered from his website [http://www.christiefornj.com/about/88-ways-chris-christie-will-fix-nj.html]:
88 WAYS CHRIS CHRISTIE WILL FIX NEW JERSEY
(I've just listed the ones that I find interesting)
MAKING EVERY DOLLAR COUNT
SEVEN:
I will run our state government like a business by having the State Auditor conduct regular performance reviews on all state programs, local governments and school districts to ensure they are performing their intended purpose with respect and care for tax dollars.
TRANSLATION: I'm going to get my hands dirty and strip local and municipal governments and school districts of state funds if I disagree with their ideology or political bias. I will feel free to nose in on our schools (subsidized in large part by our property taxes and make bizarre little changes to the status quo.
EIGHT:
I will recoup wasted taxpayer dollars by appointing a Special Prosecutor to conduct a thorough audit of government programs and will seek reimbursement of misspent funds until our State Auditor is in place.
TRANSLATION:
Do you like your state job? Not for long, I am going to appoint an attorney to take a fine-toothed comb to all your programs and expenses and require all back-up on employee purchases be signed in quadruplicate by at least two administrators on permanent leave. MWAHAHAHAHAH!
TEN:
I will eliminate wasteful and inappropriate state purchases by appointing a “Taxpayer Advocate” in the Division of Purchase and Property to audit each and every government purchase order until our State Auditor is in place. No more $600 cellphones for state employees.
TRANSLATION: No new purchases that advocate anything the Religious Right may disagree with, no new school playgrounds or parks if they are in urban areas (he's a Morris County Republican, what do you think will happen?) etc. Does your state agency have a budget that it routinely rubberstamps? Yeah, that's done. Prepare to be inundated with bizarre questions from clueless, overpaid auditing drones who examine your procurement database with a fine-toothed comb but miss the big picture. Social services and teachers will suffer disproportionately, those in the urban areas (Newark, Camden, Trenton, Jersey City) where the "poor people" hang out, even more so.
ELEVEN:
I will require a “sunset” provision of four years on any new or expanded program and veto spending for any new (or expanded) program that doesn’t include such a provision. I’ll measure the performance of each and every government program. If a program isn’t serving taxpayers efficiently and effectively, I’ll eliminate it.
TRANSLATION: Say "goodbye" to S-Chip also known as NJ Family Care . Did you lose your job and your kids don't have healthcare? Sucks to be you!
THIRTEEN:
I will save taxpayer dollars and end political cronyism by eliminating political patronage jobs (at least the ones held by members of the Democratic party).
TRANSLATION: If you or your office is even semi-liberal or if you we appointed by Corzine, prepare for a bloodbath. Also prepare to have senior management replaced with more ideologically-friendly individuals, i.e. lots of Conservative Republicans. See George W. Bush circa 2001.
FOURTEEN:
I will lower overtime costs by reducing the number of state holidays and eliminating those not recognized as federal holidays.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to Lincoln's Birthday (I think Corzine actually swapped this one out with the day after Thanksgiving), Good Friday (What Would Jesus Say?), Election Day and the Day After Thanksgiving.
Current New Jersey State Holidays = 13, New and improved post-Christie New Jersey State Holidays = 10.
FIFTEEN:
I will increase efficiency and lower costs by changing to a single, unitary approach to state public employee compensation, benefits, and work rules – ending the separate statutes governing health benefits, antiquated civil service rules, and the collective bargaining agreements.
TRANSLATION:
Remember all the healthcare, pension and vacation options you used to have? Yeah, those days are GONE! Prepare for (gulp!) doctor co-pays and (gulp!) deductions from your paycheck for mandatory healthcare contributions!
SIXTEEN:
I will fight pension abuse, starting with the removal of more than 300 political appointees who are a part of the pension system by virtue of being paid to attend monthly meetings of boards and commissions of which they are members.
TRANSLATION: Prepare for the coming Democrat bloodbath.
SEVENTEEN:
I will increase fairness and reduce costs by bringing the compensation and benefits for the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) back in line with employees who have defined contribution plans (such as federal government employees) by closing defined benefit plan for new state employees, and replacing them with defined contribution plans. Only state workers who would have been enrolled in PERS will be placed in the existing defined contribution plan and this change would not apply to first responders, police or firemen, teachers, local government PERS or members of other retirement systems.
TRANSLATION: See Number Fifteen. Note that if I win the election I will forget the section regarding it's non-application to police, firemen, teachers, etc.
EIGHTEEN:
I will eliminate pension and health benefits for all part-time employees and political appointees. Only full-time employees should qualify for a public pension.
TRANSLATION: If you are a money-saving part-timer who is saving your state or municipality a full-timer's salary by being a part-timer, it's time to look for employment elsewhere as you have no more access to state benefits. Single parent? Sucks for you. If you have part-timers in your office, get ready to do their job as more and more leave in order to find jobs with benefits. Will these jobs be replaced? I don't know, how soon is it before Christie or your municipality/school district enacts a hiring freeze?
NINETEEN:
I will require all new state hires and state employee retirees to contribute to their health insurance costs.
TRANSLATION: Sorry, I'm totally in favor of this one although it counts as a negative to new hires and retirees. It certainly makes you wish you meandered to the polls and VOTED FOR CORZINE! (ahem...)
TWENTY:
I will implement aggressive economic growth strategies via public-private partnerships like the “New Jersey Partnership for Action.” The Partnership for Action will save taxpayer dollars by consolidating Trenton’s many inefficient and ineffective fragmented economic development activities into one single agency.
TRANSLATION: Prepare to be pink-slipped if you are a Democrat or were appointed by Corzine.
TWENTY ONE:
I will further consolidate and streamline government by eliminating the position of “Chief of the Office of Economic Growth.”
TRANSLATION: Because THAT LOSER happens to be a Democrat and as we all know, New Jersey certainly doesn't need any of that stinkin' Economic Growth right now.
FIXING GOVERNMENT
TWENTY FIVE:
I will reform New Jersey’s boards and commissions by only appointing those without conflicts of interest, refusing to create boards and commissions where the memberships create new conflicts of interest, and implementing statutory changes (as needed) to remove any current agency members with conflicts of interest.
TRANSLATION: All Democrats have conflicts of interest because they are not Republican and I am.
TWENTY SIX:
I will hold government officials accountable for their actions by requiring any elected or appointed official convicted of a crime connected to their official position to forfeit their pension benefits.
TRANSLATION: If you are a Democrat, try not to get a parking ticket.
TWENTY SEVEN:
I will strengthen our weak “pay to play” laws by eliminating special interest labor union loopholes to ensure labor unions are treated just like any other entities that have contracts with government.
TRANSLATION: Time to grind the unions into dust for not supporting me, this will make the RNCC sit up and take notice come 2012!
THIRTY:
I will increase honesty and openness in government by requiring fully searchable and transparent websites for all state and local governments and school districts, providing links to property records and taxes, government payrolls, expenditures, school performance report cards, and other information. All information would be accessible to the public no later than 45 days following the close of each fiscal year.
TRANSLATION:
We have this already. However, the tight 45 day reporting timeframe will be a nightmare for all smaller school districts and municipalities without a dedicated administrator or accountant.
THIRTY TWO:
I will allow voters the opportunity to access candidates’ Personal Financial Disclosure Statements online. Currently, these Statements can only be accessed in person, in Trenton. I’ve already proactively posted my Statement on this website to allow you the opportunity to view my financial background.
TRANSLATION:
If you are a candidate running for New Jersey office, prepare to be Identity Thefted.
CUTTING TAXES
THIRTY THREE:
I will cut New Jersey’s income taxes across the board for all taxpayers. Our tax rates are oppressive and are driving residents out of state. No more.
TRANSLATION: I will pacify my Republican overlords and donors but I still have absolutely no clue where the missing revenue will be coming from.
THIRTY EIGHT:
I will help New Jersey’s small businesses lower health insurance costs by allowing the purchase of health insurance policies from out-of-state insurance companies that offer better rates or better coverage. More competition and more consumer choice will lower costs.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out.
THIRTY NINE:
I will provide relief from our state’s overbearing regulations – restoring balance and fairness – by creating a permanent “Red Tape Review Group.” The “Red Tape Review Group” will bring both elected branches of government together in a bi-partisan fashion to perform a top-to-bottom overhaul of New Jersey’s Administrative Code.
TRANSLATION: "Red Tape Review Group" = Republican Revenge Red Tape Review Group. I also don't think that Christie has the authority to do this without buy-in from the Assembly.
FOURTY NINE
I will make our state more affordable for consumers and businesses by making it more difficult to file class action lawsuits for frivolous reasons.
TRANSLATION: I don't give a fuck about plaintiff's attorneys in New Jersey who file class-action lawsuits or care to quantify state tax revenue which is garnered from such large class-action legal settlements. Where we will get the tax dollars to offset this policy is a mystery to me.
EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN
FIFTY TWO:
I will devote more resources to assist parents and educators attempting to start new charter schools by utilizing my revamped Department of Education (DOE) to encourage and nurture those seeking to start a charter school.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY THREE:
I will appoint a Commissioner of the Department of Education whose priority will be approving high-quality charter school applications, unlike the Corzine Administration, who in 2008 approved only one of twenty-two applications.
TRANSLATION: Wow! Corzine approved one!?! Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY FOUR:
I will ensure that the application of the school funding law treats charter schools fairly, and that state aid follows the child to the charter school, as the law intended.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
SIXTY EIGHT:
I will help more New Jerseyans afford health insurance by permitting insurance companies to offer “mandate-free” policies. These policies might better fit the needs of some consumers who may not need extravagant benefits, such as young or single consumers.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
SIXTY NINE:
I will reduce the cost of health insurance for small businesses by allowing national trade associations and membership organizations that have health plans to market to their New Jersey members.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
BRINGING BACK OUR CITIES
TRANSLATION: I WILL CRUSH THESE TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRAT STRONGHOLDS. MWAHAHAHAHHA!
SEVENTY:
I will implement my innovative program, CityTrak, to measure progress and enforce accountability in the areas of education, economic development and crime. CityTrak will combine organizational development with data and geographic systems technology. If a program is working, it will stay in place; if a program isn’t working, we’ll get rid of it. With the implementation of CityTrak in our urban communities, failure will no longer be an option.
TRANSLATION: PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD, PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD. This is a great way for me to manipulate statistics and withhold funds from the urban centers of New Jersey while transferring them to my republican cronies in the suburbs.
SEVENTY ONE:
I will institute the “First Houses” Program to foster growth policies that encourage rapid new population influxes to generate a true re-birth of our cities.
TRANSLATION: My Republican cronies and their bank shareholders will reap the benefits of investing in those Newark, Trenton, Jersey City and Camden foreclosures.
SEVENTY TWO:
I will exempt new residents living within Garden State Growth Zones from New Jersey’s gross income tax to attract people to our urban communities and encourage new market-rate residential housing.
TRANSLATION: If you are in the highest tax bracket in New Jersey and want to avoid paying income taxes, buy an apartment in Jersey City or Elizabeth and list it as your primary residence while keeping your McMansion in Mendham or Alpine (after switching it into your mother's name). How this missing tax revenue is to going to be made up is a mystery to us all...
SEVENTY THREE:
I will keep the most dangerous criminals off of the streets by proposing an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution that will mirror federal bail laws and permit pre-trial preventive detention based on public safety concerns.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to habeas corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought before the court to determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining them. The individual being held or their representative can petition the court for such a writ. According to Article One of the Constitution, the right to a writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended in cases of rebellion or invasion or the public safety. Christie's contention is that pre-trial preventive detention is a public safety concern. What if the police have arrested the wrong person or if a police officer has a grudge against an innocent citizen? I"m not sure if I trust the government of New Jersey enough to justify the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Who defines "the most dangerous criminals?" - Christie? A prosecutor as yet unnamed? We should trust the judiciary system enough to deny bail when the prosecutors and the judge determine that the individual should be refused bail due to the severity of his/her crimes and flight risk. Anything else would be unconstitutional and in violation of the precepts of our Founding Fathers. Christie is not above the law on this issue.
SEVENTY SIX:
I will create new programs that provide alternatives to gang membership, facilitated by community groups, faith-based groups, and other local institutions.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY SEVEN:
I will create gang prevention programs in schools that focus on the dangers and consequences of gang membership, as well as after-school programs.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY EIGHT:
I will create and train local neighborhood watch groups to report gang activity.
TRANSLATION: So I can transfer/layoff more police officers from these distressed urban areas and shift the burden onto the (Democratic) ACORN-loving, unpatriotic, socialist, terrorist-sympathizing citizen watch groups.
EIGHTY:
I will create Garden State Growth Zones to streamline and make available all incentives, tax breaks, loans and grants to all municipalities in the program.
TRANSLATION: Membership in the Garden State Growth Zones will require a hefty donation to CHRISTIEPAC2012.
I will admit, Christie was endorsed by the Sierra Club so he can't be a complete waste of chromosomal material. We'll see in four years how this all turns out. On one hand, I realize that New Jersey needs to reign in a succession of political appointees and assorted dead weight. On the other hand, New Jersey has not contributed to it's employee healthcare fund or pension fund adequately since Governor Jim Florio (D). Republican Christine Todd Whitman (R), running on a tax-cutting platform, defeated Florio in the 1993 governor's race. To help pay for her promised tax cuts, Whitman, like her predecessor, turned to the pension fund. In 1994, at her urging, the legislature adopted another pension "reform" act that allowed her to reduce state and local contributions to the plan by nearly $1.5 billion in 1994 and 1995 (source is the prior link from cnn.com). Can Governor-elect Chris Christie fix the pension underfunding and enable New Jersey state workers to retire comfortably? I sure hope so. However, my psychic powers are whispering "PENSION BONDS, PENSION BONDS..."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
New N.J. program sends emergency alerts via email, text message
New N.J. program sends emergency alerts via email, text message
by Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau
Thursday September 03, 2009, 12:47 PM
Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger
NJ State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes issued a release today about NJ Alert, where residents can sign up for emergency alerts.
TRENTON -- New Jersey residents can sign up for emergency alerts from state law enforcement and homeland security agencies, state officials announced today. Alerts involving hurricanes, evacuations or terrorist attacks can be received via email or text message through the service, called NJ Alert.
"During an emergency, timely dissemination of accurate information is the cornerstone of public safety," Rick Fuentes, State Police superintendent and director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, said in a statement.
People can sign up for alerts at www.ready.nj.gov. Nicholas Morici, spokesman for the OEM, said the service was provided to the state for free by Professor Robert Statica at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
"This is totally free not only to the state but to users," he said.
Morici said other states like New York have already implemented similar email and text messaging services.
New Jersey currently uses radio broadcasts to announce emergencies, he said.
Residents can also use the system to volunteer help during an emergency.
"We want people to know that when you see that message, public action needs to be taken," Morici said.
by Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau
Thursday September 03, 2009, 12:47 PM
Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger
NJ State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes issued a release today about NJ Alert, where residents can sign up for emergency alerts.
TRENTON -- New Jersey residents can sign up for emergency alerts from state law enforcement and homeland security agencies, state officials announced today. Alerts involving hurricanes, evacuations or terrorist attacks can be received via email or text message through the service, called NJ Alert.
"During an emergency, timely dissemination of accurate information is the cornerstone of public safety," Rick Fuentes, State Police superintendent and director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, said in a statement.
People can sign up for alerts at www.ready.nj.gov. Nicholas Morici, spokesman for the OEM, said the service was provided to the state for free by Professor Robert Statica at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
"This is totally free not only to the state but to users," he said.
Morici said other states like New York have already implemented similar email and text messaging services.
New Jersey currently uses radio broadcasts to announce emergencies, he said.
Residents can also use the system to volunteer help during an emergency.
"We want people to know that when you see that message, public action needs to be taken," Morici said.
NJ Residents Urged to Call 2-1-1 for Assistance
www.nj211.org
In the event of a community emergency 2-1-1 acts as a public information point for information in coordination with Emergency Management professionals. 2-1-1 responds immediately during times of crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs.
NJ Division of Mental Health Toll-Free Helpline 877-294-HELP (4357) - Counseling and Stress Management Resources Available
No one who lives through a disaster is untouched by the experience. Like other disasters, severe storms and flooding can result in emotional distress, as well as property damage. Disasters can threaten our sense of control and safety, and can affect many aspects of our lives. Disaster stress that is unrecognized or unmanaged can impact our physical and mental health. Dealing with the emotional consequences soon after a disaster can help reduce the possibility of long-term problems. Recognizing and handling stress properly can help you meet the challenges of recovering from a storm or flood and reclaiming your sense of control and security.
In the event of a community emergency 2-1-1 acts as a public information point for information in coordination with Emergency Management professionals. 2-1-1 responds immediately during times of crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs.
NJ Division of Mental Health Toll-Free Helpline 877-294-HELP (4357) - Counseling and Stress Management Resources Available
No one who lives through a disaster is untouched by the experience. Like other disasters, severe storms and flooding can result in emotional distress, as well as property damage. Disasters can threaten our sense of control and safety, and can affect many aspects of our lives. Disaster stress that is unrecognized or unmanaged can impact our physical and mental health. Dealing with the emotional consequences soon after a disaster can help reduce the possibility of long-term problems. Recognizing and handling stress properly can help you meet the challenges of recovering from a storm or flood and reclaiming your sense of control and security.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)