NEW JERSEY FARM BUREAU FOCUS


WASHINGTON: The ag leadership development class spent four days this week in Washington, taking part in the “federal issues” component of its curriculum. The group visited a wide array of agencies and associations related to farming, including a Tuesday afternoon with the American Farm Bureau staff. Class participants also visited congressional offices on Capitol Hill, for a first-hand experience in lobbying, then the USDA, American Nursery and Landscape Assoc., United Fresh Produce Assoc., National Cattleman’s and Beef Assoc., and took a tour of the US Capitol. On Friday, the future leaders were scheduled to meet with Lawrence Ellsworth, ag counselor to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

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Crowd still assessing candidates for the most part in Trenton mayor's race

Crowd still assessing candidates for the most part in Trenton mayor's race

TRENTON - On several occasions at tonight's mayoral forum in the basement of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, plants in the audience try to get a surge of clapping started for their respective candidates, but in each instance can't make it stick.

An oceanic response to a candidate's one-line answer from the people might produce an unlikely hero on the night, even pinpoint a frontrunner among the eight men and one woman sitting - and simultaneously jockeying - onstage.

They wait for the right moment to take advantage of an emotional turn of phrase and turn it into a sudden shift of power.  

Former Mercer County Freeholder Tony Mack tries to assert himself as the people's champion.

"I stood up for you, now I'm asking you to stand with me," he says, triggering two hands vigorously clapping, creating two more sets and maybe three or four clapping in an otherwise silent church hall.

At-Large Councilman Manuel Segura produces a moment that threatens to turn into something bigger.

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Trenton braces for impact

Trenton braces for impact

TRENTON - Almost everyone here at the Statehouse has a look on his face as though he's bracing for impact. 

Lawmakers, particularly Republicans, worry about the way Gov. Chris Christie's $29.3 billion budget will hit their suburban towns tomorrow as Christie tries to close an $11 billion deficit.

That one figure of $1.3 billion in school funding cuts triggers political panic.

Temporary suspension of rebate checks for seniors triggers panic.

Senator Robert Singer, the mayor of Lakewood, shakes his head when asked about the prospect of a constitutional amendment capping annual property tax hikes at 2.5%.

"It won't work without requisite tools, and I'm not convinced those tools are there," he says as he leaves the Economic Growth Committee. 

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Collins to run for mayor of Kinnelon

Collins to run for mayor of Kinnelon
Councilman Bob Collins

With the retirement at the end of this year of 40-year incumbent Mayor Glenn Sisco, Councilman Bob Collins today formally announced his candidacy for mayor.

Eight years as the governing body's budget chairman, Collins is running with the endorsement of the 81-year old Sisco as he seeks his party's backing in the June 11th Republican Primary.

"I think these times demand proven leadership and I have a vision of smaller and more efficient government," said the 55-year old Collins, a 25-year veteran of the banking industry and former bank president at two institutions, who now serves as chief financial officer of a non profit.

Collins has served on the council for nine years. 

It's overwhelmingly Republican Party politics in Kinnelon, so if there is a contested primary, that's where the main drama will lie.

Councilman Dan O'Dougherty, who four years ago challenged Sisco and lost, has not yet publicly declared his candidacy.

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Kyrillos endorses Gooch for Congress

Kyrillos endorses Gooch for Congress
State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Middletown)

TRENTON - State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Middletown) today endorsed millionaire newspaper publisher Diane Gooch for Congress in the 6th District.

"She's a tough, feisty, attractive candidate with real common sense that reflects the views of her district and the country," Kyrillos told PolitickerNJ.com. "She's willing to step up and get in the arena, which is what you have to do if you want to serve."

Gooch is vying with Highlands Mayor Anna Little for the backing of the Republican Party to oppose U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch).

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Judiciary unanimously affirms DEP commish candidate Martin

The Senate Judiary Committee just unanimously passed Gov. Chris Christie's nominee to head the Department of Environmental Protection.

Bob Martin received the congratulations of Senate Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) shortly after absorbing some stern questioning by state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), who ultimately joined her colleagues in voting in the affirmative.

"I have no quarrel with expediting permits, I just want to keep reminding you that you are the commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection," Weinberg said.

"I understand, senator,' Martin said.

"Some of the advocates seem uncomfortable with your appointment," Weinberg said. "As you probably know, we have among the worst air quality in the nation. You're going to bring some metrics to bear on our air quaaility in New Jersey?"

"Yes, senator," said Martin.

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Although Rice's son has no opposition, senator disputes argument that the West will sleep

Allies of Newark Mayor Cory Booker's say challenger Clifford Minor's decision not to run a full council slate inhibits his ability to stir interest in his candidacy.

To date, Minor has not fielded candidates in the North, East or West wards.

Although his son, West Ward Councilman Ronald C. Rice, is allied with Booker against the Minor team, state Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-Newark) backs Minor against Booker.

The senator disputes the argument that Minor's decision to forego having a candidate in the West Ward prevents him from having an ally on the ballot to occupy a critical fifth of the city and generate interest in the municipal contest.

"The wards can sleep even when you have opposition," said Rice, who ran against Booker and lost in 2006. "Ward opposition in and of itself doesn't necessarily create interest. You have to have a good mayoral candidate with a good message, and that's what Cliff Minor is. Trust me, nobody's going to be sleeping."

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Scarafile says he'll file tomorrow to run for commissioner of UC

Buried four years ago in his attempt to dethrone Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack, Little Ferry School Superintendent Frank Scarafile said he's prepared to file his petitions tomorrow to again challenge Stack in the commissioners' race.

"We're going to hand in around 400 petitions," Scarafile said. "I could hand in more but that would just give him more people to harrass. The more I give, the more people become targets."

The city clerk's office requires 275 good petition signatures to certify a candidate to run for commissioner.

"We handed in about half our petitions today," said Stack spokesman Mark Albiez.

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Wake-Up Call

Morning News Digest: March 16, 2010

Crowd still assessing candidates for the most part in Trenton mayor's race  On several occasions at tonight's mayoral forum in the basement of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, plants in the audience try to get a surge of clapping started for their respective candidates, but in each instance can't make...

Wally Edge

In the increasingly contentious Republican primary for the Congress in the twelfth district, Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre might want to become a little more thorough with his opposition research.  This week, Halfacre alleged that rival...
Today is bittersweet for PolitickerNJ.com as we announce the departure of Matt Friedman from our reporting staff.   Matt will be joining the Star-Ledger statehouse bureau, and we are extraordinarily proud of him as he begins the next...
Barack Obama has made his first appointment from Bergen: Victor Herlinsky, an early supporter and Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s ex-law partner, was named to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the...
Former Edison Mayor Jun Choi is the new managing director of the Government Strategy Group, a New Providence-based firm that provides financial management consulting services to governments.  He has also joined the Eagleton Institute of...
The Middlesex County Republican Organization Screening Committee has recommended that newspaper publisher Diane Gooch be the organization candidate for Congress in the sixth district.  Party rules state that the screening committee...

Contributors

This is going to be a budget that is going to be unlike any other you’ve probably seen in NJ in at least the last 20 years and maybe... more »
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get done... more »
It's impossible to support consolidation of government services and also support COAH.S1 paints with a broad brush and thus will miss some fine points.  COAH paints with... more »
Trivia Question --- A Democrat Chief Executive elected by an overwhelming margin cannot convince overwhelming Democrat Majorities in the Legislative Branch to enact his agenda, and faces increasing public... more »
As part of his solution to New Jersey’s current budget deficit, Gov. Chris Christie announced that, effective yesterday, he will not allow any additional parents to enroll in FamilyCare,... more »
Let me get this straight.  The state has a “cap” or limit on how much municipalities can increase their annual budget every year—four percent.  The goal is to keep... more »
On Rebate Issue, Christie Will Win.  The leading New Jersey Sunday newspapers yesterday confirmed that Governor Chris Christie will propose in his FY2011 budget the... more »
You’ve got to hand it to Christie; he calls it as he sees it.  I don’t mean the newly crowned Governor, Chris Christie, but his nine-year-old son, Patrick.  ... more »
Anyone involved in governing and administrating a town or county in New Jersey understands the economic problems outlined in The Star-Ledger editorials of February 28 and March 1.  The... more »
It is widely anticipated that Gov. Chris Christie’s first budget message, to be delivered on March 16, will show the harsh reality of New Jersey’s bleak financial outlook. No... more »
In keeping with the commitment I made to you in the November election, I am looking at every possible way to cut wasteful government spending and relieve your tax... more »
Republican Playbook:  Fear, Scorn & Partisanship -- Instill fear.  Sow uncertainty.   Create doubt.  Demonize.   These tactics may be the unfortunate norm for campaigning, but they are bad – if not... more »
Our new Governor suffers from no lack of advice.  Much of it, contained in the transition reports, deserves prompt attention.  Obviously, economic prosperity benefits everyone, and – as... more »
I have to genuinely wonder if this legislature will go down as the most taxing legislature in the history of the state of New Jersey surpassing the legislative actions... more »
Now that  the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this election. First and... more »
March 14, 2010  Governor Christie Cuts The Day to Just 23 Hours   In yet another Executive Order sure to rile clock and calendar makers, Governor Chris Christie... more »
Sheriff Larkin must go:  no ifs ands or buts.According to published reports, Mercer County Sheriff Kevin Larkin entered the Political Science class of associate professor Michael Glass at Mercer... more »
On January 11th New Jersey’s 213th Legislature ended its session, followed the next day by the commencement of the 214th Legislature, with newly elected officials being sworn into office,... more »
On January 6, 2010, several newspapers published articles with titles like “no more aid for struggling cities”, “Christie will cut state aid” and the like; furthermore, in the body... more »
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, you target teachers. That’s not a positive note to start your tenure. You forget that the Teachers’ Union makes decisions on its own, such... more »
On the day of his inauguration, Governor Christopher Christie inherited a gaping $2 billion hole in the state’s budget and swiftly set about the people’s business in meeting our... more »

Blogroll

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Happy New Year from PolitickerNJ.com

SPEECHES

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo State of the County Address, 2010

Governor Chris Christie Address to the Special session of the New Jersey
Legislature, 2010

Newark Mayor Cory Booker State of the City Address, 2010

Governor Chris Christie Inaugural Address, 2010

Governor Jon Corzine State of the State Address, 2010

POLLING
Quinnipiac University
Monmouth University
Fairleigh Dickinson University

NEW JERSEY NETWORK
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On the Record
Caucus New Jersey

COLUMNISTS
Barry Carter
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CARTOONISTS

Jimmy Margulies
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MEDIA

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EDITORIALS

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BLOGS

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Ruins of Trenton
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Teaneck Progress
TrentonKat

STATE PARTY
ORGANIZATIONS

NJ Constitution Party
NJ Democratic State Committee
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NJ Republican State Committee
Socialist Party of NJ

COUNTY PARTY
ORGANIZATIONS
Democratic

Atlantic County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Salem County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County

Republican
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Gloucester County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Salem County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County

Green

Monmouth County

GOVERNMENT
NJ Division of Elections
NJElection Law Enforcement Commission
United States Attorney
NJ Supreme Court

GUBERNATORIAL
ELECTION RESULTS

Atlantic
Bergen
Burlington
Camden
Cape May
Cumberland
Essex

Gloucester
Hudson
Hunterdon
Mercer
Middlesex
Monmouth
Morris

Ocean
Passaic

Salem
Somerset
Sussex
Union
Warren

STATE ASSEMBLY
ELECTION RESULTS

1st Legislative District

2nd Legislative District

3rd Legislative District

4th Legislative District

5th Legislative District

6th Legislative District

7th Legislative District

8th Legislative District

9th Legislative District

10th Legislative District

11th Legislative District

12th Legislative District

13th Legislative District

14th Legislative District

15th Legislative District

16th Legislative District

17th Legislative District

18th Legislative District

19th Legislative District

20th Legislative District

21st Legislative District

22nd Legislative District

23rd Legislative District

24th Legislative District

25th Legislative District

26th Legislative District

27th Legislative District

28th Legislative District

29th Legislative District

30th Legislative District

31st Legislative District

32nd Legislative District

33rd Legislative District

34th Legislative District

35th Legislative District

36th Legislative District

37th Legislative District

38th Legislative District

39th Legislative District

40th Legislative District

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County DEM
Camden County REP
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Salem County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County

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