BAYSHORE AREA (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo said he is in full support of Governor Jon Corzine and Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ, with regard to their stands on the proposed port operations deal being proposed by the Bush Administration. In addition, Union Beach Democratic Chairman Kenneth Connors also lent his voice in support of the governor and Holt.PRESS RELEASE

FOR: ALL MEDIA

February 24, 2006

POC: Joe Caliendo
Chairman, Middletown Democratic Party
8 Daniel Drive, Middletown, NJ 07748
Tel: (732) 299-6470

BAYSHORE DEMOCRATS COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF HOLT, CORZINE

BAYSHORE AREA (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo said he is in full support of Governor Jon Corzine and Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ, with regard to their stands on the proposed port operations deal being proposed by the Bush Administration. In addition, Union Beach Democratic Chairman Kenneth Connors also lent his voice in support of the governor and Holt.

According to Caliendo, "The deal that was brokered by a House subcommittee and approved of by the administration of the president is a bad one that needlessly places U.S. lives in danger. More to the point, this deal specifically places the lives of every New Jerseyan at risk for the Federal Government to save some money at the expense of this state's security posture."

Caliendo is referring to the proposed deal whereby a state-operated company headquartered in the United Arab Emirates would assume operational control over several U.S. ports, including the Port of Newark.

Connors explained, "It is incumbent on every leader in this state, regardless of their party affiliation or their partisan interests to place the welfare of our residents and our port's safety and protection at the top of our priorities."

Setting aside concerns that Caliendo has regarding the fact that two of the 9/11 hijackers were originally from the UAE, he noted that "this company is the low bidder for this contract and I do not want the lowest bidder to handle the operations of this state's most vital port facility."

Connors characterized the UAE port operation deal as "ridiculous" and questioned why the Federal Government would force this company upon New Jersey without so much as attempting to gain input from New Jersey lawmakers.

Caliendo said there are times when the best company for the job and not the low bidder should receive work. "I don't like the idea that a company outside the U.S., whether it is British or from Western Europe for that matter, is involved in this country's most important port operations. This is especially true when the company is the low bidder from the UAE."

Caliendo noted that Corzine is suing the Federal Government for breach of contract so that the Garden State can determine the most suitable terminal operator. In addition, Holt is attempting to block the execution of the deal in Washington. Holt and Rep. Frank Pallone both represent Middletown in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I give a lot of credit to Mr. Corzine and Mr. Holt, they're doing what we sent them into office to do -- protect the interests of this state and this country from all threats, whether they are foreign or domestic," Caliendo said.

Connors echoed Caliendo's statement. "The days when we can all just sit back and believe that everything is going to be OK because the Federal Government says so are long gone. This issue is one that every New Jersey resident and business owner should be concerned about," he said.

Caliendo elaborated on his complaint about the lowest bidder obtaining terminal work, not only in New Jersey but also in state's around the nation. "I do not want some guy making $6 or $7 an hour where a skilled technician to do a job right may cost two or three times there. There's an old saying that goes, 'If you buy cheap, then you get cheap.' "

For more information, Caliendo can be reached at (732) 299-6470.

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