Larry Casha

WEBBER FOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2007 CONTACT: (908) 267-1613

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT . . .

"Assembly candidate hopes for Reagan magic," Fred Snowflack, The Daily Record, February 25, 2007

"Jay Webber's first Ronald Reagan Day was held in a Parsippany firehouse and drew about 50 people at most. His most recent tribute to "Dutch" was held last week at the more spiffy Zeris Inn in Mountain Lakes and drew almost 200. What’s going on? Is fondness for Reagan increasing among Republicans as time passes, or is Webber's stock on the rise?

One part of that question will be answered in the June primary where Webber is seeking an Assembly nomination in the 26th District.

Larry Casha, his primary opponent, made it to the Reagan celebration. That seemed a bit odd, but Casha said simply, "I'm here to support Ronald Reagan."

. . . .

Speaking of the Casha-Webber campaign, Casha on Friday boldly released another roster of supporters. This list included only 16 names and was considerably smaller than one made public a few weeks ago.

For Casha’s sake, we hope this list was vetted a little better than the last one. The other list included two officials who turned out not to be Casha supporters, one man who was dead and one supporter identified as a man who was really a woman."

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Paid for by Webber for Assembly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 23, 2007 973-909-4490

CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY WELCOMES MORE SUPPORTERS

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - 26th District Assembly candidate Larry Casha is proud to welcome the following supporters to his campaign, which brings the total of current and former Republican elected officials and community leaders to over 100.

"The momentum continues to build, and it demonstrates our shared desire to reform state government and send a proven fiscal conservative to Trenton. They, like many of the taxpayers they represent, feel that strong pension benefit reform, spending and tax cuts and eliminating corruption at all levels of government are issues that must be addressed now. I am honored to have them on my team."

New Jersey Federation of Republican Women Area Director Elaine Obenhuber
Morris County Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom
Morris County Republican Committee Vice Chair Jane Tiger
Chatham Borough Mayor Richard Plambeck
Chatham Borough County Committeewoman Margaret Coresello
Lincoln Park County Committeeman Larry Obenhuber
Montville Deputy Mayor Deborah Nielson
Pequannock Mayor Jay Vanderhoff
Pequannock Councilman Edward Engelbart
Pine Brook Fire Commissioner President Anthony Speciale, Sr.
Former Morris County Young Republican Chairwoman Candice Soprano
Former Denville Mayor Carol Spencer
Former Florham Park Councilman Sam McNulty
Former Kinnelon Council President Gloria Carelli
Former Montville Committeeman Tom Mazzaccaro
Former West Milford Board of Education Member Kenneth Freedman

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www.CashaforAssembly.org
Paid for by Casha for Assembly, Richard Clawson Treasurer

WWW.CASHAFORASSEMBLY.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Gregory Andres

February 21, 2007

973-909-4490

New Jersey deserves REAL ethics reform
Casha supports Republican Leader DeCroce's ethics reform measures

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - 26th District Assembly candidate Larry Casha issued the following statement today in anticipation of the State Assembly discussing ethics reform:

"Real ethics reform is long overdue. The taxpayers of New Jersey deserve to have a government they can trust and rely on to do what's right. On Thursday February 22, the State Assembly will meet and Republican Leader Alex DeCroce will seek to move forward with the Assembly Republican 'Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey'.

"Since my announcement in April 2006, I have been talking about real ethics reform at all levels of government. The 'Blueprint' proposes to:

* Impose a sweeping ban on dual office-holding;
* Stop pension boosting and tacking by public officials;
* Suspend indicted public officials without pay;
* Require jail time for convicted public officials;
* Require full pension forfeiture for convicted public officials;
* Empower the public by reforming the ethics complaint process, and
* Turn control of the Legislature's ethics committee over to private citizens.
* Revise the Legislative Code of Ethics, including provisions to prevent the future abuse of grant funds.

"I wholeheartedly support Assembly Leader DeCroce's efforts and look forward to continuing to work for real ethics reform in the State Assembly."

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www.CashaforAssembly.org
Paid for by Casha for Assembly, Richard Clawson Treasurer

WEBBER FOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2007 CONTACT: (908) 267-1613

Casha Plays Catch-up Again
Candidate takes weaker position on veterans benefit than Webber did four years ago

Morris Plains, NJ - The Webber for Assembly campaign today welcomed candidate Larry Casha to the movement to treat our fighting men and women with greater respect by exempting their pay from state income tax. As a candidate for State Senate four years ago, Webber not only took the position that fighting men and women should be exempt, but also that their spouses at home should be exempt as well. Webber has remained unwavering in his support of that proposal, as well as other important measures that support our troops and veterans.

"Jay Webber made a commitment four years ago to introduce, if he had been elected, legislation to exempt from the state income tax the pay of our soldiers who are at war and their spouses at home, and he stands by that commitment. While we appreciate Larry coming around on this issue, I am confident that voters will choose the individuals who lead on these important issues," said Webber for Assembly spokeswoman Amanda Woloshen.

In an April 29, 2003, press release, then-State Senate candidate Jay Webber applauded Congressman Scott Garrett's newly introduced legislation to exempt military pay of our soldiers in Iraq and spouses at home. Webber committed at that time to introduce similar legislation in the Senate if elected. That press release is available upon request.

Last month, Webber was the first candidate or officeholder in the State to urge Governor Corzine to veto S-9, a bill that would have eliminated the requirement for New Jersey's public schools to teach about Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Shortly after Webber's call, other legislators joined him, and the Governor did indeed conditionally veto an otherwise laudable bill to remove the objectionable language Webber opposed.

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Paid for by Webber for Assembly

WWW.CASHAFORASSEMBLY.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 20, 2007 973-909-4490

NJ Taxing Our Bravest
New Jersey still takes state income tax from military members overseas

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - 26th District Assembly candidate Larry Casha issued the following statement supporting the efforts of Assemblymen Bill Baroni and Eric Munoz to eliminate the withholding of state income taxes from military members serving overseas:

"Why is New Jersey one of only 13 states in the nation to take out state income taxes from a military member serving overseas? Because our state government is simply tax happy. It isn't enough that the Democrats in Trenton already tax nearly every service and product in our state and continue to refuse to deal with the property tax crisis, but they insist on taking money out of our brave service members' pockets each month.

"Currently, servicemen and women in Iraq or Afghanistan are exempt, but those serving in Germany, Iceland or Korea will still see state taxes removed from their paychecks. These brave men and women are already putting their lives on the line for New Jersey and our great nation, and it's time we stop taxing their efforts to protect our freedom.

"I strongly urge Governor Corzine and the Democrats to support the measure brought forth by Assemblymen Baroni and Munoz that would eliminate this unfair tax as soon as possible."

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www.cashaforassembly.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 19, 2007 973-909-4490

MARRIAGE TAKES A STEP BACK IN NEW JERSEY

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - 26th District Assembly candidate Larry Casha issued the following statement on the day that civil unions will take effect in New Jersey:

"In October 2006, the state legislature had an opportunity to protect the institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Unfortunately, they made the wrong choice and chose to pass a bill that would establish "civil unions". These "unions" provide the same level of benefits to gay couples that heterosexual couples enjoy.

"From a financial standpoint, the state budget is expected to rise to $33 billion this fiscal year, so now is not the time to add an additional burden to the already overburdened taxpayers of New Jersey.

"Marriage as an institution has been protected and honored for centuries at all levels of government but today, it has been dealt a damaging blow.

"When I am elected, I will push for efforts to define marriage as between one man and one woman and continue to fight for traditional family values."

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Paid for Casha for Assembly, Richard Clawson, Treasurer

LARRY CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY
WWW.CASHAFORASSEMBLY.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 12, 2007 973-909-4490

Let the Chips Fall ...
Legislature shouldn't hide behind Attorney-Client privilege

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - In response to a recent Star Ledger article outlining a pending court battle between U.S. Attorney Chris Christie and the Office of Legislative Services, Larry Casha issued the following statement:

"The subpoenas served on the Office of Legislative Services for documents and other materials relating to funds diverted to pet projects across the state highlights just one of the many problems our government faces. Year after year, millions of dollars are given to favored institutions by powerful members of the Legislature. According to a Star Ledger article the price tag for these "appropriations" has climbed to over $350 million in the last five years!

"Where could this money have been used? What is the single most pressing issue facing our state? Property taxes. Of course, this sum by itself wouldn't have provided much, but it could have been used in addition to other cost saving measures.

"Why do we see in poll after poll that the Legislature receives low job approval points from the voters? Because the Legislature does not know how to spend the people's money wisely.

"Enough is enough! I urge all members of the Legislature to follow Assemblymen DeCroce, Carroll, Merkt and Gregg in waiving any claim of attorney-client privilege with respect to the U.S. Attorney's subpoenas."

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Paid for by Larry Casha for Assembly, Rich Clawson, Treasurer

LARRY CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 12, 2007 973-909-4490

CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES KEY CAMPAIGN ENDORSEMENTS
Supporters stream to Casha's Assembly campaign

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - The Casha for Assembly campaign is pleased to announce the following current and former elected officials and party leaders who have endorsed Larry Casha for Assembly in the 26th District.

"I am proud and honored to have the support of so many current and former elected officials and party leaders", Larry Casha said. "They, like me, understand that it's time to cut spending, reform our state pension system and reduce the onerous property tax burden on our citizens. We look forward to talking about our message of reform and accountability as the campaign moves forward."

County Elected and Party Officials

Joan Bramhall Morris County Clerk
William Chegwidden Morris County Freeholder
Barbara Dawson MCRC Executive Director/Fmr. Exec Committee Chair
Jean Dinsmore Former Republican State Committeewoman
Oscar Doyle Former MCRC Chairman
Lois Johnson Former MCRC Chairwoman
Patricia Maynard Former Morris County Freeholder
Skip McMahon Republican State Committeeman
Carol Murphy Former Assemblywoman
John Murphy Morris County Freeholder
Patti Page MCRC Vice Chair/Chatham GOP Municipal Chair
John Pecoraro Morris County Surrogate
Christina Ramirez GOP State Committeewoman/Fmr. MCRC Exec Director
Edward Ramirez Morristown Municipal Chairman GOP County Committee
Dick Seabury Former MCRC Chairman

Municipal Elected Officials

Robert Alviene Butler Council President
Paul Bailey Former West Milford Councilman
David Baker Former Lincoln Park Mayor
Judy Beecher Florham Park Councilwoman
Fred Boy Florham Park Councilman
Donna Bush Riverdale Councilwoman/GOP Municipal Chairwoman
Katie Cole Pompton Lakes Councilwoman
Robert Collins Kinnelon Council President
Daniel Colucci Kinnelon Councilman/GOP Municipal Vice Chairman
Jerry Cunningham Former Chatham Borough Councilman
Art Daughtry Montville Mayor
Barbara Doyle Former Florham Park Mayor
Fred Eckhardt Former Montville Mayor
Roger Elliott Butler Councilman
Joseph Falkoski Riverdale Council President
Len Fariello Hanover Councilman
Robert Fox Butler Councilman
Ronald Francioli Hanover Mayor
James Freda Kinnelon Councilman
Cory Fuller Chatham Borough Council President
Ellen Harrigan Lincoln Park Councilwoman
Joseph Heywang Butler Mayor
Judy Iradi Hanover Councilwoman
Joe Jorgensen Pequannock Councilman
Nicholas Kapotes Pequannock Councilman
Raymond Kerwin Lincoln Park Councilman
Herbert Kiehn, Jr. Former Chatham Borough Mayor
Janet Long Lincoln Park Councilwoman
Steve Moscone Montville Committeeman/Former Mayor
John Murrin Pompton Lakes Mayor
Herman "Hy" Nadel Lincoln Park Council President/GOP Municipal Chairman
Howard Olsen Hanover Councilman
Jimmy Oncul Former Pompton Lakes Councilman
Arthur Ondish Mount Arlington Mayor
Louis Pepe Lincoln Park Councilman
Stephen Regis Butler Councilman
David Runfeldt Lincoln Park Mayor
James Sandham Montville Committeeman
Muriel Shore Fairfield Mayor/Former Essex County Freeholder
Glenn Sisco Kinnelon Mayor
Louis Skvarka Pequannock Councilman
Ruth Spellman Former Pequannock Mayor
Rick Steele Pompton Lakes Councilman
Evan Swalling Kinnelon Councilman
Ann Thompson Lincoln Park Councilwoman
John Tort Hanover Deputy Mayor/Councilman
Raymond Verdonik Butler Councilman
James Vigilante Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Vice President
Joseph Weisberg Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor
James Wild Lincoln Park Councilman

Republican Party Officials

Dewayne Davenport Butler Republican Club President
Pat Ferrara Montville Republican Municipal Vice Chairwoman
Clifford Giantonio Kinnelon Republican Club President
Henry Kafel Hanover Republican Municipal Chairman
Kathleen Lindert Montville Republican Municipal Chairwoman
Lisa LoBiondo Montville Republican Club President
Wayne Odenbrett Former Lincoln Park Republican Club President
Matt Petracca Lincoln Park Republican Club President
Michael Pykosh East Hanover, Vice Chair, Republican County Committee
Arthur Schmidt Pequannock Republican Municipal Chairman
John Sheridan Former Hanover Republican Club President
George Struble Butler Republican Municipal Chairman
Rich Zeoli Sussex County Republican Chairman

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WEBBER FOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007 CONTACT: (973) 581-1027

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT . . .

“Webber Faces Different Political Landscape Now,� Fred Snowflack, The Daily Record, January 31, 2007

Jay Webber was totally unknown four years ago when he scared the political pants off of state Sen. Robert Martin, R-Morris Plains, in the 2003 Republican primary.

Webber shot at Martin from all angles, or rather from all right angles. Webber, who has degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School on his resume, was so poised and articulate on the campaign trail that expectations for him rose quickly. After six weeks of campaigning, some in the party thought he had a real shot of winning.

In the end, Martin, who kept the party establishment on his side, won rather easily. Webber could take solace in the fact people were so impressed by him that some were surprised and disappointed when he lost. That was a pretty good transformation for someone who had started as an unknown.

This time around, the landscape is different. Webber formally kicked off his campaign for the state Assembly in the 26th District a few days ago. His opponent is Larry Casha of Kinnelon. Martin is not running again, and Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio, R-Montville, is running for his Senate seat. That creates the Assembly vacancy. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, R-Parsippany, is also in the race, but most assume he'll win easily, leaving Casha and Webber to fight for the district’s other seat.

Casha has been active in the party longer than Webber. But Webber also has some prominent people on his side, namely Frank Druetzler, the recently retired freeholder and mayor of Morris Plains. Druetzler, a moderate, seems worlds apart from the conservative Webber. He also has been close friends with Martin. But there was Druetzler the other night, introducing Webber to about 50 supporters gathered at the Morris Plains home of Sal and Lisa Cortese. Both Webber and Druetzler are, at least, Met fans.

Webber is a sincerely religious man, and his campaign kickoff began with an invocation, which is something you don’t see every day.

Asked beforehand, how he would separate himself from Casha, Webber said, “If I can articulate principles and a vision for New Jersey, I'll be satisfied. Then, it’s up to the voters.�

Later, when addressing the crowd, Webber attacked the Democrats.

He complained about scandals at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the School Construction Corp., the Highlands Act and the Democrats’ “extreme social agenda.�

For good measure, Webber, a lawyer who once clerked for then-state Supreme Court Justice Peter Vern[ie]ro, said we need a legal system that reflects the will of the people rather than the “whim of a judge.� It’s always a bit disingenuous when lawyers, who should – and probably do – know better attack judges for doing their job. But that’s politics for you.

A more relevant point is that Webber’s condemnation of the big, bad Democrats in Trenton convinced nobody in the room. That’s because they didn’t need to be convinced. Webber was speaking to Republicans. As the campaign unfolds, Webber should tell voters why he would be better than Casha, or for that matter, DeCroce. We know he doesn’t like the Democrats. The same goes for Casha.

The crowd last week included a handful of Republicans from Passaic County. It’s easy to forget that the 26th district includes three towns in Passaic: Bloomingdale, Pompton Lakes and West Milford.

Frank Hannan, the vice chairman of the West Milford Republican party, said he likes Webber’s devotion to principle and that, Webber will have the line in Passaic, “If I have anything to do with it.�

While we don’t know what Hannan’s pull is, we do know that having the line, which is an endorsement by the county Republican organization and a favorable ballot position, is significant. Whoever gets it probably could count on about 60 to 70 percent of the vote in the three Passaic County towns. That would mean something in what probably will be a tight election. Morris, of course, does not have a line.�
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LARRY CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY
WWW.CASHAFORASSEMBLY.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
January 25, 2007 973-263-1114

“Stripped, but ‘Strong’�
Governor calls comptroller bill “strong� even as former
co-sponsor opposes it in Senate vote

(MONTVILLE, NJ) – On Monday the Democrat-controlled state senate met to vote on the severely limited state comptroller position. The measure’s subsequent failure can be attributed to the fact that a group of Hudson County Democrats essentially stripped the post of its powers by limiting its scope only to state government, removing any audit of local governments or school districts. Leading the charge against the shell post was a former co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Barbara Buono. Senator Buono compared it to the (previously created) inspector general post, saying that the two are virtually the same, “except the comptroller is just weaker."

However, the Governor (as quoted by Associated Press writer Tom Hester, Jr.) said “I like the bill … I think it’s strong.�

“The state comptroller created by this bill is anything but strong,� said Larry Casha, the 26th District Assembly Candidate. “What New Jersey needs is an independent state auditor that is hired, not elected or appointed. An elected auditor would be beholden to the electorate, constantly in fear of losing reelection because his recommendations were not popular enough. An appointed auditor would be beholden to governor, constantly in fear of being removed from his post because the governor was not pleased with his recommendations.

“Furthermore, this independent auditor must have subpoena power and be able to audit every last government entity in New Jersey. And, so that there can be no possibility for impropriety to occur, the auditor would be banned from doing business with the state for a set period of time after his term expired.

“Let’s face it, we need wholesale change in Trenton, but enacting real change requires courage. Unfortunately, courage, like reform, is just another dirty word to the Democrat’s machine in Trenton. They will not only refuse to support reform, but they continue to purposefully derail any legislation that threatens their own lined pockets. If we cannot control the runaway spending in our State’s capitol, how can we even begin to control taxes? An independent auditor ought to be a top priority for our legislature and I will fight to create this position as a member of the Assembly.�

The 26th District includes fifteen municipalities in Morris and Passaic Counties including: Bloomingdale Borough, Butler Borough, Chatham Borough, East Hanover Township, Florham Park Borough, Hanover Township, Kinnelon Borough, Lincoln Park Borough, Montville Township, Morris Plains Borough, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, Pequannock Township, Pompton Lakes Borough, Riverdale Borough, and West Milford Township.

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Paid for by Casha for Assembly, Richard Clawson, Treasurer