The recent Home News report that "Money woes force cops from schools" in North Brunswick is just the latest example of the failed public safety policies of the Democrats on the Town Council. Since 1997, major crime in North Brunswick is up 47%, according to the annual New Jersey State Police Crime Report (major crime being defined as murder, rape, robbery, assault, and burglary).  During that same period of time, neighboring New Brunswick's crime rate has been cut in half.  How is this possible?  There are two factors that contributed to this mess. 

At a time when we need our money the most, the Democrats on the North Brunswick Township Council are taking more of it than ever. In 2001 the municipal tax rate was 67 cents for every $100 of property value assessed.  But since 2002, under the so-called "leadership" of Democrat Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack (who at the time was Council President), that number has steadily and consistently risen.  Indeed, it seems that when the Democrats are not busy seizing land to hand over to developers, they do little other than raise taxes.

Bruce Meringolo, candidate for NJ Assembly from the 21st Legislative District and The New Voice of the Taxpayer, calls on the Corzine administration to stop the reckless spending of the Abbott districts and create a fair funding formula for all of New Jersey.

Bruce Meringolo, candidate for NJ Assembly from the 21st Legislative District and The New Voice of the Taxpayer, calls on the Corzine administration to put the citizens of New Jersey first and lower taxes on individuals and businesses.

AP Newswire
 
It seemed like a natural phrase for a new, inspirational presidential campaign: Yes, We Can. But, as it turns out, it has been the trademarked slogan for the National Center for Home Food Preservation and Canning -- the trade association folks in DC who advocate for the many ‘canning’ companies around the nation.
 
“It’s outrageous,” declared Homer “Deacon” Jones Jr., the president and grandson of the founder of the Intercourse Canning Company of Intercourse, Pennsylvania. “Over the years, we have suffered enough from the ‘Intercourse’ jokes. My father, Homer Sr, and his father, Malcolm before him, just took it all in stride. But when someone takes our prideful slogan, ‘Yes, We Can!’ and usurps it for political purposes, well, that makes my blood boil. That slogan is known all over the country for just one thing: Canning.” The Intercourse Canning Company is known for canning beets, pickles and tomatoes. Mr. Jones was the President of the National Center for Home Food Preservation and Canning from 1996 to 2002.

Though I have been following the escapades of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders for a number of years, I was totally unaware that a seat on the board came complete with its very own “Bully Pulpit.” Now not to be misunderstood -- I do believe that there are those public offices, such as the American presidency, or perhaps U.S. Senate which are of a high enough rank as to provide the office holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter, within the parameters of good taste and sportsmanship. However holding the office of freeholder does not automatically award that public official the license to publicly malign and criticize the opposition political party and candidates. Nor is it acceptable to use the public’s time to extol the self-perceived virtues of one’s own party candidates. But this is exactly what happened during the last Union County Freeholder meeting when sitting Freeholder Dan Sullivan engaged in blatant electioneering which has absolutely no place in a forum that is intended to carry out the “public’s business” -- to govern the county.