Politics

Political news from around America.

Trump: Germany's Merkel's Refugee Policy is a 'Catastrophic Mistake'

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a “catastrophic mistake” when she let hundreds of thousands of migrants into Germany last year. In a joint interview with The Times of London and Germany’s Bild newspaper, Trump said, “I think she made one very catastrophic mistake and that was taking in all of these…

These 20 Democrats Have Opted Out of the American Political Process

They’re clamoring now about the legitimacy of the Donald Trump presidency which begins on Friday by boycotting the ceremony, but these 20 Democrats are also effectively opting out of the American political process.

Never has the legitimacy of an American presidential election been under fire from within as it is this year, as Democrats continue down a path of self destruction.

Today, these Democrats are clamoring for protest, tomorrow they will be complaining about being left at the station as the Trump administration, powered by a Republican house and senate moves the country forward.

By claiming illegitimacy of the office of the President, they are also undermining the power and influence of their own offices and doing a disservice to their constituencies who depend on their ability to work across the aisle to accomplish the goals of the districts they serve.

Few will notice their absence, but they still have a few days to reconsider the disservice they doing to those they represent.  When Republicans are unwilling to negotiate during the new sessions Washington, they have only themselves to blame.

They will undoubtedly blame Trump and blame Republicans for their opting out of the American political process.

Rep. John Lewis is now leading the charge to undermine the office of the President of the United States.

 

Here’s the list, maintained by The Hill.

 

Mike Pence Confesses: Yes, I bought ice cream

Chevy Chase, MD-Vice President-elect Mike Pence admitted that yes, he went to the local Chevy Chase Safeway store to buy ice cream for his wife after a report in the Washington Post. The report in the Washington Post marked the first time the newspaper got a story right about President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence since the election……news.

 

Shore Congressman Only NJ Republican to Vote Against Obamacare Repeal

WASHINGTON — Just nine House Republicans dissented from the party line Friday and opposed a budget resolution designed to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And only one is from New Jersey: Rep. Tom MacArthur. The resolution passed, 227-198, with every House Democrat voting no. The Senate approved it earlier in the week, 51-48, over unanimous Democratic…

Paul Ryan Explains: How Broken is Obamacare?

“You break it, you own it.” That was Democratic Leader Pelosi’s message last week to Republicans who are working to repeal and replace Obamacare. But for too many Americans, this health care law is already broken. As we now know, Obamacare has failed the American people—but that got us to thinking: Just how broken is President Obama’s so-called Affordable Care Act?

  • Obamacare is so broken that premiums are rising by double digits in 31 states. In Arizona, premiums are likely to increase by 116 percent. In Oklahoma, 69 percent. Unfortunately, the list goes on and on, meaning more out of pocket costs for something the government is forcing people to buy.
  • Obamacare is so broken that deductibles are skyrocketingnationwide. In Laymen’s terms, a deductible is how much it costs to use your health insurance. On one of the least expensive plans, deductibles are going up by 15 percent. For many families, that means paying thousands of dollars before their insurance even kicks in. Pair that with the aforementioned premium spikes, and you’ll see the unsustainable situation in which many Americans find themselves.
  • Obamacare is so broken that many Americans have just one plan to choose from. Health policy experts have said “it’s clear there’s going to be less competition and choice” in 2017, resulting in higher costs and fewer choices for Americans. In fact, one-third of the country “may have just a single insurer to pick from.” Add the 17 failed Obamacare co-ops—to the tune of more than $1.8 billion in taxpayer dollars—and you’ll quickly see why these markets are collapsing under their own weight.
  • Obamacare is so broken that Democrats proposed a public option—a government-run program meant to act as a lifeboat for Obamacare. Just months ago, leading Democrats offered this as a way to fix Obamacare’s problems—a sign even the law’s biggest advocates knew it was failing. This idea was supported by all of the Democratic leaders in the Senate, Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton. Now, all of a sudden, they want to stay the course with Obamacare as is.

Doubling down on government-run health care isn’t the answer. That’s why House Republicans introduced a better way to do health care. While you can’t break what’s already broken, you can keep a promise you made to the American people—greater access to affordable, quality, patient-centered care. This week, Congress is working on the first steps to do just that.

Obama DOJ Targets Chicago Cops, Ignores Bloody Quagmire

The Obama Justice Department on Friday announced its findings of a year long investigation into possible civil rights violations by the Chicago Police Department. Critics contend the timing of the findings and the action DOJ will pursue in light of them are politically-motivated, and symptomatic of a drive to vilify police. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said…

Fact Checking Councilman Ken Bressi's Slanderous Assault Against JTOWN Magazine

Editorial from JTOWN Magazine editor Phil Stilton

Government doesn’t get to decide what is a newspaper and what isn’t, but when the government declares a publication by ordinance to be a newspaper, it should accept its own definition of the law as fact.

This came into question in December when two Jackson Township Councilmen, Ken Bressi and Barry Calogero launched a politically motivated attack against a newspaper in Jackson after receiving unfavorable election coverage, which was based completely on factual information.

“Advertising in a document that doesn’t meet the legal advertising criteria to be a newspaper for the township. How are we reaching our residents if it’s not qualified,” Bressi said.

Not only was Ken Bressi’s statement about JTOWN incorrect, it was nothing short of slanderous and libelous.  It was with intent to harm not only JTOWN Magazine’s reputation, but it’s business.

Bressi was upset over a story published in our magazine related to his former position in the transportation department and decided to launch this attack in retaliation for facts published in JTOWN Magazine that were widely reported in such papers that do meet his legal advertising criteria.

On record with Jackson Township are several of JTOWN Magazine’s postal delivery forms,  a federal document prepared by the United States Postal Service which not only more than sufficiently satisfies the township’s own definition of a “newspaper”, certifies that every home in the 08527 zip code is receiving our publication on a monthly basis.

While township code suggests a newspaper is published minimum four times per year, JTOWN Magazine (part of the Shore News Network) is not only published 12 times a year, it operates daily online, with a certified reader base with over 100,000 subscribers online, including 12,000 online in Jackson, making it the most widely accessible publication both online and in print in Jackson with the highest per-issue circulation.

These attacks on JTOWN Magazine by the Council of Jackson will not be tolerated.  This is the fourth time in one year this council has attacked our publication because the news did not favor their political position and they continually infringe upon our first ammendment right of Freedom of the Press.   Disagree if you may with the content, but do not misrepresent the facts in an attempt to damage the reputation of a very reputable publication in your town.

For almost 10 years now, JTOWN Magazine has served Jackson Township and the community faithfully, promoting good government services, charities, youth sports, education and everything in between in Jackson.

The council’s assault on our magazine and reader base in 2016 is nothing short of a feeble attempt of government bullying, but we, nor our readers will stand for it in 2017.

From the Jackson Township Code Book (read online)

Article I:Newspapers and Handbills
[Adopted 6-12-1973 by Ord. No. 26-73 (Ch. 74, Art. II, of the 1972 Code)]
§ 262-1 Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
Any newspaper of general circulation, as defined by general law, any newspaper duly entered with the Post Office Department of the United States in accordance with federal statute or regulation and any newspaper filed and recorded with any recorded officer as provided by law; and, in addition thereto, shall mean and include any periodical or magazine regularly published with not fewer than four issues per year and sold or circulated to the public.

Guadagno will enter N.J. governor race, reports say

TRENTON — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno will soon file paperwork and formally throw her hat in the ring in New Jersey’s race for governor, according to several reports. The Asbury Park Press and Politico New Jersey reported Thursday morning that Gov. Chris Christie’s second in command, long rumored to be vying for the Republican nomination, would…

Obama gives Biden participation medal

After a long career in politics, Joe Biden today received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from boss President Barack Obama.  CNN reports.

Joint Base Mission Refueled After Winning New Tanker Mission

WASHINGTON-Despite efforts by the Obama administration to have another round of efforts to close military bases nationwide in 2015, the mission of Ocean County’s Joint Base MDL (JB-MDL) appears that it will not only continue, but grow.   That Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) went nowhere, but the Joint Base’s future remained in jeopardy until this past year when it not only survived threats of a new round of BRAC hearing, it was upgraded to the designation of Main Operating Base (MOB) by the U.S. Air Force.

That is according to U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.   With the designation of a Main Operating Base, one of five nationwide, JB-MDL is now slated to receive 24 new KC-46 Pegasus tankers to replace the current fleet of aging KC-10 Extenders.

“Securing this vitally important air refueling mission not only significantly enhances US military power but will ensure the sustainability of the JB from any future closure,” said Smith, Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation who represents a large portion of the installation. “The servicemembers at the Joint Base have truly earned this mission. The skilled human capital that makes the base run, the proven track record of success in ensuring our military has the strategic ability to operate around the world and the strong support of our local communities brings unparalleled capabilities to the Air Force and our national security “Today’s decision is a big win for JB-MDL and a monumental step that will help maintain and secure the base—and its economic impact for New Jersey—for decades to come. It’s quite a day in the history of Joint Base MDL and in New Jersey.”

With this approval JB-MDL is one of only two bases named to receive the next generation tankers this round. The Air Force announced that Travis AFB in California will also receive 24 KC-46s.

“This is incredible news for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the state of New Jersey and the future of national security in the United States,” said Congressman MacArthur. “I am grateful for the contributions and support of Governor Christie, Lieutenant Governor Guadagno, Senators Booker and Menendez, my colleagues in the House, Congressmen Smith and Norcross, as well as the hundreds of elected officials and community members who joined us in the fight to secure the KC-46. This truly was a team effort, and because of that, over 42,000 New Jersey residents in my district who are employed at the base and the thousands of additional jobs in the surrounding area that rely on its survival can breathe easy knowing the Joint Base will remain our nation’s premier air mobility installation by becoming the new home of the KC-46 air-to-air refueling tanker.”

The base’s current 32 KC-10s are continually targeted for retirement and will now be replaced by the new KC-46s.  The base also hosts eight KC-135 Stratotankers and 13 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, and other planes and helicopters.

“It is a great day for New Jersey and the Joint Base! When the KC-46A mission is finalized, it will potentially provide mission stability to the Joint Base and provide financial and job security to the surrounding communities that depend on the Base,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. “As the Chairwoman of the New Jersey Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force, I’m proud and honored to have worked so closely on this project with the New Jersey Congressional Delegation as well as local leaders from Ocean and Burlington counties.  Together, we are the best team in the Nation.”

Last January, the Air Force announced that JB-MDL was one of 11 installations in the running for MOB4, and then made the candidates list of the final five bases announced in June 2016—joined by Dover AFB, Fairchild AFB, Grand Forks AFB, and Travis AFB.

U.S. Intelligence Chief: Trumped Up Russia "Spy Doc" Not From US Intelligence Community

James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence for the United States and the administration of Barack Obama said today that the “leaked” document which contributed to false news stories by Buzzfeed and CNN was not a government document.

Despite being passed off by media outlets as a “leaked government document” about President-elect Donald Trump, Clapper said the information contained in the document has not been confirmed by any U.S. intelligence agency.

He spoke last night with Trump.

“This evening, I had the opportunity to speak with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss recent media reports about our briefing last Friday. I expressed my profound dismay at the leaks that have been appearing in the press, and we both agreed that they are extremely corrosive and damaging to our national security,” clapper said.  “We also discussed the private security company document, which was widely circulated in recent months among the media, members of Congress and Congressional staff even before the IC became aware of it.”

Clapper emphasized that this document is not a U.S. Intelligence Community product and that he did not believe the leaks came from within the IC.

“The IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions,” he added.  “However, part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security.”

Clapper issued reassurance that despite the media narrative of a contested relationship between Trump and the intelligence community, it is more media spin than reality.

“President-elect Trump again affirmed his appreciation for all the men and women serving in the Intelligence Community, and I assured him that the IC stands ready to serve his Administration and the American people,” he said.

“James Clapper called me yesterday to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated. Made up, phony facts.Too bad,” Trump said today.

NJ Newspaper Public Notice Trough Grows to $1.6m in 10 Days. How Many Have You Read?

In December, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie waged war with New Jersey’s newspapers, some, like the local Gannett paper, Asbury Park Press, on life support from taxpayer funded public notice laws.

Christie claimed New Jersey taxpayers were paying $80 million annually for these archaic notices that reside in the back pages of New Jersey’s dwindling newspapers.  They are those hard to read for most…walls of text printed in tiny fonts that most of the industry’s shrinking reader base passes over on a daily basis.

The industry fought back and claimed New Jersey only spends $40,000,000 to keep their businesses alive.  Most of the industry editors and execs said if they lost this welfare lifeline, their papers would be forced to fire dozens of reporters.

The Shore News Network is giving both sides in the battle the benefit of the doubt and we’ve chosen $60,000,000 as the estimated cost per year of public notices to the New Jersey taxpayer.

According to that estimate, New Jersey taxpayers have already spent $1.64 million, just 10 days into the New Year on these costly and outdated public notices.

What if the actual cost is $80,000,000 annually as the Governor suggests?  That would mean taxpayers have already given their local newspapers $2.2 million already this year.  At that rate, they should deliver their papers for free in exchange for this government subsidy.

How many public notices have you read this year in your local newspaper? Should New Jersey newspapers continue to receive this taxpayer bailout?

 

Watch out NJ! Phil Murphy is coming for you guns…

…and he’s armed with misleading data.

Phil Murphy, a Democratic candidate for Governor of New Jersey is coming after guns in the Garden State.    Murphy, leaning heavily on the national media narrative that guns kill people is pushing an anti-gun platform in his campaign for Governor.

“The gun violence epidemic continues to plague our state and our nation. Tragically, guns remain a leading cause of death in our country,” Murphy’s campaign website says.

Gun violence is a public health crisis and Governor Chris Christie is part of the epidemic for vetoing over-the-top gun legislation.

“The gun violence epidemic is nothing short of a public health crisis. And yet, Governor Christie continues to stand in the way of sensible reforms. He has vetoed bills that had universal support from New Jerseyans,” Murphy said.  “These bipartisan measures would have kept guns out of the hands of gang members and individuals convicted of making terroristic threats, restricted the size of gun magazines, and prohibited the sale of a powerful .50-caliber rifle — a ban Governor Christie himself proposed in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy.”

Avoiding the whole Chicago thing, Murphy cites 5 liberal strongholds with strict gun laws.

“The evidence is clear: the five states with the lowest rates of gun violence — Hawaii, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut — all have among the strictest gun safety regulations in the nation,” his campaign site reads. “Conversely, the states with the highest rates of gun violence all have weak gun safety regulations.”

In reality, New Jersey has a lower per capita murder rate and a lower gun ownership rate than New York.    People in New York kill each other more than New Jersey, perhaps after all, it’s not the guns.

Murphy represents everything America rejected in November of 2016 and should also be rejected by New Jersey residents in 2017.

When he points to Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut having lower gun violence, it’s nothing more than another liberal slight of hand.

New Jersey had 2.7 gun murder per 100,000 residents.  Massachusetts had 1.8, Rhode Island 1.5, but Connecticut had the same 2.7 rate as New Jersey.  That is 1 person per 100,000 residents.  Not exactly the epidemic this liberal gun control pusher claimed.

Photo: Phil Murphy with his friend, President Barack Obama where he was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Germany by the outgoing commander-in-chief.  Photo by Phil Murphy for Governor.

Report: Former Lakewood Mayor Miller being sued for civil conspiracy, breach of contract, slander of title, fraud

Local watchdog reporter Joyce Blay this weekend published a report about former Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller (R), indicating that he is being sued by a prominent township landowner on charges of fraud, misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, slander and several others.

The lawsuit claims Lakewood Township has sold off acres of private land, in total 104 lots that a California man says he legally and rightfully owns.

The township contends it owns the properties through a series of tax foreclosures in the 1970’s and 1980’s, according to the report.

You can read the full report here.

Meryl Streep Reminds America She Didn't Die in 2016: Lashes out at Trump During Golden Globes

New Jersey native and Hollywood liberal elitist Meryl Streep took to the podium Sunday night at the Golden Globe Awards to reminds America of two things.   First, the 67 year old actress reminded America she was not a victim of 2016 with her presence on stage, then she used her celebrity status to criticize President-elect Donald Trump.

“I lost my mind sometime earlier this year,” Streep told the audience.

Streep continued the narrative that Donald Trump imitated a disabled reporter Serge F. Kovaleski and bashed him for what she thinks are his views on foreigners.   She rambled off a few names of foreign born actors and actresses and said, “If you kick them all out, all you’ll be left with are football and MMA, which are not the arts.”

Despite Trump never pledging to kick anyone out of America besides those who are here illegally, the elder actress continued her diatribe against him.

“Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose,” Streep said. “We need the principled press to hold power to account, to call him on the carpet for every outrage.”

“Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn’t know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes. She is a Hillary flunky who lost big,” Trump responded. “For the 100th time, I never mocked a disabled reporter (would never do that) but simply showed him groveling when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to make me look bad. Just more very dishonest media!”

Drain the Swamp in Trenton: 2017's Best Governor's Race Campaign Video Yet

https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/1189904134378266/

Ocean County-Joe Rullo of Ocean County is running for the Republican nomination for Governor in New Jersey in 2017 and he’s already out of the gates with a “Drain the swamp” campaign commercial.

Rullo, who was the only person so far in the Republican race for governor to have openly supported President-Elect Donald Trump got creative and took Trump’s message one step further.

 

Attacks on Eric Trump Charity Only Hurting Sick Children

WASHINGTON, January 8, 2016 – President Elect Donald Trump and his guilty-by-association family have been under intense scrutiny by the left and the mainstream media. Trump’s charitable foundation was under the magnifying glass when GuideStar, a nonprofit information center, recently released a 2015 tax filing from the foundation showing that the New York-based nonprofit checked “yes”…

Dem. Council Prez to Elderly Female Trump Voter: We don't want to know who you voted for

BRICK-Greenbriar senior community resident Anne Coll came to the December 20th Brick Township council meeting with season’s greetings, but wanted to let the township know she was upset about how the township conducts their public meetings.

Dem. Council prez to elderly female trump voter: we don't want to know who you voted for - photo licensed by shore news network.
Blue brick – pictured top right. Brick township is the only “all-blue” town in ocean county where democrats have complete control of the township council and school board budgets. A resident raised concerns over how the local democrats are conducting business in ocean county’s only blue town. The only other publicly elected democrat officials in ocean county serve in a minority capacity in little egg harbor, lakewood and mantoloking.

Coll said she was upset over how the council often loads the consent agenda with important and sometimes critical financial and business decisions.    Under the law, consent agendas are usually used for approval of routine and mundane items that can be packaged into a single agenda item vote for convenience.

Typically towns use consent agendas to approve proclamations, approval of minutes, tax refunds, grant approvals and other housekeeping type items.

Towns in Ocean County typically draft resolutions for large ticket items such as expensive half-million dollar liquor license sales.

The all Democrat board in Brick routinely pushes controversial and big budget items into their consent agenda, including $1.7 million in budget transfers in November and December of 2016 in order to pass the items in one vote, without a public comment period for each resolution or item being voted on.

Coll said she has had enough of how the all Democrat council operates.

“You see before you, an elderly, white woman who is extremely angry,” Mrs. Coll told the council. “That’s not why I did vote for Trump…”

Coll was quickly interrupted by Brick Township Council President Paul Mummolo.

“No, no…this is a consent agenda…We don’t want to know who you voted for, just please get to your question,” Mummolo said to Coll.

“I’m not going to settle for the use of the consent agenda for every item that should be discussed without having to be pulled,” Coll said to the council.  “I’m going to start taking the appropriate action and notifying the appropriate people that you don’t follow the laws and orders of the state.”

After asking the council who pays for employee health benefits, Mummolo asked Coll if that was her only question and that he would answer all questions at once. After Coll objected, advising him that her elderly state of mind cannot operate like that,Mummolo said, “Well, it’s going to work that way anyway.”

“Oh, it is?” she asked. “That’s very nice.”

Coll told Mummolo that he has no right to limit her time, referring to the council’s buzzer that goes off during public comment portions of the meeting, notifying residents their speaking time has expired.

“So, please ask your questions,” he added.

After a brief dialog, Coll’s timer expired.

“Are you done?” Mummolo asked?

“You don’t have the right to time me,” she responded.

“I do have a right to time you,” Mummolo said. “You can sit down and get right back up.”

Coll debated with township attorney Kevin Starkey over the definition of public comments, claiming her statements were not comments, but a request for information she felt should have been provided the town during the council discussion of the consent agenda.

She threatened to make a formal complaint.

“And it won’t be with the township. That’s a ridiculous notion that the township will police itself,” she added.

 

 

 

 

 

Brick Township questioned over $1.7 million in budget transfers

BRICK-Brick Township resident Vic Fanelli questioned the Brick Township Council’s $1.7 million in budget transfers over two months.  The council transferred another $805,000 worth of budget items in December.

“$805,000, that was this month, do you remember what it was last month was?” Fanelli asked the council.

“Do I remember what last month was?” Council President Paul Mummolo responded. “Not off the top of my head.”

“$874,000,” Fanelli responded. “So, in two months, it’s $1.7 million dollars in budget transfers. That’s just two months. Remember past discussions, we asked why do you have to move so much money around? We’re still moving it.”

“I won’t get into the nitty gritties except for the top item in there, which is $500,000 for health benefits,” Fanelli told the council. “Is there a reason why we have to move that much money?”

“At the end of the year, we want to have enough money in our claims account,” said Business Administrator Joanne Bergin. “We have to be prepared that we have enough. Any amount that is not used is carried into the new year.”

The township transferred $545,000 in additional funds from buildings and grounds, data processing, landfill, street lighting and communications to salary and wages and health benefits.

 

Vicari named Freeholder Director; Kelly, Haines sworn in

TOMS RIVER-On Wednesday, Joe Vicari became the 2017 Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Director while Jack Kelly and Virginia Haines were sworn in again after winning their November election.

“I have said it many times, Ocean County is the premiere County,” said Haines who was sworn into her first three-year term on the Board. “We have the best county park system, library system, educational opportunities at Ocean County College and the list goes on and on.

Vicari noted there is a number of priorities for 2017 that will be addressed include providing the best programs possible for the county’s growing senior population, lobbying for important transportation projects and improvements and promoting more business development and tourism for Ocean County.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to provide quality services and programs to our residents, in keeping the County affordable and to make certain Ocean County continues to be the great place it is to live, work, visit, raise a family and retire,” Vicari said.

Gerry Little was named Deputy Director of the 5 member board.

Vicari named freeholder director; kelly, haines sworn in - photo licensed by shore news network.

 

The US election protest that never ends; to continue today as Congress counts electoral votes

The Electoral College may have voted to name Donald Trump president weeks ago, but there are some protesters still fighting back. Ahead of Congress’ Friday session for counting electoral votes, the populist organization Americans Take Action has begun circulating a document asking lawmakers to object to Trump’s victory. The activist organization argues that “just among Republican…

Lame duck Obama issued 145 last minute regulations, costing $21 billion

President Obama has issued 145 “midnight” regulations with a cost of more than $21 billion since the election of Donald Trump, the most by a lame-duck president in a generation, a study has found. The conservative American Action Forum said Thursday that Mr. Obama’s rules, issued from Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 of last year, include…

Mainstream Media Refuses to Call Obama Lame Duck President

President Obama has been the lamest of lame ducks for 57 days, but big broadcast news media continue to imply his last minute unilateral actions will live on as “signature” achievements and portray him as the man in charge. In fact, the morning and evening news shows of CBS, ABC and NBC have not referred to…

Nancy Pelosi: Obamacare has reduced American healthcare costs

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters Wednesday that Obamacare has achieved its goals — including making health care more affordable. Pelosi made her remarks during a news conference following a rare trip to Capitol Hill by President Obama, who is trying to preserve the signature legislative achievement of his administration. “In all three of…

Final Days in Office: Biden Tells Trump "Grow Up"

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has told President-elect Donald Trump to “grow up” and “be an adult” during a television interview Thursday. Biden, who has previously criticized the incoming president, told PBS NewsHour host Judy Woodruff that Trump’s attacks on the U.S. intelligence community were “absolutely mindless.” “Grow up, Donald. Grow up. Time to be an…

After Striking Out as President, Hillary Considering Running for NYC Mayor

Report: Clinton Mulling NYC Mayoral Run

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is “talking about” running for New York City mayor, Newsmax reports. It has only been 57 days since President-elect Donald Trump defeated Clinton. During the election slog, Clinton, 69, collapsed getting into a Secret Service van, had multiple coughing fits during speeches and seemed to have trouble walking up steps…

Moving Trucks Arrive to Help Obama Administration Leave White House?

As President Barack Obama’s staff beings to clear out to make way for President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, a moving truck arrived at the White House grounds today. This photo taken by Michelle Kosinski from CNN shows a truck arriving at the Eisenhower Executive building, which is just next door the White House’s West Wing. The building is used to house the offices of the immediate staffs of President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Trump Effect: Ford Scraps Plans for Mexico Plant

In a surprising move, the Ford Motor Company has decided to completely scrap plans for a $1.6 billion automobile plant in Mexico. The Trump effect strikes again. “We believe these tax and regulatory reforms are necessary to boost U.S. competitiveness.” The company will instead invest $700 million in a Michigan assembly plant. Ford officials directly cited…

Obama’s Strange Last Days in Office

Weird though it is, this presidential transition won’t go down as the most bizarre. The nation basically dissolved between when Abraham Lincoln was elected in November 1860 and when he was inaugurated in March 1861: Seven states seceded from the union before he was sworn in and Honest Abe had to travel in Washington in disguise…

See ya! Megyn Kelly Leaving Fox News Tomorrow

NEW YORK, January 4, 2017 – Fox News’ leading female anchor is leaving Fox News for NBC and will be signing off on Friday. Megyn Kelly started at Fox News, 12 years ago, and today has become one of the leading female stars on the conservative news network. Megyn Kelly will now have three roles on…

Israeli Singer: Obama is a kushi

Footage has emerged of a popular Jewish singer using a racial slur against President Barack Obama at a concert in Jerusalem. Mordechai Ben David, a 65-year-old Brooklynite from the Hasidic sect of Judaism, was performing a song about peace on December 29 when he launched an attack on the outgoing U.S. leader, calling him a “kushi”—a…

Fact Checking Tomi Lahren: Are Cattle Being Jam Packed into Ships and Imported to American Shelves Without Consumers Knowing?

Fact checking tomi lahren: are cattle being jam packed into ships and imported to american shelves without consumers knowing? - photo licensed by shore news network.Where does American beef come from? Most of us think we get those steaks on the kitchen table from the pristine American outback ranges in states like Texas, Nebraska and Kansas.  On Tuesday, conservative voice Tomi Lahren told us a tale of American cattle ranchers being pushed out by beef supplies from overseas in her feature entitled, “Make the American Table Great Again”.

In her final thought, she spoke out for the American cattle rancher, who have been slammed by a 2015 bill pushed down the throats of the American public by the World Trade Organization.

“Cowboys and cattlemen have never had it easy, these last two years have been brutal” Lahren said. “The cost to operate has gone up, but the cost of cattle has gone down, alot.”

She noted this was due to Congress repealing the COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) on meat products, allowing other nations to import and sell their products alongside homegrown beef, and without letting the consumer know where it was coming from.

For a few years, manufacturers were required to stamp the country of origin on packages of meat and pork products, but the World Trade Organization complained, saying the U.S. law unfairly targeted international beef suppliers.  In 2015, President Obama signed the $1.5 trillion omnibus bill, which effectively also repealed the COOL laws.

Lahren said beef today comes from South America, Canada, Japan and others, no longer just from the American rancher.

Fact checking tomi lahren: are cattle being jam packed into ships and imported to american shelves without consumers knowing? - photo licensed by shore news network.
To learn more about cattle ships, visit the esdaw, the european society of dog and animal welfare’s page. Click on this image to visit or go to http://www. Esdaw. Eu/animal-ocean-transportation. Html.

“That means your beef is transported in crates for God only knows how long,” she said. “Animal lovers, live cattle are smashed into shipping containers and shipped to this country to be slaughtered for a discount.”

“Would you have a family eat out of a dumpster, not knowing what’s on your table?” she asked. “Then why in the hell would you put foreign sketchy beef on your table?”

“Every American has the right to know where their beef is coming from,” She added.  “If you want to eat that foreign crap, go for it.”

But, is she right? Are cattle jam packed into ships on long voyages enroute to the United States?   It’s something many people don’t think about, but that’s exactly how it happens…and it isn’t a pleasant sight.

In October of 2015, a cattle ship in Brazil sunk in port, sending 5,000 cows into the water to die.  The scene was caught on video and gives you a glimpse into how cattle are shipped from overseas.

A year before, one of the world’s largest cattle carrying ships burned in Australia, also while docked, but was luckily empty of cattle.

In conclusion, Lahren is right.  For over a year, Americans have been in the dark about where their beef and pork comes from as the USDA and even your local grocery store is not allowed by law, to report your meat’s country of origin.

Lt. Governor Guadagno Returns to Jackson for Reorganization Meeting

JACKSON-New Jersey’s Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, also a candidate for Governor in 2017 will grace the township of Jackson with her presence tonight at the annual reorganization meeting.   The Lt. Governor’s last public appearance in Jackson was at Six Flags Great Adventure in June of 2011 to attend a redevelopment summit hosted by the theme park. Since her visit, no projects discussed at that meeting have come to fruition.

Tonight, she’ll likely be swearing in the council members who won in an uncontested election, a ceremony that has historically brought politicians from near and far.   Past attendees have included Governors Chris Christie and Jon Corzine were the most recent dignitaries to swear in elected officials.

After the swearing in, the council will begin appointing professional contracts, including a controversial appointment of former New Jersey family court judge Melanie Donohue Appleby as a labor attorney.

 

Resident: Brick In-House Electrician Numbers Don't Add Up

BRICK-Despite a drastic cost savings for the township after hiring former contractor Antonio Santos to a full time job with an $80,000 salary plus benefits, Brick resident George Scott said something didn’t sound right about the township’s recent announcement of a cargo van purchase.

“We paid $48,000 for a cargo van, that seems like a lot of money for a cargo van,” Scott said to the council.  “So, what are the cost savings? I saw the purchasing agent’s comments, she did the calculation of cost savings, what are the cost savings? 48 grand for a cargo van is just mind boggling.”

“That’s what they go for,” responded Council President Paul Mummolo. “That’s not that outrageous of a price.”

However, a search for Ford vans on the Larsen Ford website, a local Ford dealer show otherwise.   Their highest end 2017 Ford Transit Vanwagon had an adjusted sticker price of $42,600.  The next lower models were being sold for around $37,000, before haggling.

Over at the local Pine Belt Chevrolet dealer, a fully equipped commercial grade Express 3500 service utility vehicle listed for $46,700.

“Who picked out this $48,000 vehicle?” Scott asked.   “Who designated that it had to be this expensive vehicle over another cargo vehicle that would also carry the same amount of material?”

Mummolo said the Santos, the new electrician picked out the vehicle.

“Who did the cost savings on this?” Scott asked.

“This is in our capital budget,” Mummolo responded.

Things got heated as Mummolo dodged the question a second time.

“I don’t care about that, I’m asking you the calculations of cost savings, where are they?” Scott asked again.

Mayor John Ducey then interrupted the exchange, saying that the contractor Bahr & Associates was previously used to outsource electrical work for the township.  The mayor chose a new vendor upon the expiration of Bahr’s contract, Antonio Santos.

Ducey said his town’s former electrician would sometimes bill as much as $600-700,000 per year for services.

“We then went out to bid, we awarded it to Santos Electricians, our bills were substantial, they were cut more than in half, to two hundred thousand something for a full year whole year” Ducey said. “Santos decided he wanted to become a township employee, um, and salary with benefits, pension and everything is much less than what his company billed in that year prior.”

Ducey said after the town’s electrical contractor wanted to become a full time employee with benefits and a pension, the township offered him a job with a salary in the $75,000 to $80,000 range.    Ducey said the township also had to purchase tools and equipment for Santos, but then backtracked a bit, adding that Santos did bring some of his tools from his now defunct business with him.

“He picked a good one,” Scott joked.

“Great, ya,” Ducey responded.

 

Assange Again Denies Russian Government Was Behind Hacks

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has insisted that the Russian government was not the source for the hacked emails that have been cited as a major influence on November’s presidential election. Both the CIA and the FBI have concluded that Russia was responsible for the email hacks in part to help Donald Trump become president. President Barack…

CNN Report Confirms Method of Russian Hacking of DNC

by Phil Stilton

According to a CNN report on the Russian hacking of the DNC in 2016, it appears a mid-twentieth century Robco terminal was used for the intrusion.   In a video report for CNN’s story ‘White House announces retaliation against Russia: Sanctions, ejecting diplomats‘, the network shows a hacker on a laptop hacking into a Robco Industries Termlink, most likely from somewhere within the commonwealth.

Just go to about the one minute mark in the video the see it first hand.

Apparently, after locating the DNC’s terminal on their Pip Boy, the Russian hackers utilized their master lock picking skills to gain access to the DNC’s hardware and retrieve John Podesta’s email before being spotted by a nearby raiders before quickly sending Preston with the stolen data over to Wikileaks.

There’s just one problem.  Since CNN is just as in the dark as the rest of America on how the DNC servers were hacked and by who…and if they actually were hacked, they used in-game screen video from the popular role playing game Fallout 4 to sensationalize the hacking attempt.

Thanks to the ever so vigilant Reddit user I_Can_Explain, who brought it to the world’s attention, the CNN gaffe was exposed and rightfully mocked in a public forum.

“If you want to talk about hacking on a major news network, your choices are either that or a scene from The Matrix,” wrote dlollolb.    But that was a few seconds earlier in the video.

Cnn report confirms method of russian hacking of dnc - photo licensed by shore news network.“Sorry pulling images of a video game and airing them as part of your hacking story is the definition of journalism fail,” responded Will_Nicely_Disagree.  “It’s sensationalist (ooh look how those dastardly hackers operated) and completely unnecessary to report the actual story. An image of a stock computer could just as easily have accompanied this story, but that was obviously not flashy enough for CNN.”

The CNN hackergate terminal mystery was quickly solved.

“Doing a Google Image Search for ‘hack computer’ gets more than one Fallout screenshot,” wrote corey_m_snow.  “Some intern probably just picked something that looked technical enough and ran with it.”

So it appears some video jockey intern at a major liberal news network Googled “hacking” and after scrolling through a few Matrix pictures, decided it was a good idea to use the first two things he or she found to sensationalize the story.

Bethesda Softworks, published of Fallout 4, further mocked CNN by using a screenshot of their in-game terminal, saying, “Sneak Peek at Season 3 of .”

Mr. Robot is a show about a cybersecurity expert by day who becomes a vigilante hacker by night.

Cnn report confirms method of russian hacking of dnc - photo licensed by shore news network.
Source of story: reddit. Image shows comparison of cnn video and fallout 4.

 

 

 

 

 

Washington Post Retracts Russian Power Grid Hacking Story

by Phil Stilton

VERMONT-The Washington Post last week was a willing ally in President Obama’s factless assault on Russia, reporting, “Russian operation hacked a Vermont utility, showing risk to U.S. electrical grid security.”

Now, the liberal based newspaper which was under fire for its poor election coverage in 2016 has said no such event took place.

“An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that Russian hackers had penetrated the U.S. electric grid. Authorities say there is no indication of that so far,” the paper said in a retraction today. “The computer at Burlington Electric that was hacked was not attached to the grid.”

No evidence made available to the public or media suggests or proves the hacking was tied to Russia either.

In an interview this week with George Stephanopoulos, incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer questioned the President’s motives on the sanctions and expulsion of Russian diplomats.

“I think one of the questions that we have is why the magnitude of this?” Spicer said. “I mean you look at 35 people being expelled, two sites being closed down, the question is, is that response in proportion to the actions taken? Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t but you have to think about that.”

Incoming President Donald Trump said he will be holding an intelligence meeting this week.  In a conversation New Year’s eve with the media, the President-elect touched on the Russian hacking issue.

“I just want them to be sure, because it’s a pretty serious charge, and I want them to be sure.  If you look at the weapons of mass destruction, that was a disaster, and they were wrong,” Trump said. “It could be somebody else, and I know things that other people don’t know. So they cannot be sure of the situation.”

Although Washington has raised allegations of Russian hacking, no solid proof has been provided to the American public to date.   Security expert John MacAfee, said this weekend that he is confident the attacks were not originated in Russia.  MacAfee said that if Russia was behind the attacks, their tracks would have been well hidden.

He said that a skilled attacker would mask his footprints to make the attacks appear as if they were coming from a third party.  He aded, if all of the tracks left lead back to Russia, it was not Russia and a skilled hacker simply made it appear that way.

Putin Ignores POTUS 'Kitchen Diplomacy', Pushes Towards Positive Relations Post Obama

by Phil Stilton

MOSCOW-Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugged off President Barack Obama’s ‘kitchen diplomacy’ attack against his country and welcome his recently expelled diplomats back home for the holidays.

On Thursday, Obama expelled Russian diplomats in light of what his administration perceived as ‘election hacking’ by the country, which few, even in the United States fully believes happened.

“We regard the recent unfriendly steps taken by the outgoing US administration as provocative and aimed at further weakening the Russia-US relationship. This runs contrary to the fundamental interests of both the Russian and American people,” Putin said. “Considering the global security responsibilities of Russia and the United States, this is also damaging to international relations as a whole.”

Putin would normally take such threats seriously, but instead mocked Obama’s lame duck, last minute move of aggression, confident that relations will improve once the American president is out of office in just a few weeks.

“As it proceeds from international practice, Russia has reasons to respond in kind,” Putin said. “Although we have the right to retaliate, we will not resort to irresponsible ‘kitchen’ diplomacy but will plan our further steps to restore Russian-US relations based on the policies of the Trump Administration.”

Liberals in America, more than one month after suffering near fatal blows in the polls in America are still reeling from their 2016 defeat.   Unable to comprehend the American desire to rewind and fix the damage that has been done over a 24 year period where the country has been led mostly by Democrat administrations, those still grasping to what little power they have left have blamed Russia for their losses at home.

It doesn’t matter to Putin, who said his diplomats will enjoy a vacation at home with their families.  He also said he will not punish U.S. diplomats for the actions of a reckless U.S. President who will soon be a private citizen.

“The diplomats who are returning to Russia will spend the New Year’s holidays with their families and friends,” Putin said. “We will not create any problems for US diplomats. We will not expel anyone. We will not prevent their families and children from using their traditional leisure sites during the New Year’s holidays. Moreover, I invite all children of US diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas children’s parties in the Kremlin.”

Putin and most of America remains baffled by Obama’s reckless foreign policy over eight years which has become even more reckless since the November election in which the President openly mocked President-Elect Donald Trump, saying he would never be President of the United States.

“It is regrettable that the Obama Administration is ending its term in this manner. Nevertheless, I offer my New Year greetings to President Obama and his family,” Putin added.

“My season’s greetings also to President-elect Donald Trump and the American people,” Putin said.  “I wish all of you happiness and prosperity.”

Putin ignores potus 'kitchen diplomacy', pushes towards positive relations post obama - photo licensed by shore news network.
Ned price, an obama staffer penned a message defending obama’s reckless foreign policy move.

Vladimir Putin today, effectively rendered Obama’s “punitive actions” against Russia for the “tampering” of the election, null and void.   Obama has just three weeks left to administer whatever reckless foreign policy initiatives he plans against those he perceives as America’s enemies, including Russia and Israel.

On the White House news and propaganda page, staffer Ned Price outlined a justification for Obama’s actions, but like the President, will also be out of a job on January 21st.

New Jersey Could Soon Require Background Checks for In-Home Day Care Providers

by Phil Stilton

TRENTON-Those running family day care centers out of their homes in New Jersey may soon be subjected to federal background checks if a law moving through the state assembly reaches the desk of Governor Christie and he signs it.

The New Jersey Assembly wrote today:

All family day care providers would be required to undergo state and federal background checks under bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Shirley Turner and approved by the New Jersey Senate.

Under current law, prospective and current providers only have to undergo a child abuse registry check administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF.) They are not, however, required to undergo standard state and federal criminal history record background checks.

“It is impossible to know how many child abusers are slipping through the cracks in the system without subjecting every day care employee to a criminal background check,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said. “Clearly, a child abuse record check is not sufficient enough to prevent predators from accessing our children. An innocent child who is cared for by a handful of people in a private residence is no less deserving of the State’s protection.”

A “family day care” is defined as a private residence in which child care services are provided for a fee to between three and five children at a time, for no less than 15 hours per week.

S-651 would mandate that all current and prospective family day care providers, as well as anyone who works at the day care, also submit to criminal background checks. 11 states currently have this law in place.

Under the bill, the New Jersey State Police would be required to notify DCF in the event that a current or prospective family day care provider is convicted of a crime or offense in this state after the background check has been performed. Additionally, anyone who refuses to submit to a background check would be denied an issuance or renewal certificate of registration as a family day care provider. Senator Pennacchio’s legislation is currently awaiting action in the Assembly.

“We cannot guarantee our children’s safety until we correct this unequitable, dangerous oversight in state law,” Senator Pennacchio added. “I thank Senator Turner for her leadership on this bill and I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to take up our cause as soon as possible.”

Bernie Sanders – A Loser's Lament

by Phil Stilton

FROM WITHIN BERNIE SANDERS’ NEW LAKEFRONT CABIN- “Clinton received almost 3 million more votes, but Trump will be the next president. It’s clear the electoral college needs to be changed,”  That’s what Bernie Sanders just Tweeted.

Like Donald Trump said in his victory tour campaign stops, had the maps on television read ‘Road to the popular vote’, he would have campaigned to win the popular vote.  Despite the left’s narrative of an unfair system, the maps on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News read ‘Road to 270’.

To complain about the process, which both he and Hillary Clinton have never questioned prior to it working against them is disingenuous.

Now that it’s all over, maybe Hillary, Bernie and Jill Stein can relax and enjoy a weekend at Bernie’s new $600,000 lakefront cottage. Jill can buy dinner and they can all share a nice bottle wine and lament together about how America has shown them each to the curb.

Don Trump Wins Election for Third Time

by Phil Stilton

NEW YORK CITY-Donald Trump has become the only President in history who has had to continue campaigning long after his Election Day victory.

Nothing that liberal losers Jill Stein or Hillary Clinton have throw at Trump has stuck.  Nothing the liberal media has crafted from their recipes of leftism has made any difference in any decisions that actually matter when it comes to his presidency.

He’s become the new Teflon Don.  Not only does none of it matter, he mocks all of those who try to defeat what he has already won.

First came the ill-conceived plan by Jill Stein to raise $7,000,000 to demand recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.  That effort failed miserably, accomplishing nothing but putting money in Stein’s coffers.

Then came the “Hamilton Electors”, an attempt by the left to pursuade electoral college electors to defy the public vote and vote for anyone other than Donald Trump.

That one failed miserably too, with 5 electors dumping Hillary and only 2 taking the Hamilton Electors bait.

Trump won the electoral college vote 306-232, handing Madame Secretary, Hillary Clinton her third defeat…well fourth if you consider the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries.

Yet the left, led by the dishonest media of America continues to try to rewrite the Trump narrative as the death of America, ignoring the hope his presidency brings to those who truly love America and are upset and embarrassed by what our country has become socially, politically and economically over the past two decade where Democrats sat in the oval office 16 out of those 24 years.

America is sick and tired of the liberal agenda telling us lies about Russian hackers, the KKK and the end of America as we know it.  We are sick of the fabricated lies of the liberal news media and their clear support of one of the most corrupt and crooked candidates to ever run for President of the United States, Hillary Clinton.

Trump has won the election.  The election is over, yet it will persist in the media for the next four years, unlike any presidency in the history of the United States.

America has defeated leftist socialism and liberalism and led by Trump, can start healing the wounds of 24 years of the disease.

 

Governor Christie: Public Notice Bill Archaic System that Costs Taxpayers $80 Million Annually

by Phil Stilton

TRENTON-Last week, the New Jersey legislature once again tried to get a common sense tax savings bill through the defenses of the dishonest and greedy New Jersey media and newspaper legal and lobbying firewall.

According to our initial estimate, just tallying municipalities, we lost count after $20 million dollars.    Today, Governor Christie estimated the overall total including state agencies, county agencies, utility authorities and school boards could be well over $80 million per year.

That is the system in place that requires government entities to publish paid public notices in New Jersey’s print newspapers.

The newspapers have been viciously firing back at the Governor and threatening legislators in editorials to not pass the bill to take away the taxpayer money that keeps their industry afloat.

“On Thursday, the Legislature advanced a commonsense piece of legislation that was first proposed in 2004 and will reform the archaic practice of requiring taxpayers and private businesses to pay for costly legal notices in print newspapers,” Christie said.  “The legislation provides the option of posting notices online and citizens will be allowed to take advantage of modern technologies that are already in use by the vast majority of the people in our State.”

It also saves money the Governor added.  Money that could go for other much needed projects, not a lifeline to an industry that has failed to adapt to the modern technological society.

“The current unfunded mandate that is being addressed by this legislation costs New Jersey taxpayers and private citizens more than $80 million per year,” Christie said. “That is $80 million annually from property taxpayers, including those facing the nightmare of foreclosure.”

According to Christie, the taxpayers and citizens of New Jersey can no longer afford this arrangement and thanks to technology, they don’t have to.

Christie said the law right now adds an additional $910 on families facing foreclosures by the requirement to post multiple notices.

“The New Jersey Press Association proposes increasing those charges,” he pointed out.  “As a result, required legal notices earned newspapers approximately $14 million for the 12-month period ending in October 2016. And these costs were borne by the 15,764 financially distressed people who had just suffered a foreclosure of their home in that time period. This is simply unacceptable.”

As part of a “concession” offered by the NJPA and its members, the papers offered to slash prices for government entities but increase rates for those posting foreclosure notices and applying for building permits.  It is nothing but an additional corporate tax and tax on the middle class.

“Today, there are more than 65,000 foreclosures currently pending in New Jersey,” Christie said. “That’s $59 million in potential revenue going to private media outlets that can instead be saved by citizens experiencing a foreclosure. Giving them a choice to post online at no cost helps them prevent losing what little equity they may have left or sinking them further into debt.”

Christie continued:

For government entities, hundreds of millions of dollars of future resources to be spent on required legal notices could now be made available for public schools and other municipal and county services rather than on an outmoded method which has been supplanted for the majority of New Jerseyans by the Internet.

The NJ Press Association has acknowledged the inescapable truth — newspapers have a vested interest in seeing this reform movement fail, and it is why they are making baseless charges to support taxing homeowners and bilking those subject to foreclosure unnecessarily.

For years newspapers have enjoyed a statutorily-protected monopoly on the publication of a vast array of legal notices. Monopolies are always bad for our economy and, in this case, awfully expensive for our citizens.

The facts are clear: nearly 90 percent of New Jersey households have an internet connection and 100 percent of the state’s public libraries provide free internet access to their more than 43 million annual visitors. Only 22 percent of New Jerseyans buy a print newspaper. This reform will bring New Jersey government directly to the people, who primarily spend their time online accessing information — for free. According to a Pew Research Center study from this summer, 81 percent of adults get their news from online sources or through mobile devices.

Contrary to the flailing assertions of the NJ Press Association, there will be no lack of transparency and no harm to the public as a result of this reform. These are merely scare tactics by their paid Trenton lobbyists designed to protect the interests of newspaper companies who argue for a free press, but are really arguing for a taxpayer funded subsidy in disguise. This bill, and their fight over it, unmasks their greed. In fact, their true disinterest in transparency and the public’s access to information through a free press — not to mention their undeniable hypocrisy — are fully displayed by the fact that this op-ed was refused publication. I was therefore left with no choice but to disseminate this opinion myself, which will no doubt be read by a vast majority of the population online.

The truth is this reform legislation maintains the requirement for local governments to provide advance public notice for matters such as meetings, agendas, bid requests and contract awards, while also establishing the requirements for public websites to ensure ease of access for the public. Government entities and individuals would still be able to fulfill notice obligations, but what would no longer be mandatory is the requirement of publishing an exorbitantly expensive notice in a newspaper.

Although the NJ Press Association insists that this reform bill will result in an overwhelming burden for municipal staff, they intentionally ignore the basic facts. Most importantly, they ignore the fact that this legislation is optional. If municipal clerks can’t manage to transfer the text of a legal notice and post it on their website, they are not required to change their process. However, 532 of the 565 municipalities in New Jersey already maintain websites that provide public notices and information — adding the legal notices that are currently published in newspapers will not be a major leap.

The New Jersey Association of Counties, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and the New Jersey School Boards Association all support this bill. The only group raising alarms on behalf of municipalities is the NJ Press Association.

In 2004, when a nearly identical bill was proposed, Assemblyman Wisniewski, then-Assemblyman (now Senator) Gordon, and then-Assemblywoman (now Senator) Weinberg voted for it. Yet now they have the chutzpah to turn their backs on the taxpayers they serve in order to further their misguided political agenda.

We must update and modernize the public notification responsibilities of local government so that residents are fully informed and we eliminate the outrageous cost for the taxpayers of New Jersey. It will permit a greater number of citizens access to government. The NJ Press Association’s attempts to hang on to an antiquated, self-serving, money making statutory scheme is shameful. The Constitution guarantees a free press, not a government-subsidized one.

That is why I support this bill, and all taxpayers who don’t have Trenton lobbyists arguing for government-ordered profit for them, should as well.

Public Notice: Jackson Township Reorganization Meeting Scheduled for January 3rd

by Phil Stilton

JACKSON-The township will be hosting its annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 at the Jackson Township Administration Building.  At this meeting the township will appoint its professional and legal contractors for the 2017 fiscal year.  Additionally the council may appoint members to volunteer committees, planning and zoning boards and other boards and commissions.

This public notice is being published for free as a courtesy to the public by the Shore News Network.

PUBLIC NOTICE:

TOWNSHIP OF JACKSON LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICE 173rd ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP OF JACKSON 11th ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP COUNCIL JANUARY 3, 2017 Notice is hereby given that the 173rd Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Township of Jackson will be held as follows: DATE: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 TIME: 7:30 p.m. PLACE: Jackson Township Municipal Building Main Meeting Room 95 West Veterans Highway Jackson, New Jersey 08527 NOTE: Official action will be taken by the Township Council. If required, the Township Council may convene an Executive Session prior to, during or upon conclusion of the Reorganization Meeting. Ann Marie Eden, RMC Township Clerk ($36.00 paid to Asbury Park Press)

Video: Jackson Council Spars with Resident Over Political Caucus Meeting


by Phil Stilton

JACKSON-Township councilman Robert Nixon had nothing to say at the December 13th council meeting when confronted by resident Elenor Hannum about a political caucus meeting held on Saturday, December 3rd at the law offices of Gilmore and Monahan in Toms River.

The meeting was held just days after township Republicans blasted the council for over matters including election results, future plans for the township and appointments to zoning and planning boards.

A few days later, the meeting was held, but the attendees did not realize they were being secretly videotaped entering and exiting the building by a still unknown videographer.

Attendees of the meeting included the township council, mayor and MUA commissioners Clara Glory, Todd Porter and William Allman, all of whom are also members of the Jackson Republican Club board.   Glory was also the political campaign manager for Ken Bressi, Barry Calogero and Rob Nixon’s 2016 election campaign.

“Was there a secret meeting on December 3rd, 2016,” Hannum asked the council.

“The council separately from our political roles, we’re permitted to meet with anybody in a political context that we want to so long as township business is not discussed outside of that context,” Council President Rob Nixon responded.   “I’m not going to discuss when we meet…political meetings are political meetings, they’re not council meetings.”

“Can you please tell me where this meeting took place?” Hannum asked Nixon.

“I’m not going to discuss the meeting,” Nixon responded.

Hannum disclosed to the township council that she was shown video by a witness of the entire council, mayor and three members of the MUA enter the offices of the township attorney.

Nixon told Hannum the meeting did not violate New Jersey’s Open  Public Meetings Act.

According to the state of New Jersey, political caucus meetings and chance encounters of members of public bodies, or gatherings attended by or open to all members of three or more similar public bodies are not covered by the Law.

Even if the council did discuss township business in violation of the Open Public Meetings Law, it may subsequently convene another public meeting in conformity with the requirements of the law and reconsider the public business which had previously been discussed and acted upon. The intent of the Law is to ensure that public business is discussed and acted upon in public. The “Sunshine Law” does not attempt to inhibit the public body from properly performing its governmental functions.

While it may not look good for the elected and appointed officials in attendance in the public eye, there are no laws preventing such a meeting.

In the event that an individual believes the council violated the act, the law permits the person to file a lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court  within 45 days or report the incident to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Members in attendance could be fined up to $100 for the first offense.

Nixon however, continued to refuse to divulge the to the public the topics of the meeting.

“We can meet ten times per month, it doesn’t matter,” Nixon said before shutting down Hannum.  “Do you have anything else to add to this?”

“No,” Hannum said.

“Thank you,” Nixon snapped back as Hannum ended her public comment.

The meeting was recorded in its entirety and published to YouTube.  Photo: YouTube. Video capture of Jackson Council Meeting. 

 

 

 

Newspapers Public Notice "Compromise" Nothing Short of a Business Tax

by Phil Stilton

TRENTON-Today, New Jersey’s newspapers offered lawmakers a compromise on the proposed bill to eliminate the state mandate requiring towns to pay newspapers to publish public notices.   Fortunately, according to published reports, Governor Chris Christie rejected the offer that would lower municipal advertising rates by 50%, but increase rates for private businesses.

In a story in today’s Asbury Park Press, Brian Murray, a spokesperson for the governor said the deal was unacceptable.

The APP reported: “Those private ads are paid for by poor people getting their houses foreclosed on and the costs of the legal notices passed directly on to them by the financial institutions,’’ Murray said. “Our proposal lifts that burden from those facing foreclosure while the NJPA proposes to increase their burden even further. It is no compromise; it just shifts the burden from the taxpayers to the citizens facing foreclosure.’’

The rate shift also equals nothing more than an additional tax on New Jersey businesses, many already reeling from a recent 23% gas tax increase. The newspaper industry’s proposal would ensure that at the end of the day, they don’t lose their government mandated revenues.

The bill, unlike previous attempts is expected to quickly move through the state house before reaching the Governor’s desk where he has indicated he will sign the measure into law.

If passed, newspapers, already on the decline nationwide would be faced with revenue shortfalls in the millions of dollars in 2017 and could lead to even more layoffs in an industry where commercial advertising has dropped off in favor online and social media based advertising.

Newspapers have long hailed themselves as the watchdogs of the public tax dollar, however when it comes to cutting their own taxpayer funded enterprise they abandoned their watchdogging.