| Author |
Message |
    
Dobler88
Citizen
Username: Dobler88
Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 4:22 pm: |     |
Lester, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You have to be a troll because I refuse to accept that in my very backyard someone has so much hate inside them. Your comments make me physically ill.
I am a republican happily living in maplewood. You know why? Because I am a real republican (these days some might call it libertarian) who believes in individual liberties and the pursuit of individual happiness, without the government making its moral judgments and spewing religious diatribe under the guise of "conservatism." The kind of ignorance and hate you are spewing has ruined the concept of republican as meaning limited government--it now means lack of tolerance and right wing craziness.
My neighbors and I have every right to say whatever I want on the front lawn--it's that funny thing called THE MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS that forms the basis of this country. If you don't like it, pack your stuff up and, like you promised, move yourself to millburn. |
gj1
Citizen
Username: Gj1
Post Number: 265
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 4:28 pm: | |
kathleen...have you read any of my posts in this thread? I am 100% against surveillance cameras. I'd just rather stick to the discussion at hand rather than sink to silly bickering. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8113
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 4:37 pm: | |
Lester won't be able to read for a while, so perhaps the conversation can return to reality, or unreality (depending on your POV). |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 413
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 4:43 pm: | |
giJ,
I wasn't commenting on your stalwart opposiiton to surveillance cameras, just disagreeing that discussing the persistent politics and civic behavior of the surveillance proponents would be irrelevant or silly.
Chris,
I meant to ask: As a declared opponent of Kim Jong Il style governance, are you for or against surveillience cameras in Maplewood? How do you feel about the Mayor's suggestion of disguising or hiding them? |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 414
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 4:48 pm: | |
Gee. I'm going to miss being called a freaky liberal who drives normal people out of town. |
steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 913
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 5:15 pm: | |
Kathleen,
-What kind of car is it that you use to drive normal people out of town in and why can't they drive themselves? Is there a fee? Do they car pool?
-So many questions. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2319
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 9:32 pm: | |
Dobler88, so nice to have you as a neighbor! Thanks for your input on this thread.
Cathy |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2406
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 10:39 pm: | |
For 60 Years the Republican Party completely dominated local politics in Maplewood. No Democrat could get elected and few were ever appointeed to any public committee. Did we Democrats feel "bombarded"? No, we felt like we were in the minority. Did we move out of Town? No, of course not. We stayed and we ran candidates and we lost over and over again until we finally won. That's the way democracy works.
The country is divided politically, and we live in the part of the country that favors the Democratic party and more "liberal" politics. Those in the minority have to live with it, and should be comforted by the fact that their group controls the White House and Congress.
Who chooses where to live based on politics? Noone moves out of Maplewood because of "politics". That's just an excuse for "white flight" or perhaps not wanting to live among gay people.
As to non-partisan elections, I'll repeat a point I've made numerous times before. I don't see how anyone in Maplewood can observe the non-partisan elections in South Orange and think that that system is better than what we have in Maplewood.
And I absolutely disagree that a Republican cannot get elected to the TC in Maplewood. The Democratic Party is divided. All the Republicans have to do is get a good candidate and run a really strong campaign.
And Art proves that a Republican can be fully involved in the political and civic life of Maplewood. I'm not sure that that was true for a Democrat 25 years ago.
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kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 415
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 10:59 pm: | |
Actually, marie herself put up a post not too long ago commenting on Fred's initiatives and saying something like "It's a totally Republican agenda!" Of course, by that she didn't mean the nearly-extinct limited government kind of Republicanism referred to by Dobler88 above, but if marie can call this by its partisan name (and try to take credit for it), so can everybody else.
To me some of the refusal to see why Republican policies proliferate gang problems is like a smoker who wants only to hear about cures for cancer -- and doesn't want to hear they've got to quit smoking.
Anon, once I was old enough to decide for myself, I've always chosen to live where people who are for integration, women's rights and progressive politics are in the local and state majority. I'm hardly alone in seeking out such places and avoiding the others, for very good reasons. Not normal, perhaps, but good for local real estate prices.
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kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 416
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 11:13 pm: | |
steel,
It's gotten too expensive to keep tanking up my liberally-sized limo, so most normal people have been reduced to taking Art's Ring of Fire to the town line, then hitching a ride to wherever it is normal people normally go when they leave Maplewood.
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 5296
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 9:00 am: | |
anon..I disagree about a republican winning the TC in M'wood these days. There is just too much machinary behind the democrats from the state level and it has seemed to me, over the last decade, that the State republican party does NOTHING to assist their party's candidate for TC here in m'wood.
But, I agree, the South Orange model isn't one to look to for anything. The incivility of those meetings is unreal, and the elections nonsensical. But that doesn't mean there isn't a way to effectively hold non partisan elections where you can see folks and hear folks on equal footing with out the heavy fist of state gov't. Or the almost complete ignorance of the state party.
I would ask AJC, or Ed May, or Bart to comment on the support they received from their party during the elections. It cetainly can't have been much. At least it doesn't appear that way from here.
Though that is off topic and I apologize for the drift.
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steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 914
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 10:19 am: | |
Not fer nuthin', (actually for quite a bit of somethin'), Maplewood has gotten quite a bit of state grant money such as a million dollars towards the police station which would not have been nearly so forth coming without the close ties to the "democratic machine". -Just a thought to bear in mind when people are suggesting non-partisan, local elections (and for what reason again?) while simultaneously concerned about local taxes.
It seems that local republicans are happy to use the money that we have gotten through Codey's help and others yet feel that they need some sort of "level-playing field" in town in order to get elected rather than doing it the old fashioned way of finding a good candidate to capture voter enthusiasm and putting the support behind such a person. Instead their lazy solution is to suggest nixing party affiliation and enthusiasm to the democrats while blithely ignoring the potential consequences to all.
If you want to run, -run and run well and stop insisting that the other guys be crippled to match your own weak efforts as though it would be some sort of grand benefit to Maplewood as a whole when in fact it would cost the town more money.
But keep smiling, you're on camera. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4569
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 12:19 pm: | |
“a thought to bear in mind when people are suggesting non-partisan, local elections”
Steel, non-partisan local elections still elect individuals who may or may not otherwise vote along strict party lines. These same people may be loyal to officials in county and state government such that the perks, benefits, and backing will still be reflected in the financial support flowing back to our community anyway.
To suggest that Maplewood would lose this political support because our elections were non-partisan is wrong. Can anyone honestly say that South Orange gets no or less state support because it has non-partisan elections?
The idea here is about fairness in dealing, and to give everyone a sense of equal representation in local government. My feelings are that local politicians need to have their undivided attention on local issues.
Meanwhile, there are more than ample politicians to handle the county, state, and national issues. BTW, they also need the support of the voters in our town to stay in office, regardless of how we elect our own officials...
You keep smiling, you're on MOL... |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 764
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 1:05 pm: | |
Kathleen:
Sorry I took a while in getting back to you.
I am against them. While I generally think Fred has been a really good mayor, I think cameras in town, open or disguised, are a bad idea. It smacks just a little too much of a '1984' type society. If we had a problem with suicide bombers at Kings, I might reconsider, but not for the current situation.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 9967
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 1:07 pm: | |
Art, the people who post in the SO section of this board often bemoan the fact that MW tends to get more state grants. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4572
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 1:53 pm: | |
Right Bob, every town has its share of cry babies. Apparently South Orange is no different.
FWIW, good leadership gets good results, need I say more? |
Lester Jacobs
Citizen
Username: Lester
Post Number: 45
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 6:53 pm: | |
Hello - I am not a troll. I am just a concerned citizen who doesn't want to see this town hijacked by Liberal extremists. Tom, you actually know me well, I am one of your neigbors. Kathleen, sorry to pick on you - I was just upset by some of the posts. I will try to act more civilized |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2090
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 7:03 pm: | |
Count me as one who thinks its silly and unnecessarily divisive to connect town issues and needs to the larger political parties. Thus far locally, I've voted based on the person and views not the party. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1501
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 7:13 pm: | |
It would be such a step in the right direction to have non-partisan elections in Maplewood.
The system we have now is do overly the top w/ quid pro quo. The Essex county Democratic machine rewards corruption and hurts the very people that believe voting as a Democrat will protect them.
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kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 418
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 9:45 pm: | |
Chris,
No problem. I wasn't running the clock. You probably have more cred than I do with the conservatives on the TC. Maybe they'll listen to you.
Lester,
I had friend knock on the door today and the first words out his mouth were "Hey there, freaky liberal." (He's one, too.) Thanks for coining the new Maplewood hi-sign! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to hijack the first police car I see and insist I be given asylum in Dickens Village, which I read in today's News Record is actually a secular space. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2407
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 10:04 pm: | |
Contributions to political campaigns are a matter of public record. I'd really be interested in knowing how much is contributed to local campiagns by the County or State Parties. It was my understanding that Mayor Profeta and Committeeman Huemer financed their campaigns from there own pockets. I don't know about the others.
If the Dem candidates are in fact receiving "outside money" that itself would be a pretty good campaign issue for a Republican. I still believe that there is an effective strategy to elect a Republican to the Maplewood TC. |
Jonathan Teixeira
Citizen
Username: Jhntxr
Post Number: 275
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 9:02 am: | |
Kathleen , conservatives in the TC ?? In which village ?? Dickens ?
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I am the Straw
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 6515
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 9:10 am: | |
Jonathan,
Since you're fairly new here I'll fill you in on Kathleen.. She's..how should I say this,  |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 421
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 11:55 am: | |
Jonathan,
Ask marie. She's been more determined even than I have to spot the Republicans there!
If local Republicans would loudly repudiate the truly vicious campaign of the national GOP against equity for gays and lesbians, they'd begin to have a fighting chance here. Likewise, they'd do better if they loudly stated their support for affirmative action to increase diversity in hiring for township jobs. I have never figured out why the local GOP candidates don't take those two steps. Maybe they don't see the necessity of it.
But for people who don't see the connection between the issues of the national party and local issues, gay and lesbian civil rights is a huge connection here, and you can't expect voters will overlook what the GOP has been doing in that regard, and I certainly see nothing virtuous in overlooking it. This township government's willingness to take a strong public stand in favor of gay and lesbian civil rights is really important and should be protected. If people want to run on the GOP ticket here, they shouldn't assume it will be obvious they don't support the GOP's bigoted agenda in this area or are committed to protecting the TC's current position. They have to say so loudly. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1502
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 12:51 pm: | |
Anon,
Quote:I'd really be interested in knowing how much is contributed to local campiagns by the County or State Parties. It was my understanding that Mayor Profeta and Committeeman Huemer financed their campaigns from there own pockets. I don't know about the others.
For the primaries, the money comes from private donations - supporters, out of the candidate's pockets, etc.
For the general election, the Democratic candididates receive money from the MDC, as well as assorted county Democratic supporters, cronies, etc., plus regular folks.
As far as I can tell, the same few thousand dollars keeps getting passed back and forth between Essex county and the MDC. There are a lot of $250-a-head rubber chicken dinners and open-bar "rallies" - so much money goes to keeping the faithful in line, it's such a waste.
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steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 915
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 3:02 pm: | |
Interesting,
Art asks if the citizens of South Orange get less money from the state than Maplewood does because of their own non-partisan elections, (apparent non-democratic party links).
BobK immediately points out that people in S.O. complain that Maplewood gets more state money.
Coincidence? -You decide oh tax-paying citizens.
Meanwhile Art's judgment of the scenario is that the people of S.O. are "cry babies".
His seeming solution as to how there can (once again) be republicans on the TC is that the democrats must lower their end of the playing field as opposed to republicans doing the work to raise their own by finding a better candidate who can appeal to the voters of this small town, (it doesn't take a media blitz). -Talk about "cry baby".
His solution as to how these cry babies can be made to feel more included, (rather then simply making THEMSELVES more appealing and thus included), is that the local democrats should renounce all party affiliation, (despite the voter majority of same), to the detriment of any advantage that the taxpayers might have as long as the state government is so heavily democratic. The voters can answer for themselves as to whose advantage this would be and at what price to themselves.
____________________________________________
Meanwhile it is looking more and more like some surveillance cameras will soon(ish) be coming to a neighborhood near you, (all). So anyone who objects to the idea had best start speaking to their friends, neighbors and the TC or forever hold still while the cameras get a good shot of you minding your own business.
Perhaps if a republican wishes to get more votes around here he/she could run on a campaign of government being less intrusive than the majority of our local democrats seem to lately feel inclined, -that would be an interesting switch and afterall republican candidate Bart Albini did say, (too casually during a debate) that he thought the cameras would do no good because no-gooders would simply move their business to the other side of the street. - What does such a trend spell? -Cameras on every corner of Maplewood despite our fantastically low crime rate? -Is this "quality of life" above what we presently have or below? |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4584
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 11:56 pm: | |
"Talk about "cry baby"."
Hey, look whose calling who a cry baby? Steel, give it up... We all know what a cry baby sounds like when we hear one. After reading your little story I think maybe you should think about joining your friends in South Orange...
Listen, my point is that good leadership gets good results. What's so hard to understand about that? If South Orange isn't getting their fair share, you have to look to the leadership, not the party they belong to. |
marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1369
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 12:18 am: | |
I would like to thank kathleen for the great publicity she's given my business -
had several customers tell me they read about it on MOL and wanted to see for themselves what it looked like! one parent added his name to the grafitti wall of fame commenting that he thought it was a great idea to give kids a place to legally leave their mark. anyway, getting back to the subject at hand...
i wonder where Vic DeLuca officially stands on the subject of CCTV surveillance- Vic was at the same meeting I was three months or so ago when the Chief first mentioned use of CCTV in hotspots around town, particulary Springfield Avenue. It might be helpful to hear his view on the subject.
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steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 916
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 9:58 am: | |
Hey, I have a chance to agree with Marie so I'll do so.
I agree that it would have been useful to the public dialogue to hear Vic speak to the subject of cameras publicly sooner rather than later after waiting to be sworn in for DeLuca Part II, (the return of the Vic), in Jan.
I sense that he is taking a "measured" approach.
Perhaps he feels that there is plenty of time to join the fray, such as it is.
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steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 917
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 11:08 am: | |
As to Art's non-sequitur point about the non-partisan elections, (this now seems to be a multi-point thread),
I'm sure that it is convenient to Art's argument to dismiss the large factor of party ties regarding state grants but most tax-paying voters are not so blind in the consideration.
To put it in the simplest terms, -in seeking state monies while having a strong relationship with the Democratic leadership of this state, -it don't hurt.
However it seems that Art may have oddly had his feelings hurt for not receiving more votes when he ran for the TC despite having largely limited his campaign efforts here to MOL diatribes. All readers may wish to bear that in mind when considering his call for so-called "fair elections".
His campaign platform seemed to consist then largely of the same sort of arguments as demonstrated here and boils down largely to such fun-filled thought-out presentations as; "Hey folks, c'mon!" Frankly I don't think that a non-partisan election in that instance would have helped Art in the slightest though he may still harbor the fantasy.
If, as Art would have us believe that "leadership" holds the ability to overcome party affiliation in gaining state monies then it should hold equally true that the same "leadership" abilities could propel a person to a seat on the Maplewood TC. Alas, such a leader for the Republican party has not been forthcoming. Who will take up the mighty mantle next?
Conversely, to depart from Art's one-sided blind "logic" and further follow the true logic of his argument we would have to conclude that if our present Democratic leadership has been so excellent in gaining large grants having nothing to do with party ties then why change such persons? (Except that they may, ya know, vote for spycams in the village). Since there are so few Democrats to protect civil liberties are there no true conservative Republicans in our Maplewood house to strongly decree such unnecessary and expensive government intrusion into the lives of private citizens or are they too all busy joining with the NSA listening in on phone conversations?
Carry on.
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4585
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 2:40 pm: | |
“However it seems that Art may have oddly had his feelings hurt for not receiving more votes when he ran for the TC...”
Listen Steel, four years ago, 1621 votes did not hurt my feelings. Actually, given the overwhelming odds a Republican has to face in Maplewood, I was very much humbled by it and the honor of being asked to represent my party. If I’m not mistaken, I believe that’s around the same total number of votes Vic recently received in June when he won the primary over Ian...
As to the rest of your trivial nonsense, tell us about what you’ve done for your party lately, or for Maplewood, or to make a difference in the world. Lets hear you speak from your life experiences. Then, and only then will your words have real meaning and your suggestions true value.
FWIW, I can attest to the value of CCTV through years of personal experience. As for non-partisan politics, we can see by example the value of all the good work done by the CCR. Living in a community such as ours, one should also be able to recognize that diversity is important not just in race and religion, but should be equally as important in our politics as well.
TTT
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Lester Jacobs
Citizen
Username: Lester
Post Number: 49
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 2:42 pm: | |
AJC: Please run again - I'll vote for you!!! |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4586
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 3:07 pm: | |
...there are only two ways I would ever consider running again, and both of them are if Jerry Ryan ever put his hat in the ring again!
Please don't ask me why, but you could bet your sweet ••• I'd knock on every door in town, spend every dime I have, cut off my beard, shave my head, lose 20 pounds, even change parties if necessary, and then campaign 24/7... |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 4900
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 5:24 pm: | |
Quote:...there are only two ways I would ever consider running again, and both of them are if Jerry Ryan ever put his hat in the ring again!
Wow, I didn't know that Art was willing to go all out to help Mr. Ryan get elected.  |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2413
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 11:29 pm: | |
cut off my beard, shave my head, lose 20 pounds, even change parties if necessary, and then campaign 24/7...
If that's not enough of an incentive to get Jerry to run, I can't imagine what would be. 
Lydia: Do you think the infusion of money from County Dems in the general election is much of a factor in why the Republicans do so poorly. Don't you think that if you were so inclined you could run a sucessful Republican campaign, either as the candidate yourself or as campaign manager? Honest answer. Don't be too modest. |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 426
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 1:40 am: | |
You're quite welcome, marie. I sincerely hope your business succeeds, including as a venue for "tagging," as much I personally can't stand grafitti "art." I do think it is better to have a mainstreaming outlet for these things, and I've always thought it was irresponsible hype to assert that "gang" inspired clothing and grafitti were something to get hysterical or militaristic about. Your being able to operate a successful business that attracts kids and parents where even you talk about "gang-related" shootings across the street means isolated incidents should not be blown out of proportion and result in bad law. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4588
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 9:20 am: | |
Marie, not unlike, shall we say our “Symbolic Nemesis”, AKA, MOL’s Kat Lady, everyone should have a way and a place to express their “Art”...
Some sing or play an instrument, some paint or draw on walls, some find a sport, and then there are those of us like me who must express ourselves on MOL… ;-)
Your business on the Avenue meets an important need in our community. Skateboarding has gained worldwide recognition as an exciting and competitive sport. Through your efforts Maplewood now has a place on Boyden Avenue to advance our kids skills and interests. And, also because of you, our community has become increasingly aware of the increasing dangers of gangs on our streets and in our schools.
Thank you for supporting our kids and providing a place and a way for them move ahead with their dreams, and to fulfill their aspirations. Knowing you and your dedication to this community and these kids, I’m confident you will continue to provide a positive, law bideing, and healthy environment for them. You’re a great American Marie!
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marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1371
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:19 am: | |
Thank You Art.
You've got my vote...;) |
wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 1885
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 1:09 pm: | |
Quote:Through your efforts Maplewood now has a place on Boyden Avenue to advance our kids skills and interests.
from Art.
Art, you may know that Marie and I are good friends (politically opposed most of the time, but good friends). Marie may not have noticed the above line from you. If she did I'm sure she would have been the first to correct you. Marie (and I and others) were part of the Maplewood Skate Park Committee, singlehandledy formed by an exceptional citizen of Maplewood who probably doesn't want his name posted here since he is quite modest and doesn't need the publicity. People in the know know that this person formed the committee and has consistently done the lion's share of much of the committee's work, which was primarily fundraising with a bit of advising and lobbying thrown in as needed. Thought you'd want to know.
Wendy Lauter |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1504
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 9:00 pm: | |
Anon,
Quote:Do you think the infusion of money from County Dems in the general election is much of a factor in why the Republicans do so poorly. Don't you think that if you were so inclined you could run a sucessful Republican campaign, either as the candidate yourself or as campaign manager? Honest answer. Don't be too modest.
The money comes from the County only in the general election. Unless it's a heavily contested election between the Dems, the money is icing on the cake.
Republicans can't win because they are "Republicans"that and they have weak candidates who don't understand the ins and outs and issues.
I grew up a Democrat, most of my friends are Democrats, and until I got involved in politics in Maplewood I pretty much shut down when I heard someone was a Republican.
I think that most people are loyal to their political parties they way they are to their sports teams.
Everyone laments the low turn-out for BOE elections - some of the low turn-out is a result of the awkward poll hours, but a lot of the low turn-out is due to people not knowing who to "automatically" vote for based on party affiliation.
Going door to door, there are so many people who say "You're a Democrat? You have my vote."
At the end of a long day that was sometimes a blessing, but it also made me uncomfortable - the shorthand of my party affiliation getting me a vote.
When I was Vice Chair of the Democratic Party and went to the Essex county meetings, my nagging discomfort exploded into bigger questions about what my party affiliation really meant to me and my constituancy.
A defining moment for me was when a well-known and rah-rah Democrat party boss sat me down and told me that he voted for Bush.
It's no secret that I have officially left the Democratic party.
I voted for Corzine, and I'll continue to vote for good Democrats in General elections, but after my involvement in county Democratic politics, I prefer to watch from the sidelines.
I'm a bit of an idealist, and logically when I entered politics I knew I would have to put some idealism aside, but my 2 years looking inside the most superficial layer (I was only a district leader for goodness sakes) of county politics distressed me.
Hope that answers your question - kind of wordy, but I have strong feelings about what is so so wrong with our system from the bottom on up.
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Lester Jacobs
Citizen
Username: Lester
Post Number: 53
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:21 pm: | |
Lydia: I think I met you last spring when you were campaigning for Fred. You had that crossed out bullhorn badge on? I was the tall good looking guy. Thanks for letting me know what an idiot that Deluca guy is. We have decided to leave town as a result. Good luck. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2419
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:03 pm: | |
Lydia: You did not answer this question:
Don't you think that if you were so inclined you could run a sucessful Republican campaign, either as the candidate yourself or as campaign manager? Honest answer. Don't be too modest.
Note, I said "if you were so inclined".
Perhaps you answered it indirectly by saying:they have weak candidates who don't understand the ins and outs and issues. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2420
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:08 pm: | |
Lester: You are leaving Town because someone (probably not Lydia) told you DeLuca is an idiot.
When you find a Town without any idiots, let us know. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4590
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:50 pm: | |
Wendy, all I said regarding Marie was, “Through your efforts Maplewood now has a place on Boyden Avenue to advance our kids skills and interests.”
That doesn’t mean she did it all on her own, or that she started the movement. FWIW, I know the people who were all involved and I know the person you speak of. I’m thankful for all his hard work, and I will respect his desire top remain in the background.
However, IMHO, no one single-handedly does anything, NOT him, NOT Marie, no one. Thanks for your input and Happy Holidays… |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1506
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 12:44 pm: | |
Anon,
Quote:Note, I said "if you were so inclined".
I'm not a Republican, I don't have a resume that highlights any republican-ish concerns, even if I were so inclined, I don't know where I could really persuade anyone to vote for a Republican - the best I could do is support a moderate Republican as a supportive liberal.
BTW, if Marie ran for TC again, I could support her if I thought the candidate running against her wasn't qualified.
If there was a big enough bloc of Democratic women supporting Marie, she might have a chance for a seat.
If I were so inclined, and I'm not, it's possible a Republican could be elected to office in Maplewood if they had the volunteers and money. Volunteers would have to cross party lines and be visible about it, and promise not to squabble about national politics until after the election.
A young smart female Republican w/school-age children and a strong history of effective volunteerism in Maplewood might have a chance. |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 777
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 1:09 pm: | |
FWIW, I disagree. No Republican can get elected in this town. There are simply far too many capital 'D' Democrats in Maplewood. Even a sensible, MOR republican would have a serious uphill struggle. |
marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1372
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 1:54 pm: | |
Dear Lydia,
Thank you for the vote of confidence. I am honored. However, as I said in a previous post some time ago:
"I'd rather stick hot, flaming pokers through my eyes ( as I'm sure many of my detractors would be happy to watch from front row seats ) before I'd run for political office again.
Merry Christmas! Happy Channukah!
|
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1507
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 5:46 pm: | |
Marie -
re: hot pokers vs. running for office
Now that's the smartest thing I've read about local politics in a long time!
|
Parkbench87
Citizen
Username: Parkbench87
Post Number: 3147
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 5:52 pm: | |
"Lester: You are leaving Town because someone (probably not Lydia) told you DeLuca is an idiot. When you find a Town without any idiots, let us know."
Anon,
At least he's leaving town in style
http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=3135&post=507481#POST5074 81
|
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4249
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 7:13 pm: | |
too funny! |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2423
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 10:31 pm: | |
A young smart female Republican w/school-age children and a strong history of effective volunteerism in Maplewood might have a chance.
Thank you, Lydia. That's what I've been saying for a while. I'm not inclined to support a Republican either, but I believe in a vigorous two-party system. |
Alberto
Citizen
Username: Buckwheat
Post Number: 9
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 6:14 pm: | |
latest news headline: (soon to be revealed)
its final. Al Sharpton- Chairman
National Democratic Party
Good luck.
|
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