| Author | Message | ||
     Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 849 Registered: 8-2001  |
Read the News Record article a few times. The quotes are all knee-slappers. Here's my favorite from the Honorable Kathy Leventhal: "I think this is David Huemer looking to be mayor" So if Kathy and Ken are re-elected Huemer won't be elected mayor? I miss the smoke-filled rooms. Whatever, pass the popcorn and place your bets. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 280 Registered: 9-2003 |
So Huemer's not looking to be mayor after all? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4966 Registered: 9-2001  |
...so who's Nancy and Lester? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4968 Registered: 9-2001 |
...did I ask the wrong question, or is it possible that no one on-line has ever heard of them? Let me try a few more diverse questions. Does anyone know if they are members of the Democratic County Committee? Are they involved in any community organizations? Are they serving on any appointed township committees? Were they hand picked by Vic and Dave to be their disciples? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13637 Registered: 1-2003  |
I don't know who they are. Does anyone? | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1029 Registered: 2-2002 |
Que? Quien? Hombre de agua es todo mojado aqui. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 850 Registered: 8-2001 |
Lester Lewis Powder ran for Freeholder last year - read his name on a bunch o' lawn signs. >>Aqua he was written up in the News Record last year. > Oh Yeah. That too. >>Also the Star-Ledger. > Yes, yes, yes, the Star-Ledger too. I knew that. >>Also in the voting booth, he was, like, kinda on the ballot. > I'll try to get out more. Thanks little conscience guy! | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 851 Registered: 8-2001 |
El hombre de Steele era siempre más de gran alcance que aquaman. | ||
| Dogbert Citizen Username: Dogbert Post Number: 65 Registered: 1-2006  |
Found this through Google: "Longtime freeholder is facing newcomer Focus on economy, roads, parks, Schools" | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 852 Registered: 8-2001 |
Dogbert, Great article. Read between the lines. Lewis-Powder for freeholder was a vote against the Sharpe James machine. An early adopter. Niiiice. Por el steelo - esta muy bueno | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2662 Registered: 6-2002 |
I think I know Nancy, but by her married name. If she is who I think, she has lived here a long time, been involved in a number of community activities and has kids in the schools. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 853 Registered: 8-2001 |
Shippy - yes - everyone knows her as Nancy (Shippy) or Shippey? An extremely involved Maplewoodian, she should extend the name so it rings a bell. 3 years ago Ken and Kathy were unknowns and they beat Vic and Jerry - they had their chance and the tide is going to turn. Ken has a chance in hell, Kathy, not so much. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4970 Registered: 9-2001 |
" 3 years ago Ken and Kathy were unknowns..." Maybe unknown to you Aquaman, but not to the rest of the town... They both had a distinguished track record of community service. Anyway, how could they beat Vic and Jerry if they were unknowns? I’m willing to bet that history will not repeat itself in this years Primary. Also, I don’t know, but did these two challengers put their names in the hat when requested by Allison months ago, or have they just now wakened up to the fact there’s a annual Primary in town? I think the residents of our town are sick and tired of these political games the Democrats are playing. As I understand it, members of the County Committee are elected in part to screen potential candidates and put forward the individuals best qualified to serve our town. Anything else is just politicians playing games with the system. IMHO, for the past three years the incumbents have worked hard, served with dignity, and can be proud of their accomplishments. I believe they will clearly be returned to office... | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 281 Registered: 9-2003 |
Aqua, Anon & Dogbert: So what’s the deal, guys? You're not going to run a real campaign? Instead you’re going to post here on MOL and pretend you just happened to find references to your candidates on Google? Or mention that you know one of the candidates by her former name so you can slip it in? Weak. Why don’t you go put up some lawn signs or something? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4972 Registered: 9-2001 |
...better yet, crawl out of the hole and get a life!!!  | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2663 Registered: 6-2002 |
Fritcake, AJC: What's your problem? I don't know who Aqua and Dogbert are. I think I've had disagreements on here with Aquaman in past years, but I don't have a clear recollection. I didn't even know these two folks were running until I read it in the N-R. I thought that Nancy Adams was Nancy Shippey so I chimed in to answer Tom Reingold's question. I have no idea who Mr. Powder is. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4974 Registered: 9-2001 |
OK Anon, I'll buy that, so how about Aquaman and Dogbert? Lets get to the bottom of this jabber from the wet one...  | ||
| Dogbert Citizen Username: Dogbert Post Number: 67 Registered: 1-2006 |
Fruitcake: Go take your paranoid presumptions somewhere else. All I did was a Google search, I didn't advocate for or against anyone. | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2665 Registered: 6-2002 |
Let's talk issues. Now that we know there is going to be a contested Primary what do Maplewoodians, or at least MOLers, see as the major issues? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4976 Registered: 9-2001 |
OK Anon, lets talk about issues... The first issue I believe is that these two who came in from "left field" are suspect because of the circumstances of how they come to be on the ticket. All Democrats in town had an ample opportunity to declare their interest in serving on the regular party line. By filing for a spot on the ballot at the last minute, it appears that they are either not interested in what their regular party thinks, or that they were brought in by Vic and David to help represent their strong left wing agenda for our town. FWIW, I find it hard to believe that any residents interested in serving on the Township Committee would not be monitoring MOL, and would not be fully aware of the continuing hostility within the Democratic Party in Maplewood. BTW Dogbert, I accept your explanation along with Anon's.... This just leaves Aquaman as the mole for these two new candidates. | ||
| Dogbert Citizen Username: Dogbert Post Number: 69 Registered: 1-2006 |
I don't need to be anyone's dupe to wonder why it's objectionable to file for candidacy before the deadline. Isn't this what deadlines are for? This is what you call an "issue"? | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 854 Registered: 8-2001 |
Ajc, You got me. I'm the campaign manager for Nancy and Lester. Please vote for them on the day of the primary election that takes place in the beginning of June. Dr. Arthur Curry, Phd. Esq. | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 14945 Registered: 10-2001  |
Major Issue #1: What happened to K&K's 2003 campaign promise to not raise taxes above COL? Major Issue #2: What is the position of the incumbents and the challengers on the Maplewood Rec Department? Is it performing well or should it be nuked? Minor Issue #1: If elected, who gets the votes for Mayor? More later. | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 2356 Registered: 5-2001 |
We await your as always humorous but seemingly well-thought out analysis with baited breath. | ||
| Dogbert Citizen Username: Dogbert Post Number: 70 Registered: 1-2006 |
Three years ago when Ken and Kathy ran it was absolutely essential that the town get a full-time planner on staff. Whatever happened to *that* issue? On the same subject, there's no bigger issue than the fate of redevelopment on and around Springfield Ave. Do the candidates approve of the towship's approach? | ||
| kathleen Citizen Username: Symbolic Post Number: 487 Registered: 3-2005 |
Would that be "bated breath" -- or is this some novel new term for behavior found on MOL -- ? Incumbents should be held to account for what they promsied during the last campaign to get votes and whether they actually worked hard and in politcally savvy ways to deliver it over the past 3 years. That would be true even if Ken and Kathy were not now facing talented and credible opposition, but a primary contest is good for the electorate, despite what the aggrieved party "officials" say, and I think the whole town will benefit by a thorough vetting of what was said then and what we're looking at 3 years later. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 282 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dogbert, The town still doesn't have a full-time planner on staff, but you're right, it would be beneficial. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 283 Registered: 9-2003 |
Sbenois, Why do you feel the choice of mayor is only a minor issue? Isn't that what these Democratic Party primaries are all about? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4977 Registered: 9-2001 |
Well, it looks like we're finally off and running again... From the sounds of it, we have the ever humorous Sbenois on the left with the Wanabe Mayor Crowd... Aquaman, who represents the Swing Vote Crowd, and the Rebel Republican who's looking forward to another ••• kicking political season where the right is always wrong, and the left continues to fight over the center seat and who will be the best Mayor of all! Lets look at the issues thus far: 1. No, it's not another Primary fight? 2. What truce between Fred and Vic? 3. Why did David vote to raise taxes? 4. Who's wrecking the Recreation Dept.? 5. The Mystery of Maplewood Mayor Madness. 6. Where did the plan for the planner go? | ||
| Dogbert Citizen Username: Dogbert Post Number: 71 Registered: 1-2006 |
Fruitcake: Once again you draw a conclusion unsustained by anything I said. I don't think we need a full-time planner, I think it would be a full-time waste of money. The point was that when Fred, Ken and Kathy ran they all said it was important, but as soon as they formed a majority the issue was dropped. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4978 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Once again you draw a conclusion unsustained by anything I said." You say that with such authority Dogbert. What conclusion have you come to? Listen, someone has to help me out here, but didn't we hire someone to help with our planning. I remember him speaking at a number of township meetings. FWIW, why buy and feed a cow when you can pick up a quart of milk at the store when you need it? | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2666 Registered: 6-2002 |
It appears that there are issues other than just personalities. Do we or don't we need a full-time planner? Fruitcake and Dogbert have stated opposing positions. Would either of you care to elaborate? Sbenois: Is there a problem with the Rec Department? I haven't heard anything about that. Art: What is Mr. Albini's position on those issues? | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 284 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dogbert and I may have opposing positions, Anon, but my real point is that Dogbert has his/her facts wrong. Maplewood has a part-time planner, not full-time, hired after Profeta became mayor. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7261 Registered: 5-2001 |
A few issues (not necessarily in order of importance): 1. Regionalization. 2. Preventative maintenance of existing facilities 3. Growth of local government services -- What services should the town provide and what services are not needed? 4. Communication between the Town and the Community and between town departments. 5. Economic development 6. Allocation of shared resources such as open space 7. Volunteerism -- Getting more residents involved in community activities and service organizations 8. Coordination with other layers of government: school district, county, State, Federal 9. Code enforcement | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11218 Registered: 5-2001 |
Back in the Vic and Jerry days who was Mayor wasn't all that important. There were five people on the TC who always thought, spoke and voted in lockstep. Back then I used to rant about the "Stepford TC". Now that isn't the case. Both Ken and Kathy, as well as Ian before his defeat, Ian didn't toe the line as presented by Mayor Profeta. Heck, since his ressurection in the last election even Vic has voted with Fred on occasion, although that, as was the case with the recently defeated budget, may just be politics. Mayor wanna be David Huemer was the only TC member to support the budget. While I no longer have a horse in the race, although I still care about Maplewood, I think having non-ideological people who wouldn't march in lockstep to be good for any government. | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2667 Registered: 6-2002 |
Fruitcake says: The town still doesn't have a full-time planner on staff, but you're right, it would be beneficial. Dogbert replies: I don't think we need a full-time planner, I think it would be a full-time waste of money. So there is a disagreement, but I don't see where Dogbert got his facts wrong. He says that we do not have a full-time planner. According to Friutcake that is true. I guess this really isn't a very big issue. Joan, as usual, responds by listing real issues. Thank you, Joan | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4979 Registered: 9-2001 |
Anon, you'll have to ask Bart about that. This year I'm not speaking for anyone, only about them...  Joan, thanks for your input again. However, for some reason I didn't see anything that pressing except maybe code enforcement and reaching out for more volunteers. IMHO, regionalization won’t improve Maplewood’s inefficiencies. Preventative maintenance has to be on-going at all times, and we need to cut back some on local government services, not add them. Communications between the town and the community are excellent, and I feel they are much improved between town departments. Economic development is clearly on track, and plans are in the works for more shared resources such as is open space. I also feel further coordination with other layers of government, school district, county, and state agencies has never been better. So, what is your position on the list you presented? | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7272 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art: Regionalisation remains crucial. One of the reasons our real property taxes in NJ are so high is because we have so many municipalities each of which is providing roughly the same services to its constituency. If we can't reduce the number of municpalities in the near future through mergers, we can at least enter into agreements with our neighbors to share equipment, staff, services, experience, do group purchasing, etc. One of the greatest cost savings of all would be if we could join with our neighboring municipalities in providing an affordable group health insurance plan for our employees which provides for employee contributions towards their health care. This is a controversial issue since some people will be unwilling to support an intiative which would reduce local control over the provision of essential services. Preventive maintenance should be a no brainer but the sad fact is that this is one of the easiest items to strike from the budget year after year because preventative maintenance represents non-emergency expenditure. However, it is far less expensive (read major long term reduction in our capital budget) to make the small repairs each year than to replace a police station (as we are in the process of doing now) or be faced with major repairs to one of our fire stations, as was proposed in this year's budget. Preventive maintenance also extends to the present sorry condition of our playing fields, reduction in need to replace muinicipal vehicles, etc. This comes down to whether a candidate is more inclined to support long term planning or crisis management. Again, an argument could be made for either position given our current financial constraints. Expansion of government: I agree that we need to at least keep municipal services at their present level if not cut back on them. Government services in Maplewood have expanded significantly in the past several years. However, there are those who would campaign based on the need for additional services such as the proposed full-time planner mentioned above. Again this is a controversial issue and one which could be viewed in many different ways. Communications could be improved considerably. Did you know that at present town departments can't communicate with each other by computer because they use different systems? Township offices still aren't accessible in person to those who commute to the City and return from work after late Tuesday hours. The township's e-mail system has been down both times I tried to use it in the past month. Speak with Bart about what he discovered when he tried to research the town's computer system for the CBAC. I'll try to respond to the rest of your points later when I have more time. The point here is that these are real issues. I am certain there are others which will emerge as the campaigns get under way. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7273 Registered: 5-2001 |
Most Maplewood residents I have spoken with agree that we need some form of economic development but there is considerable disagreement on how this would be best accomplished. Not everyone agreed with the "nail salon" ordinance which limited proximity of some like businesses to each other. Not everyone approves using eminent domain to create a redevelopment zone. Rent control was a hotly debated topic in part due to its impact on economic development. Some people favor big box stores, even though our present infrastructure won't support them, others think condos (possibly geared towards seniors who would be less likely to have children in the school system) is the way to go, still others would like to see more small businesses geared to local neighborhood needs. Then there is the question of whether economic development should be geared primarily to the needs of SA and Maplewood Avenue businesses or if the town's other commercial districts should be included. Lots of issues here for this year's election. Open space has become a serious problem as more and more special interest groups compete for our limited park space. Dog parks, skate parks, and fencing in a ball field are just three recent initiatives that come to mind. Art: As you will notice, I have not really taken a firm position on most of these issues. However, I think the individual candidate's positions on these and other issues will help the electorate determine which of the candidates' positions best reflect the individual voter's own philosophy. | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2668 Registered: 6-2002 |
JOAN: You ought to run for the TC. You put more thought into these matters than almost anyone. |
