| Author | Message | ||
     ziefert Citizen Username: Ziefert Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2001 |
AJC- Neither of the two candidates opposing Kathy Leventhal and Ken Pettis submitted their qualifications to the Maplewood Democratic Committee for consideration during our nominating process. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 857 Registered: 8-2001  |
Ziefert, "Neither of the two candidates opposing Kathy Leventhal and Ken Pettis submitted their qualifications to the Maplewood Democratic Committee for consideration during our nominating process." Did Fred Profeta submit his qualifications to the MDC when he ran against David Heumer? Respectfully, Dr. Arthur Curry | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4981 Registered: 9-2001  |
...thanks Allison, I didn't think so. This just goes to prove they are not team players. The last thing we need on the Township Committee is more dissension and anyone else looking to move on to county and state government. Joan, I knew all that stuff, I was just checking to see if you did...  Seriously, you really need to consider running next year. I don't know what foot you kick with, but it doesn't really matter. I'd vote for you either way. FWIW, four years ago when I ran it was one of the most interesting and rewarding times of my life. It's not so much about winning or losing as it is the journey... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4982 Registered: 9-2001 |
Aquaman, when Fred ran against David, I believe he ran as an Independent... | ||
| curmudgeon Citizen Username: Curmudgeon Post Number: 757 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art - when did you become a member of the Democratic Party? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4984 Registered: 9-2001 |
I'm a lifer in this town, and I vote for the people who I feel best represent our entire community. I'm going to be here the rest of my life and my ashes will be in the gardens at Les Saisons along with the members of my family before me. As a team player, I find what Nancy and Lester did as sneaky, underhanded, and very political. Given the circumstances it's very clear that they are sided with Vic and David, not Fred, Kathy, or Ken. As a Republican, I'm also realistic in that the chances of electing candidates from my party here in Maplewood are slim to none. Therefore, to ignore what's going on with the Democrats would be stupid, IMHO.... "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with." On the other hand, the incumbent Democrats running have proven to be fair and balanced on average. Although they don't always agree with Fred, who I feel is doing a superior job as Mayor, I believe they deserve a chance to finish all the good work they have begun. FWIW, Vic and David are both good men and provide more than their share of left wing diversity on the committee, however, I would never want to see the balance of power in their hands again. Therefore, in this Primary Season, you can look at me as if I was a Democrat if that makes you feel any better... | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5465 Registered: 3-2002 |
If someone doesnt submit to the MDC, I mean, submit their qualifications to the MDC, that isnt necessarily a bad thing. And someone has to be a "team player" for a primary? It seems sometimes too much time is spent on "team building" for various elections by various constituencies and then even more time spent maintaining those "teams" rather than focusing on governance and decision making. Politics at times seem to get in the way of good and efficient government. Im all for more players who arent on any team. If Lester and Nancy are part of a "team", that's too bad...not because of who they are affiliated with, but because they are affiliated. Im ready, and I know a lot of other folks are ready too, for some politics not as usual...enough with the fiefdoms of Maplewood. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 858 Registered: 8-2001 |
"Im ready, and I know alot of other folks are ready too, for some politics not as usual...enough with the fiefdoms of Maplewood." Bravo! Hank, one caveat, "a lot" is 2 words. Thankey. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5466 Registered: 3-2002 |
thank you Aquaman..you've corrected me on that one before..I guess it's my spelling bete noire (or one of them). I will go back and make the corrections as long as I am within the time limit. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 9232 Registered: 4-1997  |
Isn't it bête noire? | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5467 Registered: 3-2002 |
I rarely use apostrophes and you expect me to do that? | ||
| curmudgeon Citizen Username: Curmudgeon Post Number: 758 Registered: 5-2001 |
Okay, I get it, Art - you see the incumbents as the more Republican choice. FWIW, I have just as much interest in the long-term future of this town as you, or any other resident. True, I'm not a lifer - I'm a Maplewoodian by my choice, not the choice of my parents or grandparents. What we have entirely too much of in this country today is blind acceptance that those already in power MUST be right, and that to challenge them is not just wrong but "sneaky, underhanded" or even treasonous. I'd hardly say that running for office without permission from the powers-that-be (who once were challengers themselves) is in any way underhanded - quite the opposite. It's what our system of government is supposed to be all about. On the other hand, wouldn't you consider a candidate running against the very people who nurtured and supported her to be "sneaky, underhanded, and very political?" Or had you forgotten about that? | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 415 Registered: 8-2003 |
Adams and Lewis-Powder are most certainly part of a team, as will be clear to anyone who looks at the sample ballot. These two candidates are at the top of a slate of challengers for the Democratic District Leader positions throughout town. They represent one of the two factions within the local Democratic Party, and they are vying to take control of the Maplewood Democratic Committee in essentially the same fashion as the current rulers did three years ago. Adams and Lewis-Powder may be new faces on the local political scene, but there is nothing remotely unusual about their politics. It’s a continuation of the same political battle that’s been waged in the Democratic primaries for the past five years. To claim otherwise would be either uninformed or manipulative. I disagree with Art that there is anything sneaky or underhanded going on here. It’s merely political. As Jerry Ryan likes to point out, nothing would unite us Democrats faster than the emergence of a real Republican party in Maplewood. Heck, the Republican Party is so dead that even Art himself has decided to dive into the Democratic fray. But since the Republicans aren’t going to spring to life any time soon, I guess we Democrats will have to slug it out once again. I’m with Aquaman – give me some popcorn and let’s watch the show. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4985 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Politics at times seem to get in the way of good and efficient government." True, and this is the problem Hank... In recent years I've seen too much time spent by the Township Committee with infighting, and politics over the direction they want to see the town go. I believe it's a problem that is taking up too much of their time. Each year Democrats in town also vote to elect candidates to a county committee, two members from each district. These men and women generally try to pick candidates for Township Committee that best represent the direction the party and the voters in their district want to see things go. When new candidates circumvent this selection process it’s a strong indication they have a different agenda then the County Committee and the voters who elected them. My point is simply that if candidates worked within the system, and had the support of their party, they would naturally spend less time arguing, and more time doing the work of the community, if and when they were elected. BTW, if what was meant by "the more Republican choice", being more fair and balanced, then yes... I’d say you’re right. | ||
| curmudgeon Citizen Username: Curmudgeon Post Number: 759 Registered: 5-2001 |
"fair and balanced?" You mean like Fox News? | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 859 Registered: 8-2001 |
Ziefert said
Fred Profeta ran for Township Committee 3 times. Only once did he submit his qualifications to the Maplewood Democratic Committee during the nominating process. Ziefert was also quoted in this week's News-Record lamenting the fact that there are people in this town who dare run for office, or who put their desires before the good of the town. Who made Allison Ziefert the boss of the Democrats in town? Wasn't she all for rigorous competition and political challenges a few short years ago? Aquaman to Ziefert: You'd do your | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7275 Registered: 5-2001 |
Shouldn't the primary election really come down to (1)which two of the candidates are the most qualified for the position of TC member and (2) which two of the candidates have positions on the issues which are most in keeping with the majority of those who go out and vote? The major problem I have with team campaigns is the recent tendency of such candidates to issue joint positions on the issues rather than giving us some insight to their individual thinking. Even though Ken and Kathy may be running together as a team, each has a reviewable record which shows where they differ on the issues. Hopefully, the challengers will provide us with similar information so we can vote intelligently in the up-coming election. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4986 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Fair and Balanced?" You mean like Fox News?" I mean fair and balance like fair and balanced... There's nothing difficult to understand about that. In political circles it means the politicians will negotiate in a non-partisan fashion; and they won't vote strictly along party lines. As an elected official it’s about showing respect for people who come before you, regardless of what your personal feelings may be. And, it’s also about being humble as best as possible and not boastful about your politics whether you are a conservative or a far left liberal… The truth is I have no idea who Nancy and Lester are, but I hope to learn more about them in the very near future. I still feel the way they entered the Primary race is underhanded, political, and is a disservice to the party they claim to represent. I’d be surprised if the 40 or so elected members of the County Committee don’t feel the same way. I also think voters need to consider whether these two candidates are really in the race to serve Maplewood, or to serve the other two on the Township Committee. Being they have yet to make a public statement, it's anyone's guess... | ||
| ziefert Citizen Username: Ziefert Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2001 |
Aquaman- I will refrain from commenting on your tone and tendency to make factually incorrect statements. I will simply set out facts as they relate to the business of the Maplewood Democratic Committee. I am the Chair of the Maplewood Democratic Committee. I was elected by a majority of the district leaders that comprise the Committee. Fred Profeta sumbitted his qualifications to the Maplewood Democratic Committee each of the two times he was selected by the party as its candidate. So did Ian Grodman. So did Ken Pettis. So did Kathy Leventhal. Since I have been involved in the party, it is typical for several candidates submit their resumes each nominating season. This is a good thing and a departure from the way business was conducted in past years when incumbents automatically received the nomination without the party seeking competitive resumes. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 861 Registered: 8-2001 |
Ziefert, "Fred Profeta sumbitted his qualifications to the Maplewood Democratic Committee each of the two times he was selected by the party as its candidate." Really? Color me corrected!!! Can you provide/produce transparency for the peanut gallery? Thankey. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 285 Registered: 9-2003 |
Transparency? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4988 Registered: 9-2001 |
...what's your point Aquaman? This thread is not about Fred, so why all the drifts? Being you’re the campaign manager for Nancy and Lester, how about giving us some information as to who they are, why you didn't register their names as candidates with the County Committee, and why you all are running against Kathie and Ken? I think it's time for you to provide/produce some transparency... | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5475 Registered: 3-2002 |
I am the Chair of the Maplewood Democratic Committee. I was elected by a majority of the district leaders that comprise the Committee. Out of curiosity, did you run unopposed? (And if not, did you win in a squeaker or was it a landslide?) | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 863 Registered: 8-2001 |
Allison Ziefert, First you condescendingly try to correct Aquaman when he stated Fred only submitted his qualifications 1 out of 3 times he ran for office. Said Ziefert:
Fred ran for TC in 2001, 2002 and 2005. He was only selected by the Democratic Party once. In 2005. Not twice. So you are wrong, and Aquaman is right. As I said, Ziefert should refrain from making public statements. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4991 Registered: 9-2001 |
...this is what I mean about the Democrats! Hank, what's your point? What does your question have to do with Nancy and Lester? Are you also involved in their rogue campaign? Maybe I should ask you, what good can come from a bad start? Aquaman, you started this thread in a covet manner, and if in fact you are who you say you are, I suggest you refrain from making anymore public statements that don't promote your candidates. As you said earlier in this thread, I got you, so let’s move forward and try to keep all this above board, and tell us about your candidates… I have to ask you the same questions I asked Hank; what's your point, and what does your statement to Allison have to do with Nancy and Lester and the campaign you’re running for them? | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 865 Registered: 8-2001 |
AJC, I don't think challengers should be labeled as rogues, or running rogue campaigns. This year, Ken and Kathy will be running on the same line as Ron Rice in Newark, the same line Sharpe James would have run on. Lester and Nancy will be on the Cory Booker line. Rogue? Hardly. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11238 Registered: 5-2001 |
Aquaman, a couple of points/questions: A couple of weeks ago you had Annette DePalma running. Apparently she isn't. What happened? Back in the bad old days when Vic and Jerry ran Maplewood and had the local committee stamp of approval they always ran on the same line with the county Democratic organization candidates. How is the current situation different than in the past? How do you feel about Corey Booker's support of educational vouchers? | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5477 Registered: 3-2002 |
Art, Im not on any candidate's or elected officials' Christmas card list, so I am in no encampment so to speak, and I prefer it that way (although I wouldnt find the holiday greeting unacceptable, I just use the phrase to make my point that Im not on anyone's political A-team mailing list) . I find party politics on a small town level to be somewhat silly actually and also very counter-productive at times, especially when factions are drawn up essentially between neighbors. On the other hand, I am happy to have a good and civil relationship with any and all candidates and elected officials, as I feel I have now with those I know in office. I only asked Ms. Zeifert a question that crossed my mind out of curiosity if she "ran" unopposed for MDC Chair or if someone else was running or being considered. Im not an insider, I dont keep tabs on goings on of the MDC meetings, but as a registered Democrat, I figured I could ask. I do not see an issue with anyone throwing their hat in the ring for this or any other primary race, and I was curious if anyone else had thrown their hat in the ring for the MDC Chair position. The question in parentheses regarding the vote total was admittedly just me having some fun, although, hell, Im more curious now about the answer to that one. I will re-state my one comment though from an earlier post, and realizing it is not naive, but definitely idealistic, that I would love to see more candidates, for primaries or general elections, for any local campaign, TC or BOE, who arent in some political "encampment". Next time we cross paths, I will be happy to explain some of my feelings further. And Art, why dont you throw your hat in the ring again? I was just discussing that with someone yesterday...we'd give you serious consideration. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 866 Registered: 8-2001 |
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| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11241 Registered: 5-2001 |
Aquaman, that your answer?  | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 867 Registered: 8-2001 |
Bobk, OK, listen, I'll play along, but I'm a busy guy. "What happened?" Misdirection. "Back in the bad old days when Vic and Jerry ran Maplewood and had the local committee stamp of approval they always ran on the same line with the county Democratic organization candidates. How is the current situation different than in the past?" The current situation is that the roles of the incumbent and challenger are reversed. Those that defended the right to challenge incumbents and objected to being demonized by the incumbents are now the incumbents demonizing the challengers. "How do you feel about Corey Booker's support of educational vouchers?" Bobk, it's Cory. I have no opinion about vouchers. How do you feel about Ron Rice's sponsorship of bills that: - Permit the sealing of certain criminal records? - Clarify that needle exchange programs are illegal? - Establishes regional substance abuse treatment facilities and appropriates $100 million? - Increases the EDA bonding limit for the State share of Abbott district school facilities projects by $2 billion? (Billion!) - Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education? | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 416 Registered: 8-2003 |
Aquaman, Allison Ziefert stated that Fred Profeta submitted his credentials twice to the Maplewood Democratic Committee, in 2002 and 2005. That means he was among those who sought the nomination from the party in those years. In 2002, the party didn’t choose him, but he did apply; that what it means to submit credentials. She is correct. Separately, how do you figure that Pettis and Leventhal are on the same ballot line as Ron Rice? We don’t vote for Newark’s offices here in Maplewood. Their candidates don’t appear on our ballot and our candidates don’t appear on theirs. Finally, what is your candidate’s last name, Powder or Lewis-Powder? I was surprised at your campaign graphic that just says “Adams - Powder”. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 868 Registered: 8-2001 |
BL, OK, so we'll agree that her statement was factually incorrect ("Fred Profeta sumbitted his qualifications to the Maplewood Democratic Committee each of the two times he was selected by the party as its candidate" and leave it at that. Democratic Leaders need to be criticized when speaking slightly less than the truth. As for the lines, I'm speculating, of course. The Essex County Democratic Party, Inc. line is the Newark Machine line, so it stand to reason that K&K would be team-mates with Sharpe James, were he still running. With Joe D. I'm sure someone will assume the line with Joe D. (not Cory), so I speculate it's Ron Rice (good Democrat). Now that you mention it, the Essex County Clerk will probably find a way to put Cory Booker on line E or F, so Adams and Powder may not want to run on the Booker line. But then again, the Clerk has ways. The connection to the line is Joe D. Who from Maplewood will run with Joe, and who from Newark. That's how I see the line connection working. My bet is Joe D/Ron Rice/K&K on Line A. Bottomline, do you see a different scenario? Lastly, our political consultant advised us to shorten the candidates names for better recall, more appealing visuals, and sound-byte appeal. Adams-Powder. Bam. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11242 Registered: 5-2001 |
Anybody else think Aquaman is losing it? Just because someone is on the same line with another candidate doesn't mean they are in lockstep. If Adams and/or Powder become the party nominee because they win the primary they will run on the same line as other regular Democrats in the November general election. And by the way nice insult on Chris Durkin. Jeff, is this guy for real? I think he is hurting yah more than helping to be quite honest. | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 1163 Registered: 7-2001 |
ziefert writes: "I am the Chair of the Maplewood Democratic Committee. I was elected by a majority of the district leaders that comprise the Committee." and "...it is typical for several candidates submit their resumes each nominating season. This is a good thing and a departure from the way business was conducted in past years when incumbents automatically received the nomination without the party seeking competitive resumes." I am a member of the MDC. If memory serves, Ziefert was not elected as Chair of the party by any portion of the Committee. She was elected Vice-Chair, and became Chair as a matter of protocol after Tom Tevlin resigned. Also, the MDC has advertised an open call for candidates in the News-Record for as long as I have lived here (1997). The MDC has always gone public with an invitation. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5487 Registered: 3-2002 |
so youre saying it wasnt a landslide OR a squeaker? | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 417 Registered: 8-2003 |
Aquaman wrote, "Democratic Leaders need to be criticized when speaking slightly less than the truth." Given that pearl of wisdom, Aquaman, I guess nobody will be confusing you with a Democratic leader. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4996 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Aquaman, I guess nobody will be confusing you with a Democratic leader."  ...sorry, but that was really a good one! | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 869 Registered: 8-2001 |
Bottomline, Good one. Drew Dix, Good one. How's this look?  | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7278 Registered: 5-2001 |
Aquaman: Can you give us any indication at this point as to your candidate's positions on the major issues affecting our town? |
