| Author | Message | ||
     steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1067 Registered: 2-2002 |
Shop and Compare: http://www.kenandkathy.org/ http://www.maplewooddemocrats.com/ Having reviewed the letters of endorsements on both web sites I felt compelled to finally write my own here: I have known Ken personally for a whole bunch of years since long ago I met him when we were two of a dozen dads who helped build the playground at Clinton school during some stinkin'-hot July weekends. He has become a most excellent friend. We are a lot alike in many ways. Each are about the same age. Each have a daughter the same age. Each grew up black without a lot of money in Chicago, (ok, wait, that was just him), but a bunch of other stuff too. Despite these similarities he's always trying to do stuff for the town which for the life of me I still don't quite understand since from my own personal perspective of limited patience it seems that all the sense of reward and fulfillment of community service also comes with a heaping portion of grief and aggravation with a large side order of fatigue and at times crushing boredom, (coefficients, setback distances, number of feet, percentages, times of day, passage of introduction of ordinance, age of, got a meeting, got a meeting, got a meeting, advisory commit-me-I'm going nuts, blah blah blah blah blah.) I couldn't do it. He does. -What's more he's good at it. Really good at it. (except for that damn surveillance camera thing). I once heard Mayor Fred Profeta refer to him as "fearless" which frankly from Fred's perspective was not entirely a good thing but I have to agree with him, sort of. -The greater compliment and truth is that like all of us, he does fear things, but more uniquely has the courage to take on and keep on. This town is lucky to have him and Kathy both. In fairness I think this town is lucky to have all such persons as I have seen serve or want to serve on the township committee even though I have given a few shots to some, (or ALL at one time or another). Having also read with interest the present challenger's "letters to the editor" I also feel compelled in my sometime snarky way to add the following to my endorsement; -To my knowledge Ken does not bake. I have never heard him refer to baking nor have I ever heard others praise his baking skills. Nonetheless I plan to support both he and Kathy with my vote on June 6th. -Sincerely, -Wayne (steel) Sullivan | ||
| BGS Supporter Username: Bgs Post Number: 1009 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wayne- I surely hope that you will send this to the paper if there is still time...one does not get more honest or real than this. Thanks for sharing. BGS | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5130 Registered: 9-2001  |
"Shop and Compare" There are none, at least none worth mentioning... Kathie and Ken win hands down! | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 911 Registered: 8-2001  |
Steel, Big Whup. Ken this, Ken that, why don't you marry him if he's so great? Nancy bakes a mean pie. I helped write the letter about the pie you know. Because of space constraints, we left out these top 10 Nancy factoids: 10.Nancy makes a passable batch of lemon squares. 9. and rice Krispie treats. 8. sometimes with M & M's 7. Nancy Adams is an anagram for "A Mans Candy" 6. Nancy rhymes with fancy 5. and prancey 4,3,2,1... We were full of pie and sleepy so we stopped at #5. Ken and Kathy supporters, the polls are open 6pm to 9am - VOTE June 9th!!!! | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1068 Registered: 2-2002 |
Quick! Aquaman's in trouble! He can type but he can't sign his name! | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 912 Registered: 8-2001 |
Steel, I'm just so full of pie I can hardly see my keyboard. Nancy makes a fine pie. Nancy makes the crust with creamery butter, she never takes a shortcut with Crisco™. That's an analogy for how she will work "from scratch" for Maplewood. Dr. Arthur Curry, DVM | ||
| BGS Supporter Username: Bgs Post Number: 1011 Registered: 10-2003 |
Aquaman- Everyone knows that pie crust is best and flakiest when made with shortening...a butter crust is not a true pie crust! BGS | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2708 Registered: 6-2002 |
Beware of candidates who offer "pie in the sky". | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5139 Registered: 9-2001 |
Speaking of "Pie in the Sky" If you think about it, it sure takes a lot of crust to offer an “Independent Voice and View” for the Township Committee when they're running as "Maplewood Democrats Who Deliver"... What are they talking about when they say they are Maplewood Democrats Who Deliver, and what have they delivered? Being they are fully supported by David, Vic, and Jerry, are they trying to tell us they are really running on their past record as Huemerists or DeLucaists? I also don’t understand this “Independent” voice and view thing? What are they anyway, Independents, or Democrats? I’m sorry, but I find this kind of campaign advertising deceptive. This is especially so when in fact they have deliberately side stepped the endorsement process of the regular Maplewood Democratic County Committee, and neither one has a record of serving on the Township Committee or ever delivering anything... On June 6th, VOTE LINE (A) for Ken Pettis & Kathy Leventhal, the Maplewood “Democrats Who Have Proven They Can Deliver.” | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2716 Registered: 6-2002 |
and neither one has a record of serving on the Township Committee or ever delivering anything... How can you have a record of serving on the TC unless you've been elected to the TC? I don't know what Nancy has "delivered" but wasn't her running mate involved in delivering meals on wheels? It continues to puzzle me as to why a committed Republican is so passioante about a Democratic Primary. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1897 Registered: 5-2001 |
Here's the irony: Adams and Lewis-Powder side-stepped the traditional process for Democratic candidates - interviewing with the Maplewood Dem. Committee and seeking their endorsement, etc. Pettis and Leventhal recieved the endorsement of the MDC, but in the campaign literature they imply current Corzine endorsement, although it's actually an endorsement from years ago, after they won the primary. The Pettis/Leventhal and Adams/Lewis-Powder campaigns are both running slates for representatives to the County Committee (District Leaders) but both sides have proved by their actions that the MDC is powerless. The voters don't pay attention or care about the big guns when it comes to electing local officials. The real loser in this election is the Maplewood Democratic Committee. When the dust settles after the election, the Democrats (winners and losers) must have a pow-wow and figure out how everyone can work together to mend the damage inflicted upon the basic foundation of Democratic politics in Maplewood. | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2720 Registered: 6-2002 |
So, Lydia, are you ready to play peacemaker? | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 15086 Registered: 10-2001  |
Dearest Anon, I think I've figure out Arturo's interest in this election. The clues are all right there in his last post: 1. pie in the sky 2. crust 3. candidates who deliver 4. Arturo I think that our friend is under telling us that a) he is purchasing our local brick oven pizza shop and b) if they win, Ken and Kathy will be delivering pies for him. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5146 Registered: 9-2001 |
"It continues to puzzle me as to why a committed Republican is so passionate about a Democratic Primary." Anon, I don't know what's so puzzling about it... The fact is David, Vic, and Jerry are supporting Nancy and Lester over the incumbents Kathy and Ken. Why do you think that is? I believe it's because they want to get back in control of the Township Committee, and by supporting Nancy and Lester they believe they can. Personally, I don't want to see our town go back to their control, and as we all know, short of a miracle, the Primary is the election. Therefore, it's now or never. IMHO, if you are Republican, Independent, Democrat, or Democ-rat, you better get off your butt and support the candidates of your choice... BTW, the real losers in this election are the real Maplewood Democrats, period... | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2724 Registered: 6-2002 |
I prefer sbenois' explanation. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1901 Registered: 5-2001 |
Anon-est one,
Better women and men than I have waded into the morass of hubris that is Fred, Vic, and Dave and failed. If voters come together and make an outcry to all the candidates it could make them straighten up and listen. Huemer, Profeta and DeLuca have myriad strengths and weaknesses - they've all earned their seats on the TC and each has done a lot for Maplewood. Unfortunately, the infighting has boiled to a point where too much money and volunteer effort (worth more than money) is being wasted on campaigns instead of real nuts and bolts activism. Just think - $100 buys 20 lawn signs - that money could help organizations such as the JAC, our libraries, plant trees in our parks, etc. Instead thousands of dollars leave Maplewood and the signs and literature end up in the trash. Ugh. | ||
| justmelaura Citizen Username: Justmelaura Post Number: 562 Registered: 5-2001 |
Actually, they don't wind up in the trash, but become some really high end art work. Steelyboy, would you like to post a few pics? | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1069 Registered: 2-2002 |
Speaking of "high-end" art work and for the record, (as a minor point of histroy):  | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1904 Registered: 5-2001 |
Steel - Fred already talked to me about my error about Corzine's endorsement - I was just going to post a correction. Apparently Corzine told the candidates Ken and Kathy he supports them in this local primary. It's a particularly valuable endorsement, because it's the ONLY primary endorsement that Corzine has made in the entire state of NJ. Good job K and K. Sorry I didn't call Corzine's office to double-check - back in the day the higher-ups used to stay out of primary endorsements, so I assumed, which was rash. Sorry for misleading anyone. | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2725 Registered: 6-2002 |
If voters come together and make an outcry to all the candidates it could make them straighten up and listen. But who will lead them? | ||
| Carl Thompson Citizen Username: Topcat Post Number: 201 Registered: 4-2003  |
But who will lead them? How about you, Anon? Change your screen name, come out of the shadows and lead the charge! | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5620 Registered: 3-2002 |
who will lead them? well, in a perfect world, it would be the duty of the local party committee and the district leaders, but many of them are otherwise engaged. I suspect that local politics everywhere works on the premise that a majority of people pay little to no attention for usually no more than short bursts of time. It cant be one person who says something, because I know of many individuals, all well regarded, who have said something. You can try to form a committee of well-regarded folks, but even committees arent a large enough number sometimes. It is large numbers and a lot of noise that may make headway. As I was once asked regarding a specific matter not to be so "overt", I would think being especially overt would be the best approach. I would think the only way for one person to have an impact would be for a truly independent person to run for TC. I heard rumor of such a person just this morning who is considering tossing their hat in the ring. That might aid a more overt approach. | ||
| Strawberry Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 7281 Registered: 10-2001  |
Steel, It's spelled Darfur, not Dafur..Hopefully, Ken and Kathy are a little smarter than that. I guess my first question to both would obviously be do you even know where Darfur is? My guess is both will be a hard pressed, as is Steel. In any case, I would like to see the written documentation from the office of Corzine where he officially endorses Ken and kathy. Keep in mind third party "Corzine endorsements" don't count. Where can I see a copy of his written endorsement?? | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1070 Registered: 2-2002 |
Straw, -who's talking about "Darfur"? -Corzine was in town to hand over his written endorsement for Bill "Dafur" who is running for committee leader of district 18. Howdy Lydia. | ||
| Strawberry Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 7285 Registered: 10-2001 |
I stand corrected.. Silly me to think Corzine gives a rats ••• about Darfur. In any case, where is this written Corzine endorsement for Ken and Kathy? I'd like a copy before I make my voting decision. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5157 Registered: 9-2001 |
...go back to your patch Strawberry!  | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1910 Registered: 5-2001 |
Steel, What's with the "howdy"? I get nervous because last time you confused another poster w/ me...well, you took it to a low that I really don't want to deal with again. BTW - Strawberry, there is no district 18 - Steel was pulling your leg I guess. I know it got some folks up in arms about my questioning if Corzine endorsed K & K - that wasn't the point of my post, if you re-read it I was making a reasonable argument that all the Dems have to stop playing around and come together, and all the fighting is only feeding itself - the stakes keep getting higher and the battles rage on. | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 1189 Registered: 7-2001 |
My experience with the way things operate, and the way K&K are representing this, make the "endorsement" highly doubtful. Normally, when a governor is running in the same election year, and you're on the Dem line, you'll receive endorsement. But a sitting governor, since I've been involved, does not endorse candidates, especially during a contested primary. K&K were endorsed by Codey in '03- Codey was running. This year, Corzine came for a Darfur rally in May. K&K got their picture taken with him, and added it to their campaign literature (and why not), but with the caption "Ken & Kathy endorsed by NJ Governor Jon Corzine" But I'm not sure why they would post this same picture on their website with the revised caption "Ken and Kathy pictured recently in Maplewood with NJ Governor Jon Corzine" http://www.kenandkathy.org/endorsements.html It doesn't seem like the kind of thing you'd back off on, but would actually promote widely, especially at this stage. Just seems like you'd want to get out a clear message about the Gov's support, and it's cloudy at best. Why change the wording on the website? Hank, yes I've heard the rumor too. | ||
| Strawberry Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 7291 Registered: 10-2001 |
thank you Drewdix. I agree. For the life of me why in the world would Corzine bother?..On top of that why in the world would Ken and Kathy even assume it's something they can get away with. Again, I go back to the Kathy tax. That was a slippery move as is the Corzine (endorsement). So, all that said, where is the written endorsement? Or are we to just assume it was a lie? | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 15089 Registered: 10-2001 |
My understanding is that there are three candidates gearing up to throw their hats in the ring for a November run against the Dem winners and Mr. Albini. We shall see by next week if they're serious. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11681 Registered: 5-2001 |
The two losers in the primary and ???? | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11682 Registered: 5-2001 |
I spoke to soon. Jamie has announced his run for one of the squeaky chairs in the Soapbox section. Gosh I am sorry I moved. This is going to be fun. | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 15091 Registered: 10-2001 |
Two more announcements to come. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7865 Registered: 5-2001  |
I saw a post somewhere with Nancy's & Lester's campaign platform. Great sound bites, no details on strategy for implementation. I also would like to know what K & K have done in their time in office. So, where's the beef? I could give a rat's ••• about the MDP structure. What have/will these folks do for our town? | ||
| jem Citizen Username: Jem Post Number: 1552 Registered: 5-2001 |
An excellent way to get a sense for the candidates is to watch the replays of the Hilton debate. The dates and times are posted here. The tape lasts an hour and a half, and it's worth watching if you're truly interested in figuring out who these people are. Another way to do that is to speak with the candidates - I'm sure they'll all be out in force in Maplewood Village this Saturday morning, and they'll all be happy to speak with you. Just walk up to them, introduce yourself and ask away. Today's News-Record features statements from all of the candidates. Reading through those might also be helpful. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6402 Registered: 12-2001  |
Got a mailing today from the Adams/Lewis-Powder campaign and, by itself, leaves me thinking I will vote K & K. I don't give a rats ••• where Ken parks his car and to spend that much time and money and effort to go around photographing where people park?? If only the MPD had such resources. On that mailing there was NOTHING about them. Not a word. I have read the endorsements, bio's and all the rest. And as a voter I AM SICK TO DEATH of hearing from one camp what the other camp did wrong. TO ALL FOUR CANDIDATES!!! SCREW THE MACHINE...TELL US THE TRUTH.TELL US WHAT YOU STAND FOR AND WHAT YOU WILL DO!!! It is a thankless job and I suppose I am naive enough to believe that honest people can do it. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11690 Registered: 5-2001 |
Duncan, true, but I really think Ken should stop parking on top of Fred's gate. Don't you agree? I have it on good authority that it was Ken, not David, who trashed the gate and that there is a massive coverup going on. David is the victim of a vicious smear campaign!!  I hope that the local pols are getting the message, but I sort of doubt it. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6406 Registered: 12-2001 |
They are, my phone rang only minutes after my post. | ||
| shestheone Citizen Username: Shestheone Post Number: 280 Registered: 5-2003 |
Duncan, I was also disappointed with the 'Ken Pettis parking at town hall' mailer. While I believe there is a valid point to be made by then challengers re: Ken voting to raise the commuter fee and then not paying it, I agree the challengers have done a poor job in getting out their own positive message. I wish they had focused more on who they are, what they have to offer, etc. | ||
| algebra2 Supporter Username: Algebra2 Post Number: 4092 Registered: 5-2001  |
I didn't get the mailer, but I read the paper today that Ken and Kathy aren't endorsed by Corzine. What gives with Steel making the cartoon with Corzine and stuff? I got a flyer today from Kathy Leventhal (I think it was her) in front of the train station and it said Corzine does endorse her. Takes some brass cojones to keep passing out the picture the same day the newspaper says the head of the state comm. told them to knock it off. I don't like any of them. |
