I am sitting in the 325th annual reorganization of the Gloucester County Freeholder meeting to see two new Republicans continue the trend that is turning this county red. As I am here live, this post may reek of stream of consciousness to some extent. I apologize if that annoys anyone, but I am actually writing as the event plays out.
Vince Nestore was sworn in by Assemblyman DiCicco and Larry Wallace by Mayor Sam Maccarone of Woolwich, NJ. Watching from above in the balcony, I can see the looks on the faces of some of our favorite characters, they are not happy. You can tell that Senator Norcross, Senator Sweeney, Congressman Andrews, and Assemblyman Moriarity do not like what they are witnessing.
This is the first meeting since former-dual office holder Steve Sweeney had resigned from his post as Freeholder director. Unfortunately, the newly sworn in director Robert Damminger just gave a speech where he pledged to continue Sweeney’s philosophy in the county government in his absence. Of course, we all know Sweeney will likely be calling the shots anyway. However, that philosophy was rejected in 2010 and will continue to be rejected in 2011. Think about it, why else would Sweeney have left in the first place after holding both positions for so long? Damminger went on his speech to pledge to cut spending, close the budget gap, and at least to maintain tax rates. This of course will remain to be seen, and since those goals run counter to the philosophy he just praised, I wont be holding my breath.
What I do expect is that Freeholders Wallace and Nestore will be holding the boards feet to the fire. The dynamic has finally changed. Speeches tonight all seemed to have a theme when they came from democrats. “Once its the first Wednesday in November, the people of Gloucester County come first.” Exactly what a loser would say. To an elected official, the people should be coming first at all time, and an election is the most obvious showing of that. Last November, the people made sure they came first and elected Wallace and Nestore. The democrats can preach bipartisanship all night long in an attempt to diminish the clear importance of the changes made on this board, but it wont make their slipping bargaining position stronger.
Wallace and Nestore both gave speeches that praised the people of Gloucester County for standing up for change in the county. While Nestore’s was mild mannered and simply thankful, Wallace’s was for more forceful and strong, even taking direct shots at Senator Sweeney while standing only 10 feet away from him, a move that elicited chuckles and a few gasps from people around me in the crowd. Wallace had a far more realistic view of what the the next year and beyond will be like. He put an emphasis on debate, discussion, and new ideas, an end to the old way of doing business.
Now that the meeting has begun, the fighting already began. The Democrats are attempting to pass all 61 agenda items. Wallace and Nestore refused to vote yes on full consent. Freeholder Wallace then went through all 61 items and voted individually and explained his reasoning for each one. Some in the audience are in shock at what they are seeing. Wallace then mentioned a conflict of interest in the Mayor of Washington Township, Matthew Lyons, while being the County Counsel. Wallace even cited court opinions to back up this claim. He also objected to the County Treasurer making $30,000 more than the New Jersey State Treasurer and to county contracts going to professionals who are not coming in with the lowest bid, costing the taxpayer over $20,000 that could have been avoided. Finally, Wallace is calling for the Country Freeholders and other part time elected officials to forgo health benefits by March 31, 2011, rather than next year, which would save taxpayers almost $400,000. The Democrats on the board declined to accept this amendment.
After what I just witnessed here, Wallace was correct. Change truly has come to Gloucester County, and this is going to be one interesting year.
You're right, this is stream of consciousness; not much real information here other than gloating over the election of two Republicans.
Sweeney resigned his post as Freeholder director, just as you wanted, and you're still not happy.
I would like to see what the 61 items are and whether or not they passed, or where they stand at this time. Are the minutes of this meeting available to the public? If so can you please direct me to where I can read them?
Thank you.
Sweeny & the new Freeholder Director Bob "Marblemouth Damminger" are one in the same. 5 of the 7 Freeholders last night said "I'm with Sweeney", which is another way of saying "I'm not qualified to be in this position, but since HE PUT ME HERE, I' m with him".
One of the Sweeney Freeholder cronies went on to say "I'm just happen my name appears next to yours"…WOW! If that statement doesn't say it all about the qualifications of a GloCo Freeholder, then what does?
Of course Parker McCay received ANOTHER no bid contract….DO YOU UNDERSTAND—ANOTHER NO BID CONTRACT!!! These Norcross minions are making a MINT off of our backs!
Sweeny is a thug….Don't be enamored with his status! Don't believe me, read the following posting below (which was posted under the debt editorial on NJ.com in response to debt run-up during Steven Sweeney's oppressive rule as Gloucester County
Freeholder Director).
Dear Mr. Schubert, Sr.
Please pull the annual Debt Statement for the County and that will tell you
that as of the close of 2010 Gloucester County is almost 503 Million, YES,
half a Billion in Bond Debt.
Fill out an OPRA and get a copy for yourself.
It is much worse then what they submit in the budget. The figures are
staggering. If they (the County) would stop REFUNDING bonds we might be able
to make a dent into the principal, but when you Refund the bond it is no
different then Refinancing your home, you start all over with the bulk of
the new payment being INTEREST.
There are Bonds we have not paid off since the early 90's (when Steve
Sweeney took office).
That is almost 20 years ago and they have been refunded and will not be paid
off until the 2020's or later…..again we have allowed those elected
officials to sell our children into bondage.
Again, note that 30 years of paying debt that in some cases is on equipment
or vehicles with a 5 year life span. Go pull an OPRA on your small town or
municipality to find out its annual Debt Statement.
One thing I have noticed in reviewing the bonds books is what jumps out to
me and that is the amortization schedule. If the bond is a 15 yr bond very
small annual payments in principal are made, As we get close to yr 8 that is
when we would be making very large amounts of principal payments, however,
it is usually Refunded before that can occure.
Follow the money for the answers.
(Is Gloucester County on a collision course with BANKRUPTCY this year?)
(Is Steve Sweeney going to do this to the State Government of New Jersey or
is time for a NJ AG investigation?)
This was posted under the debt editorial on nj.com in response to debt run-up during Steven Sweeney's oppressive rule as Gloucester County
Freeholder Director:
Dear Mr. Schubert, Sr.
Please pull the annual Debt Statement for the County and that will tell you that as of the close of 2010 Gloucester County is almost 503 Million, YES,
half a Billion in Bond Debt.
Fill out an OPRA and get a copy for yourself.
It is much worse then what they submit in the budget. The figures are staggering. If they (the County) would stop REFUNDING bonds we might be able to make a dent into the principal, but when you Refund the bond it is no different then Refinancing your home, you start all over with the bulk of the new payment being INTEREST.
There are Bonds we have not paid off since the early 90's (when Steve Sweeney took office).
That is almost 20 years ago and they have been refunded and will not be paid off until the 2020's or later…..again we have allowed those elected
officials to sell our children into bondage.
Again, note that 30 years of paying debt that in some cases is on equipment or vehicles with a 5 year life span. Go pull an OPRA on your small town or municipality to find out its annual Debt Statement.
One thing I have noticed in reviewing the bonds books is what jumps out to me and that is the amortization schedule. If the bond is a 15 yr bond very small annual payments in principal are made,
as we get close to yr 8 that is when we would be making very large amounts of principal payments, however, it is usually Refunded before that can occur.
Follow the money for the answers.
(Is Gloucester County on a collision course with BANKRUPTCY this year?)
(Is Steve Sweeney going to do this to the State Government of New Jersey or is time for a NJ AG investigation?)
It is a proud moment in Gloucester County. Larry and Vince are like the Lone Ranger and Tonto.. P