Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Ghosts of Aberdeen’s Past

If men and women of capacity refuse to take part in politics and government, they condemn themselves, as well as the people to the punishment of living under bad government. - Sam Ervin

An honest politician is one who when he is bought will stay bought. - Simon Cameron

With the upcoming school board election “in the bag”, attention has quickly turned to this November’s municipal elections as Democrats and Republicans both try to build a winning slate. Both parties’ strategies are also crystallizing. The Republicans will frame their campaign as a fight against corruption. The Democrats will be doing a bit of a dance – using a slate of fresh but familiar faces to promote the township’s accomplishments over the past decade, including projects in the works, while simultaneously distancing themselves from anything that smells of scandal. The election results will hinge on whether the stink of corruption sticks to the Democratic candidates.

The foulest stench will be coming from the township engineer, CME Associates. Even assuming the town passes its draft pay-to-play ordinance, CME will still have their grubby hands in everything. First, the draft pay-to-play ordinance does not impair CME’s ability to collect engineering fees from local businesses and residents; those fees account for about half of CME’s annual million dollar plus take from the township. CME is also the agent responsible for tossing homeowners a lonely buck when confiscating their land for the township’s vaunted road improvement program.

Furthermore, the draft pay-to-play ordinance only requires open bidding. Who do you think will be reviewing the bids for engineering projects and counseling the council? None other than the township engineer, our good friends at CME.

Meantime, the Democratic Party is trying to game the system by proposing a pay-to-play ordinance but delaying its passage until they’re first able to raise as much money as possible from the town’s vendors.

Then the Democrats will need to explain how they will serve with their fellow councilmen and party members, Vinci and Gumbs. Do they approve Councilman Vinci receiving tax breaks, a bypass road, free land, and “consulting fees”? Do they approve Councilwoman Gumbs garnering for herself, friends, and family “fair compensation” for their land when almost everybody else got one dollar?

Even if the democratic candidates can distance themselves from the party’s past sins, they will still need to answer the following question - In the words of Simon Cameron, will the Democratic Party “stay bought”?

Certainly, the party’s political patrons believe so. How else to explain massive contributions the party has already received. Will the Democrats retain the services of those who fill the war chest so they can pillage the town?

As for Norman Kauff, let’s just say this ain’t 2007 when the Republicans railed against overdevelopment and spoke of the need for good governance but not a word about rampant pay-to-play or corruption. We can be sure that with every public declaration, the Republicans will be whispering “Norman Kauff”.

Still, the election is far from decided. The Democrats have the money, the organization, and control of the township. We’ll be seeing more newsletters touting the township’s accomplishments, more press releases of grants and developments, and more talk of how we’re doing far better than Matawan.

The Democrats won the last election by a plurality, not majority; in most cases, a 100-vote swing would have changed the outcome. Also, the Green Party is not expected to be a wild card this election.

So, with the vote so close last time and the political landscape changed so much, will the Republicans be able to close the gap? We shall see.
>>> Read more!

108 comments:

Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter how slow your horse is, as long as thier horse is slower.

Nick Minutlo, who is now pissed as he did not recieved his promised county job from norman, has now highjacked the republican party and become chairman. A review of elect shows he actually has the gop in debt and is running the same losing ticket as last time - can anybody remeber there names?. By the way in a review of public records Councilman minutolo never voted aganst the Kauff machine including the last budget when he was not running any longer.

Kauff will put up new candidates Taglarini , Lauro -- talk of change -- raise tons of money and unfortunately win.

Anonymous said...

And do not forget that they will placate Gumbs and the Cliffwood voters and then stroke Raymond and the often politicized but never improved JEWEL OF ABERDEEN in the beach. Then after the election they ignore both areas completely.

Don't fall for it this time Aberdeen voters. Please.

Anonymous said...

Local politics in Aberdeen makes one sick:

Democrats run a republican for mayor

A supposed democrat runs the republican party

That same head of the republican party, who is now running against "Kauff" brand corruption, was formally a Kauff loyalist

Republicans can't figure out what to run for, only what to run against.

Democrats are using the same campaign materials as last time with new candidate names

Democrats keep propping up a failed developer for the train station project

Democrats' slow action on Anchor Glass gets developer to move project to Holmdel

Republicans still have no ideas and we wonder if they are capable of anything better

So the question becomes: Are the democrats so bad that I am willing to take a chance with the republicans who can't even find a real leader? It's a pretty close call and I'll vote for .....

Anonymous said...

I wonder.... how many of the folks that complain of " politics as usual", didn't even vote in all available elections last year? No accusations- just asking you to be introspective.

Anonymous said...

Only election I missed last year was the Fire Commission election - which was unadvertised, unpublicized, not even listed in the papers. They do a fine job, but that election is a joke.

Anonymous said...

The fire election is unpublicized for a reason. The budgets are one as a for instance the budget for the one on Lloyd Rd. was well over $500,000.00.

We should all agree that the firemen play a significant role for all of us, but these fiscal times warrant a review of such budgets. I know it is certainly much less expensive then a paid service, but we deserve a look at the true costs and more we pay for.

I am not criticizing our fine service, but I think a look inside every taxpayer expense is required to ensure fiscal accountability and clear uses of such an amount of money no different then the schools and the municipal services we pay for.

Anonymous said...

Get rid of all incumbents.

Every election slot this year and the next five years. Send a message that politics as usual cost them their cushy jobs. They work for us and your vote can make them unemployed like many of us are because of them.

Anonymous said...

Power has to be insecure to be responsive.
Ralph Nader

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
Pardon my ignorance, but how would CME be collecting engineering fees from residents?

Aberdeener said...

Certain house renovations, extensions, or additions to the property will require the township engineer to review and approve. The rule of thumb is that the review process never ends before the escrow fund has been depleted.

Plus, new businesses and local builders have to tussle with CME to open shop or get the proper certificates.

Anonymous said...

CM&E, through Kauff and his underlings, implemented changes with of course Kauff and town council approvals as I hear. It happened to me just when I went for an addition years ago. The CM&E approvals and reviews on many items were for costly fees paid to CM&E, fees that were as I understand never required before for homeowners seeking additions and the like. I decided not to build the addition and one reason was CM&E.

Sure CM&E was involved before on some things homeowners need but all of a sudden they get to gouge us like they have never been allowed to do before. The greed of CM&E and Kauff know no boundaries and we are paying a steep price all across the board.

ESCRO is just vast amounts of money for professional services that in truth a joke. It is money paid to CM&E and others in advance, which then as CM&E decides they need to review or implement suggestive changes to your approvals or anything else they decide to charge you for, they can just take your money with little effort or recourse by the homeowner, businessman or woman or developer. CM&E have free hands to charge you more money for most things you really do not need all based on their supposed professional opinion and the homeowners CM&E mandated need. It is a joke!

A recent business opened in Aberdeen and it cost him an extra $50,000.00 to satisfy the CM&E thieves and there was no ESCRO money left. So much for business friendly Aberdeen. Developers hate doing business in Aberdeen. Except the connected ones like Ceglia.

Every voter needs to realize it is all about funneling money back to Kauff and the democrats. Once that simple fact is accepted by the voters Kauff will not have the stranglehold and devastating financial costs placed all of us for his buddies.

People it is in the millions of dollars annually. CM&E reportedly is $1,000,000.00 plus a year. Why?

Wake up Aberdeen we are being robbed by our own elected officials and their circus master Norman Kauff.

Had enough yet? It is a 3 ring circus in Aberdeen. The circus needs to close up the big top and move on.

MrFF said...

The Fire election is advertised (in the paper). It has to be, by law! And each District is highlighted in the APP, 1-2 Districts per week leading up to the election date. Now, how would you like it publicized. Have the Firemen go around with flyers. It's your fiscal responsibility to vote, not for anyone to remind you because you don't pay attention to the advertisement. Also, I think I remeber seeing the Election announced on the marquee outside the firehouse for approx. 2 weeks before the election. Didn't see that either, huh?
I guess those who didn't see it in the papers are reading the Daily News or the NY Times. Try the local papers. It's there every year.
Maybe also if you stop by during the Open House in October, you'll see the equipment and how these proud firemen keep it in shape, giving these trucks over 20-25 years of service. In addition to the other equipment that outfits the men for their protection, who lay their life on the line every time they are called (24/7/365).
Get your facts straight! Hey, why don't you sign up to join and volunteer? Nevermind, too much time spent looking to diss the people who do something good.

Aberdeener said...

MrFF,

I think we can all agree the township could have done more to publicize the Fire District elections.

For example, the township could have posted information regarding the election on its homepage. The school district would have done the same. Had I or any of the other local bloggers been contacted, we would have done the same.

Also, even though the elections are on the calendar, there's no information posted on how to become a candidate. Nor is any election information discussed at the town meeting. Had that process been publicized, I wonder if Councilman Vinci would have been reelected.

I also wonder if that's the reason the Fire District elections aren't well publicized.

MrFF said...

Sorry but have to disagree with you Aberdeener. These Fire District elections are publicized every year in the papers along with the facts that they are held on a Saturday. Everybody moans and groans about it yet they don't vote. It just that I've been monitoring this blog for some time now and am amazed at some of the things that people throw out there without checking the facts. Not advertized, not publicized.... maybe not as much as the Nov or School election but it is out there, just people tend to be ignorant.
These men that volunteer take pride in their companies and equipment and thats why they are as good as they are. They get nothing out of it but pride and satisfaction of helping their community.
As far as the District Commissioners, they supply these men with the best and safest equipment available and thats what counts.

Anonymous said...

Why not just move the school board and fire commission elections to November? Because you want to limit voter turnout!

Aberdeener said...

The school board elections are set to coincide with the school budget which needs to be finalized prior to the upcoming school year.

I agree the school board elections can be separated from the budget. Better to have higher turnout.

Aberdeener said...

MrFF,

What's the insurance and disability coverage for firefighters and other volunteer personnel?

Are they high enough?

Anonymous said...

Who are the republicans running this year? Which dems are not re-running for their seat?

Anonymous said...

Only dem currently on council running is Fred Tagliarini. He is not re-running -- he was appointed to a vacant seat. Kauff has done little to build the democratic party -- he handpicks each candidate thinking he can control them and then villainizes them when they express any independence.

The republicans just can't get their act together and there is such an opportunity this year to chop Kauff and cronies down to size.

Anonymous said...

Wait a second -- Tagliarini running on democratic ticket but may not be a democrat

Aberdeener said...

Councilman Tagliarini changed his party affiliation three weeks ago.

Anonymous said...

So now Tagliarini is officially as much a hypocrit as Minotuolo

Anonymous said...

Can anyone say VERY INTERESTING ELECTION SEASON? I for one can't wait.

If the Republicans are smart they will very soon start a campaign against Kauff highlighting the countless $$$$$$$MONEY$$$$$$$ issues. It's the money stupid, that will win this year's election. Show the Kauff money connection and win the cupie doll.

The Republicans should start with the fifteen million dollars plus that the taxpayers have given just to CME. Such payouts and so many more given to all of Kauff's beholding types and the questionable associations with his handpicked and very overpaid professionals used in Aberdeen. Those amounts of monies paid to the towns professional is a sin. These millions along with Kauff's absolute control over all of the professionals and contracts awarded to them, should be publicized over and over again.

The Republicans should also highlight the countless and very secret meetings held under the guise of being Democratic strategy sessions, which were and remain highly illegal, which they all have been repeatedly warned violate the "Sunshine Laws" of New Jersey.

That along with the lack of any professional service changes by Kauff or his council almost since day one, is also highly questionable and all too telling of the Kauff control factors.

Let them explain why at a time when our own State of New Jersey advisory councils and various regulatory agencies have openly questioned the hiring, year after year after year of the exact same professionals, which shows a continual pattern of not considering any other vendors. That therefore by not allowing for true and proper analysis or reduction in service costs to be a possibility for the open public bidding for such services.

Such obviously politically motivated actions have been roundly criticized recently as obviously giving too much control to the local leadership and their political bosses. That is explained by these state agencies as not allowing for proper services to the taxpayers due to the deeply entrenched relationships, which are fostered by the obvious pressures and beholding by the contractors to those who appoint them year after year after year.

But that would not happen in Aberdeen?

What am I saying? No way as that would be highly illegal and as a Lawyer Norman Kauff Esq. would be violating countless laws and obvious ethics rules. I must be so very wrong to even suggest such a thing?

Only the election season will tell.

Anonymous said...

BRAVO IS ALL I CAN SAY TO THE LAST COMMENTS.

Anonymous said...

Coming soon to the old 7-11 on Lloyd Road...Bank of New York!

Anonymous said...

So Sobel and Perry are not up for re-election and not running?

Anonymous said...

That post should have read So Sobel and Perry are up for re-election and not running?

Sorry.

Anonymous said...

I think it is our Mayor Sobel, Councilman Perri and Councilman Raymond that are not seeking reelection this time around. Many are wondering why. Others see the costly damage that King Kauff has done. I mean the Councilwoman Gallo mess as well as the ousting the former Town Manager Brown will be very alarming to voters once put into a very public exposure. I mean the CME thing and many more questionable payments for services controlled by King Kauff to the community, will be very troubling to voters citing this economic condition, a condition that is not going away anytime soon. This election will be about wallets and pocketbooks, nothing more.

Perhaps King Kauff's soldiers are waking up finally, to the true King Kauff damages, and these men are concerned about an embarrassing result for what is normally a decisive landslide win by incumbents in Aberdeen.

Maybe King Kauff will finally catch on and is doing the right thing by walking away and saving the party a very public thrashing on election day. I understand a very widespread disclosure campaign is planned exemplifying King Kauff and his various, shall I say questionable activities. The known corruption and the decades long fleecing of the taxpayers by King Kauff and his soldiers is soon to be very public. King Kauff and his control of the Democratic Party in Aberdeen is not the secret it once was, and the lack of incumbents is all too telling and I think very embarrassing.

King Kauff in 2009. He's out!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Granola is absolutely right. I think that we all support the men and women who volunteer their service in this town. They do a great job and my beef with the Fire District Elections are not about them or the people that service on the board.

But, there is usually only one slate of candidates running and in Aberdeen's case a reasonable budget. My problem is that the system is not transparent and would serve democracy better if it occurred with other elections or at the very least was administered by the town through the normal election system and not with paper ballots that are counted by those involved with the election.

These people are heroes but it seems that too much is done in secrecy.

MrFF said...

First, Mr. Aberdeener, sorry for the late reply but got busy all of a sudden. Not a bad thing though. Anyway, as far as the insurances, I'm not exactly sure what the men are covered for. I'm sure liability, Disability, WC and a death benefit through the State.

As for being publicized in the APP, the APP can be read online and with all the publicity some other towns have about their elections, it is obviously known of when the elections are. Also, as I mentioned, it was lit up on the firehouse marquee for about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks before the election. I heard after the last fire the men from town fought, they heard incredible supporting comments on a job well done. The support is there and no question about that. As you may or may not know, the elections are only held in towns that have fire districts. As far as I know, the town council is not involved at all. Matawan does not have a district set-up and their fire budget is handled by the town council. Talk to them about that and see if they are happy.
The election is handled through and reported to the county and maybe the state for that matter. There is no secrecy to the election.
As I said before, the district supplies the men with the best equipment, including trucks, which the men maintain with pride and as was mentioned for a pretty fair price. Think of the alternative, a paid department and what your taxes would be then.

Anonymous said...

June 2 2009 is the Petition filing deadlines for independent candidates for general elections
for mayor and council for aberdeen

Anonymous said...

To say our brave volunteers in the Fire, Ambulance, and CERT services of Aberdeen are invaluable would be an understatement. The funding process as well as the needs of such services is something the average citizen is totally unaware of, for many reasons that may be better explained and understood. Such services are too often taken for granted and unappreciated until it is so desperately needed at any hour of the day or night. That is when these brave men and women leave their beds, work, celebrations or as was the recent case they responded immediately, in the middle of a funeral service for a fellow members family member, to fight a raging fire by the train station.

I would tell the Aberdeener readers that the costs to an average homeowner of $140.00 for our fire service protection on an annual basis, is a great and appreciative monetary value for the safety and security those tax dollars ensure. I am also certain that the tax monies all go to ensuring that our brave first responders have every piece of equipment they would need to protect themselves and the residents of Aberdeen. Once again their service is invaluable at any cost.

I urge all Aberdeen citizens to take advantage of the Fire Department and Emergency Service displays and open-houses held throughout they year. One such opportunity is at Aberdeen Day when our Emergency Services personnel and equipment are on display for all to see. Likewise in October of every year the open-house events occur on the grounds of the emergency services headquarters for all to see.

For those young enough to volunteer all of our emergency services are ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MEMBERS. If you are interested I urge you to contact or stop by as I am certain every question would be answered informatively, professionally and to your complete satisfaction.

Once again we can never thank our brave neighbors for their service, given so selflessly on our behalf. When you are working, playing, relaxing or sleeping these men and women are ready to respond immediately. Never Forget that!

Anonymous said...

Mr.Aberdeener, I am Michael Borg the former Repbulican Chairman of Aberdeen. Work had taken me out of the country and out of the state for a while, which is why I stepped down. I still have my home in Aberdeen, and hope to return soon.

I find your blog to be of service to the community, and I love Liz Loud and am glad she will now be serving on the school board. She is a great lady!

If the Republicans make the election about Norm Kauff...they will lose! Kauff's name will not appear anywhere on the ballot, most residents will not know who Kauff is. It would be a terrible strategy for them to make him the issue. It is precisely what the Democrats would hope for.

The election has to be about issues. The closest election the Republicans had was in 2005. And we did run an issues oriented campaign.

We only had a handful of volunteers who sacrificed time with their family's to try and bring a beneficial change to Aberdeen. There were two people who were very helpful to me, one of those people has posted on your blog before, but I won't mention his name, as he is modest, the other was Gus Toomey.

As a party we did not have a lot of money,which will be an issue this year as well, but with the money we did have I had a professional poll done. The poll was cross party, Republicans, Democrats, Independ., and all age groups. I gave the pollster a number of issues that I thought were important to the town. That election we came within 89 votes of the Mayor's seat. This election should also be about issues.

I would like to post, on your blog, the poll questions, as well as the results of the poll, as many of the issues addressed in the poll are still relevant to Aberdeen.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Michael Borg

The poll:

ABERDEEN POLL

The Aberdeen Township Republican Executive Committee conducted a poll of residents from Aberdeen on issues facing our town. Below are
the results. In your own words, what is the single most
important issue facing Aberdeen today…that is,the issue you would like to see the Mayor and
Council make their top priority?

30% TAXES (GENERAL)
16% PROPERTY TAX
9% EDUCATION
1% OPEN SPACE/ENVIRONMENT
14% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
11% TRANSPORTATION/ROADS
(46% name TAXES as the most important
issue!)

Now, of the following proposals that a candidate might make, which one is the best proposal in your opinion. Even if you think they
all sound good, choose which one is the best one, of the following:

43% A proposal to hold the line on
property taxes

12% A proposal to hold off on any new development.

15% A proposal to merge with Matawan and consolidate services.

When it comes to the train station, please tell me which option you would prefer most, out of the following three:

18% Don’t do anything, just leave it alone as it is.

59% Develop a small, pedestrian
downtown hub around the train station, that would have a small town feel.

15% Develop a large commercial,
residential and hotel high-rise district with roughly 12,000 parking spaces and ten story
buildings.

8% Don’t Know/Refused

Do you support the construction of the Aberdeen Forge and Mirror Lake housing developments in the Freneau section of the township, or do you feel it should not be
developed?

29% Support the housing developments

46% Feel it should not be developed
Would you prefer a new park to be built there, or would you rather see the property left completely as it is?

62% New Park

27% As it is

Would you support or oppose bringing a minor league baseball team to Aberdeen, with the ball
park to be located at the current Anchor Glass facility?

67% Support
21% Oppose

Anonymous said...

I have to disagree completely with Mr. Borg, wherever he is.

I would ask Mr. Borg why Norman Kauff should not be the first thing the Democratic candidates should have to explain as they go door to door begging for votes. Should not the stranglehold Norman kauff has on the democratic leadership of Aberdeen and the entire Democratic party be explained?

I ask Mr. Borg why the cozy relationship with the handpicked (by Norman Kauff) professionals and the millions of dollars it costs the Aberdeen taxpayers annually should not be explained.

I would ask should not the candidates hand selected and controlled by Kauff a man who it should be highlighted is an unelected with no accountability to the taxpayers in the least yet he controls every aspect of government, development and more in Aberdeen. He is the dictator of Aberdeen after all. Should not the people know Mr. Borg?

I would also ask Mr. Borg why these candidates would not have to disassociate themselves completely along with the entire democratic party unless that is they openly admit they are so beholding or depending on Kauff for leadership and monies, that they could not get elected or even be considered for election without appeasing Norman Kauff first.

I would ask Mr. Borg how the republican party could even consider allowing Nick Minutolo to lead and control the republican party when he sat at the feet of Kauff, yet said nothing for years. This as the taxpayers monies were funneled to Kauff and his cronies with out a word from Nick Minutolo in opposition.

All this and more is easily stated in a simple phrase, "Is something very wrong with this picture?"

I strongly believe that the republicans can win handily with a simple grass roots effort by going after Kauff first, then placing the democratic candidates on the defensive at every turn by having to explain the numerous Kauff examples of control, corruption, patronage and finally and most importantly the millions and millions of dollars in taxpayer monies funneled to Kauffs close personal friends year after year.

Mr. Borg I do not know where you are, but with a planning strategy like you have expressed it may be lucky for the republican party you are not here to waste their time and little if any resources they have at present. It is quite obvious that your idea on winning an election has repeatedly failed in the past and would be soundly defeated again if you were here. Bad enough the republicans are behind the eight ball now with what is their present financial condition and leadership.

It may be a lost cause again for the republicans but at least a grass roots effort might bring about a more informed public would realize who really controls the democratic party and every aspect of the towns functions, town leadership and the millions in taxpayer dollars all controlled by a man who has never been elected to even be a dog catcher in Aberdeen. Being a Lawyer does not help him in the slightest either. He may as well be a used car salesman or head up AIG as he is about that respected. If nothing else the republican party should let the people know who really runs Aberdeen and at what cost.

Mr. Borg don't hurry back.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Borg all I can say is DAMN!

Damn that IvyHR walked all over you!

I agree completely with IvyHR as you should stay where you are and avoid any more embarrassment. I cannot even say nice try to you, as your post was self defeating at best. Likewise your opinion polls don't vote.

This years election will be very different as the money is the thing that will win or lose this election. Let the Democrats continually have to explain where the monies and control really is in Aberdeen. That would continually embarrass the present leadership and those running for election and seeking to continue in their stead under the same corrupt political boss. That of course being Norman Kauff Esq.
man "not of the people" himself.

Politics unusual, Aberdeen style. You can't make it up. Can you Norm?

Anonymous said...

I think so too. Kauff is the key.

Anonymous said...

I figured it out. Kauff got to Borg and then Kauff put Minutulo in charge of the opposing party. Shear genius.The no incumbents on the ticket thing worries me though. Any ideas On that one anyone?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Pinehurst Don,

Norman Kauff didn't get to me...I was serving my country overseas, if you want to belittle that go right ahead!

To all of you armchair strategists. I am not saying that Kauff isn't a problem. He is! Most average citizens have no idea who he is. They will only look for who's name is on the ballot. The Democrats will have their usual $65, 000, the Republicans might have $15,000. They wont be able to use their limited resources attacking Kauff. It wont register with the average Joe, they wont see his name in the voting booth. It is too complicated to put into a political mailer, and any money the Republicans do have should be spent articulating some ideas they may have for the community. Be it lowering taxes, or bringing in real ratables, and not more housing.

If you would rather challenge your energy attacking me anonymously...if that makes you feel good, I'm glad I could help.

I spent many hours away from my family, trying to organize meetings and a viable opposition. Had some of you ,that just like to complain on a blog, come out and volunteered, those 89 votes we lost by in '05 might have been a victory.

Anonymous said...

Big Joe thank you for your support of the fire budget and our service to the community. Once again you tell it like it is.

Anonymous said...

A little defensive i see Mr. Borg. You respond as though people know where you have been. While i commend your service i would also disagree with your past strategies. IvhyHillR is right. The mechanism that gets people elected is a different animal nowadays. To highlight and place blame on the puppet master places much doubt on those who would then be attached and beholding to the man or men who make the strings respond, and who would then control their every move. Think about that one Mr. Borg. Once again thanks for your service and sacrifice.

Anonymous said...

Michael Borg -

You are completely wasting your time trying to talk logic or sense to these blowhards.

All they see is Kauff Kauff Kauff. Its all they know.

Be reassured that the sane amongst us know Kauff is a problem but we also can see the forest through the trees and know that solely attacking one man who the vast majority of the township has never heard of, isn't the answer.

A good campaign is always run on issues, that is what individuals relate to, not personal attacks on individuals the average resident has never heard of. Hell, the average resident of Aberdeen couldn't even name you one of the council members. Most people don't care.

I gave up a long time ago attempting to talk logic here. Its a waste of time.

I salute you in your service Mr. Borg and we look forward to your return to Aberdeen.

All the Best.

Anonymous said...

Salute away. I myself think it is still a more noble cause to go down swinging. If nothing else is accomplished by another futile campaign by the republicans in 2009, at least the following may occur and benefit the taxpayers:

1. Taxpayers will get a little more informed of the true costs and complete Kauff control of the democratically controlled council, along with the damage to Aberdeen that continues unabated along with the very real costs of that Kauff control to the taxpayers.

2. Taxpayers will understand that the CM&E second largest political contributor in the entire state is paid $1.6 Million dollars annually with their Aberdeen tax dollars for questionable and possibly repetitive work.

3. Taxpayers will know that an unelected man really runs Aberdeen with no accountability, with to say the least a very profitable and if not illegal at least an immoral relationship with his questionably selected professionals, developers and more. Relationships that all bring illicit funds to the almighty Kauff. Funds whether they be demanded in a parking lot,law office, engineering company office or even a council chamber do happen. It may be political pay to play, but it is still very wrong and very costly to the taxpayers.

4. Taxpayers will learn that the real reason that their taxes should and could be lowered, but will never be lowered is that Kauff holds all the purse strings in Aberdeen. It is also because Kauff has to fund his campaigns and ensure his illicit payoffs are funded to all of his close personal friends.

5. Taxpayers would at least know that the republicans tried to get the word out but were defeated by a corrupt political machine, that negatively effects them every single day, under the guise of their supposedly caring and forthright leadership.

That is the fight I and many others think Aberdeen deserves, even if it is in a losing effort.

Go down swinging Mr. Borg.

Anonymous said...

Hear hear EdgeviewTed! I agree completely. Too often people like Mr. Borg continue to foster a flawed belief rather then a concerted effort to truly inform the electorate.

On a local, statewide and national level the republican party of old, is a shadow of its former self. It is a shame. We never learn.

Anonymous said...

So true is all I can say as this Mr. Borg as well as any organized hint of a Republican Party has been M.I.A. Excuses offered up by Mr. Borg are not realistic citing the recent Aberdeener disclosures and corrupt conditions occurring in Aberdeen with its leadership almost on a daily basis.

The Councilman Vinci $850,000.00 intersection and the Vinci land grab for instance. The Gallo and Brown ousters engineered by Kauff. The C.M.E. money drain. The Developmental CZAR hiring and quick removal of Marc Koren which was done to ensure Kauff control. The list goes on and on and all while Mr. Borg is away, which is understandable. But his absence has obviously allowed him to not be too current on the happenings of Aberdeen and its Kauff serving leadership.

Anonymous said...

Enough! At least Mr. Borg is a real republican unlike Minotulo who is just a bitter guy because he got booted by the dems. The election is about issues and pay-to-play is a big issue, but not the only issue. It is a major reason for bad development policy, but in the end it is only one issue.

Just remember, Minotulo has a greater possibility of hurting the republicans than he does of helping it. The Green Party, which I think is not running this year, did a good job with the pay-to-play issue last year, but they only ended up being a spoiler. The dems showed that they are vulnerable. Let's just get our act together and fight a good fight.

Aberdeener said...

Mr. Borg,

I'd like to first thank you for posting under your own name. As you may have noticed, only a handful of people have ever had the courage to post using their true identities. You may also have learned why - the comments can be quite critical and harsh.

However, your comments are most welcome and I hope you will continue to contribute.

I believe elections are all about math - the candidate who garners the most votes wins. Everything else is strategy and tactics.

As you note, the recent elections have been close despite the local Democratic Party having the money, the organization, and the bully pulpit.

My guess is that many people are looking at those same numbers and saying they only need to swing a hundred or so votes to win the election. They may also be counting upon reporting from this blog to have turned enough voters away from the Democratic Party.

However, I agree with you. It's not enough to say don't vote for the other guy. You have to give a reason for people to vote for you.

I would advise the Republicans to put forward specific proposals on how to reduce taxes and manage development.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener,

You are correct! In 2005, which was the only election I managed, the Republicans won 9 of the 13 districts in Aberdeen. Our campaign was disciplined.

If we didn't win...we were committed to stopping the monstrocity of a development they were going to put in at the train station. Which is why we focused on that issue like a laser beam.

Just think of all that office space that would have been sitting there vacant now...especially with this economy. Another mall? As if the people in Holmdel, Colts Neck, and Marlboro who use our train station were going to stay in Aberdeen and shop.

I understand peoples frustrations, I share them, after all I also own a home in Aberdeen, and am still paying high taxes even though I am not physically present. I am not going to waste your time, nor the people who are really looking for positive answers to the problems facing Aberdeen - by defending the attacks against me.

It should be understood that I am no longer an official in the Republican party, I stepped down when I went overseas, so I have no official capacity in the party now.
Having said that I would like to explain some of the mechanics. Abderdeen is broken down into thirteen voting districts. Each district gets a male and female committee person. We never had a full compliment of committee seats filled on the Republican side. If you are interested you should find out what districts they need people in...and let your voice be heard.

What I would like to do is turn this into a positive, and start talking about some of the solutions. We will only solve the problems facing our town if we all engage in the dialogue.

I would like to send you the full poll. These were some of the ideas I had for our future. Some may have been good, some may have been terrible. I had the poll conducted to gage what the public wanted, and then run on that.

Some of the ideas were:

Freneau:
Create a public park, perhaps with assistance from the county, in Freneau. It would be unique to have a Revolutionary theme there tied to the "Poet of the Revolution", Phillip Freneau. There is a lot of history there!

Anchor Glass:

Both New Jersey Transit and the Garden State Parkway run through the property. It is my belief that this should remain some type of commercial/industrial use. Which is why I had conducted the poll of a minor league ball park. It could be baseball, hockey (NJ Devils), etc. You could have access from the Garden State Pky, with on/off ramps built. As well as have an express stop for NJ Transit. The current station, and parking lots...could possibly be used for Aberdeen/Matawan residents only. Thereby alleviating the long waiting list for our residents to get a spot.

Matawan/Aberdeen Train Staion (present)

The large Metroplex station they wanted would have done nothing for ratables. Do we really need more office space, or large buildings to house 12, 000 parking spaces?

Maybe a cultural center for the township would go well there. As well as a larger/more modern library facility. The old warhouse, perhaps we could get artisans to ply their trade, in different stall and booths, with street performers as well. If we wanted to put some townhouses, or condo's in, we might attract some of those yuppies to come if we enhanced our town with some of these cultural additions. Instead of the ordinary malls/strip malls.

Ken Aitken had a great idea of using some of the township money to pay for the recreational programs are kids are involved in, such as:

Little League, Pop Warner, soccer, etc. If we are going to have high taxes at least we would get something for it.

Lastly...we should have a dialogue on whether it is wise, or not to merge with Matawan. Would we be able to finsish these bi-township projects more harmoniously, and without further lawsutis...if we were one municipality. Would we have to be paid attention to more by the county and the state if we were larger, with more voters...as a block?

As this blog is non-partisan this is the perfect forum for all residents regardless of party affiliation, or lack thereof to discuss these issues. Let the discussion begin.

Thanks for providing the forum!

Aberdeener said...

Mr. Borg,

I'd welcome the opportunity to see your poll. Please email it to aberdeener@gmail.com.

As for your thoughts, I hope this blog will become a forum for ideas to improve our community.

Best of luck overseas and God be with you.

Anonymous said...

Borg Borg Borg

At least it is a change from

Blah Blah Blah

No real difference just more of the same from a political party that cannot get and/or keep its self together long enough to win.

The proof is very simple. Did the Republican Party ever ask Fred Tagliarini to run on their ticket?

Unfortunately Kauff was smart enough to realize Fred does come with a certain number of votes and somewhat of a positive reputation.

Anonymous said...

I'm responding to Anonymous who posted Borg...Borg...Borg...

In 2005 I sent out a newsletter to ALL registered Republicans soliciting candidates to run. In that same newsletter I solicited committee people to serve in Aberdeen's 13 districts. I have also invited ALL registered Republicans to meetings with a free dinner. We only got a handful of people. Fred Tagliarini NEVER responded to any of them.

I don't know Mr. Tagliarini, so I am not trying to assail his character. However, under my stewardship he never responded to anything, the only thing he did was sign his name, every election cycle, to a letter endorsing the Democrats. What kind of Republican would do that? It also tells me that he must endorse the politics of Mayor Sobel, Drapkin, Vinci, et al, and Kauff.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps Fred is the kind of republican who realizes there is no Republican Party. Murphy and his boys club ruined it and it has never been the same since.

What has the Republican party done since then? NOTHING! Next question?

Aberdeener said...

The last comment makes a legitimate point, though perhaps not in a "civil" fashion.

Why do so many well-intentioned people believe they need to hold political office to effect positive change? I believe this blog's success refutes that notion.

I've only lived here 30 months. I began the blog 18 months ago. I have no organization, no financial support, no secret fraternity.

Perhaps the Republican Party can dedicate some of their manpower to serving the community now rather than solely trying to win the next election.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Borg.

I would not characterize this blog, or its owner, as non-partisan. The commenters, too, definitely skew to one side. Leaving out issues of corruption, which is a truely non-partisan concern,I often find a right of center philosophical bias here. To each his own, of course, but I wanted to mention it.

Anonymous said...

Many think the election is a foregone conclusion on many fronts. I also agree that in that republican effort, if not a win is attainable, at least a more informed public could be the result. The millions of dollars wasted or given to the connected favorites, the corrupt leadership, the beholding candidates and more, needs to get out to the public. I think it should start with the aberdeener being the most immediate and informed tool to inform the public. A separate area on the aberdeener could be dedicated for those who may be new to the site. That could in the very least advise and assist them as to navigating the possibilities to possibly be better informed. It would be my hope that the lack of official denials on many subjects, accusations and more could prove most informative. Get the word out at the very least. Signs could read WHO REALLY RUNS ABERDEEN AND SPENDS YOUR TAX DOLLARS. CHECK OUT ABERDEENER.COM.

Anonymous said...

I agree it is time the R's try something new. Grass roots, signs or the anything new to get the word out may be what is needed. The stranglehold the D's and their Kauff have on the taxpayers is costing us far too much across the board.

Try something, anything new.

Anonymous said...

Whoever is suggesting that www.Aberdeener.com become the campaign site for the Republican party is smoking something. Joey Warren did a great job in creating a true public forum that is not dependent on township/democratic party press releases; but, it is not a partisan tool.

I am not a Borg fan and think that his 2005 campaign was lost because of weak candidates and a general lack of depth to the campaign. The 2007 campaign was also shallow and with the exception of Gartley had better candidates. This time around we have Minutolo, who is bitter and seems like intent on running a campaign that is based on innuendo and indirect statements that he won't take credit for. In the 2007 campaign he wrote a letter in the last days of the campaign that did not name Kauff but instead made indirect comments about people that he couldn't stand behind. Now he wants to run a campaign using someone else's blog so he can run a campaign with anomynous comments.

Mr. Borg, good, bad or ugly, ran an open campaign and didn't blame his loss on others. Nick Minotulo is about to do more to damage the republican party in Aberdeen than those before him could have ever dreamed of.

Local government should be about good government, and the local democrats, under Kauff, have given up any claim possible that they are for good government. I am a registered D because I pick my party based on my beliefs on national issues. On the local level I vote for those that are best apt to deliver honest good government. I know that any candidates that run with his money, raised from questionable pay-to-play contributions, cannot be trusted. This includes Tagliarini, Lauro (if he actually runs) and anyone else that ends up being funded with Kauff's campaign funds.

The republicans, or another opposition party should have a win if they can give people something to vote for. We already know who to run against!

Aberdeener said...

Once I become a school board member, my role will drastically change and it is highly unlikely that I will participate in any local elections.

Furthermore, no one should take my, nor anyone else's, vote for granted.

During the last municipal election, I voted for Councilman Vinci.

Anonymous said...

Well it appears that Mr. Borg, Mr. Minutulo and a few others have already figured it all out. On election day we shall see. On that day we will know if their same tried and true political message worked or was rejected. We will also on that day either have four more years of Kauff controlling Aberdeen, or we may have a more equally represented council to serve Aberdeen and not merely Kauff and his cronies. Either way I think change in planning and execution is needed, as not to repeat the failures of the past. A loss is a loss no matter how it is spun.

Anonymous said...

Once again all I can say is what has not worked in the past, will more then likely not work this election season. Mr. Borg please just give my opinion some thoughtful consideration before your ego rejects it.

From a concerned taxpayer and registered republican tired of a dis-functional republican party.

Anonymous said...

TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT. THERE IS A YOUNG MAN WHO PLAYED FOOTBALL AT MATAWAN AND A STUDENT ATTENDING PACE UNIVERSITY FROM THE CLIFFWOOD SECTION OF ABERDEEN. HE WAS TOLD HE HAS LUKEMIA THE FOOTBALL ALUMNI IS SPONSORING A BLOOD DRIVE. NOT SURE OF THE DATES BUT CONTACT THE HIGH SCHOOL.. PLEASE THIS YOUNG MAN NEEDS OUR SUPPORT....AND PRAYERS.

Anonymous said...

At a neighborhood get together this past weekend questions were raised that went unanswered. I thought I would ask if anyone heard anything on the blog. Did anyone hear if Aberdeen is considering a four day work week, tax increases or
budget or professional services cuts?

Awaiting any response.

Anonymous said...

Matawan has been doing a four day week with no complaints. I am sure it could be good in Aberdeen as well. I know myself it is tough to get a train early enough to stop in with questions or payments. I would think a four day week with extended service hours would be good for me. Matawan also says there are energy savings to boot and we all know energy cost savings are important. I think it should be considered before a tax increase. We would not be paying workers more for less work. The workers would still put in the time they get paid for. I think they should try it for a year and see.

Anonymous said...

WhatAberdeenRepParty said... Mr. Borg please just give my opinion some thoughtful consideration before your ego rejects it.

Mike borg and I have agreed on things and disagreed on things but He always donate his energy, time and money to helping the republican party.

He works for homeland security, keeping us safe, putting himself in harms way and this is the guy you want to go after.

Mr aberdeener Here's an idea - if someone is going to make a comment about a non elected official who has used thier real name in thier post then the responder has to use thier own real name or the post will be deleted.


WhatAberdeenRepParty said...From a concerned taxpayer and registered republican tired of a dis-functional republican party.

When my business and family schedule allows I go to town meeting and see the same 5 or 6 people - You want to improve the process, politics is a contact sport - you need to show up.

Anyone who wants to help - send me an email and I will keep you up to date via email on whats going on.

Gus Toomey
gustoomeyiii@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Mr. Toomey how does it feel to want? When you were an elected official people who voted for you wanted you to do the right thing. You Didn't!

Now you are on here whining and suggesting your opinion on many topics. You have a right to your opinion and we have the right to ignore you and your opinions, just like when you were on the council when you ignored ours.

Perhaps you should look back into yourself, your true self that is, and think back on your personal attacks on Mr. Coren and your close friendship with John O. from Line Road. I will leave those two examples for you to ponder and will not disclose my opinions on your questionable actions against Mr. Coren and John O. as well. He may have been a West point graduate but he was not a man of honor.

Perhaps you should take a lesson from our former Mayor Murphy, when you are gone, stay gone and don't bring attention on yourself. You left the Democrats and pulled a coup on Mr. Puharic, which I warned him would happen, exactly as it did.

You and Mr. Borg like the great General Douglas McArthur said in his farewell speech at West Point you two should also just, fade away.

Anonymous said...

O'h somebody Mr. Toomey you just got taken to the woodshed. I was not around for Mr. Toomey or his time on the council so I am uninformed. It seems he has an axe to grind as well as a penchant for self preservation. It is questionable at best that his time on the council and leading the citizens was not mentioned, along with the fact that he was like Nicky Minutulo, a democrat before he was a republican. It is like a tennis match on this site lately. You need a program to tell the players and their teams apart what with so many switch hitters and unexplained or purposely hidden off season trades. It seems party loyalty is a thing of the past in Aberdeen.

Anonymous said...

As Gus Toomey stated we have not always seen eye to eye on things. However, Gus switched parties while he was still on the council, and remained there as a Republican, as the lone voice speaking out against the very things the majority of the posters on this blog have spoken out against. He realized what Coren and Kauff were doing to the town.

I have always been a Republican and do not hide my partisanship. To somehow suggest that Gus is not a "Real Republican", because he switched partied, is nonsense. A campaign takes volunteers, and local campaigns do not have the money nor resources for recruitment. There is no one in Aberdeen who has worked harder for the Republican party than Gus! He has also tried to get attention to Aberdeen from our legislative, and county officials, and maintains contact with them. To try and benefit Aberdeen!

Anonymous said...

More excuses!

You guys really need to pace yourselves so you don't burn out before you start giving the "why we lost another election again" speech this November 2009.

Your claims are empty. Your bravado is empty. And no one cares what Gus Toomey did back then. He sat there and accomplished what? Nothing is the answer, as either a democrat or republican.

The republican party knows what questions to ask and they don't ask. They know what costs to highlight and don't. Your republican candidates attend council meeting after council meeting and do what? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! That, sadly, is the once proud Aberdeen republican party.

It is like watching a bull fight. There is some flash and a little showmanship, but at the end the bull (republican party) dies. The republicans die a fourth in a row election death. It is a sad thing to watch, I can assure you.

One party rule is an insult to the citizenry. The changes and suggestions on this site may not fit your political plan, but to continue to suggest the same old party line is boring. The taxpayers are being short changed at every turn. The republicans know it and the democrats know it.
It seems that it is already a foregone conclusion. Sadly the republican party leadership does not realize it yet.

Anonymous said...

Minitlo is Kauff's plant to destroy any hope the republican party has to win this election. The democrats will have new honest people and they can ask all about how Minitlo never voted against anything that Kauff wanted for OVER 10 YEARS!

If the republicans are smart, they will get rid of this guy, quickly flush the toilet and wash their hands.

He is no republican. He is just a stooge that wants to be important.

Anonymous said...

Turned on the TV and it is another nightmare press conference having to do with the economy, being shown on every single channel. I thought I would suggest something to Mr. Borg and Mr. Toomey after reading several posts.

I turned off the TV tonight and jumped on the Aberdeener because I think the subject matter is much more informative. I enjoy the give and take as it makes people think.

The changes our national, state and local government really needs is not to the liking of the special interests, contractors, lobbyists and our powerful politicians that falsely call themselves our leaders.

In Aberdeen the need for change is no different. There will be no accountability for the taxpayers if your party does not seriously consider a different path to inform the public of the need for change. They need to know what is going on behind the scenes and the devastating costs to their families and more.

Change is not needed Mr. Borg and Mr. Toomey, it is demanded by many who look to you for leadership and the possible representation of a local bipartisan council leadership.

Think about being a voice for the people, not the party they forget even exists.

Anonymous said...

The only Ghosts of Aberdeen's Past are the ones of a failed Republican Party. There has not been a real Republican party since Tom Powers, Ed Loud and Sammi Riskalla. The rest of you are pretenders.

Those who do not change with the times are doomed to repeat the failures of their past.

Think about it.

Anonymous said...

Not to go off subject but has the Aberdeener heard anything on the town budget? We have seen other towns starting to put there advisories in the newspapers. Please let us know if you hear anything. My husband says that no news in this economy is bad news.

Anonymous said...

I must say that I agree a change and even perhaps a drastic change is needed in politics today. Do not let this opportunity to show the corrupt and offensive leadership posted on here for all their suggested costly mistakes and inside deal making. If this Norman Kauff person is truly in charge he then justly bears the brunt of taxpayer disdain. I do not know enough about him but I will be checking on who he is. My family and I moved to Aberdeen a year ago and need to know who the players are. That is my mission this week.

Anonymous said...

I think the post about the republicans changing their electioneering tactics is a good idea. I will not say more as it has all been said before. I find the same excuses offered up about polling and more not worthwhile.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely ! Tried and true has not worked repeatedly. Try something new.
If your ego gets in your way step aside and let someone else try to win.

Anonymous said...

Fade away now that is funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Anonymous said...

I love how all the Democrat bloggers have turned this around and tried to make this about the Republicans. Great strategy! Anything to deflect the light from the real problem, the current Democratic administration, current Democratic boss Kauff, CME taking tax payers money and then donating it back to the Democratic party, and the soon to be named Democratic stooges that will run for council.

Anonymous said...

What else are we to do? The R's know all that is going on and do nothing?
Sure Kauff and the others are corrupt and worse yet the R's do nothing to inform and excite the taxpayers. That is called complacency. The R's have been complacent for too long and their silence speaks volumes. The R's are like hibernating bears that come out after the chilling cold has subsided. The chilling cold blowing through Aberdeen comes from the cold shoulder the D's and their controller give to the citizenry, while they rob all of us and favor their cronies with our unchecked and un-criticized tax dollars.

Anonymous said...

Nice comeback, Anonymous Democrat! Complacent Rs... now I've heard everything!

Anonymous said...

Who's turning this around?! The democrats in this town are corrupt and will enjoy a well-financed campaign through the pay-to-play antics of Norman (No Ethics) Kauff.

The republicans should be able to coast through this election through a strong educational and reform oriented campaign. But, I haven't seen any indication that the Minotulo led republicans plan to offer more than using the Aberdeener and throwing around some lawn signs.

The republicans need to give the general public something positive to vote for while exposing the corruption and failed control of the dems. The democrats will claim that they are running a clean, new slate with fresh faces - while failing to publicize the corrupt financing of the campaign and control of the council and boards by Kauff.

This will take more than blogging, complaining, and showing up at three council meetings to win. The work is great and must start now.

Anonymous said...

Come on people the republican party in Aberdeen is a joke and Kauff knows it. The missed opportunities by the republican party to highlight and exemplify that fact have passed them by. Most republicans would not even know there was a republican party in Aberdeen. They tell us (Borg and Toomey) how much they have done, but who would know? No one. That is our republican party. We should all be so proud?

Anonymous said...

SOMERSET CO. DEVELOPMENTAL UPDATE

AS I BOUGHT MY BAYSHORE INDEPENDENT TODAY THE FRONT PAGE HEADLINE GRABBED MY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY, WITH THE USE OF THE WORD *SUSPECT*. I READ ON AND WHAT DO I FIND? THE WORD *SUSPECT* IS ATTACHED TO THE SOMERSET DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND THEIR POSSIBLE USES OF THE PROPERTY ACCORDING TO REVA . SOMERSET, SOMERSET THAT NAME IS FAMILIAR IN ABERDEEN, IS IT NOT? SO I READ ON AND IT COMES TO ME. ANCHOR GLASS. SOMERSET OWNS ANCHOR GLASS.

IT SEEMS THAT THE INITIAL PROPOSALS FOR THE CONTRACTED BUYER, WHICH IS SOMERSET DEVELOPMENT OF LAKEWOOD, WHO JUST SO HAPPEN TO ALSO OWN THE OLD ANCHOR GLASS FACTORY ON CLIFFWOOD AVENUE IN ABERDEEN. IT SEEMS THE PROPOSED USES OF THE PROPERTY JUST SUGGESTED HAS LEFT A BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTHS OF PEOPLE AND PROFESSIONAL CRITICS IN HOLMDEL. HOLMDEL IS WHERE SOMERSET DEVELOPERS IS SEEKING TO BUILD SOMETHING, JUST LIKE THEY TOLD ABERDEEN THEY WOULD DO, BUT DIDN'T.

SOMERSET DEVELOPERS PROMISED THE WORLD AND MORE TO ABERDEEN AS WELL, AND THEY DELIVERED ???????

CRITICS OF THE INITIAL PROPOSALS OF THE USE OF THE 473 ACRE SITE IN HOLMDEL SHOULD BRING MANY CONCERNS AND CRITICISMS AS TO THE PROPOSED USES OF THE PROPERTY, AS WELL AS THE CONTAMINATION AND PROBABLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS LEFT ON THE SITE. MANY QUESTIONS AND NUMEROUS LIABILITIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CONTAMINATION NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH FIRST. DID THEY DEAL WITH THOSE CONCERNS IN ABERDEEN OR WERE THEY ALLOWED TO IGNORE THEM?

DOES THIS SOUND ALL TOO FAMILIAR TAXPAYERS AND CONCERNED RESIDENTS OF ABERDEEN?

IT SHOULD AS THE BIG PLANS PUT FORTH BY SOMERSET ANCHOR IN ABERDEEN WERE ONCE WELL PRESENTED AND SIMILARLY CRITICIZED AND QUESTIONED. I IMAGINE WITH SIMILAR GRANDIOSE PRESENTATIONS JUST LIKE HOLMDEL IS LOOKING AT. SOMERSET'S PRESENTATIONS HAD COLORFUL ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS WITH IMPRESSIVE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF USE, AND THE USUAL AND REPETATIVE STATEMENTS BY THE SOMERSET PLANNERS OF THE GREAT BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE THAT WILL COME FROM THE SOMERSET ANCHOR CORPORATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLIFFWOOD AVENUE PROPERTY. IT WAS PROBABLY STATED IT WOULD MAKE ABERDEEN PROUD AND GREATLY BENEFIT THE TAXPAYERS.

SO WHAT DID WE GET FROM SOMERSET DEVELOPERS IN ABERDEEN AFTER THESE PRESENTATIONS,IMPRESSIVE PROPOSALS AND PROMISES? ABERDEEN GOT SOME TRUCKING COMPANIES AND...THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IT. I FORGOT THERE ALSO HAS BEEN AN EVER PRESENT *FOR SALE* SIGN ON THE PROPERTY SINCE DAY ONE WHEN SOMERSET DEVELOPMENT TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY.

IT CERTAINLY MAKES ONE DOUBT THE SINCERITY OF SUCH A COMPANY. THAT AS WELL AS THE QUESTIONS AS TO THE OR HANDLING OF THE SOMERSET PROPOSALS BY OUR ELECTED AND PERHAPS EVEN UNELECTED OFFICIALS. THOSE OFFICIALS OR OTHERS WITH QUESTIONABLE IF ANY DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCE, SINCE THEY PUT MR. BROWN OUT OF THE PROCESS WHO THEY SAID WAS HIRED FOR JUST THAT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE. I SEEM TO REMEMBER WHEN THEY HIRED HIM THE MAYOR AND OTHERS CROWED LOUDLY AND REPEATEDLY ABOUT MR. BROWN'S EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCE. THEN THEY TRIED TO PUT THE OLD MANAGER INTO THE MIX TO PROTECT PERHAPS THE HIDDEN INTERESTS OF THE POWERFUL POLITICAL PLAYERS WHO ALWAYS LURK BEHIND THE SCENES. THANKFULLY THE OLD MANAGER DID NOT LAST TOO LONG FOR SOME REASON, YET TO BE QUESTIONED OR EXPLAINED AWAY. MAKES ONE WONDER DOES IT NOT?

IS THIS A NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN? OR WILL IT CONTINUE TO SIT IDLE JUST LIKE BEFORE?

I URGE EVERYONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE HOLMDEL PROPOSALS AND THE *BIG PICTURE* THAT THE *SUSPECT* SOMERSET IS PAINTING WITH A BROAD BRUSH IN HOLMDEL. IF THAT PROJECT GOES THROUGH WE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GET TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THAT RUSTING HULK THAT IS THE ANCHOR GLASS FACTORY FOR ANOTHER TWENTY YEARS.

EVERY TIME I COME OFF THE PARKWAY HEADING HOME I CRINGE WHEN I SEE THAT SITE. I THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TAX RATABLE LONG LONG AGO TO HELP WITH THE EXCESSIVE TAXES WE ALL PAY. I THINK OF A SEMI PRO BASEBALL STADIUM ON THAT SITE FOR ME TO TAKE MY SON TO. I THINK OF ANYTHING BUT THAT OLD RUSTING BUILDING JUST SITTING THERE WITH LITTLE TAX BENEFIT.

I SUPPOSE WE SHOULD TRUST SOMERSET DEVELOPMENT AND OUR LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND THEIR HONEST PROFESSIONALS TO DO THE RIGHT THING ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS.

WHAT AM I SAYING? THIS IS ABERDEEN.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.

CAN YOU NORM?

Anonymous said...

The truth did it again. You hit the nail on the head. I especially loved the last sentence. Can you Norm? I add just a little bit to the last sentence.

Can you just leave Aberdeen Norm?

Anonymous said...

Why trash Somerset Development - the key to the lack of progress in development, amidst great promises, is Kauff and his dem loyalists. Somerset, Ex-felon Bocra (Silver Oaks, the Church St. site developer, Hovnanian, and others have all paid Aberdeen's professionals $100s of thousands of dollars through the townships escrow accounts and Kauff and his buddies aren't done milking the cow.

The only people that have made any money off of any of these developments over the last 12 years have been CME Engineers, Daniel McCarthy Attorneys, Richard Copolla Planner, and Norman Kauff.

They have been making money by getting paid for endless studies while our ratables continue to tank, making our property taxes go up, and the only developers getting final approvals are FOK (Friends of Kauff.

The Aberdeen council is now giving away the last pieces of property that were zoned for commercial development to a FOK that will build townhomes that are welcoming to families- and will increase the tax burden by adding to school enrollment.

Now, Mayor Sobel points to the Jefferson Apartment building and only 12 children, but he doesn't count the significant number of children that live in the towns other townhome developments on route 34. There is nothing wrong with children - I have one; but Sobel and Kauff and the others will say anything to be able to reward their friends.

It pays to be a FOK. May they all go to prison with Bernie Madoff.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is Fred Taglearene has no idea what he is in for. Then again maybe he does check the Aberdeener. I can only hope he wakes up and smells the corruption.
If he does not he too will smell of the odor of Kauff corruption.

Anonymous said...

Fred Tagliarini is a sell out. He's running in a campaign financed by Kauff's pay-to-play fund. He knows that and is either complicit or chooses not to see what is in front of him.

Aberdeener said...

LisaSFE,

Don't want you to think I ignored your question regarding the township budget. Budget discussions are running a bit long this year but we should see a preliminary budget within the next two weeks or so.

Anonymous said...

I have a feeling this budget is a nightmare yet to be shown. The Aberdeener says it will not be too long before a budget is presented. Is there a time limit for such things to be properly and publicly presented to the taxpayers? Anyone know?

Anonymous said...

ALL OF YOU ON THIS BLOG BLAME MR K FOR EVERYTHING. YOU WILL BLAME HIM FOR THE RAIN IF YOU COULD. OTHER TOWNS ARE LAYING OFF POLICE OFFICERS, TOWNS ARE WORKING A 4 DAY WORK WEEK.AS THEY SAY NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS SO FAR. I AGREE WITH ONE OF PAST STATEMENTS IF YOU ARE GOING TO INSULT SOMEONE OR ACCUSED THEM OF BEING A THEIF YOU SHOULD POST YOUR REAL NAME. I AM TIRED OF THE NAME CALLING, THIS BLOG HAS MADE IT CLEAR IT IS A BLOG TO DESTROY OUR LEADERSHIP. WHEN I LOOK AT OTHER TOWNS AND THE ISSUES THEY HAVE AND LOOK AT ABERDEEN, FORMER MAYOR OF PERTH AMBOY IN TROUBLE FOR BUYING CLOTHES AND PAYING FOR HIS SON'S BASKETBAL CAMP AND SOME OTHER ISSUES. IF MR K WAS THE THEIF YOU SAY HE IS NO WONDER HE DOES NOT ANSWER THIS BLOG MAKING BUSINESS DESC IS NOT ILLEAGAL, JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE IT. AS FAR AS MR BROWN LETS'S SEE HE IS NO LONGER A TOWNSHIP MGR. NEW JERSEY IS AN AT WILL STATE, MEANING YOU CAN BE FIRED AT ANYTIME LEGALLY.
DID HE REC A SERVERANCE PACKAGE?
AWARDERD MEDICAL?
IF HE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE TERMS THEN WHY NOT FIGHT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY HE WAS LET GO AND AND THIS BLOG CAN ONLY ASSUME. IF HE SIGNED AND CONFIDENTIAL AGREEMENT AND HAS RELEASED INFORMATION HE COULD HAVE HIS OWN PROBLEMS. MANY PEOPLE IN THIS STATE LOOSE THEIR JOBS EVERYDAY, ONE DAY IT COULD BE ANY ONE OF US.
ABERDEEN IS A GOOD TOWN WITH ISSUES THAT CAN BE RESOLVED BUT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER. MR WARREN YOU WILL BE ON THE BOE SOON MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR ALL OF ABERDEEN. SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG HAS BEEN OFFENSIVE AND HURTFUL TO SAY THE LEAST AND YOU HAVE NOT TRIED TO CORRECT EVEN WITH YOUR OWN GUIDLINES IT DID NOT STOP AND STILL CONTINUES. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BOE IS THE SAME PROBLEM FOR YEARS IT WAS A DIVIDED BOARD NOTHING WAS ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE OF THE FIGHTING AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED THINGS WENT UNNOTICED AND AS TAX PAYERS WE ARE PAYING FOR IT 64 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET. SO RESIDENTS KEEP ATTACKING EACH OTHER WE WILL BE IN WORST SHAPE THIS TIME NEXT YEAR....

IM BACK NORMY AND IM PISSED said...

Anonymous has spoken. The previous anonymous posting who it should be stated says that he or she agrees " that if you are going to attack someone you should have to use your real name ". Like wise, I urge this anonymous avenger to use his or her real name as he minimally defends the Kauffmaster General in that rambling post.

I ask the anonymous avenger one and only one question.

Who is Norman Kauff to hold our leadership, our tax dollars, our town's developmental future and more in his greedy and corrupt bribe demanding hands?

Answer that one question and then maybe the anonymous avenger can understand that the people can only fire Norman Kauff in our "at will work state" if they fire, replace or vote out of office, all his henchmen first. Those whom he controls and who do his bidding without question, must first be replaced or not allowed into office, before the positive changes Aberdeen needs so desperately, can come to be.

Don't get me wrong, the republicans may not be any better. At least the republicans don't have that lying, thieving, corrupt, bribe taking, patronage awarding old s_ _ _ _ _ _g Norman Kauff leading them.

I am certain that Kauff and the democrats are still trying to figure out how to put the political carrot before the voters. The carrot being NO TAX INCREASE IN 2009 to tease the the voters while still maintaining services yet still bleeding the taxpayers dry to facilitate the corrupt democratic campaign.

Some towns we see in the papers are doing it on the back of the employees. In Aberdeen that will probably happen as well. But Kauff cannot dare cut any of the patronage monies to CM&E Engineering in these tough economic times as that is who funds Kauff' corrupt campaigns.

Many are waiting for the candidates to be announced on both sides. The democrats have marched out Fred T. but Mayor Sobel, Councilman Drapcin and Councilman Raymond are all silent on any possible attempts at reelection. What is the secret? Are they waiting until the school election is over? Are they awaiting on the final budget numbers? Have the democrats smartened up are ousting Kauff to try and restore the trust to the democratic party and the tax dollars to the voters before the campaign highlighting Kauff, CM&E and the others gets underway?

The campaign for 2009 will not be against the republicans it will be against Kauff and the millions he costs all of without being elected to do so.

"WHO ELECTED NORMAN KAUFF TO RUIN ABERDEEN?" will be the slogan. Get ready for payback and payback has a name and it is called ACCOUNTABILITY.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is YES to the last post. Kauff and accountability for too long have been strangers in the night and it has cost taxpayers millions. It is time that the residents of Aberdeen see Norman Kauff in the light of day. Look for it. I will be.

HatesWhatKauffhasDonetoA said...

Speaking on the subject of the light of day I thought it would not be possible for Kauff to be seen in the light of day. I mean he is after all a blood sucking vampire who lurks in the dark recesses of earth. He stalks all of us from the dark recesses of backroom deals, illegal meetings and dimly lit parking lots. Right Norm?

It is time the taxpayers top having this human leech sucking the blood out of all of us. Wake up is all I can say to the Aberdeen Democratic Party. It is time they push Kauff out into the sunlight of day so he can turn to dust and blow away in the wind.

Anonymous said...

PISSED OFF MAY HAVE A FEW POINTS.

I HEAR THAT THEY WILL BE PUTTING EMPLOYEES ON FURLOUGHS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THAT MORE THAN LIKELY MEANS NO TAX INCREASE THIS ELECTION YEAR AT BEST. I GUESS THAT MAKES SENSE TO SOMEONE. NOT ME NOT THE EMPLOYEES THOUGH.

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS YEAR BEING AN ELECTION YEAR AND WITH GALLO AND BROWNS DEPARTURES TO HIDE A CONTROL ELECTION WILL BE VERY INTERESTING. THE TOWN EMPLOYEES AND MORE WILL NOT MATTER TO KAUFF AS LONG AS HE DOES NOT RAISE TAXES AND HE SAVES THE ROAD PROGRAM THAT THEY BERATE US WITH EACH AND EVERY YEARS. ARE ROADS THAT IMPORTANT. IT SEEMS TO BE THEIR BIGGEST EXPENDITURE EVERY YEAR. WHY.

WAIT I ALMOST FORGOT CM&E GETS 25% OF EVERY ROAD PROGRAM. LETS SEE THAT WOULD AWARD CM&E $750,000.00 ON A $3,000,000.00 ROAD PROGRAM. A NICE CHUNK OF CHANGE FOR NORM TO GET HIS KICKBACK ON THE TAXPAYERS QUARTER. NO ROAD PROGRAM TO SHOW OFF WOULD HURT NORMS CONTROL POSSIBILITIES. CANT HAVE THAT.

WE ALL KNOW KAUFF NEEDS TO BE IN CONTROL. I MEAN IF ANYONE ELSE GAINED CONTROL THEY WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF ALL OF THE SWEETHEART DEALS NORM HAS SET UP FOR HIMSELF AND HIS CLOSE PERSONAL FRIENDS. NORM CANNOT HAVE THAT. THEN AGAIN IF ANYONE GETS CONTROL THEY COULD LOOK INTO THE LEDGERS AND SEE WHO GETS WHAT AND WHO APPROVES WHAT. CANT HAVE THAT CAN WE KAUFF. JUST IMAGINE IF THEY TOTALED THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT CM&E HAS GOTTEN SINCE KAUFF TOOK CONTROL OF ABERDEEN. THE NUMBER WOULD BE HUGE MAYBE $20,000,000.00. FOR WHAT.

BUT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A PLAN. THE SAME PLAN HAS NOT WORKED BEFORE BUT THEY HAVE A PLAN.
ABERDEEN IS DOOMED TO HAVE KAUFF AGAIN THANKS TO THE REPUBLICAN PLAN. KAUFF AGAIN IN 2009. OH BOY.

Anonymous said...

When will the Kauffnightmare end?

Anonymous said...

The Republican party in Aberdeen is a joke. I hope you have a better angle on the county level because those morons that just took control of the freeholders are about to waste a shitload of your money with this so called budget they just approved. They have to go.

TheMadPostersofAT said...

It is coming Norman. Get ready.

Kauff ruins Aberdeen. Who is Kauff?

See ya soon Normy.

Letthewordringoutfromthistimeandplace said...

Try these sign suggestions.

Kauff
Runs *crossed out with one line*
Ruins
Aberdeen

Check out
Aberdeen.com
to find out who
runs Aberdeen

Who
is
Norman
Kauff
to
run
Aberdeen
?????

The internet has plenty of sign companies that sell these cheap.
I am in for 20 signs Aberdeener.

Anonymous said...

Why do you need the Aberdeener to do your work for you. The republican party should do its own campaigning.

THE TRUTH said...

PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN WHO REALLY PULLS THE STRINGS IN ABERDEEN. THEY NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH KAUFF WITH HIS GREED AND CORRUPTION COSTS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

PEOPLE ARE WATCHING. JUST LOOK AT THE ABERDEENER THAT GARNER THEM MOST RESPONSES AND INPUT. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ON A MUCH BROADER SCALE WHO KAUFF IS AND WHAT HE DOES. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TO NOT ALLOW KAUFF AND HIS HANDPICKED STOOGES TO CONTINUE TO RAPE THE RESIDENTS OF ABERDEEN.

PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW.
THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE NO DENIALS FROM THE CORRUPT KAUFF.

Anonymous said...

Development Renaissance at Aberdeen is back on the agenda for....

April 1, 2009_______ Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. ANNOUNCEMENT: In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice
of this meeting has been published in the appropriate
newspaper.

4. ROLL CALL

**********

CONTINUED BUSINESS

1. V 06-134/RCM (Renaissance at Aberdeen)
Applicant and Property Owner: RCM Group, LLC
County Road
Block 196.04 Lot 27
Block 228, Lots 1 and 2
(Revised concept plan to construct 132 affordable rental units within 11 buildings, between Salem Place and Moore Place in the “LI” (Light Industrial) and “CR” (Conservation/Recreation) Zones. The application has been bifurcated, and the applicant is seeking use variance approval. This application is carried from the March 11 public meeting for additional testimony. The project was originally submitted under the name Centex).

2. V 06-135/RCM (Villages at Aberdeen)
Applicant and Property Owner: RCM Group, LLC
Highway 34
Block 114, Lot 4
(Revised concept plan to construct a 62 unit market ratable townhouse complex in the “HC” (Highway Commercial) Zone on the north bound side of Route 34. The application has been bifurcated, and the applicant is seeking use variance approval. This application is carried from the March 11 public meeting for additional testimony. The project was originally submitted under the name Centex).

Anonymous said...

As much as some of us like the Aberdeener to express opinions and share information, not to say the least, vent about local Kauff-branded corruption ... it does not have the readership and participation from residents that is needed to win an election.

Depending on a blog, that you don't control, in a effort to win this next election is a losing strategy. Direct mail, letters to editors, calling local newspapers regarding specific topics (such as a zoning board meeting, or why Aberdeen budget meetings seem to be private events, have to be part of a multi-faceted approach.

Once again, you can't win an election merely by destroying the other guy. You need some ideas of your own, and Minotulo doesn't have any ideas.

Kauff must go.

Kauff Playing Games in an Election Year said...

And off the Zoning Board agenda again: Kauff up to games in an election year .....

Township of Aberdeen
NOTICE TO RESIDENTS:
Please be advised that the RCM Group applications will not be proceeding on Wednesday, April 1. The applicant has sent the Zoning Board of Adjustment the following correspondence, which is being posted for your information.

The applicant’s counsel will be appearing solely for the purpose of placing the applicant’s adjournment request on the record. Absolutely no testimony will be taken by the Board. All residents will be renoticed prior to the application proceeding further.

Maxine Rescorl, Secretary
Township of Aberdeen
Zoning Board of Adjustment
732-583-4200 X101

Letter from applicant’s attorney to Maxine Rescorl, Zoning Board Secretary dated March 31, 2009:

The above referenced application is presently scheduled before the Zoning Board on April 1, 2009. There has been significant public comment upon these applications, which the Applicant has listened to. The Applicant has begun to investigate possible revisions to the plans that would address much of the public comment, while at the same time, still providing assistance to the Township in addressing its affordable housing obligation. As a result, the Applicant will not be able to proceed tomorrow night and requests that the matter be adjourned until such time that the Applicant is able to proceed. Of course, if and when the Applicant is ready to go forward, the Applicant will fully renotice the public.

I will be in attendance at tomorrow night’s meeting to answer any questions which the Board may have.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter; I appreciate your understanding.

Very truly yours,
Craig M. Gianetti, Esq.
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla

March 31, 2009 4:59 PM

DogwoodsSilentnomore said...

No one should be surprised by the above notice. This is Kauff 101 at its sleaziest. County Road residents welcome to Norman Kauff World. Its like Disneyland but the only one who gets a free ride. That is Norman Kauff our local power broker and scumbag of the people.

Anonymous said...

DogwoodsSilentnomore is our own Nick Minutolo.

Nick Resign Now and let the Republican have a chance

Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter how slow your horse is, as long as thier horse is slower.

Nick Minutlo, who is now pissed as he did not recieved his promised county job from norman, has now highjacked the republican party and become chairman. A review of elect shows he actually has the gop in debt and is running the same losing ticket as last time - can anybody remeber there names?. By the way in a review of public records Councilman minutolo never voted aganst the Kauff machine including the last budget when he was not running any longer.

Kauff will put up new candidates Taglarini , Lauro -- talk of change -- raise tons of money and unfortunately win.

Anonymous said...

DogwoodsSilentnomore is our own Nick Minutolo. That's interesting

DogwoodsSilentnomore said...
No one should be surprised by the above notice. This is Kauff 101 at its sleaziest. County Road residents welcome to Norman Kauff World.

How much time if ever has Nick spent in Cliffwood - Nick you are worse then ever

Nick = DogwoodsSilentnomore said...

The rumor going aroung town is that Nick is Norman plant / Stooge - I didn't believe it - but now I hear Nick is only running 3 candidates -- That guarantees Norman control for 2 more years -

Nick = Norman

Anonymous said...

Nick Minitoulo is a stooge. Always was and always will be.