Friday, December 11, 2009

The Democrats’ Latest Campaign Filings

Click here for the latest Democratic election filings

Stung by repeated charges of pay-to-play, the Aberdeen Democratic candidates decided they would still take the money but hide it from public view. Rather than run one campaign as they had in the past, they decided to run four individual campaigns and then ask each donor to write four checks, each for $300 or less to avoid disclosure laws. If the donor wished to give more, he could donate to the Aberdeen Democratic Executive Committee. My understanding is that none of the candidates took a leading role in fundraising but they all knew what was happening; they took tens of thousands of dollars from the very people seeking to get millions from us, the taxpayers. In private industry, this is called graft. In the courtroom, it’s called bribes. Among our councilmen and mayor-elect, it’s called politics.

I raise the issue again because we now have the latest election filings with the NJ ELEC and some new items have come to light. Total campaign expenditures for the democrats were about $50,000, in line with historical norms. However, the problem here is that Councilman-Elect Lauro raised virtually the identical amount as the other candidates.

Initial filings suggested he had not taken money from the town engineer, CME, since that would have been a clear conflict with his duties as the public works director. (A government employee should not be taking money from the very companies he’s overseeing.) More recent filings strongly suggest Lauro did take money from CME while working as the public works director. I can’t prove it but he raised nearly identical amounts as the other candidates and we know the others were taking money from CME so it’s a reasonable assumption.

Since the candidates chose to skirt the issue of pay-to-play, the other unanswered question is who did contribute to their campaigns aside from the usual suspects? Well, we know one person who did because he asked for his money back. Good old Joe Kremer. You know Joe, right? According to the Dem filings, he lives at 26 New Brunswick Ave. You know, corner property on Charles St.?

What’s that you say? It’s a warehouse? Now, what would old Joe be doing living in a warehouse? Huh? You never heard of old Joe? That is strange. Well, obviously he’s someone who cares a great deal about our town because he donated $300 to each of the candidates. Yup, $300. That is the absolute highest amount that any person could possibly give to a local candidate and still remain anonymous. He must be a good guy to want to remain anonymous and all.

I’m sorry, what’s that you’re saying about the warehouse? It’s owned by SPH Holdings? Nope, never heard of them. They want to get a variance from the township? Nope, didn’t know that either. And they’re on the tax sale list for not paying their water on time?

Well, no wonder Joe asked for his money back.

Yup, good old Joe. Thanks to guys like him, the Dems got four more years.
>>> Read more!

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

No mention of how the Aberdeen Republicans took thousands from T&M Associates though, huh? I guess you wouldn't want to smear your butt-buddy Aljian...

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

I don't see any donations in their records from T&M but I do see $1,000 from Aljian, $1,000 from Balavram, another $2,000 from Aljian's law firm, $4,000 in contributions under $300, and $800 from a republican assemblyman. That's $8,6000 a contributions for a $7,700 campaign.

(There are no recorded contributions from any of the candidates or councilmembers for the Democrats. Why bother, huh?)

Since you're obviously not smart enough to read or do the math, I shouldn't be surprised that you're also a dem supporter who uses the term "butt-buddy" despite the recent news of one of your compadres.

Anonymous said...

Hey Joey, how about worrying about what's going on under your watch at the schools?...gangsta coaches, test scores, inept administrators, etc.
Don't you think you should be channeling your energy toward that?
You did bullshit yourself into a spot after all. Do something now, instead of just talking more bullshit like a typical politician.

Aberdeener said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'll match my 8-month record against any past or present board member. Just name the person and we'll do a side-by-side comparison.

Anonymous said...

You are a politician

Aberdeener said...

How low we've gone that "politician" is now a slur.

Anonymous said...

Joey,
Thanks for the great post and for keeping us informed on what these politicians are doing.

Aberdeener said...

Thanks. I appreciate your support.

Anonymous said...

How about your record and Jerry Donahue's

Aberdeener said...

Excellent choice. Gerry's a very good man who's served on the board for a long time. Winter Friday's are short days for me but I'll work on a comparison tomorrow night.

Anonymous said...

Could you provide a link for tax sales in the Borough of Matawan or where one could look up this information?
Thank you.

Aberdeener said...

Sorry but Matawan doesn't post their tax sale list online.

Anonymous said...

So Joe, what are you saying. The Dems illegally took campaign money??? The did something illegal??

Disappointed Aberdeen Democrat said...

Wow this one stung the Democrat Kauffkins. That is all too obvious from their immediate and repetitive postings accusing everyone else of everything under the sun but they don't dare touch on the $50,000.00 in corrupt monies from iunept insiders that Norm raised. Typical is all any of us can say. As for Mr. Lauro he is just a follower and always has been. So sad. So much for the man of integrity my wife and I were told about last Friday night at Piazza D' Roma.

Aberdeener said...

Illegal, no. Unethical, yes.

You don't take campaign contributions from people and companies that are soliciting you for business. And you definitely don't take money from people and companies you're overseeing.

Anonymous said...

Since you have opened up a comparison of your accomplishments vrs. recent board members , I'd be interested in reading about your view of the differences and similarities between you and other eight.

Anonymous said...

How sad to read that Cannon has associated himself with this element. He could have a promising career but would need to dis-associate himself. You are judged by the company you keep. An example is his father, Councilman Mike Cannon of Matawan and his association with Councilman "Buddy" Mullaney. Residents of Matawan know how that went!

Thanks Joey for keeping us informed.

KAUFF IS EVIL said...

KAUFF PAYOFFS CORRUPTION

AND

BEHOLDING COUNCIL PEOPLE


SOMETHINGS NEVER CHANGE


RIGHT NORM ?

Aberdeener said...

I don't want to get pulled into doing a comparison chart on every board member. It's also difficult to measure someone's contributions because all we have are the newspaper records in the Independent and personal recollections. (The old minutes are no longer online and they only captured the votes, not the actions and statements made by individual board members.)

It's also important to remember that, aside from Ms. Rubino, all the Aberdeen representatives are serving their first terms.

Still, I presented the challenge and I was asked to compare my record against Mr. Donaghue and Mr. O'Connell. To do that, I look at four things things - Issues they supported, those they opposed, actions taken, and the district overview during their tenure. I’ve also removed those items where we acted in concert since they’re unnecessary in a comparison.

Aberdeener said...

Mr. Donaghue
The Good –
Donaghue once negotiated the lowest teacher salary increases in the county. He voted against redistricting. For years, he fought waste and corruption. He supported Mr. O’Connell to become president, helped ease out Quinn, has been a steadfast supporter of Dr. O’Malley, and helped block the appointment of a temporary board member during a lame duck session.

The Bad –
Skyrocketing budgets, several unfortunate appointments, and poor school performance. Since he and Mr. O’Connell were in the minority, it’s a question what they could have done. Donaghue supported paying for the football field through a lease agreement rather than submit to a public referendum. Also supported RTI.

Mr. O’Connell
The Good –
Alongside Mr. Donaghue, fought waste and corruption while in the minority. Upon becoming board president, eased out Quinn and hired both Dr. O’Malley and Ms. Irons. Negotiated health savings by moving the teachers union to the state plan. Eliminated the standing committees to create an open process. Voted against redistricting, paying for the football field through a lease agreement, and filling a board seat during a lame duck session. Participated in writing a new mission/vision statement. Participated in building focus on college readiness. Supports more scrutiny regarding online degrees. Played a leading role in setting board goals.

The Bad –
Like Mr. Donaghue, while sitting in a small minority and having a strained relationship with Quinn, wasn’t able to effect much change in the district. Mr. O’Connell also supported RTI.

Me –
The Good –
Active role in crafting board goals and mission/vision statements. Leading proponent for board minutes to identify split votes. Leading proponent of increased focus on writing skills. Leading proponent of increased focus on college readiness. Support more scrutiny regarding online degrees. Oppose exceptions to the nepotism policy. Oppose allowing administrators to recommend themselves for paid positions. Oppose the RTI program. Leading proponent of board taking proactive role in setting educational and financial goals.

The Bad –
Don’t be silly. It’s all good. :)

ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE ATTACKED said...

OOOOOOOOOHHHHH YOU ARE IN TROUBLE YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW YOU CANNOT LIST SUCH THINGS AS THE TRUTH. THE ANTI ACCOUNTABILITY TYPES WILL NICKLE AND DIME YOU AND BLAME YOU FOR EVERYTHING. THEY WILL OF COURSE SHOW NO PROOF OR ANYTHING CLOSE TO SUBSTANCE OF THEIR ATTACKS. THEY MERELY SUGGEST WILL IGNORANTLY STATE THAT ARE ALL WRONG.

FUNNY HOW THEY ARE SO VOCAL NOW AFTER BARZA, QUINN, MILLIONS SPENT ON ATHLETIC FIELDS AND CONSTRUCTION IS WASTED.

DON'T POINT TO ONE WINNING SEASON AS PROOF THAT SUCH A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FIELDS WAS NEEDED. IT WAS "NEEDED" ONLY BECAUSE THEY WANTED IT. THEY LET THE OTHER ON BE POORLY MAINTAINED FOR YEARS ON PURPOSE.

THE TRUTH IS A TERRIBLE THING?

RIGHT BARZA.

Tell the Truth said...

This comparison thing is a joke, since most of the real work of a board member goes without the public really knowing. But since you brought it up you should have all the facts right. Donoghue did not negotiate the lowest teacher salary increase. He was not even on the committee and had to exclude himself from participating. Where is the proof that redistricting was a bad thing and if it was why not reverse it. He was the number one proponent for the hiring of Bruce Quinn and was board president at the time. He recruited him and convinced others a search was not necessary. His wife was hired while he was a board member and was promoted to a full time position just recently. Maybe not unlawful, definitely unethical. He was a major part of all the waste during the reconstruction process. He was a steadfast supporter of Bruce Quinn until the end, so being a steadfast supporter of Dr. O'Malley says nothing. He voted for the salary increases for administration that a lot of people disagree with. After discrediting most of the good, it seems the bad far outweighs the good.

Anonymous said...

Your not qualified to kiss the ground Donaghue and Oconnell walk on. How dare you compare yourself to their records. You have accomplished nothing in comparison to their years of service.

Anonymous said...

Still haven't gotten the facts straight have you?

Aberdeener said...

I've heard on a number of occasions in front of the full board that Donaghue did negotiate one of the lowest salary increases in the state. Also, I don't fault Donaghue for publicly praising Quinn. To be an effective board member, having a good working relationship with the superintendent is often essential.

If you feel I've not given Donaghue or O'Connell sufficient praise, by all means, please add. They are both good friends that I highly respect and I would love to hear more of their accomplishments.

Aberdeener said...

Bear in mind, all I have are the stories I've heard and the Independent.

Deflect Dems! Deflect! said...

Good job all you Democrat operatives, you successfully deflected this topic about the $50,000 that was spent to win re-election yet again.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener - just curious if you found this parade/pep rally for the football team a bit odd. The athletic director never planned such activities when the Boys and Girls Track teams won state sectional championships recently. Also, the boys cross country team won a state championship a few years back and I dont' recall a parade down the canyon of heroes or a pep rally.

Anonymous said...

Football has been plenty good to me.

Joe Martucci MARSD Athletic Director.


FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

That is all that matters.

Aberdeener said...

Prior Anon,

The parade/prep rallies are based upon a combination of student achievement and community enthusiasm.

I certainly don't consider a state championship in football to be a greater achievement than a world championship in chess but the former certainly has a much larger following and the latter would not warrant a parade.

However, if one of our students were to be a finalist in American Idol, he certainly would get a pep rally. The effort and cost of community celebrations need to be commensurate with community interest.

Anonymous said...

So the thoughts of Fred and Company being independent and not being beholding to Kauff and his handpicked professionals is out the window?

Typical.

Right Normy?

So much for integrity, independent thought and service to the people. That is unless the service to the people is Kauff people.

Too bad!

ANSWER THE 10 QUESTIONS NORM said...

KAUFF IS ABERDEEN.

SADLY

BY THE WAY

F U NORMAN

Anonymous said...

Isn't his what Norman did with Marc Schram covering at meeting for him??

Inspector General slams Angelini on pension abuseBy Editor Michael AngeliniInspector General Mary Jane Cooper has issued a scathing report questioning Gloucester County Democratic Chairman Michael Angelini's enrollment in the state pension system for a dozen part time jobs over the last 27 years, and has referred Angelini's case to the state Attorney General's office.

Cooper says that Angelini, a lawyer who has represented various government entities, is an independent contractor who did not qualify for pension contributions from his payroll checks that acted as though he was an employee.

"The Pension benefits associated with his enrollment are worth hundreds of thousands of state dollars," Cooper said in a statement released today.

Cooper said that her office collected evidence that Angelini assigned associates from his law firm to perform legal work "for which he was paid and gained pension credits," and found that government entities paid legal fees to his firm through their payroll so that the veteran Democratic party leader could earn pension credits.

Since 1981, Angelini has served as the Greenwich Township and Monroe Township public defender, the Clayton and Paulsboro municipal prosecutor, the Assistant Gloucester County Counsel, the solicitor for Oaklyn and Mantua, West Deptford and Paulsboro, the counsel the Gloucester County Board of Social Services, the Counsel to the South Jersey Transportation Authority, and as the lawyer for the South Jersey Port Corporation and Gloucester County Improvement Authority.

According to pension records cited in the report, Angelini was simultaneously retained by as many as seven government entities at once, with a total "salary" of $213,000.

At the beginning of 2008, when a new law took effect clarifying that those who provide work to public entities under a professional services were ineligible for the pension system took effect, Angelini attempted to cash in his pension, by then estimated at over $100,000 per year, but the request was held pending a review.

Angelini told the OIG that in his view, the statute did not merely clarify the law, but actually changed it.

"Notwithstanding what the new law may have meant to his past positions, it was clear to Angelini that going forward, he was ineligible for pension credits for the professional services he as providing to government entities," reads the report. "At that point, he decided that it made sense for him to apply for retirement benefits and he did."

The OIG report says that Angelini got towns to put him on the payroll by using "novel and contrived arrangements, often proposed by him."

"It is reasonable to conclude that these payment structures were utilized to provide Angelini unwarranted pension benefits," reads the report.

Angelini did not bother to show up to required meetings for several of the public positions he held, often handing the work off to other employees in his firm, Angelini, Viniar & Freedman, despite being paid a salary.

For instance, Angelini told investigators that he took the role of municipal prosecutor for Clayton (population 7,000) because he liked being a prosecutor. But he seldom showed up for court proceedings there, usually delegating them to a subordinate at his law firm. Records kept by the borough between 1999 and 2003 show him present at just two of 114 court proceedings. Members of his law firm showed up for the majority of those, but not always. As of 2003 -- his last year as the Clayton municipal prosecutor -- the borough paid him a salary of $7,964.

In addition to the Attorney General, the OIG has sent a copy of their report to the state Division of Pensions, and to the Office of Attorney Ethics.

Editor can be reached via email at editor@politicsnj.com.

Anonymous said...

Come on our Norman Kauff Esq. would never do anything illegal?

Just ask the convicted felon in the penitentiary for soliciting young boys for sex. He would tell you what an honest man Norman is.

Or you could ask

The convicted Felon that Norman is using to front the development at the train station. Development that will never happen.

It is all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Right Jimmy, Fred, Margeret and Greggy? Puppets all of them.

Face reality Fred and Jimmy said...

Very interesting post about Lawyers getting indicted.

Yeah like that does not happen every f'n day all across America.

Attorney Kauff is our local poster boy for scumbag political hacks. He needs to be indicted for his corruption and the crimes against the residents and business people of Aberdeen. Kauff Corruption has now spread to Fred T. and his crack team of elected puppets before they even get sworn in. It will be a done deal for Kauff and his corruption tentacles will encircle Fred and the others as soon as they cast their votes to allow the same handpicked by Kauff professionals to fleece our taxpayers yet again. Scumbags all!


Professionals that used to be a word that meant something.

Not in Aberdeen.

Anonymous said...

Everyone is talking about how corrupt Kauuf is for the last 3 years. Still waiting for him to get indicted. So if their is real proof send it to the DA and get this over with, if not lets get on to more important things like how much our school taxes will go up next year.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
Why wasn't the agenda for the board meeting posted on the school website?

Aberdeener said...

The agenda is usually posted the Friday before the meeting. It should be posted by end of day.

Jump the shark ? said...

School taxes going up? You have to be kidding? Just wait until you see the tax increases Kauff will be putting in place in 2010. Furloughs will be the first salvo to scare the workers and public. Then you can look for the news articles about how hard the town leadership is working to solve the overwhelming budget crisis. They of course will blame Trenton and the newly elected Governor Christie. They will banter about the fixed costs, pending contract negotiations and the previously negotiated and too generous contracts that cannot be renegotiated.

The town leadership will forget the votes cast this year to defer pensions and much more under the numerous one time quick fixes and the Kauff plan of:

DO ANYTHING TO KEEP NORMAN KAUFF AND C.M.E. IN CONTROL AT ANY COST".

That is AberdeenS Kauff reality.

The 2009 version.

Wait until the 2010 version hits.

ANSWER THE 10 QUESTIONS NORM said...

I agree Normy put off any tax increase to assure the D's did not look bad. The town employees will be the pawns in Normy's chess game of Aberdeen budget 2010. Usually management will not do what is right to assure workers already overworked and for the most part underpaid will carry the burden. God forbid they touch the overpriced and unchecked professional fees that Normy and the D's count on to feed themselves. I mean Normy gets his share from all of them. Legal team has Normy as Of Counsel, Zoning and Planning Attorneys probably give generously, towns Public Defender, Prosecutor and the Court Judge probably are good for thousands as well. Quite a little savings account Normy has. Then there is the dregs of society at CM&E. Those scumbags are good for at least $100,000.00 a year for Normy. Speaking of which you can be sure that Santa will be visiting Normy very soon since all of the usual suspects and hopefully co-defendants re-appointments are just around the corner.

All the proof is in the silence of the Kauffkins. Can you hear it??????????????????????????Normy??

PEACHTREECOMMUNITY said...

PRICELESS THE ABOVE TWO POSTS ARE.

AS FOR KAUFF BEING INVESTIGATED DID YOU READ THE POST NOT TOO FAR BACK ABOUT THE ATTORNEY ARRESTED FOR BILLING HIS TIME FOR MEETINGS AND WORK THAT HE DID NOT PERFORM COUPLED WITH PADDING HIS PENSION?

IT SEEMS THAT THE ATTORNEY SENT AN UNDERLRING IN HIS PLACE AND STILL HAD THE NERVE TO BILL AT HIS OVERPRICED MUNICIPAL LEGAL RATE.

AND SOME WONDER WHY THE JOKE OF

WHAT IS 1000 ATTORNEYS CHAINED
TOGETHER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA?

IT IS A GOOD START.

I LOVE THAT ONE. BUT IT IS SO TRUE.

HOW ABOUT YOU MR. KAUFF ?

DO YOU LIKE THAT ONE ?

I'VE GOT A BETTER ONE. TRY THIS ONE.

WHAT IS AN OLD CODGER TO DO IN PRISON WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT?

PRAY YOUR HOMOSEXUAL BUNKY FELL ASLEEP FIRST AND DOES NOT WANT TO..

PRICELESS ! RIGHT NORM ?

F U Kauff said...

Classic prison humor. I hope Kauffs prison bunky is attune to the things that Kauff has been doing to Aberdeen. I hope that each and every single day that Kauff gets it in the a.. just like he has done to the taxpayers under the guise of the peoples business.

The people have not been a part of the Kauff doctrine since the day that rat bastard was sworn in as the Municipal Attorney for Aberdeen.

Your day is coming Kauff and when it does all of the Kauffkins can kiss our asses.

Karma same # of letters as Kauff.

Ain't it a Bitch Kauff ?

F U Kauff !

Anonymous said...

Spoke to one of the Hs vp's about my son last week. The woman is critically stupid. You want higher expectations from our kids and then you have this idiot as role model. You gotta be kidding. Can't you possible hide her?

OooooorahUSMC said...

From your mouth to Gods ears that Kauff goes to the big house. Please let that happen.

OooooorahUSMC said...

Want to have some fun? Type in the words scumbag and Norman Kauff and see what comes up. It's great.

Norm said...

Oohrah, u- suck-my-c...

Pleaseanswerthe10Mr.Kauff said...

Well is that a Kauffkin we read.

I see the lone defender is still sucking up to his master Kauff. keep defending Norman THE #1 ABERDEEN SCUMBAG Norman Kauff Esquire.

Your Mommy would be so proud of you.

Then again your father always thought you were a piece of s.... He was right. But you prove that every day. Who will you defend next. Mark Coren sexual predator?

You would truly a class act then.

Anonymous said...

you don't even know what the 10 is you asshole

Anonymous said...

Where could you possible hide her? Have you ever seen her?

Anonymous said...

The ten might be the ten plus million dollars that Kauff has funneled illegally to CM&E. I think you know that is one of the ten questions that all the Kauff people know is the root cause of many problems within this community.

Think about it Kauffkins.

Stop denying the Kauff realities.

thatsafactjack said...

Come on it is not illegal. It is called PAY TO PLAY. You see if CME wants to play in the Aberdeen sandbox they have to pay. They have to pay Norman Kauff. It is not against the law to funnel all of this money. It is not against the law to institute changes to application approvals that overcharge residents for CME reviews.

But both of the above are a shame nonetheless.

Politics sucks at every level.

Anonymous said...

How do you spell democrats

c r o o k s

Ringleader is Norman Kauff.

Anonymous said...

Kauff everyone knows is no F'n good. The fact that his faithful minions would risk indictment and prison since they know everything Kauff does is illegal. Sad to say Jimmy has bought the Kauff BS hook, line and sinker. I thought better of the man. Now he is just another Kauff puppet. Will he speak up?

F U Kauff said...

The silence is deafening from the Kauffkins on the subject concerning a south jersey town attorney being indicted for the exact same thing Kauff did when he was the town legal eagle. Padding his pension and sending others to do his work for him and billing at the hire rate of pay.

Legal eagle my ass. Kauff was merely a pig in a suit. No offense meant to any pigs. No pigs were harmed during this posting.

F U Norm

Anonymous said...

And yet, only the pedophile is in prison. He must be a cute wife to somebody.


DC Number: C03366
Name: COREN, MARK
Race: WHITE
Sex: MALE
Hair Color: BROWN
Eye Color: HAZEL
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 204 lbs.
Birth Date: 12/12/1949
Initial Receipt Date: 04/29/2009
Current Facility: GLADES C.I.
Current Custody: MEDIUM
Current Release Date: 08/21/2011

DEAR SANTA said...

TIME-TIME-TIME-TIME IS ON OUR SIDE

CHRISTIE IS THE GOVERNOR AND CORRUPTION LIKE KAUFF IS INVOLVED IN WILL BE SCRUTINIZED VERY CLOSELY. LOOK FOR NORM TO SELL AND MOVE OUT OF ABERDEEN VERY SOON AS EVEN HE KNOWS THAT THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL.


DEAR SANTA,

ALL WE WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS NORMAN KAUFF'S HANDS OUT OF OUR WALLETS AND POCKETBOOKS. THAT IS WHAT ABERDEEN NEEDS FOR CHRISTMAS.

SIGNED,

THE OPPRESSED TAXPAYERS OF ABERDEEN

Norm said...

Happy Kwanzaa Bitches!

Anonymous said...

HOME FROM WORK NORM? MAYBE YOU WERE DIALING IN FROM THE VACATION YOU TOOK WITH ALL OF YOUR CME "ENVELOPES"?