Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Aberdeener Grievance

For the past six months, the Matawan Regional Teachers Association (MRTA) leadership has been spreading a rumor that they filed a grievance against me. The implication was that not only were they fighting back but that I must be guilty of something.

The truth is the MRTA filed an unfair labor practice against the school board in a shameless attempt to silence me. Either they were too cowardly to charge me with a violation or they knew they had no case and I would respond vigorously.

The union must have believed they could file this baseless charge without repercussions since they were free to quietly smear me and threaten the school district with costly legal fees while keeping confidential the actual complaint since grievances are normally exempt from OPRA.

But they were wrong.

New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act excludes “Any grievance filed by or against an employee”. However, the MRTA’s grievance doesn’t list a single employee, position, staff duty, compensation, or contractual obligation as a subject of the complaint; the grievance is solely by and for the union’s organization and doesn’t fall within the exemption.

I kept the grievance sequestered at first because of litigation and later because of the media blackout during negotiations. However, the grievance has since been withdrawn and there is no media blackout due to the union’s declaration of an impasse.

So, here it is, the Aberdeener Grievance.

Before I respond point-by-point, allow me to provide a quick summary. The MRTA’s legal position is that school board members are not allowed to criticize the teachers union or its leadership. Furthermore, the MRTA argues, the school board has an affirmative obligation to monitor its members’ speech and repudiate any critical comments. For relief, the MRTA requested the school board ask me to shut my mouth or resign.

The case’s wanton silliness is demonstrated by the fact that even if the MRTA won this unprecedented legal argument and got all the relief it requested, I would still have been allowed to retain my board seat and continue writing on my blog exactly as I had before the complaint; nowhere did the union request an order for me to cease and desist. So, even the teachers union implicitly concedes I acted within my rights.

What makes the charge truly ironic is the MRTA alleges the school board violated N.J.S.A. 34:13A, which forbids “Interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed to them by this act [or] . . . Dominating or interfering with the formation, existence or administration of any employee organization.”

That same statute also states “Employee organizations, their representatives or agents are prohibited from interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed to them by this act.”

That must be news to the MRTA because the union openly and regularly interferes, restrains, and coerces employees in the exercise of their rights. To give just one example, here is an open letter from the MRTA to the district staff instructing them to “not apply for extra curricular positions that are currently being filled by our members.” That same letter further states “If you have concerns regarding fellow workers and their job performance, don’t go to an administrator.” In other words, the union will choose who gets the stipends and the union will handle all personnel complaints. Or else.

We also need to question the MRTA’s priorities. The union wouldn’t contribute one penny towards saving three longtime members’ lifetime health benefits but was prepared to spend thousands in legal fees for a baseless claim in hopes of garnering a public reprimand against a local blog.

So, without further ado, here is the Aberdeener Grievance. My responses are in red-italics.

The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Teachers Association is the recognized majority representative for, among other professional and support staff titles, all non-supervisory certificated teaching staff members employed within the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education.

The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education is a public employer within the meaning of the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act and is subject to the Act's provisions.

The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education (hereinafter the "Board") and the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Teachers Association (hereinafter the "Association") are parties to a collective negotiations agreement covering the time period between July 1,2007 through June 30,2010. The parties are presently negotiating a successor collective negotiations agreement.

Joseph Warren (hereinafter "Warren") is a member of the Board of Education and has been a member of the Board since approximately April, 2009.

Board member Warren maintains a blog; i.e. the Aberdeener, that this Board member has used, in part, to both criticize the leadership of the Association and to attempt to negotiate a successor contract by his efforts to convince teaching staff members and support staff represented by the Association to repudiate the contract proposals regarding contract negotiations that have been submitted by the Association's Negotiations Team.

The following are summaries of only some of the many blog entries of Board member Warren that have been critical of the Association's leadership and that have also divulged confidential contract negotiation positions of the Association to members of the public:
What follows is the MRTA’s strongest evidence that the school board, not I, acted illegally.

Board member Warren called the Association's Union President Carl Kosmyna a liar and referred to the Association's "ludicrous claim" that the Association had offered a pay freeze and that this proposal was rejected by the Board of Education. (April 12, 2010 blog entry).
I have never called Kosmyna a liar. Nor have I ever claimed he isn’t. As for the “ludicrous claim” comment, I’m happy to see the MRTA finally acknowledge they did make this ludicrous claim of having offered the school board a pay freeze.

Board member Warren referred to the Leadership of the Association as "rodeo clowns" and referred to the Association's responses to threatened layoffs as being representative of the Association's "latest antics and utter incompetence". (March 25, 2010 blog entry).
I proudly stand by my comments.

Board member Warren stated, in part, that "the Union has orchestrated political theatre from heckling Board members at a public meeting to frightening the community into believing the District will replace our beloved custodians with pedophiles". (March 25, 2010 blog entry).
I sure did say that. Remember those school board meetings or the fliers warning parents the school board was endangering their children?

Board member Warren maintained that "the Union has not offered any concessions or suggestions on how to cut costs and save jobs" and maintained that "Union Officers receive full pay for reduced work load to permit extra time for Union activities". He also stated that "the Union has filed a slew of grievances demanding extra pay which, if victorious, will result in more job losses". (March 25,2010 blog entry).
Once again, I said it and it’s all true.

Board member Warren, in continuing his vituperative and defamatory charges against the Association Leadership, concluded one of his blog entries with the following statement: As every rodeo clown knows, you can distract the bull, deceive the bull, and avoid the bull, but stick around too long and you will get trampled. The Union leadership can no longer distract, deceive or avoid the public or its membership. (March 25,2010 blog entry).
Yeah, that rodeo clown comment really stuck them. I guess the truth hurts.

Board member Warren published the salaries of Union Executive Board members over the past four years and attacked the negotiating of what Board Warren referred to as "a bewildering array of stipends", while he consciously omitted the fact that the salaries he reported in the blog included coaching salaries and other negotiated stipends.
So, let’s see. I claimed the staff received a “bewildering array of stipends” and neglected to mention they were receiving stipends. Ooooh, I’m so bad.

By the way, district salaries are public information.


To date, the Board of Education has taken no action to prohibit Board member Warren from his malicious attempts to replace the existing association leadership and to coerce the Association into contract concessions by disseminating misrepresentations about the terms and conditions of employment of Association teaching staff members and support staff. The Board therefore has supported the efforts of Board member Warren to dominate and/or interfere with the existence and administration of the Association in violation of N.J.S.A. 34:13A-5.4(a)(2).
Here’s that legal ninjitsu – by doing nothing, the board was illegally interfering in the union’s business. Also, notice how it was perfectly acceptable for the teachers union to picket in front of former board member Ken Aitken’s house and spend thousands of dollars to prevent his reelection but my personal comments against the MRTA leadership is “malicious”.

The actions of the Board in refusing to repudiate the statements of one of its Board members, Joseph Warren, has also engaged in actions designed to interfere with, coerce and restrain employees represented by the Association in violation of N.J.S.A. 34:13A-5.4(a)(l).
More legal ninjitsu. Doing nothing constitutes “actions designed to interfere with, coerce and restrain employees”. Is that like teachers who do nothing are still considered to be teaching?

WHEREFORE, the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Teachers Association seeks an Order from the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission:

(A) Finding and declaring that the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of education has violated the of N.J.S.A. 34: 13~-5.4(a)(l) and N.J.S.A. 34:13A-5.4(a)(2);
I.e., by doing nothing, the school board has coerced and restrained employees.

(B) Finding and declaring that the actions of individual Board member Joseph Warren, as supported by at least the majority of the Board of Education, represents efforts to illegally dominate and/or interfere with the existence and administration of the Teachers Association;
Since Joseph Warren, acting by himself, constitutes a majority of the board, of course.

(C) Finding and declaring that the Board has acted to interfere with, restrain and coerce employees represented by the Association in the exercise of rights protected by the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act;

(D) Requiring the Board of Education to repudiate in writing all of Board member Warren's defamatory & hominem attacks on the Association's leadership and his consistent misrepresentations about the content of and status of contract negotiations and pending Association grievances;
How childish. Should the school board have also given me a timeout and taken away my circle time?

(E)Requiring the Board of Education to advise Board member Joseph Warren to cease and desist from including any comments in his blog, the Aberdeener, that relate to ongoing contract negotiations issues and other personnel and labor relations matters involving the Association and the Board or, in the alternative, request that Warren resign as a Board of Education member;
Should the state also require the school board to say pretty please?

(F)Requiring the posting of appropriate Notices to Public Employees advising said employees of the Board's illegal conduct;
Why stop there? Let’s have a mass mailing to the entire district. The cover page would say the “Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District, without commenting upon the truth or accuracy of Mr. Warren's statements, repudiates all of the following” and then staple it to a copy of all the offensive blog articles.

(G) For such other and further relief as the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission deems to be appropriate under the circumstances.
Like ice cream for all the union leaders whose feelings were hurt.

Teachers, welcome to your union representatives. I hope the rodeo is worth your money and your colleagues’ livelihoods.
>>> Read more!

95 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joey and the rodeo clowns deserve each other. Like peanut butter and jelly. You can't have one without the other. Clearly, you can't have an idiotic argument without two or more idiots. And once again, all the real Aberdeeners continue to lose while Carl drives home to Old Bridge and Joey types on his computer in Brooklyn...

What are we left with after Joey skipped town? Oh that's right, Dr. Dick and his $185,000.00 salary that Joey inflated,,,

Anonymous said...

Don't forget his giving a life contract to a an inept business administrator. What about the new custodians, found sleeping in the high school, leaving all the doors unocked in one of the elementary schools all night and not opening up the bathrooms for for a special event at the high school until 2 hours after it started. Good job Joey. Dump on us and run

Norm said...

Good morning Nicky, I hope you dreamed about me last night. I didn't get much sleep. Not because I was worried about the FBI or Fatso Christie, but because I stayed up to write you a new poem...

Today I bring you the story of a man who rides solo...

Aberdeen Republican Chairman Nick Minutolo...

It's true that Nicky once was a Dem...

Elected by running with Vinci again and again...

On the Council, Nicky once had a seat...

Until he stepped out of line and by Kauff got beat...

So now he blogs that the Feds are making tapes...

But the truth of it is that it's just sour grapes...

He yells that Kauff will face federal takedowns...

But fails to mention he's the king of shakedowns...

From Councilman Nicky, no one was immune...

To everyone, Nicky sang the same corrupt tune...

From lawyers, developers and engineers...

Nick probably lined his pockets for years and years...

Until the day that Kauff found out Nick was a con...

Nick was one step short of being called "Don"...

So Kauff threw Nicky out on his ass...

And now it seems he might be smoking the grass...

About corrupt Kauff delusions, Nick now blogs tomes...

But doesn't mention his free condo from Kara Homes...

So now Nick's teamed up with the rest of the looneys...

And gone from Dem to Republican like Gus Toomey...

Joined a new party to resurrect his career...

But Nick gets beaten by Kauff year after year...

Failing seems to be Little Nicky's style...

So everyday he blogs about Kauff for a while...

Hoping he can make his new party blast off...

But the Aberdeen Republicans are still led by a Dem castoff...

Anonymous said...

Hey Cannon - Nice poem but Nick is not the chairman of the republican committee, and has not been for over a year - Shelia Balvaram is the Chairwoman

Norm said...

It seems that my poem is not up to date...

So I'll correct it before it's too late...

And for Cannon, please save your scoff...

Because it's really me, Norman Kauff...

Really? to Sheila, Nick has passed the torch?...

Well, that's a bigger Republican ass for me to scorch...

I don't think Sheila could run a campaign...

In 2009, no one even knew her name...

So when she takes center stage, we'll see how she sings...

But, either way, we still know Nicky is pulling the strings...

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't anyone blasting Greg Cannon's father, Mike Cannon, when he switched from being a long time Republican to Democrat in Matawan? Why is it that Greg Cannon registered as a Democrat? Was he always a Dem or did he become one when his father switched parties? What is it that the Democratic Party has llin Aberdeen that is so alluring?

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure the Matawan Republicans' lawsuit when that happened oounts as "blasting," no? I think Cannon won the lawsuit though. I assume so because he won a council seat right afterwards...

As to the aberdeen democrats, I'm pretty sure an actual organization, competent candidates and election wins are more alluring than Toxic Sheila...

Kauff must pay really good said...

Cannon, Tagliareni, Perry were all good one time republicans swallowed up by Kauff. It is a shame that Kauff has to go outside his party now to find the corrupt little soldiers he needs. He must pay really well though. Are there no lucid, intelligent democrats left or are they just smart enough to know that Kauff and his soldiers days are numbered. At least Dennis Devino did not go to the dark side and become a democrat. Yet that is.

Anonymous said...

Mike Cannon did not have a lawsuit it was the Democratic Party of Matawan financed by their friend...Vic Scudieri. It was all a ploy...the last minute withdrawl by the original candidate. I'd still live in Matawan rather than Aberdeen. There are still people who will vote for Mullaney even though he can't handle his business finances. I'd never vote to let him handle decisions for Matawan finances.

Aberdeener said...

It appears Mullaney Tires filed last week to reorganize under chapter 11 bankruptcy. I wish the family well.

Deflect Dems! Deflect! said...

Good job, deflecting the light from the Dems who have run this town for 15? years to the Republicans... Good job!

Norm said...

I'm sorry if I caused some sort of deflection...

I guess this blog's only for GOP reflection...

By deflecting the light from the Dems with my poems...

It's likely the first time you've heard of Nick and Kara Homes...

But fear not, because I'll be back...

Not cutting the Republicans any slack...

And if you don't find yourself entertained...

You're likely a Republican who's now been stained...

By the same blog ink you've been throwing at me...

For one, two years, actually it's been three...

Anonymous said...

Joey,
What was the outcome of the grievance?

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear of any individually owned business going Chap. 11. Wish the family well.

That being said, still would not vote for "Bud" Mullaney. He has enough on his plate and couldn't responsibly handle Matawan Borough matters. Apparently, finances are not his forte.

For the record Councilman Kevin Mendes' family owned business, Key Auto Body, still does work for the Borough of Matawan. Conflict of interest doesn't seem to apply to this Councilman. Check the Bill List, Matawan Borough on the website, over the last year for proof.

The Twelphth eleven said...

So now you post as "Norm"? Got tired of Ivanhoe?

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

The grievance was withdrawn so it was never adjudicated.

I'm surprised, following six months of rumor mongering, not one person has the courage to acknowledge, even anonymously, that the rumors weren't true.

Anonymous said...

Joey,
The grievance was filed against the board to shut you up and they succeeded. So the rumors were true and the union once again got its way. Since you are now gone it has been withdrawn. Carl won that battle.

lizzietish1 said...

Why is it that Councilman Kevin Mendes is the only person on Matawan's Borough Council to get Medical Benefits? While this saves his family business the EXPENSE of providing medical coverage, it is costing taxpayers. Why are we paying him health benefits for a part time job, when he works full time at Key Auto Body, his family's business?

That has got to be a "TRICK" certainly not a "TREAT" for Matawan taxpayers!

Anonymous said...

How much legal billing was spent on this issue?

Aberdeener said...

Anon 10:56,

You're wrong. The week after the grievance was filed, I wrote the following:

Never again will the union membership be able to proudly wear buttons proclaiming “I CARE about our kids”. When given an opportunity to join in our community’s shared sacrifice and to save their colleague’s and fellow union members’ jobs, the union said no. Next time the union leadership organizes a show of force, maybe they should distribute buttons saying “Show Me the Money”.

I stopped blogging against the union during the media blackout and I started again as soon as it was lifted.

The grievance did nothing but expose the union leadership for what they are and waste some money on both the public and the union side.

lizzietish1 said...

BRAVO JOEY!

Mullany and Mendes a NO VOTE said...

If Matawan knows what is good for them they will keep the Scudeiri boys Mullaney and Mendes out of Matawan leadership. I may not be able to vote there since I moved away last year, but Mullaney and Mendes are to be put into office only to monitor the train station project.

Those two louses need to be as far away from decision making and municipal budgets as is humanly possible. They are just Scudeiri tools put in place only to ensure that Scudeiris train station property gets maximum dollars.

That is very different from the Kauff fools in Aberdeen who are screwing the taxpayers over for years now. I hear Kauff is even trying to get Obama to visit next year. They will need all the help they can get from what I hear. The budget seems to be the biggest problem in these towns now. Maybe Aberdeen should get Vinci to help. I hear he is really good with numbers.

To think that guy was a cop is still amazing to me. He took everything that he could and still does. Much to the chagrin of the taxpayers you can be sure.

Anonymous said...

But his hair is so cool...

Vinny and his hair color ? said...

I would have thought he would have died by now from the cancerous hair dye he has used to try and make people he is not as equally as fake as his hair. Go natural Vinny go grey.

Lemmy said...

Vinny is the godfather of goth. You have no idea how influential Vinny is with those black haired freaks. Marylin Manson had Vinny posters on his wall growing up. Mick Mars offered Vinny $500,000 for the secret formula to his hair tonic.

Anonymous said...

Election Eve. Not one Democratic sign in the entire town. No Pallone signs. No Democratic County signs. Not even the 7 Democratic Council-members have Democratic signs on their lawn.

Flippy has to go said...

You are partly right,but not totally there are a handful of Pallone signs in town. However, there aren't any signs for the county races. That does make sense, who would want to go on record as being a supporter of that pension padding scumbag John D'Amico? or his little followers anyway?

RACIST EDITORIAL OBAMA TEA PARTY said...

THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL FOR THE D'S THIS YEAR.

OBAMA HAS AN EVENT 8,000 EMPTY SEATS.

BIDEN HAS AN ERVENT 200 SHOW.

BUT

ACCORDING TO A EDITORIAL TODAY ITS RACISM?

AN EDITORIAL WRITTEN AND PRINTED TODAY ON PAGE A-15 IN THE ASBURY PARK PRESSS MAKES THE CASE THAT ITS ALL ABOUT OBAMAS RAC. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS EXACT ARTICLE AND OPINION FOR A WHILE AND NOW IT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED. ONLY ONE PROBLEM WITH THE ARTICLE.

ITS BULLSHIT.

ITS THE MONEY, ARROGANCE, IDIOCY, CRONYISM AND ALL THE USUALLY DISGUSTING POLITICS AS USUAL TREACHERY AND DECEIT.

TO SAVE YOU SOME THE SHADED OPINION STATES

I ASK MYSELF WHATS SO DIFFERENT ABOUT OBAMA, AND THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS: HES BLACK

THE EDITORIAL GOES ON TO BLAME A WELL FUNDED THAT IS OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE.

IT SEEMS THE RACE CARD HAS BEEN THROWN OUT ONCE AGAIN AS THE EXCUSE FOR A FLAWED POLITICAL LEADER WHO ON A DAILY BASIS WITH HIS CRONIES CANNOT ADMIT TO FAILED POLICIES, INCREDIBLE WASTEFUL SPENDING AND A SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT IS ANTI-AMERICAN.

ADMIT IT MR. EUGENE ROBINSON THAT AS THE WRITER OF THE EDITORIAL: YOU ARE THE RACIST.

POLITICS UNUSUAL AND OBAMAS REELECTION CAMPAIGN IS ON AND IS ROLLING OUT THE RACE CARD VERY EARLY.

I CANT WAIT TILL THE ELECTION RESULTS COME IN.

Anonymous said...

I read the article and agree that the race card is out and being played to the hill. Wait till the spin doctors start to deflect, deny and more all of the losses in multiple states right after the polls close tonight. Admit it democrats it is the failure of the Presidents leadership skills that are the true reasons for the democrats failures across the board and nationwide today. Justice I say. Don't chill the champagne just yet you democrats.

Aberdeener said...

Liberals consider themselves an enlightened breed. So, when a majority of Americans reject their policies, Liberals assume it's because of America's greedy, racist, homophobic, misogynistic nature, of which the liberals are trying to cure us.

That's why the liberal crowd doesn't adhere to the concept of American exceptionalism, that our country is unique and has done more for humanity than any other modern nation on earth. How could they when they think so little of the average American.

Anonymous said...

"Liberals consider themselves an enlightened breed." Ha! Liberals do not talk about human beings in terms of their "breeds" at all. A Conservative will, and actually use that word to prove he is not a racist! That is the reason why the right has a dim future in our increasingly diverse society. Enjoy the slight majority you might possibly gain in this midterm election. There is a long tradition of the sitting President's party losing ground. But do not make the mistake of thinking it is happening because you are "white men" and therefore naturally "bred" to take advantage of exceptionalisms...horrible word!

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

I realize you may have difficulty with English but you should familiarize yourself with the language before accusing others of racism.

The word "breed" has multiple definitions and is commonly used in political discussion.

Here's an online definition that states -
A kind; a sort: a new breed of politician; a new breed of computer.

If you had any decency, you would apologize.

lizzietish1 said...

Hope you all vote today. Now is the time, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! Make your vote count!

Anonymous said...

Apologize? Why? Did I hurt your feelings? I am sorry if I did. But I will not apologize for my own particular thought processes, that would be silly.

Language and word choices reveal mind sets. For example... What's up with this love affair the right has with the term "American exceptionalism" I guess you don't care how off putting your philosphy appears because it assumes such an air of smug superiority. Everyone sucks.....except wonderful us? Really?

Aberdeener said...

Thanks for proving my point about the liberal mindset.

Anonymous said...

Wikipedia:American exceptionalism:

"American exceptionalism is an American theory that the United States occupies a special role among the nations of the world in terms of its national ethos, political and religious institutions, and its being built by immigrants. The roots of the position have been dated back to 1630 with John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill",[1] although some scholars attribute it to a passage of Alexis de Tocqueville,[2] who argued that the United States held a special place among nations because it was the first working representative democracy."

"Belief in American exceptionalism is more characteristic of conservatives than liberals. Howard Zinn and Godfrey Hodgson[3] said that it is based on a myth, and that "there is a growing refusal to accept" the idea of exceptionalism both nationally and internationally.[4]"

Believe whichever definition and view you wish, that is the beauty of the American government, and living in this country. But neither side should be pushing their view on the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

VOTE PRO-LIFE!
Stop killing innocent babies!

Anonymous said...

Yes! There are always much less abortions performed under Democratic Administrations because they fund birth control education.

Anonymous said...

It's not a democratic or republican issue, it's a right to live issue. Give the baby up for adoption if you can't care for it. Two wrongs don't make a right. The decision to abort haunts a girl forever.

Anonymous said...

"much less abortions"
Does that mean it's OK to kill some of the babies?

Anonymous said...

No, it is simply a recognition of the fact that the Republicans did absolutely nothing whatsoever to prevent abortions during the entire time they held both Houses of Congress AND the Executive Branch and a Majority on the Supreme Court and that the number of abortions decrease under the Dems.

Anonymous said...

Where do you get this nonsense from? I'm not a republican, I'm a registered democrat. I don't believe it is our right to kill babies. Period!

If any candidate, rep or dem, doesn't want to protect the lives of innocent growing babies, and thinks it is OK to kill them, they will not get my vote!

As far as I'm concerned, it should be a matter of doing what is right, not politics as usual.

Dump Pallone said...

Republican Congressional challenger Anna Little’s campaign wrapped up its final full day on the campaign trail today with its Final Argument.

If you believe that:
Your taxes are too low
Washington doesn’t spend enough of your money already
Washington bureaucrats should be involved in your personal health care decisions
Borrowing trillions of dollars and handing the bill to your grandchildren is fair
Our nation is heading in the right direction

Then your vote is clear - 22-year incumbent Frank Pallone is your man.

But if you believe that:
Your taxes are too high
Washington already spends too much of your money
Washington bureaucrats have no business between you and your Doctor
Borrowing trillions of dollars and handing the bill to your grandchildren is immoral
Our nation is heading in the wrong direction

Then your vote is just as clear - Anna Little needs your vote!

Anonymous said...

I think Pallone is a jerk, but if you ever met Anna Little then you would really know what kind of idiot she really is. She is so far out of here that is why the Republicans dropped her as a Freeholder. Wish we had a decent third choice, because she is not the answer. So as bad a s Pallone is and after working with Little ona couple of projects I have to vote for Pallone

Pallone Kauff Coren said...

Little gets my vote since Pallone needs to either come out of the closet or start to do something other than run on a record of things he did 15 years ago. Older people vote for him cause he is a nice boy. Kauff said the same thing about Coren too. Bazoinga!

Incumbents out said...

Little may be many things but a sitting incumbent who has screwed us over time and time again and lies to us daily she is not. Give her a shot and send Pallone a strong message. Pallone pushed healthcare and that is enough for me. Obama and Pallone get them gone and soon. Anyone but a sitting politician gets my vote GRIP RULRES.

Anonymous said...

Just curious, how many of you "Pro-Lifers" are women and how many "Right to Choose?" What this has to do with local politics evades me.

People are out of work, starving, the government is on a spending spree, our senior citizens are getting screwed by ObamaCare, the stock market has been in the dumper, companies like Enron, Exxon, BP, not to mention the banking industry, have either killed our environment or retirement and you people are worried about who chooses to have an abortion? First you must be in a woman's shoes before you tell her what she can and cannot do with her body. Understand I am not saying abortion should be used as a birth control device. But to deny women the right to choose is wrong....this is and should remain a private personal matter. Next you'll want to take away womens right to vote!

Anonymous said...

I am a woman,(still of child bearing years). I am in a woman's shoes. What are you talking about, local government? We are voting for a US House of Representative member. All your points about seniors and the economy are serious problems not doubt, and need to be addressed. But you are denying a babies right to live. If you can not protect the most innocent and helpless, and their right to live, who will we protect? It's a baby, not a blob!

Deerfield Dan said...

You dont live here anymore - go start a Brooklyn-er and complain about the garbage in your alley.

YOu made enough problems in Aberdeen and the district- all your big ideas and beliefs about what is good for our kids and then leave.....

Thanks for all the long term- big money contracts - thanks for your grandstanding and moving the BOE and teachers further apart- oh, HOW COULD I FORGET - thanks for the new mission and vision statements - our kids dont have technology but we have mission and vision statements ......

Aberdeener said...

Frank Pallone is projected to win the race.

Anonymous said...

Anon., 6:29, Are you saying women who are raped should be forced to deal with the aftermath of that violent act? Are you saying children who are sexually molested/raped should either keep the baby or give it up for adoption? I just read an article referring to a South American 10 year old little girl who became pregnant. Babies having babies, oh please.

I'm sorry but as a woman who is not only childbearing age but has children I disagree. If a woman's life is in danger, is it better to have her die? I'd rather see all elected officials concentrate their efforts on pedophiles. I'd rather see our children protected from these sick individuals. Lock them up and throw away the key. There is no cure for this sickness. Innocent babies and children are harmed every day.

As stated previously, it is and should remain a personal, private matter. I pray that you never have to make that choice.

Anonymous said...

Who said I don't have children. I have children, several. I could never think of ending the life of one of my children. You have children, you know what it is like to feel life growing inside you. To feel the baby roll and tumble and kick. And as horrible it would be to go through, even if raped, that child would still be half me, therefore my child.
I could never live with the pain of ending the life of my own child.

Anonymous said...

Nor would I abort my child because it had down syndrome of any other birth defect. I was in that age range, higher risk, when my kids were born. Stop thinking all women think alike. That is your first mistake.
None of this changes the fact that abortion is ending a human life.

Anonymous said...

YES!!!! It's moral absolutes or nothing for me!!! My simple mind has no time to contemplate gray areas of morality!!!

Baby equals good!

Even a medically necessary procedure equals bad!

No time for gray! Must be black and white!

Obama equals Muslim!

Healthcare exchange equal government death panels!

Fox News tell me!

--Anon @ 11:58 p.m.
(Guuaranteed Tea Partier too)

Good riddance to Mullaney Mendes said...

Great job Matawan. So glad Vic Scudeiris puppets won't be around to push his greedy profit train station property plan. Vic has enough money off of the DMV office fiasco and now he don't have Mendes and Mullaney corruptly protecting the Scudeiri's interests. Now all we need is to help make sure our neighbors in Aberdeen kick Norman Kauff and his corrupt gang out of town hall next year. The guy they selected to head up their train property plan is a convicted felon. That is typical for Kauff and Scudieiri to get into bed with crooks. Too bad Aberdeen did not have an election year this year for their council control. They would have lost soundly this year. Keep it up Aberdeen you deserve better. THe Kauff puppets need to be ousted. As bad as Matawan is we ae very glad we don't have Kauff corruptly controlling things and choking the lifes blood out of the Matawan taxpayers.

Norm said...

I'll keep choking you bitches, until I'm damn well ready to stop. None of you bitches can touch me. As a matter of fact, I'm gonna hire my old buddy Shaft, from Matawan, as my personal bodyguard. He is a mad motherf---er afterall.

Anonymous said...

Annon @12:18, There you go assuming again. Maybe you are the one that is simple minded, especially with your assumptions. I already said I was dem, not a tea partier. Never said Obama was Muslim, he is not, he is Christian, voted for him. Can't stand FOX news. Healthcare does not equal death panels. People should have the right to die with dignity , and that is what that part of the healthcare reform addresses. I've already experienced that reality of life, not that it is any of your business.

No one ever said any of these fates would be easy. But if police and firemen (volunteer firemen), risk their life for me and you, if young military men and women risk and give their lives for me and you, and our children, then I pray that I would give my life for my own child. And not take their life just because they might not be perfectly formed. I wouldn't do it to my other children.

But call that simple minded if you must. Maybe I'm the one that has given this much thought, and meditated on it. And you're the one that needs to.

Anonymous said...

I noticed that Keyport had on the ballot a consolidation of Police Admin functions with another municipality. We spend 35% of our municipal budget on police when we have duplicate functions being done in Matawan. We have to explore and institute consolidations here in Aberdeen. We can no longer can afford to spend huge sums of money on Admin functions and must streamline costs.

Anonymous said...

Police consolidation with Matawan was asked before - the answer back was we have chief test they have civil service. What is the difference, can somebody in the know, expand please?

Aberdeener said...

The difference is that Matawan can appoint any qualified individual to the police chief position whereas Aberdeen has to follow the civil service rules.

However, that's not the problem. The problem is that if the two towns merge police departments, the major savings will come through reducing head count.

Neither town has the political will to fire police officers.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Abedeener, how about those election results in NY? What about police in your town? Any room for improvement there?

The New Yorker formerly known as Aberdeener said...

I haven't noticed, I've been too busy monitoring what's happening on the other side of the Outerbridge Crossing to notice what's happening here.

Anonymous said...

I think he misses us!

Anonymous said...

No one said anything about killing challenged children, i.e., Downs Syndrome, etc. Simply put by Voltaire, "though I may not agree with what you say, I will defend your right to say it."

"UNLESS the right to say it is utilized to infringe on another's right to be left peacefully alone," Blackacre.

My position is that women have the right to choose, period, the end!

Anonymous said...

Why, do some women not choose to abort their unborn, when they find out they have down syndrome or other birth defects? Isn't that one reason for amnios? They are "legally" allowed to do so, aren't they? Aren't teens allowed to get abortions without even getting parental consent? Don't women in their forties with children already and an established careers choose to abort, because they are done with having children? Just because something is legal, gosh, slavery used to be legal, doesn't make it right.

From what I've read, and those I spoken to, from doctors I've heard speak after performing abortions, the pain the comes with living with yourself, after having an abortion, or performing one, never goes away.

We need to support these girls and women that are in these positions. We need to provide them with support and resources. We need to continue to allow doctors to refuse to perform abortions based on their moral beliefs. We need to encourage all politicians that are pro-life, rep and dem, to stand firm in their convictions.

And yes, we need to speak out against what is wrong. We need to protect the most vulnerable amongst us, those unable to speak for themselves. We need to be the voice of the unborn, unprotected child.

It is through women that the stature of society will rise.

"Thou shall not kill". Period!

MULLANEY SCUDEIRI AND KAUFF OH MY said...

BAD WEEK FOR BUD MULLANEY????????

FIRST HIS BUSINESS GETS LOCKED FOR TAX PROBLEMS.

NOW HE LOSES AN ELECTION BY 25%.

AND NOW VIC SCUDEIRI HAS TO BRIBE REPUBLICANS TO MAKE A KILLING ON HIS TRAIN STATION PROPERTY.

OH HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN.

BY THE WAY GUESS WHO IS NEXT TO LOSE?

KAUFF YOU AND YOUR SCUM ARE NEXT TO FALL.

COUNT ON IT ALL OF YOU CORRUPT SCUMBAGS.

ALL THE KAUFFKINS SHOULD ENJOY THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS AS IT MAY BE THE LAST ONES ALL OF YOU WILL HAVE BEFORE BEING CONVICTED FELONS.

RIGHT KAUFF?

Anonymous said...

I dont get how a chief test and a civil service test would blockade a merger of forces...

You would have only one chief - one deputy and a few other ranks rathers THAN 2 sets of the above mentioned - saving with $, benefits would be close to 500k....

I dont even think you would have to fire or have less officers - just less at the top - why is this a problem?

Deerfield Dan said...

AND BY THE WAY - Joey- I was surprised I didnt get a smart ass remark from you after my last post -

Before you jumped town you gave Dr. O ANOTHER pay increase and incentives =

Read the APP in Brooklyn? Yesterday spoke how the Gov is going to ADJUST how Supers are paid by school district size and lets jsut say the great Dr. is well over paid for the 3400 kids in our district as per our Gov. aka "the savior"....

Comments on that or more silence?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Warren please do you homework first before you open your mouth.
Matawan police officer with senority cannot not replace and officer in Aberdeen with less senority because they are not civil service.
Read The law first on Civil Service vs the Chief test. By the way have you ever compared Matawan officers pay to someone in the same size town?

Aberdeener said...

Dan,

I notice you and your friends can't get enough of me. Must be love.

Aberdeener said...

Anon 7:52,

Sorry but can't understand what you wrote. I never said anything about an officer from one town replacing an officer in another town or how much the officers make.

Anonymous said...

A previous poster suggested Matawan and Aberdeen Police Departments combine as one to save money.
You have suggested that in previous postings.
How about posting the difference in Aberdeen officer who is a civil service, and a Matawan officer who was appointed by the Chief Test, Maybe residents will understand why it will never happen.

Aberdeener said...

Powers only earns 10K more than Alston - 138K compared to 128K.

The merger would save money by reducing head count, the very reason it won't happen.

I don't understand your point.

KAUFF CME NO MERGER said...

FIRST OFF JOHN POWERS IS CHIEF AND WILL BE CHIEF. AND HE DOES NOT PLAY NICE WITH OTHERS

ALSTON WILL RETIRE AFTER BUCCI AND HIS IDIOTS PAY FOR THEIR ARROGANCE AND IDIOTIC EGOS.

POLITICIANS AND POWER IS THE REASON MATAWAN AND ABERDEEN WILL NEVER THE FACT IS REALLY SIMPLE KAUFF WON'T ALLOW THE MERGE.

KAUFF CAN'T GET THE MATAWAN LEADERSHIP TO DRINK THE KAUFF KOOL-AID AND BEND OVER AND TAKE IT DEEP LIKE MAYOR FREDDY AND THE OTHERS DO.

ALL THAT KAUFF HAS TO DO TO MAKE HIS MONEY IS MAKE SURE HE KEEPS THE ABERDEEN CORRUPTION AND CME GRAVY TRAIN MOVING $$$ TO NORM.

SO IT WON'T HAPPEN TO SAVE $$$$.

ITS ALL ABOUT KAUFF, CME AND THE BIG $$$$$$ THAT THEY ALL FEED OFF OF THE ABERDEEN TAXPAYER $$$$ SO MERGE THEY WILL NOT EVER DO.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CORRUPT CME $$$$

RIGHT NORM?

RIGHT DAVE SAMUELES?

Joey answer Dan's question said...

AND BY THE WAY - Joey- I was surprised I didnt get a smart ass remark from you after my last post -

Before you jumped town you gave Dr. O ANOTHER pay increase and incentives =

Read the APP in Brooklyn? Yesterday spoke how the Gov is going to ADJUST how Supers are paid by school district size and lets jsut say the great Dr. is well over paid for the 3400 kids in our district as per our Gov. aka "the savior"....

Comments on that or more silence?

Aberdeener said...

We never gave O'Malley "another" pay increase. Dan's just a malcontent.

Does that answer your question?

Anonymous said...

Why would you want to merge with Matawan and take on the problems that they have. The best way to merge Police Departments is to fire all the Matawan Police and then rehire under a new Aberdeen Contract, the same way that Keyport wants Aberdeen to take over its Police Department. My only question is if Aberdeen cannot make money on this then why would anyone want it. Matawan is near bankruptcy so they want to do anyhting to help its own residents, but they will as they have done in the past just turn around and stab Aberdeen in the back. I guess Aberdeen must be doing something right if two towns want the Aberdeen Police Dept. to take them over, we must be some roll model. Good job Powers

anonymous by choice said...

Do not kid yourself Mr. Kauff won't allow Aberdeen to merge. Matawan does not have any property to illegally and corruptly control, manipulate and make millions off of other than the train station area. Mr. Kauff is well known to illegally and corruptly control Aberdeen. We Matawan residents have enough trouble with Mayor B. who only talks a good game but there is no substance there.

Matawan needs major help and the latest election gives some positive change with two women to give their unique insight and perspective. I guess Kevin Mendes can now go back to being the parking lot monitor for his big money benefactor that never saw a tax dollar he did not like. Good luck ladies.

Anonymous said...

Pay has nothing to do with it. You cannot bump A officer who passed a civil service test with an officer who took the so called Chief test. Do your homework....

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

You keep insisting I'm wrong but refuse to tell me what I said that's wrong. Is it a secret? :)

Chief Shaft said...

Norm is gonna put me in charge of both departments. Wait until you see how I design the new patrol cars.

Anonymous said...

That is the problem Civil Service and Chief Test. It doesn't make the officers any less on either side. They all go through the same training and experience the same type of calls in both towns. They both make about the same in salary. If the towns would merge it would only take an approval from civil service to adopt Matawan as civil service. Do you really think the state would say No if there was a merger attempt by 2 towns. I think not. Then the officers would be put into seniority by there hiring dates. The only reason this is talked about is due to Aberdeen being the only town that currently has a Chief of police right now. Not because they are any better then any other department. Don't take that in the wrong way. Officers are excellent and capable from Aberdeen, Keyport, and Matawan. If they are going to do it stop talking and do it. It should also be done with no layoffs, there are enough people without jobs in this economy.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of the Train Station, it was Aberdeen's Developer and the Democrats of Aberdeen who stabbed Matawan in the back. Get your story straight before making statements. It was Aberdeen's developer who stopped any progress on the Matawan Train Station with his frivilous lawsuit. Not only did it hurt Matawan's progress but also Aberdeen. Another Scuderi blunder? He doesn't live in Aberdeen or Matawan, he just invested heavily in Matawan's politics.

Aberdeener said...

The developer's suit was obviously with Aberdeen's blessing. Otherwise, they would never have reappointed the convicted felon for leading the train station development.

Anonymous said...

U.S. House of Representatives 6th District
212/212 100.00%
Under Votes 821
Over Votes 0

Vote Count Percent
REP - Anna C. LITTLE 40,367 51.47%
DEM - Frank PALLONE, JR. 36,827 46.96%
- Karen Anne ZALETEL 534 0.68%
- Jack FREUDENHEIM 634 0.81%
Write-In 59 0.08%
Total 78,421 100.00%



If thought Pallone was winner, am I wrong? Did Little win?

Anonymous said...

Vic Scudeiri owns a significant amount of property surrounding the train station and is part of the developmental area in Matawan. Get that straight.

Aberdeener said...

Anon 4:01,

The congressional district crosses county lines. You're only looking at Monmouth County's tallies.

Pallone won.

We know about Vic and Normie said...

Scudeiri owns property by the train station?

Next thing you'll tell me that Kauff owns property off of 516 that he wants the county to buy for big $$$.

Then you'll try to tell me that Kauff has been protecting the interests of fat kat donators to his campaign who can't get anyone ot develop that property for years now.

Geez the things people will say.

Right Normie?

The truth hurts right Vic? Right Normie?

Surprise! Normie and Vic do own the property above.

Scuideri said...

Damn right he did. That's what you get for running some crazy ass tea bagger.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Pallone vs Little results, check out the #s from Union County (Congressional District 6 covers the City of Plainfield only).

House Of Representatives-6th
34/34 100.00%
Under Votes 175
Over Votes 0

Vote Count Percent
Dem - Frank PALLONE, Jr. 7,950 91.42%
Rep - Anna C. LITTLE 667 7.67%
Non - Jack FREUDENHEIM 52 0.60%
Non - Karen Anne ZALETEL 24 0.28%
Personal Choice 3 0.03%
Total 8,696 100.00%

What did Frankie do to get that kind of turnout?

Norm said...

I did that

Anonymous said...

Holy Cow..women have the right the vote?? Jesus, when did that happen?

Anonymous said...

PLEASE, stop blaming Mayor Buccellato for everything wrong in Matawan. The problem began when Mullany, Mendes and Aufsesser were running the Council, along with Scuderi. All they did was spend, spend, spend. The current Mayor was a Councilman at the time. He and he alone warned them not to put Matawan in debt. Did they listen? NOOOOO!

Now Mayor Buccelatto and the current Council are left to get us out of the financial crisis Matawan is facing. BTW, the Mayor doesn't vote unless there is a tie. So how can you say he talks a good game but does nothing. His powers are limited. I'll tell you one thing, he is one of the most devoted Mayors Matawan has every had. He is always at Community affairs and truly cares for Matawan. BTW, he has nothing to gain from his position as Mayor. Give this Council a chance to get Matawan back on its financial feet.

Mendes and Mullaney should not hold political office in Matawan. They have their own agendas and it isn't to benefit Matawan. With all the shennigans they pulled when in office who would trust them? Well not me! Remember who voted against the Girls softball field...that's right Mullaney and company. Remember who voted to spend money on soil testing at Gravelly Brook Park...that's right Mullaney and company. Remember the Main Street Report that Aufsesser and Mullaney hid from the rest of the Council and public? I could go on and on but Matawan right now needs to keep the current Council and let them straighten out the mess. I wouldn't trust the same people (Democatic party) who put us into this financial diaster to get us out of it. Would you?

Shaft said...

You bitches can't run a lemonade stand.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.