The Cranbury Conservative

Vote Dan Mulligan For Cranbury Township Committee November 2, 2010

2010-09-15T16:46:00.003-04:00

Vote

Dan Mulligan

For Cranbury Township Committee

November 2, 2010

“Respecting Cranbury’s Past -- Planning for Our Future”

Go to the web site now www.mulliganforcranbury.com

Save Jersey Blog: Christie COAH Task Force Unveils Findings

2010-03-24T07:01:00.001-04:00

I used to pride myself on being first to the punch in the blogosphere with regard to COAH and Affordable Housing news. Well unfortunately that has not been so in recent months as my life has been "busy" to say the least. With that we are lucky enough to have Matt over at the Save Jersey Blog who is keeping up on what I am not about developments.

The most recent post on the SaveJersey Blog concerns Governor Christies COAH Task Force and their findings about the unfair and unjust affordable housing rules and regulations which are plaguing our State.

Overall based on my quick read the report appears to benefit the suburban taxpayers which is at least a thread of good news in what has otherwise been a tough few weeks for tax payers in New Jersey.

Dec 1999 - Dec 2009 New Jersey lost 156,100 Private Sector Jobs and Gained 69,400 Government Jobs

2010-03-23T15:21:00.001-04:00

The Blog @ SaveJersey.com had a great post about the findings of Governor Christies COAH Task force. Withing the report I found what I consider amazing statistic which to me not only helps the argument against New Jerseys affordable housing rules and regulations. This is because the statistics in the report also highlight a point that many of us have been making over the last many years. That point is we have too much government and that is why our State is broke!
Found withing the report:

"The first decade of the 21st century (December, 1999-December, 2009) was completely upside
down. New Jersey lost 156,100 private sector jobs, but at the same time it gained 69,400 government
jobs. So for every government job added, the State lost more than two private-sector jobs. In contrast, in the 1990s, for every government job added, the State gained 22 private sector jobs. This was not a great way to start the new century."

That is a WOW and its not a good WOW for New Jersey!

To break it down this means that for every Government job the State of New Jersey added another two private sector jobs were lost. This is vs. the previous decade when 22 private sector jobs were added for every 1 New Jersey State Government Job which was added.

As you can see we have many more issues to deal with then just affordable housing if we are going to fix the mess that is New Jersey government.

CNN on Health Care Legislation: Longer waits and cost savings for some but not all

2010-03-22T14:31:00.003-04:00

From CNN, not exactly a right leaning network...

Speaker Pelosi thanks New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Rob Andrews for their YES vote for the Health Care Bill

2010-03-22T13:21:00.002-04:00

After the historic passage of the health care bill on the evening of Sunday Marcy 21, 2010 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the time to thank by name several Congressman from New Jersey. Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Rob Andrews.

Here is the entire roll call for New Jersey's Congressional delegation.

Yes
Andrews
Pallone
Pascrell
Rothman
Payne
Holt
Sires

No
Adler
LoBiondo
Smith
Garrett
Lance
Frelinghuysen

Let's all be sure to remember in November these votes.

RUSH HOLT VOTED YES FOR THE HEALTH CARE BILL

2010-03-22T09:11:00.000-04:00

My Congressman from the 12th Congressional District here in New Jersey is Rush Holt and he is one of the members of Congress who voted YES for the health care bill last night.

Based on Congressman Holt’s YES vote for the healthcare bill I truly believe that he has not represented the will of the people who live in legislative district 12 here in New Jersey and has simply catered to a small voting bloc within his party which is not why we sent Congressman Holt to Congress in the first place.

Due to Congressman Rush Holt’s YES vote for the health care legislation I am of the opinion that it is our duty as taxpayers to ensure Congressman Holt is not re-elected in November 2010.

We are fortunate to have 2 potential candidates to take on Congressman Rush Holt here in the 12th legislative district and they are Mike Halfacre and Scott Sipprelle. While I am not sure whether Mr. Halfacre or Mr. Sipprelle will win the nomination to run against Congressman Holt, it is however evident to me we need to support which ever does win.

So let us all remember in November that Rush Holt voted yes in March for the Health Care bill that will not provided better health care, will increase our federal deficits and will cause us the taxpayers of this country to pay more of our hard earned money to the federal government.

My Letter to Congressman Rush Holt asking him to Vote NO for the Healthcare Legislation

2010-03-19T15:13:00.000-04:00

Today I sent one last letter to my Congressman Rush Holt urging him to vote No for the current healthcare legislation and to start over.

Additionally I tried many times to call his office in Washington D.C and received a busy signal. I was able however to reach someone who was very nice and respectful in his West Windsor district office who wrote down my concerns and said she would pass them on to the Congressman.

As I see it whether you agree with this legislation or not a key part of the freedom we have here in our country is our ability to speak freely and to let our concerns be heard. I urge everyone again whether you agree or disagree with this legislation to communicate with your elected officials and to let them know exactly how you feel with regard to this issue or any other which is important to you my fellow taxpayers.

With that here is the brief letter I sent via e-mail today to Congressman Holt...

"Congressman Holt,

I am contacting you today to urge you to vote NO for the healthcare legislation currently under discussion in Congress.

This bill is not what we the taxpayers of New Jersey and of America considers reform Congressman.

True reform would be to simply embrace some basic principles of the free market by opening up competition in the insurance industry which in and of itself would lower health care insurance rates across the board for Americans.

This bloated legislation is also misleading because we the taxpayers of this country will fund this legislation with taxes for four (4) years before this new entitlement is even available to the taxpayer’s sir.

Because of this simple fact this legislation will not reduce deficits and will ultimately lead to higher health care costs, greater budget deficits for our country and higher taxes for those of us that are already over taxed.

Because Congressman Holt I fall into the percentage of taxpayers who already pay the majority of taxes in the country and we the over taxed can no longer carry the burden of legislation which is nothing more than an attempt to cater to a one small voting bloc in your district while disregarding the true intent of all the tax payers of your legislative district.

Once again Congressman Holt I urge you to vote NO and to advocate for Congress to start over with this legislation in a much smaller focused fashion which will benefit all of the taxpayers of Legislative District 12, the State of New Jersey and our great country the United State of America.

Respectfully

Dan Mulligan "

Cranbury Proposed State Aid and Education Cuts

2010-03-18T23:34:00.000-04:00

Shared Sacrifice...

Cranbury Township

$610,227 State Aid 2009 2010

$468,633 Proposed State Aid 2010-2011

- $141,594 Cut

- 23.2% Percent cut

The proposed statewide 2010-2011 municipal aid cuts total $275,508,631, a reduction of 17.4%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

2010-2011 Proposed Education Cuts

County MIDDLESEX

District Name CRANBURY TWP

2009-2010 State Aid $769,042

2010-2011 State Aid $0

Aid Cut -$769,042

Percent Cut - 100.0

District Budget $17,625,834

State Aid Cut as Percent of District Budget -4.4

Goodwin vs Wright to fill Bill Baroni's Seat Tonight...

2010-03-11T12:39:00.000-05:00

Tonight we will find out who will be challenging Linda Greenstein in November to fill Sen. Bill Baroni's seat for State Legislative District 14. District 14 is comprised of the following communities in both Middlesex and Mercer counties Cranbury, Hamilton, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, South Brunswick and West Windsor.

The vote should be interesting to say the least since it will be in my opinion a statement on the Republican party in district 14 to see if they can come together and work together to retain Senator Baroni's seat in 2010. Unlike last year when Mercer County decided to not work with Middlesex County by taking both nominations for the State Legislature and leaving Brian Hackett out as the candidate from Middlesex County which contradicted the prior practice of one nominee from each county on the ticket. Which then ultimately lead to the re-election of Assembly Women Greenstein and Assemblyman DeAngelo.

The future of the district all happens tonight @ La Villa Ristorante in Hamilton, which by the way is not neutral ground for both opponents and favors Mr. Goodwin as it will be on his home turf which should dramatically increase his turnout. However I am hearing Barabra Wright has done a very good job at rallying support for her candidacy and may just edge Mr. Goodwin out by a few votes. To say the least it will be interesting.

State Senator Baroni Stepping Down...

2010-02-19T15:56:00.001-05:00

It's funny I was just thinking of how I have not blogged in a while and that I should get back to it. Well then moments later the news crosses the wire that State Senator Bill Baroni (the state senator of my district) is stepping down.

While it will be a great move for Senator Baroni and for the State as a whole since I believe he can and will do a great job in his new position. It will however leave a major void in the 14th legislative district here in New Jersey.

At this point I am not sure who will run to fill Senator Baroni's seat, however if I had to handicap who will be running on the Democratic ticket then I persoally think we have no farther to look then State Assembly Women Linda Greenstein.

I guess we will know however soon enough just how this one will play out.

Senate bill would kill COAH, bring back RCAs

2010-01-29T13:01:00.007-05:00

A good article by our local reporter Maria Prato-Gaines from the Cranbury Press about proposed legislation which would help change the affordable housing rules and regulations in a positive way for everyone in New Jersey...

STATE: Senate bill would kill COAH, bring back RCAs
Lesniak plans hearing on Monday, committee vote in March
Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:22 PM EST

By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

Legislation that could bring back a tool that both Cranbury and Monroe have used to meet their affordable housing obligations without having to build their own housing is schedule for a hearing in the state Senate on Monday.

More:
http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2010/01/29/topstory/doc4b620d9b0e597185525672.txt

Cranbury Press Letter to the Editor: Community garden has bipartisan support

2010-01-29T11:22:00.000-05:00

Below is the letter I wrote which was published today in the Cranbury Press...

LETTERS: Community garden has bipartisan support
Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:06 PM EST

Recently I wrote a letter that was critical of our Township Committee for not working together in a bipartisan manner during its annual reorganization.

I am writing this letter today, however, because I would like to now report a bit of good news as our committee has on another issue worked together in what I would call a bipartisan manner.

More...

http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2010/01/29/cranbury_press/your_views/doc4b620a03ad297852352356.txt

COAH / Affordable Housing News

2010-01-26T23:16:00.000-05:00

Senator's bill proposes putting end to COAH
Greater Media Newspapers
BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer Abill that would abolish the state Council on Affordable Housing(COAH) has been introduced in the state Senate as S-1. ...

Aberdeen, Matawan revisit plans for transit village
Holmdel Independent
... will also provide for qualified affordable housing within the revised plan that meets requirements of the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). ...

Twp. to rezone former industrial site for senior housing
Holmdel Independent
... Plan Element and Fair Share Plan portion of the township's master plan and substantive rules of theNew Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). ...

COAH / Affordable Housing News

2010-01-14T07:35:00.000-05:00

Affordable Housing Plan Acknowledges Borough Build-out, Looks Ahead
Town Topics
Additionally, the state's Council of Affordable Housing (COAH) regulations state that any proposals must first be approved by the state before the Borough ...

Sandham facing 'many tough decisions'
NorthJersey.com
We will complete our review of our Master Plan in 2010 with particular attention to the Highlands Act and COAH and any potential changes that may develop ...

Mayor makes a 'radical' move to furlough employees
NorthJersey.com
"COAH is forcing housing in areas that are not suitable for development and it has been a failure for 20 years," Sceusi said. "What people don't see are the ...

Holmdel embarks on ambitious new year
Greater Media Newspapers
“We are also diligently working on our Council on Affordable Housing [COAH] program to protect the township from any developers' lawsuits, while preserving ...

And We Thought the Ball was Juiced...

2010-01-11T16:45:00.000-05:00

It is being reported that Mark McGwire has admitted to using steroids. I have to say this report makes me none to happy.

I say this because I have been a very big baseball fan my entire life and through my years of watching baseball we have seen the Home Run totals go up and go down. However since right about 1987 we all became failure with the saying the "Ball must be Juiced" when ever home run totals shot up in a given year. 1987 stands out in my head in particular because that is the year that Mark McGwire as a rookie hit 49 homes runs, which at that time was a very high home run total.

Throughout the years baseball pundits have tried to explain why home run totals have risen. I remember hearing first that expansion had watered down the pitching so much that pithers that would have been in AAA ball years ago were now pitching in the big leagues. Then we had the debate about the switch from horsehide to cowhide as that had to be the answer to the rapidly rising home run totals. Finally one last argument I remember about why baseballs were flying out of ball parks at such a high rate was because of where the balls were being manufactured and how they were being wound tighter which lead to a "Juiced Ball".

I have to admint I bought into many of these theories and in retrospect I am not sure it was because I was naive or if it was becasue I just did not want to believe that game which I loved so much could be tarnished by people cheating.

To make matters worse as I look back the cheating was not even in an effort to nessecarly win, since it all appears to be for what else, MONEY!!!

So we are left with us the fans who love the game called baseball asking if the players love it too as much as we do?

Because the one thing I know for sure now is the ball was not juiced, it was the players.

How a Bill Becomes a Law or the way it is supposed to...

2010-01-11T07:01:00.000-05:00

I do remember a simpler time when legislation included the people and was for the people. Things seem to be moving a little bit faster these days. Maybe this clip from School House Rock will remind our elected leaders in Washington?

Washington DC: Three-Ring Government

2010-01-10T07:03:00.000-05:00

Yeap school house rock does it once again, Washington is a three ring circus....

The Preamble of the United States Constitution

2010-01-09T07:01:00.001-05:00

We live in very interesting times to say the least. Maybe this item from my childhood will help?

Cranbury Press Letter to the Editor: "So much for bipartisanship in Cranbury"

2010-01-08T08:29:00.001-05:00

The Cranbury Press has Printed the following Letter which I sent to the Editor...

Many of us here in Cranbury believe local government is not about political party and is and should be about doing the right thing for our town. With that in mind, I, like the many residents of Cranbury, am looking forward to a new era of bipartisanship in our local government in 2010 as we face challenges from issues such as COAH/the unfair affordable housing rules and regulations, consolidation and other issues that threaten our unique town.

During our town’s annual reorganization of our municipal government, which was held Monday, we were given a glimpse of a not so bipartisan local government, as well as leadership from our state-level government that was bipartisan.

More can be found on the Cranbury Press Web Site...

Good News: Christie Says No To Extraordinary Municipal Aid !!!

2010-01-07T07:02:00.029-05:00

NJ.com is reporting that Governor elect Chris Christie will cut off extraordinary aid funding to municipalities. This past year this funding which was dolled out by the State amounted to over $141.0 million in aid for the large urban areas of New Jersey. Typically these funds went to cities such as Newark, Trenton and Camden to help lower their local tax burden while at the same time increasing the tax burden to suburban taxpayers who have been asked to foot the bill for the mismanagment of these larger municipalities.

This move can be seen as a first good step in brining fiscal responsibility back to the State of New Jersey and may be the beginning of equality for the suburban tax payers of New Jersey.

Of course Governor elect Christie still has a lot work to do when it comes to financial equality for suburban taxpayers as they still face the unfair burdens of previous rulings from the Supreme court of New Jersey for issues such as School Funding (Abbott) and Affordable Housing (Mt Laurel).

This years budget crisis maybe just he answer to once and for all address all of these unfair and unjust issues which face the suburban taxpayers of New Jersey.

URGENT: NJLM Update on Bill's Moving Through the Lame Duck Session of the Legislature in Trenton

2010-01-07T01:04:00.000-05:00

Re: URGENT Action Required - Lame Duck Update

Below is an update from the New Jersey League of Municipalities on bills that have recently moved and some, just introduced that may move rapidly during the next two weeks of the Lame Duck session.

Transportation Issues:
Speed Limits:  Legislation which outlines the criteria municipalities should consider when establishing speed limits has passed the Senate, and stands 2nd reading in the Assembly. The League supports S-1234/A-537 and agrees with the sponsor’s concern for the need for State criteria to assist municipalities in establishing reasonable speed limits within their jurisdictions.

Land Use Issues:
Regulation of Small Wind Energy: Legislation which limits regulation of small wind energy systems by municipalities has been reported out of committee with amendments in both the Senate and Assembly and is schedule for 2nd reading in both houses. The League opposes S-2528/A-3740 as it unnecessarily infringes on local discretion. This bill is scheduled has already passed the Senate and is scheduled for a vote by the Assembly on Thursday. We recommend contacting your Assembly representatives and urge their opposition to this bill. For more on this bill, please see our Dear Mayor letter of December 21.

Preservation, Right to Farm Act
Legislation which allows solar and wind energy generation on preserved farms under certain circumstances and includes solar and wind generation and commercial farms as protected activity under the Right to Farm Act has passed the Senate and stands at 2nd reading in the Assembly.  A-2859/S-1538, takes away any oversight regarding these facilities on farmland away from the local government. While we certainly support efforts to promote solar, wind and other alternative energies, we oppose this legislation and are very concerned with allowing landowners to exercise rights to commercial uses that were already relinquished through the preservation process.

Property Assessments:
A-4313/S-2711: Revises the procedure for reassessment of certain real property and appeal of assessment by certain property taxpayers. The League supports this legislation which was reported out of committee with committee amendments and is scheduled for 2nd reading in the Assembly. S-2711 is awaiting action in the Senate Budget Appropriations Committee.

Local Budget Bill:
Legislation which will require municipalities and local authorities to submit a report of lawsuits to which they are party to before their budget is approved has passed the Senate, and stands at 2nd reading in the Assembly. The League opposes S-2740 as it will impose a further burden on municipal officials during their difficult budget process. That process, over the past several years, has been delayed by uncertain municipal aid, decreasing revenues and increasing mandates.

Safe Haven Issues:
S-184/A-1897 would require the Department of Children and Families to provide Safe Haven information to county and municipal agencies, social service agencies, physicians, pregnancy crisis centers, adoption agencies and colleges and universities. The League supports this legislation which has passed the Senate and received in the Assembly. The bill was reported out of committee and is scheduled for 2nd reading in the Assembly.

Public Contract Issues:
Base and Alternate Bids:  Legislation which provides for base and alternate bids for certain contracts; and requires contract units to specify the bases for determining the lowest responsible bid and criteria for selection of alternate bids, has passed the Assembly and stands at 2nd reading in the Senate. The League opposes A-3698/S-278 since it is confusing with a convoluted process in need of clarification as to the awarding of alternate bids. We believe awards should be granted on base bids only and it is unnecessary to rank order alternates. Local units should have the flexibility, within the limits of available funds, to make these decisions internally.

Withdrawal of Public Works Contracts:  The League opposes legislation that would permit bids for public works contracts to be withdrawn due to error in certain circumstances; permits contracting units to require financial statement from bidders has passed the Assembly and was held in Senate State Government Committee.  A-2955/S-3135 allows bidders to change their minds and withdraw their bid after the deadline and this will delay the bid award process and ultimately end up costing local taxpayers. We are pleased to report that this bill was considered but not acted upon Monday by the Senate State Government committee.

Public Bodies to fund Outreach and Training: Legislation that would require public bodies to provide funds for outreach and training programs for minority group members and women in connection with certain construction contracts has pass the Senate and been reported out of Assembly committee with amendments and is scheduled for second hearing in the Assembly. The League opposes S-2730/A-4082 as it shifts the responsibility from the private sector to the public sector.

Extends Prevailing Wage to HMFA Loans: The League opposes legislation which would expand the prevailing wage requirements for construction and rehabilitation work performed under New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) loans to non-rental multi-family housing projects has bee reported out of committee with amendments and is scheduled for 2nd reading in the both the Senate and Assembly.

Election Issues:
Non-Partisan Elections: Legislation that will permit non-partisan municipalities to switch the date of their lection to November is poised for approval by the General Assembly on Thursday.  A-351/S-1099 has already been approved the State Senate and now awaits a final vote in the Assembly, which has previously approved the bill, to approve amendments moved in the State Senate.

The League supports this legislation since it is permissive and a potential cost saver for municipalities. These amendments provide that: 1) if a municipality changes to a November election data, 10 years must pass before it could be switched back to May and that an ordinance to switch back to May must be adopted by the municipality’s governing body; and 2) if a runoff election is necessary, the runoff election would occur on the subsequent first Tuesday after the first Monday in December and any official elected at that election would take office on January 1 next following the election.

Changing the Form of Government: Legislation which would limit a public question on: 1)changing the form of government, 2)division of the municipality into wards or 3)increase/decrease the term of office or number of governing body members to 10 years is scheduled for second hearing by both the Assembly and the Senate. The League opposes A-4264/S-3157 as the existing time limitations are appropriate and a ten year period is too long if a municipality wishes to change.

COAH / Affordable Housing News

2010-01-06T08:42:00.000-05:00

The year in review: Top Millstone stories of 2009
Millstone Examiner
The township created a task force to work on Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) issues in town. The members included township officials and residents, ...

Round three begins
Voorhees Sun
Voorhees was only one of two municipalities in the county to be COAH compliant through the first two rounds. The committee authorized the township planning ...

A mayor's memories
The Moorestown Sun
While he has learned a lot in eight years, he said one issue he still struggles with is COAH. “It is probably the single most complicated issue that we deal ...

A look ahead to 2010
Medford Sun
In addition to the budget challenges, Martin and Brown said they see COAH as being a continuous challenge for Medford in 2010. “We're not against affordable ...

Ridiculous: N.J. Assembly committee approves bill allowing illegal Aliens to pay in-state tuition

2010-01-05T11:54:00.001-05:00

NJ.com is reporting that a New Jersey Assembly Committee has approved a bill to move to the full NJ Assembly which allows illegal aliens to pay in state tuition.

This is one time I do not even need to comment on something on my blog as Assemblyman Richard Merkt summed up this entire situation perfectly with his quote frome the article.

"A kid from South Philly or a kid from the South Bronx, who happens to be a citizen, is going to pay higher tuition than someone who is here from, say, Saudi Arabia, and not here legally," Merkt said. "I don't know how a legislator, who has taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, can say we're going to ignore federal law and provide a subsidy to youngsters who are here in violation of the law."

Thank you Assemblyman Merkt. Now hopefully the rest of the Assembly will ponder what you have said if and when they vote on this ridiculous legislation.

Happy 2010

2010-01-01T01:11:00.003-05:00

May 2010 be better then 2009. Happy New Year to One and All.

President Abraham Lincoln on Freedom...

2009-12-24T13:01:00.000-05:00

I believe that every individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so far as it in no way interferes with any other men's rights.

–Abraham Lincoln