This is becoming a pattern. First the Governor changed the message of the Bergen County races when he tried to scrap the Blue Laws. That effort died a painful death, but not before it created a skirmish between Dennis Mcnerney and his opponent in the County Executive race, Kathleen Donovan who wouldn't challenge Christie on his plans and tried to split the difference saying the voters should make the call.
Calling it a "major benefit for Bergen County taxpayers," Kathe Donovan, Republican candidate for Bergen County executive, applauded a governor's commission proposal to dismantle the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
Well there are a few problems that the McNerney campaign pointed out, including the fact that she came out in support of a plan she didn't even see basing her response on a newspaper article:
Last night, Kathleen Donovan jumped in line behind Governor Christie and sold out Bergen County again. In fact, she signed on to support the Governor's latest crippling plan for Bergen without even seeing it. This plan is nothing more than a government bailout at the expense of Bergen County taxpayers. The fact that Miss Donovan would support a plan she has never seen that is potentially devastating to the county because of a newspaper report is disturbing. Unfortunately, this disinterest in details at the expense of Bergen residents has been commonplace for Miss Donovan.
To be fair, she did say the Xanadu proposal might require further review although she nearly came out in support of that too:
"Before any state support is committed to this project we should be fully aware of the public's risk," she said. "However, the potential for construction and full time employment should make this project's ultimate success a top priority."
Maybe that means she'll actually read the commission report before deciding to jump on the Christie bus.
Let's start with the recent Supreme's ruling on "honest services". I'm not a lawyer and can't pass any legal judgment on what this ruling actually means for many of the NJ pols caught in the web created by this federal law. But apparently, this past Friday was Joe Ferriero's birthday and some Bergen County "worker bees" thought the court ruling was a great gift for their Chairman. Hence Mr. Ferriero's "Wall" on his facebook page which is available for anyone to see - even if you're not a "friend" to the former Democratic Chair. A few Ferriero minions, and current employees took time to wish "their Chairman" a happy birthday and to celebrate their joy and implicit hope that he will soon be back! They were almost giddy in their excitement. Folks like a former Freeholder, a relative of a County Prosecutor, a young employee slated for future promotion, etc. How disappointing. The legality of Mr. Ferriero's situation will soon be sorted by the judicial system. But why do so many think that the kind of behavior evidenced by Mr. Ferriero should be celebrated? He and Dennis Oury hid their ownership of a grant consulting company hired by several Bergen communities over which they had an undue influence. Actions which caused embarrassment (and legal expenses) to some of the elected officials in those towns and certainly to our party. A cause for celebration? Certainly for him on a personal basis, but for government and for our party....certainly not!
More News To Make You Feel Sick. Family planning funds! I assume that by now most of you know that the Governor removed every penny of the $7.5 million dollars used to provide health services to uninsured and underinsured women in our state. Outrageous! Along with several of my democratic women colleagues in both the Assembly and the Senate, we've been fighting to get these dollars restored. Look back to Thursday's Assembly Budget Committee hearing on our supplemental bill. Assemblywoman Linda Stender and I appeared along with several advocates and professionals from the family planning centers. There sat Assemblyman and Republican State Chair, Jay Webber! In response to testimony on how many unintended pregnancies are avoided through services provided by these agencies, (yep, that means birth control) Republican State Chair Jay Webber went on to say how offended he was about reducing the cost of children who could have been been born had these families not avoided pregnancy. Children important to our future. This is the second decade of the 21st Century and I was sitting there in my "mature" years arguing about uninsured women's right to practice birth control! An issue that was fought and won early in the last century. Outrageous indeed!! In watching the clip of my "exchange" with the Republican State Chair, my anger is evident, but not nearly as evident as what I felt. Where are the good Republican women (and some of the great guys who sit alongside them)? They must speak out against moving women back to a time when they had so little control over their reproductive lives. This is not about abortion. It is about access to birth control.
And then there was the clip of the Governor on 101.5 being questioned by Eric Scott about women's health services as he protested several times "this has nothing to do with mammograms" or with women's health. HIV testing, breast exams, birth control, pap smears, pre-natal exams, and pregnancy counseling has nothing to do with women's health? How insulting. He went on to argue that he supposed these funds were "not important" or they would have been reinstated. What crass treatment of the women of New Jersey. We will be fighting this today during our Senate and Assembly sessions. I am confident we will have the necessary votes to move the bill. However, without the help of Republican women, we will not have the votes to override a possible veto by the Governor. The bill makes it clear that the money cannot and will not be used for abortion services, and it provides a clear funding source without addition to the bottom line of the budget. Maybe the Governor will hear from enough women across the state so he will join us in recognizing that these programs are not Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal programs. They are about Women's Health!
And so today is the time when we stand up for our core ideals and vote on a Republican constructed budget which cuts taxes for millionaires and increases taxes for low income workers in New Jersey. A budget which makes New Jersey one of only 5 or 6 states that does not fund family planning centers. A budget which cuts school and municipal aide by hundreds of millions of dollars, increases the cost of commuting on our buses and rails, does away with senior property tax rebates, and increases a myriad of fees. Enough to make all of us sick.
One bright spot of the week was Saturday night's elegant Garden State Equality Dinner. Great to watch Senators Nia Gill, Ray Lesniak and former Senator Bill Baroni being inducted into the Garden State Hall of Fame. Even sweeter joining Senator Frank Lautenberg on stage as he received the "Loretta Weinberg Lifetime Achievement Award" (that was a shameless commercial) and announced to the 600 folks in the audience that the Docs said his cancer was in remission. Hooray, and may he continue his outstanding service for many more years to come!
Following the logic of Kathy Donovan, candidate for Bergen County executive can give you a headache. First, she was challenged by Dennis McNerney to oppose the Governor letting the millionaire's tax expire. Instead of joining in that call, she called it "populist rhetoric":
He still believes that taxing residents is the answer to everything. And he doesn't undderstand that placing undue burdens on any one element of society ultimately forces greater burdens on everyone else."Taxes in New Jersey are confiscaory. Taxpayers who can are voting with their feet, and moving elewhere, leaving the burden to those who remain. Mr. McNerney's populist rhetoric is totally transparent.
That's right, asking millionaires to help while everyone else is feeling more pain by the day is just populist rhetoric. But while she says we should lay off the millionaires, she's scrambling to find any way but scrapping the blue laws to raise money and is looking toward the billionaires:
"New Jersey taxpayers and not billionaire team owners from New York should be the beneficiaries of this windfall," Donovan wrote in a letter to Christie. "You have asked all taxpayers, homeowners, teachers, public employees, boards of education, municipalities and others to sacrifice. Shouldn't the Jets and Giants be included? "
I wonder how Donovan drew the line that millionaires shouldn't be included with her request of the Jets and Giants to share the burden? I guess the billionaires aren't populist rhetoric and it's wrong to tax the rich, unless they're really really rich. You would think McNerney would continue to drive these issues relentlessly throughout the campaign.
"Kathleen Donovan has been a politician for three decades, so she should know the ramifications mass transit fare hikes and massive education funding cuts will have for Bergen County taxpayers and their children," McNerney said. "Ms. Donovan should join me in asking the Governor to reconsider his tax cut for the rich before they decide to make Bergen County's middle class balance the state's checkbook."
Instead of asking the Governor to reconsider, she said placing undo burdens on some people hurts everyone. She wasn't willing to stand up to her Governor, but the latest Christie proposal to get rid of the Blue Laws that keep businesses closed on Sundays in order to get the tax revenues has invaded the County Executive talk:
"Clearly, this is an issue that should and will be left to the voters," said Donovan, who has said she would vote against the repeal. Donovan has also noted that the courts have upheld a local Paramus ordinance prohibiting work of any kind on Sundays.
That response didn't end the issue as McNerney pressed further calling on Donovan to join him in demanding the removal of the proposal from the Governors budget altogether. The Blue Laws don't necessarily break down along party lines and while they don't make sense to many outside of Bergen County, there has always been a fight to get rid of them in the past. How much will Donovan stand up to her Governor in order to fight his plan? No doubt the Democrats will take every opportunity to raise the issue and make her stand up further than saying there should be a referendum. The Bergen County Republicans viewed this seat as an opportunity opportunity for a pickup, but Democrats have speculated the tide is turning as the Governor adds some extra hurdles in the race.
Say what you want about former BCDO Chairman Joe Ferriero, but he knew how to rack up Democratic wins in Bergen County. As for his successor, Michael Kasparian, 2009 didn't look too good but let's not give him all of the blame for the loss of two freeholder seats and a near draw between Christie and Corzine in the backyard of the very popular Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate. After all, he did have to come in on the heels of a cloud of corruption and it didn't go away (probably still hasn't). That being said, Kasparian did say that he was not going to be the same type of leader as Ferriero and would have more transparency in the BCDO. I assume he also had a goal of restoring the tarnished image of the BCDO.
Which makes the information I have been hearing that much more puzzling as well as maddening.
Now, knowing that Scott Garrett is by far one of the most out of step Congressmen, tucked safely in a district that is hand drawn for a Republican to hold on the Congressional level and the desire for the Bergen Democrats to lay as low as possible, I can understand a level of concern, given the county and statewide election results last November. But I have heard from at least four different people in four different parts of the county who have spoken to three very well known and high profile people high up in the BCDO - all of whom have indicated the chosen strategy of the BCDO (and I am paraphrasing):
We think it would be best to not run a challenger to Scott Garrett in the hopes that Republican voter turnout will be depressed and our local candidates will have a better chance of winning
Where to even begin here? How about the following reasons why this is quite possibly the absolute dumbest and worst political strategy I have seen in a good long time:
Republicans are more motivated this year than in the past 6 years. To think that they won't be coming out stronger and hope they will forget there is an election is fantasyspeak;
Having no Congressional candidate will not "free up motivated volunteers" to help with, for example, Freeholder, County Executive, County Sherriff or other lower tier races - local races where quite frankly, most people don't know or care enough to get involved;
Voter turnout in an off year (i.e., non-Presidential) is low as is - without giving the base a real reason to vote - and voting just for downticket races is hardly reason enough to get the full base out to vote - will only depress Democratic turnout further;
Sending a signal that you don't even want to field a top of the ticket candidate is a message of fear - a losing message. This will likely (1) depress the base vote further, (2) depress the motivated activists who would otherwise vote for an entire ticket, tell their friends and neighbors to do the same, volunteer and talk up the race and (3) create a backlash and resentment among those who know the damage that Scott Garrett does to the people of this district; and
Give the impression that an attempt to save their own personal political lives is more important than helping those constituents who they hope will elect (or re-elect) them to serve.
What message does it send to me - a motivated activist who has spent the better part of my four years living in New Jersey working to oust Garrett? That I should not only suck it up and let Garrett walk to a win - even if he ends up embroiled in his own horrific scandal - but I should also be a sport and team player and have all of my friends and neighbors come out and vote for downticket candidates because why?
And I know that there are hundreds of people like me - people who can get hundreds more to vote for a whole slate of Democrats. What the Bergen Democrats don't realize, just like the New Jersey Democrats who don't understand Garden State Equality's stance on not donating to the Democratic Party as a whole, is that our votes, our time and our money is earned.
By not running a Congressional candidate, the Bergen Democrats are doing none of the above - and they will only lose by a larger margin than if they had a Congressional candidate.
Wow. What an election. The Statehouse. The Freeholder Boards. The Borough Halls. Across the State and across the board, Democrats lost big at the ballot box as New Jerseyans voted overwhelmingly for change.
This is particularly true here in Bergen County, where we Democrats are still trying to make sense of it all. Why did it happen? What are the implications? What should we do next?
John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace have been all over the 40th District campaigning to bring real world values to the State Assembly. From Ringwood to Verona, Mahwah to Wayne, they have proven that they are the leaders we need to bring reform and accountability to the Legislature.
But they still need your help.
In the next 48 hours, we need to get our voters to the polls so John and Mark can finish this campaign strong. Please call me at our campaign headquarters, (201) 857-2539, to make phone calls and get out the vote on Election Day.
This campaign is too important to sit on the sidelines. John and Mark will bring a new perspective to the State Assembly; common sense solutions to issues like public safety, education, and property taxes. They have the real world experience our legislature so badly needs.
If you need to find your polling location, click here, or if you have any issues voting please call 877-344-VOTE.
From the entire campaign, we thank all of our supporters. We could not have run this campaign without you.
Joe Ferriero has been on the stand defending himself at his trial and when pressed on using his influence to help get business, here was the exchange that took place:
Honig suggested that Ferriero set up a new business where he would recommend municipalities to pursue for business and use his "influence" to help get the grants get passed.
"By me having relationships," Ferriero asserted, backing away from the word "influence."
"Influence - that's your word," Honig said, referring to an e-mail between Ferriero and David Spatz, who eventually was hired by GGC to write grant applications.
"It's not a bad thing," Ferriero responded.
That's right, influence itself is not a bad thing. It's how you use that influence that determines whether there are problems. The defense rested their case today and the jury is scheduled to begin deliberations on Monday.
As we reach the last month of the campaign things are starting to heat up. We have been canvassing towns from Mahwah to Wayne and Verona to Wanaque - spreading our message of real world experience and accountable representation. A few weeks ago the fine Senator from the 37th District and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Loretta Weinberg even came into Little Falls to help us raise money. We hope to be working with her from Day One to bring effective leadership to the 40th District.
Matt's thoughts on redistricting - - promoted from the diaries by Rosi
I don't know what anyone else in the Blue Jersey community thinks, but I know nothing aggravates me more in New Jersey politics than the configuration of our current Congressional and Legislative Districts. If one were to GoogleIncumbent Protection Plan - New Jersey should be at the top of the list. Democrats and Republicans share the blame on this matter. Legislators cut deals all over the State to make their districts safer - and we should not let that happen again in 2010.
Competitive elections are the bedrock of effective and accountable representation. We need more "toss up" Senate and Assembly races up and down the State so that legislators are governing and serving the best interests of their constituents, and not best interests of corporate lobbyists and political insiders. I will address the political implications that will arise (for example 2 incumbent Senators from varying or like parties falling in the same district), but will not make political circumstances the basis for my analysis.
So in the interest of creating a more effective, and more importantly, more democratic, State Legislature, I am going to propose hypothetical legislative districts. My formula will be simple: New Jersey's population is approximately 8,682,661 people; therefore, each district should have roughly 217,067 people in them. Secondly, I will make every effort to keep municipalities together within a County - it makes sense from a logical and logistical standpoint. Finally, I will not breakup any cities or towns into separate districts. Democrats effectively broke up Newark and Jersey City during the last go round, and even though my party benefited from it, I still think it is wrong.
Some other notable points in how I will come about developing a hypothetical district: I will make every attempt to keep like communities together. For example, my hometown of Wanaque shares a regional high school with neighboring Ringwood; as such, there is no reason why we shouldn't share our State Senator and Assembly members. I will make every attempt to make as many districts as possible competitive and will only be looking at Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties in a vacuum-I don't know enough about local politics and municipalities in the other counties, so I wouldn't be able to render a fair assessment like I can for the aforementioned counties. Therefore, I will only be creating hypothetical districts for LD27 through LD40 (while plucking the Passaic towns from LD26 and excluding LD30, which for whatever reason is listed with North Jersey legislative districts).
Attorney Dennis Oury says his failure to tell his accountant about $25,000 he received from a grant consulting business is like the "innocent oversight" cited by former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie in neglecting to report interest income from a loan to a colleague.
Without mentioning the Republican gubernatorial candidate by name, Oury's defense lawyer, Gerald Krovatin, alluded to him in court papers seeking to strike certain language from a revised indictment as irrelevant to the crimes charged, and prejudicial to Oury.
Here's what they want changed and their justification for the motion:
Oury is seeking to strike language from four new counts, added in July, alleging willful failure to file tax returns for the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The passages in question allege that from 2004 through 2007, Oury "concealed" from his personal accountant $25,000 he received from GGC in 2004 and only after he became aware of the grand jury probe in 2008 did he instruct his accountant to include that income.
Krovatin said Oury's memory was jogged by the investigation and, in an apparent reference to Christie, described the lapse as an oversight, "similar to an innocent 'oversight' of interest income from a personal loan to a colleague or friend."
Prosecutors opposed the motion made by Oury's team. I didn't think it was an oversight for Christie and I don't think it's one for Oury either. But it's certainly an interesting legal argument that keeps the Christie loan story in the news.
Earlier this week our campaign called for 6 debates , but I wanted to reiterate how important I think political debates are to the electoral process, and democracy in general. Career politician and Trenton Insider Scott Rumana refused to debate his opponents during the contested Republican primary and this is simply unacceptable. What is he doing to help the many families of the 40th District who are being affected by these difficult economic times? How is his Legislation improving the lives of his 40th District constituents and what he plans on doing if he gets reelected in November? Its time for Rumana to explain to his constituents why he should continue to represent them at a salary of $49,000 per year.
What is his plan for to help 40th District families that are struggling with out of control property taxes? How is he going to help bring money back to the 40th District for education and transportation improvements? Rumana and David Russo do not even have a campaign website-they both have been elected officials for the last 2 decades-a fact that is simply unacceptable.
We have been making a concerted effort in our campaign to use new mediums to reach voters to keep them up-to-date with where John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace stand on the issues, but also what they are doing day-to-day on the campaign trail. The next step in the process is the launching of our campaign website, www.40thDistrict.com. This website will serve as the launching point for our online operation and a resource where 40th District voters can learn about John and Mark and their history of community service and where they stand on the important issues facing their everyday lives.
However, the campaign has been on the Internet for some time now, most notably our Facebook Group which has been growing in numbers everyday. This is a place where you directly interact with the candidates (Mark often posts on the wall) and stay informed about campaign events, such as our Campaign Headquarters' Grand Opening on July 23rd at 7:30 pm. Already a member? That is great, I hope you will invite all of your friends to join the group. This is one small, generally easy task you could all do to help the campaign.
Is Facebook not your cup of tea? Then please follow John and Mark on Twitter, they update daily, usually while they are walking from house to house throughout the 40th District. Have your friends follow @40thDistrict to grow our numbers and spread our message of real world values and practical solutions for 40th District families.
I wanted to personally invite everyone in the Blue Jersey Community to the grand opening of our campaign headquarters on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:30 pm at 27 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ Suite 2A. Opening this office is the first step to truly challenging Trenton insiders Scott Rumana and Dave Russo for their failure to 40th District residents.
Our campaign will be about the issues facing 40th District families. We will be legislators that work on building consensus and delivering solutions. As President of the Ridgewood Board of Education I worked tirelessly to build consensus among the Board and I will do this as a State Assemblyman.
The slogan "Everybody Loves Loretta!" that Stile coins pretty much captures the spirit here in Bergen.
I know Loretta. I trust her completely. It is nice to see that Al Doblin and Charles Stile see what those of us who witnessed the bruising battle for the soul of Bergen saw firsthand.
There is NO OTHER elected official in the state of NJ, that I have ever met, who even comes close to my Senator in terms of ethics, and standing up for good government as well as delivering legislation that really matters to NJ.
There is simply no contest. If cleaning up NJ politics is important to you, Senator Weinberg is THE most knowledgable and effective elected official we have who knows what we are dealing with, and how to fight for good government - and actually win.
Her efforts to pass the Party Democracy Act have been amazing, and progressive dems all over NJ will benefit. She has broken that glass ceiling for us all - allowing democracy to not just exist in name but actually flourish. People are getting more involved in their government due to the inspiration of Senator Weinberg. I know, because I am one of them.
There are so many people in Bergen county - not just Dems - who vote for Loretta every time. Who else can get over 70% of the vote reliably - nearly every time - the way Loretta always does?
In 2005, Corzine recommended Loretta for Senator even when it angered Boss Joe. I hoped then that he was sincere in wanting corruption cleaned up. If he chooses Loretta as his Lt Gov, he will have made it crystal clear to the voters of Bergen as well as NJ that he really intends to continue his committment to cleaning up corruption in our state.
There are very few legislators in Trenton who even come close to Loretta's experience who also possess her unfailing moral compass and courage in facing down party bosses.
As much as I hate to lose my favorite Senator, I don't mind sharing her with the rest of the state. We are more proud of her than ever. She nearly singlehandedly brought democracy back to Bergen. Something most Dems here had given up hope about long ago. I am not just saying that - I saw her do it with my own eyes.
Even Republicans here respect Loretta. Maybe Loretta's consistent 70% will bring Corzine the edge he needs to win in November. Corzine would be making the smartest possible choice choosing our Senator as Lt. Gov.
This is no TV game show, or airheaded beauty contest, we are talking about the future of our state. Smart government calls for qualified, experienced elected officials.
Choosing Loretta Weinberg for Lt. Gov. is obviously the best choice.
The hot rumor (Wally broke it) that Mayor Cory Booker will endorse Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) for Lieutenant Governor is ramping up the buzz about how the Corzine pick and the Christie pick for their lieutenant governor running mates will shift the race.
Right now, some of that action has shifted to Bergen County. Senator Weinberg, who bucked her own county party leadership in Bergen, would be a progressive choice who would activate Corzine's base. And Booker, a national figure now whose signal he wasn't interested in LG himself boldly telegraphed his own 2013 Drumthwacket intentions, is an obvious major player in the direction this race will take. A potential lightning-rod.
Before Kathleen Donovan's entry into the LG sweepstakes, conversation about the Christie choice centered on Sen. Tom Kean, Junior and Sen. Diane Allen. Donovan, still a dark horse, is an interesting development because she is an electorally-successful Republican who can generate votes in deep-blue Bergen County, where Democrats show up, buthardlyunify.
Donovan was a one-term Assemblywoman who was briefly the GOP state party chair (several months during 1989-1990), one of just a handful of women to run either party. It's not the worst pick Christie could make, given her ability to garner votes in the hostile waters of Bergen County. She's on her fourth term as Bergen County Clerk.
Vice President Biden will be in Lodi tomorrow with Governor Corzine and Senator Lautenberg. He will be there to discuss the federal stimulus package and make the public aware of how the money is being spent.
"There are literally hundreds of these visits brought on by the stimulus program," Corzine said. "This is about jobs. It's about building schools, environmental projects. People should expect there to be many many more."
But the Governor didn't want to hear anything about the visit being political:
Corzine shrugged off the suggestion that the vice president's visit may benefit him in his bid for re-election, saying that Biden was just in Minnesota to examine how the stimulus money is being spent there.
"I can't emphasize enough. This is about pushing for economic recovery," the governor said.
He may not want to talk about the politics, but it can't hurt to have the Vice President in a popular administration talking about spending projects in a county that is vital to the Governor remaining in that position come the fall. Corzine also said that Biden will help him inaugurate a road project. If you're near Lodi and attend the event, feel free to post photos and a story here on the blog.
Was there something in the water in the Sarlo household. We all know Senator Paul Sarlo keeps busy with all of the hats he wears including the Senate and Mayor of Wood Ridge. His brother Tom Sarlo is a councilman in Little Ferry.
Now apparently their brother, Charles Sarlo is running for Mayor of Washington Township. After 27 years in office, the Republican Mayor resigned following rumors he didn't even live in the town anymore.
They could have a family slogan: The Sarlo's - running North Jersey one town at a time. Each Sarlo covers a different legislative district too. Now that's what I call covering all your bases. We'll have to see whether the Bergen Record pays the same amount of attention to Charles Sarlo as the do Paul.
"The leadership of the Hackensack University Medical Center Board of Governors consulted with the hospital administration and everyone agreed to reverse the decision regarding The Record. We apologize to our patients and our staff for any inconvenience, and we apologize to The Record. We are putting this incident behind us and moving forward."
Maybe they hadn't heard the saying, never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel. I don't see how they even could think the decision to ban the paper would make the problem being reported on go away. Instead of banning the paper for reporting, they should go after the practice that's being criticized. I guess they thought it would be easier to try and attack the messenger. In reality, all they did was draw more attention to the issue.
The captain of the Ridgewood Fire Department is running in the 40th. Thanks for weighing in, Cap. Good to hear what's on your mind. - promoted from diaries by Rosi
A few weeks ago my running mate, John Agostinelli, posted his reasons about why he was running for the Assembly in the 40th District. Now I would like to take some time to introduce myself to the Blue Jersey community and ask for your help to get us elected to represent you in Trenton this November.
I grew up in Ridgewood and except for living in Ringwood for 10 years, have spent my life in Ridgewood. I feel that I have a desirable and unique skill set that is not represented in Trenton- one whose foundation is in the usage of common sense as a basis for all decisions. I think you will agree with me that there is a lack of productive and sometime rational representation in our district, state and country. John and I strongly believe important characteristics for representatives to have are a good work ethic, be a good listener, and possess good moral character. We have spent our lives building just that type of reputation.
I have been a career firefighter for 25 years, rising to the rank of Captain in the Ridgewood Fire Department. I love firefighting as a career. I have learned much about the importance of teamwork and how precious and fragile life can be. On September 13, 2001 as I stood on the remains of the World Trade Center, I took a few seconds from work of the day to look around. Overwhelming emotions welled up inside of me as I came to the realization that I was experiencing a paradox of the absolute worst of humanity and the best of humanity. The impact of that moment is indelibly etched in my mind and lives with me in almost everything I do.
