Elections are being held in Aberdeen and Matawan today.
FEDERAL
For US Senate, Cory Booker (D) is up against Jeff Bell (R), Joseph Baratelli (L), plus 4 other candidates.
For US Congress, Frank Pallone, Jr (D) is up against Anthony E Wilkinson (R) and Dorit Goikhman (L)
COUNTY
For Monmouth County Freeholder, Lillian G Burry (R) and Gary J Rich (R) are up against Larry Luttrell (D) and Joe Grillo (D)
SCHOOL BOARD
Aberdeen-Matawan School District offers two board slots for Aberdeen and one for Matawan.
For Aberdeen, Allison Friedman (Bailey Road), Weymouth D Brittingham (Orchard Street) and Todd Larchuk (Ayrmont Lane) are vying for two available seats. Larchuk is an incumbent. The second slot was held by Dennis Daniels, who is not running.
For Matawan, Africa J Nelson (Main Street) is running unopposed. The slot was held by Charles Kenny, who is not running.
QUESTIONS
There are two public questions:
1) There's an effort to amend the state constitution to allow courts to hold offenders without bail if they choose. The current constitution requires judges to offer bail.
2) Another amendment to the state constitution would increase the percentage of business tax revenues dedicated to open space preservation, and air, water and soil conservation.
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Sunday, December 1, 2013
What Next For The Cliffwood Beach Waterfront?
Mayor Fred Tagliarini had a close call in the recent election and wondered aloud on election night whether he needed to do a few things he promised but didn't delivered on, one of those being the Cliffwood Beach Waterfront revitalization. He pointed out that there's no point to fixing up the place if it is going to continue to flood, something I agree with.
Councilman Greg Cannon announced a development project to deal with the flooding of the beach onto Lakeshore Drive by improving drainage and engineering the dunes to withstand storms, things that the township might be able to get state or federal funding for but seem wishful thinking, engineering wise.
The roadway and park are literally immersed in a flood zone and nothing short of a seawall is going to keep out the Raritan Bay. And not for the long term, even with a concrete structure. The tide has been cutting a path towards Greenwood Avenue and regularly floods the woods behind the homes there. After Sandy and Irene, people were kayaking on Lakeshore Drive. No mound of sand, no matter how well engineered, is going to keep out the bay.
It might be time to start pondering a different approach to the beachfront. Perhaps a new bridge to connect Greenwood Avenue with Ocean Avenue? A bridge could provide secure vehicle transportation between Monmouth and Middlesex counties. It could also support a walkway/bike path connecting the Laurence Harbor seawall with the Cliffwood Beach seawall, eventually linking them to the Hudson Trail at Keyport. At the same time, we could develop a saltwater marsh at Cliffwood Beach instead of building basketball courts. A green approach could attract game bird hunters, fishermen, bird watchers and envirotourists. And generous funding at the state and federal levels.
Councilman Greg Cannon announced a development project to deal with the flooding of the beach onto Lakeshore Drive by improving drainage and engineering the dunes to withstand storms, things that the township might be able to get state or federal funding for but seem wishful thinking, engineering wise.
The roadway and park are literally immersed in a flood zone and nothing short of a seawall is going to keep out the Raritan Bay. And not for the long term, even with a concrete structure. The tide has been cutting a path towards Greenwood Avenue and regularly floods the woods behind the homes there. After Sandy and Irene, people were kayaking on Lakeshore Drive. No mound of sand, no matter how well engineered, is going to keep out the bay.
It might be time to start pondering a different approach to the beachfront. Perhaps a new bridge to connect Greenwood Avenue with Ocean Avenue? A bridge could provide secure vehicle transportation between Monmouth and Middlesex counties. It could also support a walkway/bike path connecting the Laurence Harbor seawall with the Cliffwood Beach seawall, eventually linking them to the Hudson Trail at Keyport. At the same time, we could develop a saltwater marsh at Cliffwood Beach instead of building basketball courts. A green approach could attract game bird hunters, fishermen, bird watchers and envirotourists. And generous funding at the state and federal levels.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
History: Temperance and The Matawan Journal (1871 - 1889)
The Matawan Journal was a strong voice for the temperance movement throughout the late 19th century. As a consequence it covered the news with a certain bias, editorialized broadly against the evils of alcohol, and meticulously covered the various manifestations of prohibitionist agitation and organization in the county and state. While it is a great resource, keep in mind that it surely represents the opinions of only a segment of the community and contains a heavy bias. You may have to read between the lines and reverse engineer certain articles and editorials to begin to see what was really happening.
Below are a few related pieces I found today; you will find others throughout the blog.
The 30 Sep 1871 edition of The Matawan Journal contained this harsh editorial rebuke against political machines using liquor to obtain votes during the party nomination phase of elections. The commentary followed on its coverage of a dysfunctional local party convention at the Farry hotel. When a nomination was challenged, the person running the meeting was an interested party and left the issue unaddressed, so a large group exited the convention and met outside near the hotel's stables to nominate their own committee. It was in that context that the text below followed.
"A word or two now with reference to whiskey. We saw more drunken men in Matawan last Saturday afternoon than we have seen in the six months before. It is a shame and a disgrace that we cannot select men for our public offices without a part of our citizens being turned into rum tubs, into whose mouths whiskey is poured almost like water, in the hope that by this means a nomination may be secured. What low things will be done by men wearing the garb of respectability, that they may attain to a little honor. We would rather hide honor in the grave than climb for it on the temple of ambition, if to obtain it required our wading through the streams of rum that flow every year from political whiskey barrels."
Coverage of the temperance movement included the work of the Prohibition Party, which was expected to hold its NJ state convention in Keyport on 6 Sep 1887, according to the 27 Aug 1887 edition of The Matawan Journal. This conservative third party was founded in 1869 and advocated for the prohibition of alcohol in the US. Its heyday was the years immediately after World War I and the beginning of Prohibition, then again immediately after World War II and before the Korean War. The party still exists but has been relegated to political oddity status according to Wikipedia.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) had its own column in the Matawan Journal, as seen in its 7 Sep 1889 edition. The column listed upcoming meetings by the Matawan WCTU in the Baptist church's lecture room on 12 Sep 1889 and the Loyal Temperance Legion on 13 Sep 1889 in the Reform Club room.
A significant portion of the WCTU column was dedicated to an editorial pondering the best strategy to make progress on temperance in Matawan. A local WCTU member had recently bemoaned the state of affairs in Matawan as being worse than when she started agitating for change 30 years earlier. The editorial proposed a legal prohibition of alcohol as worth a try.
"In this temperance work there is the yet untried remedy of legal suppression, and there are temperance voters enough in the old parties to give it a trial. Would matters be in any worse state, if it simply proved that prohibition simply didn't prohibit?" (Well, there's that whole issue of how rum running prompted the creation of organized crime in America.)
Prominently displayed on page 2 col 1 of the 7 Sep 1889 paper were announcements of the Democratic Party and the Monmouth County Prohibition conventions. The Prohibitionists of Monmouth County would be electing their county executive committee at their meeting on 7 Sep 1889 at the Reform Club room in Freehold.
Below are a few related pieces I found today; you will find others throughout the blog.
The 30 Sep 1871 edition of The Matawan Journal contained this harsh editorial rebuke against political machines using liquor to obtain votes during the party nomination phase of elections. The commentary followed on its coverage of a dysfunctional local party convention at the Farry hotel. When a nomination was challenged, the person running the meeting was an interested party and left the issue unaddressed, so a large group exited the convention and met outside near the hotel's stables to nominate their own committee. It was in that context that the text below followed.
"A word or two now with reference to whiskey. We saw more drunken men in Matawan last Saturday afternoon than we have seen in the six months before. It is a shame and a disgrace that we cannot select men for our public offices without a part of our citizens being turned into rum tubs, into whose mouths whiskey is poured almost like water, in the hope that by this means a nomination may be secured. What low things will be done by men wearing the garb of respectability, that they may attain to a little honor. We would rather hide honor in the grave than climb for it on the temple of ambition, if to obtain it required our wading through the streams of rum that flow every year from political whiskey barrels."
Coverage of the temperance movement included the work of the Prohibition Party, which was expected to hold its NJ state convention in Keyport on 6 Sep 1887, according to the 27 Aug 1887 edition of The Matawan Journal. This conservative third party was founded in 1869 and advocated for the prohibition of alcohol in the US. Its heyday was the years immediately after World War I and the beginning of Prohibition, then again immediately after World War II and before the Korean War. The party still exists but has been relegated to political oddity status according to Wikipedia.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) had its own column in the Matawan Journal, as seen in its 7 Sep 1889 edition. The column listed upcoming meetings by the Matawan WCTU in the Baptist church's lecture room on 12 Sep 1889 and the Loyal Temperance Legion on 13 Sep 1889 in the Reform Club room.
A significant portion of the WCTU column was dedicated to an editorial pondering the best strategy to make progress on temperance in Matawan. A local WCTU member had recently bemoaned the state of affairs in Matawan as being worse than when she started agitating for change 30 years earlier. The editorial proposed a legal prohibition of alcohol as worth a try.
"In this temperance work there is the yet untried remedy of legal suppression, and there are temperance voters enough in the old parties to give it a trial. Would matters be in any worse state, if it simply proved that prohibition simply didn't prohibit?" (Well, there's that whole issue of how rum running prompted the creation of organized crime in America.)
Prominently displayed on page 2 col 1 of the 7 Sep 1889 paper were announcements of the Democratic Party and the Monmouth County Prohibition conventions. The Prohibitionists of Monmouth County would be electing their county executive committee at their meeting on 7 Sep 1889 at the Reform Club room in Freehold.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
History: Crosswalks in Matawan Borough (1911 - 1917)
The Borough of Matawan had stone crosswalks on Main Street and Broad Street before the First World War. They were managed by the Streets Committee of the borough council. Besides the crosswalks, these articles include references to an ongoing project to extend Broad Street, as well as such things as the building of sidewalks, the addition of electric street lighting and the placement of trash cans along the road.
An excerpt from the editorial page in support of the poll tax mentions crosswalks:
"The poll tax is not a tax for the privilege of voting, as our Asbury Park contemporary would have its readers believe, and the tax is collectible by law whether the man votes or not.
There is no question but that the enforcement of the collection of the poll tax is unpopular. But the poll tax delinquent should be the last one to refuse to pay the $1 tax. This is the only direct tax that in most cases he is called upon to pay for the education of his children, the protection of the fire and police departments, the street lighting and public water services and the use of the streets and crosswalks."
(Source: 23 Nov 1911 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's meeting circa 8 Jul 1913:
"The Street Committee was asked to secure estimates for laying crosswalks on Main Street."
(Source: 17 Jul 1913 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 12 Aug 1913 meeting:
"Mr Thompson for the Street Committee stated that he had not been able to get a bid for laying crosswalks, and Mayor Bedle said that E S Lupton offered to do the work, charging for the labor and stone at cost with 15 per cent added on the latter for his profit. The number of crosswalks had not been determined and Mr Thompson suggested that the number be ascertained and Mr Lloyd offered a motion that the bids be obtained after the number is determined. This was adopted."
(Source: 14 Aug 1913 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 10 Nov 1914 meeting:
"The Street Committee, through Chairman F R Thompson, reported crosswalks on Broad Street as having been fixed."
(Source: 12 Nov 1914 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 24 Nov 1915 meeting:
"Councilman S. C. Thompson for the Street Committee reported that Grigg's Street had been graded and graveled and the crosswalks repaired."
(Source: 25 Nov 1915 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 28 Mar 1916 meeting:
"The question of additional crosswalks on Main Street and new crosswalks was up for discussion. It was the opinion of all that something should be done and a motion prevailed that a conference with the Board of Freeholders regarding Main Street be arranged.
It was agreed that the present crossings are too low. An additional crossing was asked for the vicinity of Sanford's drug store. A motion was carried that the Street Committee go over the side streets and place crossings where they were deemed necessary."
(Source: 30 Mar 1916 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the borough's 1916 annual report:
The Street Department paid E S Lupton $44.50 on 13 Oct 1916 for work related to crosswalks.
(Source: 5 Apr 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 14 Aug 1917 meeting:
"For the Street Committee Chairman Woolley reported that the stone crosswalks had been removed from Main Street to Van Brunt & Son's property for storage and will later be used for crossing on Broad and other streets. Other work desired to have done was held in abeyance because of inability to get needed men." (Source: 16 Aug 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 13 Nov 1917 meeting:
"Mr Woolley, for the Street Committee, reported that the crosswalks had been placed where ordered, so that those who have occasion to use them can do so in inclement weather with less discomfort."
Source: 15 Nov 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal)
An excerpt from the editorial page in support of the poll tax mentions crosswalks:
"The poll tax is not a tax for the privilege of voting, as our Asbury Park contemporary would have its readers believe, and the tax is collectible by law whether the man votes or not.
There is no question but that the enforcement of the collection of the poll tax is unpopular. But the poll tax delinquent should be the last one to refuse to pay the $1 tax. This is the only direct tax that in most cases he is called upon to pay for the education of his children, the protection of the fire and police departments, the street lighting and public water services and the use of the streets and crosswalks."
(Source: 23 Nov 1911 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's meeting circa 8 Jul 1913:
"The Street Committee was asked to secure estimates for laying crosswalks on Main Street."
(Source: 17 Jul 1913 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 12 Aug 1913 meeting:
"Mr Thompson for the Street Committee stated that he had not been able to get a bid for laying crosswalks, and Mayor Bedle said that E S Lupton offered to do the work, charging for the labor and stone at cost with 15 per cent added on the latter for his profit. The number of crosswalks had not been determined and Mr Thompson suggested that the number be ascertained and Mr Lloyd offered a motion that the bids be obtained after the number is determined. This was adopted."
(Source: 14 Aug 1913 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 10 Nov 1914 meeting:
"The Street Committee, through Chairman F R Thompson, reported crosswalks on Broad Street as having been fixed."
(Source: 12 Nov 1914 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 24 Nov 1915 meeting:
"Councilman S. C. Thompson for the Street Committee reported that Grigg's Street had been graded and graveled and the crosswalks repaired."
(Source: 25 Nov 1915 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 28 Mar 1916 meeting:
"The question of additional crosswalks on Main Street and new crosswalks was up for discussion. It was the opinion of all that something should be done and a motion prevailed that a conference with the Board of Freeholders regarding Main Street be arranged.
It was agreed that the present crossings are too low. An additional crossing was asked for the vicinity of Sanford's drug store. A motion was carried that the Street Committee go over the side streets and place crossings where they were deemed necessary."
(Source: 30 Mar 1916 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the borough's 1916 annual report:
The Street Department paid E S Lupton $44.50 on 13 Oct 1916 for work related to crosswalks.
(Source: 5 Apr 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 14 Aug 1917 meeting:
"For the Street Committee Chairman Woolley reported that the stone crosswalks had been removed from Main Street to Van Brunt & Son's property for storage and will later be used for crossing on Broad and other streets. Other work desired to have done was held in abeyance because of inability to get needed men." (Source: 16 Aug 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Reporting from the council's 13 Nov 1917 meeting:
"Mr Woolley, for the Street Committee, reported that the crosswalks had been placed where ordered, so that those who have occasion to use them can do so in inclement weather with less discomfort."
Source: 15 Nov 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
History: Elmer H Geran, US Congressman and NJ Assemblyman (1875 - 1954)
Elmer Hendrickson Geran (24 Oct 1875 - 12 Jan 1954) was born in Matawan, the son of Charles A and Lydia (Hendrickson) Geran. He attended public school and the Glenwood Academy in Matawan, then graduated the Peddie School in Hightstown in 1895 and Princeton University in 1899.
Geran was living with his parents as a law student at their residence on Broad Street in Matawan in the 1900 Federal Census. His father sold merchandise, hardware and tools. Elmer's older brother Henry was a manager at the gas company. Elmer's grandfather, Cornelius Hendrickson, born Apr 1814, lived in the household.
Geran graduated the New York Law School in 1901. He passed the New Jersey bar the same year and joined the law firm of Collins and Corbin in Jersey City. He then established his own law firm in Jersey City in 1903.
A Democrat, Geran served in the state assembly (1911-1912), where he sponsored the state's direct primary law, ending party conventions for determination of candidates for office.
He served on the New Jersey State Water Supply Commission (1912 - 1915). In that capacity, he was among those appointed by Trenton Mayor Frederick W Donnelly, President of the New Jersey Rivers and Harbors Congress, as a delegate to the Atlantic Deeper Waters Association convention in Jacksonville, Florida 18 to 21 Nov 1913, according to the 15 Nov 1913 edition of The South Amboy Citizen.
He was assistant prosecutor in the Monmouth County Court of Common Pleas (1915-1917), then Monmouth County sheriff (1917-1920). In that job, Geran was living with his parents at 185 Main Street in Matawan in the 1920 Federal Census. His father was a real estate agent.
He was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson as US District Attorney for New Jersey (1920 - 1922). (Wilson's debilitating stroke occurred in 1919, so his appointment may actually have been made by Wilson's wife.) Geran resigned and formed a law firm in Asbury Park with Isaiah Matlack.
In 1922, Geran ran for the 3rd NJ Congressional District seat of T Frank Appleby, the Republican from Old Bridge. Geran won and served in the 68th session of the US House of Representatives (1923 - 1925), according to his Congressional biography.
T Frank Appleby defeated Geran in his re-election bid in 1924, but died before taking office. There was an eight-month vacancy before Appleby's son, Stewart Appleby, was elected to fill the unexpired term.
After his Congressional term of office ended in March 1925, Geran rejoined his law firm in Asbury Park. The firm was joined by Solomon Lautman.
The 1930 Federal Census showed him as a lawyer residing in the Union Hill section of Marlboro.
The 1931 Asbury Park city directory showed Geran's residence as on Woolleytown Road in Morganville. His obituary showed his residence to be a farm called Glen Geran. His wife was a dairy farmer in the 1930 Federal Census.
Geran & Matlack, then Geran, Matlack & Lautman were located at 504-509 Asbury Park Trust Company Building and 601 Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park, according to R L Polk Co city directories for 1922 (pg 556), 1924 (pg 642), 1926-27 (pg 784), 1928-29 (pg 764) and 1931 (pg 252).
The 1940 Federal Census showed him as manager of a sand and gravel plant and residing on Hodgner Road in Marlboro. His Wikipedia article says he worked for New Jersey Gravel and Sand in Farmingdale from 1927 until his death in 1954.
Geran was a member of the First Baptist Church of Matawan. He was a Mason, an Elk, and a member of several other civic organizations.
Geran's obituary appeared in the 14 Jan 1954 edition of The Matawan Journal, pp 1, 2. He is buried at Old Tennent graveyard in Tennent, NJ. His son, Charles Ackerman Geran, took over his father's farm, where prized Guernsey cows were raised.
A photo of Geran anyone?
Geran was living with his parents as a law student at their residence on Broad Street in Matawan in the 1900 Federal Census. His father sold merchandise, hardware and tools. Elmer's older brother Henry was a manager at the gas company. Elmer's grandfather, Cornelius Hendrickson, born Apr 1814, lived in the household.
Geran graduated the New York Law School in 1901. He passed the New Jersey bar the same year and joined the law firm of Collins and Corbin in Jersey City. He then established his own law firm in Jersey City in 1903.
A Democrat, Geran served in the state assembly (1911-1912), where he sponsored the state's direct primary law, ending party conventions for determination of candidates for office.
He served on the New Jersey State Water Supply Commission (1912 - 1915). In that capacity, he was among those appointed by Trenton Mayor Frederick W Donnelly, President of the New Jersey Rivers and Harbors Congress, as a delegate to the Atlantic Deeper Waters Association convention in Jacksonville, Florida 18 to 21 Nov 1913, according to the 15 Nov 1913 edition of The South Amboy Citizen.
He was assistant prosecutor in the Monmouth County Court of Common Pleas (1915-1917), then Monmouth County sheriff (1917-1920). In that job, Geran was living with his parents at 185 Main Street in Matawan in the 1920 Federal Census. His father was a real estate agent.
He was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson as US District Attorney for New Jersey (1920 - 1922). (Wilson's debilitating stroke occurred in 1919, so his appointment may actually have been made by Wilson's wife.) Geran resigned and formed a law firm in Asbury Park with Isaiah Matlack.
In 1922, Geran ran for the 3rd NJ Congressional District seat of T Frank Appleby, the Republican from Old Bridge. Geran won and served in the 68th session of the US House of Representatives (1923 - 1925), according to his Congressional biography.
T Frank Appleby defeated Geran in his re-election bid in 1924, but died before taking office. There was an eight-month vacancy before Appleby's son, Stewart Appleby, was elected to fill the unexpired term.
After his Congressional term of office ended in March 1925, Geran rejoined his law firm in Asbury Park. The firm was joined by Solomon Lautman.
The 1930 Federal Census showed him as a lawyer residing in the Union Hill section of Marlboro.
The 1931 Asbury Park city directory showed Geran's residence as on Woolleytown Road in Morganville. His obituary showed his residence to be a farm called Glen Geran. His wife was a dairy farmer in the 1930 Federal Census.
Geran & Matlack, then Geran, Matlack & Lautman were located at 504-509 Asbury Park Trust Company Building and 601 Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park, according to R L Polk Co city directories for 1922 (pg 556), 1924 (pg 642), 1926-27 (pg 784), 1928-29 (pg 764) and 1931 (pg 252).
The 1940 Federal Census showed him as manager of a sand and gravel plant and residing on Hodgner Road in Marlboro. His Wikipedia article says he worked for New Jersey Gravel and Sand in Farmingdale from 1927 until his death in 1954.
Geran was a member of the First Baptist Church of Matawan. He was a Mason, an Elk, and a member of several other civic organizations.
Geran's obituary appeared in the 14 Jan 1954 edition of The Matawan Journal, pp 1, 2. He is buried at Old Tennent graveyard in Tennent, NJ. His son, Charles Ackerman Geran, took over his father's farm, where prized Guernsey cows were raised.
A photo of Geran anyone?
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Did You Vote in 2011? Likely Not. Very Likely Not.
The Monmouth County Clerk's Election Division posts election results and information online. If you check out Aberdeen Township's 2011 municipal election results, you'll find that less than a quarter (24.6%) of all eligible voters (2,764/11,209) visited their polling place and voted on election day.* The statistics are shameful, with over two-thirds not voting in the best district and nearly 85% not voting in the worst case.
* The numbers used in this study exclude 163 voters who voted by mail-in ballot and 12 who filed a provisional ballot. These numbers cannot be applied to this discussion because their geographic aspect cannot be discerned from the statistics. Fortunately the numbers are low, at only 1.5% of all eligible voters.
Check out the 2011 participation rankings below.**
** I've color-coded the regions to show how no region is voting more than any other. Voting or not may have more to do with the average age of residents, home owners vs renters, or some other characteristic. Any thoughts?
Hopefully more folks will vote on 5 November due to the governor race and 3 town council contests being waged this year. You can't vote out your Congressman this year, so maybe you'll decide to stay home. Don't. You should vote. Exercise your right to cast a ballot. Bring up the numbers and show you care.
- District 1 (Cliffwood Fire House) had the worst participation at 16.6% (196/1,183). While that district had 10.6% of all eligible voters, only 7% showed up at the polls that day. In other words, voters in District 1 forfeited more than a third (-34%) of their franchise.
- District 7 (EMS Building at 260 Church Street) had the best participation at 29.3% (201/685). That district boosted its overall influence in the township by a fifth (+20%) by showing up at the polls.
* The numbers used in this study exclude 163 voters who voted by mail-in ballot and 12 who filed a provisional ballot. These numbers cannot be applied to this discussion because their geographic aspect cannot be discerned from the statistics. Fortunately the numbers are low, at only 1.5% of all eligible voters.
Check out the 2011 participation rankings below.**
- District 7 (EMS Building, Lloyd RD at Church ST) 29.3% (201 out of 685)
- District 11 (Fire House, Church ST at Lloyd RD) 28.8% (149/518)
- District 6 (High School, Atlantic AV) 28.0% (201/718)
- District 4 (VFW, Cliffwood AV) 27.1% (329/1215)
- District 10 (Fire House, Church ST at Lloyd RD) 26.4% (192/726)
- District 13 (High School, Atlantic AV) 26.3% (207/785)
- District 2 (Fire House, off Cliffwood AV) 25.7% (308/1198)
- District 9 (EMS Building, Lloyd RD at Church ST) 25.1% (210/836)
- District 3 (VFW, Cliffwood AV) 24.4% (190/778)
- District 5 (Cross of Glory Lutheran, Cambridge DR) 24.1% (131/542)
- District 12 (Cross of Glory Lutheran, Cambridge DR) 23.1% (208/901)
- District 8 (Municipal Building, Church ST) 21.5% (242/1124)
- District 1 (Fire House, off Cliffwood AV) 16.6% (196/1183)
** I've color-coded the regions to show how no region is voting more than any other. Voting or not may have more to do with the average age of residents, home owners vs renters, or some other characteristic. Any thoughts?
Hopefully more folks will vote on 5 November due to the governor race and 3 town council contests being waged this year. You can't vote out your Congressman this year, so maybe you'll decide to stay home. Don't. You should vote. Exercise your right to cast a ballot. Bring up the numbers and show you care.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Aberdeen Brag Rag
Aberdeen Township's occasional newsletter arrived in the mail today to tout the Council's achievements prior to the November election. Seems like free campaign advertising for the mayor and the other two incumbents. They are well funded, given all the wooden signs they've erected around town promoting their campaign, but I guess they feel free to use taxpayer monies to fund a last minute brag rag.
I was surprised that they featured the project to replace the glass plant, which has been sitting decaying for decades and was still there last I looked. They were wise to omit the train station project.
If you like how smooth your road is, vote for them. I plan to vote against them all this year, hopeful to remove at least one of them and the Democratic lock on power on the Council. Given their incumbency and funding, though, I suspect the Dems are here to stay.
UPDATE: One of the Aberdeen Council candidates posted a detailed comment at the Matawan-Aberdeen Patch regarding the impact of the Glass Works project housing plans on the school district and property taxes.
I was surprised that they featured the project to replace the glass plant, which has been sitting decaying for decades and was still there last I looked. They were wise to omit the train station project.
If you like how smooth your road is, vote for them. I plan to vote against them all this year, hopeful to remove at least one of them and the Democratic lock on power on the Council. Given their incumbency and funding, though, I suspect the Dems are here to stay.
UPDATE: One of the Aberdeen Council candidates posted a detailed comment at the Matawan-Aberdeen Patch regarding the impact of the Glass Works project housing plans on the school district and property taxes.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Signs of a 2013 Aberdeen Election
Are two parties running for office this year in Aberdeen? The challengers seem to be so far up the back bench that they've fallen from their seats and down the back wall. Where are they?
Representation from both parties on the council would be a good thing but there's little chance of an outsider breaking into the currently exclusive club given the silence of the opposition. Certainly there are some deep pockets on the incumbent side, judging by the large wooden signs placed everywhere around the township -- there will be no change in engineering firm again this time around, that's for sure. But the challenge has not been laid out and it's too late to muster a fight now. There's plenty to want changed or done, but that argument will have to wait for some future election. Likely the railroad station and glass plant projects will still be works in progress next time round.
Representation from both parties on the council would be a good thing but there's little chance of an outsider breaking into the currently exclusive club given the silence of the opposition. Certainly there are some deep pockets on the incumbent side, judging by the large wooden signs placed everywhere around the township -- there will be no change in engineering firm again this time around, that's for sure. But the challenge has not been laid out and it's too late to muster a fight now. There's plenty to want changed or done, but that argument will have to wait for some future election. Likely the railroad station and glass plant projects will still be works in progress next time round.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Detour? Do Tell.
Aberdeen Township never bothered to let residents know that the railroad bridge on Matawan Avenue would be closed but didn't hesitate to post and circulate a notice about a Partial Road Closure on Lower Main Street. I suspect the Matawan Avenue bridge is at the border of Matawan and Aberdeen and therefore the Township felt it didn't warrant a notice.
Certainly Aberdeen officials can see, if only after the fact, that their residents are affected nonetheless and should have been provided notice. Actually I still don't really know what it going on with the bridge closing or how long it will last, so letting us know now would not be a wasted effort unless the bridge work is going to finish on Thursday.
Aberdeen officials don't seem to have considered that travel between Cliffwood, Cliffwood Beach and points south (and vice versa) is going to be severely, severely affected by the combination of the two closures. Didn't anyone think about this? Really?? I guess we get to take an even wider detour around the Borough to get from one side of the Township to the other. Joy.
Aberdeen officials always brag about their road projects when it comes to re-election bids. When they go to the polls and are pondering who to vote for, residents should make sure to remember the capable management (or lack thereof) that went into road projects.
Certainly Aberdeen officials can see, if only after the fact, that their residents are affected nonetheless and should have been provided notice. Actually I still don't really know what it going on with the bridge closing or how long it will last, so letting us know now would not be a wasted effort unless the bridge work is going to finish on Thursday.
Aberdeen officials don't seem to have considered that travel between Cliffwood, Cliffwood Beach and points south (and vice versa) is going to be severely, severely affected by the combination of the two closures. Didn't anyone think about this? Really?? I guess we get to take an even wider detour around the Borough to get from one side of the Township to the other. Joy.
Aberdeen officials always brag about their road projects when it comes to re-election bids. When they go to the polls and are pondering who to vote for, residents should make sure to remember the capable management (or lack thereof) that went into road projects.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
History: Charles Appleby, Real Estate Tycoon, Dead at 89 (1913)
When the New York real estate magnate Charles Appleby died in New York City at 89, a brief obituary appeared on the last page of the 18 Dec 1913 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 8, col 5). A Middletown, NJ native, Appleby maintained his New Jersey residency until he died.
Appleby was of local interest because his nephew, T Frank Appleby, was an Old Bridge native who had recently served as Mayor of Asbury Park. (A photo of his real estate agency in Asbury Park appears at Monmouth Plus.) He would later represent New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District (1921-23), lose the next election, then win his seat back in the 1924 election, but die before taking office. His son, Stewart H Appleby, would take his place in office (1925-27). The 3rd Congressional District would be Matawan's local district until 1993, the seat most recently held by James Howard (1965-88), and Frank Pallone (1988-93).
Appleby had an amazing sense for real estate. His holdings included exclusive properties along the edge of Central Park and on Riverside Drive. Appleby purchased farmland in Glen Cove, Long IslandNew York in the 1870's, according to Glen Cove Heritage. Just before he died, Appleby solidified his massive holdings on West 57th Street, according to the 7 Oct 1913 edition of The New York Times. At the end, he left a $50 million estate to his two sons, according to Dynastic America and Those Who Own It, by Henry H Klein, pg 37.
Appleby was of local interest because his nephew, T Frank Appleby, was an Old Bridge native who had recently served as Mayor of Asbury Park. (A photo of his real estate agency in Asbury Park appears at Monmouth Plus.) He would later represent New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District (1921-23), lose the next election, then win his seat back in the 1924 election, but die before taking office. His son, Stewart H Appleby, would take his place in office (1925-27). The 3rd Congressional District would be Matawan's local district until 1993, the seat most recently held by James Howard (1965-88), and Frank Pallone (1988-93).
Appleby had an amazing sense for real estate. His holdings included exclusive properties along the edge of Central Park and on Riverside Drive. Appleby purchased farmland in Glen Cove, Long IslandNew York in the 1870's, according to Glen Cove Heritage. Just before he died, Appleby solidified his massive holdings on West 57th Street, according to the 7 Oct 1913 edition of The New York Times. At the end, he left a $50 million estate to his two sons, according to Dynastic America and Those Who Own It, by Henry H Klein, pg 37.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Matawan-Aberdeen School Board Write In Election Results Remain Incomplete and Inaccurate at County Website
The Monmouth County Clerk continues to display preliminary results for the 6 November 2012 elections as of 21 November. After more than two weeks, why don't we have official results?
So far, the preliminary data on school board write in results are not only delayed, they are incomplete and wrong. They display the Matawan 3-year slot results as if they were the Aberdeen 1-year results. As a consequence, the site has no heading for Matawan's 3 year slot and displays no results for the Aberdeen 1 year slot. See below for the erroneous posting as of Wednesday afternoon.
Matawan-Aberdeen Reg BOE (Aberdeen) (1Yr Unexp)
13/13 100.00%
Under Votes 6144
Over Votes 0
Vote Count Percent
Write-In 181 57.28%
- James Shea (Write-In) 56 17.72%
- Kathleen Gentile (Write-In) 79 25.00%
Total 316 100.00%
The Matawan-Aberdeen Patch reported that Kathleen Gentile was running as a write-in candidate for the Matawan 3-year slot being vacated by Gerald Donaghue. Gentile is a Matawan resident and ineligible for the Aberdeen slot.
Even if Aberdeen residents incorrectly wrote her in, why are there no posted results for Matawan and no posted results for any of the Aberdeen write in candidates? I hope the county gets their act together soon and gives us our BOE write in election results, official or otherwise.
UPDATE (27 Nov 2012)
The preliminary results have been updated at the Monmouth County Clerk's website.
The one-year unexpired term as an Aberdeen representative on the school board looks to have been won by Joelle Nappi with 91 votes (21%). Art Perri came in a close second place with 82 votes (19%), followed by Pat Phillips with 49 votes (11%) and L William Lamb with 17 votes (4%). 192 write in votes (45%) were not elaborated upon by the county clerk, presumably because voters chose to write in Mickey Mouse, themselves, et al. If there is some other reason behind nearly half the votes not being attributed to particular candidates, such as voter errors or machine errors, I wonder if and how that might possibly come to light?
Check the updated and as yet still unofficial results here.
So far, the preliminary data on school board write in results are not only delayed, they are incomplete and wrong. They display the Matawan 3-year slot results as if they were the Aberdeen 1-year results. As a consequence, the site has no heading for Matawan's 3 year slot and displays no results for the Aberdeen 1 year slot. See below for the erroneous posting as of Wednesday afternoon.
Matawan-Aberdeen Reg BOE (Aberdeen) (1Yr Unexp)
13/13 100.00%
Under Votes 6144
Over Votes 0
Vote Count Percent
Write-In 181 57.28%
- James Shea (Write-In) 56 17.72%
- Kathleen Gentile (Write-In) 79 25.00%
Total 316 100.00%
The Matawan-Aberdeen Patch reported that Kathleen Gentile was running as a write-in candidate for the Matawan 3-year slot being vacated by Gerald Donaghue. Gentile is a Matawan resident and ineligible for the Aberdeen slot.
Even if Aberdeen residents incorrectly wrote her in, why are there no posted results for Matawan and no posted results for any of the Aberdeen write in candidates? I hope the county gets their act together soon and gives us our BOE write in election results, official or otherwise.
UPDATE (27 Nov 2012)
The preliminary results have been updated at the Monmouth County Clerk's website.
The one-year unexpired term as an Aberdeen representative on the school board looks to have been won by Joelle Nappi with 91 votes (21%). Art Perri came in a close second place with 82 votes (19%), followed by Pat Phillips with 49 votes (11%) and L William Lamb with 17 votes (4%). 192 write in votes (45%) were not elaborated upon by the county clerk, presumably because voters chose to write in Mickey Mouse, themselves, et al. If there is some other reason behind nearly half the votes not being attributed to particular candidates, such as voter errors or machine errors, I wonder if and how that might possibly come to light?
Check the updated and as yet still unofficial results here.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Hurricane Sandy Update - Election Day 2012
Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) has been restoring power in Hazlet and Keyport, both east of Aberdeen and Matawan, but so far we're still waiting. Rumor is that power is due in the next day or two, but there's no firm information yet. Matawan residents held a big meeting at St Clement's to discuss the power situation, but JCP&L didn't attend so I doubt anything was resolved except to be upset and frustrated. Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach residents are just hunkered down, hoping that rumors of month-long delays in power aren't true.
When you cross Matawan Creek on Route 35 at night heading north, the place is totally dark. Major intersections are uncontrolled. Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach residents not only have no heat or lights, there are no traffic signals. Cliffwood Avenue has cones and signs forcing you to head north several miles to the Morgan drawbridge at Cheesequake Creek, where you can finally make a U-turn. When there was a long line to get gas at the Wawa station at Cliffwood Avenue, I had to exit onto Route 35 North and make a six mile detour to get home. Amboy Avenue intersection is a bit more serious, with two school buses blocking vehicles from crossing Route 35. I guess some folks misbehaved. Suffice it to say that it's super dangerous to cross the highway at an uncontrolled intersection on Route 35. I encourage you not to try it.
We went out to Holmdel on Route 35 South and had dinner at Chili's last night. We waited 40 minutes for a table and the place was beyond jammed. People were there with their kids dressed in Halloween costumes -- Monday was the official holiday this year. Route 35 is alive and well from Home Depot in Keyport to Holmdel. A guy in line at Wawa told me on Monday that the lights are on to Middletown on Route 35 and to Atlantic Highlands on Route 36, but his statements are of unknown reliability.
We found Optimum Online hotspots near the Staples and McDonald's in Hazlet and in downtown Keyport on West Front Street. We've been visiting Espresso Joe's for internet and power, but we've been buying stuff to support the shop for its kindness. McDonald's in Hazlet has its own internet service but no outlets. We found the Optimum service stronger when we sat in our car with our laptops.
We've been blessed with friends who've helped us with our electric line that came down, a bow saw to deal with a down tree, and a generator to help with the dark and cold nights. The Southern Baptist Convention has sent its Yard By Yard teams into Cliffwood Beach to help with downed trees, another blessing. They're based out of the New Monmouth Baptist Church in Middletown. Give them a call at 732-671-5998 and they'll fill out a work order and see if they can help you with downed trees or removing mud and debris from your basement and yard. The lady I spoke with today said there are a hundred Baptists here from Oklahoma helping the Bayshore. Her team would be here until Nov 16th but more teams would be coming.
We voted this morning at One Aberdeen Square. Parking is a bit of an issue but the cops are there to direct the festivities. With seven districts voting there, it should get interesting as the day goes along. Best advice is to get in and get out quick so others can vote. Remember in Aberdeen to vote for Art Perri as a write in candidate for the Aberdeen slot on the school board. And remember the two referendum items. I'm recommending No votes on each, but do what you feel is best.
Be kind to your neighbors in this time of struggle. And be patient as you can.
When you cross Matawan Creek on Route 35 at night heading north, the place is totally dark. Major intersections are uncontrolled. Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach residents not only have no heat or lights, there are no traffic signals. Cliffwood Avenue has cones and signs forcing you to head north several miles to the Morgan drawbridge at Cheesequake Creek, where you can finally make a U-turn. When there was a long line to get gas at the Wawa station at Cliffwood Avenue, I had to exit onto Route 35 North and make a six mile detour to get home. Amboy Avenue intersection is a bit more serious, with two school buses blocking vehicles from crossing Route 35. I guess some folks misbehaved. Suffice it to say that it's super dangerous to cross the highway at an uncontrolled intersection on Route 35. I encourage you not to try it.
We went out to Holmdel on Route 35 South and had dinner at Chili's last night. We waited 40 minutes for a table and the place was beyond jammed. People were there with their kids dressed in Halloween costumes -- Monday was the official holiday this year. Route 35 is alive and well from Home Depot in Keyport to Holmdel. A guy in line at Wawa told me on Monday that the lights are on to Middletown on Route 35 and to Atlantic Highlands on Route 36, but his statements are of unknown reliability.
We found Optimum Online hotspots near the Staples and McDonald's in Hazlet and in downtown Keyport on West Front Street. We've been visiting Espresso Joe's for internet and power, but we've been buying stuff to support the shop for its kindness. McDonald's in Hazlet has its own internet service but no outlets. We found the Optimum service stronger when we sat in our car with our laptops.
We've been blessed with friends who've helped us with our electric line that came down, a bow saw to deal with a down tree, and a generator to help with the dark and cold nights. The Southern Baptist Convention has sent its Yard By Yard teams into Cliffwood Beach to help with downed trees, another blessing. They're based out of the New Monmouth Baptist Church in Middletown. Give them a call at 732-671-5998 and they'll fill out a work order and see if they can help you with downed trees or removing mud and debris from your basement and yard. The lady I spoke with today said there are a hundred Baptists here from Oklahoma helping the Bayshore. Her team would be here until Nov 16th but more teams would be coming.
We voted this morning at One Aberdeen Square. Parking is a bit of an issue but the cops are there to direct the festivities. With seven districts voting there, it should get interesting as the day goes along. Best advice is to get in and get out quick so others can vote. Remember in Aberdeen to vote for Art Perri as a write in candidate for the Aberdeen slot on the school board. And remember the two referendum items. I'm recommending No votes on each, but do what you feel is best.
Be kind to your neighbors in this time of struggle. And be patient as you can.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
2012 Elections - Voting in Aberdeen Township
Most of the usual polling locations in Aberdeen Township are being moved due to damage or outages resulting from Hurricane Sandy. Voting will take place on Tuesday, November 6th as follows:
- District 1 and District 2 will move from Cliffwood Firehouse to the town hall at One Aberdeen Square.
- District 3 and District 4 will move from the VFW to One Aberdeen Square.
- District 5 and District 12 will move from Cross of Glory Lutheran to One Aberdeen Square.
- District 6 and District 13 will move from the High School to One Aberdeen Square.
- District 7 and District 9 will move from the EMS building to the Aberdeen Firehouse on Lloyd Road.
- District 8, Distrct 10 and District 11 will stay the same as usual.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Monmouth County Publishes Sample Ballots for 2012 General Elections
I received my Aberdeen sample ballot in the mail yesterday. (If you live in Monmouth County, you can find your sample ballot here. Here's a link to the Matawan sample ballot. And, by the way, you might want to bookmark the place where you can find results of elections.)
If you think the presidential election is Obama vs Romney, you'll want to check the ballot, which has ten candidates for President. Likewise, the US Senate race isn't simply Menendez vs Kyrillos; there are eleven candidates for the job, including a Libertarian candidate on the second line. Pallone and Little aren't alone either; they are joined by four others running for the House of Representatives post. No one petitioned to compete against the Republicans and Democrats for County Clerk and Board of Chosen Freeholders. I'll be voting for Obama, Menendez, Pallone, French, Shea and Lavan.
Matawan has openings for two members of the Borough Council.
The Matawan and Aberdeen ballots also include candidates for the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District's school board, an election which used to be held in April. Macomber and Martinez are running against incumbents Hayward and Aitken for a pair of full term Aberdeen positions on the board. One Matawan full term slot (Donahue isn't renewing) and one Aberdeen one-year unexpired term slot (Phillips resigned) have no registered candidates but a number of write-in candidates (Perri, Nappi, and Gentile and others are out there) are campaigning for one or the other of the two slots. The mood in the district is grim after a series of bad decisions by the board, so lots of people are running to kick the bums out. Everywhere I turn I seem to find someone mad as hell and unwilling to take it anymore. I agree with that sentiment and, while not running myself, I will be voting in Aberdeen for Macomber, Martinez, and write-in candidate Art Perri.
If you want to support one of the write-in candidates for the one-year unexpired term on the Aberdeen ballot, be sure to click WRITE IN next to the words NO NOMINATION MADE. The Matawan ballot offers little confusion for write-in voters. Just make sure you're supporting a write-in candidate in your municipality.
When school board elections were held in April, the winners would be sworn in that June. When do the November winners get installed? Also, we used to vote on the school budget in school board elections, but I don't see the budget on the list of public questions. What happened to that? Can someone tell me if we and when we vote on the school budget? Or have we lost that right?
Lastly, you'll want to review the public questions on the sample ballot before you go to the polls.
If you think the presidential election is Obama vs Romney, you'll want to check the ballot, which has ten candidates for President. Likewise, the US Senate race isn't simply Menendez vs Kyrillos; there are eleven candidates for the job, including a Libertarian candidate on the second line. Pallone and Little aren't alone either; they are joined by four others running for the House of Representatives post. No one petitioned to compete against the Republicans and Democrats for County Clerk and Board of Chosen Freeholders. I'll be voting for Obama, Menendez, Pallone, French, Shea and Lavan.
Matawan has openings for two members of the Borough Council.
The Matawan and Aberdeen ballots also include candidates for the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District's school board, an election which used to be held in April. Macomber and Martinez are running against incumbents Hayward and Aitken for a pair of full term Aberdeen positions on the board. One Matawan full term slot (Donahue isn't renewing) and one Aberdeen one-year unexpired term slot (Phillips resigned) have no registered candidates but a number of write-in candidates (Perri, Nappi, and Gentile and others are out there) are campaigning for one or the other of the two slots. The mood in the district is grim after a series of bad decisions by the board, so lots of people are running to kick the bums out. Everywhere I turn I seem to find someone mad as hell and unwilling to take it anymore. I agree with that sentiment and, while not running myself, I will be voting in Aberdeen for Macomber, Martinez, and write-in candidate Art Perri.
If you want to support one of the write-in candidates for the one-year unexpired term on the Aberdeen ballot, be sure to click WRITE IN next to the words NO NOMINATION MADE. The Matawan ballot offers little confusion for write-in voters. Just make sure you're supporting a write-in candidate in your municipality.
When school board elections were held in April, the winners would be sworn in that June. When do the November winners get installed? Also, we used to vote on the school budget in school board elections, but I don't see the budget on the list of public questions. What happened to that? Can someone tell me if we and when we vote on the school budget? Or have we lost that right?
Lastly, you'll want to review the public questions on the sample ballot before you go to the polls.
- Question 1 asks us to support a $750 million state bond initiative to provide matching grants to public and private colleges and universities in New Jersey to increase academic capacity in the state. The so-called "Building Our Future Bond Act" is well intentioned but directs public monies to private institutions over which the state has little if any control. Public institutions might support this initiative because they see dollar signs, but the taxpayers ought to think twice about sending money out to private schools. I'll be voting against.
- Question 2 asks us to allow the state to withhold for benefits out of judges' salaries. The State Constitution includes protections for judges to keep the government from reducing incumbent judges' salaries, presumably to prevent retaliation against judges. The issue for voters is to decide whether the state is in any way retaliating against or punishing its judges by making them contribute to pensions and health insurance benefits. Even if you think our judges should bear these costs, you need to consider whether state officials are using this action in response to some judicial action or you will be overturning their constitutional protections. I'm personally unsure of the situation and will likely vote against unless convinced otherwise.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Voter Registration 2012 - Monmouth County, NJ
Residents can register at the county, by mail, or in their town
FREEHOLD, N.J.
– The deadline is fast approaching for those wishing to vote in the
Nov. 6 general election. Registration must be completed by Oct. 16.
Residents may
register at the Monmouth County Voter Registration Office, 300 Halls
Mills Rd., Freehold Township, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday. On Tuesday, Oct. 16 the office will remain open until 9 p.m.
If you prefer
to register in the town in which you reside, call your municipal clerk
for the hours and the location to register. You can also register by
mail or at a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Office.
To register by mail or save time when you register in person, download the New Jersey voter registration application. The form can be found on the County Clerk’s section of the Monmouth County Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.
In either case, a driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number must be entered on the New Jersey Voter Registration form.
In either case, a driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number must be entered on the New Jersey Voter Registration form.
“I urge
everyone to exercise their right to vote and register for the fall
elections,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County
Clerk’s office. “Registration is easy and the right to vote is the
cornerstone of our nation’s freedom and continued liberties.”
All U.S. citizens at least 18 years old
by General Election Day, and not incarcerated, on probation or parole,
are eligible to vote.
Voter registration must be completed no later than 21 days before an election.
Contact the
Monmouth County Voter Registration Office at 732-431-7790, or log onto
www.visitmonmouth.com for additional information.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Majority of NJ Voters Don't Know Joe Kyrillos, Down from Large Majority in May
Here's an excerpt from a NJ election poll analysis written by FDU Mindpoll and included in the 2 August 2012 edition of the Atlantic Highlands Herald online.
"Despite the lead that Menendez holds over Kyrillos, there’s some good news for the senator from Monmouth County. More than half of all registered voters (57%) remain uncertain about who he is, and among them the majority are either positively predisposed toward the senator or have no opinion."
So, Fairleigh Dickinson University has found a silver lining in the bad news for Joe Kyrillos. A majority of NJ voters might not be too sure who he is but, of that group of people who don't know him, most can't think of a bad thing to say about him.
Oh, and FDU discovered even more supposed good news for the Kyrillos campaign: the fact that 57% of NJ voters get a vacant look when asked who Kyrillos is suggests that things are getting better for him. After all, that number was 68% back in May.
What sort of voodoo political poll analysis is this? Fairleigh bad, I'd say. And not very balanced.
"Despite the lead that Menendez holds over Kyrillos, there’s some good news for the senator from Monmouth County. More than half of all registered voters (57%) remain uncertain about who he is, and among them the majority are either positively predisposed toward the senator or have no opinion."
So, Fairleigh Dickinson University has found a silver lining in the bad news for Joe Kyrillos. A majority of NJ voters might not be too sure who he is but, of that group of people who don't know him, most can't think of a bad thing to say about him.
Oh, and FDU discovered even more supposed good news for the Kyrillos campaign: the fact that 57% of NJ voters get a vacant look when asked who Kyrillos is suggests that things are getting better for him. After all, that number was 68% back in May.
What sort of voodoo political poll analysis is this? Fairleigh bad, I'd say. And not very balanced.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
NAACP: This Is My Vote
The Issue
Voting rights are under attack.
Our nation is in the midst of the most aggressive attempt to roll back voting rights in over a century.
A century ago, the target was the voting rights of Black voters and other voters of color. The goal was to eliminate their presence at the polls to accelerate the spread of racial segregation.
Today, the target is the voting rights of Black voters, Latino voters, Asian American Voters, Native American Voters, as well as students and young people, seniors, working men and women, and immigrants of all colors. These are also among the voting demographics who are most likely to support workers rights, equal opportunity, women's rights, LBGT rights, environmental protection, and peace.
A century ago, their tactics were varied: grandfather clauses, poll taxes, and racially motivated ex-felon voting bans.
Today, voter suppression also takes many forms, including attacks on early and Sunday voting to make voting harder for working people, photo ID requirements for voting and registration that introduce the first financial barrier to voting since the poll tax, and the same racially-motivated ex-felon bans.
Attacking voting rights was un-American then.
Attacking voting rights is un-American now.
We rose to the challenge then.
We must meet the challenge now.
It’s time for each of us to Stand for Freedom.
Check out the NAACP's This Is My Vote campaign to find out how to register to vote and/or join the NAACP.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
History: Mayor Robert G Thixton, Matawan (1895-1964)
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| The 24 Jun 1948 edition of The Matawan Journal contained this Oldsmobile advertisement sponsored by the Robert G Thixton dealership on Main Street in Matawan. The ad was promoting tune ups: Keep Your "Merry Oldsmobile" In Tune. |
Below is a timeline of information available about Robert G Thixton, born Robert Gerard Thickstun, who served Matawan Borough as Mayor for one term (1945-1947) and Councilman for two consecutive terms (1936-1942). He was born in Plainfield, NJ on 5 Jan 1895 and died at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch on 11 Oct 1964.
As you can see above, he sold automobiles from a dealership on Main Street in Matawan for many years. He served in the military in World War I and worked for the War Department at Camp Kilmer early in World War II. He also clerked at a New York City brokerage.
His future wife, Theresa, was born 21 May 1898.
The 1900 Federal Census for New Jersey showed Robert G Thickstun living with his parents and siblings in the household of his great aunt Mary J Thickstun. The address was 407 Central Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. His father, William D Thickstun was a real estate agent. (The record has a number of errors. Perhaps the enumerator interviewed the aunt?)
The 1910 Federal Census for New Jersey showed Robert G Thickstun, 15 years old, living at 403 Central Avenue in the Plainfield household of William (43) and Elizabeth V Thickstun (38). William worked in real estate. His siblings were David B (20), William D (17), and Gerald Thickstun (13).
Robert Gerard Thickstun registered for the WWI draft on 5 Jun 1917. The form said he was born 5 Jan 1895 in Plainfield, NJ. He was living at 403 Central Avenue in Plainfield. He was working as a clerk at F S Moseley & Co, 26 Exchange Place, New York, NY. He had blue eyes and brown hair.
The 1920 Federal Census for New Jersey showed Robert G Thickstun, 24 years old, living at 403 Central Avenue in the Plainfield household of William D (53 yrs old) and Elizabeth V Thickstun (48). Robert's brother Gerald (23) and their grandmother Elizabeth Thickstun (84) lived in the household.
He lived at 403 Central Avenue in Plainfield, NJ in 1922, according to a local city directory. He was in the household of Elizabeth Thixton, widow of Daniel H Thixton. Others in the household were Gerald Thixton and William D Thixton, the latter in real estate.
He bought the Main Street property of J August Sochl to be used for a "Chevrolet sales room," according to the 17 Feb 1928 edition of The Matawan Journal. He was due to take possession of the property on 1 Apr 1928.
He bagged a pheasant in Matawan, according to the 16 Nov 1928 edition of The Matawan Journal. The game warden had released 100 rabbits and a couple dozen pheasants in the Matawan area the previous summer. The hunting exploits of numerous members of the community are mentioned.
The 1930 Federal Census for New Jersey showed Robert Thixton, age 35, auto dealer, as head of household at 108 Main Street in downtown Matawan. His wife, Theresa, was 32 years old. They had $25,000 in property.
He and Samuel Bell, of Bell Beef Company, were involved in organizing two of Matawan's twilight league baseball teams, according to a rather amusing investigative article in the 23 Feb 1934 edition of The Matawan Journal.
At the same time Mayor Edward W Currie won his third term in Matawan Borough, Thixton won as Democratic councilman, according to the 8 Nov 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal. In a separate article, Thixton reported weekly sales at Thixton Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Sales and Service in Matawan reached the impressive level of 7 new automobiles. The front page article actually listed the names of those who purchased the cars. See also the 18 Nov 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal.
The Mayor named him to the Finances Committee for Matawan's 250th anniversary celebration, according to the 15 May 1936 edition of The Matawan Journal.
The 12 Jun 1936 edition of The Matawan Journal contained several Thixton ads, including one for used cars and another for Chevrolet trucks. An article towards the back of the paper said Thixton had sold 24 new cars in May 1936, listing a number of the customers and the cars they bought.
The 16 Jul 1936 edition of The Matawan Journal announced his sale of 110 Main Street for $30,000. The property included a dwelling, store, repair shop, and bungalow. Frontage on Main Street was 122.5 feet. The property was 316 feet deep and 63.5 feet across at the back of the lot. The same paper announced that the annual picnic of the Ladies Auxiliary of Matawan's American Legion post would be held at Mrs Thixton's summer home at Metedeconk, described by New Jersey History's Mysteries as "a fishing and shipping village located at the mouth of the Metedeconk River" in present day Brick Township.
He threw a 50th anniversary party for his parents at his home in Matawan, according to the 11 May 1939 edition of The Red Bank Register. His parents lived in Matawan. He was a councilman at the time.
Robert Girard Thixton registered for the World War II draft in 1942. The draft form said he was born 5 Jan 1895 in Plainfield, NJ. He lived on Edgemere Drive in Matawan. He listed two phone numbers: Matawan 1970 and Matawan 2049. He worked for the War Department, US Engineers, NYDE, at Camp Joyce Kilmer, Stelton, NJ. (I had no luck with the NYDE acronym.)
He was to serve as a delegate to the state convention of the American Legion, representing the Matawan Post, according to the 30 Aug 1945 edition of The Matawan Journal.
As a local businessman and member of American Legion Post 176, he worked on Legionnaires Week, which included a fair at the high school on 30 Jun 1947 and 4th of July festivities, according to the 26 Jun 1947 edition of The Matawan Journal.
The 30 Oct 1947 edition of The Matawan Journal covered Mayor Thixton's third campaign appearance, the last one before the upcoming election. He was a Republican and was running against Democratic candidate John W Applegate.
The Thixton's daughter Jean Thixton attended Centenary Junior College, according to the 17 Mar 1949 edition and several other issues of The Matawan Journal. Centenary, located in Hackettstown, NJ, was founded by the Methodist church in 1867 as a co-educational preparatory school. It became a girls preparatory school in 1910 and then a women's junior college in 1940. Currently co-educational again, the school is now called Centenary College of New Jersey.
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| Robert G Thixton Olds ad appeared in the 5 Jan 1950 edition of The Matawan Journal. |
The 24 Sep 1953 edition of The Matawan Journal featured the dedication of the First Baptist Church of Matawan's new Sunday School building earlier that week. Mr. Thixton worked on the building committee, as reported on pg 4.
He served on the Board of Trustees of the Matawan Business Association, according to the 26 Jun 1952 edition of The Matawan Journal. His term was set to expire in 1955.
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| This Thixton Chevrolet ad appeared in the 3 Nov 1955 edition of The Matawan Journal. |
He and Theresa maintained a second residence at 231 NE 8th Boulevard in Boca Raton, Florida in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
He died 11 Oct 1964 and is buried in the Oak Hill section of Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent, NJ.
The 12 Oct 1964 edition of The Red Bank Register included this obituary for R G Thixton:
R. C. Thixton, Matawan, Dies
MATAWAN — Robert G. Thixton, 69, of 5 Edgemere Dr., died yesterday in Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch.
Mr. Thixton was a former mayor and a councilman here.
He was born in Plainfield, son of the late William D. and Elizabeth Taylor Thixton. He had lived here for 40 years.
Mr. Thixton was a retired automobile dealer. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Masons and American Legion of this place, Crescent Temple, Trenton, and was a past commander of the Monmouth County American Legion. He also was a veteran of World War I.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs Theresa Jocham; a daughter, Mrs. Jean May of this place; three brothers, Dr. David Thickstun of Plainfield, and William D. and Gerald Thixton, both of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and three grandchildren.
The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Bedle Funeral Home, here, with Rev. Robert Addie, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Old Tennent, Cemetery, Tennent.
The 15 Oct 1964 edition of The Matawan Journal contained the following obituary:
Robert G. Thixton
Robert G. Thixton, 69, of 5 Edgemere Dr., Matawan, who formerly served as mayor of Matawan for two years and who was a member of the Borough Council for six years, died Sunday, Oct. 11, 1964, at Monmouth Medical Center.
Mr. Thixton was elected mayor of Matawan in 1945 and served from January 1945, for a two-year term. He served on the borough council for two three-year terms from 1936 through 1942.
Mr. Thixton was retired. He had been an automobile dealer of Chevrolet and Oldsmobile cars in Matawan for many years. He was a member of Matawan Masonic Lodge 192 of which he was a past worshipful master, and was affiliated with Crescent Temple, Trenton, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Matawan.
A veteran of World War I, Mr. Thixton was a past commander of Monmouth County Post American Legion and of Matawan Post 176 American Legion.
Son of the late William D. Thixton and Mrs. Elizabeth (Taylor) Thixton, he had resided in Matawan 40 years. He was born in Plainfield.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Theresa (Jocham) Thixton, Matawan; a daughter, Mrs Jean May, Matawan; three grandchildren; three brothers, Dr. David Thickstun, Plainfield; William Thixton and Gerald Thixton, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Bedle Funeral Home, Matawan, with the Rev. Robert Addiss, pastor of the Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in Old Tennent Cemetery.
Masonic funeral services were conducted by Matawan Lodge at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The 26 Nov 1964 edition of The Matawan Journal listed those who received lowered property tax assessments from the Monmouth County Board of Taxation. Robert received adjustments on the following properties:
- 110 Main Street (building), Matawan - reduced from $29,200 to $28,000
- Rear of 5 Edgemere Drive (land), Matawan - reduced from $2,200 to $1,700
- 5 Edgemere Drive (building), Matawan - reduced from $31,900 to $30,200.
Theresa died 27 Aug 1985 in Tobyhanna, Monroe County, Pennsylvania and is buried in the Oak Hill section of Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent, NJ.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
How Does NJ Get to Lower Taxes and Preserve Quality of Life?
Republican and Democratic calls for tax cuts in New Jersey will have to be funded by cuts to programs, not through revenues, according to projections by the state's non-partisan Office of Legislative Services, as reported by the Newark Star-Ledger. Today's Asbury Park Press has an op-ed piece by Carl Golden that says the same thing. Both parties have accepted Governor Christie's unreasonable expectation of 7% growth, so when that growth turns out to be less, those tax cuts will have to be funded through cuts to schools, roads, and other basic programs.
As you consider NJ political candidates and their stances on these blind tax cuts, irrespective of party, keep in mind that they'll eventually get around to cutting programs that will affect our community's quality of life. Theirs are not the only ideas on how to save money and lower taxes.
I encourage local governments to continue the trend of saving costs by merging services with neighboring communities. They need to do so more aggressively.
And we have too many separate municipalities. We simply don't need hundreds of school superintendents, hundreds of mayors and councils, and hundreds of police departments, water departments, public utility departments, etc, etc. But you have to ask yourself if your politicians and bureaucrats would ever opt for an organizational design that would risk putting them out of work. I suspect that we citizens will have to use the power of referendum to call for muni-mergers before we'll really start to save money.
As you consider NJ political candidates and their stances on these blind tax cuts, irrespective of party, keep in mind that they'll eventually get around to cutting programs that will affect our community's quality of life. Theirs are not the only ideas on how to save money and lower taxes.
I encourage local governments to continue the trend of saving costs by merging services with neighboring communities. They need to do so more aggressively.
And we have too many separate municipalities. We simply don't need hundreds of school superintendents, hundreds of mayors and councils, and hundreds of police departments, water departments, public utility departments, etc, etc. But you have to ask yourself if your politicians and bureaucrats would ever opt for an organizational design that would risk putting them out of work. I suspect that we citizens will have to use the power of referendum to call for muni-mergers before we'll really start to save money.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
History: Hoover Supreme Court Nomination Affects NJ Politics (1930)
 |
| President Herbert Hoover's Supreme Court nomination of John J Parker goes up in ashes and angers African Americans. |
Incensed at the treatment of Republican leaders, a group of colored men have formed the Independent Progressive Political Organization, which has bolted the G. O. P. and endorsed former State Senator Alexander Simpson, Democratic nominee for United States senator. The forming of the organization is to be the forerunner to line up the colored voters for former Governor A. Harry Moore, for Governor next year. Tho organization held its first convention at Trenton Saturday. Senator Simpson was characterized as the "friend of the Negro." The association pledges 50.000 votes for Senator Simpson.
The bone of contention is the votes of United States Senator David Baird Jr.and Hamilton F. Kean for Judge John Parker, of North Carolina, for confirmation as a United States Supreme Court justice. It was alleged at the time that Parker was prejudicial to the colored people. Since the support of Senators Kean and Baird, the colored voters have been up in arms. They claim that they have received no courtesy from Governor Larson, and that patronage for the colored people is nil. The movement is being led by former Assemblyman J. LeRoy Baxter, Essex County; Dr. Clement T. Branch, Camden; R. G. Thurmond, Morris County; W Cary Trueheart, Atlantic County; Robert Queen and Peyton Manning, of Mercer County.
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