Cumberland County in Trouble:Our Political Candidates

Good morning. I have not been writing about our political conditions here in Cumberland County New Jersey. I am now going to play catch-up. Then again this is no game. This is about the continued economic viability of Cumberland County and to Millville as well.
First off some good news. Millville celebrates 10 years of 3rd Friday's. This started with volunteers such as Liz Nicklus, Carl Johnson, Leslie Ficcalia, Mike Cagno and others who started the RRCA from scratch as volunteers. Now we have 2 anchors. The RRCA on one end and the Village on High on the other end. Maryann Cannon deserves full praise for getting this project started at an old gas station on High Street.
Ok, Lets enjoy this Friday
 Back to our politics... I see that Rev Dunkins is not running for Freeholder

but a woman named Carol Masso will be running. She seems to be an insider with the party. I know little about her. I wished that Jane Jennerone had dropped out instead since she has been embarrassing. She has been the bad cop for big Lou. I did notice that Mr. Magazzu is STILL running the party as this statement leads me to believe.

“Cumberland County residents have received the short end of the stick from the Trenton Republicans,” said Cumberland County Democratic Chairman Lou Magazzu, in a statement announcing his party’s county slate in the upcoming November elections.

So I guess Lou is not "gone" like I was told by a Democratic insider last month. I really did believe him too! The face that Jane is still on the ballot seems to confirm my opinion on this matter. Lou comes out and says this statement that the Democratic candidates will defend Cumberland County against attacks from the Christie Admin.

“The team of Whelan, Jannarone and Musso will be a firewall to protect us from any further attacks.”

Well, Mr Magazzu, your current candidates have not "protected" us here in Cumberland County that well. As you said yourself.

“The (Chris) Christie administration has unfairly targeted Cumberland County by planning to close the Upper Deerfield (motor vehicle) inspection station and already closing the Bridgeton inspection station, Vineland Developmental Center and the urban enterprise zones of Bridgeton, Vineland and Millville.

Our Assemblymen are not much better in protecting our economic interests.Assemblyman John Burzichelli has no ideawhy the Vineland Development Center is targeted for closing.

A member of the budget committee, the Third District assemblyman stated he doesn’t understand why the center is to be closed when relatives and advocates for those staying there have praise for it — and while many patients cannot speak for themselves.


“Something just doesn’t sit right with this,” said Burzichelli, the Democratic deputy speaker in the Assembly. “I’ve asked for follow-up information on this. This is a real important issue to many people in this county.
“I think there is going to be a need for a facility here.”

Well, with all due respect, you might want to do your job and FIND OUT!!!
Meanwhile Jeff Van Drew is accused of tearing up petitions of a woman who DARED to run in the primary against him. Yo Jeff, why don't you and Mr Burzichelli go out and challenge the Christie Admin on why the Vineland Development Center is being closed, the UEZ is closing its local office, and why another DOT building is going to be shutdown.
Ok, Now that I have commented about the Democrats, its time for the Republicans. I see that Sam Fiocchi gets full endorsement from First District GOP nomination for STATE ASSEMBLY. Gee, did he not just get elected for Freeholder umm 4 months ago? I voted for Mr Fiocchi thinking that he would bring a balance and commonsense to the Lou-Dominated Freeholder Board. I was again mistaken. He just just used his Freeholder seat (barely warm) as a stepping stone. He did not impress my friend who was seeking leadership concerning the proposed closing of the County Library.
I do not know the Republican candidates for Freeholder except Joey Farabella who was a good Millville Cop. If anyone out there can educate me, I am willing to listen. Can anyone get rid of Lou and Jane? Can we get strong leadership so we are not the red-headed step child of the State of New Jersey?

A Spring Weekend in April

June and her new coat

Kay and Carolyne at Guilty Pleasures

Planted our Bamboo Yesterday!

Carolyne in her Studio.

Good day sunshine. It was a mild day in April. You know like Spring was meant to be.  I missed my zoning meeting due to being late for the bus. I did have a very cool weekend. We had a nice yoga class, then we hung out with Kay downtown. They did some shopping while I snapped some photos. We then went to Bojo's and had a beer. We were to have food but after 30 minutes or so just decided to leave. We heard that the 2 women who used to cook left. . Next we went to the Oar House and had late lunch.  It was a good time. I was so tired that I went to sleep around 8:30 and slept till 8 yesterday.

At Oar House

Yesterday, I got to walk the dogs for awhile. Met up with Dennis and Linday at the oppisite ends of High Street. Linda  Works Sunday's at the RRCA and still sees stuff with my name on it. We had a good chuckle at that.  There is a framed photo of Mike Cagno but who is the 2nd director of the RRCA? Can anyone there tell me? Its it like the Commies who leave out photos of non-persons? Um..? Umm?
Anyway back to Spring. Yesterday was  the nicest we had in weeks. We planted our bamboo plant and I can't wait for it to grow. Also we added lights to Carolyne's studio. It was cool project figuring out how to get the lighting in the right spots. We both got haircuts. Carolyne looks very nice!!
Well, its now 5:33am got to get ready for the 408 Bus now.

An Exchange

I received this exchange between a friend who was concerned about the proposed closing of the County Libriary. I was very interested since like myself my friend voted for some of the Republicans thinking it may inprove the quality of the Freeholder Board.
Here is just a portion of my friend's letter to Sam Fiocchi

Closing a library, in my opinion, is a poor decision. Targeting 4H,
libraries, and sr. centers, etc., affect those who most need the services and are
least able to speak out - the children, the poor, and the elderly.
As newspapers such as the London Times and the NY Times (effective March
28th)> increasingly begin to charge for their subscriptions, it will become
Increasingly more difficult for people who are struggling to make ends
meet to have access to the world around them. Libraries will be increasingly more
utilized to access these types of subscriptions. Libraries are also
heavily used by job seekers who in the face of unemployment do not have the extra funds
available to afford an internet connection. Other areas in the county,
astoundingly, are still without a reliable internet connection, and people
from> those areas rely on those connections.

Here is Freeholder Fiocchi's response in part. He seems to blame the Democrats for the entire problem of the County debt of 11 milliion

thank you for taking the time to write to me. The Freeholders do not want
to shut down the library but we are facing a budget deficit of $11 million
dollars. I am a newly elected Freeholder and the poor business and spending
practices of the previous Democrat controlled administrations have put us
on this course, we now are facing difficult choices and we are compelled
to straighten out

He goes on to say the following to back this up

The county levy has doubled in

the last 8 years, the budget has nearly doubled in the same period and our

taxes in NJ are the highest in the nation. Aditionally, ratables are

down, revenues are down and so is state and federal aid. Be assured that the budget committee is looking at every dollar

My friend responds to Mr Fiocchi's assertions

I must say that I am terribly disappointed that partisanship had to enter into your email - especially given that as an independent, I voted for you...
As you yourself point out, we are a struggling community. Removing library services serves will have negative externalities - it will continue to entrench our county with the belief that low educational values are alright. Education gives us the opportunity to do more for ourselves and more for our economy.
As far as partisanship--the country inherited a recession, sir, from a Republican President. Cumberland County has been poorly run by Democrats, which is why I voted Republican this past election.But the truth the economy is a national and global issue, and cannot be placed squarely on the shoulders of any one party.
I understand and appreciate the difficulties that the freeholders are facing, and indeed the entire community, but I am very disappointed in your partisan response.

Random Bus Stuff and Pups

A fun Ball

Yup, They DID mess up

  the Pitman express it was supposed to show up 20 min. earlier which would be approximately 527 is already min. late I'll I'm not sure what is going to come it's now 5:44 and the bus came. The bus driver told me there was a misprint. So it's only 3 min earlier. I found out when I got on the bus. So I benefit since I can take PATCO in the morning as well. PATCO is cheaper.
After work I found this yellow ball. It was so bright and chearful that I had to take it with me. After all all of us need some cheer! I donated it to a kid next door since it would get chewed up or lost. I ate breakfast with my dogs this morning. They enjoyed their chow like I did.
Have a mild Tuesday.

My Chow hounds this morning

New DPW Secretary Blames Rendell for Welfare Spending Increase

Image via Wikipedia

As you know the new Gov of Pennsylvania Tom Corbett plans to reduce my salery. His pick for Secretary of Public Gary Alexander gave his view of what he plans for the Department of Public Welfare.

Rising demand in Pennsylvania for social services during the recession and the spiraling cost of health care has driven up the agency's budget by about 70 percent in a decade. One in six Pennsylvanians is now covered by Medicaid, the 45-year-old federal program created to help states pay for medical and long-term care for the poor and disabled.

You can tell that a new sheirff is in town. Check out this statement.

Alexander, who will manage many of Pennsylvania's services for the poor, elderly and disabled, told senators in a packed Appropriations Committee hearing that the mantra for case workers under Rendell was "when in doubt, give it out" or "close your eyes and authorize" — statements he repeated to a House committee later Wednesday.
"That is stopping," Alexander told senators. "I told the workers, 'That should happen no more.'"

Mr. Alexander proceeded to blame the Rendell Adminstration for the increase in spending in the Department of Public Welfare.

also contended that the administration of the Republican governor's predecessor, Democrat Ed Rendell, practiced gross mismanagement. Former top Rendell aides said such statements prove that Corbett administration officials are either lying to conceal their true aims to slash health care or don't know what they're talking about

It appears that DPW is going after Medicaid to satisfy a political agenda where the well-connected like the gas drillers are not taxed but the social safety net is.
We will have to see how far they go with this. As for our contract which is up for negations. The Commonwealth has not set ANY dates to start negations. The Commonwealth has presented their proposals to AFSME and it is not pretty.

As we expected, the commonwealth has targeted everything financial in the contract and is demanding major concessions on wages, healthcare, scheduling, overtime, leave retiree healthcare, equalization, work-related injuries, mileage and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). They also propose random drug testing and elimination of use of tobacco products. Please realize these are the initial proposals and will be negotiated until we reach an end result.

Well, stay tuned!

April Begins

Yesterday at Nippers

It's a beautiful spring day  today is April 3 the ACLU on 1955 defended Allen Ginsberg and his book Howl it's a very nice spring day last night I hung out with friends at nippers pub in Deptford which was fun we had a really fun fun time and I came home went to Bogart's and chill today it's the nicest it was had in two weeks and I'm doing stuff around the house Carolyne is now chilling with Kay and I'm here at the house now. I checked out the Village on High that is on High Street near Broad Street. It was pretty cool

Our Tree is Blooming

I got some pretty good photos since it was the nicest day in about 2 weeks. Its supposed to warm up tomorrow with a high of 75. Then the temps are going to drop to the mid 50's with rain on Tuesday

Village on High Sunday April 2

The End of March.

Yesterday from PATCO Train

March, it sure ended with a damp and cold feel to it. Spring has been very cool. The last real nice day was 3rd Friday 2 weeks ago when it hit 70 degrees. Now its wet and 35 out at 5:30am. At least its not snowing like in Maine where my friend in Portland is going to get about 10 inches. I started to tak the Bus and Trains more now that the price of Gas is getting steeper and our car is getting older. Stayed at Mikes on Weds night and ate yummy pasta and watched the movie "Time

The Hat on the Table

What is THIS!

Bandits". It put us all to sleep since it sort of just dragged on after the beginning which was pretty funny. I just got tired of the midgets running aound on and on. Well, today is April Fools day. I can't think of any good pranks but its also Friday so that is a good thing. This rain should stop by tomorrow when I am going to meet my friends from the 408 Bus for early dinner and Carolyne is going to see Wah! in Philly.

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