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It's Not Right vs Left. It's Right vs Wrong 
                                                       
  Family. God. Country and the Boston Red Sox.

                                    Day 145 of President Barak Hussain Obama Allowing UDT SEALS Petty Officer, Matthew McCabe, Petty
Officer Jonathan Keefe and Petty Officer Julio Huertas Stand Court Martial for Giving a Known Murderer and Terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed, the Sand Rat who Murdered and then Mutilated three Blackwater Security Guards in Fallujah in 2004 a Fat Lip and Belly Ache. TODAY Call Admiral Eric Olson  at (813) 826.5100 or email at olsone@socom.mil and get daily updates at http://victoryinstitute.net/ Please be respectful.
Get Real... You Don't Sign it / I Don't Post it
JUST IN: Anonymous Flier Out in the Community Slams Fitzpatrick

This afternoon my text line rang asking me about a flier that was placed in my neighborhood and apparently made its way to High Street. At 6:00PM tonight I turned my phone off because of the traffic. 

I will say it now just so it is abundantly clear: I didn't write it. I didn't contribute to it and I do not have an inkling who is responsible for it.

The flier leads the reader to believe I am the writer and that makes the real writer Douchbag of the Week (and it's only Monday). It recaps instances posted only on my site. In my postings and my research and in my findings I stand firm.  This flier lacks originality, substance and credibility because it also lacks a signature (re: ownership). It's time for someone to dude-up or chick-up and take accountability. 

Thank you, 

Bruce Novozinsky
 

One Taxpayers View Point - Part I of III: Future Farmers of America
The UFRSD Budget Crisis... What is Needed, What is Not Needed and What Pay-to-Play REALLY Means.

I am giving my thoughts on the UFRSD budget. I am going to start with the one area I feel is untouchable (Future Farmers of America), one area that needs to be flushed (proposed Swim Team) and finally one area that is being given the great PR spin; but will land on the lap and truly test the wear withal of those concerned as it pertains to Pay-to-Participate (P2P).

First off, I will issue a challenge to the BOE: take all the money forecasted for cut from FFA and hand it to Chris Tyminski. Whatever you can take from him is yours... you deserve it. My money is on the kid though.

Allentown, Millstone and Upper Freehold Township is deep in history from Underground Railroads to Doctor William Newell and deep in traditions. Allentown and it's surrounding areas are still by-and-large a farming community. What is a shame is the loss of the land because in today world of trillion (with a "T") dollar debts, we are forced to place land tax-value in place of land scape-value.

When you walk the halls of our schools, the library, the muni-buildings and and see painted murals and when you see crafts of tapestries and terry cloth afghans sold that depict Allentown, Millstone and Upper Freehold Township, ultimately woven into the fabric and the paint are some reminder of the community as it once was - a farming community. The Allentown High School Future Farmers of America are the keepers of this land rich tradition.

The FFA was founded in 1928 and has over 7000 chapters in all 50 states - that's chapters, not members. The membership is 500,000 strong and its most recent convention was attended by over 60,000 people. Pretty impressive. These are hardworking people bent on serving the technology of cultivating land and our farm life, but also are the historians and work force behind the manual work of our open lands and farms. They do not get a nickel of government funding and depend on private donations, sponsorships and charge a $5.00 a year to be a member. Five bucks (what did you spend in your most recent trip to Starbucks?)

To take a dime from this organization would be a travesty. It would be a slight to the construction of and preservation of our community. We may as well concede that the art work and crafts that depict farm equipment and agricultural symbols be replaced with strip malls, byways and Verizon FIOS.

I stand with these kids (and this is from a guy that feels a Rain Forrest is a well irrigated golf course gone to waste) and the ambitious (albeit simple) take on life and preservation.

I wish the FFA well in their budget fight.


Okay, YESTERDAY I was Wrong - Today, Not So Much

Okay, YESTERDAY I was Wrong - Today, Not So Much

Today I went to my mailbox - my USPS mailbox. What I found was an envelope addressed TO me FROM, well... me. Stay with me for a minute. The envelope was (get this) typed. It was a step above cutting out little letters from a magazine and glue-sticking them to the envelope. From what I could gather it was a letter (or more of a communication) certainly NOT meant for my eyes, yet sent to me anyway. It was from a Teachers Union member (or rep) from the UFRSD to the membership and contained confidential information that is sensitive in nature to (as best I can tell) negotiations as well as a bash of now governor Chris Christie.  

Listen, I like a good fight. I like a battle of wits and I like a good game of chess when it's played well... There are two things I don't like: golf -cheaters and Unions. Sending me this communication and thinking that it would wind up in this spot the day after I had a Humble pie dessert to go with raw Crow, was a bad, bad move. 

So what did I do. EXACTLY 10 minutes after opening I texted my favorite BOE'er as I was walking back to my mailbox. The text read "if you want to read what I was sent, come to my mailbox because I am going out for my birthday dinner." The letter is now in their hands and they are not all too happy. 

Plain and simple the Teacher's Unions at every level are nothing but a well financed, well organized, well educated white collar gang. There is no disputing that America’s teachers unions -- in particular, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers -- are the most organized and powerful voices in education politics. There are groups of people that care more deeply about public schools (parents, most notably) but they lack the coordination and vast resources that teachers unions have at their disposal - they know it and they use it. 

So now they want to throw down (and assume that I would carry the water bucket)... Want to start negotiating the budget down? Start giving back the stipends. Coach for the love of the game you all talk about in the newspaper profiles. Dish out the $1,500 a month we pony up for our healthcare (on average) and then get ready to have an additional 30% jacked into that once universal healthcare passes under the candidate you endorsed. 

You do that and I'll post your communication and then I'll fully encourage your negotiations. Wait until Governor Christie gets a hold of you.  

I WAS WRONG
If anyone has a good recipe for CROW, I am looking for it; because tonight I am eating it. Last week, me and my smartassedness posted the following: 

"The Allentown High School Athletic Department is set to name Christopher Baldassano as its Head Football coach on February 3 at the BOE meeting. Baldassano is one of three finalists for the position to succeed John Amabile who resigned following his single season at the helm of AHS because of parent interference. Amabile was THE front running candidate for the Lakewood job but Lakewood went with 83 year old Warren Wolf over the youth of Amabile (72). My choice for the AHS job was Nick DeMauro (or Jimmy Cadigan) but my advice was not asked Never-the-less, I wish Baldassano well should he be officially named."

Well, I was wrong. I take the full brunt of this. If I am right on this blog, I am THE FIRST to point it out - when I am wrong, we'll I had better have the stones to say it as well... I was wrong. Dead-ass, dead-on, dead-straight wrong. There are no "so-and-so told me" there is no "I heard it from..." - Nope. All me. 

Jay Graber is a TREMENDOUS choice and nothing Dick Fitzpatrick said (albeit the time it took for him TO say it) can be countered. This is what AHS football needs.

Tonight is not the night to get into the pros and cons and my (apparently wrong) opinions of the budget (tomorrow is though), tonight is a night to give up the mea cupas and to thank the administration (Chris Nagy and Brian Irwin) for the following: 

On January the Carroll family of East Windsor suffered a devastating loss of home and property when a massive fire claimed all of their personal belongings with the exception of a family Bible and part of a kitchen set. By the Hand of God this was a tragedy of personal belongings and not life. One of the family members is in the 8th grade class of my daughter at Saint Gregory the Great. I know the boy and his entire family faces this with resolve and humor. 

My daughters class embarked on a fund raising and clothing drive for the Carroll and one of the ideas was to ask each area school principle and athletic director for logo'd athletic wear. Of the nine schools asked/ nine responded. None in a greater way than the coaches, teachers and staff of Allentown High School. Dr Nagy and Brian Irwin had 2 large bozes of wear delivered and Doug Hunt continues to solicit gift cards. I spoke to the family this past Sunday and the gratitude and emotion overcame us all. 

On behalf of the Carroll family, St Gregory the Great community and Booster Club and the 8th Grade class in particular, I thank you all.         

 

If You go to Work Today and Disagree with a Co-Worker and Called them a "F*****g Retard" Would You Be Fired? Not if Your Boss is the POTUS 

Former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin posted a note on her Facebook page late Monday calling for President Obama to fire his Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel for comments he made that she said were offensive to children with developmental disabilities. In the Facebook posting entitled “Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?,” Palin called for his firing for comments attributed to him in a Jan. 26 Wall Street Journal article where he called plans by liberal groups to run ads against moderate Democrats "F—ing retarded." Emanuel apologized later today to Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver for using the word. On March 19, 2009 President Obama himself made headlines for a joke on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno that landed him in hot water.In describing a bowling game on the campaign trail where he scored a measly 129, Obama said, "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something.”

NJ Public Schools and the Hired Administrations... The Numbers Are What They Are And THE CARTEL Spells It All Out!

New Jersey is #1 in spending per public school student.  Where does it go?

The state spends around $55,000 on average for teachers’ salaries at Paterson’s JFK High School. But total per classroom spending in the school runs to $313,268.

Here are classroom spending numbers for other schools: Keansburg High, Keansburg, $339,592, Asbury Park High, Asbury Park, $346,569, Trenton Central High, Trenton, $366,710, James Ferris High, Jersey City, $398,666, Memorial High, West New York, $417,919, Abington Avenue Middle School, Newark, $436,096 (getting the theme here)? 

Where does the money go, and why so much?

Perhaps because New Jersey has 616 school districts.  In contrast, Maryland has only 24 school districts.

The average school district in Maryland has 35,000 students.  The average in New Jersey is 2,300 students.   Think about the difference in administrative costs.  While 35,000 students in Maryland have one superintendent and district administrative office, 35,000 students in New Jersey have 15 superintendents and district administrative offices.

Or perhaps because of contractual agreements.  When an Asbury Park superintendent resigned over a “clash of leadership styles,” the school board agreed to pay him a $310,000 severance fee along with $40,000 of his legal costs to go with his $120,750 annual salary.

Or misplaced priorities. Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark devoted $30 million to a new football stadium. In fact, an audit of school spending in low-performing districts in New Jersey concluded that 29 percent of expenditures were not “reasonable.”

Or maybe because many school board elections are not held on presidential election days.

These are some of the bizarre and dismaying facts and stories recounted in a new education documentary entitled The Cartel.

The director is Bob Bowden, a long-time New Jersey journalist and news anchor.  The 90-minute film contains one abomination after another, complete with interviews with whistle-blowers, teachers, politicians, and education officials, including Chester Finn and Paul Peterson.

More material from the film:

Looking at funds pouring into troubled schools, one Trenton councilman sums it up: “The worse we do, the more money we get.”

The Pleasantville district has had 13 superintendents in the past 10 years, and not long ago five school board members were indicted for taking bribes.

A teacher in Camden reports that she was threatened with dismissal if she talked about a school’s policy of changing grades to make the school’s performance look stronger.

An award-winning history teacher in Trenton talks about “ghost-salaries, phantom-salaries, salaries for people who did not exist” on the budget.

Another teacher wanted to start a garden club after school, but union rules wouldn’t let her spend after school hours doing so.

According to a teachers union watchdog group, “The Newark school district has about 3,850 tenured instructional staff. Many of them are hard-working, committed educators. But can it be true that no more than .032% of tenured teachers are unfit to teach school?”

A former-principal estimates that 30-40 percent of his teachers should have been replaced.  When the interviewer tells the head of the New Jersey teachers union that only .03 percent of tenured teachers have been let go, and wonders if the other 99.97 percent are really fully qualified, she answers, “I think 99.97 success rate should be celebrated. That’s something we should be saying, ‘Wow!’”

There is more, much more in the film.  Cronyism and corruption are the themes, inside experience that proof.  It’s an exposé that deserves wide coverage. 

The UFRSD Budget... Wait. Listen. Contribute. 
I admit The minute I read Dick Fitzpatrick's words in the MP this week, I was ready to pounce. I never do this but I am making an exception because of the respect I have for the two people who have asked me to hold off. 

I received 8 emails once the MP hit online with the issues that surround the budget crisis at the UFRSD. I will not post the article in its entirety but I will post the link. I promised to be fair and let the process play out. My initial reaction was to jump all over this. I was talked off the ledge. These BOE'ers are committed to the best for the kids and are working till midnight in their work sessions to get the job done. I have my opinions but they may be premature.

http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2010/01/28/the_messenger_press/news/doc4b609f9b15a5c873601819.txt 

Let these people do their work, let the budget proposal come out and let's review the line-items. OR better yet... let's come to the meetings and listen. I have not been but will. I don't flatter myself a distraction but if these officials are going to put in the effort, we are obligated to at least listen and comment on the process as it is debated and ask our questions and form intelligent opinions of agreement or opposition. There are many areas to question and we (as a community) need to be creative and assist.

For example: The French exchange program. Though for the life of me I cannot figure out what we want with the French here, the program is a success and my friend Barbara Leyman is an excellent host (and teacher). Now is not the time. Six grand... When the golf team goes to local competitions they take a bus for 6 kids and a coach. They are often met at the course by the opposing team with 6 kids and a coach in a bus. Price tag: $400 each. Have the AD call the other AD and work out a pick up deal and save each school $200 each. The bus is by the hour not the milage. Now times that by about 15 matches... The teacher who gets the a stipend for walking around to take pictures. Now is not the time. $600... Do away with the courtesy bus! NO ONE can afford it. The school can't and the township can't. It's $80,000. Now it's time for mommy and daddy to coin-up. You need a late-lift, $10 a pop... School outings and trips? Now is not the time. Gone...  

LOCAL SCHOOLS REACH OUT AND TOUCH A FAMILY IN (DIRE) NEED!
My heartfelt and sincere thanks to the schools and families that reached down to assist in the effort to help the Carroll/ Dey family. Steinert, Pennington, ALLENTOWN, Southern Regional, Monsignor Donovan, the Philadelphia Phillies, the University of New Hampshire and Methodist University and so many local families came to the aid of this family and it was TREMENDOUS! We are still taking new clothes donations and some jackets and hoodies are needed. If you can help please contact me or Barbara Anderson at barbara_a_anderson@yahoo.com - thank you all so very much!  

AHS Football Set to Name Head Football Coach
The Allentown High School Athletic Department is set to name Christopher Baldassano as its Head Football coach on February 3 at the BOE meeting. Baldassano is one of three finalists for the position to succeed John Amabile who resigned following his single season at the helm of AHS because of parent interference. Amabile was THE front running candidate for the Lakewood job but Lakewood went with 83 year old Warren Wolf over the youth of Amabile (72). My choice for the AHS job was Nick DeMauro (or Jimmy Cadigan) but my advice was not asked Never-the-less, I wish Baldassano well should he be officially named.     


Pro-Life to take Center Stage at the Super Bowl and the Left are Up in Arms! 
DUDE AND DUDE-ETTE OF THE WEEK: Tim Tebow and His Mom!


Tim Tebow has something to say that those on the pro-choice side of the fence won’t like.Just one month after the historic 37th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade in which the Supreme Court said a woman has a constitutional right to terminate her pregnancy, Tebow would like to add his two cents at the cost of about $2.5 million. 

The religious culture and American society in general still hotly debate whether or not a woman has the right to end her pregnancy. Tim Tebow, however, would like to say that he’s glad his mother chose life. Tebow plans to 80 million people just that during Super Bowl on February 7. According to CBS News, the network is standing firm in their decision to air the spot despite requests from pro-choice groups to have them reject it.

In the spot, Tebow will tell the story how is mother, Pam Tebow, became ill during her pregnancy and received the recommendation from her doctor to have an abortion. The report from CBS News quoted Tebow as saying, “That’s the reason I’m here, because my mom is a really courageous woman.” Good for Tim and good for his mom. 


Help Those From Haiti... BUT Help Our Own As  Well... 

The pictures and images from Haiti are heart-wrenching. The stories of survival and resolve are heart-rendering. Once again this great county of ours has served up a relief effort that reenforces us as the worlds bodyguard. Our President was on the front lines and whereas I am not a Bush-basher, Katrina was not his finest and defining moment. Of the just-over one year that Barak Obama has been president, this maybe his. 

The Unites States government has pledged a staggering $100,000,000 to relief and reconstruction. Now to be clear, this is not a check written and cashed. This includes machinery and troops. Everywhere you went this past weekend little jars were displayed for the relief efforts and our First Lady and two former Presidents encourage everyone to text HAITI to 90999 for a $10 donation. This weekend George Cloony will host a telethon on NBC to raise another $100,000,000 - not too bad. When all is said and done, the United States will contribute over a half of a billion (with a B) dollars. That is awesome. That is tremendous. That is generous. That is enough. 

Just as we were touched in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Americans poured out their pocketbooks to match the tears that flowed. There area great many Haitian-Americans that do not have the resources to go back home and looked for those they lost. On Saturday night in Millstone my friends Monica Togna (mtogna@optonline.net) and Cindy Bardwil  will be helping run a poker night for a local soccer coach that is in such a situation. If you are so inclined, please reach out to them to play. This will directly help a man in our area reunite or come to closure with the devastation. But I would also ask the readers of gmg.com to consider those that have suffered an equal loss right here in our neighborhood. 

On January 1 the Carroll/ Dey family of East Windsor lost everything in a house fire. By the grace of God's Hands no one was home or injured. To say that all they recovered were the clothes they had on, a family Bible and a kitchen set is not an exaggeration. They are devastated by this tragedy. 

I have reached out to the individual schools in an effort to raise new clothing for the kids. My daughter goes to school at Saint Gregory the Great in Hamilton Square with the youngest boy and I can tell you, he is something special. He has approached this tragedy with humor in the face of the humorless and he defines "resolve." 

I asked that each school donate a new tee shirt OR sweatshirt OR winter knit cap OR anything that carries your logo/ mascot etc. I'd like to show the family that we as a community care that these kids are properly clothed and that we stand with them. I am asking for 5 items to be donated (one for each kid). Below are the sizes. Now I am asking my friends to do the same. Next time you are out please consider purchasing a tee shirt, a sweat shirt or a jacket and sending it into St Gregory the Great School in care of Barbara Anderson. This small token and gesture is truly looking out for our own whose own devastation has every bit the impact that those families in Haiti are facing. There is no time line facing this. If you are out and you think of them, please consider picking up something for them. 
  
Barbara Anderson is coordinating these efforts on behalf of the Saint Gregory the Great Lions Booster Club. We are very willing to come to you school to pick up the items at anytime that works for you OR they can be sent to Saint Gregory the Great School in care of Barbara Anderson at: 

St Gregory the Great School 
4680 Nottingham Way 
Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 
attn: Barbara Anderson 
  

The Dudes and Duds in the Tri-Town Area for 2009 Plus What is In-store for Us in 2010


Looking back at 2009 in the Allentown/ Millstone and UFT areas I narrowed down the top 5 high points and the top 5 low lights and here they are... 

TOP 5 Dudes ... 

Steve Cochran and ALL members of the UFRSD-ABC for putting himself themselves  in the crosshairs and taking the anti-bullying campaign to the next level. GREAT project with GREAT results. 

Nick DeMauro Jr. The 11 year old kid gives up his Christmas to raise money to by goats for families  in Africa in need. 

Jim Cadigan and the Junior Midget Pop Warner football team for capturing the Pop Warner NJ state championship.

Nine graduates of AHS class of 2009 commit to the armed forces in the fight in the Global War on Terrorism.

BOE'er Howard Kreiger for doing more than his job at the BOE and being present at every veteran and kid related presentation and sitting in the back of the room and not politicking his presence.  

Bottom 5 Duds...

What really happened at the Allentown Bakery and why won't anyone talk about it? Ridiculous and reprehensible.

UFRSD-BOE making a public display in the announcement that Superintendent Fitzpatrick took a decrease in his salary contracted increase for the upcoming school year but didn't reveal the details behind the "purchase" of the rights to "The Dash."

Basketball Recreation officials accepting money to do less than what Baseball, Football, Soccer and Lacrosse do for free. 

Millstone Pop Warner officials for not knowing they had a two-time convicted sexual offender within their organization - they need to do a better job. 

The Messenger Press for allowing sexually explicit blogspots blog sites in their Blog section without monitoring the content.

NEW Local Blog-Spot Watchdogging the UFRSD

Who is www.shortbuslongbusnobus.org?

This past week in the Examiner Mary Woher of Allentown took the crusade of the UFRSD and the children of special needs public in a letter to the editor and the debut of their blogspot www.shortbuslongbusnobus.org, I suggest you take note and read it. The Woher family is a brave family indeed. Not only do they take to task the (shabby at best) leadership of the UFRSD hired members but they take a shot at the Examiner as well.

The Examiner aside - I personally like the staff that covers the school and townships and I personally know that they are there to report and not issue commentary, this is all fair enough and something that maybe lost on the Woher's. What is not lost is that the Woher's have a good site (though they need to keep an attorney at the ready) and have a passion for the social and educational needs of those with special needs and I applaud them. I'd submit that this is the same leadership that did not report a bias incident against a special needs child in mid-2008. 

I'd comment on one area of the letter in this weeks Examiner: "...It's cheaper to keep a child in-district than sending a child out-of-district to an appropriate placement... The district is warehousing special needs children because it's cheaper to do so than to provide them with the free and appropriate public education required by law..." This is true on a vast and reoccurring level and needs to be watched carefully - I believe that the Woher family has that covered and encourage you to read the site in detail.

Credit must also be given to the Examiner for printing the letter - they could have let it go.           

From my Inbox to You... 2009 Emails to GMG.com. 
Now that 2010 is upon us, I had time to look back at my 2009 and the shape of things to come at GMG.com. It has had a good run. In April it'll be 2 years. Part of me says "slow down, take a break - you proved your point." Another part of me says that this is a good thing and it is basically set up to do what I want it to do an that is to spark conversation, get thoughts out there, break into the truth of what is happening in and around our towns and communities. How long will this continue is hard to say. I've always said that when it stops being useful and fun, it's over. That day maybe in the near future.

Along the way there has been Hits and Misses. I like to think that the Hits outweigh the Misses, but I am sure there are some homes that would disagree with me in that regard to a very large degree. That's okay. I've learned some lessons and learned some things about human nature that will stick with me.

I beat up on the UFRSD BOE pretty regularly. I have had several people ask me "is it personal?" expecting me to answer to the contrary. I like the look on their faces when I say, "yes, it is - it is personal." But only when it comes to the hired BOE staff. Doctor Richard Fitzpatrick and I are not on each others Christmas card list. No less than four people in the community have offered to mediate our differences but ours are not ideological, they are personal. He knows it and I say it. I won't go so far as to say that the elected BOE'ers have a standing order to not speak to me, but I will say that the administrative staff are all under a gag-order to make certain that their name not appear on these pages. But each day when the UFRSD is mentioned in these pages, the page is printed and distributed on High Street but more than a few of "the most talented staff" at the UFRSD have GMG.com tee shirts.

There were things that didn't shock me in contrast. When a BOE'er came to Lakewood to show her respects to my family when my sister passed. My sister was a woman she never met. On the flip side, there was a community member that froze my youngest from participating in a program he was putting together because of our separate views. There was a teacher that came up to me and hugged me and said that what I was blogging about was "dead on" and in contrast, there was the Admin member that usually held the door for me, that shut it on me. This became my lesson in "when they are done with you; they are really done with you."

I was asked if there was anything that I regretted posting. In response I always ask first, "what do you think I should regret?" The obvious reply is the day I called for my wife to resign from the Monmouth County Executive Board. Nope. She should. The next most popular answer is when I told Mayor Alexander that in the paraphrased words of Harry Truman "if you want friends in politics, buy a dog" two weeks after his dog died. But I think if I had a do-over, it would be me taking on the Lady Redbirds basketball team of AHS when they were raising funds via a Booster Board and when GMG.com was refused by PTAD Irwin, I went ballistic. I'd like to do that one over. The kids should not suffer in a adult(?) argument. They lost money and that was my fault and I am trying to make up for it.

There have been some wins... some big wins. One that I didn't realize was the popularity of the site be it for positive feedback or negative. Be it for good or bad. The AHS production of RENT and my opposition was positive for both ticket sales and a spike in readership. This was not the underlining factor to my opposition, but it spurred on conversation within the community. The UFRSD-ABC was a huge win for all involved. I think that the prodding from this site had a little (very little) in the promotion of the ABC and that Steve Cochran showed a set of stones by doing a '10Qw' with me even though he had a meeting at the woodshed afterwards. The idea I am most proud of? Posting the names and addresses of all local child and sexual predators on the site. Most recently this was called into play when Michael Rubino of Millstone was brought to the attention of the Millstone Pop Warner organization who had no idea he was a two time offender of underage girls attending the Pop Warner games and was observed 10 feet from the cheerleading squad. Needless to say, Mr. Rubino was not appreciative and I had to get a lawyer - too bad. There was candor from School Board candidate Steve Gagliardi (my personal choice for the next election should he decide to run again) and HERO of victims advocacy, Ed Werner. I also appreciate the support of the staff at Saint Gregory the Great that allow me to assist in the sponsorship of their events.

The total for (almost) two years is over 250,000 hits. When there is in controversy in the town, readership (hits) spike. When it is business as usual, we still get about 200 daily hits. Geographically we get the most amount of hits from the Mercer County (133 average a day); the western Monmouth (75 average a day between 8:00AM and 8:25AM... hmmm) and the rest scattered around. I have received emails from as far as Nevada and for some reason Ohio gets me about 11 hits a day.

There are closet readers. The site gets attention from the Diocese of Trenton and Bishop "Silent" John Smith. No less than 4 local Mayors have either called me or emailed me with regards to the content on the site at one time or another and two former Mayors have had others call me over objections to the site. All members of the sitting UFT Board of elected officials have been gracious and forthcoming as was Dave Reed when he sat on the Board. I also have over 100 emails from staff and teachers from various districts around the tri-county area.

What I enjoy most about the site is the feedback. I get about 10 - 20 emails or text messages a day on a pretty regular basis after each locally related topic. I kept them and here are a few of my favorites from 2009:

In General

"Bruce, you're a dick."

            CN (Millstone Twp)

Mom? BN

"... Your website is long overdue. Its credibility is in the fact that you put your name to all you say. What is the reaction from people when you are in town...?

            MC (no town provided)

MC, mostly positive and the criticism that is face to face is mostly constructive. There are deterrents and that's fine because in order to come to any conclusions about me as a person, one has to read the site and discuss its content. BN

"You are quiet on Tiger Woods. He showed what he is, a street (word deleted)."

            No name or address

No name, no one cares what I have to say about Tiger Woods. I actually did comment on it and it is still on my site. I will add one more thing though: what about the assault on him with a weapon? BTW: You just showed what YOU are, a racist-phlegm. BN

"... you have just gotten mean."

            MG (Hamilton)

Beauty/ beholder. BN

"You recently blogged about the term "it's all for the kids" when talking about the politics in youth sports and activities. You were on the mark with this. I wished you had it printed as a letter to the Editor in the local papers."

            ERP (no town provided)

ERP, it was one of my better ones because it was so timely and true. Here is a follow-up: I have attended 4 meetings this year that politics came in the way of letting kids play a game. At each meeting the (non-enforced) township Code of Conduct came up. At each meeting names were named by people with the preface of "we all know <insert name> is responsible for us having to have a Code of Conduct in the first place." At each turn the accuser had it all wrong. One accuser has had very public run-ins with the law and needs to go away. The easy thing to do is to take a kid out of a game and suspend him/ her for a game. The hard thing to do is to enforce the CoC with adults. BTW: my hit-ratio is larger than the online editions of the MP and the Examiner.

The Schools

"...why care about the school district and what goes on there. You don't belong snooping around and taking to task what people are doing that is in the best interest of our children. You decided to take your kids out and to be candid, there were a lot of people that were glad you did..."

            EG (no town provided)

EG, I do care. I care about the kids of the community and the conditions they have to learn under and the politics that govern these decisions. I see a liberal leaning with the administration that is starting to out-balance the conservative foundation that was there prior to three years ago. I see it in the history books (which I have), I see it in the support of National Days of Silence and I see it in the covert communications being put out to the public. I never "left." I pay my taxes and that alone gives me a say. BN

"Bruce, I enjoy your site and do comment on it often. I am not saying I agree with you on most points (actually I agree with you on very little, but admire the things you put out with your name attached). With that said, let me ask you, is it really any better in the schools anywhere else..?

            JT (Allentown)

JT, thank you. In answer to your question, no it's not really "any better" anyplace else but does that make it right? The staffs of our public school systems are hog-tied because all of a sudden Little Johnny has a self-esteem problem while he is tossing a lighted bag of dog crap down the center aisle at St John's! It's time we all (myself included) took accountability for the way our kids are brought up and stop looking for an 8 - 3 baby-sitter at school. But as long as liberal minded hired administration members are looking for a boost to district report cards, this will continue to happen again and again and again.

"...Bruce, not that you are qualified to answer this, but what is the biggest problem with the public school system as you see it...?"

            LG (Hopewell Valley)

You are right, I'm not qualified but I can give you my opinion since you asked. In no set order because they all suck: 1) The Teacher's Union. 2) Tenure and 3) 600 school districts run by 600 full staffs when each district should be broken up by counties. BN

"Why not run for School Board?"

            MB (Cream Ridge)

Out of the question. I have too many skeletons and I would not be an effective member. I would blab on this site the things that the public should know from closed session and whereas I can guarantee that the BOE meetings would not be boring, they would be counter-productive because of my mouth. BN

"Just curious, would you ever put your kids back in public school..?"

            GG (UFT - Cream Ridge)

GG, I have no problem with AHS. With Dr Nagy, Connie Embley, Pat Leary and Brian M at the controls there is no issue what-so-ever. Would I ever involve myself in the efforts to the degree I did in the past if they were there? No. Some things just do not pass the smell-test. BN

"...What is your problem with Steinert and the Hamilton township school system..?"

            CT (Groveville)

Let's start with Carl Jordan and then go right into S-texting with kids at Reynolds and the storm troopers that govern the BOE over there that include each and every one of them that have a name that ends in a vowel. Hamilton school districts are basically run with biased overtones that spread to the press because the most powerful brokers OF power in Hamilton are related and both their names end with the letter "o". BN

Local Politics

"When you decide to run and if elected put in the hours that a committee member puts in, then you can talk. Until then, shut up."

            MR (no town provided)

Once again, skeletons, blah, blah, blah... But, to quote Jefferson "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." Take this as a fundamental reply and not a literal one.

"...You have said more than once that it's "us versus them" when it comes to the new residents and older families in the township, I disagree..."

            (No name or town provided)

No name/ town, I agree with your disagreement! I have said that on many occasions and I also have seen it get better with the current committee members. There is a mix of old and new on that committee and the "machine" that once governed this township is all but shut down. I think that with the elections of the future we will see more involved and community minded people step up and be tempered with the vision of our community growing and not "what's in this for me?" BN     
New York Archbishop (soon to be Cardinal) Timothy Dolan's email to GMG.com on the War on Christmas - and he calls for a Truce! 

Six months ago I had the pleasure of meeting the most recent Archbishop of the New York Arch-Diocese, Timothy Dolan.  I recently reached out to him again and asked him about the War on Christmas via email and citing my webdsite asked him to "bookmark" it and comment as he saw fit. Stopping short of classifying himself as "a fan" of the site, he did reply to the WoC inquiry and below are his comments... 

Bruce, 
Thank you for the time you took to write.  I do remember our brief encounter and the laugh we shared. As far as commenting on the War on Christmas I think I will pass to you what I wrote in the New York Daily News when asked of the same. Thank you for adding the link to your site. I am a "blogger" myself and I do believe that Christ speaks to us through a variety of mediums and the web is certainly one of those means. I will continue to check your site and accept the kind offer of the teeshirt. 
Coaching Legend Resigns Today But in the Works for Over a Month - Read Reactions and Honey-Fitz's Statement Latest 'Dear Colleagues"
 Amabile (Officially) OUT at AHS
Short-time AHS Coach John Amabile resigned (officially) today as the Head football coach of AHS - BUT as noted in this Blog-spot in early November, Amabile's days were numbered when a parent revolt and subsequent athletic department meeting prior to Homecoming over his potty-mouth all but sealed his fate.

Today's Trentonian.com reports:  "...Amabile, who lives in Spring Lake, felt it was important for a head coach to work at the school he coaches at to oversee off-season conditioning and the progress of his players in the classroom..."

 Bullshit.

Two years ago when in search of a foundation of football stability one of the criteria of the job was to have the coach "in house" meaning working in the school so the coach can track his players and the program. When PTAD Irwin came across Pat Dowling who left after a single season this was tossed aside (I know, because I was at the initial search meeting) as was it when Amabile came onboard.

Amabile was old-school and a proven winner. His tactics of motivation did not sit well with some in the community and this was brought to his attention. Amabile has been a coach for over 45 years in the state of New Jersey adn the county of Monmouth and was a candidate for CVC Coach of the Year (thank you Ross Scheuerman) - so what made him leave? At 70 years old, Amabile decided that this was a great program to help rebuild. It all lined up because he had nothing to lose. He was not ready for the support line at AHS and is now free to return to the Shore Conference and take the Lakewood or Freehold positions that just opened up.  

 Honey-Fitz's Statement
Dear Colleagues,

 Some news travels at the speed of light!

Yesterday I had a surprise visit from football Coach Amaible (the note is about the guy, at least get his name right). He came to tell me that he had decided to resign from his position for the next season. I shared with him our appreciation for his dedication to our kids, their work on and off  the field, and for his belief in their potential to be competitive and achieve their personal best.

In my meeting with the team earlier this month I was impressed with the responses of the players about their growth as athletes and their self assessment as a team. The players noted that they felt they learned a great deal about fottball, (the note is about football, at least get the sport right) of the need to be focused, to train properly, and to set personal goals and then work hard to achieve them. The feelings they expressed suggested that they gained tremendous satisfaction from being able to walk on the field with confidence knowing that they could be competitive and to be able to walk off the field in victory.  I was impressed with our kids, their reflections and the understanding of who they are and what they needed to do to
realize their personal goals. I left that meeting appreciating once again  what great kids we have and I promise that we will do everything possible to find another great coach for next season. We appreciate the work of Coach Amabile and wish him the best. 
 
Dick Fitzpatrick
If the Doctor feels he is going "to find another great coach for next season" see if he can do better than this resume (source Wikipedia.org)

Amabile played quarterback for the Boston College Eagles from 1958-1960. He finished his career completing 163 of 329 passes (49.8%) for 2321 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. He won the 1960 Thomas F. Scanlan Memorial Trophy, an award given to the senior football player outstanding in scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability.  Amabile launched his career at Lincoln High School in 1967. From there he moved to Middletown High School, where he coached from 1970-1974. From 1977-1984, he coached Wall High School. He led the Crimson Knights to consecutive 11-0 seasons and NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championships in 1982 and 1983. His teams won four straight Shore Conference divisional titles from 1981-1984. Amabile coached at Neptune High School from 1985-2000. From 1993-99, the Scarlet Fliers had a 33-game home winning streak. From 1994-1998, Neptune won five straight Shore Conference divisional titles, going unbeaten in 1995 and 1997. From 2003-2008, Amabile coached St. John Vianney. In his six seasons with the Lancers, Amabile had a 22-38 record, with only one winning season and playoff appearance. Amabile compiled an overall record of 252-172-11. Only Warren Wolf and Vic Kubu are believed to have more wins in the Shore Conference. 

Victoria Kniewel, EdD - Superintendent of Schools West Windsor Plainsboro  
Douchebag of the Week (and it ain't even close)

A sophomore at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North accused of sexually assaulting a female student in a school stairwell has been allowed to return to class. The 16-year-old Plainsboro youth, whose name was not released because of his age, has been charged with criminal sexual contact in the Dec. 8 incident, Plainsboro police said yesterday and the WW-P school District is providing a tutor and security guard for the alleged offender.  

The teen allegedly cornered a 17-year-old student in a stairwell and fondled her under her clothing until she could break free, according to her mother. The girl reported the incident immediately and her parents notified police.
Meanwhile the boy, who had been suspended for 10 days and placed on home-schooling after that, has returned to school this week - oh, and this all came on the tab of the WW taxpayer. Next, when this little darling was let back in school HE gets a private security guard to take HIM from class to class! The district took the measure to remove the boy from the girls single class BUT they still have the same lunch period together when the social aspect it at its height. 
So where is Victoria Kniewel, EdD - Superintendent of Schools West Windsor Plainsboro during all of this? Certainly not protecting the victim - she is hiding behind her mouth piece Geri Hutner, a spokeswoman for the district (and why a public school needs a spokesperson is beyond me) said the school has taken steps to ensure the safety of the girl and others.
"He has returned to school under supervision," Hutner said, declining to elaborate. "The principal has followed the code of disciplinary action." "I think the pieces are in place to make everybody comfortable in the setting.""Comfortable?" Comfortable. 
These Superintendents are out of control. They are interested in the clean district reports and Kniewel just wants this to go away. Districts know that in a large majority of cases incidents like this will go bye-bye because of the case preparation and the emotional toll it will take on their child. So if the case goes away so does the blemish on the district. In the meantime a young girl cannot even feel safe in her own school. 
Super Vicki can be reached at victoria.kniewel@ww-p.org and I am emailing her this link. 
In case you Missed It I... In the year end edition of the EXAMINER liberal BOE'er Liz Trent gushed in the article A Look Back on the Last Decade - Residents reflect on changes, major events in their respective towns, "... The hiring of Dick Fitzpatrick and Steve Cochran as superintendent and assistant superintendent has made the difference...  Just a note, if the community could elect the person of the year in Allentown, I would nominate Dick Fitzpatrick." This is not the first time Trent has coroneted Honey Fitz and it really is embarrassing for her. I really don't like dealing with hypotheticals but if the community elected a person of the year in Allentown, it would be hard to elect a Pennsylvania resident as Dr. Dick is and trust me, based on the emails I get it would not be a landslide. 
In case you Missed It II... I do not always see eye-to-eye with MaryEllen McCarthy (Field Hockey Coach at AHS) but she is a winner and a positive influence on her players and students. I also consider her a fair person.  McCarthy has been diagnosed with tachycardia, a condition that causes the heart to beat rapidly. When that happens, it pumps less efficiently and provides less blood flow to the rest of the body, including the heart. The rapid heart rate also leads to increased work and oxygen demand for the heart, a condition known as myocardium. I wish her well and long life and health.
    

Racial Profiling on Our Airlines... HELL YES! Bring it! 
You and your family are in Newark airport waiting to go to Mexico and do some swimming for the week. You are about to board when your 12 year old son has a period missing from "JR" as in William Patrick McGillicutty Jr on his passport. You are refused to board as he is being cavity searched by local security as if he were a Boston Arch-Diocese alter boy in the 1970's all the while Fubarah Kellia-Mastuffa is allowed to board with a bulge in the strap of his Fruit-of-the-Looms that he plans on popping in the stop over in Georgia. 
The United States of Barack Hussain Obama government has allowed the same rights to those responsible for killing almost 3000 people on September 11, 2001 that those in the Global War on Terror die for each day to protect. Why didn't we close Gitmo? Here's why: On Christmas day Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab decided since HE could not lay a rug if he had to, he was going to get his shot at 72 virgins and take out 300 Americans and Detroit if he had to to get them.  Now, the explosion of Detroit is a moot point because they are killing themselves. Detroit has 48% unemployment, an increase of 34% in violent crimes and IS the murder capital of the world. It's infrastructure and government is in total and complete corruption but it is not for a sand-rat to decide that he is going to take Detroit down. So what is happening at the security check gates? Last week Joan Rivers got 15 minutes more because she had her married and aka name on her passport. At Orlando a 17 year old college kid was detained and strip searched because he was "walking funny" when it all turned out to be a bad case of jock-rot. BUT where was the same diligence when Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab paid $3000 cash for his ticket and boarded his plane with a single carry on? 
Our leadership is flawed in security. Homeland Security Czar Janet Napolitano, when asked did not know that you could no longer enter the United States from Canada without a passport and when asked about the length of unprotected borders between the United States and Mexico, replied "wow... hundreds of miles I'm sure." Well, I consider 2891 miles a little more than "Hundreds." 
I am of two schools of thought on airline safety and racial profiling when it comes to domestic terror onboard our planes: 1) NOT all Muslims are terrorists BUT ALL terrorists ARE Muslims - you can't remove a turban or a face cover: no access to the United States airways. Second, I subscribe to El Al airlines philosophy; if you don't like the way we treat you, you are NOT getting on our plane. 


Testimony that Made a Difference in New Jersey
In February I was given the opportunity to bring forward testimony with regards to Bullying in the Public Schools systems. It centered on protection of those being bullied and those who are afraid to come forward because of being labeled a "snitch." I didn't know where that night would go. I am attaching the link to that commissions transcripts. I believe in facing down those that I am accusing and didn't hold back when the administration of the UFRSD was present in the room. They needed to hear what was being said. 
www.state.nj.us/.../February%2018,%202009%20Public%20Hearing.pdf
This week the Newark Star Ledger ran a follow up and it is my hope that the $1.5 million won't be swept away by the incoming administration.
 
http://www.njbullying.org/
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 
Trish G. Graber
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
The girl's torment began in fourth grade, and for four years it didn't stop.
There were threats at school and phone calls to her home. The girl was even harassed on the school basketball court by a handful of her teammates rounded up by the group's ring leader.
Stacy Ashmon said her bullied daughter became terrified to walk the three blocks home from her Somerset County school and many days didn't want to go at all.
Deciding she'd had enough, the North Plainfield mother went to the school principal, the superintendent and then to the police. But she got nowhere -- the harassment didn't stop until the primary bully moved to another district.
"They just dismissed it as "kids being kids,' and that troubled me a lot," Ashmon said.
In releasing recommendations yesterday to prevent bullying in New Jersey schools, the chairman of a state panel that studied the issue said one in 10 kids is "having the worst day of their lives every day that they go to school because of harsh treatment by peers."
The 22 recommendations in the report include giving school officials the power to police off-campus bullying, such as threats made by cell phone text messages, and making the study of civil rights, human rights and diversity, as well as bullying, part of the school curriculum.
The commission also recommended creating three regional centers to provide resources and train officials in each school. The centers' cost would be roughly $1 million a year.
"The most important thing is for the folks that run schools, administrators and also teachers, to really prioritize this issue to the extent that it deserves -- it's really the culture and climate of schools," said Stuart Green, chairman of the 14-member New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools.
Green said bullying impairs students' academic performance and is a major factor in school dropouts, weapon carrying and gang activity. The report cited it as a major factor in youth suicide, especially affecting those in the lesbian, gay and transgendered community.
Bullying is often associated with an imbalance of power between children, Green said. It often occurs when a student is in the minority, whether that be with regard to athletic ability, socioeconomic class, race or religion.
"The populations that are most hurt by bullying ... would be children with special health and learning needs, children who are targeted because of appearance that isn't satisfactory in some way to the majority, including obesity -- which ironically is almost a demographic norm in the child populations or getting to be -- and LGBT kids," he said.
The commission heard from nearly 100 parents, school officials and others at three regional hearings over 11 months.
Etzion Neuer, commission member and regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said each of the stories the panel heard were "small tragedies."
The total cost of implementing the recommendations, many of which need legislative approval, is $1.5 million, according to the commission.
Sharon Rose Powell, a member of the panel, said the cost is minimal when weighed against the benefits of educating parents and teachers about the signs of bullying and methods of addressing it.
Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), who sponsored the legislation creating the commission last year, said she will work with the group to "put the best protections against bullying into law."
Trish Graber may be reached at (609) 989-0324 or tgraber@starledger.com

Coming to a School District Near you: Fisting, Incest and Bathroom Sex "How To's...
 GMG.com to UFRSD-BOE: I Hate to Say I Told You So.... BUT I Told You So

All of a sudden two and a half years ago, Allentown High School embarked on a secular-progressive agenda with Board President Joe Stampe at the lead. It was fired off like a projectile-poop cannon with the forward thinking of the Boards approval of a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) – a High School / college based organization that masks itself as a “club” that promotes tolerance (my fave-word of 2009) when it comes to the gay, lesbian, transgender (and now “questioning”) community when it really is nothing but a hook-up club and recruiting venue for a left agenda. Bang. Plain and simple. I said it at a February 2007 Board meeting and I will repeat it here. The Board did not do its homework and that was evident in the questions that followed my public concerns and the statement from liberal Board member (and mis-informed Board member) Liz Trent. What followed was that in the name of tolerance and forward thinking, they rushed out and voted to allow the formation of a GSA. (see attached link from the March 1, 2007 Examiner article). http://examiner.gmnews.com/news/2007/0301/Front_page/020.html

What was brought up that late-February night in 2007 is that the GSA’s are youth spinoff of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and its founder Kevin Jennings. I called Jennings by name and implored the Board to restrict the charter of a formal GSA at AHS and offered $500 to the group’s faculty advisor to change the charter and name of the group to not allow it to follow the GLSEN advisory committee that outlines on their website instructions for high school and college kids on how to run a GSA. My reasons were simple:

1)      Kevin Jennings (GLSEN/ GSA founder) promotes man/ boy (boy defined as anyone 9 to 15) sex and touted the founder of NAMBLA (North American Man Boy Love Association) as a forward thinking in the gay community.

2)      Kevin Jennings (GLSEN/ GSA founder) promotes reading material for middle school age kids that encourages “experimental” love making with a trusted companion that includes “a close cousin.”

3)      Kevin Jennings (GLSEN/ GSA founder) printed and distributed material at a 1990’s Massachusetts High School forum that included “how young adults (re: High School boys) can maximize your sexual pleasure” by “FISTING” (you Google “FISTING” – I’m not going into here.

4)      Kevin Jennings (GLSEN/ GSA founder) promoted “Queer-Out” day where High School kids are encouraged to “come out” to their moms and dads and family members and friends via a YouTube video that the High School audio visual clubs are asked to produce and this "QO Day" is capped off with a “dance” that a transgender guest speaker comes in and councils those that question their sexuality in a private room – huh?  

UPDATE: December 10, 2009

The AHS Board did not suspend the GSA charter after all the evidence was put before them. The GSA fizzled out before long. The Board did approve the High School production of RENT in 2008 and under Honey Fitz continues its very liberal agenda. But what about Kevin Jennings” What became of him? What became of the man that wants your kids to learn to “fist” and to have sex with family members and that and as a High School councilor, when he was approached by a 15 year old that confided in him that he was having sex with a 40 year old man that he met in a bus station, the question Jennings asked was “I hope you are you wearing a condom?” Well, he is now the Safe School Czar under the Department of Education in Washington DC in the Obama administration. Jennings not only should be out of Public Service but should not be allowed within 500 yards of a school.

Why do I bring this up now (outside of the fact that I love to be right)? If you care about your child in public school and care what he/ she will be required to read and take part in as part of the 2010- 2011 Safe Schools Agenda then you need to go to GOOGLE and enter Kevin Jennings and don’t go to the webpage section, but click on the NEWS button and see the 1,448 RECENT articles IN THE PAST 30 DAYS on this vulgar and vile reptile that promotes incest and man/ boy sex. Then Google GLSEN and LITTLE BLACK BOOK and download the material that Jennings promotes and if ONE of you emails me with your full name - ONE OF YOU – just ONE… and tells me that you would encourage your child to read this, I will take down the greenmonstergolf.com website within 24 hours for good because then I will know that the Apocalypse is truly upon us.

Many of you will sit back and say “it’ll never happen here. We would never allow it.” You would have no choice to refuse and still keep your child in a public school. The layout of the plan for 2010 – 2011 is clear and not just an internet rumor to be verified on SNOOPS. It’s coming and it’s coming to a school near you – really near you. You need to educate yourselves on this and you need to come to the school board meetings and you need to get out in front of this. But here is a warning: you will be labeled. You will be called intolerant and worse. The reading material is out there and you need to bring it to the attention of the school board (I suggest Herzer, Krieger and Werner) and have them do the diligence behind what will be a fine-how-do-u-do welcome when the doors get open in the new middle school. This is the Department of Education and the policies that are driven from them are the curriculum that is taught in public schools.

The local chapter of GLSEN and its officers has declined to talk to me about these findings. Duh.  

READ:  StopJennings.org   - Select New Jersey and GET INVOLVED!       



UFT Committee Accused of Playing Politics with Kids and Other Assinine Things with Fire and Water
Use Byron Johnson/ "Billy-in-Bronze" Park and You Are Going to Pay

UFT is sick and tired of it and it won't take it anymore. Did you know that if you live in UFT and a home went up in flames in Allentown (God forbid), that you foot the bill for it today? Now that is not to say that any of us mind kicking in to help a neighbor in need, but there is an air or arrogance displayed by Allentown that has reached it peak and guess what, because of Mayor Stewie the residents of not only Allentown but any surrounding area that wants to use our parks and recreation systems are going to have to pay. This is not only needed, it is overdue by two years.

Call it what you want. Call it Pay-to-Play, call it a tax, call it playing politics - but remember what it is. It's Allentown saying that "you bow to us and our little village by the little bridge that will never be rebuilt and we'll keep our mall cops writing tickets for those doing 27 in a 25 while drugs are being pushed to High School kids two blocks from our village center."

Let's break this down so simply that even I can understand.

UFT tells Allentown that they have to pony up $50K for fire support. They come back with a $20k counter and then it turns into a "sorry we don't even have the $20k anymore because our own mismanagement could not secure the additional $100k from the State - boo-hoo, now if we are torched and you don't send a truck, you are the bad guys UFT so bend on over because it ain't a fire hose we are going to give you" (maybe I am paraphrasing a little).

Alexander and his team of rivals are sick of it and quite frankly so are a lot of other people. We have a stellar parks system at Byron Johnson/ Bill Miscoski-in-bronze Recreation Center. We enjoy safety and a tremendous laid out facility for all to use. Vandalism is at a minimum and besides the occasional (soiled) condom, we have a place that other recreational organizations (Pop Warner and Little League) constantly compliment. If you are a resident of UFT and you sign up your kids to play an activity that uses the park, you will be assessed a $10 parks fee (I don't know what they call it). If you sign Johnny up for Pop Warner and you live in Allentown, Millstone, Bordentown, Robbinsville etc... you will pay a $40 parks fee. WHAM! All people see are the difference between the $10 and the $40. They need to see the larger picture. Is it playing politics with kids? Anyone that says that is ill-informed. Using the "kid card" is a desperate argument for those who don't have an argument. Truthof the matter is, running the park is expensive. The brass cleaner alone for Billy plaque is the budget for my weekly food shopping. But I digress. Go to the muni-building and ask how much it costs per season for basic fertilizer. BIG BUCKS - TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars. But Allentown has decided to squeezes the collective coconuts of the UFT Committee (all respect to Mrs Mount) and say "you do this and we will keep our water from you." First off this is an asinine threat and second of all (if I were King for a day) I'd tell Mayor Stewie to hope he has plenty of water pressure in his hydrants to reach across town because if this were the case he'll need to because we ain't sending a truck - but this is why I blog and do not govern.

Ya know what, $40 is $40 and to some this will be a burden. I understand that. I witnessed it as a sitting board member on the Pop Warner and involvement in AUFLL. But I also know the men that run these leagues and this is what steams me no end: those making the claims that this is the "anti-Rec Alexander and his committee using kids for politics" are so far off base. If a parent made it known that his/ her child could not play a sport in this town because of a financial hardship O'Rourke, Herzer, Masserini, Reeder, Ennis and about 50 others would make certain that the kid played. If someone came to any member on that sitting board at UFT and it attorneys included and said that so-and-so could not play because of this silly $40 thing, wallets would be open. How can I make this claim, because each and everyone of those people up there are in overdrive when it comes to recreation and kids not only in this town but in all the surrounding towns. Who is making using the kid-card as a body shield? Allentown's elected officials.

Trying Three Navy SEALS for a Busted Lip on an Islamic Terrorist... Ft Hood and Political Correctness for an Islamic Terrorist... Civilian Trials for Radical Islam Terrorists... Taking One's Time in Planning the Afghan War Strategy (then telling them when we are leaving) - Is anyone Picking up on a Pattern Yet from Our President Barack Hussain Obama?

Right up front; in something that I really do not talk much about unless it is brought up by those who already know, I was a Navy Diver for 6 years (4 active and 2 inactive reserves). I saw what I saw in peacetime and I thank God that is was peacetime. I also saw what I saw in October of 1983 when stationed at the Pentagon, I had the honor of being in a receiving line for 18 caskets in full colors were brought home and laid in State in a hanger at Andrews AF Base. The caskets held the remains of the Navy worriors stationed in Lebanon the day an Islamic group (with the aid of Iran) car bombed the Marine base and took a total of 299 lives. In the count of 18 Navy members that died, two were Navy SEALS - their bodies were the ones that recovered closest to the car that exploded as they tried to bare-handedly stop the second bomber... bare-handedly.  

Islam is bad. Islam is the face or terror. Islam must be destroyed.

On March 31, 2004 a small convoy that was guarded by American civilian contractors from Blackwater Ltd. was attacked in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, at that time an hotbed of insurgency activity in Iraq. Four of the guards were killed, their bodies burned and hacked with axes and two were hung to dangle from a bridge over the Euphrates river. A third was pulled by a rope hooked to a truck up and down the streets as onlookers cheered.

This past September the leader of the insurgents who attacked the guards was captured by U. S. Navy SEALS. Ahmed Hashim Abed, code named "Objective Amber" is currently in custody. After his capture he was turned over to the Iraqi authorities. He complained to the Iraqis that he had been punched in the stomach and face by his captors. The Iraqis returned him to U. S. authorities who then arrested the four Navy SEALS and charged two of them with assault and all four with making false statements. Evidence released thus far indicates that Ahmed Abed suffered a cut lip. 

Three of the SEALS turned down a "captain's mast," essentially a guilty assessment with administrative punishment and appealed for a general court-martial.

They will be arraigned in early January and then placed on trial. 

If this case plays out as it appears at this time we see another tragedy coming. Even if these SEALS are found not guilty the tragedy will be no less a problem. 

We have already said that the tragedy of  Fort Hood massacre was the fault of political correctness run amuck in our military. And the Obama Administration's decision to try the 9-11 hijackers in criminal court is but another example warped and distorted view of the battle we are engaged in with worldwide terrorism. And we might add, the dithering that has bogged down President Obama's responding to Gen. McChrystal's request for more troops in Afghanistan is but another example of a bad signal of weakness and uncertainty being sent to the brutal terrorists who follow no rules of civilization in their war against us.

We appreciate the service our men and women in uniform provide to this country and to millions around the world. And we understand not all of them are perfect. It could very well be that these SEALS roughed up this piece of human garbage. But a bloody lip? This political correctness crap has gone way beyond the pale.


Senator Bill Baroni (R-Mercer) It's Time to Speak (ahem) OUT

NJ Senator Bill Baroni (R - Mercer) was the only GOP'er to vote in favor of the amendment to allow gay marriage in NJ that was voted down 20-14 by the Senate. Why? Well if you ask him (or his office) you will get the standard script and here it is:  
 "...Once the government stood on the schoolhouse door and decided who got to go in and who didn't based on race. … And now it stands in front of marriage and says you can separate people based on who they love … Separate but equal was wrong in 1954, it is wrong today.” It's now time for Senator Baroni to speak OUT beyond the expected claptrap and address the rumors of his sexuality or come up with something less than a history lesson of segregation in 1954. Baroni's most ardent detractors concede that he is well-educated, talented and articulate force in the Senate. And don't pay too much attention to the inevitable calls for a primary challenge, folks. LD-14 is a diverse district with a large number of old-union families and it for this reason and this reason ONLY that Baroni initiated the unionization of the AG office in Trenton. 

 The call for gay marriage is not over. Not by a long shot and the troops are rallying. The gay community wants the right to marry. I don't agree but I feel that they should have the right to be in a partnership union of employee benefits but not for next-of-kin decisions. Here is why: can you imagine the circus that would have transpired if Tila Tigulla were permitted to make the funeral arrangements of Casey Johnson?

The gay right advocates now want the voters to decide. No need. This is whay we have a Senate and this is why we leave it to them to decide. Once again, a subjective group that wants to fit in and be treated like everyone else decides to disregard the process we all abide by because they didn't get their way.  You lost, move on. 
greenmonstergolf.com started almost two years ago. It is a snarky view of local politics, local government and it is out there to tweek (not hurt or damage - just tweek). I believe that the things I blog-about are the things we talk about at our dinner tables and at neighborhood BBQ’s and on the golf course. My intent is to simply incite conversation and results. These are my thoughts; my opinions. If you choose to read and express your opinion I will respect your choice to do so. If you choose to tell your friends and neighbors that I am a jerk, I respect that as well. There is a simple recourse to your objections to this page: simply do not read it.

I am not perfect. I am not above anything or anyone. I have broken 7 out of 10 commandments (and do not assume I have not killed anyone). I have seen the wrong side of the San Diego County jail cell. I have read, sent and received R (+) emails. I have tossed trash out of my car window. I have not always slowed up my vehicle when a cat has crossed my path. I eat meat on Fridays in Lent. I have called in sick to play golf. I have been known to take a mulligan in golf and in life. I refuse to recycle. I leave the toilet seat up just to piss off my wife and daughter. I have used the “N” word (and any other derogatory word for the other 25 letters of the alphabet). That was then and this is now. I think I have grown - I hope so anyway. If you like what you read, great. if you don’t turn the page.  I am keeping my dog in the fight though... Such as...   

In early July 2009 I took a stand against the sexual predators in Monmouth county. Both of the locals carried it and they are posted in this website. Why? This is not a grandstand effort and I still harbor no intention of running for any office in this township. First off I could not possibly win. It’s been said that I could not be elected “dad” in my own house. Local politics is a hard, hard business. It’s a nasty and vile business. I am not much on compromise or censorship of someone who believes s/he is doing what’s right. Politics is predicated on that. I am not a “reporter” or by any means the smartest guy in the room. I blog. I write about what is around the township(s) of western Monmouth and eastern Mercer. People are not talking about MY thoughts,  they are are talking about THE thoughts. I simply write my thoughts down and share them because I don’t want my words misconstrued. But I do want people talking about the things that effect us all. The schools. The predators. The new park. Pay-for-Play. The elected officials and the appointed committees.
Let me explain the next reason I don’t have the stomach for elected office. I was on the golf range last summer and Markie Bernet said to me, “Mr. Novo, why don’t you run for something?” I looked him right in the eye and said “Markie, it’s spelled,  “s-k-e-l-e-t-o-n-s.” There are many. Many that are true and some that are rumors. Oh well. 

I’ve lost some friends along the way in the past months. That does bother me. But I did gain many more. More than I deserve. There is a rush of support for some of these snarky blurbs and that goes with the waves of criticism. I have offered six people the option of me shutting this down. These six people alone held that decision in their hands at one time or another. Two were elected school officials. One a hired school administrator. One I am married to. One I am the father of and one a close, dear and sincere friend. None took it.
So I take aim at the predators of our area. There are some and let me assure you that there are some we do not know of. There are retired people in our community that all of a sudden have junior of 45 years old living in the spare room for an extended stay. Well, if I find you out, you will be outed. I am also going to continue to post the names and pictures on this site that appear on the NJSP.gov website. My mayor tells me to slow down. My heart tells me to kick it in overdrive. At the UFT TC Committeemember, Dr. Fracella wished me a sincere good luck and off to the side he asked if I had a good attorney. Well, I do. His name is Ed Werner.

I thank you all for your expressions of support. To those who are against this site, please feel free to not check in. This is a great country and it allows me to express myself but it also allows you to not be forced to read or listen.   
As it says in Luke: I feel it’s important that “when in life; where much is given, much is expected. “ I’ve been given a great deal.


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