Teabaggers, your tax dollars at work

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 05:21:59 PM EDT

For sure, it was a hodgepodge of message. There were people who signed on because "Fox News said it was important and I'm a Republican" and those who denied there was nothing partisan about protesting taxes. You had your anti-Corzine people - somehow CORZINE SUCKS! give me the giggles at an event celebrating teabagging... but I digress. Some of the Obama signs lamely attempted to negate his recent rescue of the captain from Somali pirates (OBAMA Admin = Ship of Fools). And some of them were pure conspiracy-theory (No Birth Cert! No President! NOBAMA).

There were your odd Atlas Shruggers carrying signs reading: Who is John Galt? and stark signs in black-and-white: COMING SOON ... SOCIALISM!

There was considerable emotion but I'm not sure how many of the Flemington teabaggers were really thinking things through. For example both Flemington Councilwoman Linda Mastellone, who was most assuredly not a participant, and longtime Hunterdon Republican freeholder George Melick, made similar observations. Melick said this:

But they all want services. And the minute you take them away, they'll be all over you.

Exactly. Follow me and I'll show you a few things those tax protesters' taxes are actually paying for.  

A Victory Garden in Flemington

by: Rosi Efthim

Fri Mar 20, 2009 at 12:57:36 PM EDT

Today, next to her kids' shiny new swingset, Michelle Obama will begin digging for a little vegetable garden, the first food-producing garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt planted her Victory Garden.

Cilantro, tomatilloes, hot peppers. Lettuces. Spinach, chard, collards, kale. Berries. Herbs and heirloom tomatoes. That's what the Obamas will plant, alongside school children and a local-foods expert the family brought to Washington.

On Monday night, some people in Hunterdon will ask Flemington Borough Council for permission to plant on a grassy plot by one of its water towers. Iff they say yes, we'll plant an organic garden we'll call The Victory Garden.

It will be a community garden, meaning many will participate, growing things together on one blessed, slightly sloping piece of land.

How is this political? This idea emerged from a group I've worked with for five years, Hunterdon's Democracy for America (DFA). These folks have become a permanent progressive community where - believe me - nobody expected one.

The group's met in the same hip little coffeehouse since 2004 in Flemington, a red town in a red county. We've made that town a kind of workshop for grassroots action. A tipping point came one frigid February day in 2007. That same heady night, the first candidate to emerge wholly from Hunterdon DFA, announced she'd run next. And with that win, this town's direction shifted. Democrats now drive the agenda.

None of them owe us anything; they owe their voters more. But we hope that this new Council will see The Victory Garden as an opportunity to strengthen community bonds, improve nutrition and environmental awareness, and provide for our neighbors in need, some of whom will tend garden and some simply receive good food.

This feels like a very American, progressive and patriotic thing to do right now, and we're encouraged by how many people show up ready to work and advise. We have a new President who speaks of self-reliance, community-building, and responsibility for the people around us. The economy is dark, and the times are challenging. But we remember our elders and the resourcefulness, how 20 million Americans on the homefront produced up to 40% of the vegetables consumed nationally.

Community gardens are popping up all over, in nearby Readington, East Amwell, maybe in High Bridge. The Victory Garden, if we get the land, will have a built-in mission of addressing some of the needs of people living paycheck-to-paycheck, or worse. If you're a local, join us Monday.

Flemington: How Not to Introduce Shared Services

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 05:54:49 PM EST

The story of how they got there is one of remarkable bobbling on the part of Flemington Mayor Bob Hauck, a well-organized Fraternal Order of Police union local, and a widely-recognized lack of transparency about the Mayor's actions that created the sense in both police ranks and citizenry that there were things they deserved to know that were being kept from them.  Not so smart.

Full disclosure: I live in Flemington, and at the microphone thanked police for showing up at my house many times to help my mother, who died this week, get to the ER. I also live with the man who ran against Hauck for mayor, who also attended, and has not been shy in nailing the mayor for shortcomings. So be it.

For most of the people in the room, the story began at the last Council meeting, on Dec. 15, 2008. For the police, their union and Police Chief George Becker, it's been ramping up for a little longer.

Just a few days heads-up that shared services were on the December agenda was enough time to fill most of the seats in the tiny borough meeting room in the Hunterdon County seat.

But that 12/15 meeting turned ugly when Mayor Bob Hauck tried to eliminate the meeting's Public Comment section. It took a member of the Flemington Planning Board, sitting in one of about three dozen seats the room holds, to read to the Mayor the standard line printed on every Council agenda:

This meeting is held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

The 7th District Tour Rolls On

by: Linda Stender

Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 01:45:14 PM EDT

Tuesday was all about Hunterdon County, and I was overwhelmed by the warm response everywhere we went.  We started the day in Flemington visiting with Main Street business owners.  I had such wonderful guides in Councilwoman Brooke Leibowitz and Bob Flisser. We popped in everywhere from the Shaker Café to Kries Jeweler to Main Street Bagel, meeting lots of local folks at every stop.  Several business owners shared with me their economic concerns. As Americans are struggling to afford the higher cost of everything from gas to food to healthcare, small businesses are feeling the pinch. The Bush Administration has really left our economy in shambles, and we need change in Washington to bring real relief.

We then traveled to Friendly Grounds Coffee House - where we took part in a meet n' greet with Flemington supporters. It's always nice to see old friends, and I also had the opportunity to meet a few new ones eager to join our campaign for change.  It'll take all of us working together to ensure victory in November!  Then it was on to Clinton, where Council members Michelle Harrison and Gene DeCleene walked with me downtown. Thank you to Michelle and Gene for introducing me all around town! As I stopped in businesses such as JJ Scoops, Krauses Flowers, and the Clinton Book Shop, I again heard from voters who are worried about making ends meet.

Next up was High Bridge, where I was joined by Councilwoman Mary Murdock and Joe Despivera, who leads the High Bridge Business Council. I was thrilled to talk with so many supporters exited to learn how they could get involved in our campaign or change. I stopped in to chat with a local florist who told me the high cost of gas has forced him to increase delivery charges. The Bush economy really is hurting all of us in ways we might not even realize.

Tuesday finally wrapped up at a house party in Tewksbury. It was a beautiful summer evening, full of good conversation and friends. The huge crowd was made up of supporters and undecided voters, so it was great to talk with folks about the real issues in this election.

Last night was one of the highlights of the week. We had a wonderful crowd at the Victory '08 Open House in Martinsville - in fact, it was a full house!  Somerset County Chair Peg Schaffer did a terrific job making sure the night was a success.  It was also great to see Rob Angelo - Director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee - not only in attendance but energizing the crowd. And of course, thank you to our Somerset County Freeholder candidates Cecilia Birge and Doug Singleterry, as well as all of the local candidates who joined us. It's great to have such strong support at the local, county, and state level.

Folks from Somerset and Hunterdon County came out in droves to celebrate the official opening of the new Victory '08 HQ.  I was amazed at the energy and enthusiasm in this standing room only event. As I walked around meeting with supporters, it was so great to hear everyone eager to knock on doors, make phone calls and generally help in any way they can.  

It will take a strong grassroots effort across the 7th District to ensure we win in November.  And events like last night's open house really prove the strength and depth of our operation.  It's important that we run a top notch program in places such as Martinsville, where voters are hungry for change and want to get involved. I know that every time I listen to a volunteer making phone calls on behalf of the ticket, it personally pushes me to work even harder.

Our week-long tour will continue to roll on today and tomorrow with stops in places like Edison, Woodbridge, and Summit.  I know we will wrap things up as strongly as we began!  I hope to see a whole bunch of you out on the campaign trail, not only over the next few days but in the months ahead, as well.

Blog Fun in Flemington

by: the pollster

Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 12:16:54 PM EST

Joan Greiner, the wife of defeated Flemington Borough Councilman Phil Greiner, has got herself a blog.  And, boy is she using it to paint an interesting picture of Flemington.

Her husband lost the election to me.  Close-I won by about 4 votes.  And now the Council has a Democratic majority.  Mrs. Greiner feels that, somehow, I have ruined the whole temperament of Council, since 2007 was a productive and fairly cooperative year.  She labors under the delusion that the three Republicans who were up for re-election were somehow entitled to their seats, and that I got in the way of that lovely peace by seeking to disturb the beauty of a 3-3 even split.

Is Ocean County Ripe for the Taking?

by: Martin

Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 09:47:20 PM EDT

We've been talking on Blue Jersey for some time about the level of corruption and pay-to-play scandals that plague the Ocean County GOP and how political boss George Gilmore has, until recently, been able to dole out contracts for development to whomever he pleases.

Further, in a rare moment of possible Democratic victory, Richard Strada, who ran against Jim Saxton a few years ago, has a chance of  winning the mayoral race in Toms River. Further, if nothing else, Steven Morlino is running a spirited race against Robert Singer for state senate in District 30 and fighting against party bosses and special interest groups, as are other Democratic candidates running for Assembly and Senate in Ocean County districts. On the congressional level, part of Rich Sexton's cutting into the margin of Conaway's loss to Saxton included gains in Ocean County, and the DCCC is already running anti-Saxton ads there in preparation for Adler's challenge of the Bush Republican.

Then there is the case of Dems either coming close to winning seats in special elections in the past two years, or our outright victory in the South Toms River council election last year in Point Pleasant in 2004. The website cited in the previous post is called Ocean County Politics, and it does a superb job of highlighting corruption issues in the county.

To be perfectly frank, we may not win anything in Ocean County this election, but at least we'll build further grassroots efforts and infrastructure for Democrats there. But the optimist in me also says: Why the hell not make a go for it in Ocean County and direct some resources there?

Op-Ed: Back to Basics

by: Mary Campbell, DNC Organizer

Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 09:58:14 AM EDT

That is the idea the NJ Democratic State Committee and the Democratic
National Committee are striving to accomplish; working from the
grassroots up to establish a sense of unity among the Democratic
Party. As part of the DNC 50 State Partnership program, my colleague
and I have been able to truly engage ourselves into the local and
grassroots level of New Jersey politics.

After working closely on the Flemington council special elections and
the two specials in Ocean County -- South Toms River and Lavallette --
it is apparent that there is a strong sense of party for the Democrats
in these typically Republican towns. After winning two council seats
and falling only a few votes short in a mayor's race where Democrats
are outnumbered almost 6 to 1, the sense of accomplishment and passion
to fight against Republican control has grown immensely.

Picking up council seats in Flemington and South Toms River proved to
the Republicans that voters are ready for a change. Voters want to be
heard. They expect their local officials to be responsive and find
solutions for the needs of the communities; to help the people. This
is what the newly elected council members are working to accomplish.

With help from Democracy for America (DFA), College Democrats from across
the State and local and county volunteers the Democratic Party has
been able to make big strides in small areas.

One exceptional volunteer and devoted Democrat, Rosi Efthim, from the
Hunterdon County DFA did not only help in the Flemington Special
Elections but traveled across the state to be an important volunteer
in South Toms River (Ocean County). Without people like Rosi or the
other DFA members that have been beyond supportive of the 50 State
Partnership Program and building Democracy at the grassroots level,
none of this would be possible.

Our next project is a Township Committee special election in Morris
Township where we are working with the dedicated team of Morris County
Democrats to elect Jeff Grayzel. The Republicans have all five seats
on the township committee, but Jeff has been fighting hard for the
past four years, gaining inroads. His tenacity paid off when he won on
Election Day this year. However, his election was then challenged and
ruled to be a tie. Now we face the task of "re-electing" Jeff Grayzel
on May 1.

Because this is a larger race than the past elections, we will need
your help. We need at least 35 to 40 volunteers for weekend walks and
calls, as well as 100 volunteers for Election Day. Please come out and
support Democrats from across the state! As Bill Clinton once said
"There is nothing wrong in American that can not be cured by what is
right in America." It is the little strides we take as Democrats that
create Democracy.

Mary Campbell is a regional field organizer for the New Jersey
Democratic State Committee and a liaison to the DNC's State
Partnership Program.

50-State Strategy kicks ass in Flemington, NJ.

by: Rosi Efthim

Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 02:17:26 AM EST

Our secret weapons were two young women in sneakers and blue jeans who pounded out our GOTV program over a sleepless two days in the inadequately-heated Hunterdon County Dem HQ. It was more efficient, more productive and frankly, one hell of a lot more fun than anything we have ever done. The Republicans didn't know what hit them. And it drove the win. 

One of the fundamentals of Gov. Howard Dean's 50-State Strategy is Show up everywhere. And that doesn't mean just mayor's races in Salt Lake City, state contests in Alaska or gaining ground in the Show-Me State. For this to work it also has to mean that we concede no vote even in the most crimson portions of very blue states. Places like Hunterdon County. 50-State Strategy = 21-County Strategy.

So here's the thing: Next time you hear some self-serving dinosaur like James Carville spin bullshit about replacing Howard Dean as DNC Chair, remember the paradigm shift Dean presides over. Money lifts from the hands of Beltway consultants, and pays for organizers like Mary Campbell and Colleen Montgomery who fan out and help generate victories powered by us. Boom. Out of those victories emerge better government and better direction.

We won in Flemington tonight. If James Carville or Rahm Emanuel or anybody else wants to take down Howard Dean, they have to knock me down first. And I'm in a feisty mood. Did I mention we won?


UPDATE & Postscript, later that same year: On the night of this victory, our next candidate stood on a chair and announced that she was running next: Linda Mastellone, the first-ever candidate to emerge directly out of Hunterdon DFA. We won that race too, in a blitz of DFA-intensive work. And with Linda's win, the Democrats took control here, here in this town where Republicans outnumber Democrats two-to-one. Boom! - - Rosi