Ed Potosnak & Blue Jersey Cookies

by: Rosi Efthim

Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 08:28:30 PM EST

Ed Potosnak & Blue Jersey cookie

Some of the Hunterdon Democrats were partying later today in Flemington, unfortunately at the same time Rush Holt's supporters were celebrating together, so I missed seeing Holt today. But it was great to see Ed Potosnak, who came to hang out with the  Hunterdon Dems, and he brought homemade sugar cookies shaped like the State of New Jersey. Most of them were green, but I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Ed with a Blue Jersey cookie.  

Quote of the Day: "Take it like a man, you lost"

by: Jason Springer

Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 10:24:00 PM EDT

"Donny, what the hell are you doing?" says one enraged Democratic Party member. "Take it like a man. You lost."

"I'm not going to support Dougherty because of what they did to me in the last week of the campaign," says Cresitello. "They ran flyers with bags of money in front of me, saying I never saw a development project I didn't like. They damaged my reputation by telling voters I'm a racist. They told people I hated Obama. They damaged my reputation with African Americans, which was an outstanding reputation."

Morristown rejects Red Cross clothing bin

by: Jason Springer

Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 04:30:00 PM EDT

The American Red Cross figured it would have little trouble getting approval to put a clothing bin outside its office in Morristown. After all, staff members said, similar bins are already sprinkled throughout town.

But after residents argued the six-foot high container would "not be appropriate" for their neighborhood, the Morristown Planning Board denied the request by the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey. The vote was 4-1.

Shepherd said the planning board rejected the Red Cross's request "solely based on the community's comments."

Residents raised concerns over security, debris, clothes that might have been left outside the bins and increased traffic on the road, said John Fugger, Morristown's zoning officer.

Trent Pines, who lives on Alamont Court, behind the Red Cross facility, said the bins would increase traffic on his cul-de-sac and would attract people who don't live in the area. He said other bins in town are already overflowing with clothes and people are frequently rummaging through them.

"We have the utmost respect for the Red Cross ... They are outstanding. This is just something we weren't comfortable with," Pines said.

Planning Board Chairwoman Mary Dougherty did not return calls for comment.

However, according to the minutes of the July 13 meeting, Dougherty raised "security issues" and spoke of "homeless people going to clothing bins."

Board Vice Chairman Michael Pooler said he could not fully remember why he voted against the Red Cross request, then declined to comment.

Cresitello hunting for Elephants

by: Jason Springer

Fri Apr 10, 2009 at 09:42:14 AM EDT

Donald Cresitello is a Democrat, but the mayor of Morristown certainly has Republican leanings. His views on controlling illegal immigration were more conservative than those of then-President George W. Bush, and his pro-development position has garnered no cheers from environmentalists, a key Democratic constituency.

So with the mayor facing a primary challenge from Tim Dougherty, a former councilman, it's not all that surprising that Cresitello is seeking help from the other side. The mayor has sent a long letter to registered Republicans in town, extolling his virtues and asking them to change party affiliation and vote for him on June 2. Accommodating guy that he is, the mayor's packet included a change of registration card. And he conveniently told them that they can return to the Republican fold immediately after the primary. The deadline for such party switches is Monday.

What can hinder Cresitello's overture is the fact Morristown Republicans have much to vote for this year. There is a contested race for two Assembly nominations and more importantly, a gubernatorial primary involving Chris Christie and Rick Merkt, two county residents. Even Republicans fond of Cresitello may opt to vote in the Republican primary for governor. And then, there's the fact the mayor can be a lightning rod for criticism.

As he admitted, "Some may change parties to vote against me." Fair point.

Quote of the Day: There's no logic

by: Jason Springer

Thu Feb 12, 2009 at 01:15:00 PM EST

Despite the fact that Morristown wants to locate its public works garage in Morris Township, Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello says he's not interested in combining forces with the township to pick-up garbage.

There's no logic in Cresitello's position, other than him being stubborn.

What's the matter with Warren County?

by: Juan Melli

Wed Jun 04, 2008 at 12:49:58 AM EDT

Cresitello: Give "illegals...a pathway to legalization"

by: Juan Melli

Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 12:38:08 PM EST

"To the Communists across the street, and the Marxists, we know your motives, and we will not continue to let you go forward with your intent to take over our country," he said.

Now, maybe he's had a change of heart. He now things we should "permit all illegals who are in this country to be granted a pathway to legalization immediately."

From Morristown Green:

ACLU-NJ Urges Attorney General to Revisit Flawed Directive

by: Deborah Jacobs

Fri Aug 24, 2007 at 08:24:41 PM EDT

After months of consideration and meeting with countless interested parties - including immigrant and civil rights groups, law enforcement professionals, and advocates who work with domestic violence victims - last week New Jersey's Attorney General finally issued a long-awaited directive on the issue of what role local police can play in federal immigration enforcement. (Background here).

In a nutshell, the directive says that local police must inquire about immigration status upon arrest of a suspect for an indictable offense, and report individuals suspected of being undocumented to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also says that police may not ask witnesses, victims or people seeking assistance about their status.

The directive includes strong statements about immigration enforcement being the primary duty of the federal government, about the counterproductive consequences of entangling local police in immigration enforcement, and about the state's commitment to combating racial profiling.

Nevertheless, for police professionals and community advocates alike, the directive raises more questions than it answers. The problem is what the directive doesn't say.

News Round-up and Open Thread for Thursday, May 3

by: Sharon GR

Thu May 03, 2007 at 09:24:09 AM EDT

Open Thread: What do you want to talk about today, Blue Jersey?

the anti-Morristown

by: John C

Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 03:53:12 PM EDT

A much better approach would be for municipalities to follow New Haven's lead. This summer, the city expects to become the first place in the nation to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for municipal identification cards identifying them as city residents.  ...

New Haven is also providing financial literacy and tax filing help to immigrants. It expects the ID's to reduce crime by widening access to bank accounts so that residents do not have to hide money in mattresses or carry it on them, making them easy targets for muggers.

Furthermore, officials hope that their "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which prevents the police from inquiring about immigration status, will encourage undocumented residents to feel more comfortable reporting crimes and coming forward with information. What's more, it will allow law enforcement to focus scarce resources on fighting violent crime, a task that police officers widely prefer to chasing illegal immigrants.

New Haven's approach to the immigrant issue seems much more constructive, positive, and compassionate than Morristown's mean-spirited proposal.  It also makes economic sense, because Morristown will face steep legal fees and lawsuits in response to its policy.  It's unfortunate that Morristown's Democratic mayor is acting like a right-wing Bush/Gonzales toadie.

Police State ?

by: John C

Sun Apr 01, 2007 at 02:49:23 PM EDT

The council voted 6 to 1 to support a plan by the mayor in which city police officers would be deputized and trained to serve as federal immigration agents.

Mayor Donald Cresitello wants the officers to train in a Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement program. Under federal statutes, the officers would have the authority to charge suspects with immigration violations and order them to appear in federal court, with the possibility of deportation.

Mr. Cresitello said Morristown, a city of 20,000, had seen a rise in crime and quality-of-life issues as more illegal immigrants set up residency. "For the last 12 years the problem has been growing; for the last 6 it's been overwhelming," said Mr. Cresitello, who said he thought about 1,500 illegal residents were living in the city, many working as day laborers. ...

But Elissa Steglich, managing attorney of the immigrant rights program for the American Friends Service Committee in Newark, said the plan would do nothing "but breed fear and distrust and build discriminatory practices."

First, the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission decided to begin issuing 'domestic passports' rather than licenses to operate motor vehicles.  Now, the police in Morristown will stop people and ask to see proof of US citizenship.  Morristown's plan will likely INCREASE the numbers of illegal immigrant crime victims, because they will be afraid to call the police for help.  Did Mayor Don somehow overlook that point?

ICE raid in Englewood??!!

by: lsanchez490

Tue Mar 27, 2007 at 12:23:28 AM EDT

END THE ATTACK ON IMMIGRANTS!
DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF ALL WHO LIVE AND WORK IN NEW JERSEY!

STATE-WIDE SPEAK-OUT AND PROTEST MEETING

Saturday March 31 1:00 PM
Paul Robeson CenterBusch Campus
600 Bartholomew Rd
Piscataway, NJ

Immigrants in New Jersey, as in the rest of the United States, are facing increasing attacks. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids are being stepped up, tearing families apart, detaining and deporting those who have lived here for years. Demagogic town governments are taking anti-immigrant measures. Morristown, for example, is planning to deputize its police as ICE agents.  Massive workplace raids like the recent one in New Bedford, Mass. can happen at any time. A New Jersey radio station, 101.5, has called for people to turn in their neighbors as suspected undocumented immigrants, encouraging vigilantism.

The attacks on migrants are attacks on all of us. They are aimed at maintaining an underclass of workers who are too terrified to assert their rights to decent pay, working conditions and living conditions.  No one, not even the government, wants to deport 12 million undocumented immigrants who are vital to the economy. The attacks and anti-immigrant laws aim to drive down the cost of all labor, benefiting employers, pitting worker against worker, and hurting us all.

We are fighting back, immigrants and native-born united!  We are speaking out against the attacks and the demagogic proposal in towns like Morristown's and Freehold.  We are starting to organize a Rapid Response Network which will give aid to those confronting ICE raids or employer abuses of immigrants. We are joining with organizations across the country to organize a Second Great  Boycott.

Speak out for the rights of ALL!

We invite your organization's endorsement and participation in this event and in an April 3 noon press conference in New Brunswick

Endorsing organizations(list in formation):
NJ May 1 Coalition
IRATE/First Friends
NJ Civil Rights Defense Committee
Philippine Forum
United Day Laborers of Freehold

Interested in reading about progressive Morristown:
Town seeks new power over illegal immigrants
Morristown wants to give its police the same authority as federal officers

Much respect to Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo.
Hispanics steamed by shock radio stunt

And from a New York Times Article, good old Freehold.

PUBLIC LIVES; Back in the Fight He Picked Decades Ago
Article Tools Sponsored By
By LYNDA RICHARDSON
Published: March 17, 2004

CESAR A. PERALES, the president of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, is revved up. But he is not losing his cool. (He is too cool for that.) He is talking about the fund's wranglings in federal court over the attempt by Freehold Borough in Monmouth County, N.J., to prevent day laborers from gathering at a vacant lot to scout for work.

''The question of the treatment of day laborers is so flagrant, I feel it viscerally,'' Mr. Perales says, leaning over to emphasize the point. ''This is to me as horrific as the segregation that the government imposed in the South. We're seeing local governments treating undocumented workers in a similar fashion, marginalizing them, not wanting them to live where they live. This is a fight that will take a long time.''

News Roundup and Open Thread for Wednesday, March 14, 2007

by: Hopeful

Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 09:14:33 AM EDT