Christie Anti-Veteran Campaign Gains Another Supporter

by: Adam Gordon at Fair Share Housing Center

Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 06:18:18 PM EST

It looks like Chris Christie's campaign to allow towns to say no to veterans looking for decent homes has gained another adherent.

As reported in another Blue Jersey post by Tom Wyka, a councilman in Parsippany, John Cesaro, voted against allowing a two-family home for formerly homeless veterans because he claimed it would be "social engineering."

We at Fair Share Housing are not exactly sure what part of letting veterans live in a two-family home qualifies as "social engineering." It seems a bit more accurate to say that trying to stop veterans from living in your town is "social engineering."

Fortunately, Cesaro was outvoted by members of his own party to allow veterans to live in Parsippany, showing that there are people of both parties that believe that people who served our country deserve a place in our communities.

But perhaps Cesaro was just following the leader. Just two weeks ago, Gov. Christie stopped homes for disabled veterans from being built in Salem County.

We at Fair Share Housing Center are not sure what the moral or political calculation is that makes politicians like Christie and Cesaro think that keeping veterans out of communities is acceptable. It's wrong - and frankly offensive. And it's good to see that people like Tom Wyka and Cesaro's council mates are not going along with it.

It seemed like a valid challenge

by: Tom Wyka

Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 02:05:34 PM EST

It's December - correct?   Peace and goodwill is supposed to reign the day.  Apparently not so in politics.  Last week at an agenda meeting, I had to call out a councilman (John Cesaro) for his ideological grandstanding against COAH as "Social Engineering at its finest" in the midst of a discussion about granting a veterans organization trust fund money to establish a group home for vets.   His response?  ...I'm merely being political - and it's obvious I'm kicking off my 2013 run.

It's kind of a disturbing scenario to observe elected officials developing a complex whereby they feel entitled to a level of status beyond reproach.  Every critic is merely a "political" enemy.

Shortly after his retort it dawned on me how to draw clear definitions between the need to criticize in the face of being accused of political opportunism,  the entire meaning of running for office, the role of political civility in light of incumbent "status" and reputation, and bundling it all up in the context of a Christmas wish.  This was my response last Tuesday.  Hope it hits the mark...

George Will once said "Some people run for office to be somebody - while others run for office to do something."

I've always considered myself one of the latter despite what some people think.   And given that Mr. Cesaro has offhandedly drafted me for the Council Race in 2013,  I want to be clear on exactly why I run for office.  So I'm going to propose an interesting challenge to prove that.

So here's the deal - I will not run for municipal office in 2013 provided the following...

Concession of Hope

by: Tom Wyka

Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 04:11:30 PM EST

Running for Congress 2006 and 2008 was a learning experience of a kind that few people get who might think they understand the process.  Losing by the same percentage each time was also "enlightening" (I'll avoid the word disappointing for now) - but the favorite analogy I created for this is it's like hiking a high mountain where the top is obscured in clouds, but the farther you go and harder you work - you get to see a little further up the path, and you're quite a bit wiser that anyone else that's never dared to take the walk.  

The votes my running mates and I achieved yesterday are a mile marker up the path.  And we're standing in the road having taken a long journey and wondering why we still came up short.  What I've come to understand through experience is - I don't lament that realization very long.  I've come to enjoy the walk ... the process.   We canvassed so much in this race and it was the most enjoyable thing I've ever done.  How can you deny it if this is really in your blood - meeting voters face-to-face.  My running mates will tell you - that if there was ever an option of what we had to do on any given night - go to a community event - go to a fundraiser - even dialing for dollars (perish the thought) - more often than not - I'd say "let's walk"  - Let's cover some more ground - let's meet some more people that never knew us before.

Parsippany passes pay to play reform

by: Jason Springer

Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 11:42:14 PM EDT

Tonight at a special meeting held in response to our grassroots petition, the Citizens' Campaign Model Ordinance against Pay-to-Play was passed by the Parsippany Town Council.

Thanks to all who helped in this effort and who came tonight to show your support!

Contact us to find out how to take action in your hometown!

Tom

Tom kept us updated on what they were doing and support for their efforts as the process moved along. Congratulations to all of those involved on their success in passing the reform.  

Two Days - Two P2P Editorials - We're just gettin' warmed up

by: Tom Wyka

Thu Aug 06, 2009 at 10:56:52 PM EDT

Wednesday - "Parsippany Should Pass Pay to Play Ban"

The Morristown Town Council balked last year at approving an ordinance limiting pay-to-play for municipal elections. Supporters started a petition drive, got the ordinance on the ballot and voters, not surprisingly, approved it. We may see the same thing happen in Parsippany.

After being rebuffed by the council, a petition drive has garnered enough signatures to get an anti pay-to-play ordinance on the ballot this fall. The ordinance would limit contributions from vendors or "professional business'' entities to $300 for local candidates and to $500 for county political committees. Total contributions from professional firms would be capped at $2,500.

The council has refused to adopt the ordinance. Its reluctance is hard to understand. Why would the council not want to make a public condemnation of pay-to-play? That would be both good policy and good politics.

Now that the petition in Parsippany has enough signatures to get on the ballot, the council has another chance to do the right thing.

Thursday - "Christie's Corruption Fight" (and his own backyard)

Ah, but the difficult thing is bringing the changes about. You know there will be push back, perhaps even from his own party

For instance, its clean image notwithstanding, even Republican Morris County is not immune to the problems Christie wants to end. There are always,
it seems, a number of freeholders (there are currently two of them) who retain their municipal jobs, and thereby, put themself in potential conflict. There are also Morris County elected officials who hold full-time public jobs. And as for pay-to-play
- the practice of vendors and professionals getting government contracts by making campaign donations ... we just saw the all-Republican council in
Parsippany refuse to adopt an ordinance that seeks to control
it. The council, of course, is not alone. The freeholders have refused to ban the practice as well, arguing, oddly, that it does not exist in Morris County. The observer is left to wonder why something that does not exist can't be banned.

Sign up to support the cause as we move ahead...
www.BetterNJGov.org

Tom

DO try this at home ...

by: Tom Wyka

Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 11:37:26 PM EST

Over the past few years - the subject of Pay-to-Play has been debated across our state.  This corrupt process, where government contracts and jobs are doled out based on campaign contributions from job or contract recipients, is a major concern to all residents of our state, county, and town.   The Daily Record noted recently that while necessary actions to ban this practice statewide have not materialized in the state legislature - there is nothing standing in the way at this time from taking action right in our own communities.

The enormous waste of taxpayer money that has actually occurred, and can potentially take place, because of these corrupt practices should be of great concern to every citizen and elected official.  With this concern in mind - I would like to introduce to the Council a model ordinance, drafted by Citizen's Campaign, a non-partisan citizen empowerment group, for your consideration and adoption.

The Key components of this legislation are as follows ...

>   Sets limits on contributions from professionals, such as attorneys, auditors, and engineers in the year prior to negotiations.
>   Bans all political contributions by contractors from the beginning of negotiations through the performance of the contract.
>   Limits contributions to $300 to town candidates and local political parties, $500 to county political parties, and limits professional firm to $2,500 in aggregate.
>  Individuals who break the law, or try to circumvent it are banned from receiving no-bid contracts for 4 years.

Please keep in mind that my intention to put this ordinance in place is not to insinuate any past or present wrongdoing as Citizen's Campaign advocates a no-blame approach to adopting these measures.  However, this is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate to the citizens of Parsippany your dedication to preventing situations that violate the public trust.   I look forward to discussing this ordinance with you at your convenience.   Please feel free to call me to discuss your ideas or concerns at 973-xxx-xxxx.   I look forward to working with you on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Tom Wyka

... And the Rest

by: Blue Jersey

Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 02:10:01 PM EST

With the Obama campaign sucking up so much of the oxygen (and money, and energy, and ultimately the very PA-bound volunteers themselves), most of what was left over was focused on the "hot" races in NJ-3, NJ-5, and NJ-7. Like so often in the past, if you weren't running in one of the hot races, then you found yourself with scant attention being paid to your campaign.

In the case of Senator Lautenberg, and our 7 Democratic House incumbents, no news was good news. New Jersey's voters delivered a solid double-digit win to its senior Senator, and sent the Magnificent 7 back to Washington with an average margin of victory of over 40%. But for Congressional Challengers in NJ-2, NJ-4, and NJ-11, it was a different story altogether.

We look at each of these races in more detail below the fold.  

Moving Forward

by: Tom Wyka

Sat Nov 08, 2008 at 12:34:11 AM EST

Unfortunately the Obama campaign did not have a lot of coat tails for NJ Congressional races overall. It reminds me of an interesting article I read by David Sirota a while ago (click here to read about the idea of "presidentialism"). There's a lesson here for us: we need to get people thinking about not just the White House, but also about Capitol Hill - all the way down to townhall - and carry a strong consistent message to all levels.  

A weak moment

by: FogerRox

Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 02:09:06 AM EST

Wyka TV Ad for the final week

by: FogerRox

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 04:47:36 PM EST

Tom Wyka always tells everyone that will listen, how he was inspired by the late Senator Paul Wellstone. A graduate of Camp Wellstone, Tom is following in the foot steps of many a great progressive democrats, wishing to run a people powered campaign, a campaign that values boots on the ground over Washington DC consultants and big time media buys. In spite of soliciting small donations from average voters, and not big donars, Wyka for Congress has raised enough money for TV and radio.

Heres the ad that has been playing in NJ-11 this week.  

Is The Daily Record endorsing in NJ-11?

by: FogerRox

Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 01:42:18 PM EDT

The Daily Record on the 11th

This is not a normal election year. American forces have been in Iraq for more than five years while the insurrection in Afghanistan deepens. The economy crashed a month ago, prompting an unprecedented $700 billion bailout of the banking industry. There are thousands of new voters, many of whom are talking about change. Tom Wyka, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 11th District says one can not expect change if we return the same people to Washington.

So vote for Rodney for more of the same. :-)

Unless lightning strikes, Frelinghuysen will win his eighth term.

Do you mean not since 1932 kind of lightning?

We hope that he will recognize an opportunity -- if not a mandate -- for a new approach. We hope the congressman will use his seniority to stake out new and independent positions when the status quo has failed. We hope he will sharpen his appetite for "best-practice" approaches to long-standing problems (see Wyka and Tedholm above), regardless of which party suggests them.

Congressman Frelinghuysen has had an opportunity the last 2 years to "stake out new and independent positions". Congressman Frelinghuysen has had the opportunity over the last 2 years to "sharpen his appetite for "best-practice" approaches to long-standing problems". How many more chances do the voters of the 11th give the Congressman to disavow the failed policies of extreme neo conservatism?

On Sunday the 23rd in the debate at the Temple Beth AM, Congressman Frelinghuysen said he can't imagine a worse job killer than raising taxes. Progressive taxation with hi taxes for the richest, created jobs as we worked our way out of the Great Republican Depression, and won WW2.

Daily Record on NJ-11 Race: "I Guess We Endorse Frelinghuysen; Hope He'll Be More Like Wyka"

by: Jeff Gardner

Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 12:06:40 PM EDT

has been resolute in his support of the war in Iraq and generally loyal to President Bush. It's hard to know where belief ends and loyalty to party and president begins. If nothing else, the past eight years have shown that party unity doesn't always equal good or productive government. More often than not, it has led to, at best, stalled initiatives and, at worst, grievous mistakes.

And, his opponent?

Wyka, of Parsippany, who is making his second try for Congress, has expanded his campaign this year beyond criticizing the war in Iraq. He backs public financing of elections and increased government involvement in health care, a key point in a nation where an estimated 47 million are without health insurance.

I know - call on Rodney, if reelected, to be more like Tom:

Unless lightning strikes, Frelinghuysen will win his eighth term. We hope that he will recognize an opportunity -- if not a mandate -- for a new approach. We hope the congressman will use his seniority to stake out new and independent positions when the status quo has failed. We hope he will sharpen his appetite for "best-practice" approaches to long-standing problems (see Wyka and [Indy candidate Chandler] Tedholm above), regardless of which party suggests them.

When do I get my best canvassers back from PA? Nov 5th ?

by: FogerRox

Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:54:51 PM EDT

I get at least 4-5 emails every day about recruiting people for PA, enough already. Obama is up in PA almost as much as in New Jersey.

I kept hearing about how Obama thought the down ticket races are so important, but come on enough is enough. Obama sent an email out to Obama supporters in NJ-11, asking them to vote for Frank Lautenberg, with no mention of Tom Wyka, whats up with that ?

Is Obama coat tails going to make up the split for Tom Wyka, or Dennis Shulman, could Linda Stender use 80 more canvassers ? What about Adler.. hes up in the polls, but gheesh.

SO My friends and I have run roll playing training sessions for people that have never canvassed before. But I had one lady in Livingston quit after an hour, and I paired her with an experienced canvasser. SIGH.

I see 4 Congressional races that in the right conditions, coat tails, that we could flip, and with Obama leading Tom Wyka in NJ-11, thats going to be important.

But PA is in good shape in the polls, when do I get my best peole back? Nov 5th?

Sigh.

Rodneys lack of Main St. & internet presence

by: FogerRox

Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:36:43 PM EDT

SO the first page of hits has 4 Rodney Frelinghuysen videos and 6 Tom Wyka videos.

Tom Wyka Forum/Debate Drama

by: Nick Lento

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:32:48 AM EDT

As some of you may remember ( http://www.bluejersey.net/show... ) I was kind of displeased that people had to "sneak in" recording devices to capture Rodney in action in public forums.

So I decided to attend this event and sit as close as I could to Rodney and openly video the event, despite the stated "rules" to the contrary....

1st hand account: The last debate in NJ-11

by: FogerRox

Sun Oct 26, 2008 at 03:33:38 PM EDT

This morning there was a debate at the Temple Beth Am in Parsippany, between the candidates vying for the NJ-11 Congressional seat, Democrat Tom Wyka, Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen and Independent Chandler Tedholm. I took 4 pages of notes and have reconstructed some it here.

Before the debate started, I walked over to the Congressman to shake hand..

Good luck Congressman, we're within single digits and closing  :-)

The moderator took questions from the floor, which consisted of a majority of about 50 Wyka Supporters and about 12 Frelinghuysen supporters, with another 70 attendees not showing any affiliation.

On 2 occasions the same republican supporter interrupted, complaining about the selection of questions from the floor. Well my friend, you should have dug deep and got some friends to show up.

Frelinghuysen has been masquerading as a supporter of Vets issues

by: FogerRox

Fri Oct 24, 2008 at 02:47:45 PM EDT

Wyka did secure an endorsement this week from Washington, D.C.-based Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy. Guy Stevens, a board member, said they were "very disappointed" with Frelinghuysen in votes on health care and education. He particularly noted Frelinghuysen voted against a new G.I. Bill.

Frelinghuysen explains why he voted against the New GI Bill for the 21st Century:

Frelinghuysen supported a second version of the new G.I. Bill, which he said offered "improved benefits" for spouses and children of soldiers.

But on May 11th 2006, Roll Call No. 144, 109th Congress, 2nd Session, Motion to recommit, Failed: 202-220, Rodney Frelinghuysen voted to  cut benefits for orphans and widows. If Rodney Frelinghuysen and 9 other congresspeople had voted yes, this would have moved forward.

http://capwiz.com/dav/issues/v...

Tom Wyka supports the Bill of rights for Military Families, but as I cited above, Congressman Frelinghuysen voted to cut benefits for Widows and Orphans, but yet tries to reconcile is lack of support on this issue by saying he voted for a 2nd rate GI Bill because it offered "improved benefits" for spouses and children of soldiers. Congressman Frelinghuysen wants it both ways.

BREAKING! Rodney Doing the Chicken Dance?

by: huntsu

Tue Oct 21, 2008 at 04:51:16 PM EDT

Developing ...

VetsPAC endorses Tom Wyka

by: FogerRox

Fri Oct 17, 2008 at 04:30:08 PM EDT

http://www.vetpac.org/index.ph...

More to come.

Update:
VetsPAC has also endorsed Barack Obama and Senator Frank Lautenberg

TomObamaRama - Wyka For Congress Comedy Fundraiser

by: rosarylesco

Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 06:46:20 PM EDT

Darress Theater
615 Main Street
Boonton, New Jersey 07005

For more details & to buy tickets, visit:
http://www.actblue.com/page/to...

If you're feeling overwhelmed by election year politics don't miss this opportunity to laugh it all off and raise money to send Tom to the House of Representatives!

TomObamaRama will bring together some of your favorite progressive political comics in a hilarious night of election year comedy. Headliners Joey Novick (HBO, Showtime) brings his unique New Jersey home town brand of humor and Sam Greenfield (CNN, Huffington Post) brings the funny from across the Hudson River.

STARRING: Joey Novick & Sam Greenfield
HOSTED by Kevin O'Driscoll
WITH SPECIAL GUEST STAR: Alex Adams as Rudy Giuliani
SPECIAL INVITED GUESTS: Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Bono, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Leonardo DiCaprio and Pope Benedict XVI