Cartographic Conundrums

by: Scott Weingart

Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 08:31:07 AM EDT

Check out the page for 58th ranked Washington Township, specifically the two maps:

Catch the discrepancy? The bigger map shows the Washington Township in Bergen County, while the smaller map shows the Washington Township in Gloucester County. The difference? A two hour drive on the Turnpike and the Parkway.

CNN's mistake is somewhat understandable. Until Mercer County's smallest township changed its name to Robbinsville in January, New Jersey was home to six Washington Townships. You can still find a Washington Township on a map of Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, Morris or Warren County. In Warren County, the Washington Township surrounds a Washington Borough.

And Washington isn't the only possible point of place name confusion in the state. New Jersey had two Dovers before one changed its name to Toms River. By my count, fourteen names are still shared by at least two municipalities in at least two different counties:

Near Philly? Join us Tonight

by: Josh Aronovitch

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 02:58:14 PM EDT

Half price for Blue Jerseyans!

Josh Aronovitch: Netroots'er For Mayor

by: Scott Shields

Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 08:34:00 PM EDT

Josh Aronovitch, running for Mayor of Washington Township (the one in Gloucester County), has a pretty cool diary up right now at Daily Kos about progressive local government. It definitely will give you some good background on Josh, why he's running for Mayor, and what has driven him into politics.

They say there is not a Democratic or Republican way to pick up trash.

However, there IS a progressive way to govern.  It means open honest transparent government.  It means building consensus in the community, not imposing a vision on the town.  It means not kowtowing to a county democratic party that seems to be more about rewarding contributors and amassing power than about doing right by the people.  

Local government isn't as sexy as the latest Obama vs Hillary diary, but it is crucial to the future success (or lack thereof) of our experiment in democratic self government.

Josh is someone I work with, and he's also someone I support wholeheartedly. So head over to dKos and show some love to someone who's been a good friend to Blue Jersey and who will make a great Mayor of Washington Township.

Join the Campaign for Change

by: Josh Aronovitch

Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:46:26 AM EST

The Cliff Notes:

I've been a member of Blue Jersey since the middle of 2006, "de-lurking" in response to Juan's invitation the day before the 2006 general election.

Now I'm following Paul Wellstone's advice that "if you can't find the right candidate, run yourself," and running for Mayor of Washington Township.

I would love your help, financial or otherwise.

Much more after the jump.

Moriarty: Pick a job, any job

by: Juan Melli

Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 10:09:10 PM EDT

"Since this bill has become law, dual office holders should do the ethical thing and resign one of their elected offices," said Gardiner, a former Washington Township Councilwoman.  "Dual office holding creates a conflict of interest, and takes time away from both positions.  Paul Moriarty, Assemblyman/Mayor, voted for this legislation so he should have no problem giving one up."

There has been some speculation as to whether or not Moriarty would seek re-election as mayor when his seat is up next year, so Gardiner may get her wish.

Suddenly, Everyone Wants to Ban Pay-to-Play in Washington Twp

by: Juan Melli

Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 08:21:00 AM EDT

Yesterday the township clerk certified that there were enough signatures for the ordinance to be placed on the November ballot if the council doesn't enact the ordinance. They are required to consider it at their next meeting.

Miraculously, after two years of inaction and accepting a flawed pay-to-play law, the council wants to act. Council President Frank Scarpato III:

"I wouldn't be surprised if it passes. I'm in favor of the ordinance. I believe in it, I absolutely do."

"If we can strengthen it, by all means. I feel like the public needs to know that their elected officials are on the up and up and that there is no favoritism."

Moriarty said his ordinance has worked, and believes Aronovitch's proposal "does not go far enough in limiting the influence or contributions of special interest groups."

"I plan to introduce, along with township council, a pay-to-play ordinance that goes beyond what the petitioners have suggested, and I would expect council to introduce it at the next council meeting," he said.

But that's just speculation, and if that's the plan, I don't think it will work. Voters will overwhelmingly support the ordinance if it appears on the November ballot. One way or another, Washington Township will get a tougher pay-to-play law.

This grassroots effort is working exactly as intended. Once there are enough certified signatures for the ordinance to go before the voters, the municipal council is often shamed into action -- despite prior fierce opposition -- because they know it is what the voters want and will vote for. It's been done in dozens of municipalities already. To start or join an effort in your town, visit the Citizens' Campaign.

Point by Point Responses to Mayor Moriarty

by: Josh Aronovitch

Tue Aug 07, 2007 at 06:19:55 PM EDT

I have decided to respond to Mayor Moriarty's arguments against our proposed pay to play ban point by point.  I look forward to the feedback of the Blue Jersey community and hope the Mayor continues the dialogue.

Better Know a Legislative District: The Fightin Fourth

by: Jason Springer

Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 07:19:22 PM EST

New Jersey's 4th Legislative District contains 10 towns across the counties of Camden and Gloucester including Clementon Borough, Franklin Township, Glassboro Borough, Gloucester Township, Laurel Springs Borough, Lindenwold Borough, Monroe Township, Newfield Borough, Pitman Borough and Washington Township.

As of last count, there were 188,830 voters registered in the 4th district with the majority, 56% as independents, 28.5% Democrat and 15.5% registered Republican.  There are Democratic mayors in 7 of 10 towns and the county has been trending Democratic even though it has historically been a very close swing district.  Gloucester Township elected its first Republican Mayor in decades last cycle and Newfield now has a Republican mayor; however Democrats took control in Franklin Township and now hold all seats on council in Washington Township.  Democrats hold many county offices in Camden and Gloucester counties, but this district has had historically close elections including the 2003 contest in which Senator Madden won his seat by 63 votes.  In 2005, Assemblymen Mayer and Moriarty faced Republicans Frank Winters and Corey Ahart defeating them handily 63% to 37%.  There are no clear challengers to any of the seats as of this time.

Displaced Family not allowed to return home

by: Jason Springer

Tue Aug 15, 2006 at 03:13:51 PM EDT

Management of the Millstream Apartments has blocked the two adults and four children from returning to the three-bedroom unit damaged by the blaze. Perhaps most disturbing for the family that moved to the township from Newark, N.J. in 2005 looking for a better life, Millstream has refused to tell them why.

Lauren Johnson, feels that discrimination at more than one level is at play since the couple leads an alternative lifestyle and is black.

A district manager for Millstream's parent company Conifer Realty LLC, told the Times that her company's decision was based on information from the police investigation into the fire. She later declined to elaborate.