Thank God the Camden County Democrats can still hand out fat contracts because they sure aren't doing anything policy-wise. Read as they tie themselves in knots over what to do with a new prison no one wants.
Beach Slapped.
A reader has some harsh words for Senator Jim Beach's abstention on marriage equality in today's Courier Post. Whoever wrote that editorial sure was pissed!
Fr. Michael Doyle is the Camden priest recently profiled in a documentary called the Poet of Poverty. The movie was screened last night in Cherry Hill and I cried and laughed and cried and laughed some more. Here's the trailer. And yes, that's Martin Sheen doing narration.
One of the best things about spending the last four years following politicians around with a video camera is the tons of file footage I've acquired. It's an especially useful tool for expressing one's self when words are hard to find. Like now.
Walk into the Camden County Democratic headquarters in Cherry Hill, and you will almost certainly meet nice, motivated, bright liberals like yourself who merely want to win races for Democrats. No shadowy Sopranos-esque organization here. This diary addresses the question of whether the Camden County Democratic Committee and overall organization need reforming and new leadership. My criteria for reform is as follows. Regardless of political party or ideology, any organization that exchanges favoritism in exchange for financial gain is indeed ethically compromised. Further, any politician who votes on bills directly related to his or her employer must not be able to do so, and any political broker who is not held accountable to the general public, particularly voters, should not have unchecked power. You can see where I'm going with this.
Promoted by Jason Springer: Chris Christie was in Cherry Hill today and Jay Lassiter, who dubbed himself the official welcome wagon head cheerleader was there to say hello.
Chris Christie and I crossed paths today at my local Jersey diner. Thankfully the encounter did not happen in the men's room.
P.S. Kim Guadagno was there too. She was pretty smooth with the crowd and and came off appealing. (just saying......)
When does South Jersey love Frank Lautenberg most? Why when he's bringing home the bacon of course. And when he snags big bucks for progressive, sustainable policy like this, it's doubly sweet. Take a look!
If Doug Fisher becomes Agriculture Secretary, we will need a replacement in the Assembly for LD3. LD3 covers part of Gloucester County, all of Salem County, and part of Cumberland County:
"We haven't had representation in Salem County for a long time, and we need representation up there,"
Beth Timberman and David Lindenmuth are both popular Freeholders who would do a great job. But instead, we get this outrageous quote from a foolish Democrat
"Cherry Hill has more people than Salem County," said one influential Democratic insider.
Cherry Hill is not in our district, and frankly I can only take this remark as a "screw you" with a hint that Norcross is more important than the people of our district. I'm as partisan as they come, but when I feel this way I know people here won't stand for it.
In the thin sliver of a county that is Camden County, with over 500,000 residents bunched into 222 square miles, remaining open space is few and far between. Unmitigated growth of this Philadelphia suburban county, with very little foresight, has resulted in one of the most developed counties in the state. The problems and financial constraints involved in open space preservation, though, coupled with the high cost of land in places like Cherry Hill, Haddon Heights, and Haddonfield, make preserving open space a difficult endeavor. My sense is that any progressive agenda must include environmental preservation and long-term sustainability as part of its platform, and this includes work to preserve open space on a local level.
Re-promoted for a Merry Christmas. If you're reading today, maybe you have 10 minutes to reflect on the year in NJ politics. Enjoy and don't forget to take the poll! -JG
What better way to celebrate a memorable year than with a top 10 list? As a blogger, activist and campaign worker, this was my perspective as seen (entirely) thorugh the lens of my wecam or iPhone.
Hopefully something for everyone. Take the poll and share what would make your top ten list!
Here at Adler for Congress we're gearing up for the final two-month sprint to election day. It's not quite the home stretch yet, but close: 59 days to be exact (or "58 sleeps" as we say here at HQ!)
Today the office is packed with volunteers (pics below the fold) who decided to ride out the storm here with the campaign team. Excitement is high for a number of reasons, mostly next week's debate (details here) which is just days away!
Nothing would be cooler than to have the auditorium packed full of a captive crowd. And it will be the best political theater we've seen in a while, you can could on that. So what are you doing this Wednesday? Wanna come to the debate? (RSVP to bianca@adlerforcongress.com)
The campaign crossed a notable milestone today: over $100,000 raised on ActBlue. That suggests bigtime grassroots support for Adler here in NJ-3, a district held by the GOP since 1882.
Finally -- and this goes for all of NJ -- the deadline to register new voters is October 14. For the sake of progressives up and down the ticket, take the opportunity to register others while there's still time.
A case study for New Jersey municipalities - promoted by Hopeful
Even if you live in a different part of the state, what has been happening in Cherry Hill is probably connected in some respects to your own local government and municipalities. Indulge me, North and Central Jersey readers, and tell me if this isn't also the current story of Toms River, Freehold, Hamilton, and several such townships, as well as a past story for Jersey City, Newark, and other urban areas. The problems that face Cherry Hill, and the role of the progressive movement in providing possible solutions, has relevance in such statewide cities and towns. Many Blue Jersey posters either live in or near Cherry Hill, too.
This is a cool video. Funny how the traditional media will ignore interesting things like this being done by a campaign but spill ink on pointless shit. Promoted from the diaries -- Juan
If there's one thing I know about Blue Jersey people, it's that we're all avowed politics junkies.
So whoever your candidate of choice is come June 3, this video should hopefully have some appeal.
To have such unfiltered access to the inner works of a US Senate campaign -- as a blogger -- is a very satisfying beat to cover as you might imagine.
For those of you who do not know, I headhunted myself for a job on the Andrews for Senate campaign staff. They bit so I am on the team.
I hope Jim Saxton gets bludgeoned for this S-CHIP vote coming up tomorrow....assuming of course Saxton bends over for George Bush. Again. Which I fully expect.
Note to Jim Saxton: we don't need S-CHIP to beat you in 'o8 but you can bet the farm that your obit just got a whole lot more unsympathetic!
The Philly Inquirer says N.J. Democrats, GOP both carry vulnerabilities and that "handling of tax cuts could sway voters; loyalties pull them back." Are your state reps vunerable? Why or why not?
Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt issues his "state of the township" address. Nothing from his speech really rocked my world (he didn't say anything new about propTaxes) but he said all the right things otherwise. Cherry Hill is an awesome place to live, I hope Mayor Platt does his part to keep it that way. Incidently, Mayor Platt has previously said on record that he's happy performing civil unions as a matter of course. Shouldn't be long now?
Here's the latest about that Kearny HS teacher with a a radical worldview and a big mouth. Remember him?
Also the latest about the Atlantic City smoking (non?) ban situation. The main argument is that a ban would put AC gambling joints at a competative disadvantage to casinos in neighboring states where smoking is allowed. Funny thing is, it won't be long until smoking is banned in those states too.
I am in organizing mode for the BBQ we're having at my place here in Cherry Hill this weekend for Rich Sexton's campaign. I am posting this just as a gentle reminder to everyone that I'll be firing up the grill this Sunday, June 11th at 2pm. Here is a link with more info.
Since I am hosting this thing personally I would love to see as many BlueJersey folks as possible. There will be all manner of South Jersey political types at the party and we'll be having fun and raising some cash for Rich Sexton. For those of you who are too far to make it, you can still contribute to this important fight. No contribution is too modest.
((I hope I don't lose my liberal charter for this one) - promoted by jay lassiter)
There's almost nothing you can say except thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The Cherry Hill district was at a crossroads. We had gotten to the point where we had taken all the cuts we could without cutting into the heart of the district -- teachers, textbooks, programs. The people stepped up and showed us how much they care about the kids.
--Cherry Hill Interim Superintendent Timothy Brennan
Yo, here's a novel suggestion: How about some assurances that you are committed to making good use of this money?
School funding is an emotional issue and for good reason. I suspect that most folks are sensitive to the need for good schools and I am especially grateful that Cherry Hill public schools are among the state's finest. After paying off my 5-figure property tax bill might I suggest that they should be good.
