governor's election
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PostPosted: Mon, Nov 2 2009, 10:06 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election- Cranbury Reply with quote

I saw this today and it is a concern to me because I want change and this means it will be lockstep if Jay and Dan don't win. It was posted on Dave's website.

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Please join me in voting for Dave Cook for Cranbury Township Committee. Dave Cook has spent most of his life in Cranbury. He understands what makes Cranbury special and has repeatedly volunteered his time to support and enrich the lives of all of us who live here. His deep connection with and knowledge of Cranbury, proven willingness to work on challenging issues, and professional expertise in finance will add strength to the Township Committee. In order to be effective in addressing Cranbury’s very real issues such as pressure to consolidate, COAH litigation and continued fiscal responsibility, members of the Township Committee need to have concrete qualifications for the job as well as a reasonable perspective beyond a narrow (some would say extreme) political ideology. I will vote for Dave Cook because he offers the qualifications to most effectively help protect our quality of life.

David J. Stout
39 South Main Street
Cranbury, NJ
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 10:18 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

This vote is simple for me. Look at available sources and see who Corzine has bought/focused upon during this election. Is it you? Or is it organized interests that allege to have members' interests at heart while, in reality, serving as self-perpetuating, political power structures that flippantly ignore the good of their orders to retain political clout and funding?

The state of political affairs in this state is nauseating.

A dollar to the first one who guesses where my vote is going today Smile
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voter
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 10:19 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

I already voted for Dave Cook! Best of luck to him.
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TFROMER
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 10:24 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

Dave Cook is a hell of a nice guy but the Township Committee needs to be in lockstep. Jay Taylor and Dan Mulligan together with Win Cody will make our chances of getting things done in Cranbury much better.
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Guest






PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 10:32 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

TFROMER wrote:
Dave Cook is a hell of a nice guy but the Township Committee needs to be in lockstep. Jay Taylor and Dan Mulligan together with Win Cody will make our chances of getting things done in Cranbury much better.


I respectfully disagree. I don't want anyone to be in lockstep. In fact many of the complaints on this board are of the current committee being in "lockstep". I am voting for the individuals who I believe have the best judgement.

Moreover, lockstep makes me think we should all wear matching shirts with armbands and decide to march on Poland.(I know I should have said Czeckoslovakia, but it doesn't exist anymore.)
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another voter
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 10:48 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

When I see a revaluation that goes through and has no merits, legal expenses on a West Property decision that was rushed through and then had to be undone; when I see the TC go to arbitration instead of working with our police because the TC felt that was better than working with the police on a contract; when I see sewer rates raised and then an ooops I'm sorry we should have reviewed the commercial first, but you'll pay anyway; when I see a TC that is having the professionals run meetings- I get concerned.

When I then see that person who had served as Mayor during most of these issues supporting a candidate and calling the opponents extreme I wonder what am I getting if I support HIS CANDIDATE. Note, that the endorsement was not even for the other Democrat- Glenn Johnson.

When I see David Stout making statements about candidates I get concerned about where out town is headed.

It concerns me how this person views open government and accountability as extreme. That a TC member would not want to show our financials and view resident input as being extreme is worrying. In fact, I see what was done the past 9 years of this person controlling the TC as extreme financially and for the town as a community. It is for this reason we need Dan and Jay.

We need advocates for residents. We need people who will listen. We need people who run because they are impassioned. We need people who will bring a fresh perspective, but also understand the history. We need people who put the township back in Township Committee. It is clear Dave and Dave will work together and continue down the same path. I think we need change which Dan and Jay bring. We have seen this path for 9 years and my increased rates in taxes and sewers are proof of that path not working.

Please help me and the town and vote Dan and Jay. We need them.
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Guest






PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 10:56 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

Just one more point. The TC with 3-2 or even a 4-1 margin of Democrat control will continue in lockstep. I think Dan and Jay have similar opinions, but they actually had some different views on approaching problems I had raised. They also had similar views on cost measures. I would rather take the candidates that provide solutions and work together then the "lockstep" we have seen the past 9 years. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making a change.
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Guest






PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 11:01 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

Yes, "lockstep" is a worrying choice of words.
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Guest






PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 11:15 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

Another Voter,

Interesting post. I read things here but never write, but you inspired me to! I've not ever been involved much in local politics, so I can't be too critical of decisions made when I have not offered my two cents. But lately I've wondered, are we going in the right direction? I don’t always think so and I've concluded that it is my responsibility to be more involved.

I've wondered for a while, who should I vote for locally? All four candidates seem like bright, capable people. But I really hate this “us” versus “them” mentality that I think I see a lot of times. To be honest, any discussion of a group of 3+ TC members voting in unison is a concern. Even those voting to create a change in current TC composition (to a Jay, Dan, Win "majority") are falling prey to this logic.

We are a small town. We are facing challenges from State mandates and elected officials who understand or care little for our town's interests. At a local level, we need 5 free-thinking, transparent TC members that will listen to resident concerns and make open & informed decisions in the best interest of the community.

I'll tell you the tipping point for me. I was really amazed at a comment at the candidate's night debate. Candidates were criticized at one point for supporting a neighborhood at the north end of town that is concerned about how affordable housing will be built by them. It was said that they were acting like a small minority not concerned about the community. (I've known some folks that live there for a long time and don't believe for a second that this is true.) It was said that the candidates did not have all the facts. It seems to me that the candidates are all pretty bright and had a good grasp of issues, why were these “facts” missed? Were they easily available?

This is really not how we should conduct ourselves. Decisions that affect all or part of our town should be debated with civility in the clear light of day. But this comment struck me and made me walk away thinking that the concerns of this one neighborhood were viewed as inconvenient and conflicting with some already-made decisions. That is not transparency. I was on the fence until that point, thinking we had 4 solid candidates. I still think all four are good, bright, well intentioned men. However, it made me really wonder whether a change in TC composition is needed.

Well, good luck to all 4 candidates. May the best two men win! And whoever wins, please think and act openly and independently. Disagreeing over issues should not lead to "us" and "them" relationships . Parties don't matter. We have a lot at stake here, so work in the interest of our community and preserve what drew many of us here long ago.
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 11:23 am EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

Mr. Stout's endorsement of Mr. Cook is what convinced me not to vote for Mr. Cook. I was on the fence because I like him personally and am a Democrat. But Mr. Stout represents everything that has been done wrong with our Township government. Besides pushing for unnecessary spending projects and then not seeing that they are managed properly, Mr. Stout has demonstrated that he places party politics above the interests of the Township. He has gone out of his way to undermine a long tradition of appointing local citizens to boards and sub-committees in a non-partisan way based on qualification and interest and instead turned it entirely political, making party affiliation, and loyalty to him, the primary basis for selection. And he has endorsed State politicians against the interests of our township. Throughout most of the campaign Mr. Cook presented himself as his own man, and though he co-opted the positions that the Township republicans have owned for the last couple years in opposing the reckless leadership of Mr. Stout, he seemed to indicate he would not blindly endorse their positions. But in accepting an endorsement from Mr. Stout he undermines all that.
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Guest






PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 12:01 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

This, from PolitickerNJ.com is revolting. Let me paraphrase: the State Democratic Party LIED initially, then came clean about their bankrolling the robocalls!? They lied. Period.


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Dems continue robocalls to GOP voters urging vote for Daggett
By Editor
Controversial robocalls made by the Democratic State Committee that criticize Republican Christopher Christie and seek votes for independent Christopher Daggett continue to be made today. Democrats had initially denied they were responsible, but admitted last night that they were behind them.

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Twp.) said he received one at his home within the last hour.

"I just got one of those pro-Daggett calls from the DSC," said Carroll. "I can only conclude that they are so ashamed of their own candidate that they cannot bring themselves to advocate for him directly."

The Christie campaign says that they have received reports of the calls being received by Republicans in other counties, including Union and Essex.
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Jay T.



Joined: Sat, Dec 27 2008, 8:27 pm EST
Posts: 103
Location: South Main St.

PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 3:57 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

I was debating on whether to comment on this thread, but I think people should know my views. I have posted here during the course of the campaign and plan to continue to do so if I am fortunate enough to be elected tonight.

When my dad was on the TC back in the early-mid 90's, I attended meetings on a number of occasions. Often the meetings went until 10 or 11pm. The reason the meetings did go late was because issues were discussed out in the open, residents weighed in and discussion occurred with resident input being part of the equation. Many votes were 3-2 or 4-1 (after the 5 person TC was instituted).

Now, I am certainly not advocating that every meeting should go that late simply to say the meeting went long. However, I do believe we should have meetings that take resident input into consideration and then have discussion based on the input received. If the meetings end at 9, 10 or 11 at night it should not matter. What should matter is that we're weighing resident input when making a decision. I firmly believe that if we as a TC do that then participation/attendance at the meetings will increase and we will be creating a great back and forth and fostering of community ideas.

I am also concerned when I see any board vote the same all the time. There are times I have sat in a meeting agreeing with Richard Stannard or Pari and not Win. There are times I sat there agreeing with Win and not the others. Dan and I would also sit there and have discussions as the meeting was occurring having our own disagreements at times. The good news of working together is that we don't have an us vs them mentality and that there are no bad feelings when we all disagree. Win, Dan and I have very small egos which means we don't take things on a personal level.

I also consider myself to have pretty solid ethics and I view Dan and Win the same way. I can assure you that so called "parking lot meetings" will not occur. I ask you to believe me based on two facts. First it is against the law as it would constitute a quorum and I have no desire to break the law regardless of chances of being caught or seriousness of the crime.

Second, Dan and I both eat at Teddy's and are active in the community. I do not want people I see to come up and state their fear or concern that I am not listening to them. I do not want people feeling we are not involving them and making decisions prior and it is for that reason as well that I want to minimize closed door meetings.

During the campaign Dan and I did walk and work together. We did this because we wanted to have open dialogue with residents and for residents to understand two key items.

1) Dan and I will work together and listen to residents. Many times we heard comments that we had not considered. When we walked alone we saw residents were not as open in their views. I do not know why, but when we both showed up our discussions were much longer in length.

2) We wanted residents to see that Dan and I did have different views, but that we still could agree to disagree. And in so doing we could still work together as a team. On a macro-level we do agree on key items and we have worked hard to provide residents with our ideas and possible solutions for the problems we see being raised.

I understand that by the time of this posting a lot of people will have voted.

If you have voted for Dan and/or I then I thank you.

If you have yet to vote then I would hope you'll consider us both.

If you voted for someone else and we're still elected then I hope you will find Dan and I are both worthy of the position and I hope we will earn your respect and trust.
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CranburySauce
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 5:18 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

Sorry, Jay, we couldn't resist a bit of election night humor Smile

http://cranburysauce.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/jay-taylors-final-pre-results-election-blog-post/

Good luck to you and all the candidates this evening. And thanks to each of you for being good sports!

Sincerely,
Cranbury Sauce
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Jay T.



Joined: Sat, Dec 27 2008, 8:27 pm EST
Posts: 103
Location: South Main St.

PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 5:34 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

No problem, but there is a usage fee for using my name Very Happy . The fee is one vote per family member of your household for Dan and I.

Seriously, great stories during the campaign and that is one of the many things I will miss about the campaign.
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HistoricallyFiscal
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PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 8:30 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election Reply with quote

District 14 results on Gov were on CNN,
51% Christie
40% Corzine
9% Daggett

so far
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Guest






PostPosted: Tue, Nov 3 2009, 9:32 pm EST    Post subject: Re: governor's election (The Star-Ledger result 44%) Reply with quote

The Star-Ledger

Governor - General
2795 of 6305 Precincts Reporting - 44%

Christie, Chris GOP 514,692 49%
Corzine, Jon (i) Dem 460,120 44%
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