SHORT INVITES OPPONENT TO DEBATE ISSUES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication

September 28, 2006

POC: Patrick Short, Democrat for Township Committee
Tel:732-796-9574

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Democrat for Township Committee Patrick Short invites his Republican opponent this year to debate the issues within Middletown.

"I think it is only fair that the electorate has an opportunity to hear both my opponent's views as well as mine," Short said. "I do not believe that a debate has to be conducted in a rude atmosphere, quite the contrary. A debate should be a time when the ideas and plans that candidates have made are shared with the public about the most pressing matters of the community."

Short said his opponent, Tim Sodon, can pick the time and even the place if he likes. "The important thing is for the information to get out to the public so they can make an intelligent choice for the next person to fill the slot on the committee," he said.

In particular, Short said he would especially like to address the issues of eminent domain, tax relief and governmental reform. "Middletown cannot afford to keep doing business the way it is," Short said. "That not only means the business of just government. Our voters here in Middletown need as much information about what the candidates running for office are prepared to bring with them should they be elected."

Short said he hopes to hear from the Republican Party about this matter at their earliest convenience.

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RESTORATION OF 2-PARTY SYSTEM IS ABOUT TAX MONEY BEING SAVED

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication

September 26, 2006

POC: Patrick Short, Democrat for Township Committee
Tel:732-796-9574

SHORT BACKS TWO-PARTY SYSTEM RETURN

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Democrat for Township Committee Patrick Short said the return of the two-party system in Middletown is essential to reforming taxation in town.

"The return of the two-party system in Middletown is not something purely ideological," Short said. "There are issues associated with one-party rule that go back to patronage; and patronage costs money in towns -- tax money."

According to Short, dual office holding, pension padding by elected and appointed officials, vendors being appointed to municipal boards and commissions and political favoritism to companies that favorpolitical parties all have economic consequences for taxpayers.

Two-party representation is a fundamental principle of the American political system. The Founding Fathers created the two-party system to prevent governmental corruption. "The founders of this country created this system so one party would not enjoy total power or total power for too long," Short said. "In Middletown, Republicans have been entirely in charge of this governing body for 25 years and what has resulted is a government that is spending money far more liberally than it can afford."

Short explained that the Middletown Township Committee bonds excessively, resulting in a bond debt that equals about $80 million. "No business and no private concern that is $80 million in debt can say that it is doing well and that it has operated effectively," Short said.

According to Short, municipal bonding is tantamount to credit card debt. "Anything any politician will tell you about how a budget is balanced with an $80 million debt on the books is not being entirely honest," he said. "I believe that the only way to dealing with the amount of bonding debt this township has is to start spending money in a prudent way and not a way that considers politics, politicians or political parties in any way, shape or form."

Short, a business executive in the private sector, said he intends on seeking the appointment of the best and most economical firms to office in Middletown and not the most politically connected. In addition, he does not intend on supporting Democratic or Republican builders or trades people. "I intend on seeking the appointment of the best possible and most professional builders and trades people where needed by the township," Short said.

In conclusion, Short said, "I simply intend on taking the politics out of local government here in Middletown."

SHORT ASKS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BENEFITS ISSUE

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication

September 19, 2006

POC: Middletown Democrat for Township Committee Patrick Short/Tel:
732-796-9574 or Greg Gibadlo, at: gibadloforfreeholder@hotmail.com

SHORT ASKS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BENEFITS ISSUE

Gibadlo weighs in on benefits issue for elected, apointed officials

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Middletown Democrat for Township Committee Patrick Short said the issue of part-time politicians being eligible for pensions and health care benefits from the public is one that the Middletown Committee should be dealing with, regardless of any upcoming election.

Democratic Freeholder Candidate Greg Gibadlo, Middletown, joins him in this call for reform.

Short said that he is raising as an issue full-time benefits for part-time politicians and appointees. "I welcome the input and support from Mr. Gibadlo," Short said.

Short started the discussion of this issue in June, without response by GOP office holders or any candidates. In Middletown, the all-Republican Township Committee has not considered the idea of revisiting who receives pension and health benefits in both elected and appointed office. "There are times when partisanship is innocuous and then there are times when such partisanship just costs taxpayers too much money. I think there is a real opportunity for savings to taxpayers from revisiting elected and appointed benefits and it is an area that is worthy of investigation by the governing body," Short said.

"What kind of compensation package someone gets in an elected or appointed position should be on the table, especially during these economic times," Gibadlo said.

"When people are hurting and going through difficult times, we need to rethink the elaborate benefit packages for the elected and appointed officials who serve the taxpayers. Regardless of the economic prosperity of residents, the providing of benefit packages to county employees, and even municipal employees, must be consistent," Gibadlo said.

In Middletown, Short explained these are especially difficult times for township residents to be bearing the burden of excessive patronage. "If the committee chooses not to work with Democrats then that is fine, but any progress in this area would represent a step in the right direction," Short said.

Short noted that anyone who seeks public office has an impetus to do good in the community. "All I am saying is that there is tax money that is, in some very important ways, being wasted and this situation warrants a thorough and thoughtful examination and the likelihood of action," he said.

Reducing and eventually eliminating full-time benefits for part-time office holders is one of Short's platform issues during this year's General Election. Others include: Adopting a standard of 2,000 hours worked in a year to earn pension and health care benefits and eliminating pension and health benefits of local vendor's who provide professional services to the township.

One possibility to consider is adopting 401k benefit plans for newly elected officials and political appointees that are eligible for benefit plans.

Another possibility is the elimination of "tacking" where employees hold multiple public jobs to increase their salary on which their pension is based. And, require employees to designate one job on which their pensions would be calculated.

Short said, "What I am talking about at this specific moment applies strictly to the elected and appointed people on the various boards and commissions. However, I would like to gain a better understanding on why it should not be applied across all township departments."



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IN SUPPORT OF MENENDEZ

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

September 18, 2006

POC: Joe Caliendo
Chairman, Middletown Democrats
Tel: (732) 299-6470
Email: joe_caliendo@yahoo.com
Blog: www.democratscalling.blogspot.com

CALIENDO CALLS INVESTIGATION POLITICALLY MOTIVATED,
QUESTIONS TIMING, MOTIVATION OF CHRISTIE CONTRIBUTIONS

Middletown Democrat Chairman Joe Caliendo has called the investigation into Sen. Bob Menendez highly suspect.

"We have a U.S. Attorney who is playing politics for a party he owes deeply," Caliendo said. "At the end of the day, Christie is a political appointee."

Caliendo noted that it is difficult for the U.S. Attorney to claim objectivity in investigating a Democrat candidate in an important national race, especially when the money trail between Christie and the state Republican Party are seen in the broad light of day.

"Look, the timing of the contributions by Chris Christie and his family are pretty suspect, if you ask me," Caliendo said. "First, you've got the fact that Todd Christie, the U.S. Attorney's brother, has helped raise over $200,000 for the Bush White House. But you've also got to look at what's been paid to the state Republicans."

Caliendo said election reports show that before 2001 Christopher J. Christie and his family members donated a total of $800 to the New Jersey Republican Committee.

But in the months before September 2001, when Christie learned of his appointment, Christie donated $10,000 to the party and his brother Todd's household contributed $64,000 to the party. Todd Christie went on to contribute $70,000 to the party in three lump sums from 2002 to 2004.

"Look, you don't just jump from giving $800 in a lifetime to giving $74,000 in less than a month without strings being attached to both sides," Caliendo noted. "That's just not how politics works and certainly not how politics works in New Jersey."

Caliendo noted that while the U.S. Attorney launched a curiously timed investigation into Menendez's finances, Christie has ignored potential wrongdoing by the state's GOP brass.

"Christopher J. Christie will not investigate the dealings of the Matawan-Aberdeen Train Station, in which over $50,000 passed between John Lynch business partner Jack Morris and state Sen. Joe Kyrillos' campaign accounts," Caliendo said. "Christie will not investigate the fact that Sen. Kyrillos may have used some strangely times campaign contributions to influence the Keyport Republican Party (including two councilmen arrested for corruption) to help his
employer Woodmont Properties develop condos on waterfront property in the town, which he's supposed to represent."

Caliendo said Christie would not investigate these dealings by Kyrillos because of his very relationship to Kyrillos and the Middletown Republicans.

"Look, Kyrillos is this same man who swore Chris Christie in as a Morris County Freeholder, the same man who Todd Christie called a 'family friend' and the same man who was taking the helm of the state GOP just as the Christies dropped $74,000 a couple months before the U.S. Attorney learned of his appointment."

Caliendo concluded by saying, "Of course Christie is going to investigate Menendez. Menendez isn't George W. Bush's candidate, and Menendez wasn't taking the helm of the state GOP when the Christies were paying tribute to that organization's coffers."

Caliendo characterized the State Republican Party as being both "corrupt and vindictive" and may come after him in some political way because of this. "But the truth is just that and I do have proof about every assertion that I am making," he said.

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE STATE

I JUST GOT THIS FROM THE STATE, SO I AM POSTING ON THIS SITE:

Cryan Points Out Republican Hypocrisy

Joe Cryan, chairman of the New Jersey Democratic Party, issued the following statement in response to the partisan rhetoric by Republicans on political corruption:

"The partisan diatribes by the Republican Party and the self-serving rhetoric from the campaign of Tom Kean Jr. intentionally ignore the fact that political corruption and the abuse of power occur with individuals in both parties.

"From a lineup of Republicans in Monmouth County to a score of Republicans in Congress, and with elected officials, candidates and lobbyists in between, Republicans are full participants in the problem.

"The soapbox that Tom Kean Jr. wants to stand on is tarnished with his own abuses, including a fundraising scheme that collects campaign cash from corporate officers who sit in boardrooms with his father and from executives of a health insurer taken the same day he voted to allow the company to keep a $40 million tax break.

"The problem of political corruption is not unique to either party, but the Republicans are certainly cornering the market on hypocrisy."

Short stands up against eminent domain

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication

September 15, 2006

POC: Middletown Democrat for Township Committee Patrick Short
Tel: 732-796-9574

Short lauds county Democratic campaign, expresses concern over bridge
issue

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Middletown Democrat for Township Committee Patrick Short said the battle against eminent domain abuse in Monmouth County, and especially in Middletown, is one that has grave consequences for residents.

"I am pleased that the Democratic ticket running for county office this year has become involved with the fight to stop eminent domain abuse," Short said. This year. Barbara McMorrow, Freehold Township, is running with Greg Gibadlo, Middletown, for seats on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders. Beverly Bova-Scarano, Middletown, is also running for
surrogate.

Since the spring, Short has been involved with the fight against eminent domain abuse very aggressively in Middletown. In particular, Short supported the municipal acquisition of the McCormack Farm before the Middletown Committee could agree on preserving it under Open Space.

In addition, he has been a staunch advocate for the Walsh family's land rights, in River Plaza. Currently, the county is considering taking up to one-quarter of her property to construct a curved bridge to replace the West Front Street Bridge that currently spans Middletown and Red Bank.

While there are a few versions of this plan being considered, Short said, "I fail to see why one very prominent alternative is not rebuilding the bridge on the footprint of the existing bridge. Why a curved configuration is necessary has not yet been adequately explained.

And, before the government starts talking about taking anyone's property, under any situation, there clearly needs to be some essential public good that patently overrides the lawful rights of a property owner. I do not believe this public need has been expressed or demonstrated by the county."

The issue of the safety of the bridge is also paramount. "Engineering reports from the county have stated the bridge is not safe, and yet the bridge is open and I do not know why. So the county has not answered the
question of current safety. My chief concern with the Middletown Committee is why, as local elected officials, they are not making more of a case about bridge safety with the county," Short concluded.

For more information, or to speak with Short directly, call 732-796-9574.

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MONMOUTH FREEHOLDER CANDIDATES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication

September 15, 2006

POC: Greg Gibadlo
Democrat for Freeholder
Cell: 908-461-1619
Email: gibadloforfreeholder@hotmail.com
Web Page: www.democratsforfreeholder.blogspot.com

Freeholders, surrogate candidates come out against eminent domain abuse

FREEHOLD (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Homeowner land rights are the corner-stone upon which democracy was founded.

Today, there are serious concerns in Monmouth County that government is over-stepping its powers and adversely impacting individual rights by exercising eminent domain in a way that is inconsistent with the intended use of such laws.

“What has happened to homeowners in the City of Long Branch is a prime example of the concern shared by every citizen in Monmouth County,” Democratic Candidate for Freeholder Barbara McMorrow said.

“In speaking with residents of Long Branch, there is great concern that private property is being seized by the government without proper consideration of individual homeowner rights.

“In some cases, very viable family homes are in jeopardy in a way that is inconsistent with the principles this great nation was founded upon,” Democratic Candidate for Freeholder Gregory Gibadlo said.

“In Middletown, my hometown,” Surrogate Candidate Beverly Bova-Scarano said, “there are similar concerns about how the county freeholders are abusing the use of eminent domain in the case of the West Front Street Bridge, which joins Middletown and Red Bank.”

“The county is proposing the construction of a new bridge in River Plaza because the old one is unsafe,” Gibadlo said. “Yet, one of the plans being considered by the county engineer rebuilds this bridge into a curved configuration that is a waste of taxpayer funds and would take one quarter of the property that the Walsh family has owned for more than 20 years.”

“There are questions how this project was noticed to the public and what is the purpose of new curved bridge,” McMorrow said. “In short, there are just more questions than answers. But these questions must be answered.”

“Why it is not tenable for a new West Front Street Bridge to be constructed on the footprints of the old one has not been credibly answered, in my opinion,” Bova-Scarano said. “And, before government starts taking anyone’s property these are exactly the kind of questions they have to answer.”

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Eminent Domain Abuse is an Issue

I think one of the biggest issues of this race in Middletown is going to be eminent domain. The rights that people have over their property are important and being trampled on. I don't believe ther eis any "maybe" about it.

I am behind Patrick Short wanting to curttail eminent domain, as well as Mr. Gibadlo saying so o nthe county level.

Greg Gibadlo is in county race

The Middletown Democratic Party is proud to announce that one of our own, J. Gregory Gibadlo, has been duly elected and named as a candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder this November. He is running with Freeholder Candidate Barbara McMorrow and Surrogate Candidate Beverly Bova-Scarano. Best of luck to Greg, Barbara and Bev.