GloucoGOP.com: Gloucester County Republican Executive Committee 2009

Sweeney Era Cronyism Has No Peer

By: Larry Wallace | Posted Tuesday July 28, 2009

To the Editor:

Concerning Brian Novak's letter, "Cerkez's 'chosen' also made out well," on July 24.

(Novak was critical of former Republican Deptford Township mayor Bea Cerkez, who had written an earlier letter complaining about alleged cronyism and nepotism under Democrat Gloucester County Freeholder Director and state Sen. Stephen Sweeney.)

It's too bad people like Novak write before knowing the facts. I grew up in Deptford and remember Cerkez knocking on doors and serving all Deptford residents, regardless of party affiliation. Attacking a dedicated, selfless public servant like Cerkez just shows how fearful the Democrat Party is of her, even years after leaving elected office.

Unlike Sweeney's "friends and family plan" that feeds extensively from the public trough, Cerkez's son-in-law and husband filled out applications and/or took exams before obtaining public-sector jobs, just like everyone else. They earned their positions, and were not simply appointed to them like so many others today -- including Sweeney's brother Richard (who was just appointed as an unpaid Delaware River Port Authority commissioner).

Cerkez's son-in-law, a police officer, is a dedicated, highly respected law enforcement official who puts his life on the line for all Deptford residents. Has Novak put your his life on the line for others?

As for the "all-powerful" position of DRPA toll collector, Cerkez's husband applied, waited his turn and was eventually hired. This is unlike Democrats who are simply appointed to powerful positions of influence and money, like Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor (now the deputy executive director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.) And, don't even get me started on all the double dippers in this county and in Deptford.

After 16 years as an elected official, Cerkez has earned a life-altering pension of about $100 a month. Does Novak know she turned down more lucrative benefits because she did not want to be a double dipper, unlike other politicians today?
Talk about hypocrisy. Novak didn't write that Democrats are wrong for their extensive double dipping, cronyism and nepotism.

After yet even more corruption arrests of more than 40 public servants and elected officials the other day, Novak and the rest of public should be vigilant about where the corruption really is today, and how double dipping and holding multiple public jobs can lead to rampant corruption.

Cerkez served her community with honor, dignity and the highest ethics of any politician today or yesterday. Maybe it's Novak who should be careful about throwing stones.

I'd take one Bea Cerkez over 100 Steve Sweeneys any day.

Larry Wallace
Woolwich Township

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In Denial

By: Randy Ford | Posted Sunday, July 26, 2009

Chris Christie's continued double-digit lead in the latest Quinnipiac Poll shows that, despite all the money Gov. Jon Corzine spends and all the attack ads he runs, it's the local issues voters care about. We see eight years of failed Democratic leadership.

Corzine has broken every promise he made, most recently on property tax rebates. Unemployment remains at 8 percent, the latest state budget relies on gimmicks and tricks, and Corzine has yet again raised taxes, making New Jersey the most expensive state to live in other than Hawaii.

One large problem is that Corzine is in denial. He dismisses the poll as "anomalous" because the numbers "traditionally'" trend differently. But there is nothing traditional about the mess Corzine has put us in.

We are in an economic crisis unlike anything in recent times and all Corzine has done is bloat government and make things worse. While Christie wants to shrink state government, Corzine makes new sweetheart deals with state employees.

Where Christie has put forward an innovative renewable energy plan designed to bring back manufacturing jobs to New Jersey's middle class, Corzine can only mouth platitudes about "correct" environmental policy.

Let Corzine spend millions more throwing mud. The rest of the voters and I know Corzine isn't up to the harsh realities. And we get that Christie won't be afraid to make the tough decisions and say no when the Democratic Legislature wants to spend more money we don't have.

Corzine can run, but he can't hide.

Randy Ford
West Deptford

Nice to be a Sweeney 'chosen one'

By: Bea Cerkez | Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009

To the Editor:

When I read the articles about state Sen. and Gloucester County Freeholder Director Stephen Sweeney's brother (being appointed to the Delaware River Port Authority commissioners' board) I had to laugh! How stupid does he think we are?

Sweeney's comment about his brother being "punished" (if he were not considered for the DRPA because he is related to the senator) was one of the most ridiculous things Sweeney has ever said. There had to be more than one man qualified for that position.

I have watched over the years as one after another who lost jobs in the private sector was given a not-widely-advertised (government) job with on-the-job training, benefits and pensions.

Remember former West Deptford Township mayor David Shields' job as executive director of the Gloucester County Improvement Authority? Former Freeholder William Krebs hired as Franklin Township administrator after leaving the publicly financed South Jersey Port Corp. over questions about his attendance record? The list goes on and on.

The classic is John Vinci (the Deptford Township Democrats' chairman) being given position after position starting at the municipal utilities authority in Deptford -- then as a state Motor Vehicles Commission office manager, later as head of the county recreation department, and now at his new position and highest pay (as executive director of the Gloucester County Utilities Authority). Vinci must be a genius to qualify for all of these positions.

Freeholder Frank DiMarco continues to wear two hats as a Deptford councilman. Joseph Brigandi Jr. holds a full-time job as an administrator of Glassboro, a town he oversees as a freeholder.

Things sure have changed for the Democrats.

When I ran for freeholder as a Republican, and I was deputy mayor of Deptford, I was asked at every meeting when I would give up my council seat -- as I could never hold two seats!

It makes me sick to see what has been happening to all of the good people who never get a chance for a job or benefits and pensions that all of the "chosen ones" get. They eat from the Golden Trough and we pay their way! Greed and power is all they see.

Sweeney lied when he said he would rid Gloucester County of nepotism and again when he said he wouldn't run (because of his state Senate position) for his freeholder seat. He even OK'd the hiring of Wayne Bryant (the convicted former state senator) as an attorney for the county Board of Social Services. Bryant doesn't live in Gloucester County or pay taxes here. We had lots of attorneys who could have, and would have, done the job.

The two TV shows that most represent our county are "The Price Is Right" and "All In The Family."

Money isn't everything in this life. Loyalty, honesty, ethics and character mean more. I ask you to think before you vote again. Let's break the stranglehold the Democrats have on Gloucester County.

Sweeney to Voters: Drop Dead!

By: Larry Wallace | Posted Sunday, June 26, 2009

People are speaking out about the hypocrisy of St. Sen/Glouco Freeholder Director Steve Sweeney's remarks about his brother Richard's pending appointment to the powerful Delaware River and Bridge Authority (DRBA). He clearly believes we concerned citizens are utterly stupid and none of us know what a "conflict of interest" is.

In today’s Gloucester County Times editorial page, writer Robert Wells wrote a well thought out letter outlining his outrage (read here). It's seems that business as usual in the Soprano State is alive and well. In the interest of fairness the Times ran another letter by Michael J. Makara in support of his bro (read here). At least he included another statement by Sweeney: "This budget stinks". I couldn't agree more! Keep the letters and comments coming. If you have a problem with this "no-conflict" appointment, contact Gov. Corzine or Senate Leader Richard Cody.

Below is my letter to the editor outlining my issue with this blatant neopotism and clear conflict of everyone's interest published Thursday June 25, 2009:

Dear Voters (or anyone that gives a damn about good government),

Which scenario sounds more believable: (1). Steve Sweeney announcing that hiring his brother Richard to the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), a political patronage pit that controls hundreds of millions of dollars in this area, poses no conflicts of interest in any way, even the perception of a conflict? or (2) the dog ate my homework?

If you picked number 2 congratulations! You joined most of the state that must have enjoyed a good chuckle after the Senator/Director Freeholder Sweeney made the above comment to reporters regarding Corzine’s heir apparent to that all powerful, politically incestuous agency. Talk about stacking the deck!

You have to at least give Sweeney credit. He is now so powerful (with rumors swirling of a governor’s run in 2013) and having been re-elected time and again without breaking a sweat, that he doesn't even have to pretend to conceal his disdain for the voting public or his self serving sense of entitlement. At the very least, one would hope our elected leaders would, at a minimum, have a basic sense of right and wrong. Out of the millions of citizens living in South Jersey, only his brother is qualified?

If by chance, any of you picked number 1, call me. I have a few bridges along the Delaware River I’d like to sell you....CHEAP!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gloucester County Voices

By: Larry Wallace | Posted Saturday, June 27, 2009

Today and (God willing) every week going forward, I hope to begin a dialog with the voters, residents and taxpayers of Gloucester County. There is a large black gaping hole in communication and comprehensive information between the county government (the all democrat freeholders) and the fine residents of our county. I'm personally tired of the incomplete and headline driven information coming out of Woodbury. My primary purpose for this blog is to inform and hopefully generate conversation with any resident that cares about their community in our county and our state.

My focus will be mainly on county politics but I hope to dabble in state issues as well. Especially those Trenton knuckleheads that have a direct impact on our county. Please spread the word about this great site, get involved, talk to your friends and neighbors. Hopefully 2009 WILL BE a year of change for all of us. Feel free to email me with topics, news, feedback or comments to gloucovoices@gmail.com.

A big THANK YOU to Blogger-In-Chief Matt Rooney for the opportunity to let "Gloucester County Voices" be heard!