Posted on 01/11/2009 2:02:37 PM PST by Coleus
When a major government corruption scandal hit Monmouth County three years ago, voters systematically began whittling away the number of Republicans on the GOP-controlled freeholder board with each election. Today, Democrats reaped the benefits of that voter discontent when they took control of the freeholder board in this largely suburban county for the first time in 23 years. Claiming they heard the voters' message loud and clear, the new majority pledged to implement policies that will keep a watchful eye on government practices while cutting spending.
"Monmouth County citizens must be assured that the corruption brought to light by Operation Bid Rig will not recur," Deputy Freeholder Director John D'Amico told an audience of more than 250 people gathered at the Monmouth County Police Academy in Freehold Township.
Both Democrats and Republicans were caught up in the federal investigation known as Operation Bid Rig, but the GOP took the brunt of the backlash because the party controlled the board at the time and the director, Harry Larrison Jr., was charged in the pay-to-play scandal. Larrison, whose leadership of the board for more than two decades gave him powerful influence in the county, died before the charges against him were resolved.
The freeholder board has since adopted rules prohibiting holding the one-year directorship in consecutive years. Democratic Freeholder Amy Mallet's squeaker victory over Republican John Curley in November tipped the scales in her party's favor, 3 to 2. She took the spot of Republican William Barham, who did not seek re-election.
"This election is historic in so many ways. On the national level, we are getting ready to inaugurate our first African-American president," she said, evoking applause from the audience. "Right here in Monmouth County, we are seeing our first Democratic majority in 23 years."
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
*ping*
Congressman Scott Garrett.
These boards are officially known as ‘The Board of Chosen Freeholders’. When I lived in NJ we called them ‘The Board of Frozen Cheeseholders’.
They don't do a thing and can wield a great amount of power, receive a salary, benefits and pension for 2 meetings a month.
Mine, Kevin Brady voted for the bailout and I am ashamed
of him.
Everybody who voted for the bailout were stupid, sellouts
or wanted to destroy our constitutional republic.
It takes a lot of work to collect all that graft.
Is that a trick question?
Under long-time Republican rule, Monmouth County consistently received AAA bond ratings from Fitch’s, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s. They were one of only 13 counties in the country to receive that rating from all three services. Looking at the Standard and Poor’s ratings, one of the reasons cited was the relatively low debt burden.
Let’s see how long these last under the new regime. My guess is that Monmouth citizens will soon experience voter’s remorse.
Rats won that? @#$%^*()!!!
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