The turn-out at local forums is heartening. It's nice to see that democracy is still alive, and that our fellow citizens are involved in their communities.

VOTE REPUBLICAN

Would have been nice to have Massell and Baum debate one on one. Baum offered to but Massell declined. Who would vote for anyone who is afraid to debate their opponent?

I don't know Baum's reasons for targetting TOMSA, but considering I know some folks who've been employed there a long time, I wonder how it would affect their jobs. On the surface, I would be against this decision.

The single stream recycling initiative that Massell supports was introduced and championed by Sean Byrnes, a Democrat, when he was on the Township Committee; not supporting it would be foolish. Byrnes also championed shared services with the Board of Education. The "incredibly efficient" Midddletown Township Sewerage Authority will not loose any efficentcy by being combined with the Public Works Department. The township could reduce the cost of running the Authority and create even greater efficientcy and lower costs (pension and health care and salaries) by eliminating a layer of management as well as all present board members and could also save money by eliminating the need for hiring an accountant, attorney, engineer and other professionals presently associated with an independent authority. Reorganizing the Sewerage Authority would create a SMALLER LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The $100,000 potential cost is imagined. Massell, Scharfenberger, Fiore and the rest of the Township Committee have never given the source of this figure and what the number includes. Does it include the cost of equipment? Does it mean building a studio for the municipality? The hard resources are already available to produce and broadcast/stream Township Committee meetings and air time is donated by Comcast and Verizon. Both of these organizations can also provide grant money (no cost to the taxpayer) to make this happen. Massell and the Committee aren't inclined towards civics and educating the public.

"Don't fix it if it ain't broke" isn't just a saying for the purpose of humor. TOMSA shouldn't be touched.

Baum wants the township to bid on engineering contract. It already does!
Then she wants to transfer the Sewarage Authority to the Township, but wants the Township to transfer Finance or Personnel to a separate entity. So what should it be? Consolidate operations or spread them out?
Not to mention than making the Sewarage Auth part of the Township would mean imposing a sewer tax to the 30% of the residents who don't have a sewer.
I have to applaud Baum for wanting to lower taxes, a fact iterated by several other Democrat hopefuls. But how come that once they get elected into office, all Democrats do is raise taxes?

the nine time losing candidate has a vendetta against TOMSA. We have the lowest rates around, they help provide tax relief---but the Board is Republican, so logically, they have to be disbanded. ln 13 days the dims go back into their holes for another year.

bd, TOMSA works on a FEE basis so it can't provide TAX relief. By reorganizing TOMSA operating costs can be reduced and the money to run it will be reduced; so the fees charged for those on sewers could be reduced; so "the lowest rates around" would be even lower. If you need further education on fees and taxes give Scharfenberger a call.

In 2008 Hazlet dissolved its Sewerage Authority and folded its functions into a separate utility under the umbrella of the municipal government. The dissolution saved the Hazlet taxpayers $1.6 million. Why can't Middletown do the same? The answer is simple: the Ruling Republican Royalists would lose their principal patronage pit.

how do you know how Hazlet was run? Were their rates as low as Middletown? I'll assume not. It's "red herring".

if you want to call people out Linda, why don't you call out your friend who you contributed thousands of dollars to last year in a failed election who believes he is a Pilgrim.

Also, please explain how this magical million dollar number will be saved when you still have to pay the employees to work at DPW. do you expect the current DPW employees to now become sewer experts? That's the only way you would save that money. You would need to lay off everyone at TOMSA which as we both can agree would be IMPOSSIBLE.

Some of the savings are quite obvious. Parkinson no longer makes a $90k or so a year, he hands in the keys for the car he is given. No more pension padding by him and Joan Smith, there may be others as well, no more health benefits, etc for them and others. Why is it ok to threaten to lay off 10 Police Officers if the library does not give in to the extortion of half a million dollars? Is TOMSA so sacred for the has been politicians and their cronies that we can not consider a more economical manner in which to deliver this service? Parkinson and the other leftover politicians can go out and find their own jobs. Of course Gov CC will probably make a job for them as he did for Scharfenberger.

Mr Fotache, Those who are connected to the Sewerage Authority saw their fees, $750,000 worth, go to support the municipal budget in 2010 and 2011. I'm sure direct access to those fees would be welcomed by the Republican majority on the Township Committee and would help offset the cost of the Sewerage Authority being shared by all of Middletowns tax and fee payers. Sean Byrnes didn't object to your nomination because he is bipartisian. On the other hand Mayor Tony Fiore had no problem during a Township Committee meeting going on the record and being very partisian when he told Ms. Baum that she had "no chance" of being appointed to a Township committee or board. The appointment he may have been referencing was an appoinment to the Library Board when its membership was being expanded.

Long Time Resident said:
One would think that the only intelligent people or qualified people who live in this community are republicans. NOT SO ! There are many intelligent,qualified residents who are willing to serve their community. The truth of the matter has to do with complete and utter control of every move,every utterance and every action of those on the TC or those who do serve on committees.

It's SICK and since all of those in Middletown deserve representation, it's long PAST time for bi-partisan government. Each and everyone of us pays taxes, regardless of party affiliation, and we all deserve a say about how business is conducted in this town. The republicans are AFRAID of that "good government" instead favoring a "dictatorship form" of government that currently exists. Never has it been so prevalent as in these last 7-10 years. It's really sickening to watch the out of control TC and the way they treat any opposition to their single minded viewpoint. TC meetings are a waste of time and effort and this resident refuses to put up with their conduct. Monday night football is more democratic !

@BR Thorpe - you can't argue with success. This is a great town to live in and, having lived all over NJ and several places out of state, nowhere else comes close. When I tell people I live in Middletown, the reaction is always the same - awe and envy. And I credit a lot to the fine Republican leadership. Look at the facts: Middletown spends less per capita than just about anywhere in the state. We have the smallest police force and the lowest crime rate per capita. Our sewer rates are the lowest in the state. We have a superb park system, a first class arts center, and thanks to the town council, a magnificent swim club and soon, a world class ice rink. We have concerts in the park and Middletown Day, all funded with private donations. Soon we will have the top notch Sloan Kettering in town. Our volunteer boards and programs show the spirit of people who love their town and are generous with their time. I'm especially excited about the new Economic Development Committee and Historic Preservation Committee. And that's just for starters. Now I know that doesn't measure up to Democrat-run paradises like Camden, Paterson and Trenton, but hey, it's good enough for me. You can keep the union-loving, welfare-dispensing, big government liberal Democrats in those places.

Paul,you are a narrow minded republican ,just like the republicans running at the national level this year. Are you are one of those white male ,bigoted racists., that can only see their own agenda ? This is the real world, not Camden,Paterson or Trenton as you depict anything that opposes YOUR VIEW of reality and anything "democratic". I reference "democratic" in the sense of the what's right for everyone one inclusive, regardless of party affiliation .Bi partisan government is healthy and inclusive, NOT divisive and exclusionary.

Your point of view is SICK and delirious ! These United States of America will always be a free and democratic society in spite of small minded people like YOU!
It's not all about YOU, it's about every citizen in this town,this county,this state and this country,regardless of color,creed or origin or POLITICAL AFFILIATION !

Peddle your political crap to someone one else. I don't buy it, I've lived in Middletown far too long for a snow job by the likes of someone as bigoted and biased as you express yourself to be. I remind you....we all live in a free country and we are all entitled to our own opinions,whether you agree with mine or NOT !

BTW, you sound stupid when you justify your point of view politically. There is not much to admire anymore about the political climate in Middletown Township. It was NOT ALWAYS AS IT IS TODAY...unhealthy at best.

Wow, I find it disturbing how simply pointing out facts about how well Middletown is run is answered with such a response. You should be celebrating your good fortune to have such competent, effective and visionary leaders at the helm of your hometown and that it is not run by those who aren't as capable. I know I am.

No G.Paul S.
I have no respect for what currently serves as leaders today in this community,especially none for those like YOU ! Do not be so quick to assume that anyone who disagrees with you is a Democrat because you are wrong !! VERY,VERY wrong. Government today in this community is a disgraceful example of what is wrong with one party control.

I find B.R. Thorpe's post very confusing and illogical. Her hatred for people in government seems to be blinding him/her from acknowledging the reality of Middletown. I too have lived in and outside of New Jersey and Middletown is far and away the best place I have evr lived in. Even with the approaching storm, I have been impressed by the level of preparedness and the constant flow of information through the website and text alerts. An earlier poster even listed some facts about the town that I was not aware of. As a voter, I look for results, not partisan bickering. This town is like a well-oiled machine and all I can say is to Mayor Fiore, Stephen Masell and the rest of the town council, please keep up the good work.....
I saw part of the governor's press conference on TV and think it shows a lot that he picked Middletown for it. With people like Christie and our town council, there may be hope for New Jersey after all.

Translation anyone?

Yeah, the wind bags keep blowing hot air as usual and if you read the original post it spoke of healthy bi partisan government and bi partisan participation but the ignorant "numb nuts" in this town are a disgrace as usual .....so blatantly egotistical it makes decent people sick to death of them ...........

Give me a break Pilgrim. Your boy Pallone was the one who has been promising to get the Feds involved, as they should be, in flood relief along the Bayshore for decades now. To date, nada. The town has done a remarkable job dealing with a problem that is at the scale of the federal government and stretches way beyond Middletown. Man, you are really reaching.

Pilgrim,
You are right in much of what you have stated at 2:14 p,m. and might add that the Paul character appears to be the former mayor not a relative. The egotistical style and the syntax is classic of his spiels .