Middletown Twp Committee Candidate Massell Says NO to Debate
“Do you want a match race?!!” That battle cry from the movie Seabiscuit was used to flush out the competition to take part in a 2-horse race to see which horse was better. Finally, after a series of excuses, the competition acquiesced, and we all know the outcome.
When I hear that the local candidates in Red Bank and Manalapan have held debates, I wonder when it will happen in Middletown, the largest municipality in Monmouth County.
The sheer size of our town – 42 square miles and nearly 67,000 people – means that even the most dedicated candidate can’t visit every household and talk to every resident. That makes a one-on-one debate between the local candidates that much more important. If we can’t get to you, you should at least be given the opportunity to come to us to hear what we have to say so that you can make an informed decision on Election Day.
Earlier this month, the Chairman of Middletown’s Republican Party turned down my debate challenge, issued via letter from my own Party Chairman. The excuse given was that a debate was already scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 23rd, 7 p.m., at the Lincroft School.
However, the Lincroft event is not a one-on-one debate but rather a question and answer session for all local and county candidates – at least 8 people this year. That works out to just 10 or 15 minutes per candidate at most. And unlike a debate, there is no opportunity for any candidate to respond to comments made by another.
Further, residents who live in the northern parts of the Township might be more likely to attend, and would be better served, if a more centralized location were available.
During public comments at the end of the Oct. 15th Township Committee meeting, I again issued the debate challenge to Mr. Massell. He replied, “I’m happy to debate you, Ms. Baum…,” followed by a string of excuses why he wouldn’t.
Why couldn’t a debate have been held a couple of months ago, Massell wanted to know – that is, when no one was paying attention yet. That’s an odd comment since it’s common knowledge that debates are typically held close to an election.
Mr. Massell insisted this was all so secretive, referring to the Library meeting room being reserved ahead of him getting formal notice of the debate challenge. It was necessary to go ahead and reserve the room early because it was quickly booking up. The reservation could always be cancelled.
It is ridiculous to say the debate was a secret, especially coming from one of the two participants who would need to be there and therefore would HAVE to know about it.
In attempting to respond to each of these points, I was cut off from speaking, as usual. That is something they would not be able to do at a debate. Perhaps that’s the real reason they want to avoid it.
Here’s the link to the 10/15 meeting video: http://archive.org/details/10-15-12TownshipCommitteeMeeting. Advance to time 90:50 (1:30:50) for the debate discussion. You may have some trouble hearing me because the public’s microphone wasn’t working that night. Intentional? You decide. There was nothing wrong with the microphones on the dais, of course.
A note about the Library room reservation. I filled out the reservation form myself on behalf of the Middletown Democratic Party. But again, the purpose was just to reserve the room. In order for the debate to have occurred, the Library required that it be jointly sponsored by both Parties. That was also a requirement of the League of Women Voters, which was asked to moderate. Had the challenge been accepted, joint sponsorship would have been established in advertising material.
The email that Mr. Massell refers to in the video was sent by the Library Director upon review of the room reservation regarding the need for joint sponsorship of the debate. Her email was received ahead of our letter being received. Regardless, notice was received and it should be obvious that the email and letter crossed in the mail, so to speak. It’s silly to be feigning such offense over it as reason not to participate in the debate.
Mr. Fiore states in the video that the debate was to be unmoderated. Not true at all. The moderator and the format were details to be worked out later, after the debate challenge was accepted. Since it wasn’t, how can the Republican Party know anything about how the debate would have been run?
If, like me, you feel that the public has a right to hear the issues and where the candidates stand on them from the candidates themselves – in lieu of nonsense from anonymous commenters or those on the dais – then you should demand a match race. There’s still time.
It may also interest you to know that Manalapan televised its debate on local cable access channels. There is no reason why we can’t do that in Middletown.
Belford Bob
4:19 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Isn't there a debate tonight? What is this woman smoking (no pun intended to the former candidate)?
Here are a few questions that you can answer for the public on this blog:
1. Are you in the state pension system?
2. Do you receive state health benefits?
3. Did you come to a Township meeting and praise an LBGT group and state that you wanted to see the group incorporated in the schools?
4. Were you escorted out of High School South last week campaigning for underage votes after you gained access to the building and demanded the guidance office announce your presence?
5. Did you contribute over $5,000 to the Middletown Democratic campaign last year to gain your nomination this year?
Pilgrim
7:47 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Belford Bob, I'm not answering for Baum and here is what I think are accurate responses to your questions.
1. Yes; and so is Parkinson, Smith, Hinckley, Scharfenberger, and Parkinson's wife.
2. Maybe. Parkinson does and will retire to North Carolina and take them and his pension dollars with him. Scharfenberger, Smith, Hinckley and Stokes receive taxpayer funded health care.
3. No to both parts of your question. Go to the recording produced by the Democratic Party, without any edits, for your proof. Better yet, OPRA the official audio version producted by the Township.
4. I don't know anything about this, so I can't comment.
5. People are allowed to contribute to campaigns. The part about "to gain your nomination" is just plain stupid and sounds like Gerry Scharfenberger who several years ago was given the "Stupid Is As Stupid Does' award by Art Gallagher. So, I assume you are Gerry, or he has passed this stupid bit of information on to you. The fact that you think she bought her Party nomination makes you as stupid as he is.
Linda Baum
10:39 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
This is some of the nonsense from anonymous commenters that I referred to in my post.
I did visit the high schools last Tuesday, the last day to register to vote, to drop off extra voter registration forms. I was welcomed, and the school offices were very accommodating. I asked if they could make an announcement that it was the last day to register to vote, but unfortunately more notice was needed to do that. I certainly did not ask that my name be announced, nor was I escorted out, but rather simply left when my task was done.
Regarding LGBT, I made our town leaders aware of a newly formed organization that provides outreach services. That is all. I do not support teaching lifestyle choice in the schools as that is not what our schools are for. And keep in mind I am running for Twp Committee, not the Board of Ed. The Twp Committee does not set school curriculum.
Did I donate money to the Democratic Party? Sure. So what? Can you think of no other reason that I would be selected as the local candidate? Like perhaps my high level of dedication and involvement?
Regarding benefits, full time salaried employees are entitled to them. That is one of the reasons people seek full time employment. Part time political appointees, however, should not be receiving health and pension benefits.
Paul
4:45 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
As long as you are in the mood, I have a few questions for you Ms. Baum:
- Why did you feel the need to state at a town council meeting how wonderful the LBGT Day was that you attended and that you would like to see it brought into Middletown schools?
- Why are you so militantly opposed to fracking when it is a safe, proven, effective method to extract badly needed natural gas?
- Why do you oppose genetically mutated alfalfa when it has been proven to increase milk production in cows and increase the stamina in draught animals like horses and oxen?
- In these perilous times for children, why did you insist on taking pictures of children you didn't know at the Hullaballoo last week? If you recall, I was one of the parents who turned down your rather odd request.
- Why did you feel the need to illegally enter school property to campaign when school was in session for children who are, for the most part, not even old enough to vote?
As a voter, I await your responses.
Pilgrim
7:26 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Does anyone really expect Steve 'Silent' Massell to debate ANYONE from the Democratic Party. This is a man who says as little as he possibly can at Township Committee meetings and what he does say is about community social events that he has attended. The only time he took a stand on an issue was when he told the rest of his pals on the Township Committee that they "should have known" about the Township approving the opening of the methadone clinic at the gateway to his brother's ((Middletown's Prosecutor) neighborhood. Bottom line, even if Massell had the brass to debate Baum he couldn't unless Chairman 'Puppet Master' Carton gave him permission to go one-on-one with Baum. Carton is smart enough to know that this particular puppet isn't 'wired' for that kind of event and Carton can't throw his voice far enough to answer for Massell. Massell wouldn't stand a chance against Baum in a one-on-one conversation, even if he had the questions and answers ahead of time.
Paul
9:16 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Poor, poor Pilgrim. When you are one of the hapless Middletown Democrats who has the unenviable task of defending a party whose candidates have been arrested (twice) for crack possession, destroying township property, falsifying petitions, ethics charges, not claiming an illegal loan on an ethics form, or your chairman has been arrested for stealing signs and lying to the cops, you get desperate. And when you are up against a party who just brought in Sloan Kettering, gave single stream recycling while saving the taxpayers over $700,000, saved the swim club and gave us a world class ice rink at no cost to the taxpayers, gave us a 100% privately-funded Middletown Day, and, I just heard, worked out a deal with the BOE to open up school fields to the kids of the town, you are really in trouble. I could go on, but my hand hurts from typing so much. And what does your latest candidate want? To teach the gay agenda to Middletown school kids. That's swell. That stuff may go over in Greenwich Village and Berkeley, Ca., but not in my town and not with my kids. Obama, Barney Franks, and now, Linda Baum. Quite a party you have there, Pil ol' pal!
Pilgrim
12:33 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Sloan-Kettering brought in Sloan-Kettering and it isn't a done deal. Tom Stokes writing a letter, that he never followed up on, is not filing ethics charges -- Stokes is a joker is a joker doing what he was told to do so he could stay on the Sewer Authority board and remain eligible for the pension he will collect and keep the medical benefits he needs. S. Byrnes gave the Township single stream recycling. Hopefully the $700,000 made here will go repay the money taken from the Sewerage Authority and the library. Although, it most likely will be used to pay the operating costs for MAC, which was supposed to be free and independent of township funding last year. Middletown Day always should have been privately funded, hopefully it will stay that way. The Republican Party had nothing to do with saving the Swim Club. Paul, you need to back off the hate speech, bigotry went out of style in the 60's -- hope your kids don't read what you write.
NJarhead
8:34 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
So simply using the term "Gay" is considered hate speech now? Pilgrim, was it your law suit that led to the removal of the peanuts from Barnacle Bills? I noticed you had nothing to say about the drug charges. Yet another typical liberal tactic: Losing the argument? Change the subject or ignore the topics.
Oliver Cromwell
10:05 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I attended tonight's "debate." It was not a debate but was a question and answer session with no real opportunity for the candidates to challenge the veracity of their opponents' statements. A real debate from which Mr. Massell seems to be running would permit Ms. Baum to answer Belford Bob's questions and permit Mr. Massell to answer why Shadow Lake remains undredged, why taxes increase every year and why he and his cronies give out millions of dollars in patronage to Republican insiders.
Paul
10:40 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I always have to laugh when a Democrat brings up taxes, especially when those taxes go to support their union masters, who have the taxpayers in a stranglehold and exist solely to squeeze more and more money out of us. Between COAH, Abbott funding, prevailing wage and unions, you Democrats have singlehandedly turned NJ into the highest tax state in the nation. And what does Ms. Baum worry about? Teaching the gay agenda to our school kids. Shameful I tell ya, shameful.
Pilgrim
12:46 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Paul, take a class in municipal spending. Taxes go to administrators and into the patronage pit -- Stavolo, T&M, Carton, Nelson, etc. Fiore, Scharfenberger and crew voted for the COAH project in Lincroft. Paul, are you gay and still in the closet? You seem obsessed with the topic. What is the gay agenda; how do you know so much about it; are you taking classes in the gay agenda? Be careful, all of this 'gay' commentary might turn you gay and then you couldn't be a Republican anymore.
NJarhead
8:36 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
...and all of your picking of the low hanging fruit will cement your place in the Democratic Party my bleeding heart friend.
Oliver Cromwell
11:03 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Paul, When have Democrats ever raised taxes in Middletown? That has been the exclusive franchise of Republicans. By the way, COAH and Abbott funding are the result of decisions by the New Jersey Supreme Court, not policies of Democrats.
Belford Bob
11:15 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Pilgrim- Thanks for not answering for Baum with such detail. It's interesting how someone who gets benefits on the taxpayer dime can question others who may or may not receive benefits. We call that a hypocrite in these parts.
Pilgrim
12:43 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Paul, take a class in municipal spending. Taxes go to administrators and into the patronage pit -- Stavolo, T&M, Carton, Nelson, etc. Fiore, Scharfenberger and crew voted for the COAH project in Lincroft. Paul, are you gay and still in the closet? You seem obsessed with the topic. What is the gay agenda; how do you know so much about it; are you taking classes in the gay agenda? Be careful, all of this 'gay' commentary might turn you gay and then you couldn't be a Republican anymore.
Pilgrim
12:49 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Belford bob, you seem to have the same reading comprehension problems that Paul and bd have. I answered based upon what I know, or don't know. I think it is great that someone who may get benefits paid for with tax dollars is open and transparent about it and is willing to investigate how taxes payer dollars are used and misused -- it requires integrity.
Pilgrim
12:55 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Belford Boob, you din't refute or challenge any of my answers to the questions you asked. I can only assume that my responses were correct. How about some better, more challenging, questions next time; if you're capable?
Linda Baum
10:53 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
All of the comments here further emphasize the need for a one-on-one debate between the local candidates. It's time the public heard from the candidates themselves.
Rossington69
10:55 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I heard all I need to hear from you last night, Ms. Baum. Your outlandish, liberal ideas are scary. I am still waiting to hear your response to Paul's questions of 4:45. Your positions are out of this world.
NJarhead
11:04 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I consider this article one persons side of the story. The intent to "lead the reader" is pretty apparent. Personally, I don't appreciate that and I find it to be a typical practice of democrats and liberal educators.
Pilgrim
8:56 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Jarhead, do you ever watch FOX News where they lead the viewer. Based upon your perspective the producers and commentators must be practicing "democrats (sic) and liberal educatiors".
NJarhead
7:52 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I watch a variety of news sources and read a few others. I've based my comment on my own experience however. If you think Fox News is the only biased media source, you are greatly mistaken. But again, that's a media source. My comment wasn't directed at a media source, was it.
bd
11:11 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
dems="educators"---and in 13 days ride the GOP wave.................
NJarhead
11:12 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Let's hope so.
Pilgrim
9:01 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Paul, Your 4:45 pm response to Ms. Baum just further demonstrates that you really are homophobic -- time for some counseling! The rest of your comment has nothing to do with the municipal election.
Rossington69
10:52 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
To candidate Baum. I attended the debate last night and in my opinion, you got your clock cleaned. You sounded downright foolish as you tried to justify dismantling an authority that provides superior service with the lowest rates by far in the state. I suspect I know why though. As a good, obedient Democrat, your job is to get more union workers on the taxpayer's payroll. By getting rid of the sewer authority, those workers would have to be absorbed onto the township payroll. So instead of shrinking government, you want to grow it. Rather than acknowledging the low rates we have, you want to destroy it to serve the unions who contribute to your campaign. And you want to saddle the town with the debt that the sewer authority is carrying. I am appalled at your stance.
Pilgrim
2:59 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Rossington69, its good to read that you think union workers provide superior service and moving the Sewerage Authority responsiblities to the Public Works Department would move some of that superior service into and influence municipal government. Your argument isn't logical and contridicts itself. Maybe being associated with a union would help you develop superior thinking,
NJarhead
7:54 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pilgrim, your argument is no better. Do you have any issues with the Middletown Sewerage Authority? The service provided or the cost? Do you even live in Middletown?
Belford Bob
8:24 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pilgrim certainly lives in Middletown. He is a 3 time loser in recent Middletown elections.
Pilgrim
2:18 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Jarhead, I appreciate someone who can see the flaws in their argument, especially when it comes to facts and logic. The issue isn't with the "superior service" that you acknowledge the union workers provide. The issue is the cost of supervision and mangement and the cost of health care and pensions that go to part-time board members. Some board members -- Parkinson (well over a $100,000 a year in salary alone) and Smith are former Middletown mayors. Other board members like Stokes and Hinckley have benefited from pension credits and health care for over 25 years. The Sewerage Authority is used as a patronage pit. Turning it over to be managed with the Public Works Department will put and end to this practice and reduce the fees that those residents using the Sewerage Authority pay for the service.
Gary Junstrom
4:35 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I too attended the debate on Tuesday between Linda Baum and Steve Massell. I have no idea why she would want to debate him again after her dismal showing then. I especially liked when Massell looked at her and said "where are you getting these numbers from?" I have a summer home in a town in another county. I pay almost double ($135) what I pay in Middletown. I almost can't believe how dumb it is to have the lowest sewer rates in the state and a candidate for office wants to get rid of it and have the taxpayers take on all of the debt, the salaries, and benefits. Judging from the other things I've heard about Linda Baum with gays in our schools, the fracking stuff and the alfalfa, she is one of the most far left people the Democrats have ever come up with and they have had a few in my years.
Pilgrim
2:38 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
If you watch and listen to the video tape of the debate, or public Q&A, you will find that Massell never said "where are you gettting these numbers from?"
Paul
6:50 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Right you are GJ, when I heard Ms. Baum wanted to teach the gay agenda to my kids in Middletown schools, I knew all I needed to know about where she stands on the issues. Some of her other ideas are just as crazy. Nov. 6 can't come quick enough. Hopefully Obama and Baum will both be giving concession speeches.
Linda Baum
9:26 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Paul, I am not sure how many times you need to be told, but I do not support teaching lifestyle choice in our schools. That is not what our schools are for. And keep in mind I am running for Twp Committee, not the Board of Ed. The Board of Ed establishes school curriculum.
Paul
2:47 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
If you are against the gay agenda, then why did you get up at a township meeting, gush about your day at the LGBT fest in Asbury, and comment how you would like to bring it into Middletown schools?
Paul
2:51 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Hardly Pilgrim, I just don't want you liberal Democrats teaching that stuff to my kids, got it? That's an old, tired, failed liberal tactic - if you oppose teaching the gay agenda, "then you must be gay." Sorry pal, ain't working.
Paul
3:25 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Ms. Baum - I am still waiting for answers to my questions. In the interest of transparency, and as a candidate, you are obligated to answer them.