Hello folks. I'll fill you in on the Big Announcement at City Hall this morning. That press conference was followed up by a similar one in Trenton.
You can probably catch it on News 12 New Jersey tonight and in most of the State's papers tomorrow. There was a great deal of press at both conferences. Here is the deal, but I want you to know first this is not a partisan event; I'm hoping it becomes multi-partisan so everyone of every political persuasion and independents will want to involve themselves in it: New Jersey gives out Homeland Security money to the various towns in New Jersey. Obviously they are supposed to spread it out according to need. There is millions of dollars at issue. Asbury Park applied for a mere $200,000.00 of these funds. After all, our entire eastern border is one of America's vulnerable spots (the ocean) and our police force is currently understaffed. We are subject to storms and flooding. As we all know from the past weeks, local government must be prepared to deal with calamities because the Federal government is not the first responder to disasters. We are. Of course you can guess how much Asbury Park was awarded: $0.00. Not even a phone call was made to tell us either. The situation gets worse. The 11th Legislative District is 25 towns from Atlantic Highlands down to Brielle, almost all of them on the Shore. Well, those towns together were awarded $0.00 in Homeland Security Funds. Just north of us in the 12th District, check out some of these numbers: Freehold was awarded $157,000.00; Manalapan was awarded $187,000; Marlboro was awarded $196,000. I'm not begrudging these towns getting the money, but it makes no sense that the Shore towns get nothing. Why did this happen? I have to talk about parties here for a moment, but I promise I will get right off it because I won't let this get partisan. The Democrats have the Governor's chair and the legislature. If you look at what happened statewide: 90% OF THE MONEY WENT TO DEMOCRAT DISTRICTS; 10% TO REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS!!!! The 11th is a Republican District so Asbury Park and the other 24 towns got $0.00 (Freehold Manalapan and Marlboro are in the Democrat controlled 12th). The Press Conferences I had today in AP and Trenton was attended by the AP Fire and Police Departments as well as Democrat and Republican elected officials from around the 11th District. Here is the plan: I am suing the Governor and the Attorney General seeking an injunction from turning over the money, to give all the towns a chance to have the funds reallocated. I am going to employ the services of Drinker, Biddle and Reath, one of New Jersey's top law firms regarding public financing (they successfully sued a prior administration over a funding issue and prevailed). As all of you know, "Justice is open to the public like the Ritz Carlton is open to the public." It costs money. The last time Drinker Biddle sued the state the fees were approximately $100,000.00. Therefore, that is my fundraising target. The purpose of both press conferences today was to request donations for this lawsuit. I am seeking the help of people of all political persuasions to donate, as this is not a partisan endeavor. If you think AP should share in the Homeland Security money, then I hope you will donate. I realize Asbury Park has several Katrina fundraising efforts going on now, but I hope you will make some allowance for your own Homeland Security needs by donating to this fund. If you wish to donate, call my offices at 732-869-1500. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
