Cowboy Up

Photo courtesy of Bill at "Figuring out the Future

Roberto of DynamoBuzz pointed me to a nice piece on the winter side of the Jersey Shore from Figuring out the Future.

New Jersey Transit may soon be able to control ferry service between NJ and NY - at least the New York Waterway runs. A bill, already approved by the Assembly, will be introduced to the state senate for a vote.

Anyone who's rode NJ Transit will appreciate this tirade from Gigglechick.

Speaking of a big vote. The state senate passed more restrictions on the practice of pay-to-play in a special session yesterday. Despite concerns that the bill did not sufficiently address the practice of "wheeling" (funneling money from district to district), the measure passed 34-0. Harry Pozycki, director of the government reform organization Common Cause New Jersey said, "This is significant. It's not just indicating a change in policy, it's indicating a change in the culture of corruption." The last obstacle will be Acting Governor Codey who is apparently under pressure to reconsider the bill from federal highway officials who are concerned about the constitutionality of pay-to-play limits. In some sort of twisted irony we get federal law enforcement agents busting mayors for accepting pay-to-play bribes while at the same time federal highway officials are expressing concern over the constitutional rights of highway contractors and how strict pay-to-play laws would affect them. Millions of dollars in federal transportation aid hang in the balance.

Never before has my magic 8-ball been so correct since I asked it if the Giants would win the Superbowl in 1991 and it said, "That poor kicker from Buffalo has no idea what he's in for." Well, this time I asked about Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye and it said, "That poor county prosecutor has no idea what he's in for and pick up some lightbulbs on your way home because your hall light is going to go out." Oh, magic 8-ball, where would I be without you. So, about Kaye, his office was served with federal subpoenas on Monday "seeking to interview five county investigators and examine documents relating to the federal corruption probe." And the beat goes on...still moving strong on and on.

Let's see what's shaking in AH these days.

...And the beat goes on, still moving strong on and on. The AH Herald forums are hot sizzling today rehashing some old disputes from Campaign 2003. I'm scared to ask my magic 8-ball about the election this fall. Allan Dean, publisher of the AH Herald, looking forward to the campaign, writes today, "I think the Republicans will come out with both barrels blazing this year. Watch for the literature to arrive in your mailbox beginning in August." That would sound so cool if the guy who does all the voiceovers for the movies had said it.

Hmm...both barrels blazing? Cowboy up partner. I happened to overhear some of these cowboys strategizing the other day over an onion bloom and a couple of pina coladas at TGIFriday's Harborside. One guy in particular caught my attention, a newcomer to town, a real straight talker, and tan, rather handsome man. His name, Jack Schwarzenegger.

People of At-lan-teeec Highlands. We need to Terminate the bad guys from Borough Hall. What with all the botching of the back-door meetings, and overpaying of the attorneys bills and the for sale signs on the doors of the harbors and the forgeries and so on and so forth. These bureaucrats are Predators on the tax-payers of Atlantic Highlands. They must be Totally Recalled from the Council. They act like a bunch of girly-men.

I think we're going to need a Kindergarten Cop this fall.