I-78 is scenic!?! Ha! - Revisited

On October 28, Mayor Mark Paradis of the Borough of Lebanon (Hunterdon County), left a comment on this blog about the Route I-78 Scenic Byway proposal.  You can take a look at his comment here - just scroll down past my post.

He fully admits that Alpha is NOT 'the only town that hasn't bought into this'.  The Township of Bridgewater and more recently, the Town of Phillipsburg have also opted out.  Why did Mayor Elaine Emiliani pontificate that we were?  Who knows?  Unfortunately, false statements like that only seem to further sully a reputation.  

I noticed that Mayor Paradis attended Phillipsburg Town Council Meetings with Mayor Emiliani to present their proposal.  Phillipsburg defeated the resolution by a 2-2 tie vote.  I found it quite odd that when they were offered a letter of support, they jumped on it.  When I tried to do the same with Mayor Emiliani at our meeting, she turned it down.  

Note to Mayor Paradis - You seem like a reasonable person and I would have hoped that you had attended our meeting.  Sending Mayor Emiliani alone was probably the absolute worst move.  I wish you all the best in your endeavors and I, too, look forward to hopefully working together in the future.

There may be a misunderstanding regarding the billboards issue, but all of the material that I have read prohibits billboards along a designated scenic byway.  If existing billboards are permitted to stay - great, but what about the applications that are in the pipeline and the revenue that comes along with them?  Gone, I'm afraid.

Unfortunately, I look at the issue realistically and not through the rose colored glasses that others do.  The negatives of this designation truly outweigh the positives.  We, as a region, need to look at our transportation infrastructure and not at the 'scenic' value of an interstate.  This area needs better highways and more mass transportation among other things and we need to start working towards solving those problems first.  When did the important issues take a backseat to a scenic byway designation?  This country and this state have major problems and when those are dealt with accordingly, then we can take another look at designating I-78 as a scenic byway.

Just pondering:  Oh, how I miss Mayor Debbie Pasquarelli...

A Night to Remember...

I get goosebumps watching this.

Alpha's Council Race

The Borough of Alpha had its two seat council race heat up in the last few weeks. Below I have posted the two articles that were published before and after the election along with my comments. I decided to reserve comment until after the election due to my brother being an incumbent candidate in the race.

Matt DeLaRosa and Chris Pfefferle launch write-in campaign for two council seats up for election

By SARAH WOJCIK
The Express-Times
Thursday, October 30, 2008

ALPHA | Two Alpha residents have scattered signs throughout the borough, hoping their names stick in the minds of neighbors as firmly as the stakes have taken to lawns.

Republicans Matt DeLaRosa and Chris Pfefferle have launched a write-in campaign for the council seats of Democratic incumbents Robert Gara and Alex Zikas.

DeLaRosa and Pfefferle said the last-minute battle for the council seats stems from their belief that the all-Democrat council is in need of variety.

"Whether the council was made up of all Democrats or all Republicans, you need some diversity," said Pfefferle.

After missing the ballot deadline, he said, the two considered waiting until next year's election but attending a few meetings renewed their desire to run.

"A lot of people want change now," said DeLaRosa.

Two-term Councilman Gara said he welcomed competition.

"I do commend them on running, I really do, but it's not a walk in the park," Gara said.

Zikas, a one-term councilman, expressed confusion on the candidates' method of seeking office.

"To be honest, I don't really know them," Zikas said. "To me, it's a little odd that they chose to run at the last minute when they had the chance four months ago to get on the ballot."

Council members serve three-year terms and are compensated $2,100 a year. They are also offered state health insurance or money amounting to half of the value of those benefits.

Zikas and Councilman Louis Pettinelli said they take partial benefits and the remaining cash balance. Councilman Harry Zikas Jr. said he takes partial benefits but refuses the remainder of the money and Gara said he takes money in lieu of the benefits. Councilwoman Klara Tarsi said she refuses both.

Councilman John Hajdu did not immediately return calls for comment.

Pfefferle and DeLaRosa expressed discontent with the practice of taking money in lieu of benefits and vowed it would be an issue they would confront if elected.

Gara said he was concerned about infrastructure needs, shared service opportunities and regulations regarding the Council on Affordable Housing.

Zikas said he wants to concentrate on lowering taxes and creating programs for children.

Pfefferle and DeLaRosa said the preservation of Alpha's industrial sector is of pressing importance.

"If you want to boost your town, you need to be open," Pfefferle said. "You need to be business-friendly."

#1. Alpha's Council is not 'all-Democrat'. Councilman Lou Pettinelli is a Republican and that's commonly known around town.

#2. I can only comment on myself, but for the record I do take the dental insurance that is offered. Now, while I can let the Borough pay for 100% of the cost, I reimburse the Borough for the maximum allowed by the State Health Benefits Plan, which is 50%. The dental plan costs approximately $40 - $45 a month and each month, half that amount is deducted from my council salary. The other issue is the actual health insurance plan. I refuse the health benefits and the reimbursement that I'm eligible for upon refusal. That part of the article was a bit misleading and could have been better explained.

Alpha incumbents Robert Gara and Alex Zikas remain at their posts despite write-in challengers

From staff reports
The Express-Times
Friday, November 07, 2008

Incumbents Alex Zikas and Robert Gara will remain on Alpha's council despite a challenge from two write-in candidates late in the election season.

Republicans Matt DeLaRosa and Chris Pfefferle tried to amass attention weeks before the election to unseat the two Democrats, but they fell short. According to Patricia Kolb, Warren County clerk, Gara and Zikas each received 594 votes while 335 were cast for write-in candidates.

Provisional ballots are still being counted, she said, so there is no information yet available to determine how many votes DeLaGrosa and Pfefferle received individually.

Kolb said most of the 335 votes were likely split between the two challengers.

Gara had been seeking his third term this year and Zikas was running for his second term. Alpha council members' terms last for three years. They are compensated $2,100 a year. They are also offered state health insurance or money amounting to half of the value of those benefits.

The incumbents' victory keeps the council an all-Democratic body.

#1. I would like to congratulate Bob and my brother, Alex, for their victory on Tuesday. They ran on their records, which is always tough to do, and came out on top.

#2. Again, the Borough of Alpha Council is not an 'all-Democratic' body as Councilman Pettinelli is a Republican.

OBAMA WINS!

November 4, 2008 - YES, HE DID!

President-elect Obama with Vice-President-elect Biden

What an amazing night!

Take it all in, President-elect Obama!

The 44th President of the United States of America

The First Family

I spent election night watching the results with my friends Elizabeth & Simon.  Once the election was called for Senator Obama, we popped the cork and toasted the incoming administration.  After Obama's speech, we headed out into Times Square and the energy was just so electrifying - I can't even begin to fully describe it.  There was this sense, this feeling of unity, which is something I haven't felt since the days after September 11th.

America gave President-elect Obama a clear mandate for change and I truly believe he will make us all proud.