Our Montville

Wednesday cartoon

Ex-Montville police chief switches parties, files to run as Democrat

It's not the first time he's switched parties - A former longtime police chief's switch from Republican to Democrat means township voters will likely find pairs of Democrats and Republicans seeking two open township committee seats in November balloting.  But there won't be a contest in the party primaries on June 3.

Carl DeBacco, township police chief for 13 years, changed his party on March 31 before filing a petition on Tuesday to appear on the Democratic primary ballot, said Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall.  In 1988, DeBacco switched to the Republican side, filing his first party affiliation change before the primary of that year, according to county records.  DeBacco is a longtime Pine Brook resident, who will be on the June and November ballots with fellow Democrat Mike O'Brien. 

Mayor Deborah Nielson and Deputy Mayor Jim Sandham will fill the Republican slate, seeking their second consecutive terms on the township committee.  See Daily Record.

They're baaaaack. Quixotic brothers file for June 3 primary.

They're baaaaack. And the Grant brothers, perennial Democratic gadflys of Morris County politics, promise to stir the political pot again this year.  Dan Grant, 60, a used car salesman and Bob Grant, 63, a public relations flack, have waged a variety of failed campaigns for the better part of two decades.

Dan Grant's connection to the Harbeson-Grant debacle contributed to the latest of his record seven defeats for Township Committee in his hometown of Montville, and big brother Bob Grant, the race baiting spokesman for convicted felon Martin Barnes, were among dozens of candidates countywide to file before the April 7 deadline to run in the June 3 primary election.   

Dan Grant was defeated badly in a 2001 attempt at Morris County freeholder while Bob Grant suffered the same fate in a run for State Senate.

See Star Ledger.

Warren GOP leader switches to Pennacchio

Warren County GOP Chairman Douglas Steinhardt, who had served on Anne Evans Estabrook’s exploratory committee, endorsed State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. -

According to the survey by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, New Jersey voters:

Would not re-elect Gov. Jon Corzine if he were running today.

Are not satisfied with the way things are going in New Jersey.

Remain unimpressed with Democratic U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez.

Believe the Legislature is not doing a good job. 

See Star Ledger and Philadelphia Inquirer.

Political promises from the not so distant past

"Jon Corzine will use his business and management skills to deliver property tax relief that is real. Corzine has a plan to grow state revenues from a growing economy, and make specific spending cuts. This is the only responsible way to make more state funds available for direct property tax relief without raising other taxes. -- Corzineforgovernor.com

See Sorry, taxpayer, we don't have a happy ending

Support Montville's own Joe Pennacchio

I am writing to ask you to join me in supporting Joe Pennacchio for US Senate in 2008.  Joe is dedicated to providing both the type of efficient effective government that we need representing us in Washington, D.C., and the type of leadership that we need to help to revitalize the Republican Party in New Jersey.

Joe has just won the Hunterdon County Republican Convention, giving him the key endorsement of The Hunterdon Republican Committee for the primary.  This brings Joe one step closer to victory for the primary election.  The next convention will be held this Saturday in Union County.  Additional immediate financial contributions are crucial to the grass-roots work necessary for success in this upcoming primary. 

We can't let our elections be bought by self funded candidates.  Let's show the state of NJ that the Republican party is alive and well and that we're not afraid of the hard work it takes to get the right candidate elected.  The candidate who can beat Frank Lautenberg in the general election and not the one with the most money!

So I ask you to please consider making a donation no matter how small to Joe Pennacchio for US Senate.  You can go to Joe’s web site at www.jerseyjoe08.com and click on the icon that says DONATE ONLINE.  Or if you'd like you can mail a check to:

It is time for Frank Lautenberg to retire, but it will take both money and grass roots support for Joe to be successful.

  Joe Pennacchio for US Senate

            P.O. Box 12

            Florham Park, NJ  07932

Sincerely,

Lisa LoBiondo

Montville's Own Joe Pennacchio Running for US Senate!

'Jersey Joe' Brings his ‘Man on the Street’ Sensibilities, Republican Vision and State Senate Experience to Deal with Nation’s Most Critical Issues Impacting New Jerseyans

Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ, (January 17, 2008) - New Jersey State Senator “Jersey Joe” Pennacchio today announced his candidacy for the United States Senate at a press conference in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ.

"I wanted to formally announce my candidacy here in front of The Statue of Liberty because she serves as an ideal reminder of millions of people’s hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow. I also have hopes for a better day and have the Republican vision and experience to help create a better tomorrow for all New Jerseyans,” Pennacchio said.   See Daily Record and www.JerseyJoe08.com.

Daughtry and Braden are elected

Republicans maintain Montville hold - Two years after an unsuccessful first run for two open seats on the township committee, Democrats Dan Grant and Mike O’Brien lost again on Tuesday by a large margin to Mayor Art Daughtry and his Republican running mate, Tim Braden.  Their defeat ensures a GOP stronghold on the committee for the next three years.

Grant, a lifelong Towaco resident seeking his sixth term on the committee, said he likely won’t attempt to run again.  O’Brien, a 61-year old longtime history teacher at Montville High School, said he congratulated both Daughtry and Braden.  “As far as I was concerned, they ran a good race,” he said. “I think the voters made a pretty clear distinction in that they wanted Mr. Daughtry to continue.”

Braden, who was elected to his first term on the committee, was the top vote-getter with 2,276 votes followed by Daughtry with 2,268. Grant tallied 1,898 votes with O’Brien rounding out the results with 1,706.  See Daily Record.

Montville's Joe Pennacchio considering Senate run?

GOP assemblyman hints that U.S. Senate may be his next goal - Republican Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio hinted on Friday that he might be considering a 2008 run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg. 

Pennacchio, a former Morris County freeholder and a member of the Assembly since 2001, is running this year for the 26th District state Senate seat held by Sen. Robert Martin, who is retiring.  Lautenberg was elected U.S. senator in 1988 and re-elected in 1994. He was appointed to the post again in 2002 after Robert Torricelli resigned.  See Daily Record.

Pennacchio: Slot machines could finance special ed

Assemblyman moves to allow them at state's car, horse racetracks - Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio, R-Montville, is betting that slot machine wagering could pay the bill for special education.

The assemblyman, who is seeking the state Senate seat in the 26th District, introduced this week Assembly Concurrent Resolution 263. It would amend the state constitution to allow slot machine wagering at horse and/or motor vehicle racetracks and direct the state's revenues to pay for special-education needs.  But a gambling industry consultant said expanding New Jersey's industry beyond Atlantic City is not the way to combat out-of-state competition.  See Daily Record.