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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

SUSSEX COUNTY DEBATE FOR FREEHOLDER



Crabb vs Weightman-Incumbent versus Challenger-Republican versus Democrat

One that represents the corporate interests and one that truly works for the people.
Cutting governments footprint really means selling out to the private and corporate interests.  Crabb proud that he cut the work force, and sold off the Homestead.  The Homestead is a home that was sold to one of the worst operators of  nursing homes.

Whether he knows it or not privatization of government assets and or functions was started under the Reagan Administration.  It was passed at the 1996 GATT meeting at the Uruguay Round.  Clinton could not get it passed even as an agreement, but that has not stopped both Republicans and Democratic leadership for trying to get it done.

We have privatization going on right now in the Borough of Sussex, with the referendum on the sale of their water and sewer utility.  Three members of the Borough as acting as nothing more than representatives for the interested party, Aqua New Jersey.  Aqua New Jersey is a subsidiary of Aqua America, and the parent company does not have a good track record.

Weightman is against the sale of  Sussex Water and Sewer Utility, but Mr. Crabb I am sure is behind it and the sale of any and all assets of the company to his cronies.  It is a certainty that he would be behind the sale of Sussex Counties services too.

None of these so called privatization deals do anything to solve the problem of what got us to where we are in this country.  We do not have to go to Detroit to see the destruction of our nation, for we can walk down the street of any town in American as see it in empty store fronts.  Empty malls, abandoned industrial parks, and so on are clear evidence that federal, state, county and municipal governments are NOT working for the interest of the people that they represent.

So her is the article from the New Jersey Herald on the last nights debate at the Hampton Diner.  First let me tell you that Phil Crabbs first entry into politics was in 2008.  He took part in a debate at Sussex County Community College, and I believe that it was sponsored by the New Jersey Herald.  Questions were e-mailed in to the Herald before the debate.  Mr. Crabb seemed to know what the questions were before the debate.  In his hand were index cards, and when a question was asked he went to his cards.  It worked until he got the cards mixed up.  So he was not even listening to the questions when he answered with the wrong card.

Well I just got off the phone with Bill Weightman, and I was informed that they were sent the questions and then they had to send in their answers.  Bill feels that Crabb was informed of his answers before the debate.  Bill said that "He knew what I going to say before I said it."

Here is the article on the debate, by the New Jersey Herald.  Again was he privy to the questions before the debate?
    • Freeholder candidates debate challenges, need for change
Posted: Oct 28, 2014 11:20 PM EDTUpdated: Oct 28, 2014 11:43 PM EDT



Photo by Marie Dirle/New Jersey Herald Democratic freeholder candidate Bill Weightman, left, and incumbent Repubican Freeholder Phil Crabb meet in a the debate hosted by the New Jersey Herald at the Hampton Diner Tuesday in Hampton.
Weightman, left, and incumbent Repubican Freeholder Phil Crabb meet in a the debate hosted by the New Jersey Herald at the HPhoto by Marie Dirle/New Jersey Herald Democratic freeholder candidate Bill ampton Diner Tuesday in Hampton.
  • Monday, October 27 2014 6:15 PM EDT2014-10-27 22:15:33 GMTOct 27, 2014 6:15 PM EDTOct 27, 2014 6:15 PM EDT
     


By JESSICA MASULLI REYES
jmasulli@njherald.com
HAMPTON — With only a week until the election, Republican incumbent Phillip Crabb defended his record on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, while his Democratic opponent Bill Weightman argued for change.
The two candidates for one seat on the five-member board went head to head during a debate Tuesday night presented by The New Jersey Herald at the Hampton Diner. The debate was moderated by Herald reporter Bruce Scruton.
Crabb, 58, of Franklin, asked voters to consider what he has accomplished in his last two terms. He said the freeholders have had the “backbone” to make cuts to shrink county government and reduce the county workforce by a third.
“We have many challenges ahead but better days are coming,” he said. “It will not be easy but I can promise you that while I'm in office ... the focus is on Sussex County taxpayers.”
Weightman, 65, of Hardyston, said that under Crabb's tenure the county's assets have been sold off and social services have been cut.
“People are unhappy; they want change,” he said. “I'm not here to restore the Democratic Party. I'm here to be a voice for change.”
During the debate, attended by about 30 persons, the two differed on their views of what role a freeholder should have in the county and state.
Weightman, who has been outspoken against the potential sale of the water/sewer utility system in Sussex Borough, said freeholders should be a “bully-pulpit.”
Crabb disagreed saying the freeholders' role is to conduct the county's business and to keep taxes low.
“I have been following the issues with Sussex, but it's a Sussex issue. If we were to stick our nose into things like Sussex's issue, why wouldn't we stick our nose into the Hopatcong garbage issue a few years ago .... or various Vernon referendum that have happened.”
Weightman advocated during the debate for bringing jobs to Sussex County and increasing the average wage for workers, while Crabb said work is already underway to bring jobs to the county.
“The jobs are the issue of why people are leaving,” Weightman said. “They cannot afford to live here.”
Crabb said the steps being taken to extend the Lackawanna railway into Andover Township are working to keep people in Sussex County by providing mass transportation options.
“This is a beginning but I have to say that it's nice to be blue sky and I'm all for mobility here but at the end of the day the freeholders have to sit down and work with what is going on on a daily basis,” he said.
The two also butted heads over the jail study that is expected to be made public soon.
Crabb said the freeholders worked last year to implement a bracelet program and other initiatives to reduce the jail population. He said the number of inmates in the jail decreased from 212 last year to about 150 this year but now the county needs to make the jail a more modern, safe place.
Weightman, praising the bracelet program, said more can be done since incarceration is expensive and unnecessary.
“There is not a need to expand or add more room (to the jail),” he said. “We need to start looking for alternatives to jail.”
Crabb responded, saying no rooms would be added.
Weightman then said that instead of creating jails, the county needs to focus on not closing libraries.
Crabb responded that the county library system is not in jeopardy of being closed, but an option is being looked at to move the main branch to the Sussex County Community College campus.
Near the end of the debate, the candidates were each allowed to ask each other one question.
First, Crabb asked Weightman to describe where he would have cut money from to save the county's nursing home from being sold when it was losing $62,000 per week.
Weightman said he would have looked at reducing the Homestead's maintenance costs and, had the sale been necessary, would have chosen a different private company that had a better reputation.
Following Crabb's question, Weightman asked Crabb to expand on why he voted to OK funding for the $2.88 million renovation of the Sussex County Community College's main academic building even though some college trustees had conflicts of interest with the engineering firm on the project.
Crabb responded, saying that he had to “separate the process from the project.” He said the college has reorganized its leadership since the resignation of two trustees and now needs to move forward with the Building D renovations for students.
“There were clumsy moves here, but I don't think there was a big conspiracy over this building,” he said. “I'm glad they are moving forward and will repair the building.”
However, Weightman, who raised the issue of Building D several times during the debate, said he wants to see the college and the county move away from single bidders on projects.
Crabb responded, saying that the county rarely, if ever, has single bids.
A video replay of the debate will be available after noon Wednesday on www.njherald.com and on Service Electric's ublic service channel.before the debate?






  • Freeholder candidates debate challenges, need for change

    Posted: Oct 28, 2014 11:20 PM EDTUpdated: Oct 28, 2014 11:43 PM EDT





    Photo by Marie Dirle/New Jersey Herald Democratic freeholder candidate Bill Weightman, left, and incumbent Repubican Freeholder Phil Crabb meet in a the debate hosted by the New Jersey Herald at the Hampton Diner Tuesday in Hampton.
    Photo by Marie Dirle/New Jersey Herald Democratic freeholder candidate Bill Weightman, left, and incumbent Repubican Freeholder Phil Crabb meet in a the debate hosted by the New Jersey Herald at the Hampton Diner Tuesday in Hampton.

    • DECISION 2014: LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGEMore>&gt

    • HAMPTON — With only a week until the election, Republican incumbent Phillip Crabb defended his record on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, while his Democratic opponent Bill Weightman argued for change.
      HAMPTON — With only a week until the election, Republican incumbent Phillip Crabb defended his record on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, while his Democratic opponent Bill Weightman argued for change.
    • Freeholder candidates ready to rumble

      Freeholder candidates ready to rumble

      Tuesday, October 28 2014 11:58 AM EDT2014-10-28 15:58:49 GMTOct 28, 2014 11:58 AM EDTOct 28, 2014 11:58 AM EDT
      HAMPTON — The two candidates vying for a seat on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders will meet in a debate at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the meeting room at the Hampton Diner, Hampton House Road.
      HAMPTON — The two candidates vying for a seat on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders will meet in a debate at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the meeting room at the Hampton Diner, Hampton House Road.
    • Garrett, Cho clash over connections to district in WRNJ debate

      Garrett, Cho clash over connections to district in WRNJ debate

      Monday, October 27 2014 6:15 PM EDT2014-10-27 22:15:33 GMTOct 27, 2014 6:15 PM EDTOct 27, 2014 6:15 PM EDT
      WASHINGTON TWP. — For the first time incumbent U.S. Congressman Scott Garrett (R-5) and challenger Roy Cho were able to respond to one another directly instead of through campaign managers when they sat down for a debate on Friday morning.
      WASHINGTON TWP. — For the first time incumbent U.S. Congressman Scott Garrett (R-5) and challenger Roy Cho were able to respond to one another directly instead of through campaign managers when they sat down for a debate on Friday morning.


    By JESSICA MASULLI REYES
    jmasulli@njherald.com
    HAMPTON — With only a week until the election, Republican incumbent Phillip Crabb defended his record on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, while his Democratic opponent Bill Weightman argued for change.
    The two candidates for one seat on the five-member board went head to head during a debate Tuesday night presented by The New Jersey Herald at the Hampton Diner. The debate was moderated by Herald reporter Bruce Scruton.
    Crabb, 58, of Franklin, asked voters to consider what he has accomplished in his last two terms. He said the freeholders have had the “backbone” to make cuts to shrink county government and reduce the county workforce by a third.
    “We have many challenges ahead but better days are coming,” he said. “It will not be easy but I can promise you that while I'm in office ... the focus is on Sussex County taxpayers.”
    Weightman, 65, of Hardyston, said that under Crabb's tenure the county's assets have been sold off and social services have been cut.
    “People are unhappy; they want change,” he said. “I'm not here to restore the Democratic Party. I'm here to be a voice for change.”
    During the debate, attended by about 30 persons, the two differed on their views of what role a freeholder should have in the county and state.
    Weightman, who has been outspoken against the potential sale of the water/sewer utility system in Sussex Borough, said freeholders should be a “bully-pulpit.”
    Crabb disagreed saying the freeholders' role is to conduct the county's business and to keep taxes low.
    “I have been following the issues with Sussex, but it's a Sussex issue. If we were to stick our nose into things like Sussex's issue, why wouldn't we stick our nose into the Hopatcong garbage issue a few years ago .... or various Vernon referendum that have happened.”
    Weightman advocated during the debate for bringing jobs to Sussex County and increasing the average wage for workers, while Crabb said work is already underway to bring jobs to the county.
    “The jobs are the issue of why people are leaving,” Weightman said. “They cannot afford to live here.”
    Crabb said the steps being taken to extend the Lackawanna railway into Andover Township are working to keep people in Sussex County by providing mass transportation options.
    “This is a beginning but I have to say that it's nice to be blue sky and I'm all for mobility here but at the end of the day the freeholders have to sit down and work with what is going on on a daily basis,” he said.
    The two also butted heads over the jail study that is expected to be made public soon.
    Crabb said the freeholders worked last year to implement a bracelet program and other initiatives to reduce the jail population. He said the number of inmates in the jail decreased from 212 last year to about 150 this year but now the county needs to make the jail a more modern, safe place.
    Weightman, praising the bracelet program, said more can be done since incarceration is expensive and unnecessary.
    “There is not a need to expand or add more room (to the jail),” he said. “We need to start looking for alternatives to jail.”
    Crabb responded, saying no rooms would be added.
    Weightman then said that instead of creating jails, the county needs to focus on not closing libraries.
    Crabb responded that the county library system is not in jeopardy of being closed, but an option is being looked at to move the main branch to the Sussex County Community College campus.
    Near the end of the debate, the candidates were each allowed to ask each other one question.
    First, Crabb asked Weightman to describe where he would have cut money from to save the county's nursing home from being sold when it was losing $62,000 per week.
    Weightman said he would have looked at reducing the Homestead's maintenance costs and, had the sale been necessary, would have chosen a different private company that had a better reputation.
    Following Crabb's question, Weightman asked Crabb to expand on why he voted to OK funding for the $2.88 million renovation
    Crabb responded, saying that he had to “separate the process from the project.” He said the college has reorganized its leadership since the resignation of two trustees and now needs to move forward with the Building D renovations for students.
    “There were clumsy moves here, but I don't think there was a big conspiracy over this building,” he said. “I'm glad they are moving forward and will repair the building.”
    However, Weightman, who raised the issue of Building D several times during the debate, said he wants to see the college and the county move away from single bidders on projects.
    Crabb responded, saying that the county rarely, if ever, has single bids.
    A video replay of the debate will be available after noon Wednesday on www.njherald.com and on Service Electric's public service channel.

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