If the Dems can't win this year...

With the APP launching an investigative piece a week before the election, they are posturing for a Democratic victory. My prediction is that the APP will wind up endorsing the Democratic freeholder candidates.

Whatever stutter steps the Democratic campaign initially had, the trickle-down Democratic-sweep effect everyone's predicting this year coupled with the generous boost Gannett has been giving the Monmouth Dems pretty much sets the Democrats up for a win in the county. Then again, that's what everyone said about last year too, so I could be wrong.

I think it's kind of cheap that the APP is putting Anna Little in a position to have to answer for the actions of other freeholders. But then again, the other freeholders made a HUGE, boneheaded move by reappointing Malcolm Carton.

Let me hear your 2006 predictions, folks.

A note on that 'It's a small world' ride...

Turns out I graduated Haverford College with a Republican running for council in Manasquan: John T. Michals.

Haverford is a REALLY small school. Our average graduating class is about 300 happy vegan hippies. I would probably be considered one of the more conservative students, and that's really not saying very much. (Even with all the hippie-dom, it's an awesome liberal arts school with a great history.)

So I don't know what I'm more shocked by: that there's already someone from the class of '04 running for office in Monmouth or that a Republican went to Haverford.

Anywho, best of luck to John T. Michals and any 'Ford entering the political fray.

In my gmail...

Michael Skudera sent me the following:

I read an article in a weekly paper that tells of a recently introduced ordinance by the Borough of Freehold to create a do-not knock registry.

The article explains, "Persons engaged in political, charitable or philanthropic canvassing will need to first obtain a permit." It further explains that an administrative cost will be charge to obtain this permit.

Free speech is a right, not a privilege in this great country. Passing a law that requires people to inform their government in advance that they plan on sharing religious or political views with other residents is a threat to democracy. You should not have to ask permission to exercise your first amendment rights.

If enacted, this law would subject anyone found to be violating it to a fine of up to $1,250 or imprisonment for up to 90 days. This would even include Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts trying to raise donations.

Recently the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia overturned a city ordinance that had similar provisions as the law trying to be passed in the Borough of Freehold. In 2002 the United States Supreme Court also issued a similar ruling protecting the rights of free speech.

In municipal government, ordinances are first introduced, and then placed on the agenda for a final vote at another meeting, giving time for public comment. I hope the elected officials in the Borough of Freehold do the right thing and remove the language that restricts free speech when this ordinance comes up for a final vote on November 6th. I would have not even voted for the introduction of this ordinance if it came up in my hometown.

Michael Skudera
Tinton Falls Councilman