I am no longer the Chairman of the Bound Brook Municipal committee (I am still a committee member).
I have moved on to serve as Assistant treasurer of the Somerset County Democratic Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. My continuing service as an elected member of the Bound Brook Borough Council has made clear to me the importance of becoming more involved and focused on governmental activity at the County, State and National levels. Consequently, although I will continue my concerns with happenings in Bound Brook I intend expand my “sights” to monitor and seek meaningful participation at these higher levels.
I welcome discourse from citizens on issues and will always help patriots to become more involved in our self-government. Do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns, your questions and/or your desire to help as a volunteer or as a candidate for an elected or appointed position.
There is always a place for people to help, including helping me in meeting my responsibilities as a borough councilman. There are numerous opportunities to enjoy the satisfaction, excitement and fun of working in an election campaign in Bound Brook, the Freeholder race, or even for our next congresswomen, Linda Stender. Just call and I can get you “connected” for a short campaign service or for a year round opportunity for public service.
For more information on “getting involved” read my March 1, 2008 blog entry “An invitation to the party”
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
An invitation to the "party"
Like the United States Marine Corps - we are always looking for a few good men (or women). We are currently interviewing Bound Brook residents who are interested in becoming a candidate for the Borough Council.
Invitation to the “party”- Help Wanted
The Bound Brook Democrats are seeking Citizen-Patriots for the following positions. The pay is minimal (actually there is no pay), but the benefits can be outstanding and extremely satisfying!
Loyal and dedicated Bound Brook residents who wish to be a true participant in effective and benevolent self-government contact Democratic Municipal Chairman, Ben Auletta 732-469-7778, auletta@verizon.net For more information, or to apply. (Volunteers do not have to be residents of Bound Brook)
Training, assistance and ongoing guidance will be available for all positions.
Elected Officials
Candidate for Borough Council - often thankless and unappreciated but vital to the well-being of Bound Brook and it's citizens. Council member, acting as part of a team is responsible for monitoring and managing the operation of local government through policy setting deliberation. Primary task is preparation of annual budget and overseeing use of taxpayer’s dollars while maintaining public health and safety and necessary public services and zealously protecting the interests of the citizens. Rewards include personal satisfaction for a job well done, some degree of fame and recognition, possible stepping stone to further personal achievement, and grateful recognition of your civic contribution. Involvement as an “insider” an a daily basis results in an increased awareness of what is happening in the world around us and the excitement of being able to influence decisions affecting many people.
Skills required: self confidence and a willingness to learn, integrity and honesty, outgoing, people oriented team player with a public and or private record of achievement and service.
Municipal Committee Person – the heart of the Democratic Party. These elected party officials are the closest to party members and their “grass roots” efforts are the key to wining elections and the achievement and maintenance of effective government that is responsive to the needs and desires of our citizens. They possess fundamental powers and authority that can significantly impact government at all levels. They appoint the Bound Brook Democratic Municipal Chair and the Somerset County Chair and are extremely influential in recruiting and selecting candidates for elected and appointed office at all levels of government as well as helping to set policies and positions on legislative issues.
Requires a warm outgoing and social personality. Must truly like people and enjoy interacting with and helping others. Year round position of contact with your neighbors. Responsible for activities within a few blocks of your residence. Includes getting to know your neighbors opinions and needs and providing for a two-way flow of information about government issues and activity. Facilitates and helps neighbors interaction with government entities. Required to assist in election campaigns. Successful performance of your duties and knowledge of citizen preferences provides an increasingly powerful voice in government affairs and the ability to influence decisions.
Volunteers
Campaign Volunteer – The process of enlightened self-government starts here! Without the efforts of so many public-spirited patriots the opportunity to elect the best candidates for office will fail. There numerous tasks to be performed during campaigns that can range in time and effort expended from a few hours or days to seemingly full time efforts. The choice is yours and whatever time and/or money you can contribute will be welcome and truly appreciated. Learning about the candidates and issues and helping others to know and understand them is the basis of all your activity. You may be called upon to make telephone calls, deliver literature, accompany candidates while they campaign, research issues, raise funds, hold socials with your neighbors, canvass door to door, research issues, be part of the campaign planning team, serve as an election day challenger, put up lawn signs, design campaign literature and arrange for printing, help prepare mailings and a wealth of needed task as they arise. You can decide to work on local, county, state or national campaigns or combinations of several.
Serving on - Boards, Committees, or as legislative assistants on elected officials staff.
The many opportunities for public service can be exciting and interesting and will give you the chance to use your special skills and knowledge to improve the quality of life of all citizens – your friends, your family and of course yourself. Serving a term on a governing advisory board or on special project studies can be very self-satisfying and well as providing a “graduate level” educational opportunity.
You can be very selective on the topics that are of particular interest to you and you can control the demands on your time to match what you are willing to give. Public service can be a true life enriching experience.
JOIN OUR TALENT BANK – Let us know your interests or let’s just talk and we will try to guide you to what could be a possible place to start. If what you are interested in is not currently available we will keep your information on file and contact you when an appropriate opportunity arises.
IF YOU CANNOT CONTRIBUTE YOUR TIME JUST YET – Please consider contributing your money! – Make checks payable to: “The Bound Brook Democratic Municipal Committee” 44 W. Union Avenue, Bound Brook NJ 08805
The Bound Brook Democrats are seeking Citizen-Patriots for the following positions. The pay is minimal (actually there is no pay), but the benefits can be outstanding and extremely satisfying!
Loyal and dedicated Bound Brook residents who wish to be a true participant in effective and benevolent self-government contact Democratic Municipal Chairman, Ben Auletta 732-469-7778, auletta@verizon.net For more information, or to apply. (Volunteers do not have to be residents of Bound Brook)
Training, assistance and ongoing guidance will be available for all positions.
Elected Officials
Candidate for Borough Council - often thankless and unappreciated but vital to the well-being of Bound Brook and it's citizens. Council member, acting as part of a team is responsible for monitoring and managing the operation of local government through policy setting deliberation. Primary task is preparation of annual budget and overseeing use of taxpayer’s dollars while maintaining public health and safety and necessary public services and zealously protecting the interests of the citizens. Rewards include personal satisfaction for a job well done, some degree of fame and recognition, possible stepping stone to further personal achievement, and grateful recognition of your civic contribution. Involvement as an “insider” an a daily basis results in an increased awareness of what is happening in the world around us and the excitement of being able to influence decisions affecting many people.
Skills required: self confidence and a willingness to learn, integrity and honesty, outgoing, people oriented team player with a public and or private record of achievement and service.
Municipal Committee Person – the heart of the Democratic Party. These elected party officials are the closest to party members and their “grass roots” efforts are the key to wining elections and the achievement and maintenance of effective government that is responsive to the needs and desires of our citizens. They possess fundamental powers and authority that can significantly impact government at all levels. They appoint the Bound Brook Democratic Municipal Chair and the Somerset County Chair and are extremely influential in recruiting and selecting candidates for elected and appointed office at all levels of government as well as helping to set policies and positions on legislative issues.
Requires a warm outgoing and social personality. Must truly like people and enjoy interacting with and helping others. Year round position of contact with your neighbors. Responsible for activities within a few blocks of your residence. Includes getting to know your neighbors opinions and needs and providing for a two-way flow of information about government issues and activity. Facilitates and helps neighbors interaction with government entities. Required to assist in election campaigns. Successful performance of your duties and knowledge of citizen preferences provides an increasingly powerful voice in government affairs and the ability to influence decisions.
Volunteers
Campaign Volunteer – The process of enlightened self-government starts here! Without the efforts of so many public-spirited patriots the opportunity to elect the best candidates for office will fail. There numerous tasks to be performed during campaigns that can range in time and effort expended from a few hours or days to seemingly full time efforts. The choice is yours and whatever time and/or money you can contribute will be welcome and truly appreciated. Learning about the candidates and issues and helping others to know and understand them is the basis of all your activity. You may be called upon to make telephone calls, deliver literature, accompany candidates while they campaign, research issues, raise funds, hold socials with your neighbors, canvass door to door, research issues, be part of the campaign planning team, serve as an election day challenger, put up lawn signs, design campaign literature and arrange for printing, help prepare mailings and a wealth of needed task as they arise. You can decide to work on local, county, state or national campaigns or combinations of several.
Serving on - Boards, Committees, or as legislative assistants on elected officials staff.
The many opportunities for public service can be exciting and interesting and will give you the chance to use your special skills and knowledge to improve the quality of life of all citizens – your friends, your family and of course yourself. Serving a term on a governing advisory board or on special project studies can be very self-satisfying and well as providing a “graduate level” educational opportunity.
You can be very selective on the topics that are of particular interest to you and you can control the demands on your time to match what you are willing to give. Public service can be a true life enriching experience.
JOIN OUR TALENT BANK – Let us know your interests or let’s just talk and we will try to guide you to what could be a possible place to start. If what you are interested in is not currently available we will keep your information on file and contact you when an appropriate opportunity arises.
IF YOU CANNOT CONTRIBUTE YOUR TIME JUST YET – Please consider contributing your money! – Make checks payable to: “The Bound Brook Democratic Municipal Committee” 44 W. Union Avenue, Bound Brook NJ 08805
Until Next time,
Ben
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
My Reasons For Opposing Borough Attorney Appointment of James G. O'Donohue of Hill Wallack LLP
Here is a little insight as to the discussion involving the appointment of James O'Donohue as the Borough Attorney.
It is simply a matter of economics!
We have the opportunity to secure the services of an extremely competent Attorney and his firm at substantially lower cost than the firm that was re-appointed at the reorganization meeting.
Three firms applied for consideration. All three are contributors to political organizations. Because of this they are subject to NJ’s new “Pay to play” laws and consequently Bound Brook considered them under the “Fair and Open Process” rules. The law is an effort to establish limits on political contributions to elected officials. These rules are also meant to protect the right of individuals and organizations to participate in the political process. The rules add “transparency” to the process of awarding contracts that are not subject to the rigor of the formal bidding process.
The law includes several standards of procedure that are designed to protect the public interest. One such standard used is “choosing the lowest responsible bidder” as used in traditional public bidding.
The three firms and their bids were:
- Hill Wallack (James O'Donohue) $195.00 per hour
- Mason, Griffin & Pierson $175.00 per hour
- Ventantonio & Wildenhain (Elia Pelios) $155.00 per hour
As you can see, our present attorney’s bid was 26% higher then the lowest bid.
My reason for preferring Ventantonio is obvious; the firm is the “lowest responsible bidder”. There’s no hidden agenda, no ulterior motives. My support lies with the firm I feel can do the job well at a fair and competitive fee.
As I stated at the meeting, “Loyalty to friends and supporters is admirable, but when that loyalty overrides the best interests of the community it should be discarded.
In addition to being able to secure the services of a competent attorney the firm is local – Warren, NJ – and should have a better “feel’ for the needs of Bound Brook as well as having extensive local and statewide contacts, and offer easily accessibility. They have the expertise needed – understanding of municipal legal issues. Also, they are large enough to provide the services required, yet small enough for it to be important for them to maintain Bound Brook as a client.
- To see clips from the 1/1/08 meeting or any council meeting go to Council Meeting Video Clips & Updates (Click on any of the green words) Thanks to Joe Lemire for putting up the clips on http://www.08805.com/.
Until Next Time!
Ben
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