Cost of Government Day (COGD)
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Title: COMMENTARY: Billboard scandal keeps getting worse

Date: July 13, 2003

Source: Bob Ingle, Gannett State Bureau, INJersey.com

Words: 901

TRENTON -- The billboard mess gets more complicated. Now we find that a company owned by a lobbyist on the state payroll was cut into at least six billboard deals brokered by former aides to Gov. McGreevey.

Our Sandy McClure teamed with the Courier-Post's Tim Zatzariny Jr. to report John E. Westlake of Red Bank signed checks to set up escrow accounts on behalf of Gary Taffet and Paul Levinsohn for a billboard project in Woodbridge when McGreevey was mayor. Taffet and Levinsohn held key positions in the McGreevey administration but have resigned.

What caught my eye was Westlake is a lobbyist as well as a state employee. Why would that be legal, even in New Jersey?

Word Worth Zilch: Add Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-Vineland, to the list of New Jersey's big time lying politicians. He promised in writing to leave Congress after 12 years. At the time he said, "There's no changing or backing out." But now, he says if the people elect him again in 2004, he will take that as a sign it's OK to renege on his word.

Once upon a time a man's word was his bond, it meant something.

Sen. George Geist, R-Camden, is trying to get the Open Public Records Act extended to the Legislature, which exempted itself to keep things secret from the public. Most members are still there and running again in November.

GRIP -- Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians.

CODG: Friday, July 11, was the national Cost Of Government Day for 2003. It's when the average American worker has earned enough to pay off local, state and federal government costs. But not for New Jersey. Ours falls 10 days later, on July 20, this year. The average Jersey resident must work 201.9 days out of the year to pay for spending and regulations.

Now, do you believe me when I say we have too much government?

The Federal Election Commission may allow former Essex County Executive Jim Treffinger to pay some legal bills with left over campaign money. He pleaded guilty to corruption and fraud and was accused of extorting money to fund a run for the GOP nomination to the U.S. Senate.

The Courier-Post's Alan Guenther reported first about no-show government jobs for seriously ill Camden County Democratic Party loyalists. Now a state grand jury is looking into it.

Since a state grand jury falls under the auspices of Attorney General "See No Evil" Peter Harvey, don't get your hopes up anything will come of it. But, U.S. Attorney Chris Christie just bagged two more. Former Camden Councilman James Mathes is guilty of accepting mob payoffs to steer contracts to organized crime companies. Mobster Daniel Daidone is guilty too.

Those special jobs cost Camden County taxpayers plenty but it doesn't stop there. Seven mayors and council members in the county are paid a total of $30,000 to stay out of the county's health benefits system. They don't go to private insurance. They're costing taxpayers $65,000 for health insurance, prescription plans and dental insurance from local governments.

Here's an example: Double-Dipper Bellmawr Mayor Frank Filipek Sr. gets $78,000 a year as director of the county's environmental health department. He gets $9,000 as mayor. He accepts $4,663.50 to opt out of the county insurance program. Bellmawr pays $12,216 for his health benefits. That all totals $103,879.50.

This is why you hear "Home Rule" from the pols but not the people. Without all that local government and more than 600 school districts, these folks might have to settle for one job.

Speaking of Harvey, he, the state's top law enforcement official, has written $2,200 in checks to reimburse for ringside seats at boxing matches. He claims he was there because he wants to improve boxing for New Jersey but he couldn't explain why the wife got freebies.

There were two other guests, who the attorney general won't identify. Why is that?

Wonder how many times the state put Harvey up in a hotel. Gerard Gormley Jr. has stayed at Atlantic City casinos 14 times since the beginning of last year when he became chairman of the Athletic Control Board, according to published reports, which noted Gormley lives just three miles away. The bill came to $4,296. He takes $80,000 a year in salary but he doesn't feel obligated to explain the hotels. Where does he get such arrogance and disrespect for voters?

He's the brother of Sen. Bill Gormley, R-Atlantic.

Reporter McClure wrote extensively on Harvey's investigating whether the McGreevey administration intervened to get a mobster sprung from prison early.

But, typically for New Jersey, the rules apply to staff not board members -- those highly paid political appointees who also get cars to run around in. Not only should they not get cars on the taxpayers, they shouldn't be paid more than expenses. It's a patronage pit.

Throw out the sordid system and put parole decisions in the hands of citizen volunteers.

School Daze: The Camden school board wants to give Superintendent Annette Knox a $8,600 raise -- to $185,000, which would increase to $214,160 in 2006-07. Since the state has to bail out Camden, that money is from your pocket no matter where you live. Multiply Camden times 600 plus school districts and you see why your property taxes are so high.

(Bob Ingle is Trenton bureau chief for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He can be reached via e-mail at bobingle@app.com)

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