A marine, a statesman

Via NJ.com 

January 15, 2012

To the Editor:

What I believe the Republican party and all New Jerseyans need, especially in the most economically and morally challenged era of United States history, is someone not afraid to take on social and political issues. We need someone who will not falter and not afraid to take a stand for what is right. Citizens are no longer satisfied with career politicians doing the same business as usual, which is putting the needs of self and a career that may even span for decades, above the needs of citizens. Unfortunately there are too many in office who are not statesmen.

Bill Spadea is the true embodiment of a statesman. He is certainly one who is inspired by patriotism and love of country. He served his country as a Marine, and is an active member in his community during patriotic events supporting our veterans, as well as serving on committees to preserve our U.S. history. Bill is a true conservative as well, which is exemplified in his fiscally responsible Spadea plan.

What impressed me most about Bill is his true commitment to God, his love of his family and unwavering love of country. That is how it should be, and in that order. Our country is missing leaders who are comparable to our founding fathers. Bill has strong leadership qualities, and is definitely a person who is both approachable and available to others without any pretentiousness. This is expressed by his willingness to take calls by people who have questions and concerns, to knocking on thousands of doors to get to know the community and actually listen. He definitely has a contagious enthusiasm, integrity and willingness to just simply do the right thing.

I am proud to know Bill and believe he is the right choice for our party and our state. This is a person whose heart and motives are in the right direction and surely one not to be overlooked.

SUSAN RODRIGUEZ
Hillsborough

An odd, meteoric rise

Via NJ.com

January 11, 2012

To the Editor:

There is something odd about the meteoric political rise of Donna Simon from relative political obscurity, particularly when the editors of the Democrat chose to criticize Freeholder Will Mennen for his inexperience in seeking the Assembly seat and yet gave Simon — with considerably less political experience — prominent news coverage, on the front page, and no less pronounced her the front-runner.

Simon’s recent arrival on the political scene and almost immediate selection by Republican Party Chairman Henry Kuhl to his secretive Executive Committee, which many long-standing committee members don’t even about, is equally curious as is her endorsement by three county chairmen.

From her campaign literature, one can hardly surmise that she is qualified to hold any state office. Her resume is a litany of busybody involvements and very short on substance. She lists her education as Union County College and Kean College, but doesn't explain if graduated from either or, if so what degree(s) she attained. One could surmise that perhaps she simple breathed the air of those institutions to gain her education.

When it comes to qualifications for the Assembly, Simon, based on public information available, clearly lacks those of Bill Spadea who, unlike Simon. returns his phone calls!

CARL KETTLER
Raritan Township

Support Spadea for state Assembly

Via Central Jersey

To the editor:

I’d like to encourage the Republican representatives of Legislative District 16 to share the people’s views and appoint Bill Spadea to the late Assemblyman Biondi’s seat.

   Mr. Spadea has embodied all that is honest and judicious about politics. His organization, Building the new majority, served to unify and bridge the political divide among Republicans and unaffiliated voters in the greater Middlesex/Mercer/Somerset County area. His emphasis on partnership between the different levels of federal, state, county, and municipal campaigns helped countless GOP nominees synergize, saving money and resources and avoiding duplication of efforts. By sharing his professional and political experiences with others, he has encouraged and inspired many to follow in his example of public service and dedication to his community.

   A poll of the Republican and unaffiliated voters in the greater LD16 will undoubtedly show popular support for Mr. Spadea given his previous campaigning efforts and the open-door policy and level of responsiveness he maintains with his neighbors and supporters. An email to Mr. Spadea rarely goes unanswered for longer than 10 minutes, and phone calls are answered or promptly returned, always with good advice.

   Having grown up in Montgomery Township, I believe that leaders like Mr. Spadea will reinvigorate young adults’ interest in government in the high-performing school districts of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Mercer Counties and is certain to earn the respect and admiration of young people, hopefully inspiring them to avail of opportunities to serve their communites.

   We need a representative who will remain committed to his district, and one who will honor Asm. Biondi’s legacy by continuing to faithfully serve the residents of LD16. Please join me, my family, and the majority of residents in supporting Mr. Spadea’s candidacy.

Krishna Jagannathan

Plainsboro

Spadea the wise choice for Republicans

Via My Central Jersey 

There is an old cliché in New Jersey politics that states “When it is the Republicans’ election to lose, they will lose.” The District 16 special election this year will be theirs to lose unless they wake up.

The electoral composition of the district has radically changed since the 2010 census. In 2007 the Republican Assembly candidates won 58-42. With the elimination of parts of Somerset and Morris counties and the inclusion of South Brunswick and the Princetons the Republicans managed to win the 2011 Assembly race 52-48, a drop of 12 points. The special election will be to replace the deceased Peter Biondi.

At first the Republican “leadership” offered William Mennen of Tewksbury, but he didn’t live in the district. Mennen said that he would move, but then changed his mind. They then offered Donna Simon, a councilperson from Readington. Ms. Simon has absolutely no name recognition outside of Readington.

The name recognition becomes even more important in the 2012 general election in that the Democrats will have Barack Obama at the top of their ticket. With Obama every Democrat and Democrat leaner in Middlesex and Mercer counties will be coming out of the woodwork to vote.

The Republicans have a candidate that can overcome the Democrat advantage in the special Assembly Election. That candidate is Bill Spadea of Princeton. Spadea has run for Congress garnering 40 percent of the vote, which is twice what the “experts” said that he would get. He is a party activist with great name recognition in precisely the portion of District 16 where it is needed most. Spadea has already assembled a campaign team with many years of experience. This is in comparison to Simon. Exactly when was the last time the Somerset/Hunterdon Republican parties had to fight for an Assembly seat? A Democrat victory in the 16th would further impede Gov. Christie from achieving his goals.

The Republican chairpersons in Somerset County (Al Gaburo), Hunterdon County (Henry Kuhl), and Mercer County (Dave Fried, Maria Bua) need to put their support behind Spadea at the special convention this month. Spadea can win in November, Simon cannot.

Harold V. Kane

MONROE

N.J. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce collapses, dies in Statehouse after long legislative session

"Alex DeCroce was a great leader, family man and friend.  His passing is a tremendous loss for his family, friends and our state.  He'll be sorely missed as the Republican leader in the Assembly and as a leader in the real estate industry in Morris County.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family." - Bill Spadea

Via NJ.com 

TRENTON — Longtime Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, the leading Republican of the state’s lower house who represented Morris County for 23 years, collapsed and died in a bathroom inside the Statehouse late Monday night, just moments after the 214th Legislature held its final voting session, according to legislators.

DeCroce, 75, of Parsippany, began serving the 26th Legislative District in the Assembly in 1989 and was the Republican minority leader since 2003, according to his Statehouse biography. He served as deputy speaker of the Assembly from 1994 to 2001.

State Police Lt. Stephen Jones said a legislator died shortly before 11:30 p.m. in a first-floor restroom of the Statehouse. He said a physician on hand attended to the legislator but he was found to be dead. 

He did not release an identify of the legislator, pending the notification of family members.

Gov. Chris Christie — wearing a suit jacket over a Notre Dame T-shirt, no socks and loafers — showed up at the Statehouse at midnight with four staffers. He hugged Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver outside party offices and then held a meeting with her and Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

Word of DeCroce's death began circulating among lawmakers through calls and text messages about 11:30 p.m., almost immediately after the Senate wrapped up its marathon lame-duck session.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Union), one of DeCroce’s closest friends, was seen in a Statehouse hallway crying.

Christie issued a statement early this morning expressing his sadness over the loss of his close friend and political mentor.

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerState Assemblyman Alex DeCroce gestures as he speaks with Assemblyman Jay Webber as the Assembly session began at the Statehouse in this file photo from June 18, 2009.  

"Tonight I lost a dear friend, colleague and mentor — Assembly Republican Leader Alex De Croce," the Governor said. "I have known Alex for nearly twenty years. He helped to give me my start in elective politics in Morris County in 1993. He was one of the most kind, considerate and trustworthy people I have ever had the pleasure to know. He was an enormously accomplished legislator and a tremendous servant to the people of New Jersey. Mary Pat and I offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Department of Community Affairs Deputy Commissioner Betty Lou De Croce, and to Alex's entire family. This is an enormous loss for our state and for me personally."

DeCroce attended Seton Hall University and worked as a realtor for ERA Gallo & DeCroce, his legislative biography said.

Among the committees he was recently serving on were the Bipartisan Leadership Committee, where he served as the co-chairman, and the Legislative Services Commission.

ALEX DeCROCE BIOGRAPHY

• Born: June 10, 1936
• Hometown: Parsippany
• Education: Seton Hall University
• Occupation: Realtor, ERA Gallo & DeCroce
• Political career: State Assembly 1989-2012, representing the 26th District in Morris County; Assembly Republican Leader, 2003-2012; Deputy Speaker of Assembly, 1994-2001; Republican Conference Leader, 2002-2003

Source: New Jersey Legislature