Away — but not really

Taking some time off up in Canada … will be back the end of the week .. saw a great edit in the Toronto Globe and Mail ridiculing criticism from the “American right wing” of the Canadian health care system .. Say, if I get run over by a moose, maybe I’ll be able to check it out for myself

Newt Gingrich pops up ….

all the time on TV, but  he apparently likes to help Republicans raise money privately.

 The former Speaker of the House is in Montville this evening for a $1,000 to $5,000 per person fundraiser.  The proceeds will benefit the state Republican Committee.

The fundraiser was closed to the press and Gingrich rejected a request for a brief interview prior to the event.

Corzine and Weinberg

Fortunately for him, Gov. Jon Corzine bypassed Randall Pinket and picked an experienced public official to run with his as lieutenant governor …. That would be state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen.

Weinberg is 74 and fiesty; a while back she withstood a challenge to her seat engineered by the party boss in Bergen County.

Corzine is far behind — and probably dipping further back — after yesterday’s arrests of many key Democrats,  but Weinberg will make things interesting ..

The red berets in Roxbury?

Representatives of the Guardian Angels will be at a public meeting in Roxbury tonight to talk about the possibility of organizing a chapter in the township …

If you allow a personal note, as a resident of Roxbury, I find this a bit ridiculous.  Crime is not rampant and police do a fine job. The idea  apparently came about after two recent stabbings. But both of which were domestic disputes; that’s far different than a crime wave.  Councilman Rich Zoschak says he confirmed that point with police.

Zoschak said he and a police representative will be at tonight’s meeting.

No, you can't make it up

Politicians throughout  New Jersey are being rounded up today in a sting of fascinating magnitude … In what appears to be a money laundering case, those arrested include the mayors of Hoboken and Secaucus plus an assemblyman from Ocean County.

This is shaping up as a very bipartisan web of corruption _ the mayors are Dems, but the assemblyman is a Republican …

Since this probe began two years ago during the term of U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, you know that he will use it to his advantage in his campaign for governor ..

More to come

A "gun" fight

Well, not exactly, But definitely, a fight over guns.

The U.S. Senate today rejected an attempt to force gun carrying reciprocity nationwide. If passed, someone with a carrying permit in South Dakota would have been able to carry that gun to New Jersey _ even if he had no right to carry permit in New Jersey, where gun laws are very restrictive.
  
 During the debate, a proponent of the measure, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said Central Park might be a safer place “if a person from South Dakota with a carry permit” visited.

Sure … that’s what we need in crowded and congested Central Park — a whole bunch of people packing heat.

Naked in Parsippany

I see that John Burck II, otherwise known as the Naked Cowboy, was in Parsippany the other day apparently meeting with backers in regard to a run for mayor of New York City.

Colleague Rob Jennings made a good observation; he suggested that the cowboy lower his sights and run for mayor of Parsippany. Hmm … can the Naked Cowboy beat Mike Luther and Jamie Barberio? What do you think?

Bars before the Morristown ABC

Back during the Democratic mayoral primary, incumbent Don Cresitello, who was destined to lose, complained that his opponent, Tim Dougherty, was backed by some of the bar owners in town.  And one problem with that, the mayor said, was that some of the bars were violating the law by serving underage drinkers and allowing a rowdy environment. As proof, the mayor pointed to charges filed against some of the bars.

Those charges were put on hold because of the primary. But now that the primary has run its course, they are scheduled to be heard at 6:30 tonight before the town council, which is the ABC in town.   

The most politically interesting case involves the Dark Horse , a basement saloon on DeHart Street. Its owners were strong backers of primary winner Tim Dougherty. Charges agaisnt the Dark Horse include allowing fights and serving underage drinkers.

Corzine's move

Now that Chris Christie is touring the state with his runningmate, Kim Guadagno, attention of the political crowd turns to Corzine … He has until next Monday to select his runningmate …

It seems to me that all loyal Democrats should be praying that it is someone with experience, not a TV personality like a Randall Pinkett.

Here's a use for the Denville Bridge

The new foot bridge over Route 46 may not be the most attractive thing you have ever seen, but if you visit the bridge at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, you will see about 15 “boot campers” making use of it …

Samantha Shay, a personal trainer, says that the bridge is ideal for a variety of exercises.  She says she has her charges run up the ramps and stairs. They can even do squats while going up the ramps, she says. 

If you happen to be visiting at dawn, check them out.