Council Meetings for 2023 – SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays
January 24th
February 14th & 28th
March 14th & 28th
April 11th & 25th
May 9th & 23rd
June 13th & 27th
July 11th & 25th
August 15th & 29th
September 12th & 26th
October 10th & 24th
November 28th
December 12th & 26th
I love Katrina.
George McGill. Didn’t we already try him once?
Did Katrina ever find out who paid for the banner ad?
Are they still looking for the Headquarters vandals?
I got a warm and fuzzy feeling watching … thanks Sandy!
I called a bunch of banner plane places. No luck. And nothing on vandals.
#2 I am not a fan of Gerry and Crew nor did I vote for them, but I will say I am pleased that George McGill is the Boro attorney, an in town guy that knows Belmar, as opposed to professionals from North Jersey being brought in. Good for George he is a great guy.
George McGill May be a great guy, I don’t know him. But he’s a one engine train. Does he have the knowledge and experience to handle the many diverse issues that Belmar deals with. Hiring a firm that has many attorneys that have various skills in different areas of law is a plus. I think that was the point Katrina was trying to make at the meeting. As far as $175 an hour, I don’t know. I haven’t had to hire an attorney lately. But I believe that was the amount paid to the Dasti firm with ALL its attorneys.
#8 usually attorneys work at a less rate of pay for the Municipalities (that is the norm all over the state) they give the municipalities the discounted rate to get the work because it it a fair amount of work and the municipalities are good paying clients. But by all means if you want the taxpayers to pay a higher rate call Mr. McGill and request same.
Its funny that you clearly said you know nothing about him, have not dealt with him professionally and have no experience with his skill set yet you are putting him down.
But then again I guess your perfect in everything you do.
So sad to put down someone who has done nothing wrong just because you think a small law firm isn’t what you would choose.
#6 maybe you should look closer to home.
#9 You’ve misrepresented everything I’ve said and twisted its context. I’ve stated my point and won’t repeat myself. Your “perfect in everything you do” comment shows lack of character. But I forgive you. Have a great day
I’m surprised that police haven’t discovered who vandalized the GOP campaign sign. There are cameras everywhere these days. And, since there isn’t exactly an unmanageable workload to deal with, you’d think that they could throw some resources at it. Check Taylor’s for spray paint purchases prior to the event (maybe they culprit was dumb enough to purchase it there). Talk to the residents around the site of the vandalism, maybe someone saw something. Check the footage from all the ring doorbells in the area.
Councilperson Kinney implied, in a social media post, that the democratic candidates are responsible. Interview her, she seems to have some information. (Sentence deleted by Editor.)
I think it’s great that Mr McGill is borough attorney at 175 an hour.
My concern is the long list of specialty attorneys that are identified for the many facets of law that Mr McGill does not handle, and other professionals.
Below is the resolution passed during transition. Notice the fact that they can be hired without advertisement of bid or bidding.
RESOLUTION NO 2023-04
RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND CONFIRMING VARIOUS MUNICIPAL PROFESSIONALS
WHEREAS, there exists a need for professional services for attorneys, architects, engineers, and other various municipal professionals.
WHEREAS, a contract for professional services pursuant to N.J.S. 40A:11- 5(1)(a)(I) and N.J.S.19:44A-20.5 may be awarded without advertisement for bids or bidding in that the required services must be performed by persons authorized by law to practice a recognized profession, whose practice is regulated by law, and the performance of which requires knowledge of an advanced and specialized type.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Belmar that the following be and are hereby appointed and confirmed to their respective positions:
Labor Attorney: Borough Engineer:
Alternate Engineers:
Tax Maps:
Borough Bond Counsel:
Alternate Bond Counsel: Redevelopment Counsel:
Lester E. Taylor, III, Esq. 430 Mountain Avenue New Providence, NJ 07974
James M. Oris, P.E.
Remington & Vernick Engineers 4907 NJ Avenue
Wildwood, NJ 08260
Gerald J. Freda, P.E.
Leon S. Avakian, Inc.
321 Newman Springs Road Red Bank, NJ 07719
CME Associates 1460 Route 9 South Howell, NJ 07731
ARH Associates
215 Belleveue Avenue Hammonton, NJ 08037
Civil Solutions
215 Bellevue Avenue Hammonton, NJ 08037
Meghan Ann Bennett Gluck & Walrath, LLP 11 Wharf Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701
JP Capizzi, LLP
601 New York Avenue Union City, NJ 07087
Joseph Baumann, Esq.
McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC 75 Livingston Avenue – 2nd Floor Roseland, NJ 07068
Public Defender:
Alternate Public Defender:
Auditor:
Financial Advisor:
Special Counsel Tax Appeals:
Special Counsel:
Robert Musto
Musto & Alevras
51 Green Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Cliff Yannone, Esq.
Starkey, Kelly, Kenneally, Cunningham and Turnbach 2 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Michael Hanley
NW Financial
2 Hudson Place – Third Floor Hoboken, NJ 07030
Greg Cannon, Esq.
Sobel Han Cannon
105 Reids Hill Road, Suite B Aberdeen, NJ 07747
Mohammed S. Jalloh, Esq.
150 Morristown Road, Suite 105 Bernardsville, NJ 07924
Allan Roth, Esq.
Ruderman & Roth
150 Morris Avenue, Suite 303 Springfield, NJ 07081
Greg Cannon, Esq.
Sobel Han Cannon
105 Reids Hill Road, Suite B Aberdeen, NJ 07747
Robert Swisher
Suplee, Clooney & Company
308 East Broad Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
offered the above resolution and moved its adoption. Second
#13 Can you explain why I should care about this? That’s a serious question… what is the actual problem? Do you and the others prefer the Dasti firm? If so, why are you so fond of them? What would make them better?
It’s very common for a municipality to have their main attorney and multiple different law firms approved for different areas if the problem/case presents itself. At the end of the day it’s not going to be additional monies paid out two attorneys won’t be working on the same thing so you aren’t double paying for services.
What would cut costs would be these silly litigations against the borough that are political and personal versus real merit.
Not being hired without other bids is a problem.
The question remains. If an issue arises the McGill is unfamiliar with. Will these “specialty” lawyers charge $175 an hour also?
#13 I am impressed with your analysis of the new resolutions. I do wish you were as interested in the flaws of the previous admin over the last four years (there were plenty).
Katrina, may you please explain why you have a problem with resolution 2023-04 and not 2022-04 ? or 2021-04? or 2020-04? or 2019-04
https://belmar.com/agendacenter.php
Good morning Mark. Thanks for asking. We learn as we go right? I realize all new admins put their own people in place. I’m not besmirching anyone’s abilities. I just heard and please correct me if I’m wrong, the there are areas of law that Mr McGill does not practice. Such as redevelopment. If that’s true then we would have to use outside council right?
Katrina, Mr. McGill was not named as redevelopment Counsel. Mr. Baumann was appointed as redevelopment counsel. There are advantages to using different attorneys for different areas of practice. These attorneys are only utilized when needed so there is no disadvantage from a cost perspective.
#20 Katrina – I almost voted for you due to your reputation as an independent on this blog. My mind was changed by your letter that was published in the Coast Star where you sung the praises of Walsifer and Ed.
As you have begun to post more here, I am more and more glad I didn’t. I asked you to explain what your issue actually is. You ignored that question. #15 explained that it is common for towns to have other lawyers approved just in case they are needed, and that they aren’t also getting paid at the same time – which makes sense to me. Then Mr. Levis asked you again what your concern is, and your reply was so petty it makes me absolutely sure that I made the right decision in not voting for you. There was no need for that. You have the respect of many that post here, don’t squander it with petty, snippy responses like that. Treating citizens with contempt is one of the issues that people had with Mark and Ed.
Katrina,
(Sentence deleted by Editor.) No one cares about a banner plane or late nite vandals who painted a window. Your team lost because of their lack of good leadership and cronyism. They destroyed a first aid squad, bullied people to keep them inline. You have what it takes to be a positive influence here. Let’s move things forward instead of throwing stones.
#20 Katrina- you must not have done your research on Mr. McGill. Notwithstanding he was not named redevelopment attorney but you are mistaken he has experience from a law standpoint in redevelopment, he represents applications before the Belmar Boards often and has been the Planning Board attorney for Spring Lake for years and years.
Thanks Mark. Can you tell me the hourly cost of Mr Baumann’s firm to the borough, when it is utilized?
#25 this kind of dogged investigation would have been very helpful over the last four years. Don’t get me wrong, keep it up. But we could’ve used it during the Walsifer admin too. Not sure why you let all that stuff slide, but glad you’re back.
Exactly 26!
Yes let’s quibble about the hourly rate of various lawyers and ignore the fact that we are spending millions of dollars on a contaminated piece of property due to a spat between the former mayor and a family.
Exactly #26 and #28- Let’s keep the peons thinking about useless future junk and maybe they’ll forget about the past four years of shenanigans.
#Ed and Mark spat with plenty of people.. who were too afraid to defend themselves by spatting back. This “family” you speak of don’t like to be spat with. They sorely underestimated this long time Belmar family’s spatting abilities. Stay tuned.. There will be plenty to see…
#28 … I’m glad the old AMOCO gas station @ 12th & Main will be environmentally remediated … the Liberty gas station @ Main & 16th was probably the most recent cleanup.
The owners dumped gas, oil and anti freeze into the ground for decades and walk away from it all with a million bucks from the taxpayers of belmar. So glad you’re happy Gene.
($300,000 of the sale price has been held in escrow to pay for the clean-up, Editor.)
What happens if the cleanup costs more than 300k?
#31 I too would love these contaminated properties to be cleaned up. However, I would rather it be paid for by the folks that made the mess. Or their insurance company. I’m not very happy when my tax dollars goes toward cleaning up someone else’s mess.
#33 that possibility is EXACTLY why every normal real estate transaction on planet earth closes AFTER the seller completes the remediation process. The sellers insurance company hires and pays the company that completed the remediation. After that is completed, then the buyer (us) can close on the property. This absolves the buyer of any responsibility if there is (there often is) an underestimation of the scope of the clean up. What are the chances that decades of oil, gas, antifreeze, and who knows what else leached into the notoriously high water table and traveled east in and around people’s homes. The dry cleaners out on the 35 circle in Wall is a superfund site. Is it too much to ask that the seller handle the clean up? But here in Belmar, we do things differently.
#30 … Yep! … I’m happy when I see any contaminated property in BELMAR being cleaned-up.
#34. Agreed, this sale should be put on hold until the seller pays all cleanup fees
Let’s say you’re trying to sell 2 contaminated lots in Belmar at 12th and Main and the 3 lot parcel at 9th and D St (old First Aid) sold for $1.5M. $500,000 a lot in a prime location, what a deal!
But paying $1.2M for the Main St location is above market price and in effect we paid for the $300,000 that is in escrow for the clean up costs. The owner of the property most likely didn’t have the money to do a clean up before the sale. Very risky.
If it’s already a done deal which I think it is there will be no recourse for the boro. Maybe the 300k will cover the remediation. Until they start there’s no way to tell. I do know that the building next door on main st. Used to get gas and fumes in the basement when it rained.
#37 … the old First Aid property flooded during Sandy and offered no comfort to Belmar residents during their time of need … the property @ 12th & Main St is 2 blocks from a flood zone,
centrally located and superior for the intended use … EMS/Fire/WR.
The fact that it is in close proximity to the Grammer school is very troubling. Hundreds of children walk by there several times a day. They will need to take incredible precautions to avoid tragedy.
That’s the busiest intersection in Belmar. Bad idea.
People. Let’s face it. (Sentence deleted by Editor.) Blame Mark and BA for this poor deal.
It’d be better to close the school and send the children to Asbury Park.
#39 Mr Creamer, I am not referring to the location. I’m not crazy about the location but that’s beside the point. The real problem for me is the amount we’re paying for the property (objectively above market value) and, more importantly, the fact that we are on the hook for the remediation project. It’s bad business. If the BFA needs to be at that location, that’s fine. But negotiate a better price, have the sellers complete the remediation project, then purchase the property. Period. We were not competing with any other interested parties for the property.
As for the BFA not being there for the people of Belmar during their hour of need during Sandy. Well, I beg to differ. And I imagine so would the volunteers and first responders who worked tirelessly. The BFA isn’t a physical structure. It’s made up of people. People who will perform no matter where they hang their hats.
#39 & #44 – just for the record: although the BFA building was underwater, we had 3 rigs and 3 water rescue teams deployed throughout the night and into the next day. And continued to have rigs staffed 24/7 deployed from the court side of the municipal building for over a month after Sandy.
We offered ‘comfort’ and emergency services to our community while squatting in unfamiliar quarters.
Just as a “church” refers to the people who congregate, the word also applies to the building in which they gather. The individuals who were on duty, officially or as volunteers, gave comfort and aid to those in distress while the BFA building was not usable. Why cause confusion and argue over the distinctions. In fact, the municipal building was close to being flooded as water backed up from the marina/inlet into the parking lot behind the building. If people want to be safe from hurricane damage, they should reconsider where they live. No one is disputing the valor and aid of the rescue workers.
#44 … check my comment … I never mentioned the former Belmar First Aid Squad, only the PROPERTY … although it had an emergency generator, the property couldn’t be occupied or used for squad muster in the aftermath of Sandy.
Regarding your criticism of sequence of events … In 2009, the State of New Jersey enacted the Site Remediation Reform Act to move the direct supervision of site remediation projects from NJDEP Case Managers to Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRP’s). These independent professionals are responsible for conducting such work with the objective of expediting contaminated site closure.
Belmar has a not-to-exceed contact with an insured LSRP that would cover any clean-up cost overrun … Belmar took property title in June.
Did we pay too much?
I don’t know, but … the developer paid $1.5M for the BFAS property in a flood zone.
The BFAS is not in a flood zone…did water get in.. I don’t know, and who does unless you were there…but it is not in a flood zone and it wasn’t in 2012
#47 Ok, I’m not sure how the property was going to help anyone but, yes, in that one particular scenario, the property location was not ideal. Let’s hope there isn’t some particular scenario that makes the new property location rendered uninhabitable. But, like Sandy, what are the odds.
Yes, we paid too much. The former BFA site is in a more desirable location (the possibility of another Sandy like storm notwithstanding) and it is three lots. You know what they say…location location location. The Main Street at 12th Ave site was languishing on the market for quite some time. No takers.
As for the do not exceed contract with the hired LSRP; what is the do not exceed number? Is it 300k? The LSRPs insurance carrier agreed to that? Are THEY insured by the state? Is this gonna be one of those Matt Doherty isms where it’s all, “we don’t have to pay for this! FEMA will take care of it”. Ignoring that FEMA is, in fact, tax payer money.
I may be wrong, but something tells me that if this remediation is worse than they think, we taxpayers will be on the hook somehow. Just based on experience. But like is said, I may be wrong.
In any event, the property should’ve gone for around $950k. With the seller responsible for the remediation. They can use their own LSRP approved company. There is absolutely no reason for us (the purchaser) to handle that.
It languished on the market for years because no one was dumb enough to buy it. The seller couldn’t have the remediation done so he (Deleted by Editor.). Wow
Please remember, if you do not provide your email I cannot communicate with you about a pending comment.
It is not required.
We all know why and who was responsible for that deal going through
You should not need an email address to have whatever you write down as a comment posted on this blog. Many people need to stay anonymous as to not have the harsh repercussions out towards us by the past administration for posting about their mishaps and poor decisions that were made!
It is the right of the blog administrator to post or not post at her discretion. That is true for ALL social media companies. You are free to start your own platform and allow anything to be posted. However, you will find out very quickly that there are potential legal ramifications for allowing people to say whatever they want. It is ok to stay anonymous, but the admin needs to communicate with the poster prior to printing unfounded accusations. It is the responsible thing to do.
(Thank you, Editor.)
I pray that the Belmar Board of Education has contingency plans in place to evacuate children when the stench of petrochemicals is unearthed permeating the school building sending children to medical care.
#55 Are you a doctor?
To 55
This is a real issue. Once the dig starts the contaminated soil will be uncovered and the fumes will travel whichever way the wind blows.
#57 Are you a doctor?
” fumes will travel whichever way the wind blows.”
—————————————
No kidding Dick Tracy. The fumes traveled the way the wind blew with the Freedman’s Bakery dig as well and everybody is Okay.
It will be interesting to see what the new mayor will do with this property. He certainly has options.
#56,58 I don’t know about the other two posters, but I am not a doctor. But I honestly had no idea that you needed to be a doctor to know that petrochemical fumes are bad for the respiratory system (that’s the lungs) and that fumes are carried by the wind. I’m also not Sir Isaac Newton, but I know that gravity keeps my feet on the ground.
#59 “everybody is Okay” First, that is a bold statement my friend. Second, maybe you didn’t like Freedman’s hard rolls, but I’m pretty sure they weren’t using petrochemicals to make them. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a class on how to form an accurate analogy.
*** ***** *****. Is the Playa Bowl van parked at 8th and Ocean for the past 6 months immune to the 15 minute/street cleaning rules? I’ve received tickets for the exact same thing. Maybe **** **** can look into it. Or should I ask the new mayor?
(Asterisks are mine, Editor.)
#61 … Sir Isaac Newton was wrong … no such thing as gravity … the whole world just sucks.
btw- Freedman’s used fuel oil, from a UST, to heat their baking ovens
#61 – I hope you don’t have a gas range in your home…
#61 The “fumes” have since left. Professional will make sure the “dust fumes” will certainly be restrained from traveling. I know because one of my companies will be bidding on this job.
#62 Space pushes. Michio Kaku sez.
64 I thought they already hired someone. ‘they’ being Belmar. So when they dig up contaminated sites and the whole area smells like gas and oil, is that not ‘fumes’? If it is not ‘fumes’ what is it exactly? Vapor? Or is it gas, smoke, or vapor that smells strongly or is dangerous to inhale. Which happens to be the definition of ‘fumes’. But hey, what do I know? I’m not a doctor.
#62 did freedman’s dump the oil used to heat their ovens into the ground? I don’t remember a remediation at the site when Beach Haus took it over. Was there one?
(Yes, that site was remediated, Editor.)
#63 please, for the love of all that is holy, stop watching Fox News. It is not only rotting your brain and causing an IQ drop, but it’s business model (literally) is to try to scare the hell out of the ill-informed. If the gazpacho (thank you MTG) police break down your door to confiscate your gas stove, I will walk the boardwalk naked with a sandwich board apology. Hey I get it, the speaker vote #*%@ show was such a dumpster fire, I’d want to make up something to distract the people too. And FOX only talks about the crime rates in the weeks leading up to an election. So gas stoves it is. Brilliant.
#68 Gullible. US Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ) is one of two US Senators pushing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the use of gas stoves. I’ve never seen Booker on Fox News but if they didn’t report half the things that the other media outlets ignore we would know nothing.
I’m not saying the gas stove ban will ever come to fruition. I’m not even sure I would want to see you walking naked on the boardwalk either!
#69- They seek to enrage and fill people with fear. It is their business model. Gas stoves leak gas. That is a fact. There is no chance of gas stoves being confiscated from your home. That is also a fact. What Fox News and the right wing media tends to do, is to take what is an innocuous discussion about consumer safety, and turn it into a dystopian rant about government overreach. The gas stove thing is a non issue. Congress ‘person’ Marjorie Greene has publicly stated she would like to do away with the establishment clause contained in the first amendment of the United States constitution (objectively worse than banning gas stoves over consumer safety concerns) but I’m not going to freak out about that. She’s just a member of congress expressing her views. But you get a member of congress saying they would like to mess with the second amendment? It is Armageddon on ol’ Fox. The deep state is coming for your children! It’s pandering for ratings, nothing more.
And you’re right, you don’t want to see me naked on the boardwalk. Luckily there is zero chance that I would have to be.
“did freedman’s dump the oil used to heat their ovens into the ground? I don’t remember a remediation at the site when Beach Haus took it over. Was there one?”
—————————————
Yes…
There is no ENERGY STAR label for residential ovens, ranges, or microwave ovens … if the Fed’s want to eliminate gas appliances, all they need do is continue what they are doing.
NJNG is raising natural gas rates 20% this year and the wizards in Washington & Trenton will make sure you can’t afford it going forward.
@68 and @ 70
Fox news is not the problem. All main stream media is the problem. They all report just enough of the truth to get by. It’s up to you to find what the truth is. If you get lazy and only use one source then that’s your problem. They all fear monger because they are all news entertainment now.
“All main stream media is the problem.”
—————————————
Yes & No. Yes, Media is “the” problem along with the fields of government, medical and
“law/justice.” They’re all liars.
—————————————–
DON’T VOTE…
#73 totally agree. The problem is that the majority of Americans don’t realize that.
#71 and you know for a fact that ‘everyone is ok’ from the Freedman’s site being remediated. I’m not sure you can make such a blanket proclamation. Makes you sound like a politician.
#72 consumer protections have been around in one form or another since the early part of the last century. On balance, it has been successful.
#75 “Consumer protection” is reactive not proactive. Faulty air bags, fentanyl in candy, exploding electric cars, Chinese dry wall. I can go on but rather busy today.
#76 haha. Well we see where you get your news from.
Consumer protections are both proactive and reactive. Here’s an example: there are airbags in vehicles because of proactive consumer protections. Faulty airbags are recalled due to reactive consumer protections. Good?
Fentanyl is being smuggled in bright colors to LOOK like candy. It isn’t IN candy. It’s drugs, people have been smuggling drugs into this country since they became illegal. Stopping it is the job of Law Enforcement. Not the consumer protection bureau.
EV cars catch on fire 100 times less than gas cars. This has been studied extensively. I know I know, conservatives hate electric vehicles. I have no idea why, but they do. Boggles the mind.
Chinese drywall is def in the reactive category of consumer protection. Also due to our insatiable desire for cheaper products. Luckily the contaminated drywall was finally banned back in 2013 after Obama signed the drywall safety bill.
I hope you’re not too busy to look into this stuff yourself. Hopefully you’ll gain some new perspective.
#77 It’s the government no matter what the heck bureau you call it. Taxes . taxes , taxes and still many mistakes. Where the heck is the government concerning speed. Why does the gvt. permit cars to be able to go 120 mph when the highest speed limit is 80 mph? You state statistics. Reference the studies
#78 I’m sorry, did I say it isn’t a governmental agency? Oh wait, I just checked, I didn’t. Nice try
Car manufactures make cars that can go 120 mph. The government doesn’t make cars. The government sets and enforces speed limits. I am certain you understand that speed limits are set and enforced by STATE governments, yes? And that OSHA and other consumer protection agencies are federal.
If the federal government mandated that no cars manufactured for sale in the US could exceed 80 mph, the GOP would blow a gasket. The screaming on talk radio would be epic. So, cars are made that can reach 120 mph, but for safety reasons, we have and obey speed limits.
Below is the Kelly Blue Book car fire study. Enjoy
https://www.kbb.com/car-news/study-electric-vehicles-involved-in-fewest-car-fires/
Oh your true colors are coming out. You blame the GOP for everything? Gun manufacturers make guns that can kill people and certain liberals. like yourself. want to blame them for gun deaths. I have zero respect for liberals. Your group caused many of the problems we have today. Bye
#80 ha. That’s your response? I gave you the study, I explained how consumer protections work, yet all you can do is shut down the conversation. Classic. I do not ‘blame the GOP for everything’. I wasn’t even blaming them. I was merely pointing out, accurately, how they would most likely react if a law was passed to keep cars at 80mph.
I do not blame gun manufactures for gun deaths. I blame politicians who pander rather than legislate.
You seem pretty snowflakey for a guy who ‘has zero respect for liberals’. I assume you mean the veterans, cops, first responders, etc who also happen to be on the political left? Maybe think before making such blanket statements.
The left is ruining this country.
#82 that attitude is what’s ruining this country.
It’s a great sound bite, but, like your other posts, devoid of any substance. Oh and if you really feel that way, you may want to change your handle here on the blog. Francis Ford Coppola, you know the guy who made the movie you’re clearly obsessed with, is a democrat. A very active one. Not sure you want to take the name of a character from a film made by a guy who’s ‘ruining the country’. See how these ridiculous blanket statements can get you into trouble, Mr Corleone?
Also- ******* **** Lauren Boebert’s political opponent is a military veteran. National ****** Josh Hawley’s current political opponent is also a military veteran. Would you like to tell those two vets that they are ruining the country? Or should I?
It may be time to rethink your stubborn position.
(Asterisks are mine, Editor.)
(Deleted by Editor. I cannot verify the information in this comment.) Same s*** just different people in office. Will it ever end?
#83 Democrats are ruining this country. ie the border
#81-Dear Doc OB. I need to speak up. Cops ARE NOT on the far left. They are very, very far from it. And I know A LOT of them. I think you have your lefts and rights mixed up. The closest they get to the left is when they have to go face to face with ultra liberal rioters who in the name of BLM are spitting in their faces.
#85 Then change your blog name. How about George Santos? He seems like a decent guy.
#86 Thank you for ‘speaking up’. There are over 800,000 law enforcement officers in the US. This may be hard to believe, but some are democrats. That’s ‘the left’ in case you were wondering. The current mayor of NYC, Eric Addams, former cop. That’s just one example. There are also military veterans who are democrats. Lots of them.
My point? Any time someone says ‘all dems are bad or all republicans are bad or all liberals or all conservatives…etc, it is absurd. For better or worse we have a two party political system. There are good ideas and bad ideas from BOTH philosophies. There are crooked and greedy individuals on BOTH sides of the aisle.
And as far as you last sentence- the capital police had to face some pretty vicious babies on Jan 6 2021. Which I guess you could say was the closest they ever came to the far right.
See? Blanket statements aren’t helpful.
#87 Democrats are ruining this country. Cashless bail, wanting unrestricted abortion, open borders, woke BS, CRT, making education more about everyone being the “same” than excellence. Most cops are good people. They too get caught up with being “modern”. (Sentence deleted by Editor.) Also, cops will vote democratic almost all the time. Afraid of losing their jobs. The whole system must change. The democrats are ruining this country.
“making education more about everyone being the “same” than excellence”
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Anyone who loves their child will keep them out of these government run indoctrination centers known as schools at all cost.
#88 Man you need to get out more. Turn off the TV, cut the cord to the old WiFi. Take a walk in the boards or volunteer at a shelter. You are angry, and your anger has caused a kind of delusion.
The border crisis now, is the same one that Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Reagan had to deal with. The borders are not ‘open’. And be careful, if you want your lawn to still be mowed or you restaurant meal to be bussed, you should embrace immigrants.
There is no where in the country that allows ‘unrestricted abortion’ and there are no politicians of either stripe promoting that.
CRT is a made up boogie man. It is not being taught in public schools. It is being offered (elective) at some law schools, and that is because it is a legal theory that has been around since the early 90s. But now it’s bad!!!! Haha
I have children in public school- it is still, as it was when I was in public school, about good grades. Sure there is more tolerance now than there was back in the 70s and 80s, I’m sorry that bothers you. I can’t for the life of me understand why it would bother you. But hey…
You know who cops vote for? More surprisingly, you believe that the politicians know who cops vote for? And you believe cops will ‘lose their jobs’ if they vote Republican? This one I have no words for. It is beyond the boundaries of sensibility and I’m at a loss. It sounds like you believe that individual votes by cops are monitored, and they are then punished for their vote? Are they punished by republicans officials? I’m gonna leave that one alone and back away.
Once you’re in the booth, your vote is your own.
Have you never voted?
#89 I love my kids more than anything in the world. What I try to do is to keep them away from small minded bigoted misogynists that labor under the false belief that they know everything. At all costs.
#89 Democrats are ruining the country. Illegal aliens are coming in more now than ever. BTW I think you are a typical liberal who would vote for Godzilla if he were running as a democrat.
There’s a word psychologists use, projection. There may be a picture of you next to it in Webster’s
BTW, you are confusing the number of illegal aliens ‘crossing’ the border, with the number of encounters, arrests, and expulsions (those numbers are at record highs). I would try to explain the sheer number of people TRYING to get into the country is not anyone’s fault except for the leaders of the countries from which they are fleeing, but you’re probably not a big fan of nuance.
I would vote for anyone that isn’t a hypocrite and a blind partisan fool. If that was Godzilla, then I would vote for him/her. I see the good and the bad on both sides, you are the sheep my friend. And that’s ok. As long as the adults work through the challenges, the children can huff and puff and choose sides.
#93 Ask the people in our southern border what they think. The democrats are ruining this country.
#94 The ‘southern border’ is made up of four states that share a border with Mexico. California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Three of the four have Democrat governors. Oops, doesn’t exactly fit with your ill-informed anger. I know I know, “democrats are ruining this country”. Change the record, read a book, or leave. I’m sure you’ve said this to people, you don’t love it, leave it. I’ll help you pack.
So, the Democrat governors of the three states encourage or condone the invasion of migrants. Sorry, not invasion, but flood of people who will contribute socially and economically to their states, right? Now I get it. And I thought I was stupid. Let us from other states hold massive fundraisers and send the proceeds to those governors who will spend the money wisely. No need to raise taxes to support those poor souls seeking the “good life”. Now I feel good. Thanks for setting my thinking straight. #95 must be a liberal in the finest sense of the term. (No offense intended toward bunnies.)
#96 I tried to make sense of your comment but it’s a little difficult to follow. I’ll try to help you understand.
#94 said ‘ask the people in our southern border what they think’. Since I can’t literally do that, I thought pointing out that ‘the people’ of three of the four border states elected democrat governors. I think that election results are a fairly good indication of what people are thinking. I take it you disagree?
I don’t recall saying that anyone is encouraging or condoning an ‘invasion’. But you are welcome to make stuff up if it helps you build an argument. It’s what the other guy does too. I’m cool with it.