ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD
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BODY POLITIC by Jack Archibald, Atlantic Highlands Councilman

Contact Jack Archibald jack@ahherald.com View archive

LOWERED EXPECTATIONS IS NO JOKE

Considering the joke that currently resides in the Governor’s office, it should come as no surprise that comedian Joe Piscipo is mulling a race for our states highest office. While the election is over a year away, the fact that Piscipo might throw his hat into the ring says a lot about our current government.

The incumbent Governor has been a major disappointment, and this is based on his actions after his resignation. After pronouncing his intention to get tough with campaign finance and tackle the tough issues, James McGreevey gave more sweetheart deals to his cronies. Just last week, McGreevey nominated his chief of staff for the Local Finance Board, a job that pays $12,000 for just four meetings per year. For good measure, he also appointed his chief legal counsel to the Casino Board, another part time job that pays $16,000 per year.

Instead of walking away or letting his successor make appointments to the board, McGreevey gave a nice going away present to his aides. By adding these stipends to their current government salary, both men will be padding their pensions upon retirement. The Governor’s blatant disregard for the public should end, and the State Senate should reject these nominees immediately.

That is probably foolish thinking given the cozy relationship between the Democrat Governor and a Senate controlled by the same party. They have lowered the bar of expectations so low, and Garden State residents can only count the days down to the end of the McGreevey regime. These scoundrels are giving politicians across the state a bad name, and have made our state a laughingstock around the nation. Should Joe Piscipo succeed in his run for the top job, at least everyone will know his background.