Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine says he is fighting for principles by appealing a judge’s ruling that he cannot claim executive privilege in hiding e-mail between union boss Carla Katz and himself.
“The decision recognizes the long-established legal principle that a governor has a right to have candid and private conversations with others, but the judge defined that privilege quite narrowly,” Howlett [Corzine spokeswoman] said. “It is an issue that should be addressed, especially in this rapidly expanding digital age.”
Why isn’t Corzine fighting for the principle of keeping an appearance of impropriety from affecting the way state government is run? Corzine is using quite a bit of tax dollars arguing that e-mail with a union boss/former girlfriend during a time when the state was negotiating a new contract with her union is protected private speech.
A leader has the responsibility to his constituents to have heir business conducted openly and without corruption. Corzine has been less than candid about his relationship with Katz that included large financial sums that finance schools for her children. This ongoing relationship has the possibility of hurting citizens. Corzine should immediately release the e-mails and drop the appeal in the best interests of New Jerseyans. Refusing to do so is only working for the best interests of himself and Ms. Katz.
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Saturday, May 31st, 2008
A judge finally ruled that the e-mail between Gov. Corzine and his former girlfriend is not private. These e-mails occurred while Katz’s union negotiated a contract with the state of New Jersey. It is nice to finally see some reasonableness displayed in the Garden State.
The public has a right to know whether the relationship between the governor and Ms. Katz had any improper influence on the governor’s paramount obligation to serve the interest of the citizens of New Jersey first.
Chalk this one up on the public’s side. We absolutely deserve to know that the governor is serving us before the woman with whom he has an ongoing financial relationship.
The first response from Corzine is via his taxpayer-funded lawyer, Attorney General Anne Milgram:
We intend to appeal.
Of course.
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Thursday, May 15th, 2008
Why does a march against gangs happen on Father’s Day? How about honoring Dad instead? . . . TwitterLocal is pretty kewl. Here is the feed for Millville and 20 miles out . . . I am getting old. My students had physical education today. Whilst picking them up, I took a couple swings with the “Nerf” covered bat. I swung so hard on the second pitch I hurt my wrist. Even so, the ball slammed off the far wall. My students were impressed. 
I’ll pay for this for a few days, I am sure . . . Haven’t been watching The Factor much recently. The more air time Dick Morris gets, the less I am inclined to tune in. He’s been wrong with his analysis throughout the campaign. Why does this john still get a platform? . . . Not that I am following this at all, but the headline caught my attention. “Because of this case, I have been financially crippled,” McGreevey told the judge. Oh please. The divorce hasn’t harmed you, your corrupt nature has affected your earning power. I am fine him not paying his wife millions. She seems to want servants, helicopters, and the like. But “the Gay American” should be forced to pay a certain percentage of his income, just in case he is not playing it straight in the trial. History says it’s a fair bet he isn’t . . . Hey, Sen. Obama, I understand your use of sweetie. I use sweetheart several times a day. Of course, I say it to nine- and ten-year old students . . . Just in case anyone thought government does not overstep its purview, check out what New Jersey is pushing through the legislature. Citizens apparently no longer have the right to not purchase health insurance . . . Oh, I can’t believe suing is going to help Carla Katz with the union . . . I have to say I agree that the NJ DOE should seek to recoup squandered tax dollars from school districts who misused the funds . . . FWIW, playoff hockey is exciting . . . Forget closing the state parks. I just found $143 million to cut from NJ’s budget. This money comes with no strings attached. I thought Corzine got rid of the Christmas tree fund. I guess not. Really, Garden State voters: how long are you going to vote for corruption? . . .
Posted in Education, Family, New Jersey, Politics, Sports, Twitter | No Comments »
Saturday, November 24th, 2007
Carla Katz demonstrated yesterday that she is unfit to lead a union. She wrote over at PolitickerNJ.com that Governor Corzine added to “[d]emonizing public workers” by refusing to give state workers off on Black Friday.
Traditions, like the three decades-long granting of an extended Thanksgiving holiday for public servants, are worth fighting for.
If that is the case, then when Ms. Katz negotiated the contract of 9000 state workers she represents this year with her former boyfriend, she should have fought for the day off. That she did not demonstrates she is unfit to be a union leader.
Governor Corzine merely enforced the contract. The contract does not provide for state workers to have off on Friday. That other governors have provided this benefit at the expense of the taxpayers does not matter. Katz did not protect her union members and negotiate this perk. It is not like it was an unexpected move. More than a year ago I wrote:
When it comes to negotiation time with your former girlfriend, make certain that if the union wants this day off, something of significance is given from their side. I suspect workers will quickly give up the outrage over the “loss”.
Katz is crying over her poor performance. The 9000 state workers should remember that at election time.
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Tuesday, March 20th, 2007
Governor Corzine did not think that we the citizens of New Jersey needed to know he gave union boss Carla Katz in excess of $600,000. He ran a campaign to become governor by promising:
Like you, I am a proud New Jersey citizen. And part of my motivation to run for Governor is that this state’s reputation is at risk - as a result of repeated episodes of corruption, favoritism and fraud.
I want to restore people’s trust in what should be the people’s government.
We can, and I will, lead this state on the path of honest, open, and effective government.
But when the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee investigated the gift, Corzine sung a different tune. In November 2006, it is revealed, Corzine amended his personal financial disclosure reports for 2002, 2003, and 2004 to reflect the gift that he told us was none of our business.
“I continue to believe that the correct position is that a loan by a member to his girlfriend is not a reportable event,” Elias [Corzine's lawyer] said in a phone interview. “Rather than fight over something that was a matter of the past and not of much consequence, we filed the amended disclosure.”
Now that we have learned that Corzine has given even more, we here at eCache look for more disclosure from the governor. Despite his claim, Corzine is under an obligation to come clean with his constituents. Gifts to a union boss is the public’s business. He agreed so when Congress investigated him. It’s too bed he has such disdain when his constiuents ask.
Dear reader, this is the corruption, favoritism, and fraud that he promised to rid the state of.
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