Matawan - Borough in Conflict

“If an intelligent person is betrayed repeatedly, and humiliated publicly, yet chooses to remain in that situation, one must ask: what are the rewards?” Gail Sheehy Vanity Fair (February 1999)

This quote is reminiscent of the situation that Councilman Cannon faces with the Recreation Committee and the rumors of his resigning from that Committee.

The last few Borough Council meetings have been more like a World Wrestling Federation Show than a Municipal government working to better our Community. One of the problems at this meeting was the Recreation Committee and its members. Expressions like, out of control, the lunatics are running the asylum, and Peter's principle of let everyone rise to the level of their own incompetence come to mind. Councilman Michael Cannon who chairs the Recreation Committee has been undermined by his own Committee. Mary Mullaney, Delegate of the Recreation Committee, member of the Matawan Alliance, wife of Councilman "Bud" Mullaney Mother of Councilwoman Meghan Mullaney and Committee member Michael Mullaney, made a "supposed" statement after the meeting had been closed. That wasn't a misprint there are 2 Council Mullaneys and 2 Committee member Mullaneys. Mayor Aufseeser chose not to control the meeting (no surprise here) and let Mrs. Mullaney speak, speak, speak and speak more. This meetings target by Mrs. Mullaney was Councilman Cannon. Councilwoman Buragina responded passionately to Mrs. Mullaney's statements, saying the program was for the children and to reject children already enrolled would hurt the families. Councilman Cannon agreed that it would be a disservice to the children. The vote to keep the children in the program for this year was agreed to by Councilwoman Buragina, Councilman Cannon, Councilman Buccellato with Mayor Aufseeser casting the deciding vote. Councilwoman Mullaney voted with her father Councilman Mullaney and Councilman Malley against. Has anyone else noticed these three never vote independently. Councilwoman Mullaney abstains from voting when it comes to Police matters. However, she is the Chairperson of the Personnel, Finance and Education Committee. It appears that the Mullaneys think they run this Borough! No they think they own this Borough! WRONG! We the people, are the Borough.


The Borough Council voted to allow the children registered for the Summer program to remain in the program. However, the Council did vote to revise the rules for this program as they are outdated. This revision should be in place for next year's program. It is good to see that Matawan DID THE RIGHT THING! Thank you Councilwoman Buragina, Councilmen Buccellato and Cannon, and Mayor Aufseeser for standing by your convictions.

Matawan Boro Council Mtg Tonight at 7:30pm

Several matters are of interest. Union Street is still waiting to be repaired and improved. Sources say the vote is tonight for funds. Keep in mind residents of Union Street that only Phase I is being done. That's from Aberdeen Road to Danielle Drive. The Borough Council aka "the powers that be" have neglected to get this Phase done in a timely fashion and lost the grant (FREE MONEY) for Phase II. And who gets penalized.....Union Street residents that's who. Phase II 2008 Road Program for Union Street has been kicked off the program until 2009. While residents have petitioned the Council last year and complained at just about each meeting, it not only fell on deaf ears but has been totally ignored. Yes, Councilman Michael Cannon did speak of possibly combining two phases. However, logistically he knew by past experience that wasn't going to happen when he said it. Don't know about anyone else but I for one am tired of the lip service we get from the Council. Remember this at election time. Of course, if you are happy with the current circumstance, stay home and continue with complacency. The current administration is counting on you not to get involved. They will continue to spend your hard earned tax dollars as only the incompetent can. However, if you care just come to one meeting. Believe me it will be an enlightening, eye opening experience.

Primary Day in Matawan

Today is Primary Day in Monmouth County. Polls are open from 6am to 8pm. Whatever your political views get out and vote. Every election whether local or national is important to have your voice heard. Realizing we are not telling you something you don't know, just wanted to remind you.

Memorial Day Parade- Borough Embarrassment

Memorial Day – A day to remember those who served our Country. A day to remember those who paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedom.

WHAT IT IS NOT IS A DAY FOR POLITICKING! Mayor Aufseeser demonstrated a total disregard for our Veterans and the memory of our fallen soldiers. She used the Matawan Memorial Day Parade, to kick off her campaign for re-election. Mayor Aufseeser in a tactless maneuver gave out personalized pencils that read, "Mayor Mary Aufseeser" to the crowd as she walked the parade route. This latest demonstration of the self-serving positioning of the current administration is a smack in the face to every Veteran. Mayor Aufseeser and the Borough Council members who handed out pencils, embarrassed themselves and this Borough! Is there nothing that remains sacred!

Up for re-election, Freeholder Rob Clifton and Councilman Paul Buccellato (Mayoral candidate) participated in the Parade. Both exhibited dignity and respect for our Veterans. At least they know the proper decorum for such events!

Shocking Senatorial Votes

A departure from the Matawan Borough data usually discussed on this Blog, this information just irked me. Many of us have parents, grandparents and perhaps ourselves immigrated to this Country. However, they had to learn the language. No special favors given to them. They also paid taxes and social security and as far as I know not one of them EVER asked for a hand out. Nope, no welfare, food stamps, free medical care. Makes you wonder how they survived! It is called HARD WORK! They became citizens of this great country and considered it to be an honor. Never saw a foreign flag hanging next to the American flag in my neighborhood. They were proud to fly the American flag. Suggest you write to your Senators and let them know how you feel. Whether you agree or not!

The following senators voted against making English the official
language of America :

Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-C A)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)<< /FONT>
Lieberman (D-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mik ulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wyden (D-OR)


Now, the following are the senators who voted to give illegal aliens
Social Security benefits.They are grouped by home state. If a state is
not
listed,there was no voting representative.

Alaska: Stevens (R)
Arizona: McCain (R)
Arkansas: Lincoln (D); Pryor (D)
California: Boxer (D): Feinstein (D)
Colorado: Salazar (D)
Connecticut: Dodd (D); Lieberman (D)
Delaware: Biden (D): Carper (D)
Florida: Martinez (R)
Hawaii: Akaka (D): Inouye (D)
Illinois: Durbin (D): Obama (D)
Indiana: Bayh (D): Lugar (R)
Iowa: Harkin (D)
Kansas: Brownback (R)
Louisiana: Landrieu (D)
Maryland: Mikulski (D); Sarbanes (D)
Massachusetts: Kennedy (D); Kerry (D)
Montana: Baucus (D)
Nebraska: Hagel (R)
Nevada: Reid (D)
New Jersey: Lautenberg (D); Menendez (D)
New Mexico: Bingaman (D)
New York:Clinton (D); Schumer (D)
North Dakota: Dorgan (D)
Ohio: DeWine (R); Voinovich(R)
Oregon: Wyden (D)
Pennsylvania: Specter (R)
Rhode Island: Chafee (R); Reed (D)
South Carolina: Graham (R)
South Dakota: Johnson (D)
Vermont: Jeffords (I); Leahy (D)
Washington: Cantwell (D); Murray (D)
West Virginia: Rockefeller (D), by Not Voting
Wisconsin: Feingold (D); Kohl (D)

Update to Matawan Planning/Zoning Board Mtg

Typical of this administration the Planning & Zoning Board meeting last night was a fiasco. Around 8:15pm, the meeting was rescheduled to Monday, June 18, 2007 at 7:30pm. To the chagrin of the people in attendance, there was no quorum. It boggles the mind to think of the 11 members including alternates, the Planning & Zoning Board were one person short for a quorum! Residents most affected by this Development were told there are to be no further written notice of the rescheduled meeting. It would be prudent for the Borough to post this notice on the signboards outside the Community Center and Borough Hall. At the very least, have the rescheduling published in local newspapers.

Personal observations: The Planning & Zoning Board exhibited the attitude of persons engaged in a hobby not in a functioning government body. The Developer and his entourage attended with maps, diagrams and data to make his application. The action of the Board does not encourage the Developer to negotiate with the Borough in a positive manner. The Developer spent monies to be prepared, only to be met with delay. Delay is a negative in construction. Mayor Aufseeser in her appointments to the Board used poor judgment by not placing persons with backgrounds or experience in Planning, Zoning or even construction. If we wanted a car repaired, we have a member who sells tires and a member who does body work….. We have a member who attempted to run for Borough Council last year, dropped out last minute, now is running in the upcoming election for a Borough Council seat. Amazing he was not in attendance at last night’s meeting. Mr. Bunyon you lost the opportunity to make a difference, which voters should keep in mind at election time.

Residents had an opportunity to look at the conceptual drawings of the development. While the postponed meeting delayed the progress, important issues pertaining to current resident problems could not be addressed.

Would we be facing this problem if the Redevelopment of the Transit Village had proceeded as scheduled? Thanks to Aberdeen’s Developer, Silver Oaks we will never know.

Planning & Zoning Board mtg Mon. 5/21 @ 7:30pm

Interested in the impact the new development on Route 79 (former Sloan Paper Products property) attend a "special meeting" of the Planning & Zoning Board at 7:30 pm tonight at 201 Broad St. Matawan. Not too much publicity about this meeting, wonder if it was intentional. Residents of the immediate area and the entire Borough will be impacted by this project. If you don't have a say in this matter now....you can't cry about it later. Don't be misled by the current Board into thinking that we taxpayers are mandated to pay for developing this property. The Developer will make money off this project not the Borough and as such should be financially responsible for development. Proceeding with caution with taxpayer monies is paramount to a successful project.