Another Dem Leader Backs Chris!

Today, Former Asbury Park New Jersey Councilwoman Kate Mellina, a lifelong Democrat, announced her endorsement for Chris Christie and Kim Guadagno for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, citing Jon Corzine's failed leadership and Chris's record of fighting corruption as reasoning for endorsement.
"I am a lifelong Democrat and Obama supporter who has been consistently frustrated by Jon Corzine's lack of leadership in critical areas like tax relief and curbing government waste. As a longtime advocate for New Jersey ethics reform, I believe both parties have failed to enact meaningful change in what has depreciatingly become known as the 'Soprano State'," said Former Asbury Park Democrat Councilwoman Kate Mellina. "As U.S. Attorney, Chris Christie prosecuted over 130 New Jersey officials who sacrificed taxpayer needs for personal gain. As governor, he will bring this same dedication and fearlessness to the overwhelming problems facing New Jersey today."
Councilwoman Mellina joins Perth Amboy Democrat Councilman Ken Balut, Elizabeth Board of Education Member and Democrat County Committeeman Tony Monteiro, Former Union County Freeholder and Elizabeth Board of Education Assistant Board Secretary Donald Goncalves, and Garfield Democrat Councilwoman Tana Raymond in their support for the Christie-Guadagno ticket.

NJ Wax Ban Not Dead

From Jason Nark at the Philadelphia Daily News:
The Hudson Room, on the sixth floor of a nondescript downtown building, is where men and women in business attire make critical decisions about cutting hair, carving out cuticles and waxing body parts in New Jersey's salons and spas.
Tuesday morning, the state's Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling gathered in the windowless room of fluorescent lights and office chairs to discuss the issue of genital waxing for the first time since March 13, when the Daily News reported that the state planned a permanent ban on the painful procedure.
The initial proposal, which would specifically prohibit genital waxing - also known as Brazilian waxing - is set to become law April 25. But that law now will be deemed "under revision" until the board can form a committee to study the issue.
In other words, salons can continue to offer the service, and the state won't interfere. The law banning it will not be enforced while a new one is drawn up.
A spokesman for the Division of Consumer Affairs could not be reached for comment yesterday, but at the meeting Deputy Attorney General Swang Oo said the process of changing state law is not simple.
"It takes a long time," she said. "There's a lot of difficult pieces."
Shortly after the initial waxing proposal made news, Consumer Affairs Director David Szuchman rejected it and asked the board "to begin an immediate review of the training necessary to safely provide this service, and to establish appropriate protocols and safeguards."
Szuchman also recommended that the board not enforce the law banning Brazilian waxes. Most salon and spa owners rejoiced, but according to Rosemary Weiner, chairwoman of the Association of Salon and Spa Professionals in New Jersey, the joy was premature.

'Soprano State' Meets Philly

We joined The Soprano State authors Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure (pictured) for a wonderful party in center city Philadelphia last night at the world famous Irish Pub where Bob, Sandy and their friends celebrated their emergence as New York Times bestselling authors. Among the notables at the event were New Jersey 101's irreverent Jersey Boys, Ray Rossi and Casey Batholomew, the redoubtable Renee from nearby Rouge and Willie Nelson's piano and guitar tuner, introduced to us simply as "Tunen Tom."

If you haven't yet purchased The Soprano State rush out and get this NYT bestseller which details the true story of corruption that has pervaded New Jersey's politics, government and business for the past 30 years. Everything in the book is [sadly] true but it reads like fiction. The Associated Press called it a "page turner" and noted: "You start out laughing and end up pounding he table for reform."

Well, as you may have noticed we are among those pounding the table for reform. And we couldn't think of finer people than Bob and Sandy to lead the way - and more inventive rascals than The Jersey Boys to share the journey. If Jersey is to have any chance at all to climb out of this mess, we need more people like these folks.

After we dined on Irish stew and shepherd's pie at the Irish Pub we relaxed and enjoyed the balmy weather in Rittenhouse Square for awhile before heading over to Marathon-On-The-Square for dessert. There we walked into Philadelphia Museum of Art Director and CEO Anne d'Harnoncourt (looking regal as usual) and her husband, senior museum curator Joe Rishel. You can listen to my podcast interview with Anne d"Harnoncourt by clicking here.

We told the folks at Marathon how much we were longing for waffles and ice cream and even though it wasn't on the menu they quickly obliged with a heavenly version that sent us home ready for sweet dreams.

It was a truly wonderful evening!

Buy This Book!

We went out to Borders last night to welcome Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, authors of the new bestseller "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption." More than 150 people showed up for this event and the book sold out in a matter of minutes. We had to put our names on a waiting list. It's been the same way wherever Bob and Sandy go. The publisher has already sold out of the first printing.

People are thirsting for the truth about the waste, corruption, deceit and mismanagement that have dogged our state. Sandy said she hasn't seen anything like this since the big anti-tax rallies and Florio debacle of 1990. Bob says people are really angry.

Here's what impressed me most about these two veteran journalists: They haven't become so cynical that they even begin to think about "What's the use?" Instead, they're still fighting the Good Fight. What I found refreshing is how much enthusiasm they have and how much they still believe in democracy. Bob kept telling everyone there last night: "Keep fighting. Write. Call. Let your voice be heard." And Sandy smiled in a knowing way as if to say "We can do this."

These two give me hope for the future. And if we can put the breaks on Corzine & Co. we should not stop there. We should go all the way and throw all the rascals out. Then let's give New Jersey what it really needs: initiative, referendum and recall!