Contact Info

With your help, Maureen Castriotta will be your voice in the NJ State Senate and secure a political structure that best upholds the democratic ideals our American Patriots fervently believed in and fought for. 

All size donations are greatly appreciated and can be made via the Donate button found on the website home page or make your check out to "Maureen Castriotta Victory Committee".  Maureen can be reached my mail, phone, or social media: 

Contact Maureen Castriotta, Independent Candidate for NJ State Senate, 25th District:

Gmail address: bucktheparties@gmail.com
Phone: 973-398-2386
Mail: 21 Salmon Road, Landing, NJ 07850

Contact campaign via social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaureenCastriottaBuckTheParties
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BuckTheParties

A Weekend of Fun in the 25th District!

Looking forward to an exciting weekend on the campaign trail. Hope to meet you along the way!
                                  

Puptoberfest at Horseshoe Lake in Roxbury Township, 9/28,
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Ocktoberfest in Chubb Park, Chester Township, 9/28 & 29, Noon to 8:00 p.m.

 

Boonton Day Celebration, 9/29/, Noon to 4:00 p.m.



Morristown on the Green, 9/29, Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Fenimore Landfill

http://nj1015.com/governor-christie-explains-the-plan-for-the-fenimore-landfill-in-roxbury-audio/

The residents of Roxbury have been long suffering from the government debacle called Fenimore Landfill and have waited a very long time to hear Governor Christie make a public statement about this mess. Now that he finally has, many in Roxbury are shocked, unhappy, and angry. I live in the Landing section of Roxbury Township and let me assure the Governor, the toxic fumes have invaded our homes, our schools, our township and beyond, and people ARE sick! If Christie had bothered to come to Roxbury and talked to the good people here first hand instead of listening to the claptrap propagated by the NJ DEP and DOH, he would know adults, children, and pets are enduring a multitude of health issues due to the toxic waste from the landfill. He would also clearly understand the people of Roxbury refuse to continue to be victims of our government’s incompetence and will accept nothing less than the DEP trucking out the toxic waste from the landfill no matter what it takes or for how many years. It is not enough for Governor Christie to be “mortified” about the circumstances caused by the landfill; he needs to do the right thing. If Christie cares anything about the quality of life in Roxbury and the future well-being of our children, he will order the removal of the landfill’s toxic waste. This is the only acceptable solution that will secure our right to live in a healthy environment and restore Roxbury to the beautiful township it once was before NJ politicians and government officials allowed Fenimore Landfill to be opened up and make our lives a living nightmare.

Fenimore Landfill is the perfect example of party politics vs. the will of the people. Time will tell if the incumbent Republican legislators from the 25th district stand by and fight with their constituents in Roxbury or take the side of their party leader, Christie. The situation's particularly interesting since double-dipping Assemblyman Bucco is also the Roxbury Town Attorney in the Fenimore Landfill matter. This conflict alone is a reason enough to vote out the Bucco father/son political dynasty team. It's time the people of Roxbury and all the citizens of the 25th district have the representation that is not secondary to party politics or questionable conflicts of interest. Remember, as voters you have the power to clean house come this November 5th. A vote for Castriotta as your State Senator is a vote for Independent, ethical representation. 

Overcoming Conflict

Abuse of Power

"The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public."

 

~ ~ ~ Robert F. Kennedy, 'I Remember, I Believe,' The Pursuit of Justice, 1964

Citizenship

Truth

 

Today is POW/MIA National Recognition Day

Today we observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day so that we may honor the courageous members of our nation's Armed Forces who were captured as prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. It's a time to remember and reflect on the cost of freedom. We must never forget the untold sacrifices made by valiant soldiers who went to war and suffered cruel imprisonment by the enemies or still remain missing with their fates unknown.

Over 40 years ago, members of Catholic War Veteran Post 870 in Woodside, Queens spearheaded a nationwide petition drive calling for the release of the 82 man crew of the USS Pueblo taken prisoner by the North Koreans. Their demand for the crew's freedom never ceased throughout the arduous eleven months they were held in captive in prison of war camps. This drive was led by my dad, Joseph S. Petrula, a WW II Army veteran and then Commander of CWV Post 870. As a young girl I learned through my dad's example and that of his comrades that Americans must always support and give recognition to the men and women who served our country so well and this lesson needs to be passed on from one generation to the next. American citizens must make a solemn pledge to never forget the sacrifices of all the brave men and women who defended our country and are defending it still today so that we may enjoy the freedoms of our great nation.

Let us take the time today to honor the valor of America’s POWs and MIAs and give continuing support to their families and loves ones.

The following is President Obama's POW/MIA National Recognition Day Proclamation & a fact sheet from the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office about the significance of the Missing Man Table Ceremony depicted on the 2013 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster:


For Immediate Release

September 19, 2013

Presidential Proclamation -- National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2013

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY, 2013

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Our country endures because in every generation, courageous Americans answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces. They represent the very best of the human spirit, stand tall for the values and freedoms we cherish, and uphold peace and security at home and around the globe. Today, we pay tribute to the service members who have not returned from the battlefield, we stand beside their families, and we honor those who are held captive as prisoners of war. We will never forget their sacrifice, nor will we ever abandon our responsibility to do everything in our power to bring them home.

America remains steadfast in our determination to recover our missing patriots. Our work is not finished until our heroes are returned safely to our shores or a full accounting is provided to their loved ones. We must care for the men and women who have served so selflessly in our name, and we must carry forward the legacy of those whose fates are still unknown. Today, and every day, we express our profound appreciation to our service members, our veterans, our military families, and all those who placed themselves in harm's way to sustain the virtues that are the hallmarks of our Union.

On September 20, 2013, the stark black and white banner symbolizing America's Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the White House; the United States Capitol; the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs; the Selective Service System Headquarters; the World War II Memorial; the Korean War Veterans Memorial; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; United States post offices; national cemeteries; and other locations across our country. We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 20, 2013, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

Thoughts from former U.S. Attorney General District of NJ, Chris Christie

Interesting thoughts about politicians from former U.S. Attorney General for the District of New Jersey, Chris Christie, now Governor of NJ, taken from the 4/25/07 issue of the News Transcript by Clare Marie Celano:

The U.S. attorney said some students may have parents who say voting does not matter, that all politicians are crooks and that it does not matter who you vote for. He acknowledged that many people in public service have given citizens reason to become cynical, but he urged the students not to become cynical.

"Rise above that feeling," Christie said. "It's easier to be cynical. It's easier to not care. It's easier to think that you cannot make a difference. It frees you from the obligation and responsibility to do anything about it. It's easier to say, it's not my problem and let someone else fix it. Unfortunately, no one else is fixing it. There are two types of people in politics, those who want to do something and those who want to be something - beware of those." 

http://nt.gmnews.com/news/2007-04-25/Front_page/004.html

Stand With Women

It's mindboggling women are still fighting oppression in the year 2013!  We certainly need to elect more women legislators in Trenton and Washington and also urge all who hold elected office to sponsor legal reforms that end discriminatory practices and promote gender equality. We must "Stand With Women" and demand economic equality, protect women's health care rights, and promote women leadership!

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/ofa-women_n_3944664.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

 

September 18, 2013

   

Amanda Terkel Become a fan

aterkel@huffingtonpost.com

             

   

OFA Launches Women's Initiative To Step Up Pressure On Congress, State Legislatures

Posted: 09/18/2013 12:00 am EDT

      

Getty

White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett is part of a new women's initiative launched by progressive groups. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for the Women's Sports Foundation)

WASHINGTON -- Progressive groups unveiled a major initiative on Wednesday to draw attention to challenges that women still face and to promote public policies to address gender disparities.
Organizing for Action, dedicated to promoting President Barack Obama's agenda, is launching a "Stand with Women" effort on Wednesday night with more than 100 events in homes around the country.
The events will be centered around economic equity, health and leadership and are intended "to jump-start conversations about important issues and how they uniquely impact women," an OFA representative said.
The grassroots OFA push coincides with an event Wednesday morning in Washington at the Center for American Progress -- working with American Women, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Service Employees International Union -- that will feature House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett.
They will be advocating the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would close some loopholes that allow employers to pay women less than men for the same work, as well as measures to raise the minimum wage, mandate paid sick and family leave and expand affordable child care.
OFA says there were more than 300 measures to roll back women's rights in 2013 state legislative sessions, making the new initiative urgent.
"OFA supporters will mobilize in their communities to make sure their voices are heard -- from state capitals to Washington, D.C.," said OFA spokeswoman Katie Hogan.
Beyond reproductive freedom, women are still seeking economic justice. Women earned just 77 cents for every dollar that men earned in 2012, according to new Census Bureau data. Even at the top, in Fortune 500 companies, there are only 21 female CEOs.
View OFA's infographics:

 

 

 

September 17th, Constitution Day

The United States Constitution was drafted and signed during the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia from May 14 to September 17, 1787.
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/

I Support the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in New Jersey

I support the legalization of same-sex marriage and am saddened and angered Governor Christie has vetoed the right for gays to marry in NJ. We need lawmakers in Trenton who have the moral fortitude to override his veto and secure this right. This is just one issue that points to how crucial it is to elect legislators who will stand up and do the right thing for their constituents instead of bending to the will of party politics and the two party machine. It's time to Buck the Parties and vote Independent. I have always fought for laws that ensure all people their basic equal rights and will continue to do so as State Senator of the 25th district in Morris County.

 http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2013/09/amick_gay_marriage_advocates_l.html

 

Amick: Gay marriage advocates lobby to override Christie's veto

 

Garden State Equality and other gay rights groups rally on the steps of the New Jersey State House in Trenton in June. (Carmine Galasso photo)

 

 By George Amick/For The Times The Times, Trenton
on September 16, 2013 at 7:23 AM, updated September 16, 2013 at 7:26 AM

It would appear at first glance to be Mission: Impossible.
A group of prominent advocates is attempting to persuade Republicans and a handful of reluctant Democrats in the Legislature to help override Gov. Chris Christie’s 2012 veto of a same-sex marriage bill before the current term expires in January 2014.
Well-financed and well-organized, they’re undaunted by the near-total control Christie has wielded up to now over his fellow Republicans in the Senate and Assembly.
Not once since he became governor have the Democratic legislative leaders been able to muster the two-thirds “supermajority” in each house needed to override a veto. The power a New Jersey chief executive possesses to help or hurt a lawmaker’s political career and Republicans’ awareness of how this extraordinarily short-fused incumbent would likely react if they disrespected him have combined to keep his record perfect.
Add the likelihood that soon after the override vote on the marriage bill is held, Christie will be sworn in for a second term with a big re-election victory under his belt, and the conventional wisdom would say it can’t be done.
But New Jersey United for Marriage, a new alliance of national and state gay rights and civil rights groups, believes it can.
It has been able to attract wealthy activists to provide funding; corporate leaders to talk up the economic benefits of marriage equality; über-lobbyists such as Dale Florio and Hazel Gluck; prominent Republicans such as Steve Schmidt, a key adviser to Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, and Tom Wilson, a former state GOP chairman; and communications specialists such as Chris Donnelly, press secretary for the Senate Democratic majority.
The bill Christie vetoed, S1, passed the Senate 24-16, with two Republicans, Sens. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) and Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank), voting yes and two Democrats voting no. If those four votes remain unchanged, three additional yes votes will be needed to beat the veto.
In the Assembly, the tally was 42-33, with no Republicans voting yes, two Democrats voting no, three Republicans and one Democrat not voting, and one Democratic seat temporarily vacant. A veto override will require 12 additional ayes.
At least three of those 12 — one Republican and two Democratic — are in sight right now.
The Republican, freshman Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi of River Vale, who didn’t vote earlier, now says she’ll support the override effort.
For her, the deciding factor was the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act. With DOMA dead, federal agencies can grant benefits to same-sex married couples in the 13 states, plus the District of Columbia, which allow such marriages. At one stroke, the justices ended any pretense that New Jersey’s law authorizing civil unions affords the equal rights and privileges to same-sex couples to which the New Jersey Supreme Court has said they’re entitled.
On the Democratic side, the two Assembly members who weren’t available for the original vote, Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton) and Gabriela Mosquera (D-Laurel Springs), also intend to back the override, although DeAngelo said he’ll listen to constituents on both sides of the issue first.
“I’m for equal treatment,” he told me. Carol Murphy, a spokeswoman for Mosquera, said her boss “supports same-sex marriage and will vote for the override.”
The two other Republicans who didn’t vote in 2012, Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver) and Mary Pat Angelini (R-Ocean), haven’t committed themselves, but United for Marriage members think there’s a good chance the two will end up on their side.
The advocates intend to make their case to individual lawmakers with arguments such as these:

“Assemblywoman Schepisi said it: The Supreme Court’s decision to throw out DOMA was a game-changer. It’s now clear that New Jersey’s civil union law doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do. As legislators who respect the national and state constitutions, you should want to address that problem.
“Inevitably, same-sex marriage is going to come to New Jersey. We’re one of only two states in the Northeast — Pennsylvania is the other — that doesn’t allow it. Polls show it’s favored by up to 64 percent of the public. It will become a reality here either because you vote it in or because the courts order it, and it’s on a potential fast track in the state courts right now.
“If you do the job, you can assure churches and clergy and religious organizations in your districts that object to same-sex marriage that nothing will change for them; they’ll have no obligation to solemnize gay weddings or acknowledge them in any way. The bill makes that clear. There’s no guarantee that a court decision would do the same. That should be an incentive to you to take the initiative yourselves.
“The Christie factor? Assume the governor is re-elected. Whether he wins big or wins small, the day he takes the oath of office he’ll be a lame duck. The pressure on you to do things his way will ease. In a couple of years, he could resign to run for president. But you’ll still be here, probably long after he’s gone. As for other concerns, we can show you evidence that only a tiny number of legislators nationwide who voted for gay marriage paid any price for it at election time.
“It’s going to be part of your legacy, one way or another. If it happens because of the courts, and not because of your vote, it will be a part of history that you can’t change. Do you really want to have to explain a few years from now — when marriage equality will be in the mainstream, not even in the discussion any longer — why you resisted it to the end?”

That’s the pitch. Will it be persuasive? Stay tuned.

 

 

Civil Obedience Is Our Problem

Leadership

Democracy

One of the Saddest Lessons of History

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance

Let us always honor the memories of the 9/11 victims, give support to their families and loved ones, and give thanks to the firefighters, law enforcement, rescue personnel, and members of our military services for their heroic efforts on that tragic day and all the days in it's aftermath. God Bless America!

 

 

 

 

Morris County September 11th Remembrance Service & Candlelight Vigil, September 8, 2013

On Sunday evening, Sept. 8, I attended the Morris County September 11th Remembrance Service and Candlelight Vigil to honor and remember those lost on September 11, 2011. It was a beautiful service with representatives from Morris County Fire Departments and Emergency Management Services, guest speaker Edward Dickson, Director of NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, various elected officials, and the Morris Choral Society.

 

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Below are photos from the year I participated in the Morris County 9/11 Memorial Service with my fellow members of VFW Post #2833 and its Ladies Auxiliary. I'm very grateful to have this beautiful memorial here in Morris County in tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11. The Morris County Memorial is made of three steel beams from the World Trade Center; pieces of United Airlines Flight #93 that slammed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and soil from the grounds of the Pentagon where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed. The memorial's located on West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany across from Morris View Healthcare Center and next to the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy

Wonderful time talking to the voters and enjoying the music and awesome dancing at a very festive "Netcong Day"!

Had a great day meeting and talking to visitors at "Olde Succasunny Day" in Roxbury Township! Thank you to all the sponsors for giving me the opportunity to participate in this wonderful annual event!