The Clarion Call Has Sounded - Independents Are On The Rise And Here To Stay!

Dear Family, Friends, and Fellow Citizens in the 25th District,

Although my hopes may have been dashed, my resolve has been strengthened and I'm confident this also holds true for you. The entrenched political party machine held fast in this election but the indefatigable spirit of Independents has risen and cannot be suppressed! I greatly thank and congratulate all those who voted for the purpose of enlightenment and change in our state government and am deeply honored by your belief in me as a leader in this movement.

The power for change is in the hands of the people and we must use it. Citizens must become informed, get involved, and commit to action by getting out the vote for viable, independent candidates. By doing so, we can bring about the needed structural reform to our political system that will upend the political party politicians gripping our lives and create a deliberative, reflective democracy that works for the common good and secures the improvement of quality of life for all.

Our mission to break the hold of a two-party system that does not represent the fastest growing block of voters has been dealt a blow, but it cannot be stopped. So, stand proud! Together, we have sounded a rousing clarion call proclaiming Independents are on the rise and here to stay, and together, we will persevere!

I leave you with the words of our nation’s great, pertinacious President, Abraham Lincoln. Although Lincoln lost more elections than he won, he never let his political defeats or his personal travails diminish his belief in himself, his fellow citizens, and the ideals of our great democracy.

This excerpt from a statement by Abraham Lincoln was published in The Sangamo Journal in 1832. Lincoln was seeking his first seat in the Illinois General Assembly. He lost the election, running eighth in a field of 13 candidates.

“Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition, is yet to be developed. I am young and unknown to many of you. I was born and have ever remained in the most humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or popular relations to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of this county, and if elected they will have conferred a favor upon me, for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to compensate. But if the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the back ground, I have been too familiar with disappointments to be very much chagrined.” - Abraham Lincoln

With Humble Appreciation,
Maureen Castriotta, your fellow citizen

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2013/11/republicans_dominate_25th_district_dash_independents_hopes_for_insurgency.html

Republicans dominate 25th District, dash independents' hopes for insurgency

 

Louis C. Hochman/NJ.com By Louis C. Hochman/NJ.com The Star-Ledger
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on November 05, 2013 at 10:05 PM, updated November 06, 2013 at 3:58 PM

A highly visible and well-funded campaign wasn't enough earn independent candidate Rebecca Feldman a win over longtime Republican Michael Patrick Carroll in the 25th District Assembly race Tuesday.

 

"I don't know what she spent her money on," Carroll said while watching television reports of other legislative races from the Famished Frog, where Republicans from throughout the county gathered for election night.

Feldman and fellow independent Jack Curtis had set their sights on Carroll, running separate campaigns — though both were also running in opposition to Republican Anthony M. Bucco.
Neither came close to displacing either Republican candidate — nor did Maureen Castriotta of Roxbury, running against Bucco's father, incumbent Republican state Sen. Anthony R. Bucco.

Feldman made the best showing of the independents in a race that saw no Democratic ticket. But as unofficial results came in Tuesday night, she had only about a quarter as many votes as either Republican.

The Republicans even led her in Morristown, where she has served as a councilwoman.

"When a Republican beats you in a Democratic town, your own town, you know you've got a problem," Carroll said. "Maybe if she'd run as the Democrat she really is, she would have done
better."

Feldman could not be reached for comment immediately Tuesday night.

Feldman, like Castriotta, has eschewed party labels in the race — Feldman said she once registered as a Democrat to run in a primary, but she has only held office as an independent.

She and Curtis, a former Dover alderman, both criticized the libertarian-leaning Carroll as too extreme for New Jersey politics. Feldman's platform also included reform to sick leave payouts, incentivizing "smart growth" projects, finding alternatives to New Jersey's current balance of income, sales and property taxes, developing connections between universities and the private sector and fostering upward mobility for workers."

Curtis, in his campaign materials, said  the state should not give tax breaks and subsidies to large corporations. He said it should push harder to get more federal money invested in New Jersey, said bridges and other infrastructure should be made a high priority and advocated reducing the blood alcohol limit for drivers from .08 percent to .05 percent. He's a supporter of heavier taxes on millionaires and wants a comprehensive plan to stop beach erosion.

Carroll has said he'd like to see school funding formulas in New Jersey changed to distribute state aid more evenly. Currently, aid is given to certain districts deemed in greater need to ensure their students receive education in line with constitutional requirements. A change to a more equitable disbursement, Carroll said, would be a "huge, huge" benefit to 25th District towns.

More generally, he favors a minimalist approach to government, and boasts that he's never voted in favor of a tax increase.

Carroll has also been among the legislature's stronger advocates of gun rights — which put him in opposition to Feldman's advocacy for universal national background checks and a federal assault weapons ban.

Both Buccos have said New Jersey needs to do more to keep businesses in the state, and said more progress needs to be made on the Gov. Chris Christie's "toolkit" —  a package of proposals meant to provide property tax relief.

Castriotta had argued an independent voice would be valuable in the state legislature. She also said she's support a constitutional convention to overhaul New Jersey's tax system.

The 25th District includes a large portion of Morris County and Bernardsville in Somerset County.

 

© 2013 NJ.com. All rights reserved.

I Voted to Buck the Parties Today! Did You?

 

 

 

 

Thank you and Buck the Parties!

My deepest heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported me and shown me such kindness during my campaign as Independent candidate for State Senate in the 25th district! It's been truly an honor to meet so many wonderful people,  have this extraordinary experience, and play a small part in our great democracy's political process!

I hope  you will give me the chance to work for you in the State Senate but no matter the outcome of this election, please know how proud I am to be an American citizen and that I will continue my lifelong passion of fighting for the greater good with the hope of inspiring others to do the same.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and using your right to vote. It's good citizens like you who are role models for our youth and are making a difference.

Now on to victory! Time to Buck the Parties!  Vote Column 3 and elect Independent candidate, Maureen Castriotta, for State Senate in the 25th district. Together we can end the entitled culture of NJ politics and bring common sense and common decency to NJ government!

Walking the Walk to Reduce Government & Property Taxes in NJ: Maureen Castriotta Key Player in Petition Drive to Study Municipal Consolidation between Roxbury and Mount Arlington

New Jersey's property taxes are the highest in the nation. Throughout my tenure as a school board member and my campaign as Independent candidate for State Senate, I have walked the walk and taken action to lower our property taxes and reduce our bloated government bureaucracy. As your elected lawmaker in the State Senate, I will continue my fight for property tax reform by promoting consolidation and shared services a major initiative in our legislature.

Isn't it time we had a Senator who will fight to keep your tax dollars in your pockets?
Buck the Parties and vote for Castriotta, Independent candidate for State Senate on Nov. 5th!

Roxbury and Mount Arlington Residents File Petition to Study Municipal Consolidation 

 

 ROXBURY AND MOUNT ARLINGTON – November 1, 2013 – Citizens representing Roxbury and Mount Arlington today submitted petitions to clerks in both municipalities calling for a municipal consolidation study commission. 

 

Nearly 400 signed petitions were handed in to the Roxbury municipal clerk today, while Mount Arlington residents handed in 111 signatures. In both towns, there were dozens of extra signatures submitted. 

 

Once the petitions are certified, the citizens’ group can then work on an application with the state to form the consolidation commission, comprising five residents of each town. The commission is designed to study the pros and cons of merging the towns, and if the issue should go before voters of both communities. 

 

The process, which follows the Municipal Consolidation Act of 2007, is similar to what is now taking place in Scotch Plains and Fanwood, which formed their consolidation commission earlier this year in partnership with local elected officials.  

 

“This is another example of local citizens working under state law to promote change,” said Gina Genovese, executive director, Courage to Connect New Jersey, which is assisting the citizens’ group through the process. “The group of petitioners in Mount Arlington and Roxbury are making history for their hometowns, calling for an analysis to see if the two towns are better together.” 

 

The effort was put together by the Roxbury Taxpayer Association, including Fran Day, Garry DeFilippis and Chris Rogers, this year’s Roxbury School Board candidates. Another key player has been Maureen Castriotta, Independent candidate for State Senate in the 25th District, who has made consolidation one of her key issues during her campaign.

In Mount Arlington, the effort was driven by former Councilman Gene Paradiso, a current school board member who joined a group to merge the towns in the 1990s, before the Municipal Consolidation Act of 2007 was adopted. 

 

“The only focus I have concerning this topic is that there is a need to complete the Fact-Finding phase of such an effort,” Paradiso said. “I am personally not in favor or against following through with Consolidation.  I would like to uncover all the variables and related facts so that this topic can finally have the facts and the community given the ability to weigh their options in a non-emotional manner.” 

 

President of Roxbury TEAM, Craig Heard added, “We share the goal of improving educational quality in the schools by eliminating waste, lowering property taxes and directing savings to the classroom. That is why we have played an integral part in raising awareness about consolidation.” 

 

 

The effort to gather petition signatures began October 2012, with residents from both towns meeting to discuss the petition process. 

 

“We formed a team to raise awareness about consolidation, and petition residents’ signatures to submit proper documentation to the state Department of Community Affairs and ultimately get approval for a Consolidation Study that would analyze feasibility,” Heard said. “Now, with the petitions submitted, the goal is to analyze potential savings by consolidating municipal functions, school administration, and adoption of best practices.   

 

Roxbury and Mount Arlington are not the first to pursue this initiative. Princeton Borough and Princeton Township conducted the study in 2011, and consolidated on January 1. The merged town has more than $3 million in tax savings and has received positive feedback from residents.  

 

More information is available at www.RoxburyTEAM.org or www.couragetoconnectnj.org. 

                                                                         

 

 

 

 

                                                 

Independents are on the rise in the 25th District!

Independents are on the rise and you, the people, have the power to clean house in the 25th district and Trenton!

Vote Maureen Castriotta for State Senate on November 5th and give the will of the people a seat in our state government!

 http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2013/11/independents_hope_disgust_with_partisan_politics_translates_to_victory_in_njs_25th_district.html

Independents hope disgust with party politics translates to victory in NJ's 25th district

                                                                

Louis C. Hochman/NJ.com By Louis C. Hochman/NJ.com The Star-Ledger
Email the author
on November 01, 2013 at 4:55 PM, updated November 01, 2013 at 6:44 PM 

It's been a long time since anyone outside of the GOP represented the historically Republican 25th legislative district.

And this year, the local Democratic party isn't even putting up a fight — it hasn't nominated any challengers to the father-son team of state Sen. Anthony R. Bucco and Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, or to libertarian-leaning Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll.

Instead, the battle to unseat the incumbents is being fought by independents — all running separately. If successful, they would be the only independents in the legislature.
Morristown Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman and former Dover Alderman Jack Curtis are both taking aim at Carroll — though as Assembly candidates, they're in contention for either available seat.

And Maureen Castriotta of Roxbury is making her lack of political affiliation a centerpiece of her campaign, running under the banner "Buck the Parties" and looking to displace the elder Bucco.

"The message that I've been getting — I'm actually amazed at the breadth of support I'm getting from both sides of the aisle," Feldman, possibly the most visible campaigner among the independents, said. "Many people tell me while they're registered to vote in a primary, they think of themselves as independents, and they're thrilled as the prospect of having a successful, proven independent representative working for them in Trenton."

There are no tickets among the independents in the 25th District, which includes a large portion of Morris County and Bernardsville in Somerset County.
 And Curtis said in the 25th District, which generally favors Republicans in countywide and legislative elections, any Democrat or independent faces an uphill battle.

"But I'm tired of the Republicans and Democrats not being able to sit down at the table and work with each other," Curtis, a principal at a Roxbury elementary school, said. He pointed to recent battles over judicial nominations between Gov. Chris Christie and state Senate Democrats by way of example. "I think it would be interesting to have an independent who would speak up. I would take my recess whistle and tell them they have to play together like good boys and girls."

And Castriotta said she's heard from residents who are fed up with a two-party system and with political machines.

"Trenton is a hotbed of political patronage, cronyism and conflicts of interest," she said. "And I believe Sen. Bucco and his son have built a pretty nice political dynasty for themselves."

But the incumbent Republicans tell a different story — one of cross-the-aisle cooperation and far less dramatic polarization in New Jersey than, say, in Washington, D.C.

"I think people look at what's wrong with Washington, and they say, 'Wait a minute, we haven't had that gridlock, we haven't had that problem here in New Jersey.'" Assemblyman Bucco said. "I've had 12 bills that have been through the legislature, and signed by the governor, and the majority of those were bipartisan bills."

He pointed to measures regarding pension and health benefit reforms, as well as budgets approved on a bipartisan basis.
"I can understand some people's frustration," he said. "But when you look at the state legislature, it's just not like it is in Washington."

The assemblyman's father, senator Bucco, called it "a bit of rhetoric when someone says you need an independent voice."

"You need voices that can get things done, and can work together to get things done," he said.

The Senate race

The elder Bucco has served in the state senate since 1998, and had been an assemblyman prior that.

He said he's looking to create a more business-friendly atmosphere in New Jersey, where he said staggering taxes are making it too tempting for businesses to leave the state.

"A lot of it has to do with the governor's toolkit (a package of bills meant to lower government spending and taxes). We didn't get all of the toolkit through," he said. "Part of that had to do with civil service reform, part of it with shared services. I think we'll be looking at a lot of that next year."

Castriotta said incumbent legislators have "dropped the ball" on high property taxes, securing employment for New Jersey residents and curbing or ending large sick and vacation payouts for retiring public employees. She said she would favor a constitutional convention to rework New Jersey's tax system, and opposes a law ended referendums on school budgets in many communities.
"I'm for the practice of wise, prudent and transparent spending," she said. She's part of a group
looking at consolidating her town of Roxbury with neighboring Mount Arlington.

The Assembly race

The younger Bucco and Carroll are again running as a ticket, though both Feldman and Curtis said, given the choice, they'd prefer to displace Carroll.

Feldman and Carroll are notably at odds over gun control. She helped start an organization that advocates for universal background checks and bans on certain types of guns.

Carroll would see New Jersey's gun control laws scaled back. For instance, he's long sponsored a bill that would require New Jersey to grant concealed-carry permits to anyone who demonstrates competence with a firearm, and who isn't otherwise prohibited from owning guns.

Feldman said Carroll has a "long record of rhetoric over results, and his viewpoints are not representative of the majority of moderate people that I'm talking to in all 22 towns in our district."

Curtis offered a similar criticism of the incumbent, saying of Carroll "When you're that extreme and far afield, it's hard to have people take you seriously and get anything done." He said Assemblyman Bucco strikes him as more of a centrist.

But Carroll countered that, saying he and Carroll have similar voting records, and saying he has worked with Democrats on measures such as medical marijuana reform.

In his campaign materials, Carroll advocates abolishing housing mandates and the highlands act, repealing tax increasing instituted by recent Democratic governors, abolishing affirmative action programs, prohibiting borrowing without voter approval and requiring legislative super-majorities to increase taxes.

"I've never voted for a tax increase," he said. "I believe in small, efficient, restrained government. I believe for general freedom, that the government as much as possible should leave us alone."
He said he'd like to see school funding formulas in New Jersey changed to distribute state aid more evenly. Currently, aid is given to certain districts deemed in greater need to ensure their students receive education in line with constitutional requirements. A change to a more equitable disbursement, Carroll said, would be a "huge, huge" benefit to 25th District towns.

His running mate, Assemblyman Bucco, echoed his father's concern that the tax climate is too unfriendly to New Jersey businesses. And, like his father, he said more progress needs to be made on the governor's toolkit.

"We need civil service reform. We need to tackle sick and vacation payouts. That has a direct impact on property taxes,' he said. Like Carroll, he said local districts don't get a fair share of school funding.

Feldman's platform also includes reform to sick leave payouts, incentivizing "smart growth" projects, finding alternatives to New Jersey's current balance of income, sales and property taxes, developing connections between universities and the private sector and fostering upward mobility for workers."

Carroll called both the independents "stealth Democrats." Feldman had registered as an independent to vote in a primary election, she said, but has only held office as an independent. Curtis was a Republican when he served in Dover.

"I believe those who are mired in typical partisan thinking would like to paint me as one party or the other to keep me from winning," she said.

Curtis, in his campaign materials, says the state should not give tax breaks and subsidies to large corporations. He says it should push harder to get more federal money invested in New Jersey, says bridges and other infrastructure should be made a high priority and advocates reducing the blood alcohol limit for drivers from .08 percent to .05 percent. He's a supporter of heavier taxes on millionaires and wants a comprehensive plan to stop beach erosion.

An educator, Curtis also said he opposes standardized tests as a measure of student and school performance.

"They're really issues that are in the middle of the road," Curtis said. "That's where I consider myself to be."

All the candidates said they support increased opportunities for shared services and cost savings.

 

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