The Blues by B.B. King



(11/18/09 other candidates reaction to our double cross at the bottom of page.)

To:  Members of the Clifton, New Jersey School Board

 

From:  Campaign headquarters- (The Computer-Laundry room, 1729 Darmstadt Ave., Mullica Tsp., N.J. 

2009 Gubernatorial candidate, Gary Stein ((running in Monmouth County as an Independent with the 3 word slogan, “Learning the Blues,”            ......              (one of 21 Frank Sinatra slogans with 3 words or less in the song title.))

 

      This being Nov. 2, 2009, or  one day before “the” big event, I could post this quasi public complaint on either the overwrought, overstuffed "Stein for Governor" web site- since I’m officially in this race one more day- or on my competing 6 week old other site, Stein for Congress2010.  I extremely doubt that’s been done before; vote for me for Governor- good people in N. Jersey- and next year I promise after I win, I’ll leave you high and dry for the 2^nd district in South Jersey- and Washington, D.C. That’s the way pissed off super-duper underdogs like me do things; baffling to all but me, (lol)- so I hope the recipients of all this attention take note.

 

Last week I attended a separate, but unequal- gubernatorial candidate’s debate- for the 8 castaways, at the Clifton High School in Passaic County (slogan: “Street of Dreams”).  Up until a few days before the event, the High School was kind enough to make its auditorium available to us at no charge.  One candidate, Gary Steele, graduated from High School there; lived in Clifton for years afterwards; his father was a retired police officer from Clifton; and his mother worked for the school system.  The fact that one newspaper backed out at the last minute from the forum, leaving only one well known columnist from the Newark Star Ledger and one Pace University Professor as panelists, shouldn’t have been an excuse by the Clinton Board of Education to further remind the eight of us- that we don’t count- by sticking it to us- at the last minute with a $1200 charge to use the previously (free of charge) auditorium.  That one minor humiliation, and I assure you there have been  many others, is not the way we’d like to see Civics 101  portrayed to idealistic young students in the public schools. 

 

This open letter might be considered a bushwhacking of certain individuals, except for the fact that this selfish School Board has not responded to several attempts by me to reach out, and remind them that the 8 of us weren’t happy, and please reconsider their decision. My first e-mail was very pleasant and open minded, and the second was as well.... considering.  At this point one week later, I’m betting all 8 of us “other” candidates, for many different reasons, this letter being one, could probably be persuaded to change parties and all register as anarchists.   I’m exaggerating, but doing this civic "thing" does get frustrating.

 

If this seems like much ado about nothing, please consider that the School Board is acting in a very similar fashion to the too often arrogant, free spending, over budgeted state legislature who I’ve promised voters I’d whip into shape!  How can I, one who’s perceived by some in the media- but not your average dlub- as a wacko, sit back quietly and let this decision stand? 

 

  Sincerely,

  Mr. “Give’m Heck"   Stein  ((Give'm Heck Gary: Burlington County, and one of two non-Sinatra slogans.)

  Mullica Tsp., Atlantic County, NJ.  (Atlantic County: that being the one other non Sinatra county, i.e; Rock the Boat)

 

 

 

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Here's that original email to Clifton H.S., (before any of this was posted) banged out in a library on my way home the next day from the debate, after staying overnight at my brothers place in Hackensack.  One or two of the references might not be understandable reading this almost 2 weeks later.  For instance they were seeing my Twitter answer to a question from the Hall Institute of N.J. showing them I wasn't shy about sounding and acting a little ourtrageous, and I send things to reporters.  So what was the response?  The bums never got back to me, even after I sent each board member a seperate e-email.

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Subject: FW: Twitter Debate: Question 4
From: gary stein <thebigmoosenj@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, October 29, 2009 12:39 pm
To: <jimdaleyclifton@optonline.net>, <forsaken@steinforgovernor.com>

Look below, I operate like a mad man now, or one who has to use all the resources available to him.  
I'm beginning a dialogue with you in the hopes of removing that $1000 charge from last night's use of Clifton High School.  Stayed with my brother last night in Hackensack, used his phone this morning to call the High School.  Everybody who moved me along the chain of command was very professional and courteous.  Spoke to Brian in the Business Office.  He patiently listened to my concerns, gave a brief explanation of why the change of opinion on your side concerning the charge.  I can understand somewhat, but you have to put yourselves in mine and a few of the other candidates shoes.......and you will from heare on... hear every pathetic detail of life as the unsung, ignored candidates who are getting no thanks, no thanks at all for getting involved in the PROCESS.  Put that in your civics 101 pipe and smoke it!  I have to sound like this, there's no other way.  I expect you'll do the right thing though.
 
  p.s. the cost for my wife's out of pocket expense for medication to treat numerous medical conditions including diabetes, a heart condition etc. is huge.  Be smart, take off the charge and I'll build you guys up.  Or this can be an issue I can sink my teeth into.  That's what we expect from someone asking for votes and one who promises to tackle Trenton's budget woes, isn't it?
 
Gary Stein  609-703-1741
 
  p.p.s. Forwarding this to a reporter working out of Trenton.  Sorry, I fully expect no problems from your end.  And I'm now going to Clifton web site to make sure I have your email correctly written down.  Got it from Brian this morning.  It's also possible this winds up in your spam.  I know how this shit works.  Do the right thing.
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Continued.....the others chime in

From Gary Steele whose home town I refer to above.
11/05
 
Good job everyone. This has been a great experience. I sent a letter to
  Clifton and copied all of you. I have not turned over our money to them
  yet. I will keep you informed of my negotiations.
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11/14

 I have not heard back from Clifton as of this writing. You all saw my
  letter I forwarded to them. You all may or may not be aware of the hurt and disappointment I felt by my "hometown". As of now we owe the money to Clifton, however I am trying to secure a lower amount. I will call them on Monday. Please do not use this check for any other expenses until I get an all clear from Clifton.
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11/16 From Josh Leinsdorf

Dear Candidates,

       We agreed to pay for the auditorium.  Of course, it could be assumed that the Clifton BOE would try to mess up the debate, and they did.  That's why I suggested hiring a function room at a hotel.  But we should be the people with integrity by living up to our end of the agreement even if the Clifton BOE did not live up to theirs.  Anyway, I was glad to get a chance to look at the plaque dedicated to the 13 alumni of the school who died in Vietnam, and the one who died in Iraq.

      I never mentioned it before, but I cut my teeth in electoral politics as the travel coordinator for the national press accompanying Eugene McCarthy during his 1968 campaign................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................(on, and on it went. sorry Josh.      Gary S.)
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11/16 From Gary Stein to Josh via e-mail

your first paragraph is poppycock.

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11/17  From "Josh" 

First of all, if we don't pay, then the Clifton BOE is making an in-kind contribution to our campaigns.
Second of all, if we don't pay, future opponents will be able to say that we welch on our debts.   (my highlighting, G.S.)
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11/17  From Greg Payson the Socialist Candidate

....Josh, providing a public school for a debate is not an in-kind contribution- ......
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11/17  From Gary Stein to Greg

Exactly!!!!!!  You I don't mind beating me in the vote total.
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11/17 To "Josh" from Gary Stein

Josh lighten up and who ever said anything about not paying?  I won't speak for Gary Steele, but the message I'd sent, and also posted on my web site, it for the Board of Ed. NOT TO CASH THE CHECKS!  Future opponents?  Like the next time we run for Governor?  I'm really looking forward to that !

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The Saga continues into late December......a letter to the 7 other candidates, including me.  Gary Steele collected the checks from each of us.

Gary T. Steele
Attorney At Law
Montville, NJ 07045
December 23,2009


Please be advised I fianlly got in touch with Bryan Jursca from the Clifton Board of Ed.  As you are aware, he is the Assistant Business Administrator.  I asked him why I did not hear from anyone from Clifton since my November 4 letter.  He replied that the Board was not going to reduce the price for us for the debate.  I told him that there was no way I was going to be paying any money until they met with me and/or until they filed suit.  He said that the Board is meeting the first week of January and he would speak with them hopefully prior to the meeting.  They would then make a determination of when I can meet with them.  I believe the full Board of Education meeting is on January 13.  He was going to try and set it up for me then.  I will keep you all informed of what is happening and I apologize that Clifton is being very unreasonable.  However, I feel that we were shafted and did not get what we ordered.

I called Gary Steele at his office on 12/28/09, and told him he has my full support, and reminded him there's a navigation button on this web site honoring the Clifton Board of Ed.

                                                    
The very rarely seen  "Rock the Boat" in 2008,  soon after the first election and in dry dock.  Stein in his best "fighting" stance.