Do You Support Trenton's A.C. Takeover? 
PART I: Exclusive Interview with Assemblyman Vince Polistina
By Matt Rooney | February 2, 2009
Good morning and welcome to Monday, Save Jersey. Here's my exclusive interview with assemblyman, businessman, and avid Save Jersey reader Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic).
In this first installment, we discuss:
On Deciding to Run for Office
ROONEY: So what made you want to get involved in politics to begin with?
POLISTINA: I've done work on behalf of candidates for 10-15 years now, was very involved in the community with a number of things, but never really looked at elected office. Then we went through that split we had last year down here in Atlantic County, and that opened up some opportunites. We had two elected officials from local communities that had announced they wanted to run for the assembly before we had that big state senate contest. And I just thought we needed to get some other, new names out there and have a little competitive process at the convention.
So I put my name out there. I was very close with Sonny (McCollough), he was one of the guys I had worked on behalf of for years. And so I put my name out there and ended up making it through the convention process and ended up an elected official.
On Election 2009 in Atlantic County
ROONEY: The 2nd is likely to be the most hotly contested legislative district in New Jersey, or at least south of Trenton. You and Assemblyman Amodeo were major targets in 2007, and it's likely to be that way again in 2009. You're also the only two Republican legislative officials left in New Jersey's six southernmost counties. It's gotta be kind of a strange feeling to know that that many people are gunning for you with huge sums of money.
POLISTINA: We went through it in 2007, and I'm not really feeling much differently now going into it again. Yeah, John and I are the only two down here, but Atlantic County has always had a history of ticket-splitting. And I think people are generally happy with the job John and I have done. So if anything, I think we're in better shape that we were in back in 2007. Of course we're targets, because there's this game of "RISK" that the Camden County Machine likes to play to take over South Jersey. But we've dealt with it once, we'll deal with it this year, and we're gearing up and getting ready to go.
One of the things that was disappointing is that last time they resorted to lies. And those guys lie when they have to, so one of the challenges is reigning those lies in. My criticism isn't anything personal against anyone. John and I simply do what we have to do to make sure people don't take things from the people of this state for their own personal benefit.
On How to Revive the South Jersey GOP
ROONEY: The South Jersey GOP is a shadow of its former self. Machine politics and demographic changes have played a role, but many of these towns and counties are still Reagan Democrat country. How can South Jersey Republicans revive the GOP down here?
POLISTINA: Hopefully we (the South Jersey GOP) have a big gubernatorial election this year. I think a big component of it would be for us to not only win here, but if we could win the gubernatorial election I think that would begin to turn things around.
Republicans need to stick to our fiscal message. Unfortunately that's what we didn't do last time we were in control, and it cost us. We need to stick to our fiscal message, and we need people to articulate the message that the way government keeps taxing our citizens and businesses is accomplishing nothing but to drive people out of the state. And it's costing us revenue as more people leave, so we need to lower the tax burden. That will attract both people and businesses back into the state, and we can grow revenue instead of this continuing decline we've seen. And that's the message we need to get out there, and that's what John and I will be talking about. Other people, in other legislative districts, along with the gubernatorial candidates, need to be on message about restoring fiscal sanity to this state.
When McGreevey raised the top income tax rate from 6% to 9%, a lot of people simply left. They just said "see ya later, we're not doing this anymore" and left for homes in Florida or the Carolinas. The Democrats predicted all of these great revenues that were going to come out of these higher taxes and it never happened. And that's what we continue to see in the state of New Jersey.
Government's priorities should be education, public safety, and protecting the most vulnerable. And until we can do those three things, on the same level as the best other states in the nation, then we shouldn't be worried about anything else. Let's focus on the priorities, get rid of all this other stuff; that way we would lower the cost and size of government and make it more responsive to the people's needs.
On His Calling Governor Corzine An "Unmitigated Disaster"
ROONEY: You've been widely quoted for observing that "No one, looking at the situation rationally, could admit that Gov. Jon Corzine hasn’t been an unmitigated disaster.” I agree, and I'm sure it's for the same reasons. But could you elaborate for the benefit of our Save Jerseyans?
POLISTINA: I think there's two basic areas to look at.
First of all, he came in with very high expectations. People thought that he knew what he was doing because he has more money than he knows what to do with, had worked on Wall Street, could really clean up New Jersey's fiscal situation. And now, three years later, all we've seen is a rise in the state sales tax, he just raised the tolls, he borrowed money for transportation funding with no principle payments until 2023, which really percipitated my "unmitigated disaster" statement.
Now, my 4 year old son will make the first principle payments on road work we're doing today in 2023 when he's 18 years old. And that's kinda tough. Next, Corzine's trying to kick the can down the road with this pension deferral, and it's just one thing after another with the payroll tax and paid family leave.
We've offered some alternatives which he won't even talk to us about. It's just been one long series of events where his fiscal policies have resulted in disaster, and they are truly unmitigated because there's a Democrat legislature too so he goes unchecked. So the cost of living in the state has just increased tremendously during his three years as governor.
Second, you have to look at the ethical stuff. Look at him spending money to protect emails. He says nothing's there, and that he wants to protect future governors. But he's made his point about protecting executive privilege, and if there's nothing there, then he should release the emails.
He had a bagman on staff, for a period of time, that they didn't want to get rid of until the guy quit. He gave $2 million where his buddy was on the board at New York University. We have this whole controversy about the money going into Xanadu while Gary Rose was investing in it. So I see just a myriad of ethical transgressions from this governor that are simply disappointing.
That's really where my quote came from.
------------
I hope you enjoyed Part I of my interview with Assemblyman Polistina.
Remember to check back next Monday, February 9th for the second and final installment.
We'll discuss:
Good morning and welcome to Monday, Save Jersey. Here's my exclusive interview with assemblyman, businessman, and avid Save Jersey reader Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic).
In this first installment, we discuss:
- How he got involved in politics
- His upcoming battle for re-election
- What must be done to revive Republicanism in South Jersey
- Why he thinks Governor Corzine is an "unmitigated disaster"
On Deciding to Run for Office
ROONEY: So what made you want to get involved in politics to begin with?
POLISTINA: I've done work on behalf of candidates for 10-15 years now, was very involved in the community with a number of things, but never really looked at elected office. Then we went through that split we had last year down here in Atlantic County, and that opened up some opportunites. We had two elected officials from local communities that had announced they wanted to run for the assembly before we had that big state senate contest. And I just thought we needed to get some other, new names out there and have a little competitive process at the convention.
So I put my name out there. I was very close with Sonny (McCollough), he was one of the guys I had worked on behalf of for years. And so I put my name out there and ended up making it through the convention process and ended up an elected official.
On Election 2009 in Atlantic County
ROONEY: The 2nd is likely to be the most hotly contested legislative district in New Jersey, or at least south of Trenton. You and Assemblyman Amodeo were major targets in 2007, and it's likely to be that way again in 2009. You're also the only two Republican legislative officials left in New Jersey's six southernmost counties. It's gotta be kind of a strange feeling to know that that many people are gunning for you with huge sums of money.
POLISTINA: We went through it in 2007, and I'm not really feeling much differently now going into it again. Yeah, John and I are the only two down here, but Atlantic County has always had a history of ticket-splitting. And I think people are generally happy with the job John and I have done. So if anything, I think we're in better shape that we were in back in 2007. Of course we're targets, because there's this game of "RISK" that the Camden County Machine likes to play to take over South Jersey. But we've dealt with it once, we'll deal with it this year, and we're gearing up and getting ready to go.
One of the things that was disappointing is that last time they resorted to lies. And those guys lie when they have to, so one of the challenges is reigning those lies in. My criticism isn't anything personal against anyone. John and I simply do what we have to do to make sure people don't take things from the people of this state for their own personal benefit.
On How to Revive the South Jersey GOP
ROONEY: The South Jersey GOP is a shadow of its former self. Machine politics and demographic changes have played a role, but many of these towns and counties are still Reagan Democrat country. How can South Jersey Republicans revive the GOP down here?
POLISTINA: Hopefully we (the South Jersey GOP) have a big gubernatorial election this year. I think a big component of it would be for us to not only win here, but if we could win the gubernatorial election I think that would begin to turn things around.
Republicans need to stick to our fiscal message. Unfortunately that's what we didn't do last time we were in control, and it cost us. We need to stick to our fiscal message, and we need people to articulate the message that the way government keeps taxing our citizens and businesses is accomplishing nothing but to drive people out of the state. And it's costing us revenue as more people leave, so we need to lower the tax burden. That will attract both people and businesses back into the state, and we can grow revenue instead of this continuing decline we've seen. And that's the message we need to get out there, and that's what John and I will be talking about. Other people, in other legislative districts, along with the gubernatorial candidates, need to be on message about restoring fiscal sanity to this state.
When McGreevey raised the top income tax rate from 6% to 9%, a lot of people simply left. They just said "see ya later, we're not doing this anymore" and left for homes in Florida or the Carolinas. The Democrats predicted all of these great revenues that were going to come out of these higher taxes and it never happened. And that's what we continue to see in the state of New Jersey.
Government's priorities should be education, public safety, and protecting the most vulnerable. And until we can do those three things, on the same level as the best other states in the nation, then we shouldn't be worried about anything else. Let's focus on the priorities, get rid of all this other stuff; that way we would lower the cost and size of government and make it more responsive to the people's needs.
On His Calling Governor Corzine An "Unmitigated Disaster"
ROONEY: You've been widely quoted for observing that "No one, looking at the situation rationally, could admit that Gov. Jon Corzine hasn’t been an unmitigated disaster.” I agree, and I'm sure it's for the same reasons. But could you elaborate for the benefit of our Save Jerseyans?
POLISTINA: I think there's two basic areas to look at.
First of all, he came in with very high expectations. People thought that he knew what he was doing because he has more money than he knows what to do with, had worked on Wall Street, could really clean up New Jersey's fiscal situation. And now, three years later, all we've seen is a rise in the state sales tax, he just raised the tolls, he borrowed money for transportation funding with no principle payments until 2023, which really percipitated my "unmitigated disaster" statement.
Now, my 4 year old son will make the first principle payments on road work we're doing today in 2023 when he's 18 years old. And that's kinda tough. Next, Corzine's trying to kick the can down the road with this pension deferral, and it's just one thing after another with the payroll tax and paid family leave.
We've offered some alternatives which he won't even talk to us about. It's just been one long series of events where his fiscal policies have resulted in disaster, and they are truly unmitigated because there's a Democrat legislature too so he goes unchecked. So the cost of living in the state has just increased tremendously during his three years as governor.
Second, you have to look at the ethical stuff. Look at him spending money to protect emails. He says nothing's there, and that he wants to protect future governors. But he's made his point about protecting executive privilege, and if there's nothing there, then he should release the emails.
He had a bagman on staff, for a period of time, that they didn't want to get rid of until the guy quit. He gave $2 million where his buddy was on the board at New York University. We have this whole controversy about the money going into Xanadu while Gary Rose was investing in it. So I see just a myriad of ethical transgressions from this governor that are simply disappointing.
That's really where my quote came from.
------------
I hope you enjoyed Part I of my interview with Assemblyman Polistina.
Remember to check back next Monday, February 9th for the second and final installment.
We'll discuss:
- His ongoing feud with state Senator Jim Whelan (D)
- The sports betting debate in Atlantic City
- What he'd add to our Save Jersey "Contract with New Jersey"
...and the $1 million question: is he interested in running for Lt. Governor?
Posted by Matt Rooney at Monday, February 02, 2009 12:00 AM 
Categories: vince polistina,atlantic county,election 2009,state assembly
Categories: vince polistina,atlantic county,election 2009,state assembly
Attn: N.J. GOP Candidates,
Please be aware former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, Rogue members of the F.B.I. and members of his former / current U.S. Atttorneys office and others are involved in the cover up (See Below & Attached). Two recent former U.S. Attorneys involved Colm Connolly and Allen Harberg once Subpoenaed will both confirm that Mills vs. Mills was and is in fact still being covered up by the F.B.I. N.J. Inspector General Mary Jane Cooper is to look into this matter. Case / Confirmation #20090303-345. I also received a voice mail from recently departed U.S. Attorney Allen Harberg's admitting that Mills vs. Mills is in fact a local F.B.I. cover up. My name is Richard Mills Soc Sec # 150-78-0087 and I am the victim of many crimes which fail to be investigated. I may be reached at 856-874-4077.
All four of my divorce attorneys were paid off. My former inlaws and their business partners and allies stole millions from me unlawfully during Burlington County Superior Court Divorce Proceedings and Post Divorce Proceedings.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Richard Mills
To: ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com
Cc: criminal.division@usdoj.gov; a.brian.albritton@usdoj.gov; chris.griffiths@usdoj.gov; AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
Sent: Friday, March 6, 2009 8:09:22 PM
Subject: RE: Reporting F.B.I. Criminal Acts & Political Corruption
Florida Attorney General's Office / DOJ,
I am a Crime Victim and have case numbers assisgned for investigation.
Many serious crimes have been committed against me in the States of Delaware, N.J. PA, Florida, Maryland and the District of Colombia.I IMPLORE you to please share this information with Eric Holder U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Office of the Inspector General Investigations Division on my behalf. I also request victim witness assistance. Your office advised me previously as shown in below email trail. I need your help as my certified letters have been intercepted and was denied visiting entry by the F.B.I. at the Dept. of Justice in Washington and at other offices.
N.J. O.I.G. Case# 20081112-314 & Case# 20090303-345 - Politcal Corruption
N.J. Attorney General Case#200706634 / Investigator Charles Crescenz @ 609-984-5655
( MaritalTheft / Court Fraud N.J. Docket #FM-03-826-05W )
IRS Case# 4228594 (1999 & 2000 stolen tax records)
Rogue members of the F.B.I. are Obstructing Justice and preventing investigations from occurring. This matter involves serious F.B.I. Criminal Acts & Political Corruption and involves the U.S. Attorneys offices of N.J. & Delaware. Two recently departed former U.S. Attorneys involved Colm Connolly and Allen Harberg once Subpoenaed will both confirm that Mills vs. Mills was and is in fact being covered up by the F.B.I. I also received a voice mail from recently departed U.S. Attorney Allen Harberg' admitting such.
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