Press Release
McHOSE AND CHIUSANO: NOW WE’RE BUYING $622 CIGARETTE LIGHTERS FOR SEX OFFENDERS?
By bguhl - April 16, 2008 - 2:54pmRelease Date: Apr 16 2008
McHOSE AND CHIUSANO: NOW WE’RE BUYING $622 CIGARETTE LIGHTERS FOR SEX OFFENDERS?
AFTER STATE BANS SMOKING AT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, EXCESSIVE SPENDING AT SEX OFFENDER FACILITY REVEALED
Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano today expressed outrage at news reports highlighting the expenditure of $3,734 on six cigarette lighters at the state’s Avenel Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center – a facility that houses state sex offenders.
“It is no wonder that New Jersey taxpayers are disgusted when they hear reports like this one,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “We are cutting the department of Agriculture and closing state parks, but have no problem buying $600 cigarette lighters for sex offenders. Something is terribly wrong here.”
A news report today by Millennium Radio News revealed that the state Department of Corrections (DOC) paid a total of $3,734.10 for the six wall-mounted lighters. That price translates to $622.35 per lighter with New Jersey taxpayers footing the bill.
A state official defended the purchase of those lighters noting that they are outdoor lighters for the inmates when they “go out to recreation,” and adding that inmates are not allowed to have personal lighters or matches. Just last month the Legislature passed a bill, A-2308, which banned smoking altogether on the grounds of state psychiatric hospitals.
“The Legislature had no problem passing a smoking ban for psychiatric hospitals, yet we go to the other extreme in splurging on high-priced cigarette lighters at our facilities for sex offenders,” said Chiusano, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “This is real simple: Find cheaper cigarette lighters, or just ban smoking at this facility. There is not justification for this expense.”
#####
Contributors
Wally Edge
Lobbyist/cable TV host Jim McQueeny is strongly denying an Inside Edge report that he was one of three people who worked on a plan for U.S. ... >
Bob Torricelli
One hesitates to quote Shakespeare to the Editors of The Record. The thought of all that dust rising from their library shelves is enough to make me ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
NJ STARS, while failing in its intended purpose, nonetheless demonstrates the need for fundamental reform in NJ's high schools. >
Debbie Holtz
It’s not often a congressional seat opens up in New Jersey – so you would think that all editorial eyes would be focused on any and all ... >
Steve Lonegan
“Capitalism is responsible for the current food crisis and starvation around the world,” the voice on the radio said. “Attend our Introduction ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
For the past few weeks, I've watched with fascination as politician after politician have appeared on a beach or a boardwalk and declared their ... >
Rob Tornoe
I’m off through July 23 for some much needed rest and relaxation. I'll be heading up to Niagara Falls and Buffalo, and then down to wine ... >
Michael P. Riccards
As the presidential race heats up, both parties are looking at so called swing voters, those who have in the past gone from one party to another ... >
Carla Katz
As labor is burning, our National union leaders are fiddling. Some of them are simply arsonists. While the labor movement has made tremendous ... >
Juan Melli
Bear with me here...at least I'm not proposing something patently ridiculous like self-serve gas stations!
It's true that rising energy ... >
Top Tags
Most Active Stories
- Zimmer 'outraged' over Lautenberg's Springsteen fundraiser
- Lautenberg cancels Springsteen fundraiser
- Corzine's new staffer?
- Sailing buddies
- McQueeny helped organize Lautenberg's Springsteen concert
- Officially, Obama taps Mueller as state campaign chief
- Against backdrop of denial in Trenton, the potential for movement at the summit
- Baroni: McCain's NJ presence - and Mueller's on the other side - make for a fight
- Torricelli on The Record, aka the 'Hacks of Hackensack'
- Poll: Obama has 14 point lead in N.J.
- McQueeny helped organize Lautenberg's Springsteen concert
- Torricelli on The Record, aka the 'Hacks of Hackensack'
- Zimmer 'outraged' over Lautenberg's Springsteen fundraiser
- Corzine's new staffer?
- This is too funny: candidate Lautenberg wants review of how NJSEA handles VIP tickets
- GOP senators call for maximum sentencing for James
- Sailing buddies
- Lautenberg cancels Springsteen fundraiser
- Corzine reports from Israel
- Poll: Obama has 14 point lead in N.J.
- Dr. Bones goes to Washington
- PoliticsNJ.com Power List 2007
- Eleven arrested in bribery scandal
- Lyndhurst GOP, nearly all of them, switching parties
- Lobbyist arrested
- Governor Paralysis
- Who is the best State Party Chairman in New Jersey
- KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
Quote of the Day
July 23, 2008
"A 'citizen soldier' is a member of the (New Jersey) National Guard who leaves his or her family to fight for our freedoms in Iraq or Afghanistan. Not a radical, liberal blogger who spews angry partisan tirades from the safety of their home computer. There is no defensible comparison." -- GOP congressional candidate Chris Myers, on Democrat John Adler's reference to bloggers as citizen soldiers.
-Asbury Park Press, 07/23/08
Recent Press Releases
- Jul 23 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
First Timer― DENNIS SHULMAN
Union head to seek restraining order against CWA― CARLA KATZ
Can Obama walk in Kennedy's footsteps? ― CHARLES STILE
Trump wonders why Corzine left the Senate ― CHARLES STILE
Bob Torricelli is Mad at the Big, 'Mean' Bergen Record― THE MEDIA MOB
Sweeney-Buono alliance shakes up N.J. Senate― JONATHAN TAMARI
Stile: Pay to play helped to quell party insurgents ― CHARLES STILE
Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker at Midpoint ― DICK BENFIELD
PolitickerNJ.com Jobs
Syndicate
