Hamilton Township

GASKILL JOINS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

TOKEN INCREASE IN STATE AID ONLY EXACERBATES ONGOING PROPERTY TAX CRISIS

Senator Peter Inverso, (R-14), issued the following statement regarding the Corzine Administration’s release of new education aid figures.

Democrat Glen Gilmore will seek re-election to a third term as Mayor of Hamilton Township, even if Republican State Senator Peter Inverso decides not to seek re-election this year. That means that if the 68-year-old Inverso decides to retire -- he has not yet told Republicans of his plans -- four-term Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein of Middlesex County seems to have a clear shot at the Democratic Senate nomination. Republicans say that two-term Assemblyman Bill Baroni would be their candidate.

A Greenstein vs. Baroni race would, of course, create two open Assembly seats in this swing district.

John Bencivengo, Hamilton Township Republican Chairman and long time entrepreneur, has announced his intentions to seek the nomination as the Republican candidate for mayor in this year’s mayoral election.

Bencivengo is credited for stabilizing a failing Republican Organization from the effects of losing the mayor’s office in 1999 after twenty four years with a Republican in the municipal building. The last two local elections saw the Hamilton GOP win four council seats with Bencivengo heading up the Republican political organization. Bencivengo lived in Hamilton most of his adult life and was former Executive Director of the Hamilton Partnership, a private/public partnership created to provide a better forum for area business and industry to air their concerns and work more effectively with government and the people.

Bencivengo has been actively involved in Republican politics over the last twenty years. “I’ve always had a strong desire to serve in government. As an economic adviser to Mayor Jack Rafferty during the 90’s, I witnessed first hand what major goals government can attain with solid governmental leadership. I see nothing but a bright future for the Township of Hamilton; Hamilton’s potential is unlimited. I believe I have the ability to provide the much needed leadership for Hamilton to fulfill her great potential. Hamilton should be second to none as a place to live, work and raise a family, concluded Bencivengo.�

Bencivengo says he plans to implement a constructive campaign effort. He has the experience in local government, the energy and the enthusiastic commitment of a dedicated, diverse campaign team that will promote his positions in a positive and beneficial manner.

One key Democratic leader says that the four-term Mercer County Freeholder Keith Hamilton is the clear front runner for the right to challenge Republican Assemblyman William Baroni in 2007.

The 52-year-old Hamilton has sought party support to run for the Legislature in each of the past four cycles, but without success. Democrats picked fellow Hamilton Township resident Gary Guear to run for the Assembly with Linda Greenstein in 1999 -- the year they unseated GOP incumbents Paul Kramer and Barbara Wright. Hamilton explored a challenge to Republican State Senator Peter Inverso in 2001 and 2003, but backed off when Democrats instead picked Sheriff Samuel Plumeri and former Assemblyman Anthony "Skip" Cimino, respectively. In 2005, Hamilton dropped his Assembly bid when party leaders decided to support Daniel Benson, a Hamilton Councilman.

To run for the Assembly, Hamilton will need to give up the Freeholder seat he has held since his 1995 election. Democrats suggest that his seat will go to another Hamilton Township Democrat, possible former Councilman Wayne DeAngelo.

Hamilton won the Mercer County portion of the 14th district (Hamilton Township and West Windsor) by wide margins in his 2001 and 2004 Freeholder races.

BUONO/SMITH BILL TO REMOVE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES THROUGH SENATE

TRENTON - The statute of limitations for criminal offenses arising from violations of certain environmental laws and crimes causing widespread injury or damage would be eliminated under a bill sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Bob Smith and passed today by the Senate.

"The nature of environmental crimes and violations can lead them to have a widespread and long-term effect on both the community as a whole and individual people that can make it difficult to prosecute known offenders under the statute of limitations," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "Given that there are cases where the health effects and environmental damage is not noticeable until years after the crime has occurred or where it can take years just to figure out who is responsible, prosecutors need to have sufficient time to investigate these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions."

TURNER/BUONO/SMITH BILL TO REQUIRE LOCAL NOTICE FOR HAZARDOUS CLEAN-UPS RECEIVES FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner, Barbara Buono and Bob Smith that would require that local governments be notified any time a hazardous site remediation is performed within the boundaries of the municipality was approved by both houses of the Legislature today, clearing the way for its enactment.

"It boggles the mind to think that that this type of communication doesn't automatically occur," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "But after it took six months for DEP to let Hamilton Township know that contaminated concrete had been used in construction at the American Metro office complex, it became clear that the Legislature had to require such notices. When it comes to environmental contamination, we can't take any short cuts in addressing the problem and protecting residents from health dangers."

BUONO/SMITH BILL TO REMOVE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES APPROVED BY COMMITTEE

TRENTON - The statute of limitations for criminal offenses arising from violations of certain environmental laws and crimes causing widespread injury or damage would be eliminated under a bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono and Bob Smith and passed today by the Senate Environment Committee.

"The nature of environmental crimes and violations can make it difficult to prosecute offenders under the statute of limitations," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "The health effects and environmental damage may not be noticeable until years after the crime has occurred and it can take as long to figure out who is responsible. Prosecutors need to have sufficient time to investigate these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions."

There are reports from Mercer County that Richard McClellan will step down as the Democratic County Chairman. One possible replacement, reportedly at the suggestion of County Executive Brian Hughes, is attorney Paul Anzano. McClellan's full-time job is at Hamilton Township Hall, where he works for Mayor Glen Gilmore.

TURNER/BUONO/SMITH BILL WOULD REQUIRE LOCAL NOTICE FOR HAZARDOUS CLEAN UPS

TRENTON - The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner, Barbara Buono and Bob Smith that would require that local governments be notified any time a hazardous site remediation is performed within the boundaries of the municipality.

"It took six months for the DEP to inform Hamilton Township that contaminated concrete was used to build a road at the American Metro office complex," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "For local residents, six months is too long to be in the dark about potential exposure to hazardous substances. When it comes to environmental contamination, time is of the essence in addressing the problem and protecting residents from health dangers."