By

Ray Pinney

Verizon was considering moving one of its large New Jersey offices to Virginia back when Richard Codey was governor.  In a discussion with the Verizon CEO, Gov. Codey conceded that the cost of living was lower in Virginia but he made a compelling argument for staying in New Jersey. 

First he asked the Verizon executive: where will your employees send their children to school?  Think of the educational opportunities in New Jersey.  Second, he said, think of the cultural opportunities available to your employees; the plays, concerts, and sporting events not only in New Jersey but in the two major cities that border us, New York and Philadelphia. The easy access we have to the mountains in the northwest part of the state and the beaches along the east coast. The standard of living we have is hard to get almost anywhere else.  In the end, Verizon decided to stay in New Jersey in large part because of Gov. Codey’s argument. (At least that is how former Gov. Codey related the story.)

When I heard Gov. Codey tell this story before a group of business officials I thought that it was a great argument to continue to invest in New Jersey public education.   (more…)

By

Ray Pinney 

Jessep (Jack Nicholson): You want answers?
Kaffee (Tom Cruise): I think I’m entitled to them.
Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessep: You can’t handle the truth!

From the movie “A Few Good Men”

If you remember “A Few Good Men,” the scene above led to Jack Nicholson’s character’s downfall. That is because he admitted the truth. 

While observing the New Jersey gubernatorial race over the last couple of weeks, I was reminded of that famous scene. When I saw Republican nominee Chris Christie being asked repeatedly for a “plan” for dealing with New Jersey’s budget crisis, he seemed to be cast in the Jack Nicholson role. Christie, however, has remained committed to the political strategy that won him the primary, and has not discussed specifics. Jon Corzine has also been vague on next year’s budget.

Since his endorsement by the Star-Ledger, Chris Daggett has emerged as a more viable candidate. The dynamics of the campaign have shifted slightly and now both candidates are being pressed to answer questions about their plans for New Jersey’s budget next year. (more…)

By

Ray Pinney 

The political advertisements came on the TV screen while I was on the treadmill doing my early morning workout.  These ads were not negative ads attacking political opponents, but positive ads about the candidates.  In 30 seconds these ads told me of the compelling life story of several candidates.  They told stories of how candidates worked their way up from poverty, or lost a parent at an early age and were raised in a one-parent household.  Not only that but these candidates have been fighting for working families, the poor, and those in need of healthcare almost their entire lives.  It was obvious that these candidates cared about me.  These ads were so good that tears began to well up in my eyes and I thought I was going to hear “God Bless America” start playing at any moment.  I decided then and there that I would support these candidates. 

There were only a couple of problems.  First, they were all running for the same office.  Second, I was not eligible to vote, since these candidates were running for New York City Public Advocate and City Comptroller in the recent primary election.

Even though I’m not a New York voter, I was a captive audience and I found myself forming impressions of the candidates from their ads. (more…)