Noticias

Notwithstanding the fact that I held elected office for 29 years, I have perhaps spent more time managing campaigns and handling candidates than actually being a candidate. After a few decades, I have come to learn a thing or two about campaigns and candidates.

Lesson one of the day: Candidates need to act like candidates and avoid becoming the omnipresent, omnipotent beings that rule the campaign universe by fiat.

For starters, candidates must come from a place where they don’t aspire to be the smartest person in the room. I know this sounds rather harsh and simplistic, but it is true. Candidates are way too busy campaigning—they don’t have time to read everything and be the authority on all issues. Additionally, candidates are less than objective and are, should I say, emotional or reactive to certain issues in a campaign. I would suggest that this is reason enough to allow other opinions to be heard from objective observers. Candidates by their nature are very egotistical and driven. The smart ones don’t make the mistake of crowding out the room with their advisors and top money players by laying claim to knowing the answer to every campaign question or strategy.

Grounded candidates, dare I say successful candidates, encourage diverse opinions and insights and readily accept contradictory or conflicting ideas. This is true for two reasons: First, it is a smart play to know the most differing opinions so you can make an educated and informed decision. Second, even if you think you have cornered the market on intelligence and no longer see the need to hear the opinions of your supporters, play the game and allow the mere mortals to feel that they are a part of the campaign apparatus, not just on the periphery. It goes a long way to create an atmosphere that makes everyone feel included and useful. Again, not rocket science but like in real life, a little humility and empathy goes a long way.

Lesson two (and this blends into lesson one): The candidate must have a campaign manager who needs to adopt the rules of lesson one.

I have seen failed campaign after failed campaign where the manager, or so called gatekeeper, keeps all information secret and guarded and doesn’t allow anyone else close to the candidate. Having all roads run through one person is a certified recipe for disaster and a loss. The manager or top advisor must include as many people as possible around the table. Failure to do so will create ill will and jealousy and will lead to horrible consequences. The manager is like a moat around a castle. That moat must create a controlled environment that still allows traffic to penetrate and have access to the castle. The moat must allow for a charitable amount of give and take.

I worked with a campaign manager from outside the district and he had no idea about the ideological bend of the constituents and had no flavor of the culture of the voters. I felt compelled to take some time one afternoon to introduce him to a dozen random supporters in the diverse district. The manager thanked me for the life lesson and immediately changed his communication plan.

Let me end with this, to successfully navigate the shoals of dangerous terrain, you need to have total awareness of all that is happening in the world around you, and that means listening to as many people as humanly possible and then make an informed and logical decision.

Class dismissed.

The post The O’Toole Chronicles: The moat around the castle appeared first on New Jersey Globe.

Former Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst was sentenced to seven years in state prison after his conviction on sexually assaultive and inappropriate activity, giving the embattled New Jersey’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability a rare legal victory.

Jurors believed allegations that Herbst spent thirteen years groping, exposing himself, and sexually harassing police department employees, behavior that involved a “violent sexual assault” on the primary victim.

The 57-year-old Herbst was also convicted of soliciting sexual favors from the wife of a police officer in exchange for favorable employment decisions and advancements, including a demand for oral sex from the subordinate’s wife in exchange for a promotion.  The jury also found that Herbst “demanded sexually explicit photos of a different subordinate’s wife in exchange for a schedule change.”

Superior Court Judge Peter Tober ordered Herbst to serve roughly six years in prison before he’s eligible for parole, and said he must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

Herbst was convicted in February after a three-week trial.

“The defendant’s abuse of power inflicted lasting damage to his victims’ lives,” said Attorney General Matt Platkin. “Today’s sentence brings some measure of justice to the victims and the community. My office will continue to work to bolster public confidence in government, to ensure the safety of all, and to combat sexual offenses in all forms.”

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The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission disbursed about $1 million in matching funds to each major nominee for governor on Monday, according to a press release. 

ELEC disbursed $1,088,374 to Republican former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and $1,075,525 to Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), according to the announcement. 

Ciattarelli and Sherrill are about 32% of the way to the $12.5 million matching funds cap. Each has so far received a little more than $4 million in public funds.

Candidates may receive up to $12.5 million in public funds, subject to a $2-for-$1 match, in the general election. That comes with a $18.5 million spending cap, though super PACs and independent expenditures can continue spending to support their favored candidate. Candidates must raise $580,000 to qualify for matching funds.

Sherrill and Ciattarelli are the only candidates to qualify thus far; a third-party candidate would have to raise $580,000 by Sept. 2 to qualify.

ELEC distributed over $37.5 million in matching funds in the primary election, a record-setting amount.

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Officials from Englewood Cliffs and a South Korea-based technology company signed an agreement to improve investments in infrastructure and education in the borough.

Mayor Mark M. Park and officials from LG CNS America signed the non-binding memorandum at LG’s U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs late last month, according to a press release. The “outines intent to explore” STEM education and internships, infrastructure solutions for traffic and energy, and expanded grants.

“This [memorandum of understanding] represents more than a document, it represents momentum,” Park said. “Together with LG CNS, we are setting the foundation for Englewood Cliffs to become a beacon of responsible innovation where smart solutions serve public purpose and technology empowers people.”

LG CNS America is the U.S.’s branch of the South Korean tech company that offers service in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data systems.

“LG CNS is honored to partner with Englewood Cliffs to shape a smarter, more resilient future,” said Jun Ho Lee, president of LG CNS America. “Our shared goal is to demonstrate how global technology can uplift local communities and create a scalable model for innovation across the country.”

The Englewood Cliffs Council approved the agreement in June.

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