February 8, 2006: Gethard on Mrs. Councilman McGuckin

Ocean County Politics, Barnaget Light

Ocean County Politics .com

Mary Gethard Editorial

Council President & Pay-To-Play Lawyer Greg McGuckin's Wife Is Handed Useless $70,000 Election Board Job By Chairman Gilmore, Chairman Of The Election Board, Who Just Wanted To Say "Thank You"

Third Cover-Up For Greg And Beth Since May 2006

The following editorial by Commentator Mary Gethard Of Conifer St. was also published in the TR Times & Ocean County Observer:

Robert Silva recently wrote that Toms River is falling apart from years of neglect – he is correct.

This why it is insulting when costly political patronage jobs are handed out, especially to relatives of powerful politicians. The $48,000 raise given to Mayor Brush for his “cooperation” with the Republican Council appears to have some connection with these insults.

Beth McGuckin got useless $70,000 "job" at the county board of elections just because Chairman-Chairman Gilmore wanted to say "thanks" to Greg McGuckin

McGuckin Gives Brush $48,000 Raise,
Gilmore Gives McGuckin's Wife $70,000 "Job"

The most recent insult is the useless $70,000 position at the Ocean County Election Board given to the wife of Toms River Council President and pay-to-play attorney Gregory McGuckin.

The fact that Mr. McGuckin is an elected official should be enough to rule out new taxpayer-funded employment for Mrs. Councilman McGuckin, but it should be obvious that it sends a terrible message to the taxpayers to give her a lucrative patronage position at the County Election Board.

Very Ethical: Republican County Chairman
Is Also County Election Board Chairman

Even worse, Mrs. McGuckin was handed her “job” by George Gilmore, the County Republican Chairman who is also lawyer for the Toms River OTB applicants and many public agencies including the Toms River Regional School Board. Unbelievably, Gilmore is also Chairman of the County Election Board. Legal? Maybe. Ethically acceptable? Not in my book.

Conifer Street Is A Washboard While McGuckin's Recreate

While the McGuckin’s are both reaping big salaries and benefits at taxpayer’s expense, neglected roads like Conifer Street (where I live) feel like you’re driving on a washboard.

When I drive by neglected and underused open space and recreation properties like Winding River Park and the Brown and Windsor Avenue properties, I’ll be comforted that the McGuckin’s can afford to take their recreation elsewhere on money they get from taxpayers like me.

While McGuckin's Luxuriate On Gobs Of Taxpayers Money, Many Toms River Families Struggle To Make Ends Meet

While the McGuckin’s can buy college educations provided with funds that used to belong to the taxpayers, many families in Toms River will struggle to meet basic necessities.

Do Gregory McGuckin and George Gilmore think the taxpayers are so stupid they will ignore the latest round of political payoffs? Yes they do! They are banking on it!

Have they no shame? The appointment of Mrs. McGuckin was kept a secret since May, just like the OTB application and the $600,000 Vasil settlement.

Appointment Kept Secret Since May, Just Like
OTB Scam And $600,000 Vasil Settlement

Why wasn’t all this on the front pages of the Press and Observer? When are taxpayers going to get relief from political parasites who clutter up the public payroll and raise everybody’s taxes?

And where is the Democrat Mayor and his prattling about two-party dialogue? Was his 178% taxpayer-funded salary increase payment for his cooperation? Is his family also on the public pad?

Have They No Shame? All This On Top Of
45% Brush-McGuckin-Hill Tax Increase

This on top of the 45% three-year tax increase caused by the greed and power of politicians of both parties. All of this contributes to the “hidden tax” the Press and Observer are always whining about.

One thing for sure, if more of our residents do not become active in the political process, then the abuses will continue – greed without end. And, Conifer Street will remain a washboard.

Mary Gethard - Toms River

This article prepared for publication on February 8, 2007.