This just in — THE STATE has received numerous disturbing reports from the City of Clifton concerning political intimidation, strong-arm tactics and vendettas.

As both a former Governor and an adamant proponent of our American Democracy, I am, on a personal level, deeply disturbed by reports that pay-to-player and Attorney of Non Distinction Mark Semeraro has been making intimidating phone calls to members of the Clifton School Board, potential candidates and members of the community at large…

To be frank with you, I, as a former Governor, am cautiously optimistic about our new Governor Chris Christie. He certainly is living up to his reputation as scrappy Jersey tough. His budget address and subsequent interviews were terrific and threw into stark relief the gluttonous public sector unions. And it’s especially delicious to know Carla Katz won’t be negotiating while whispering sweet nothings in the Governor’s ear this time around…

Speaking of off-the-wall GOP consultant Roger Stone and Former New York State Senate Minority Leader Joe Bruno, the U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the theft of honest services law. This statute is the same one under which Gov. Christie, then US Attorney, was able to convict former Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman Joe Ferriero. Coincidentally, it has been rumored that Ferriero is close to New Jersey State Senator Kevin O’Toole (Norcross-R).

As a former Governor, I would find this this sort of ally-of-my-ally-is-under-indictment dichotomy would be fascinating…if Garden Staters had not already seen it all. …

Did anyone hear Roger Stone on the “Bob Grant Show” Sunday? It was a privilege to hear the self described “GOP hitman” and anti-Hillary PAC Citizens United Not Timid (get the joke?) founder on the conservative poobah’s air waves.
Stone, “Keeper of the Nixon Flame,” popped up in Albany as State Senator and Former Majority …

State Senators Raymond Lesniak, a powerful machine-backed politician if there ever was one, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., both from Union County, have recently joined in a private business venture led by longtime Democratic political operative Adam Zellner.

In today’s economy, word of any new business opening its doors in the Garden State should be welcome; nevertheless, this deal stinks worse than the stenches emanating from the infamous Bayway Refinery!…

THE STATE: what began as an online experiment between a group of friends fell by the wayside as our editing staff split up for the year. Some of our people went to work for then Governor Corzine, some went to work for now Governor Christie. Some of our people joined law firms and …