Fort Lee Republican Mulls Run for Freeholder
Keith Jensen hasn’t announced his candidacy yet, but he said he’s leaning toward running; he’s also going to start “turning up the screws” again locally in touting Fair School Funding.
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Fort Lee resident and former District 37 Republican candidate for State Assembly Keith Jensen says he kept quiet on the issue of "Fair School Funding" during the run up to the Fort Lee Board of Education’s school bond referendum out of respect for the borough’s school children and at the behest of borough and school officials and other community leaders.
But he says now that the referendum has passed, “It’s time for me to get loud about [Fair School Funding] again.”
He also said he’s considering a run for Bergen County Freeholder.
“If people thought I was silent on [Fair School Funding] or just gave up because of the election, au contraire,” said Jensen. “It’s because I was asked by a lot of the leaders in the community who were focused—as was I—on the children and didn’t want this to be a distraction.”
He added, “So now that’s done, and I’m going to start pressing.”
That means he’s going to push for the Fort Lee Mayor and Council to put the issue on an agenda and make a decision one way or the other, he said.
“I’m going to press the Mayor and Council again to make a decision; take it up, and say either we don’t want it or we do want it,” Jensen said. “All they have to do is help get a little more pressure on our legislators to fight for us.”
The Fort Lee Board of Education passed a resolution in September 2011 supporting “fair distribution of state aid for education,” and Jensen has spoken publically to the borough’s governing body about doing the same.
On Wednesday evening, Jensen and his Assembly campaign running mate, John Aslanian of Englewood Cliffs, who were defeated in November’s General Election by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood) and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood), hosted a dinner at Prime and Beyond in Fort Lee with about a dozen people who helped out with the campaign “to say thank you; it was appreciated what they did,” Jensen said.
But it was more than just a dinner party. It turns out Jensen is putting together an exploratory committee and leaning toward a run for Freeholder.
Although he hasn’t made a decision yet, Jensen said he’s “putting my feelers out there” and deciding “whether to focus on business and personal” or to “make this selfless move and run for office again.”
“A lot of these different positions I have to consider and where I think I can best help the community,” Jensen said. “But I’ve had a lot of people ask me to do it within the party. I’m going to feel it out and talk to a lot of people and see what would be best for those I might represent.”
While he hasn’t ruled out another run for Assembly, that opportunity wouldn’t come up for another couple of years, and Jensen said that would be “a harder decision to make.”
“But running countywide across 70 towns, people are more open minded across the board,” Jensen said.
While Fair School Funding will remain a priority for the Fort Lee Republican, he’s also focused on energy in the state, which he called “near and dear” to him, and other issues.
He said he has openly opposed the use of solar panels in the past, for example, and pointed to a study “questioning … the role of it, the productivity, the value of it.”
In a series of articles on the website, Conservative New Jersey, about the issue of solar panels, Jensen made extensive comments, including the following:
I am a ‘green’ republican. I have degrees in this area, am a member of groups that help the environment, and in the Army I dealt with solar panels on my combat vehicles. I installed small ones on howitzers and humvees so the batteries (which are very different then simple car batteries) do not die …
I do not think global warming is true and I could not be happier that NJ has exited RGGI. That being said and my position now qualified, I have been outspoken with respect to these solar panels.
The straw that broke the camels back is when one of these panels was installed in front of my parents’ bay window, about 15′ from their glass, smack dab in the middle of their view …
I put myself on the Record at a Ft. Lee Mayor and Council meeting asking for them to speak out against the solar panels, and all they had to say was that they cannot do anything about it.
“So that’s another issue that I’m going to start taking up so people don’t look at me being completely focused on one thing,” Jensen said. “And there’s a number of other things, and I’ll get into to that if I announce.”
Republicans Robert Hermansen of Mahwah and John Driscoll of Paramus currently hold the two Freeholder seats up for reelection this year. But Driscoll, who ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Sen. Robert Gordon (D-Fair Lawn) in the state’s 38th Legislative District, announced that he's stepping down as a Bergen County Freeholder after this year, and taking all of 2013 to focus on trying again to defeat Gordon.
That leaves a potential opening for Jensen, who pointed out that he would first have to earn his party’s nomination in the primary.
“Right now my exploration is saying, ‘Okay, would I be the best person for the party for the county?’” Jensen said.
If he were to run and win, Jensen would join Fort Lee’s Joan Voss, who was elected in November, on the Board of Freeholders.
“It would be a balanced Republican and Democrat, both from Fort Lee,” Jensen said.
Billy Mays
3:06 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Yeah and hes gonna lose again.
Kyle Reese
4:10 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Hey jackass, you're the biggest liar and loser on this blog.
delgado
8:19 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Looks like this candidate did not put his name in? Is it because of the story that he was forced not to run because the Party bosses, bullied him into NOT running? If this is true, then corrupt Republican Party bossism is the real issue and Mr. Jensen owes the taxpayer and explaination. He was so BIG on running, but not silence.... something is wrong with the Republican Party if actions like this is going on.
Billy Mays
5:20 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Nice response, really shows your mental capacity.
Deb Fein
5:51 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I can't believe 66% of this town would vote in favor of this guy.
Deb Fein
5:49 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I hope he changes his stance on bullying and as for what he says about global warming, he can find another reason the ice is melting in the Antarctic? What's a Republican doing in such a Democratic town?
Paul Umrichin
2:29 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Another reason the Artic ices are melting could be the oversalination of the oceans. There is more salt due to the extra chemicals that have made its way into the oceans via dumping, cruise ships, chemicals to battle oil leakage, etc. With that oversalination it takes a colder temperature for the ice to melt which makes it seem as though global warming could be the reason.
As far as a Republican in a Democratic town I didn't realize that we had to live according to political zones. I always thought the beauty of the United States was that no matter what your politics were you had the right to live where ever you chose. I love being an NRA supporting, registered Republican in a democratic town.. I don't agree with all the politics of Republicans nor Democrats and I do not vote party lines. I have my own opinions of what I want in an elected official and quite honestly neither makes me happy. I will vote as I feel not as I am told because thats how I'm registered.
Howard L. Pearl
10:04 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
To Deb: The fact that Fort Lee is Democratic exhibits the failure of "Democratic" process. Citizens vote party line, rather than for the best candidate. If you wish to criticize Keith Jensen for his views or positions, that is an intelligent approach. Criticizing him for being in the wrong party belittles your commentary.
Billy Mays
12:50 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I don't vote party line, I actually voted for Chris Christie, which I now regret. I'd have voted for Keith if he didn't start saying his crazy crap against the anti-bullying law and promoting his agenda at the 9/11 Memorial ceremony.
Al Norton
10:21 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Good luck Keith, sooner or later people are going to get tired of being pickpocketed to support bureaucracy and fraud in marginal school systems elsewhere.All you can do to expose the facts behind Statewide school funding is much appreciated.Maybe a good place to continue is the Newark School system and see where Zuckerberg's $100 million donation is being spent.
Billy Mays
12:48 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I think that they are being spent the way he wants them to be spent.
Deb Fein
10:44 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Mr. Pearl: You have a point there.
Okay, Keith Jensen, please reconsider your stance on bullying. There have been far too many teen suicides in the news over the course of the last two years particularly to discount the school's responsiblity in this regard.
Also, please reconsider also what you say about global warming. Can you find a different theory to explain why icebergs are melting in the Antarctic?
Sincerely,
Deb Fein
Al Norton
2:12 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Billy: To your point. I believe the total amount given to Newark was $148 million.The initial $1 million went to the heavily criticized outreach program dubbed "Partnership For Education in Newark," which was supposed to survey the city about the school system’s problems.The group hired to do the survey — led by a political operative and former Elizabeth Board of Education member refused to disclose how much it was paid. A full accounting of the group’s expenses has never been released.The next $10-$15m went to consultants generally with ties to Booker and Cerf. As far as I can tell Zuckenberg did not stipulate how the money is to be spent. Ten years from now after all the money is spent we'll see no results.I'll bet a cup of coffee on it.
Billy Mays
7:24 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
So that makes 16 million, which leaves the rest for the kids. I'm sure that we'd know if the money was misspent. Its hard to hide $148,000,000, believe me, I know.
Al Norton
10:30 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
"So that makes 16 million, which leaves the rest for the kids"
Hope springs eternal Billy.
Tracy Mattei
9:19 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
So I guess Keith had a point with the anti bullying law---- unconstitutional without funding! Thanks for spotlighting it!
Arthur Jensen
9:44 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Looks like Keith Jensen new what he was talking about. I think Valerie Huddle should should call Keith and apologize for this ill thought out Bill......Nice mess....
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Struck Down
TRENTON – The Council on Local Mandates has struck down the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. This little-known council is authorized to vacate laws if they contain unfunded mandates, or orders without funding. The council ruled that this legislation, passed in January 2011 and implemented in September, was such an unfunded mandate.
An Allamuchy Township school district (Warren Co.) filed the complaint on the grounds that it would cost the district about $6,000 to implement and put a strain on its small staff.
After the bill was implemented, media sources nationwide questioned the legislation for placing an undue burden on schools and creating a culture of investigation. Richard G. Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, publicly criticized the bill on numerous occasions.
New Jersey Family Policy Council noted in September that some districts had already spent $1,295.00 for one consulting firm’s anti-bullying training manual. The law gave schools unprecedented policing authority by providing that all bullying incidents were fair game—even if they took place outside of school hours,
Tracy Mattei
10:22 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
From what I understand, Keith does not object to the spirit of the law (who would?) but objects to the language of the law and the lack of funding. I think his ability to understand and protect the constitutional rights of our children was quite insightful and understanding the fiscal ramifications on schools districts commendable.
Now, that doesn't mean this law should go away---the curricula developed and integrated into the school days is invaluable to the development and safety of children. You can see this throughout the elementary schools in Ft Lee in posters, spirit days and even when you listen to the children.
The Anti-bullying regulation needs to exist, the school system needs rules and boundaries to be able to manage situations when they arise, consistency in what is required of school behaviors and how to manage outcomes.
Arthur--just an FYI, there are laws stating that the SD is responsible for 'from door to door' (door or parent) behavior and school rules still apply. So even a child who is walking home and gets in a fight or something, the students can be disciplined from the school. I think the theory is that the school is responsible for school to parent or school to home (bus or walking). Although I cannot remember the exact language...
Paul Umrichin
2:17 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Tracy... In an elementary capacity the SB can apply the rules as most kids leave school and go straight home. From the middle school on once they leave the school property or immediate area the SB cannot be held accountable for what happens. Regularly our kids will stop at the community center on their way home to hang out and socialize with their friends and sometimes do not enter the house untili 5:30. If they were to have issues in that time period the SB or Administration of the kids school should not have any involvement even though it happened before the child arrived home. From the High School to our side of Fort Lee is a large area. Should the school be held liable for every part of that walk even if the parents choose to let their children walk home. There needs to be a boundary to the schools authority as well.
Tracy Mattei
7:55 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Hi Paul--
Its an actual part of school law, I will get you the details but there are reasonable time frames and ages around it. Its not a matter debate or interpretation, it is regulated by law. I have to go back and read it though..... TTYS
SB=School Board? or Student Body?
Avi Bloom
1:39 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
If Mr Jensen is a true conservative he should advocate getting rid of county Government entirely as they did in Ma. He should distance himself from Mr Hermansen
who is obviously no Republican and is in the same liberal anti American camp as taxpayer leeches Tommy Myers aka Billy Mays and Debby Blabbermouth yenta Schultz Fein.
Billy Mays
4:55 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
You are such a moron it is unbelievable. First off, I have no association with Tom, I haven't ever seen nor spoken to him in real life. You seriously want no county government? What else do you want? To have a child with your sister? Its mentally challenged people like you who make Republicans look bad. You guys should break off and form your own party, maybe you'd get donations from all of the asylums in the country. It's funny how you say that Mr. Hermansen isn't a Republican. What is a Republican then? I guess Reagan and Nixon weren't Republicans then too, since they both supported the EPA, Nixon having started it.
Tom Meyers
5:14 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I tend not to respond to posts but to Mr. Bloom - I do have a mom and family in town and your over the top assertions of me being "anti-American and a tax leech" are beyond the pale. First off I am not Billy Mays I assure you - I am a fourth generation resident of Fort Lee and ask anyone who knows me, I am anything but shy in using my name when I speak. I respect your right to speak your mind and I am using that same right to speak my own. I really take offense at someone who sets themselves up as a person who can determine who is pro-American and who is anti-american. Really that is quite a task you take on for yourself. I believe a Joseph McCarthy did the same thing once and that did not work out too well.
I will not defend myself against your over the top remarks and I have a thick skin. All I will do is quote a history teacher I had at Paramus Catholic High School, Brother Peter Barnes, who said to us "Boys,you will learn in life everyone has opinions and everyone has asses." I could not state it better than good Brother Peter.
jimmy
7:30 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Having more republican's in town would be a good thing for fort lee..fort lee needs an inside voice to make the public aware of what the all democratic mayor and council don't want us to know ..they would be less inclined to give kickbacks for things like the same old useless traffic studies they have every year and give to political cronies like boswell engineering ..for all we know its the same recycled report every year , yet he gets tens of thousands on a yearly basis for this and things like ''sewer studies'' ...we must lead the nation in sewer studies !!
Deb Fein
3:19 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Glad if he's not running. His policies sounded too controversial!