October 7, 2009 Fifth District Freeholder Candidate and blueberry farmer Sam Mento condemned his opponent's bad faith negotiation in arranging a nonpartisan public debate and asks if this is how Freeholder Curcio conducts public business on the Atlantic County Freeholder Board.
The fact is that I have agreed to debate Mr. Curcio and our campaigns have been in regular contact as recently as last night to negotiate the format, said Sam Mento, a blueberry farmer and union carpenter, who is running against 18-year career politician Jim Curcio for Freeholder. I was appalled to learn that Mr. Curcio went on the radio this morning unilaterally imposing his own debate format, time, and location in an attempt to threaten my integrity. His insistence that he will show up at his prescribed time and place with or without me is an insult to Atlantic County voters who deserve more than political ploys and gamesmanship.
In email exchanges between the two campaigns which the Mento for Freeholder Campaign is considering releasing, it is evident that candidate Sam Mento is putting the public interest first by suggesting a debate format refereed by a nonpartisan and nonpolitical entity -- that provides both candidates ample opportunity to address current issues. Among the outstanding terms yet to be agreed upon is the debate moderator. Mr. Curcio has publicly decided and announced on his own that opinionated radio talk show host Harry Hurley will be the moderator. Sam Mento has suggested representatives of an impartial entity like the Hammonton News could ask the questions, while both political parties supply one representative each to be timekeepers.
This is a thinly veiled attempt by Jim Curcio to grandstand on the issue of public debates and undermine what is supposed to be a respectful public forum to inform voters of our positions, said Mento. The public is sick of dirty politics and insider advantages. Clearly it is time for a fresh face and someone who has not been compromised by serving for nearly two decades as a career politician.
As an attorney, Mr. Curcio knows the law. As a matter of public policy and federal law, it is illegal for a private employer to impose his own terms and conditions in the middle of a contract negotiation. Clearly, Mr. Curcio's attempt to similarly impose his own self-promoting terms and conditions for what should be a pleasant and informative public debate stink of dirty politics.
I urge Mr. Curcio to reconsider and return to the negotiating table to mutually agree on an open and fair format for a much needed public forum, said Mento. Furthermore, I invite any legitimate nonpartisan organization to assist us in the fair organization of this forum.
Little Sammy Mento's handlers will never allow him to debate Curcio. He was told he made a dumb mistake challenging Curcio six weeks ago. After six weeks, Mento's handlers do not want to set-up a debate.
Mento was told he is not allowed debate Curcio one on one.
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Anonymous
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RE: CURCIO PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS ON FREEHOLDER DEBATE
Above BS you are fool of it. The Atlantic County Dems will be releasing the email between the parties. Curio refused to debate up until two weeks ago when he saw the poll numbers showing he is losing. Mike Torissi cancelled the meeting between the parties. He then is quoted in the Hammonton News saying the locals will debate if they agree with the terms. He then critcizes HF for setting times and places and terms with out the other parties consent. Well wouldn't you know his uncle Jimmy then takes a page from HF and tries to set up a dog and pony show. I guess he is jealous that Mento has a fund raiser that night in Buena Vista. Jimmy is a smooth lawyer politician who knows his do nothing record and double dipping into tax payer money has turned the people against him. He doesn't want the to have a fair and open debate. The good people of Hammonton and the fifth district have seen through this pathetic attempt to use Harry Hurley as a means to duck a real unbiased debate. I guess having had to lend himself $10,000 to run his campaign because no one is supporting him this time around, has made Curio desperate. At least he is consistant- it is always about the money.
You obviously don't know Sam Mento very well. He doesn't work hard for votes and then disappear for three years. He is ready to engage Mr. Curcio in a debate and he challenged him quite a long time ago. It was Curcio who tried every tactic to avoid the debate and now that he is getting desperate and he has been backed into a corner, he is trying deceitful campaign tactics in a last ditch effort to try and win back some of the support he has lost to Sam. Too Late!
Jim Curcio will win every town in the 5th District. Sam Mento was asked to do a "FOOL's TASK" taking on Freeholder Chairman Jim Curcio. Hammonton has never held the Freeholder Chairman role in Atlantic County.
Freeholder Chairman Jim Curcio will win every town in the district by a wide margin. You can be content in knowing that Sam Mento is already very happy because he fulfilled his dreams of being a union carpenter and his next dream of being a farmer for 1 year.
He is really dreaming if he thinks Hammonton will benefit by giving Atlantic City more power over the county budget. Why do think Hammonton has been getting so much done from the county during the last 5 years?
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Anonymous
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RE: CURCIO PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS ON FREEHOLDER DEBATE
Jim Curcio will win every town in the 5th District. Sam Mento was asked to do a "FOOL's TASK" taking on Freeholder Chairman Jim Curcio. Hammonton has never held the Freeholder Chairman role in Atlantic County.
Freeholder Chairman Jim Curcio will win every town in the district by a wide margin. You can be content in knowing that Sam Mento is already very happy because he fulfilled his dreams of being a union carpenter and his next dream of being a farmer for 1 year.
He is really dreaming if he thinks Hammonton will benefit by giving Atlantic City more power over the county budget. Why do think Hammonton has been getting so much done from the county during the last 5 years?
We're currenty in a nightmare. Voters need to wake up. County taxes up under Curcio. That's the fact, Jack. More Jobs, Less Taxes - Isn't that what we need to get out of this recession and truly bring Hammonton a brighter future?
This confirms Curio is HF he took a page out their playbook. The Same day little Mikey Torissi is crying about debate in the hammonton News. Saying the local Reps will debate if they agree to the terms and wont be forced into a loaded debate, his uncle Jimmy is doing exactly what Mikey wining about.. What a Joke. Curios is behind in the polls and this is his desperate attempt to attack Mento. Curio is livid after he has out spent Sam Mento six to one $16,000 to $3,000 Jimmy is trailing. We need a representative who is fiscally responsible not tax and spend double dipper Jimmy. Mento was the first to agree to the debate moderated by the league of woman voters on Oct 19th. jimmy is afraid to debate one on one with an unbiased monerator. Would Bill Clinton agree to a debate moderated by Rush Limbau?
Little Sammy Mento's handlers will not allow him to debate Curcio in Hammonton one on one.
Campaign Managers for Mento, Mitch Seim from Camden, and Beth Schroeder from Atlantic City will not allow a one on one debate against Curcio in Hammonton. This is very disrespectful to the Hammonton voters.
I will never vote for a candidate that hides behind party bosses and is not man enough to face his opponent one on one.
You guys just can't face the truth. Sam Mento called for a one on one debate a long time ago. Jim Curcio has been ducking him since them. Now that he is behind in the polls, he is trying dirty political tricks and deceit to try and save his behind.
As printed in Hammonton News: Letter to the editor from Jim Curcio
"I accept my opponent's invitation to a debate." "I will be happy to debate him", "my opponent readily embraces the failed policies and high taxes of the Corzine administration." "I am proud on my record as a freeholder" What is the problem little sammy mento III? Sounds like Curcio has been waiting for 2 months and you keep hiding behind the Camden county skirt. Your paid machine handler is affraid to negotiate? Tell the truth why you will not debate!
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Anonymous
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RE: CURCIO PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS ON FREEHOLDER DEBATE
mike and mike Jimmy's only suproters; Sam Mento is debating Curio on Oct 19th. He is not afraid. Did you hear him speak at the Clombus Day Ceremony. He speaks with a simple eloquence. The double dipping tax and spender Jimmy the invisible man is finished. Sam Mento was the first to respond to the league of Women Voters invitation to debate. He will not go to dog and poney show monerated the conservative opinionated talk show host Harry Hurley who has said time after time he is in the tank for curio. Would Bill Clinton agree to debat Bush Sr moderated by Rush Limbau? Stop letting uncle jimmy grandstand and lets get a real debate one on one so the people will see the difference between the do nothing Freeloader vs a young energetic servant of the people.
As printed in Hammonton News: Letter to the editor from Jim Curcio
"I accept my opponent's invitation to a debate." "I will be happy to debate him", "my opponent readily embraces the failed policies and high taxes of the Corzine administration." "I am proud on my record as a freeholder" What is the problem little sammy mento III? Sounds like Curcio has been waiting for 2 months and you keep hiding behind the Camden county skirt. Your paid machine handler is affraid to negotiate? Tell the truth why you will not debate!
Dude, you just quoted Curcio saying that he accepts Mento's invitation to debate. That means that Mento invited Curcio and Curcio finally accepted. Curcio never said that he has been waiting for 2 months at all. In fact, he's been delaying.
Go Sam great job today at the ceremony. I can't wait until you are our Hammonton Freeholder! Keep working hard and don't let all thoughs nasty personal attacks get to you. You are going to win and the Curcio camp knows it. Walk tall kid twenty days left and we are all counting on you!
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Anonymous
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Mento has nothing to offer but nasty personal attacks.
Mento has been so nasty and negative. Atlantic County runs very well under Curcio's leadership.
Why is Mento being so negative like Corzine? Mento has no record of accomplishment, he does not need to be so nasty and negative. Corzine's record in New Jersey is very weak so he must attack with negative personal attacks. Mento should promote himself and not associate with his two Atlantic City running mates.
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Anonymous
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RE: Atlantic city fireman PLAYING DIRTY in master DEBATE
Subject: REPUBLICAN FREEHOLDER CANDIDATES ASK DEMOCRATS IF THEY AGREE CAMDEN COUNTY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ATL
Today Freeholders Jim Curcio and Frank Giordano questioned comments made by the elected Democratic leadership on the Freeholder Board indicating that Camden County was a good example for Atlantic County government. While opposing the 2009 budget, the Democrat leadership of the Freeholder Board suggested that Atlantic County should be looking to Camden County for ideas to reduce taxes.
"It is simply preposterous to say that Camden County has a tighter or better budget process than Atlantic County considering their tax rate is more than double our tax rate and they are carrying $880 million in debt," said Freeholder Board Chairman Jim Curcio "And just last week, we heard the news that Camden County has the highest property taxes in the entire state and 11th in the nation."
"I'm not sure how this is a good example for Atlantic County," said Frank Giordano. "Camden County has the highest taxes in the state while, in contrast, we have one of the lowest property tax rates in the State of New Jersey and the County Freeholder Board has cut taxes eight of the last nine years."
"Atlantic County property taxes under the leadership of Dennis Levinson have become the 4th lowest in the state of New Jersey," said Frank Formica, Republican candidate for Freeholder. "As a businessman, looking at these results, it suggests the elected democratic leadership of New Jersey should be utilizing Atlantic County as one of the benchmarks to lower taxes for the citizens of New Jersey."
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Anonymous
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RE: CURCIO PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS ON FREEHOLDER DEBATE
Subject: REPUBLICAN FREEHOLDER CANDIDATES ASK DEMOCRATS IF THEY AGREE CAMDEN COUNTY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ATL
Today Freeholders Jim Curcio and Frank Giordano questioned comments made by the elected Democratic leadership on the Freeholder Board indicating that Camden County was a good example for Atlantic County government. While opposing the 2009 budget, the Democrat leadership of the Freeholder Board suggested that Atlantic County should be looking to Camden County for ideas to reduce taxes.
"It is simply preposterous to say that Camden County has a tighter or better budget process than Atlantic County considering their tax rate is more than double our tax rate and they are carrying $880 million in debt," said Freeholder Board Chairman Jim Curcio "And just last week, we heard the news that Camden County has the highest property taxes in the entire state and 11th in the nation."
"I'm not sure how this is a good example for Atlantic County," said Frank Giordano. "Camden County has the highest taxes in the state while, in contrast, we have one of the lowest property tax rates in the State of New Jersey and the County Freeholder Board has cut taxes eight of the last nine years."
"Atlantic County property taxes under the leadership of Dennis Levinson have become the 4th lowest in the state of New Jersey," said Frank Formica, Republican candidate for Freeholder. "As a businessman, looking at these results, it suggests the elected democratic leadership of New Jersey should be utilizing Atlantic County as one of the benchmarks to lower taxes for the citizens of New Jersey."
More empty rhetoric. None of this is factual at all. Heck, it's not even in print in the newspapers because of it being false. Was this in a newspaper or some blog.
Camden County does have the highest taxes. That is a fact. In the last 5 years our taxes increased $1400.00. There are also a lot more people living there plus they are pouring a ****load of cash into Camden.A lot of people are moving into Atlantic County for that reason. How much of an impact on the taxes does the Casino industry bring? What will happen to Atlantic County if the casinos continue to do bad or go under? The Freeholders can only control so much.
Sam Mento Statement Regarding Hammonton Freeholder Debate
HammontonFifth District Freeholder candidate Sam Mento released the following statement regarding his campaigns efforts to participate in a debate of only the Fifth District Freeholder candidates:
For the last several weeks, my campaign has been in negotiations with my opponent Jim Curcios campaign over arrangements for a debate. Numerous details needed to be resolved including timelines, an impartial moderator, the length of the debate, use of photography and recording devices, origin of questions, audience participation etc All of these are standard debate details which needed to be addressed and mutually resolved. In this regard my campaign reached out on numerous occasions with little or no response from the Curcio camp. You can imagine my surprise when I learned that Mr. Curcio appeared on radio commentator Harry Hurleys show and announced the date and location of the debate along with his decision that Harry Hurley would be the moderator. To date no other details have been shared with us and Mr. Curcio seems determined to have a debate based on his terms and his terms alone. Mr. Curcios failure to negotiate is both unfair and unacceptable.
By contrast, on Monday, October 19th all of the freeholder candidates will be participating in a debate at Richard Stockton College. This debate will be sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, the Press of Atlantic City and Stocktons William J. Hughes Policy Center. The format is fair, the timelines are clearly established, and the ground rules are evident to all of the candidates beforehand. This is the way debates are supposed to be conducted. I look forward to engaging my opponent at this forum in a discussion of his record and all of the important issues facing Atlantic County.
After Mondays debate at Stockton there will still be two weeks remaining until the November 3rd election. During that time, if we can get him to agree, I would be more than happy to meet Mr. Curcio in a Hammonton based debate conducted along the same fair and impartial guidelines as our upcoming debate at Stockton.
