I would like to thank all of those 2,009 supporters who voted for me in the 12th Legislative District Republican primary (for state Senate). We received 26 percent of the vote, and I was elated when I was told thState senator’s actions draw rebuke from former opponentat my campaign helped Bret Schundler win in Monmouth County. One of my planks was support for the Parental Notification Constitutional Amendment (ACR-2).
I and several other Republicans from Monmouth County were at the Senate hearings on the Parental Notification Amendment on June 28 and Sen. John Bennett’s performance was inexcusable.
As soon as the discussion on the Parental Notification Amendment began, Sen. Bennett got up and left the Senate chambers. Sen Gerald Cardinale, as sponsor of ACR-2, led the discussion. They needed 24 yes votes to put it on the ballot in November and 21 votes to postpone it to the next Senate session.
Sen Joe Palaia, who was presiding, asked for the vote. There were 20 yes votes and 15 no votes. Sen. Cardinale went looking for Sen. Bennett to vote. He was out in the hall and refused to come in and vote.
According to published reports, Sen. Norman Robertson later commented, "Twenty of us are out on a limb, and the majority leader is looking for a place to hide." Sen. Cardinale finally came back to the floor and asked to hold the measure, saying, "I can’t seem to find Sen. Bennett."
Sen. Bennett returned right after the postponement.
Then, according to published reports, acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco, who is also Senate president, dispatched a state trooper to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick to pick up Sen. Jack Sinagra, who had just undergone surgery. Sen. Sinagra soon appeared to cast the 21st vote and pass the bill by a bare majority. The 21 yes votes allow the issue to be brought up again in the next session.
Sen. Bennett abstained on ACR-2, saying he does not want the issue on the ballot in the fall as he and his fellow GOP senators seek re-election.
ACR 2 was about letting the people of New Jersey decide whether parental notification should be the public policy of this state. Senators who voted no or abstained, as Sen. Bennett did, deprived voters of their right to vote on this matter this November. Write or call Sen. Bennett’s office at (732) 842-4900 to let him know how you feel about his vote.
After witnessing the Republican "leadership" in action, I am convinced that we need new leadership. There are several other Republicans such as Sens. Palaia, Cardinale, Sinagra and Joseph Kyrillos who exhibit honor, integrity and courage. Two of these men should be elected Senate majority leader and Senate president.
John Desmond
Manalapan