Christie, Wildstein, & that Forgotten Court Case

In January 2014, a civil action suit was brought against Chris Christie, Bridget Kelly, David Wildstein, Baroni, Stepien, Drewniak for the traffic tie up caused by closing 3 lanes on that infamous bridge into/out of Fort Lee. It seeks damages for residents and business owners.

Brings to light the fact that a lot of businesses were affected when traffic snarled all over Fort Lee. If the roads were clogged, people couldn't get to work, couldn't go shopping, couldn't take the kids out after school...if they could even get to school through all the traffic. Four days of this, almost a week, can be a really big financial detriment to the shops and businesses. I have to wonder how long it took them to recover?

According to the lawyer for the residents, Wildstein and Kelly never responded to the complaint and so could be found in default.

The other's named in the suit did respond. They asked for a dismissal. I'm guessing that's just what lawyers do, try to get stuff dismissed. Would that be possible? So many emails go back and forth between these political appointee mobsters that the evidence is kind of overwhelming. If you read Wildstein's indictment you see a lot of back and forth between the major players and some of it was kinda nasty. If this gets dismissed, there is something seriously wrong with our justice system.

Let's see...they used a bogus traffic study to hurt a mayor because he wouldn't come out publicly to endorse Christie. When did bullies take over Trenton?
Oh wait! Christie was elected in 2009? That's when the bullies took over.
How embarrassing for New Jersey....

Dear New Hampshire....Take My Governor, PLEASE!

Dear New Hampshire,
I heard you were quite taken with Governor Christie. I read about it here. 
You like his brash manner (in New Jersey we call his name calling "lack of manners" See it here!) and outspokenness.  Not having facts, shouldn't really be categorized as outspokenness. He didn't have the facts when he spouted off about pensions and what other governors have done in New Jersey. Was he lying or just speaking without know the facts? Read about that here.                

We've had Christie as Governor here in NJ for ...about 5-6 years now?

• Unemployment is up....check out the facts.   
• Property taxes have risen under Christie at a rate almost twice as high as our previous governor. Numbers from 2013 here. Or compare your state to ours here. 
• Transparency in government was something Christie promised in his campaign. However, his office can't seem to cough up any facts when questioned. The New York Times even reported it here.  And the lawsuits are costing taxpayers-you know the ones who want the transparency-big bucks. 
• Bridgegate leaves questions  and we're waiting for the indictment to drop any minute now. 
• New Jersey was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy two years ago and people are still fighting to get back in their homes. They question the Governor about it and get ...well, not much. NorthJersey.com reported it here. 
• Then there's the great New Jersey Exodus; We be leaving this high taxed state where you get less for your buck. 

In closing, dear New Hampshire, if you think our Governor is so great let him govern New Hampshire for while and then get back to me.

Respectfully yours,
A New Jersey Taxpayer

Where to Find Money for NJ Pensions

Just a suggestion, but here's a few places the state might find some $$$$ to cover the states pension fund.

• Keep Christie in New Jersey. Evidently our tax dollars are being wasted to guard him so he can campaign all over the country. Keep him home and put that money into Pensions. 
• Make him reimburse the state for that extra election. You know, the one he called so he wouldn't be up for election at the same time as Booker? That's $24 million. 
• Make him pay for his own lawyer. NJ Taxpayers paid for Christie to have his own lawyer investigate what the feds were already investigating. (SURPRISE! They said he's not guilty! Clueless, but not guilty.) $1 Million dollar taxpayer scam. 
• Make Christie keep his promise for transparency in NJ government. He's spending millons to keep his out of control spending under wraps. 
• If he hired people to run his social media/facebook/twitter accounts; are they in the pension system? If so, why? 

Off topic? 

What the heck did he and Mary Pat do with all that Sandy money? Except of course that huge chuck of bucks sent to those companies that donated to his Republican Governors fund.  Why are there still so many struggling to recover? If they didn't get that money, who did? 

Christie Plays the Waiting Game

Hillary announced she's running for Prez. No surprise there, we all saw it coming. Who else on the Dem tree is throwing their hat in the ring?
A conspiracy theorist, a performance artist, and an ex-football coach. Hmmm, should Hillary be worried? I think the only threat to Hillary for the Dem nomination at this point would be Elizabeth Warren but she already said no. Warren has already proved her self a force to be reckoned with. Her down to earth, common sense and courageous manner of calling out the deadwood political leaders in her home state of Massachusetts, has many begging her to run. I'd give her my vote in a nanosecond.
Governors from Virginia, Maryland, and Rhode Island have also made some noise in bid for Prez, but they've been keeping such a low profile I don't even remember their names.

On the other side of the ticket is....was...Chris Christie. He was all anyone was talking about a few years ago but maybe, just maybe...that bridge has closed. With New Jersey's unemployment rate one of the worst in the nations, taxes up all over the state, and his mini war on Planned Parenthood (women), he's done nothing to prove he's worth of that Oval Office. And then there's Bridgegate, accepting gifts from Jerry Jones and ...who sent him to London? That trip was a bust. Not very presidential to snap at British reporters.  Now he's a global bully.

The waiting game is on... news sites all over the web are holding their breath and waiting for the indictments to drop. Who's making a deal and who will go down because of it?

• Wildstein? Yeah, he's been looking for a deal since day one. And he looks like a man who'd keep a little insurance on the side. 
• Kelly? She's a mom. If a deal is offered, she should make the deal that would be best for her kids. I'm sure this is hard enough on them. 
• Samson? Not sure anything can save him and the fact that his law firm is removing his name...hmmmm? What do you think? 

• Governor Christie? Could he really not have know what was going on? A traffic jam on the biggest commuter bridge in New Jersey and he was clueless? He never once wondered what kind of traffic study would shut down rush hour? Could he be that dumb? And he said he never met Wildstein ...suddenly all these photos of him and Wildstein surface...how's your memory Mr. Christie? 

Should be an interesting week. . .  Who else is getting indicted? Any guesses?

Do Four Things to Get the Job

Sitting at the front desk in a building that houses multiple companies, I see a lot. Job seekers come through, looking for that perfect match. Past my desk come many qualified candidates that ruin their chances with the same dumb mistakes. 

• Be on time. Such a simple requirement, but one of the most important things in an interview. Look at it this way, if a person can't be on time for the interview how are they going to get to work on time? Do a drive by the day before so you don't get lost the day of the interview.
• Dress like you want the job. Walking in wearing t-shirt and jeans doesn't show the employer anything but you're on vacation. Show them you want it. Wear a suit or nice pants and a button down shirt. Comb your hair. 
• Come prepared. Bring a resume and a list of references. Put them in a folder so they don't get wrinkled. A crumbled piece of paper pulled from your pocket shows the employer you don't care enough to keep it neat.
• Research the company on the Internet before your interview. Know what they do and find something special about the company to mention during your interview. Do your homework. Impress them with your knowledge of their company. 

I've seen too many potentially good candidates ruin their chances by making these dumb mistakes. Be on time, dress for success, be ready to sell yourself and do your research. These four things will put you ahead of the pack and increase your chances of getting the job. 

The Job Interview: Why You Blew it!

Five things that will blow your job interview:

     1. Late arrival. Be on time! Or maybe a few minutes early, but not an hour early. You were scheduled around the interviewer's work day. Respect that. Showing up 5 to 10 minutes early? Great! Showing up two hours early? DON'T DO IT! No you don't look anxious for the job or like a go getter. You look like someone who can't tell time or follow directions. In some companies there might be someone who has to keep an eye on you so you don't wander. You just screwed up their day. 

     2. Dress like a slob. Instead, dress like you want the job. Leave the t-shirt and hoodie at home and wear a shirt and tie. Or blouse and nice pants/skirt. Good shoes, no sneakers.  Make sure your clothing is clean. No stains. No missing buttons. 

    3. TMI. (Too Much Information) Don't say stupid things. We all know an interview can be an extremely nerve wracking experience, but keep your cool. Think about your answers. Go online and look up "Interview Questions." Most companies use the same type of questions so you might have an edge if you know the common questions. 

           a. Never tell them you smoked pot when you were younger or have a problem with alcohol. 

           b. Don't complain about your family. 

           c. Never say anything bad about your last boss or coworkers. 

     4. Bare your Ink. Tattoos. I love them, I have one, but cover them during the interview. Tattoos are one of those things people either love or hate. You don't know who you're meeting with or what their views are on ink. You want the job? Play the odds and cover the tats till you get the job. 

     5. Go empty handed. Be prepared. Bring a copy of your resume and references. Don't be digging in the phone to find numbers of your friends to put down as references. (Turn your phone off!)  If you don't have a resume, get one. Not a lot of work experience? Put volunteer work or special skills on it. Get help with that resume by someone who knows how to write one. Check with your local collage or library to find out where to get help. 

An interview is a chance to sell yourself to the company. Recite a list of the skills you have that fit this job before you go in so you'll have a better chance of remembering them when you're in the hot seat. If you have a friend or family member who'll practice interviewing you, do it! Practice can only make you stronger in when in the interview chair. 

Good luck! 

Cover Letters to get that Interview- Why they're Important

The job you just applied for received over 100 applications. Sounds daunting, but this mountain of paperwork can be climbed and you can come out on top.
      Step 1. Read the job ad carefully. Inside that ad you're going to find key words. When the employer wrote the ad he described his dream employee.
     Step 2. Make a list of the key words within the add. If the ad says something like;
        Brand new pediatric dental office looking for a front office staff member with dental office experience. This person should be a team player who can ensure the smooth and efficient running of the practice as a whole. The ideal candidate will be friendly, enthusiastic, and have a positive attitude. Also, they should be a quick-learner, flexible, and have excellent organizational and customer service skills. Tasks include welcoming patients, scheduling appointments, presenting fees and discussing dental insurance benefits, processing dental insurance claims, tracking and calling patients with incomplete treatment, and all other front desk tasks. Great opportunity for a highly qualified candidate that possesses strong leadership skills. Salary based on experience. 

     The key words here are; team player, efficient, enthusiastic, positive attitude, flexible, excellent organizational and customer service skills, strong leadership skills. So you'd want to hook the person who reads your cover letter by using these words. This is what they are looking for, so be that person. 

     Step 3. Check out the website if possible. Google their name, email address, or phone number to find it. There might be more key words on their website you can find to use in your letter. 

     Step 4. Make your first sentence or two a hook. That means say something right up front to make them read on. Don't start with "I would like to apply..." They know that already, you gave them your resume. Try, "I'm looking for a position that will appreciate my positive attitude and excellent customer service skills." In that first sentence you've incorporated two key words from their wish list. 

     Step 5. If you can say something personal about their business, add that, too. The above ad if for a pediatric office so any experience you have with kids would be good to mention. If it's a construction office, you can admire something you saw on their website. 

     Keep it short and to the point. All your skills should be listed on your resume, so don't list them all here. A highlight or two that coordinates with what was asked for in the ad is fine, but most employers don't have time to read a book. 

     If you're not that great a writer google cover letters and copy them, BUT don't forget to add your keywords and personalize it to make it stand out from the crowd. Use the bones of those online letters, but you need to make them your own and tailored to the job for which you're applying. Every job you apply for should have a different cover letter that's been modified to reflect the job, key words, and how your skills would match. 

Good luck! Go get 'em!