Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet, Little Lies

From The Express-Times:

Zikas' record expensive, embarrassing for Alpha
Thursday, January 28, 2010

It was baffling to read Alpha Councilman Harry Zikas Jr.'s letter (Jan.17) on the "in-lieu-of medical benefits" issue. With New Jersey's budget crisis, high taxes and loss of state aid, why is he so preoccupied with petty sarcasm and name-calling?

Maybe the explanation is two-fold: Zikas is up for re-election this year and wants to distance himself from his failed policies over the last 10 years. His general approach is both insulting and embarrassing.

This controversial medical benefits plan, adopted during Zikas' second term as mayor, has been a complete disaster for Alpha taxpayers. Since 2004, more than $108,000 has been paid to elected officials, with almost 70 percent going to just three council members (Robert Gara, $35,410; Louis Pettinelli , $22,243; and John Hajdu, $15,358) even though they all receive "Cadillac" medical benefits from various governmental bodies.

Also, in a Twitter post, Zikas called Pohatcong Township Mayor Stephen Babinsky "the Hugo Chavez of Warren County." During an Interstate 78 scenic byway presentation, he insulted and belittled Elaine Emiliani, Greenwich Township's mayor.

When Michael Savary objected to giving the borough attorney an exorbitant 7 percent increase, Zikas shot back, referring to a uniquely male part of Savary's anatomy.

If all this weren't enough, his tie-breaking vote approving the pool fiasco, his multiyear foot-dragging developing a borough Web site, the explosion in payroll costs under his watch, and Enron-style financial shell games with the water/sewer money should cause voters to ask, "Isn't it time for a change?"

Craig S. Dunwell
Alpha

I want to thank Dunwell for giving me so much to work with here - I don't even know where to begin! I would love to respond with a Letter to the Editor of my own, but The Express-Times only allows one letter per month and I reached that quota on January 17.

The first thing you need to know is that Dunwell is Councilman Michael Savary's 'Karl Rove', the "brain trust", if you will. He claims that he's not 'a surrogate' for anybody, but the writing is clearly on the wall. To be fair, Dunwell is currently a private citizen with his own opinions and he's clearly entitled to them, but when you attack my record and reputation, I'm going to respond and respond forcefully I will.

So, let's begin. Dunwell insinuates that I'm not concerned with "New Jersey's budget crisis, high taxes and loss of state aid". I would like to know where he would get an idea like that! Just like every citizen, business owner and elected official in this state, I'm extremely worried about our finances.  Dunwell mentions 'loss of state aid' and unfortunately, that is an issue every municipality will have to work through. I'm not sure if Dunwell remembers, but when I first took office as Mayor, one of the first things we did was apply for extraordinary aid to help repair Alpha's finances. Our application was successful and after a few more years of that additional aid, Alpha was on course to a stable financial future. Council held its first budget meeting of the year on Tuesday and if Dunwell were in attendance, he would have found out that our years of hard work are paying off. In fact, Moody's just upgraded our rating from Baa2 to Baa1. **See Below**

Ok, let's take his next shot at me - Dunwell states that I'm pre-occupied with "petty sarcasm and name-calling" because I'm up for re-election and I want to distance myself from my failed policies. While my seat on council is up this year, I haven't made a decision on running for re-election as of yet. I also don't consider my policies a failure and neither do the voters of Alpha who re-elected me as their Mayor in 2003 and allowed me the opportunity to continue serving Alpha as a Councilman by electing me to my current office in 2007. He opines that my general approach is "insulting and embarrassing". What about Councilman Savary's 'curb scandal'? Wasn't that "insulting and embarrassing" enough for him?

Dunwell brings up the story that won't die - the medical benefits plan! Yes, Alpha switched from a private health benefits package to the state health benefits package. Yes, we did it to save money. No, we were not aware that it had to be offered to elected officials. Was it a disaster? Far from it. While most of the savings were eaten up by having to offer the plan to elected officials, I still feel that the decision to switch was a smart move. It's interesting to note that Dunwell fails to mention Councilman Savary's decision to accept health benefits and what that will cost Alpha's taxpayers over the next three years of his term. Between the years of 2004 and up to and including 2006, Councilman Savary cost Alpha's taxpayers $15,688.68. Over the next three years, it is estimated that Councilman Savary's health benefits will cost $22,717.80 for a grand total of $38,406.48.

Next up, Dunwell references my infamous Twitter post about Mayor Babinsky.  I think I made it pretty clear in my blog post that I said what I said out of frustration due to Mayor Babinsky's unwillingness to cooperate with the Borough of Alpha on several cost-saving, shared services proposals. He continues on to say that I "insulted and belittled" Elaine Emiliani during a Route I-78 scenic byway presentation. If asking questions is insulting and belittling, then I'm guilty. Again, I posted a few entries on this blog regarding my feelings on the scenic byway proposal and how this state has bigger issues to confront and solve before we start designating highways as scenic byways.

Ok, Dunwell's next statement definitely needs some clarification. At Alpha's recent re-organization meeting on January 5, Councilman Savary decided to vote on our attorney's contract, which called for a 4.4% increase not 7%. I objected to him voting at all, whether for it or against it, because Councilman Savary is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the Borough of Alpha that is being litigated by our attorney. When our municipal clerk went through the roll call and I heard Councilman Savary enter a vote, I finished voting and this is what transpired:

Me: "...My colleague, Michael Savary, just voted on this resolution and I don't mean, pardon my language, to bust your balls, but you are a current defendant in litigation that our attorney is [representing us on]."
Savary: "So, you want me to abstain?"
Me: "You should."
Savary: "Yeah, I was wondering about that...yeah, I'll abstain."

I tried to stop Councilman Savary from crossing the fine line of ethics, but I'm the bad guy because I said the word 'balls'. The horror!

Dunwell finally closes his letter with a bunch of rapid fire accusations. Let's take them one by one:

- my tie-breaking vote approving the pool fiasco
Yes, on May 23, 2006, I voted to break a tie to enter into a contract with the local YMCA to run the John Dolak Memorial Pool. I was willing to give the pool one last shot to break even, but unfortunately, it did not. We learned our lesson and decided to permanently close the pool after that season ended.

- multiyear foot-dragging developing a Borough website
While I did put the website on the back burner, the Borough's site is currently under development and will be live soon. Printed directories, newsletters and a mass e-mail list were developed to keep residents informed in the meantime.

- explosion of payroll costs under my watch
I don't think modest pay increases for our employees would qualify as an "explosion". Alpha had a history of constant turnover with our clerk and finance officer, but since 2000, the same two people have held those positions.

- Enron-style financial shell games with the water/sewer money
Coincidentally, Councilman Savary used the same attack line in his campaign flier that I issued a rebuttal to back in November 2009. This statement was made because our three public works employees are paid out of the water/sewer fund instead of the general fund. The Borough of Alpha's finances and records are audited yearly and our budget meetings are open to the public. The public has full access to the process and we have absolutely nothing to hide.

"Fiasco", "foot-dragging", "explosion", "Enron-style" - all words used to alarm people, because usually where there's smoke, there's fire, but in this case, where there's smoke, there's two desperate men rubbing sticks together trying to start a fire. There's a lot more to the Dunwell & Savary Saga, but I'll save it for the days and weeks to come.

**MOODY'S UPGRADES BOROUGH OF ALPHA'S (NJ) G.O. RATING TO Baa1 FROM Baa2**

Baa1 RATING APPLIES TO $350,000 IN OUTSTANDING PARITY DEBT

Alpha (Borough of) NJ
Municipality
New Jersey

NEW YORK, January 26, 2010 -- Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the Borough of Alpha's (NJ) rating to Baa1 from Baa2, affecting $350,000 in outstanding general obligation debt. The bonds are secured by the borough's general obligation unlimited tax pledge. The upgrade reflects significant growth of financial margins evident in the Current Fund balance increasing more than 600% since fiscal 2005 and the expectation that reserves will remain in-line with recent trends. Fiscal 2008 Current Fund balance was $1.06 million (44.1% of Current Fund revenues). The Baa1 rating incorporates the borough's improved financial position, limited $233 million tax base with the presence of several age restricted housing developments in Warren County (GO rated A2), wealth indices below state and national medians, and modest debt position. Pay out of debt is rapid with 100% paid within the next eight years and the borough has no future borrowing plans. All of the borough's debt is fixed rate and the borough is not party to any derivative agreements.

Moody's believes the borough's financial position will remain sound given a healthy Current Fund balance and management's conservative budgeting practices. Over a three-year period ending in fiscal 2008 (December 31), Current Fund balance increased to $1.06 million, or a healthy 44.1% of Current Fund revenues. Positive financial performance was primarily due to collecting property taxes in excess of budget and nonbudgeted revenue. Based on unaudited fiscal 2009 results, the borough expects to fully replenish its $243,000 in appropriated surplus and increase its Current Fund balance by $29,000 to $1.09 million (approximately 45% of Current Fund revenues). The majority of Current
Fund revenue (fiscal 2008) is comprised of properties taxes and state aid at 70.4% and 11.6%, respectively. Moody's believes the borough's financial position will face pressures in the near-term given the current operating environment of the state but expects reserve levels to be maintained well in excess of 2006 levels.

The borough defers payment of $1.03 million (a sizeable 37.2% 2008 Current Fund balance) of the local school tax levy. The deferred amount represents an off-balance sheet liability, which Moody's believes could create fiscal vulnerability in the event that school property taxes are reduced. However, the borough has kept the deferral amount constant thereby reducing the deferral as a percentage of the levy to 37.2% from 42.3% in 2005, and below the maximum permitted level of 50%.

STRENGTHS
* Low debt burden with no future debt plans and rapid amortization of debt
* Strong Current Fund balance at 44.1% of Current Fund revenues
* Management's conservative budgeting practices

CHALLENGES
* Limited tax base of $233 million
* Below average wealth levels in western New Jersey
* High debt service expenditures as a percentage of Current Fund expenses

KEY STATISTICS:
-2008 Population: 2,386 (-3.9% since 2000)
-2010 Full Valuation: $233 million
-2010 Full Value Per Capita: $97,458
-1999 Per Capita Income (as % of NJ and US): $20,104 (74.4% and 93.1%)
-1999 Median Family Income (as % of NJ and US): $45,435 (69.5% and 90.8%)
-Direct Debt Burden: 0.3%
-Payout of Principal (8 years): 100%
-2008 General Fund Balance: $1.1 million (44.1% of Current Fund revenue)
-Long-term G.O. Debt Outstanding: $350,000

Team Conan

Who said this blog had to be just about politics?
Updated on 01/27/10 to include the following clips:

New Jersey's Youngest Mayor

It used to be me, but as of last night, it's Springfield Township's own Ziad Andrew Shehady, 25. I want to wish Mayor Shehady all the best and offer him the same advice that an Alpha resident gave me: "Being new is hard, but being young is even harder".

From PolitickerNJ.com (January 5, 2010):

25-year-old mayor takes the reins in Springfield

By Daniela Quintanilla | January 5th, 2010 - 11:41pm

Springfield Township became the municipality with the youngest serving mayor in New Jersey on Tuesday night.

Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady, 25, was sworn into office by Lt.-Gov Kim Guadagno along with newly elected Republican councilmen Marc Krauss and Jerry Fernandez, whose campaigns Shehady managed.

“I am giving the oath of office to someone half my age,” joked Guadagno, 50.

Shehady is four years older than Harry Zikas, Jr. was when he became mayor of Alpha at the age of 21, serving two terms from 2000 to 2007.

The traditionally Democratic town is now under Republican control with a majority of 3-2 in the town’s governing body, which elects the mayor.

Shehady was elected to the township committee in 2008 and in 2009 served as chair of the finance committee of the township council. He urged that the governing body would “put Springfield first” as a “productive and responsible team” to create a government organized as a business.

The new mayor said he plans to consolidate various boards and committees to simplify processes and ameliorate what he described as poor communication between departments. The new mayor said he is also excited to undertake new beautification and eco-friendly initiatives. In addition, Springfield will soon boast its own public access channel to improve communication and transparency between the government and its constituents.

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Twp.), Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit), Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield), Senate Minority Whip Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), Garwood Councilman Anthony Sytko (R-Garwood), and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi attended.

Deputy Mayor Bart Fraenkel, the former mayor, said that the new administration will be working diligently to accomplish “the things that we’ve been talking about for years: get bipartisanism out of the way, get government first.”

Despite a majority turnover, the emphasis of the event was bipartisanship and teamwork. Krauss said, “The 2010 township committee isn’t about our respective parties; it’s about Springfield and its residents first. Always.”

Lance further endorsed bipartisanship in spite of his party’s victory, saying, “Together we share a sense of purpose, recognizing in Lincoln’s immortal phrase that America is man’s last best hope on earth. May that always be the case.”

Corn can be prepared in many ways...

Before I dive into the subject matter at hand, I want to share one of my favorite movie scenes of all time:



So, Councilman Michael Savary formally took his seat this evening at our [Borough of Alpha] Council Re-Organization Meeting.  For those of you following the story, you know that I was disgusted with his campaign tactics and his unfair attack on (now former) Councilman Lou Pettinelli.  If you're not familiar with what went down, here's the gist: Mr. Savary distributed a flyer (without the necessary 'paid for by' disclaimer language required by law) around Alpha vilifying Mr. Pettinelli for taking payments in-lieu of the offered state health benefits (the payments are 50% of the actual cash value of the benefits).  What was odd about the accusation was the fact that when Mr. Savary previously served on Council, he took those same benefits!  Shocking, right?  Well, it gets better.  You would assume that Mr. Savary would now turn down those very same benefits upon his election to Council.  Wrong!  I issued a rebuttal to Mr. Savary's illegal campaign flyer and asked that he make a pledge to refuse the medical benefits and opt out from receiving the payments.  So here we are today and according to The Express-Times (January 6, 2010):

Savary strongly criticized the program during the 2009 campaign, lambasting former Councilman Louis Pettinelli for taking cash in lieu of coverage.  Savary admitted to taking the benefits when he served on council in the past, saying he disagreed with the option of accepting money instead of benefits.

"But it's not like you can vote for one and not the other," Savary said after Tuesday's meeting.

The councilman explained that as a small business owner he was in need of the health benefits and intends to enroll in the state plan.

I have to take offense to his explanation that he is need of health benefits because he is a small business owner.  My father is a small business owner and purchases his own benefits.  Why can't Mr. Savary do the same?

Hypocrisy.  Can you say that with me?  Hy-poc-ri-sy.  Well, Buenos días.

In other news, I am honored and humbled to have been elected Council President for 2010 by my Alpha Borough Council colleagues.  I want to thank them for their support and vote of confidence.  It is truly appreciated.

You took me for a joke, you took me for a child (Thank You Alanis Morissette), but your silence is deafening.

2009

Wow, a lot has happened since my last post here. Some good, some bad, but we've made it through. Here we are, December 31, 2009...what a long, strange trip it's been (Thank You Jerry Garcia & The Grateful Dead). We're not only closing out a year, but we're putting the finishing touches on a decade - the 2000's or whatever we decide to call them.

Ten years ago, I was just about to start my 1st term as Mayor of Alpha, New Jersey and as I sit here typing this, I'm reflecting on how much this past decade has impacted my life - personally and professionally. I'm sure that if I listed everything that I've experienced, it would sound something like Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire', but not as good.

2010 and this next decade will definitely bring us another set of challenges and adventures, so I wish you all the strength, patience and determination to get through and make the most of it.

Have a SAFE, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS and JOYOUS New Year!

All the Best,

Harry

What did Harry do now?

Alpha councilman insults Pohatcong Township mayor on social-networking site

Yes, it's true - I called Mayor Babinsky of Pohatcong Township a tool.  Did I compare him to Hugo Chavez ?  Oh yeah, I did that too.  Here's the back story - A few years ago Alpha agreed to disband our Police Department and contract with Pohatcong for police coverage.  The agreement is working and, I believe, both municipalities are happy or, at the very least, content.  Since then, whenever we (Alpha) proposed an idea for sharing services, Pohatcong put the kibosh to it - it was always their way or no way.  Alpha has wanted to share our Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Officer and now brush disposal - all of which would save money for both municipalities.  I was fed up and I let my feelings be known to the 'Twitterverse'.  Anyway, as I said, it is what it is.  

I wish 'The Express-Times' would have used a better photo of me.  :-)

Alpha Councilman Harry Zikas' indiscreet 'tweet' lands him in hot water

By PRECIOUS PETTY
The Express-Times

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Elected officials who use Twitter will tell you that the increasingly popular social-networking tool is an excellent way to communicate with constituents and keep the public apprised of their every move.

What politicians won't tell you -- perhaps because many don't realize it until after the fact -- is that some "tweets," a term for Twitter updates, are better kept to oneself.

Capitol Hill's elite learned that lesson last week when some members of Congress used their BlackBerrys to Twitter about everything except the nation's financial crisis as President Barack Obama addressed them on that very topic.

Alpha Councilman Harry Zikas Jr., who became New Jersey's youngest mayor when he was sworn in at age 21 in 2000, learned that lesson this week.

Pohatcong Township "Mayor Babinsky is a tool," Zikas wrote in a tweet published to the Web about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday. "There, I said it."

Zikas continued, writing "He is the Hugo Chavez of Warren County," comparing Stephen Babinsky with the controversial Venezuelan president.

Babinsky, at a Tuesday evening township meeting, had objected to a shared-services agreement proposed by Alpha, saying it's too complicated.

Zikas, 30, didn't attend the meeting. He read about it on lehighvalleylive.com then shared his thoughts via Twitter.

A few minutes later Zikas removed the post and replaced it with a gripe about the borough's past dealings with Pohatcong Township.

By then all 65 of his Twitter followers had received the original update.

Babinsky doesn't use Twitter, but he did have something to say about Zikas' tweet Wednesday afternoon. He delivered his message the old-fashioned way -- over the phone.

"If he's got a problem, he should call me. He should try to work it out instead of hiding behind a computer screen," the mayor said, adding that he doesn't have beef with Zikas.

"I've got more important things to worry about than this stuff," Babinsky said. "It's childish."

Babinsky, Zikas said, is hard to get along with because he puts township residents first, often at the expense of borough residents.

The update wasn't intended to offend Babinsky or anyone else, he said.

"It is what it is," he said. "No regrets. At the time, it was exactly what I was thinking."

Zikas, who delivered tweet-by-tweet coverage of Alpha's last council meeting, said he thinks Twitter is an amazing tool that he doesn't intend to stop using anytime soon.

"I absolutely see the value in it as far as communicating and being as open as possible," he said.

Reporter Precious Petty can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at ppetty@express-times.com.

Just pondering:  I kind of miss Mayor Mary Van Lieu. - HZ

Twitter

Do you use Twitter?  Uhh, What's Twitter, you ask? Well, according to the website "Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status. What are you doing? What are your friends doing - right now? With Twitter, you may answer this question over SMS or the Web and the responses are shared between contacts".

Two friends of mine, we'll call them Elizabeth (justgirlinworld) and Ben (Dubblebee), told me about Twitter in the early fall and I really didn't think much of it until I gave up and joined on November 3.  At first I was a bit skeptical, I mean who really cares what I'm doing 'right now'?  But, in reality it's more than that.  I truly see the benefits of using Twitter as more than just answering that simple question.  I consider it a form of micro-blogging.  Sometimes when I want to share a link or a quick thought, I'll post it on Twitter instead of this blog and you can always catch a few of my latest "tweets" by looking at the right side of this screen under 'Harry's Happenings'.

Sure, I "follow" my friends on Twitter to see what they're up to, but I also get updates from CNN, MSNBC, Newsweek, Senator Menendez and even my bank - Wachovia.

With each passing day, I'm using it more and more and actually plan on 'live-twittering' during the next Borough of Alpha Council Meeting, so we'll see how that goes.  If Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post can do it during a White House Press Briefing, I think I can handle it during a Council Meeting.

So those are my thoughts on Twitter and if you're up for it, feel free to join me @hzikas.

Of course he will!

...and so will every other Member of Congress opposing the stimulus plan.  If they vote against it, their district or state shouldn't get a dime of the stimulus funding and then let them really answer to their constituents.  

Unfortunately, that's exactly what will happen here in the 5th District of New Jersey.  Congressman Garrett will vote 'NO' (Does he ever vote 'YES'?), but of course he will accept the money like he just won the grand prize in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.  I'm thankful that New Jersey has two US Senators that are willing to stand up and support this stimulus plan for all of New Jersey - THANK YOU Senators Lautenberg and Menendez!

After Opposing Stimulus, Lindsey Graham Will Take The Money

by Jason Linkins
The Huffington Post

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 03:05 PM

Oh, Lindsey Graham, he is one of our favorites! The South Carolina Senator has, for weeks, cast himself as one of the stimulus package's most fervent opponents. This time last week, he and John McCain were in the well of the Senate, performing a grand duetto buffo di due gatti against the stimulus, and when the media metanarrative required that someone take a ream of paper and wave it around in the air with dramatic flair, Graham was only too happy to accommodate.

Ah, but now the bill's passage draws nigh, and lest you think he was going to school us all by allowing South Carolina to become a laboratory for whatever the hell economic plan he thought would work better, guess again. Graham will take the dollars, thank you, even if he's not convinced it will be of any good! Or so he told Wolf Blitzer:

BLITZER: South Carolina will get money out of this bill.

GRAHAM: Yes.

BLITZER: Should South Carolina take the money?

GRAHAM: I think that, yes, from my point of view, I -- you don't want to be crazy here. I mean, if there's going to be money on the table that will help my state, but I've got a job to do up here, and that is to try to help people and not damn the next generation. We had a $415 billion package to help people who have lost their jobs, that cut taxes, that create new jobs. We've got a spending bill, not a job creation bill. And we're being all things to all people.

Shucks, Lindsey, if you don't think it'll do South Carolina any good, by all means, don't take it!

President Obama's Stimulus Package

Tax cuts alone will not stimulate the economy and we need to enact these spending measures to do the job.  This is not going to be bailing out the banking or auto industries and their executives...this money is going to be spent at the state and local level to improve America's infrastructure, which is desperately in need of repair.  Please call our Senators and Representatives and let them know that you want them to vote YES for the President's economic stimulus package. 
Senator Frank Lautenberg202-224-3224
Senator Robert Menendez202-224-4744
Congressman Scott Garrett202-225-4465
Congressman Leonard Lance202-225-5361
Remember, our elected officials work for us, so let them know how you feel!

What?!?!

The proposed byway has shrunk a few miles from its original 34-mile length. The version now proposed runs about 24 miles, between milepost 3.27 on the Pohatcong/Alpha border in Warren County through Hunterdon County to milepost 27.65 in Bedminster Township, Somerset County. Bridgewater Township decided not to join the effort. Phillipsburg also opted not to join, but "it really only has 500 feet of frontage on 78," said Mr. Paradis. He said Alpha hadn't decided yet whether it would participate.

WHAT?!?  We voted on the proposal THREE times and each time it was rejected.  How many more times do we have to say "No!!" for the message to get across?  I don't understand why that comment was made, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he was misquoted by the reporter.  Maybe Mayor Paradis will stop by this blog again to leave another comment and give us his side of the story.

Feedback soon on scenic Rt. 78

by Veronica Slaght
Hunterdon County Democrat

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 12:15 PM

The application requesting state "Scenic Byway" status for Route 78 is in the state's hands.

"We would hope to hear something back at least within the first quarter" of this year, said Lebanon Mayor Mark Paradis. "They unfortunately don't give any timeline."

Mr. Paradis has headed the grassroots effort seeking scenic status, working with municipal officials and professionals volunteering their time.

State Department of Transportation spokesman Timothy Greeley said the I-78 Corridor Historic and Scenic Byway Alliance should get some news in short order, but said "no final decision is expected at this time."

The proposed byway has shrunk a few miles from its original 34-mile length. The version now proposed runs about 24 miles, between milepost 3.27 on the Pohatcong/Alpha border in Warren County through Hunterdon County to milepost 27.65 in Bedminster Township, Somerset County. Bridgewater Township decided not to join the effort. Phillipsburg also opted not to join, but "it really only has 500 feet of frontage on 78," said Mr. Paradis. He said Alpha hadn't decided yet whether it would participate.

One of the protections provided by the status is a ban on future billboard construction, which isn't necessarily seen as a benefit for towns that earn revenue from billboard companies.

Planner Carl Hintz provided the printing and then personally delivered 10 copies of the nomination to the state Scenic Byways coordinator at the Department of Transportation in December. The coordinator distributes it to the New Jersey Scenic Byways Advisory Committee, which makes a recommendation to DOT Commissioner Steve Dilts. He makes the ultimate decision.

In addition to Mr. Hintz's help, attorney J. Peter Jost worked pro-bono on the project and professional photographer Robin Giordiano of Lebanon took pictures of vistas along the highway. The application is the culmination of monthly meetings since May.

The scenic byway bid is endorsed by AAA Mid-Atlantic, HART and the Freeholder and Planning Boards of Warren, Hunterdon and Somerset and 11 towns: Bloomsbury, Clinton, Lebanon and the townships of Bethlehem, Bedminster, Union, Tewksbury, Readington, Pohatcong, Greenwich and Franklin (Hunterdon).

The proposal mentions scenic views such as the Delaware River Valley, preserved farmland, Round Valley and Musconetcong Mountain. Photos show the mature hardwood forest, and text describes Route 78's origin as a Native American trade route.

According to the DOT, the benefits of designation are federal funding, recognition, increased tourism, technical assistance in the scenic byway process, planning for protection and managed growth and possible grants to help with implementing a mandatory five-year byway plan.