The more things change, the more things remain the same.

Over the years our republican organization has undergone many changes. We had leaders that... well... we had leaders that stuck around an never went away. Our leaders did good for the county. They built the fine place we all live today (minus the current administration in HQ).

Way back when, there was a freeholder name Ed. Ed was well liked by his piers, but Ed did some legal but silly things with his campaign money. Then he said some silly ( and I do mean silly) things to the APP. The result, dear Ed was lamb based and publicly destroyed. Some even say he became radio active for a spell. The shame was that Ed was a good, if not a great freeholder, and he was loved by many (and still to this day might I add).

The then leadership decided in their ultimate wisdom to get rid of him. He would bring down the party. He would loose us a freeholder seat... and so it was done. As the legend goes, Ed was removed from the line through a "Screening" Committee in a living-room along the Navesink. On a whim, the leadership tossed Ed out. Ed ran and lost in the primary and we held the seat for freeholder (enter Freeholder Clifton).

Ed was fighting a 500 lb Gorilla with the name of APP. As we all know, if you are chosen by this APP to be sacrificed, you are OR horrible things will happen. Much like a volcano on a tropical island or the evil machine in the Steven King Classic Movie "The Mangler", Human sacrifices seem to be necessary to keep this evil 500lb Gorilla the APP in check. The good news is that this creature does tell you who should be the next one on the chopping block. If you try to sacrifice the wrong person, god help you. (See last years election results)

This past year the 500lb Gorilla began to attack Mal-Colmbed Carton. But he survived the attack (only by the skin of his hair). The director decided to shoot the Gorilla with a B-B gun. This only infuriated the Gorilla. The Gorilla did not get its pound of flesh from the director or Mal Colmbed Carton... so it attacked our weakest point. Our two young freeholder candidates in a scathing anti endorsement endorsement. One survived and one was ultimately destroyed. (good-by Andrew Lucas)

Recently, there was a freeholder named Anna. She was well loved by many (and still is). Some were jealous of here popularity, others felt she didn't live in a big enough house or drive a nice enough car. Some just didn't like here because she didn't do what they asked when they wanted. She spoke her mind, disagreed openly with the Party Leadership and fought for the tax payer. Perhaps they could feed her to the 500lb Gorilla like Ed. Perhaps that will keep the Gorilla happy.

The then leadership decided in their ultimate wisdom to get rid of her. She would guarantee the win. She would keep the republicans a freeholder seat (if not two)... and so it was done. A "Screening" Committee was convened with the expressed purpose of removing Anna from the Line. They were successful. The difference, the Gorilla was not interested in Anna, he was however interested in those that took the line away. Anna was left with options unlike Ed. Anna can run in a primary, as an independent or as (god forbid) a democrat.

Only time will tell.