NJ Cops October17 | Page 7

Marc Kovar Executive Vice-President Elections have consequences It’s our job to make sure NJSPBA endorsements matter Election Day is Nov. 7. I realize that I have been hitting everyone over the head with the importance of these upcoming elections, but our campaign efforts and endorsements are vital. This November election for governor offers two options. The race is between Kim Guadagno and Phil Murphy. We have been re- peatedly disrespected for nearly eight years by Chris Christie and his Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno. Law enforcement has been subjected to repeated assaults, including reducing funding to our pension and health care, as well as repeated efforts to demon- ize law enforcement. The reality is that we have seen what happens to our members under a Christie-Guadagno administration. A vote for Kim Gua- dagno is a vote for the 2-percent arbitration cap and further con- solidation and dismantling of police departments, like what oc- curred in Camden. The NJ State PBA was the first group to endorse Phil Murphy, well in advance of the primary election in June. We continue to have productive and positive conversations with Phil Murphy on issues that are important to all of us, including reform of Civil Ser- vice, PERC and Chapter 78. This is why the PBA endorsed Phil Murphy for governor. Now, we need to encourage our fellow members, colleagues, friends and family to show up at the polls on Nov. 7 and cast votes for Phil Murphy and other NJSPBA-endorsed legislative candidates. Volunteer: we need your help We have worked hard during the past few election cycles to show that PBA endorsements matter. But we can’t rest after publicizing our endorsements. I want to be as direct as possible. This is not my PBA, and it is not State President Pat Colligan’s. This is collectively our PBA, and Pat and I can’t do this alone. We all need to get active in NJSPBA elec- tion activities. There should be no member who can’t volunteer a few hours during the next few weeks and on Election Day to help with phone banks or walking programs to support our NJSPBA-en- dorsed candidates. We need your help. The PBA must continuously show that our endorsements mean something more than the paper they are writ- ten on. I expect as many of us as possible to help us on targeted campaigns. We need to show strength by helping elected officials and candidates that support law enforcement and our families. Please reach out to your Local State Delegate, or to me personally, to volunteer to help in the upcoming elections. Our NJSPBA endorsements are valuable when all of us follow through by voting for our endorsed candidates. We are simply stronger together, and our votes are more valuable when they are cast for NJSPBA candidates. Vote by mail, if necessary If you, or your family members, cannot make it to the polls on Election Day, then please apply to vote by mail. We included a “Vote by Mail” application in the September issue of NJ Cops Mag- azine. You can also download a “Vote by Mail” application at www. nj.gov/state/elections/voting-information-vote-by-mail.html Then follow these simple steps: 1. Fill out and sign your vote-by-mail application. 2. Mail your application to your county clerk. You can find your county clerk’s address at: www.nj.gov/state/elections/ voting-information-local-officials.html. Your county clerk must receive your application by Oct. 31, so make sure to mail your application as soon as possible. 3. You should receive your ballot shortly. Make your voting de- cisions from NJSPBA’s list of endorsed candidates. 4. Mail back your completed and signed ballot. Your ballot must be received by your county Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7. Elections have consequences The saying goes, “elections have consequences,” and we need to ensure that together we make every effort to elect representatives who know and care about issues that matter to law enforcement. It is a privilege representing my PBA brothers and sister. Pat and I have been upfront about our priorities. We will continue to fight for each and every one of you each and every day. We will always put aside whatever personal, political or ideological opinions to best represent law enforcement, specifically NJSPBA members. But, we need your help to ensure that we all have a voice in the political process that plays such a significant role in our lives. I can’t stress enough how much the endorsements matter and what we have put into supporting NJSPBA-endorsed candidates. Please remember to vote. Please remember to support NJSPBA- endorsed candidates. In closing, I want to send my thoughts and prayers to all the vic- tims and first responders impacted by the mass-shooting tragedy in Las Vegas. d Welcome new State Delegates The following new State Delegates were sworn in at the NJ State PBA Convention at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sept. 16: • Michael Auble, Atlantic City Local 24 • Blaise O’Donnell, Gloucester City Local 40 • Brian Trotman, Springfield Local 76 • Dennis Conway, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Local 221 • Jesse Novalis, East Hanover Local 227 • Christopher Shick, Berkeley Township Local 237 • Adam O’Connor, Beachwood Local 253 • Gregory Albert, Rockaway Township Local 287 • Alexander Lovas, Camden County Corrections Local 351 • Jason A. Hildebrant, Long Beach Township Local 373 www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ OCTOBER 2017 7