DOT caught red-handed trashing signs to help Hayden

It is illegal for state employees to use taxpayers' money -- government time, government equipment, and government authority -- to favor one political candidate over another.  Now, employees of the New Jersey Department of Transportation have been caught doing so on behalf of fellow DOT employee William J. Hayden.

Several readers have responded to Watchdog's call requesting witnesses and video or photographic evidence.  All have agreed to testify at any forthcoming criminal or civil (federal civil rights) legal proceeding against one or more of following:  The New Jersey Department of Transportation, the individual employees, the CWA union, the Committee to Elect William Hayden, and William J. Hayden, individually.

Here is what one witness observed and then forwarded to Watchdog, along with photographic evidence:

"I witnessed NJ State DOT employees removing signage along Route 94 in McAfee and Hamburg.  I stopped and told them I believed their actions were illegal. They told me the signs were on State right of way and they were doing what their boss told them to do.  I do have a picture.  Call to discuss if you like."

"Attached picture taken on Route 94 across from entrance to Crystal Springs at 9:30 this morning.  Also removed signage on 638 in Highland Lakes, but miraculously Bills signs remain.  Check intersection of 515 & 638.  Orohos' signs removed, but Bill Haydens' remain."

William J. Hayden (AKA Bill Hayden, Dell Hayden, Skylands Patriot ) is an 18 year public employee of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.  He works as a supervisor, based in Trenton, where he pockets a salary and extras more each year than any legislator earns -- plus full benefits and a pension.  Hayden is a member of the CWA -- one of the most liberal unions in America.  Hayden's union has endorsed leftwing Democrat Phil Murphy for Governor.

Hayden doesn't vote much.  He made it last November, but the last time before that was 2010.  Now he thinks we should give him a second public job -- as our legislator.

Hayden is being aided and abetted by two cronies -- Nathan Orr and David Atwood -- who have chosen to endorse Hayden's behavior and tactics, and who are running a joint campaign with him.  Perhaps Orr and Atwood should be asked if they approve of using government money, personnel, and equipment to thwart free speech and to obstruct the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.

But even more importantly, why are New Jersey's legislators voting to force taxpayers to fund the Department of Transportation, when this kind of undemocratic, 1930's middle-European thuggery is winked at?  Those involved should resign out of shame.

More threats by Tea Party supporters

We reported to you yesterday about how an innocent family had an aerial view of their family home placed on Facebook with the words "target acquired" posted underneath and the statement, "got to love drones LOL," posted under that.

The organizer of a draft campaign committee for Gail Phoebus publicly posted personal details that he believed belonged to a "political consultant" who works in Sussex County.  But as with so much that comes from these people, the Phoebus campaigner -- who is also a key figure in the Skylands Tea Party of Sussex County -- got it all wrong.

The home "targeted" by the Phoebus campaigner/ Tea Party activist is in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and it belongs to a perfectly innocent family with young children.  It is not the home of the "political consultant" that Mr. Tea Party seems intent on injuring.

After Watchdog reported this, the Phoebus campaigner/ Tea Party activist appealed to his fellow supporters.  They responded with threats of violence and personal harm towards the "political consultant":

The "political consultant" (who is, in fact, a free lance writer) has already been "targeted" by Andover Township with what has been alleged are false statements by municipal officials.  Watchdog has observed how a number of prominent individuals in Sussex County -- including Andover Township municipal officials, Freeholder George Graham, Assemblyperson Gail Phoebus, and the New Jersey Herald have attempted to stoke hatred towards this individual.  They will bear some responsibility if a nutcase gets motivated enough to act against this or another "target" of their hate.

The conduct of officials at Andover Township has been particularly disreputable, and there has been an enormous amount of hatred stirred up simply because a writer exercised his First Amendment rights under the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.  Why can't these people wrap their minds around the idea of freedom of speech?

Instead of hate, maybe these folks should try calming down long enough to have a polite, rational, dignified policy discussion.  As the writer Isaac Asimov observed, "violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."