You wrote: "When I looked at the percentage of their (retiree communities) voter turnout (more than 50 percent), it is more than double that of the rest of Barnegat (less than 20 percent)."

Why are you surprised? The mathematics of the turnout follows a very simple and elementary rule called "The 20-60 Rule". All things being relatively equal, here's how it works: 20% of the voters in ANY voting district come out to vote. By extension, 60% of the voters over the age of 60 come out to vote. Now, check your numbers, 50% of those more than 50 years old did, indeed ciome out to vote!

Elementary, my dear Ms. Clemeneti

All politics is local, starting with Barnegat which would have a new Democratic committeeman if Effron withdrew and endorsed Mike Howard when it was apparent he had no chance of winning. There is an opportunity to take control and have a Democratic Mayor next year if certain individuals put their egos aside and unite behind Mike Howard and another "name" candidate, perhaps Fred Rubenstein. The Mayor and his puppet "Charlie McCarthy" are very vulnerable since they presided over the biggest tax increases in the history of Barnegat. We also have to hope that the anti-incumbent opposition is not divided next year like they were this year. A Democratic victory in Barnegat next year will reverberate around the county, and energize Democrats in other competitive towns to do the same. But it all starts here in Barnegat.

If we want change or status quo the only way in our society is to vote. Hopefully anyone running for election next year will be clear regarding their own objectives, how to accomplish and how we can measure.

Ms. Clemente said "I won’t even say anything about Michelle Rosen, because she had no business putting herself out there as a candidate." Well Ms. Clemente, Howard Effron had no business putting himself out as a candidate and you didn't say anything to support the real Democratic candidates (Morano/Howard). If you want to know why the Republicans control Barnegat look in the mirror Marianne. They couldn't have done it without you and Effron helping them. "Shame on you."

Marianne, you talk a good talk, but you forgot to walk the walk. Here in Barnegat, we had a great chance to get two anti-tax hike Democrats elected and you did NOTHING to help us win. In fact, you helped Marty win. As the head of the Democratic Club you did less then nothing to help Lenny and I during this past election. You would not sign our petitions and failed to come out in favor of us in any manner. So for you to complain at this point is outragous. Now I see you think it's a good idea to come up with a new name to run under,.Democrats for a change in Ocean County. The first change should be for you to resign as the Democratic Club President. That's a change I would vote for. The shame is not only that voters in Barnegat did not come out to the poles to vote, it's on YOU for talking out of both sides of your mouth at the same time. Like i've seen written here, "Shame on you", "Look in the mirror" and "It all starts in Barnegat"

The insight of Mr. Howard's letter further illustrates how Barnegat shot itself in the foot by not electing him.

Seniors and minorities are courted by politicians. Statistical analyses proves they vote. These groups know that complaining means nothing unless you have the votes to pass/defeat legislation.

The candidacy of Dorothy Ryan was absurd. How do you take a just-defeated incumbent, an incumbent who confessed that she vandalized campaign signage and place her in nomination against a powerhouse like Christopher Connors? I really want to meet the genius who engineered that brilliant move.

Locally, any opposition to the status quo is too splintered to be effective. The Bagel Boys congregate near the post office in a quasi "Occupy Barnegat" setting solving the problems of the world. If they ever channeled their anger constructively to organize an opposition to the seated political monopoly, perhaps then they would merit recognition.

The democrats have more holes in their fabric than a Swiss cheese. When a political organization president acts to sabotage her party's certified candidates, she should be run out of town on a rail.

Barnegat cries out for a grass roots organization to meet in a spirit of compromise and take on Mr. Melchiondo and Mr. Cirulli in 2012. But it won't happen in 2012, 2013 or time forever more. Barnegat simply doesn't give a damn.

Besides, what would the Bagel Boys have left to complain about then?

Welcome to Barnegh - - - -.

Howard should run again next year but not with Rubenstein. The Democatic Party in Barnegat worked against the Democratic candidates. The Mirage was responsible for Lisella's victory. After all , the Town spent over a million dollars getting their housing problems fixed and there's the softball field built for the over the hill Mirage team that cost $135,000 and yet he only won by 11 votes.Melchiondo and Cirulli voted for the tax increase and should be defeated next year.

Thank you Mike Howard for hitting the nail squarely on the head. I don't know much about the Democratic Party in Barnegat, but it certainly doesn't appear that there is much leadership involved. Frankly, if Ms. Clemente’s presentations at township meetings are examples of her leadership, then both Mike and Lenny should be grateful she didn't speak out for them. Creating a new party with the current Democratic leadership of both the county and local organizations is a complete and hopeless waste of time. The Democrats would do far better reviving their old party with new leadership and fresh candidates. To Rosen and Ryan, it's time to end the pain. Retire. To Mike Howard and the Democrats who ran for the Assembly: Best of luck in your coming campaigns. As a lifetime Republican, I know from repeated experiences that voting Republican in Ocean County is a profound curse on society.