O'Leary's False Claim?

In regards to the June 25, 2009 article Update: South Amboy mayor slams letter, author, admits city received subpoena, I am left questioning a few of the mayor’s statements.

According to O’Leary he and his brother became owners of FHRM in February 2008. He denied that the company has any involvement with the city of South Amboy and denied that his company, FHRM, had an affiliation with Federal Hill Risk Management (FHMA) (Rick Malwitz, 2009).

The mayor did not disclose what his company’s initials represented in the article. Although he publicly denied involvement with Federal Hill Risk Management (FHRM) which has had dealings with South Amboy and Perth Amboy (Pay to play). FHRM is a large insurance firm that has had contracts with several cities in the surrounding area (State pay to play). They also appear on the pay to play list for South Amboy which was confirmed via Datauniverse.com. I requested further information from the city of South Amboy on June 24, 2009 pertaining to contracts entered by the city with all vendors appearing on the pay to play list. The O’Leary’s former employer, Gartland Insurance has strong ties to FHRM and is affiliated with Francis (Frank) Gartland. Gartland employed both Tom and John (Jack) O’Leary at Gartland Insurance, and contributed to elections during that time according to 2006 election contribution records. South Amboy also served as a home to a Gartland in 1998 (NJ Election Contributions, 1981 to 2009, 2009) (Pay to play). Additionally Tom O’Leary and John O’Leary reported being employed by Gartland in prior years, yet the mayor has stated that there is no cross involvement between the company he is currently employed with, ”FHRM”, and the city of South Amboy or Feder Hill Risk Management, which is untrue (Data Universe). In addition to contributions from the insurance companies who employed both the Mayor and his brother the owners and family members of Gartland and FHRM have been active donors in multiple New Jersey Democratic elections. In 2001 Tina Gartland, owner of Gartland Co. who resided on O’Leary Blvd in South Amboy (Data Universe ) made campaign contributions to the McGreevy campaign and other New Jersey races, however her residence is shown to have changed to Maryland after 2001 to the same address as Francis “Frank” Gartland (Watchdog.net) (NJ Election Contributions, 1981 to 2009, 2009) (Federal Election ).

Amongst employers that Thomas O’Leary reported to federal sources for election contribution information in 2008 was Gateway Health Management (Newsmeat.com, 2009). According to records O’Leary reported employment with Gateway in three donations to Hillary Clinton’s campaign dating April 2008 and August 2008, in which his address was reported to be on Blue Heron Drive, South Amboy, NJ, his current residence, however according to the Mayor’s statement he and Thomas were self employed with “FHRM” at that time (Federal Election Commission ).

In addition to Thomas O’Leary’s employment with FHRM, Gartland and Gateway, O’Leary is also employed in South Amboy as the executive director with the Housing Authority (HUD). Contrary to Mayor O’Leary ‘s denial of involvement with FHRM (Federal Hill Risk Management), Thomas O’Leary and Frank Gartland of FHRM (Federil Hill Risk Management) attended the County Executives of America Board of Directors Meeting in Washington D.C. as associate members representing FHRM on November 13, 2003. The meeting was a HUD conference (Ragsdale, 2003, p. 7). Further research showed that Frank Gartland was the President of Federal Hill Risk Management (Medina, 2005).

During his sit down interview Mayor O’Leary has “denied there was any direct affiliation with FHRM and Federal Hill Risk Management, based in Baltimore, MD”, but accrding to public records informaion it appears that there is very little evidence that the O’Leary’s have not had direct involvement with FHRM or Frank Gartland (Rick Malwitz, 2009).

In 2008 FHRM (Federal Hill Risk Management) reported $65,566 in donations to Democratic election campaigns in New Jersey, including Perth Amboy and South Amboy. FHRM also made a $7,800 donation to the Perth Amboy First Aid Squad that same year, and has been identified as a pay to play organization in South Amboy (Pay to play).

According to FHRM’s website Federal Hill Risk Management was formed in 1976 as Gartland Associates. They also list amongst their public entity clients include the following cities: Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, New Brunswick and the Patterson BOE (About Us). The website also states, “…we organized and developed the Middlesex County Joint Health Insurance Fund, one of the largest and most successful health insurance funds in the State of New Jersey”..

As with all research there are strengths and weaknesses. I have done my best to provide information that ties FHRM to the city of South Amboy, not in the way of proving illegal actions, but to counter the claim by Mayor O’Leary that he and his brother did not have a direct affiliation with Federal Hill Risk Management which is based in Maryland. I believe that Thomas O’Leary and Frank Gartland, President of Federal Hill Risk Management have an affiliation and the evidence provided is a strong indicator that Mayor O’Leary’s claim is not accurate.

Works Cited(n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from Watchdog.net: http://watchdog.net/contrib/21230/tina_gartland

(n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2009, from Federal Election : http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?26930072039

(2009). Retrieved June 28, 2009, from Newsmeat.com: http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=NJ&last=O%27Leary&first=Thomas

About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2009, from Federal Hill Risk Management: http://fhrm.net/about_us.html

Data Universe. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2009, from New Jersey Election Contributions, 1981 to 2009: http://php.app.com/elec/results1.php?newspaper=mcj&ELECTION_YEAR=%25&OFFICE=%25&LOCATION=%25&CONT_ZIP=&CONT_MASTER=&CONT_FNAME=&EMP_NAME=Gartland+&REC_MASTER=&REC_FNAME=&Submit=Submit

Data Universe . (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2009, from NJ Election Contributions: http://php.app.com/elec/details2.php?recordID=55839

Federal Election Commission . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?28992231808

Medina, D. (2005, June 23). Brick Township Bulletin. Retrieved June 28, 2009, from Brick Township Bulletin: http://bulletin.gmnews.com/news/2005/0623/Front_page/011.html

NJ Election Contributions, 1981 to 2009. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from Data Universe: http://php.app.com/elec/results1.php?newspaper=mcj&ELECTION_YEAR=%25&OFFICE=%25&LOCATION=%25&CONT_ZIP=&CONT_MASTER=&CONT_FNAME=&EMP_NAME=Gartland+&REC_MASTER=&REC_FNAME=&Submit=Submit

NJ Election Contributions, 1981 to 2009. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from datauniverses.com: http://php.app.com/elec/results1.php?newspaper=mcj&ELECTION_YEAR=%25&OFFICE=%25&LOCATION=%25&CONT_ZIP=&CONT_MASTER=&CONT_FNAME=&EMP_NAME=Gartland+&REC_MASTER=&REC_FNAME=&Submit=Submit

NJ Election Contributions, 1981 to 2009. (2009). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from Data Universe: http://php.app.com/elec/results1.php?newspaper=mcj&ELECTION_YEAR=%25&OFFICE=%25&LOCATION=%25&CONT_ZIP=08879&CONT_MASTER=Gartland&CONT_FNAME=&EMP_NAME=&REC_MASTER=&REC_FNAME=&Submit=Submit

Pay to play. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from Data Universe Pay to Play: http://php.app.com/elec_contractors/results.php?Business_Name=Federal+Hill+Risk+Management%2C+LLC&Receipient_Name=%25&Submit=Search+Contributions

Pay to play. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from http://php.app.com/elec_contractors/results.php?pageNum_Recordset1=0&totalRows_Recordset1=22&Business_Name=Federal+Hill+Risk+Management%2C+LLC&Receipient_Name=%25&Submit=Search+Contributions

Ragsdale, M. (2003, May 23). WBIR.com. Retrieved June 27, 2009, from http://www.wbir.com/pdf/05232008_ragsdale_docs_2.pdf

Rick Malwitz, K. S. (2009, June 26). mycentraljersey.com. Retrieved June 27, 2009, from mycentarljersey.com: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990625072

State pay to play. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2009, from http://php.app.com/elec_contractors/results2.php?Business_Name=Federal+Hill+Risk+Management%2C+LLC&Contracting_Entity=%25&Submit3=Search+Contracts

How does change start?

What Is Change and How Does It Begin?

Change - to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/change)

Better- to increase the good qualities of; make better; improve (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/better)


Change for South Amboy is a grassroots movements that was born out of concern for our small town by the bay. The mission, goals and vision of Change for South Amboy are for the betterment of the community and those who live or work in it.

Mission: Create an atmosphere were the community and the local government work together
towards common goals for the betterment of the community.

Vision: Develop community forum for free thoughts to be exchanged
Develop creative solutions for community issues
Develop a list of priorities for the betterment of our community It's Grassroots Baby!

What's a grassroots approach?
The grassroots approach is a proactive way of empowering and organize our community. Grassroots isn't a party choice like democrats or republicans. Grassroots is about shifting the power of change from the misconception that the city government holds all of the power to the reality that the community holds the power. Grassroots gives each member of the community a voice and support.
.... government of the people, for the people and by the people
How do you get involved?
There are a number of things that you can do to help move towards change. It's as easy as talking with your friends and neighbors.

• hosting house meetings or parties
• having larger community meetings
• putting up posters
• talking with pedestrians on the street (often involving informational clipboards)
• gathering signatures for petitions
• setting up information tables
• raising money from many small donors for political advertising or campaigns
• organizing demonstrations
• asking individuals to submit opinions to media outlets and government officials
• holding get out the vote activities, which include the practices of reminding people to vote and transporting them to polling places.
• attending city council meetings and sharing the information with others in the community
• utilize blogging as a virtual meeting place to share ideas, express concern and collaborate with other to find creative solutions to our city's problems.

Change starts with ideas and ideas start with you.

"New ideas pass through three periods: 1) It can’t be done. 2) It probably can be done, but it’s not worth doing. 3) I knew it was a good idea all along!"
- Arthur C. Clarke
Let's make a change!

South Amboy Council Meeting Calendar
Attend a meeting share what you learned with all of us.

July 13, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
July 15, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
August 17, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
August 19, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
August 31, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
September 2, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
September 14, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
September 16, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
October 5, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
October 7, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
October 19, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
October 21, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
November 2, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
November 4, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
November 16, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
November 17, 2009	Tuesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.
December 14, 2009	Monday	Business Meeting	6:00 P.M.
December 16, 2009	Wednesday	Council Meeting	7:00 P.M.

Ready, Set, Bring on Change

Step 1: Register for the blog
Step 2: Think about where and how you would like to see change
Step 3: Share your thoughts on the blog and in our community
Step 4: Remember that this forum is for betterment and a proactive approach to building a better South Amboy.