Christie gave raises to 27 staff members this year, report says

Christie gave raises to 27 staff members this year, report says (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie in the last two months gave raises to the staff members who run his press shop, his schedule and his public appearances, according to a report by The Record. Of the 27 staff members who got their salary bumped, 24 are…

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Crime in Asbury Park, Part One: Understanding the Problems of Our Youth

By Joe Woerner

Consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in New Jersey, the crime on our streets has been more than ever on the minds of residents. In an effort to continue the discussion already underway in our community I will be sharing a few ideas that have helped me better grasp the issue as well as suggesting some possible actions. In a series of three letters I will address the fundamental underpinnings of crime, enforcement, and how to better support our community members.

Aristotle said, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” To understand our crime issue, we must first understand the devastating role poverty plays in our community. The socio-economic and emotional impacts of poverty directly correlate with insufficient family and community support. This absence of adequate support limits options and makes it near impossible for our young people to succeed.

The Center for Disease Control publishes risk and protective factors for youth violence. The risk factors, such as low parental income and diminished economic opportunity, read like a laundry list of Asbury Park’s problems. Poverty not only increases the risk factors but also decreases protective ones. Our youth live in broken homes, substandard housing, and without basic services like simple healthcare. As a result many turn to gangs for protection, financial opportunity, and a sense of belonging. This American Life did a two-part special on Harper High School (part I & part II) in Chicago that illustrates the lack of options for poor minority youth in urban areas like Asbury Park. For too many, gang involvement and violence are a given, not a choice.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, May 30-June 1, 2014

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Friday, May 30

• Nature Cruise at Manasquan Reservoir (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Church Indoor Flea Market (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• Doo Wop Extravaganza at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Jerry Topinka & Friends (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Children’s High End Sample Sale (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Circle BMW i3 Ride & Drive Event (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Chris Turner & the Steel Rail Blues (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank RiverFest – MORE INFO

• Linda Chorney at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• The Gin Game at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Paint the Town Pink Events (County wide) – MORE INFO

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO

• Draw the Jersey Devil (Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• “What’s So Funny?” Exhibit (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Toyota NHRA Summernationals at Raceway Park (Englishtown) – MORE INFO

• Rainbow Connection: 50 Years of LGBT Theater (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Kids Night Out (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

• BlackBerry(R) 10: Doing More (Hazlet) – MORE INFO

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Dueling Endorsements for Monmouth GOP Chairman

All five members of the Freehold Township governing body endorsed John Bennett for a second term as Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee.

Freehold Township Committee Members Eugene B. Golub, Thomas L. Cook, Mayor David M. Salkin, Deputy Mayor Anthony J. Ammiano, and Barbara J. McMorrow

In a press release sent to MMM and posted on Bennett’s facebook page, Mayor David Salkin, Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano, and Township Commitee Members Thomas Cook, Eugene Golub, PhD and Barbara McMorrow said,

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Belmar Arts Council Presents a Weekend of Music-Poetry-Books

The Belmar Arts Council is primarily a volunteer organization that is housed in a building located at the corner of 7th Avenue and River Road near the railroad tracks in the Borough of Belmar. 

It is dedicated to improving the quality of life for our residents, visitors and neighbors by helping the arts to flourish and offering diverse and exciting experiences in both the visual and performing arts for people of all ages 
in a quaint coffee-house atmosphere.

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Sea Gull’s Nest Will Not Reopen

“Raise  your hand if this is your first time here,”  Eddie Segall religiously started off his nightly sunset ceremonies at the Sea Gull’s Nest.  “Now raise your hand if this is your last time here,” Segall barked as 10’s of customers raised their hands in laughter, just as they had the night or the week before.  The joke never got old.

Photo by Paul Scharff

We’ve raised our hands, sung God Bless American along with a Kate Smith recording and watched the octogenarian Segall challenge much younger men to 50 push ups for the last time.

Sandy, and the federal bureaucracy, has claimed the iconic Monmouth County attraction that was a favorite of tourists and locals alike.

The Sea Gull’s Nest at Sandy Hook will not be reopening, according to a report on Highlandsblog.   The blog quotes Daphne Yun, spokesperson for Gateway National Recreation Area, ” the lease for the popular Sea Gull’s Nest Restaurant has not been renewed.  Sea Gull’s Nest will not be reopened.”

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Bennett Doubles Down On Ethics Questions, Challenges Golden To A Debate

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John Bennett wrote to Sheriff Shaun Golden today, reiterating his concerns about the potential ethical questions raised by Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery and Freehold Republican Chairman Anthony Graziano and challenged Golden to a debate to which all County Committee Members would be invited.

Bennett did not offer to buy breakfast, lunch or dinner for those attending the debate, but he was agreeable to MMM publisher Art Gallagher moderating.

Bennett’s letter can be viewed here.

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Report: Gunfire wounds 2 in Neptune for second consecutive night

Report: Gunfire wounds 2 in Neptune for second consecutive night (via NJ.com)

NEPTUNE – One night after two Asbury Park men were shot in the township, two more people were reportedly shot here on Monday night. Lt. Scott Cox of the Neptune Township Police Department told the Asbury Park Press that the latest shooting occurred…

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Governor Christie’s Remarks Upon Signing Adoptee Birth Records Bill

Governor Christie: My parents decided to adopt because they wanted to add to our family, and it gave me the ability to have a sister in my life for now the last 39 years, and it’s important that we don’t diminish the joy felt by families experiencing adoption. I want them to have that opportunity and I also want the young woman who makes the decision to give up her child to be protected as well. So we’re bringing all that together today through the signing that we just experienced. We’re bringing forth the needed changes and the safeguards that will protect the privacy of the woman who offers her child for adoption if she so desires that privacy and ensures that we allow the child and his or her adoptive parents to have access to medical information and other information later on to help them care for their own health and the health of their family. As a result of the legislation that I just signed New Jersey is bringing a new open approach to adoption and birth records by removing the lengthy and burdensome requirement of obtaining a court order in order for adopted children and adoptive parents to access those birth records, and by preserving privacy options for birth parents by allowing them to select a preference for contact, either direct contact or contact through a confidential intermediary or access to medical records only with continued privacy. Now these changes achieve our intended goals of protecting and respecting the interests of all of the people involved in the adoption process while at the same time making sure that the miracle of adoption, the miracle that was experienced by my own family and is still being experienced by us today is available to as many people in New Jersey who have an open heart and a willingness to share their home and their lives with a new member of the family.

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Man tries to enter two Freehold middle schools, ‘shelter in place’ activated

Man tries to enter two Freehold middle schools, ‘shelter in place’ activated (via NJ.com)

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Students and staff at eight Freehold Township middle and elementary schools were ordered to shelter in place after a man tried to gain access to two middle schools, authorities said. At around 10:50 a.m. a man tried to enter Clifton…

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