Business groups join together to kick-off summer on the bayshore

Five Bayshore business groups and the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau joined together yesterday in Keyport to kick-off the Summer of 2014 on the Monmouth County Bayshore..Exit 117…the Gateway to the Jersey Shore.

Lt Governor Kim Guadagno, Congressman Frank Pallone, State Senator Joe Kyrillos, Keyport Mayor Harry Aumack were on hand as the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Keyport Bayshore Business Copperative, the Hazlet Business Owners Association, the Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the Highlands Business Partnership and the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau  joined together in cooperation for ceremonial ribbon cutting for the region’s summer tourist season.

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Bennett’s Undetered By Golden’s Endorsements

John Bennett

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John Bennett told MMM that he continues to be upbeat and positive about his chances for reelection on June 10, despite the endorsements of the municipal elected officials in Middletown and Howell going to his opponent in the GOP Chairman’s race, Sheriff Shaun Golden.

“Those were elected officials, not county committee members or municipal chairmen,” Bennett said, “I expect to get quite a few county committee votes from those towns. Those endorsements were not surprising to me.”

The chairman said he expected a similar endorsement for Golden to come out of Wall Township. “Its not over until its over,”he said,  “I am remaining upbeat and positive. I’m keeping the campaign positive and I hope the other side does as well.”

Wall Township Municipal Chairwomen Mary DeSarno declined to comment.

Bennett said one of the elected officials who endorsed Golden told him that he/she was unaware Bennett was running for reelection when the Golden endorsement was made.

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Celebrate NJ 350th

Just when you thought you had it all planned and mapped out for this weekend Along comes that BizEturtle finding you more interesting and fun events to attend. Here are 2 for this weekend and more

Celebrate New Jersey’s 350th Anniversary at the Monmouth County Library

Great author talks and family fun programs as the Monmouth County Library marks New Jersey’s 350th Anniversary.

NJ Historical Commission Panel
New Jersey: A History of The Garden State
Saturday May 17 at 2 PM
Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan 07726
732-431-7220 x7222
The New Jersey Historical Commission, in Partnership with the
Monmouth County Library, is pleased to present a panel featuring the authors of the recent book, New Jersey: A History of the Garden State.
Join some of New Jersey’s leading archaeologists, political, social, and economic historians as they provide new perspectives on how the
Garden State evolved. New Jersey: A History of the Garden State
presents a fresh, comprehensive overview of New Jersey’s history from the prehistoric era to the present.
Featured speakers include Maxine Lurie (professor emerita of history at Seton Hall University), Paul Israel (director of The Edison Papers, Rutgers University), Larry Greene (professor of history at Seton Hall University), and Brian Greenberg (the Jules Plangere Jr. Chair in American Social History at MonmouthUniversity).
This program is free and open to all but registration is strongly recommended. Register online, over the phone at 732-431-7220 Ext 7222, or in-person at the Reference Desk.

Family Fun Saturday – Happy Birthday New Jersey!
11 AM to 2:30 PM
Saturday, May 17
Eastern Branch, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury 07702
1-866-941-8188
Join us in celebrating our state’s 350th birthday. For all ages!
11 AM – 11:45 AM – Storyteller Gerald Fierst will take you on an enjoyable “time machine” journey from when the early Lenape people lived here to present day New Jersey
12 PM – Enjoy a piece of birthday cake! Please let us know if your child has any allergies.
12:30 – 2:15 PM – Come create a Lenape coil clay pot with Debbie Hadley of WILD Jersey. Please register at library or call 1-866-941-8188 for this program. Choose one time:
Session one: 12:30 – 1:15 PM. OR
Session two: 1:30 – 2:15 PM.

Telling HerStories: Bridge Builder in Petticoats
Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 PM
Howell Township Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell 07731
732-938-2300
Come learn about Emily Warren Roebling and her role in building the BrooklynBridge at a special Howell Township Library family program. Carol Levin of Telling HerStories will appear in costume as Emily Warren Roebling and tell her story. The presentation will include a lantern slide show.

The Jewish Newport on the Jersey Shore:
The History of the German Jews of Monmouth County
Wednesday, May 28 at 2 PM
Eastern Branch, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury 07702
1-866-941-8188
Presented by the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County.
The first permanent Jewish communities in Monmouth County were established by German-Jewish immigrants arriving in the mid-1800s.
By the end of the Civil War, sizeable numbers of these businessmen and their families were well established in and around Keyport, Red Bank, Long Branch and Freehold. Jewish hoteliers and other tradesmen catering to summer visitors were also a visible presence along the Atlantic coastline.

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Pezzullo Backs Bennett

Rich Pezzullo

The last man who challenged an incumbent John Bennett is sticking with the Monmouth County Republican Chairman in his race against Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Rich Pezzullo, a candidate for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in the June 3 primary, told Save Jersey that he’s all in for Bennett to continue to lead the Monmouth GOP.

“He is the Republican in Monmouth county who has known me as a political figure the longest – almost 20 years,” Pezzullo told Save Jersey on Thursday. “He’s set a good example for me as a professional, politician and organizer. I’ve seen him in his roles as a political opponent and political partner. I’ve known him as he grieved the loss of his father, gave his daughters off to marriage and celebrated the birth of his grandchildren. It would be hard to have so much respect for a person and entertain the thought of not supporting him when his record is full of committed service, personal sacrifice and genuine accomplishments.”

Pezzullo, of Freehold, challenged Bennett in the GOP primary for State Senate in 2003 in what was then the 12th legislative district.  Bennett was the Senate Co-President with Senator Richard Cody in the 20-20 Senate during the first two years of the McGreevey Administration.   Bennett spent $350,000 to beat back Pezzullo’s challenge and the Asbury Park Press, which made Bennett’s $8,000 billing error as Marlboro Township Attorney and nepotism in his legislative office front page news for months.

Bennett prevailed against Pezzullo in the 2003 primary but lost his Senate seat to Ellen Karcher, then Marlboro’s Council President, that November and the GOP lost their equal footing with the Democrats in the Senate.

Pezzullo has the Monmouth County Republican line in his U.S. Senate primary race against Jeff Bell, Brian Goldberg and Murray Sabrin.

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Howell elected officials endorse Golden for Monmouth GOP Chairman

Sheriff Shaun Golden

Sheriff  Shaun Golden now has the public support of the Republican elected official in Monmouth County two largest municipalities in his bid to replace John Bennett as Monmouth County’s Republican Chairman.

Howell Mayor William Grotto, Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro and Council Members Bob Walsh, Pauline Smith and Edward Guz, the entire governing body, all signed an Open Letter endorsing Golden and urging County Committee members to elect the Sheriff as Chairman at the GOP convention on June 10.

Howell Township’s Mayor William Gotto and Council are writing to you with our utmost  support and endorsement of Shaun Golden for Chairman of the Monmouth County  Republican Organization. We have worked closely with Shaun over the past five years as Sheriff of Monmouth County and he has demonstrated the devotion, resiliency and confidence the Republican Party needs to overcome the challenges we face ahead.

Shaun has proven his ability to work collaboratively with others, exploring new and innovative ways to communicate with citizens and voters. He is an effective, efficient
leader who can inspire, unify and motivate everyone around him.

Shaun is a proven fundraiser, having raised substantial dollars for campaigns as well as charitable organizations throughout the County and State. Shaun has provided
tremendous leadership to our municipalities, not only working with towns to rebuild after super storm Sandy, but also helping municipal candidates with financial and personal support. Shaun leads with the dedication, charisma and conviction that can move the masses.

Shaun’s proven leadership and vision will ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our organization. We, the Monmouth Republicans, have much to be proud of and thankful for. We owe a great deal of gratitude to so many past Chairman and Chairwoman who have led this organization on a mission we all believe in and each time
leaving it a little better for the next Chairperson. We believe the best days still lie ahead and look forward to a greater future under Shaun’s leadership.
We ask each of you to please join us in voting for Shaun Golden on Tuesday, June 10th for Monmouth County Republican Chairmen an and make the Monmouth County Republican Party even better than it is today.

“I am honored and humbled by the support of my hometown’s elected officials,” Golden said in a phone interview with MMM, “Chairs and county committee members from throughout the county, large towns and small, are responding positively to my vision for our Party and for even better government for Monmouth County and its municipalities. The response makes me very excited for our future.”

Walsh told MMM that the letter was sent to us for publication and would be mailed to the Republican Municipal Chairs next week. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.

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9/11 Memorial Museum Opens in Manhattan

9/11 Memorial Museum Opens in Manhattan (via ABC News)

President Obama will attend a dedication ceremony at the site of the World Trade Center.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, May 16-18, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, May 16

• Bald Eagles at the Manasquan Reservoir (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Carousel the Musical at Premier Theatre (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• “No Questions” Gun Buy-Back Event (Rumson & Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Movies with the Mayor: “Wizard of Oz” (Bradley Beach) – MORE INFO

• Jim Breuer at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Meet Author Mary-Rose Hayes (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Thompson Park Ladies Morning Cycle (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Little Silver Sidewalk Sales – MORE INFO

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

• Glow in the Park: Kid’s Scavenger Hunt (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Spring Flea Market & Book Sale (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Super Sampling of Wines, Spirits & Craft Beers (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth Civic Chorus: Eternal Light (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Art in the Barn Cocktail Reception – MORE INFO

• JDMF 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament (Rumson) – MORE INFO

• Elks All You Can Eat Italian Buffet (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Spring Fever at Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Victorian Tea (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Night Tour of Battery Sandy Hook – MORE INFO Read the rest of this entry »

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O’SCANLON INTRODUCES SANDY HOUSING LEGISLATION

New bill reauthorizes regional contribution agreements for Sandy affected counties

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon will introduce new legislation tomorrow that reauthorizes regional contribution agreements (RCAs) between towns in the nine most Superstorm Sandy-impacted counties. These agreements will permit the transfer of housing units to count towards a recipient municipality’s fair share obligation. These types of agreements were originally permitted under the Coalition On Affordable Housing where one town could transfer a portion of its affordable housing obligation to another. RCAs were banned in 2008.

“I’ve always said that the law banning RCAs was shortsighted,” explained O’Scanlon.  “I want to go on record saying I disagree with this far reaching court-mandated housing scheme.  But if we have to have it, there should be a mix of options for municipalities to deal with it.  “Mayor John Hornik of Marlboro recently revived the discussion of RCAs in relation to those areas affected by Sandy. We have seized on that common ground and developed legislation reauthorizing RCAs to help facilitate the construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of housing in areas hardest hit by Sandy.  We can finally put these funds to work creating affordable housing and helping towns recover from the storm at the same time.  I look forward to working with Mayor Hornik on this as we work to persuade the legislative leadership to join the effort.”

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How Superstorm Sandy Created a New Breed of NJ Online Citizen Journalists on Facebook

How Superstorm Sandy Created a New Breed of NJ Online Citizen Journalists on Facebook (via NJ Tech Weekly)

During Sandy, Bob “Weatherman” Burger kept people informed. | Courtesy Bob Burger  October 29, 2012 — call it “the night the lights went out in Jersey,” literally. That’s when Superstorm Sandy roared up the East Coast as a hurricane, made…

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Spring Lake forbids smoking along beaches, boardwalk

Spring Lake forbids smoking along beaches, boardwalk (via NJ.com)

SPRING LAKE – Smoking along New Jersey’s longest uninterrupted stretch of boardwalk has just been extinguished. By a unanimous vote, the Spring Lake Borough Council to ban smoking on its boardwalk, beaches and near access points along its waterfront…

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