The Arnone Report: Eat Healthy and Keep Safe

By Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

photo by Michael Colarusso, Monmouth County Government

It has been a busy couple of weeks full of exciting initiatives and events here in Monmouth County! As such, I’d like to share just a few updates with everyone.

First of all, I’m pleased to announce the launch of my Healthy Monmouth initiative, which aims to promote healthy eating and living among our youth. It’s my goal to show students the importance of eating local and eating healthy through educational programs.

To help launch this initiative, I hosted a field trip recently for the fourth-grade classes from the Colts Neck and Asbury Park school districts at Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township. During the trip, students participated in a seeding and transplanting demonstration observed a garden maintenance demonstration and learned about farming. Additionally, students were treated to a hayride and tour of the farm’s petting zoo.

I look forward to growing this initiative in the fall by creating student clubs in both school districts whose focus will be healthy eating. Moreover, I look forward to eventually expanding this initiative to schools throughout the County.

Another great event I recently attended was the ribbon cutting for the Situational Training and Response Simulator [STARS] at the Sheriff’s Training Facility. This new piece of technology, as well as the rest of the facility, is another training tool that will benefit our law enforcement community. It’s also another positive step to advance safety initiatives in Monmouth County. I’d like to congratulate the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for leading this initiative, which received funding from the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

I’m also proud of the new “burn-building” training facility at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. I had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for this recently completed facility that will certainly benefit our firefighters. It’s important our first responders have the proper tools and facilities to train in and continue their education.

In keeping with tradition, I joined my fellow Freeholders, under the leadership of Freeholder Director Lillian Burry, to celebrate and present a proclamation commemorating Flag Day at Fort Monmouth. This special tradition is a great way to honor all that our flag stands for, including honoring the men and women who have protected our nation, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who are currently serving. I’d like to thank them for their bravery, their commitment and their service.

I’d like to thank Brookdale Community College for honoring the Board of Chosen Freeholders with their Founder’s Award during their annual scholarship ball; it was an honor to receive this award with my fellow Freeholders. Brookdale Community College plays an important role in providing students with a high quality of education right in their own backyards.

Lastly, I’d like to remind everyone to put the phone down while you’re driving. Distracted driving is always dangerous, especially when schools are getting out and children are playing outside and riding bikes!

As always, I look forward to continuing to serve Monmouth County residents!