The Arnone Report

Freeholder Tom Arone

By Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

At the last meeting of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Board authorized an award of bid for an asphalt recycler for the Department of Public Works and Engineering. This equipment will allow the Divisions of Bridge and Highway to take waste asphalt from construction projects throughout the year and turn it into high quality hot mix, re-using it for road repairs. This will reduce our disposal and operating costs, along with being environmentally friendly. The cost of the recycled material is 75% less than the cost for new material.

Last year the county spent over $150,000.00 for cold mix, base material and disposal of waste material. As an added benefit, every ton of asphalt the county recycles will benefit Freehold Township in the amount received from the State of New Jersey in their tonnage grant.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Sunset Provisions: Keeping Laws Relevant

By Gary Rich, Sr, Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director

Late last month, Governor Christie signed into law Assembly bill 3424, which extended the two percent cap on binding interest arbitration awards. I was present when Governor Christie inked his name to this bill, extending the cap through December 31, 2017.

The law which originally set the two percent cap was enacted back in 2010 when the Governor joined with legislative leaders to implement these important reforms to a segment of the government system that desperately needed revamping. Historically, it was a system that had often run amok, awarding benefits to the public unions in question without regard for the town or county’s ability to pay for such benefits.

The 2010 law was historic and vital—and temporary. The original law included a Sunset clause, which allowed the law and its terms to expire as of April 1, 2014 if no action was taken by the legislature to extend it.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, July 18-20, 2014

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Friday, July 18

• Oklahoma! at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Historical Society House Tour (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Seining at the Bayshore (Port Monmouth) – MORE INFO

• Bang, Bang, You’re Dead and Lady Parts at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Campfire on the Beach at Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Beachscapes at the Jersey Shore with Mike Miller (Avon) – MORE INFO

• Downtown Freehold Farmer’s Market – MORE INFO

• Campfire & Sand Casting (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Enviro-Quest at Turkey Swamp Park (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Battery Gunnison/New Peck Tour on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Martha’s Vineyard Weekend Trip via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Canoeing in Sandy Hook Bay – MORE INFO

• An Intimate Evening with Judy Collins at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Forks & Fears: Eat Healthfully and Enjoy It! (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

O’SCANLON BILL ENDS FLEECING OF NJ DRIVERS BY OUT OF STATE SPEED AND RED-LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAMS

Legislation will prohibit NJ drivers’ information from being shared with private companies for purposes of speed or red-light camera enforcement

NJ101.5 photo

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he has filed legislation that will not allow New Jersey drivers to be preyed upon by red-light or speed-camera manufacturers that operate in other States. This legislation was modeled after a South Dakota statute that passed both houses and was signed into law by South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard this year.

“New Jersey’s red light camera program, mercifully, appears to be headed towards certain death this December – and we already wisely ban speed camera enforcement – but these systems continue to operate in neighboring states where our drivers often commute,” O’Scanlon explained. “These systems have proven to be error-ridden and non-effective so we shouldn’t allow our motorists to be preyed upon when they are outside of our borders.  By continuing to share this information – now that the evidence is clear that these systems don’t improve safety – New Jersey would essentially become complicit in the scam.  And that’s exactly what these systems are – government sanctioned theft.  If you set yellow light times and speed limits based on sound engineering criteria you end up with the safest roadways.  You also eliminate the profits in these systems.”

The bill will prohibit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from sharing residents’ license plate information with the private companies operating these systems for the purposes of speed-camera and red-light camera citations.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Axelrod Arts Center Presents Israel Film Festival

Axelrod Arts Center Presents Israel Film Festival


The Monmouth County Israel Film Festival proudly presents an entertaining, thought-provoking and high-quality line-up comprised of the best Jewish and Israeli films from across the world.  This year’s festival will provide you with your pick of award winning documentaries, dramas and comedies! 

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Opinion: Governor Christie was right to veto gun magazine bill

By Scott St. Clair

Gov. Christie was absolutely correct in vetoing the Legislature’s magazine-limit bill, despite Sandy Hook-parent Hugo Rojas’ protestations to the contrary. The bill was not only trivial, but it was cynical to boot since it did nothing but regurgitate the long-standing agenda of gun control advocates in New Jersey without addressing what really was at the heart of the Newtown, CT tragedy: defenseless children and teachers left at the mercy of a deranged individual who should have been locked up.

If you want to solve problems, the first key is correctly identifying them, not trotting out tired, politically correct memes that pander to sentimentality. It’s obvious that a big problem at Sandy Hook – a problem lawmakers in New Jersey ignore and perpetuate today – is defenseless schools.

Another problem is the hands-off attitude taken by local and state officials and law enforcement against mentally ill people who, like Adam Lanza, have a long, documented and scary track record of violent behavior yet are allowed to walk the streets.

Ignoring the real problems in favor of political pandering is what the Legislature did with the magazine-limit bill. Gov. Christie was right to veto it, and Mr. Rojas’ is mistaken in his criticism.

• Tweet

Freeholders seek candidates for Brookdale’s Board of Trustees

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders have opened a search for a new member of the Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees.

“This is a terrific opportunity for a resident to take a dynamic role at New Jersey’s best community college,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the college. “Brookdale needs leaders who will help steer the future course of this quality, affordable higher education institution.”

Applicants should be interested in taking an active leadership position as a Trustee of Brookdale Community College and be knowledgeable in the opportunities and challenges of higher education. This unpaid position is for a term of four years.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, July 11-13, 2014

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Friday, July 11

• Freedom Fest State Fair (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Sin, Sex and the CIA at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Colts Neck Country Fair – MORE INFO

• Belmar Fireworks – MORE INFO

• Summer Shakespeare on the Lawn: The Winter’s Tale (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

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

• The Last 5 Years at ReVision Theatre (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Martha’s Vineyard Weekend Trip via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Book Sale at Freehold Public Library – MORE INFO

• “Early Bird” Walk (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Ladies High Challenge (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Choose Your Adventure Boat Rides (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Dr. Ava P. Schlockenstein at The Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Crazy For You at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO

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

• Red White & Brew Crawl (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Shore Flicks Free Summer Movies (Monmouth County sites) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Summer Jazz Cafe

SUMMER JAZZ CAFÉ Presented byJazz Arts Project 

Audiences, artists, and critics alike rave about Summer Jazz Café, citing an excellent atmosphere, great acoustics, and consistently high level of artistry as reasons to return each year. This series has been named a “Pick of the Year” by the Tri-City News. 

A Great Date Night Idea for Summer! Snuggle up with your significant other or a new friend and enjoy an evening of elegant world-class Jazz. You’ll be seated at cozy candle-lit cocktail tables with warm theatrical lighting in an intimate setting. Enjoy coffee, tea and delectable treats available from our café or bring your favorite bottle of wine and share a New York style nightclub atmosphere at a fraction of the price. 

These will surely be the most exciting and romantic evenings you will spend all summer. Drop in after dinner for desert or begin your 
“Night on the town” listening to these great jazz artists. Save the dates and reserve your tickets early. This ever-popular summer series is curated by the non-profit organization Jazz Arts Project. All proceeds help support unique educational programs for area youth. 


For tickets contact the Two River Theater Box Office at 
732-345-1400 General admission tickets, $25, Season series discount (choice of 4 shows) $80 Student discount – $10 per ticket (with student ID) 
Each ticket is subject to a $3 box office fee. 

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Celebrate the 5th of July in Spring Lake

Enjoy the SPRING LAKE SUMMER ART WALK from 10AM – 5PM 
along picturesque Third Avenue in Spring Lake with a
Juried Art Show with artwork on display 
All artwork available for purchase.

From 4PM-7PM, Spring Lake Theatre will be celebrating THE 5TH OF JULYIncludes a Pooch Parade & Bicycle Decoarting Contest
Please register by 3:45PM, 732-449-4530 
There is also Music, Food, Entertainment, Prizes, 
watermelon eating contest, whipped cream pie eating contest, 
3 legged race, apple pie eating contest and lots of more fun
Admission is $5/Children and $10/Adults
Madison Brighton and Third Avenue, Spring Lake

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet