Christie Needs To Throw Down In Middletown

By Matt Rooney, Save Jersey.com

When Speaker of the House John Boehner’s caucus didn’t immediately sign off on a massive, bloated Superstorm Sandy relief package in early 2013, Save Jerseyans, Chris Christie’s outrage could be heard at all ends of the earth.

“We respond as Americans,” Christie bellowed following a congressional adjournment which occurred without a vote, “at least we did until last night… it was disgusting to watch.”

A majority of conservatives were of a decidedly different opinion, ranging from disinterest to feelings of betrayal. Their disgust was reserved for an event that occurred approximately two months earlier, before the Mitt Train officially derailed, when the rockstar GOP Governor embraced President Obama on Garden State soil, a move which public exit polling suggested could’ve helped move the needle in the incumbent’s direction in key 2012 battleground states like Virginia and Ohio. Base political calculation at its worst? Or simply emotions getting the best of an emotional guy?

My take at the time was as balanced as anyone could expect from a conservative blogger: it was foolish to fault Christie for refusing to leave his storm-ravaged state for a political rally, or even for hosting the Commander-in-Chief upon the White House’s request, but I also argued that the Republican Governor’s overly-effusive praise of an as-of-yet-untested federal response was premature at best and would likely prove to be the real mistake with the passage of time.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, February 21-23, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, February 21

• Red Bank Restaurant Week – MORE INFO

• Sing-Off Live Tour: A Night of A Cappella at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Jersey Shore Wine Weekend (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Kris Allen, American Idol Champ (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Roving Park System Naturalist at Fisherman’s Cove (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Gardening: Growing & Using Herbs (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Formal & Evening Wear Community Consignment Event (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Movin’ & Groovin’ Auction & Dinner Dance (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Night Mother by Stone Church Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• The Stone Pony’s 40th Anniversary Celebration (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

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A Teachable Moment

By Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Photo by Vinnie Amessé © www.amessephoto.com

When Vin Gopal launched his latest attack, I heard from friends with two different types of advice.  Some said I should fight back immediately because silence would suggest I had no defense.  Others said I should do nothing because to respond to bullying would make me just look defensive.  I thanked them all for their kind thoughts but told them all the same thing.  I see this as a teachable moment to be shared with everyone who may be thinking of someday entering public life.

You may see public office as I do – a way of giving back to society and being thankful for the success you’ve had in your professional life.  In an ideal democracy opponents would challenge you by putting forth a competing vision of the future they would work for and offer up their record of accomplishments so people could judge whether or not they had as good a record as yours when it comes to getting things done.  Unfortunately, that’s not how our democracy has evolved.

Instead of thoughtful, accomplished candidates we are too often faced with political attack dogs whose sole purpose is to try to destroy the reputation of people in the opposing party.  Lies, distortions and bullying are their stock in trade.  If anyone you have ever dealt with in your public life is ever accused of wrong doing in their private affairs, rest assured that the partisan hounds will come barking after you even though you are in no way involved.  That’s just the way it’s done on every level be it federal, state, county or local.  So what are you to do?  The answer is simple.  Whether you are a little league coach or a first responder, whether you feed the hungry, lead a troop of girl scouts or serve on a school board you have a record on which you can stand.  Every person you have helped, every dollar you have saved or raised, every public asset you have fought to preserve, everything you have done in your public life speaks for you.  We are all entitled to be judged by our true record.  All the barking of all the hounds cannot drown out the truth.  At the end of the day the weight of solid accomplishments will balance well against empty accusations from a poisoned pen.

Stand strong with high standards.  Keep firm in your commitments.  Speak dearly of the brighter future you are working to create.  Do this all resolutely and leave those attack dogs to do their howling at the moon.

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Officials honor Shore Regional student as an ‘Unsung Hero’

Officials honor Shore Regional student as an ‘Unsung Hero’ (via NJ.com)

WEST LONG BRANCH – One of the most valuable members of the Shore Regional High School football team last season never caught a pass, gained a yard, completed a tackle or scored a point for the Blue Devils. James Danskin, a 16-year-old sophomore, was…

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Oshie’s Shootout Goals Lead US Past Russia 3-2

Oshie’s Shootout Goals Lead US Past Russia 3-2 (via AP Video)

T.J. Oshie scored four times in the shootout and got the winner in the eighth round, leading the United States past Russia 3-2 Saturday in the thrilling revival of an Olympic hockey rivalry. (Feb. 15)

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, February 14-16, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, February 14

• Pygmalion at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Admit One at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Pajama Tops at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Chris Pinnella at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Baby the Musical at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• The Stone Pony 40th Anniversary Celebration (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Shakespeare’s As You Like It at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Evening Moon Hike, Music & S’mores (Freehold Twp) – MORE INFO

• Full Moon Bay Walk (Port Monmouth) – MORE INFO

• Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound by Monmouth Players (Middletown) – MORE INFO

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

• Daughters by South Street Players (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Valentine’s Day Bake/T-shirt Sale (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Open Skating (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Casino Night at The Mill (Spring Lake Heights) – MORE INFO

• Open Evening Swim (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

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Christie in his element: Governor takes a break from bridge scandal at Q&A in Chicago

Christie in his element: Governor takes a break from bridge scandal at Q&A in Chicago (via NJ.com)

CHICAGO — Gov. Chris Christie today got some relief from the George Washington Bridge scandal in a forum that allowed him to burnish his record and show off his grasp of national issues before a friendly audience. At an hour-long question-and-answer…

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Christie bridge scandal: NY lawmaker says NJ can reform Port Authority

Christie bridge scandal: NY lawmaker says NJ can reform Port Authority (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — With the George Washington Bridge scandal reviving calls to reform the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a longtime New York State lawmaker says New Jersey can make the powerful agency more accountable almost immediately. Richard…

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State reopens appeals period for 2 Sandy relief programs

State reopens appeals period for 2 Sandy relief programs (via NJ.com)

By Richard Khavkine and Erin O’Neill New Jersey officials are reopening the appeals period for residents whose initial applications for two Hurricane Sandy relief programs were denied, according to the state Department of Community Affairs, the agency…

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NJ’s Awash in Federal Sandy Aid, But Funds Just Trickle Out of DCA’s Spigot

NJ’s Awash in Federal Sandy Aid, But Funds Just Trickle Out of DCA’s Spigot (via NJSpotlight)

More than 15 months after Superstorm Sandy, New Jersey has approved awarding little more than a quarter of the money available from the largest housing assistance program it established to help those most affected by the hurricane, and has actually…

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