Moving School Elections Back to April is in the Best Interest of Parents, Students and Taxpayers

By Tony Fiore, Deputy Mayor, Middletown, NJ

Middletown Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore

In 2012, the Middletown Township Committee voted on a resolution to be a part of what was an initial pilot program to move the local Board of Education Election from April to November.  The benefit of entering that program was that election costs could be saved for the Township while school budgets would not be subject to voter approval so long as they complied with the 2% cap.

After 6 years of election data, it has become clear the potential benefits of this change do not outweigh the unintended fiscal and political costs of continuing to elect Board of Education members during a partisan electoral cycle.

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Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger’s remarks upon being sworn in

As prepared for delivery

Thank you everyone and happy New Year.  It is an absolute honor to be standing here as a part of this new and much improved Freeholder board.  My first year on the board has been not only a great learning experience but also very productive.  One of the initiatives I am most proud of is the Faith Based initiative we passed early last year.  This is designed to provide services and programs without tax dollars in partnership with houses of worship and other non-profit organizations.  It’s also a way to right size government which in my opinion, has taken on way too many of the roles of the private and non-profit sectors over the years.  Another initiative I have worked on this year on behalf of the board is the creation of affordable housing in the county through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.  So far, two municipally-owned lots have been identified in Middletown and one sub-dividable lot in Highlands to be turned over to Habitat at no cost for the construction of up to 15 units.  Meetings with several other municipalities are being scheduled to inventory similar lots that can be redeveloped for affordable housing.  This is the way it should be done – without the heavy hand of government and some costly, environmentally devastating unfunded mandate foisted upon the taxpayers.

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Freeholder Sue Kiley’s remarks upon being sworn in

As prepared for delivery

First, my heartfelt thanks to Chairman Shaun Golden and Co-Chair, Christine Hanlon, for their hard work, direction,  and drive during the campaign to secure victory for Gerry and me.  And thank you to the current Monmouth County Freeholders, Director Tom Arnone, Lillian Burry, Pat Imprevaduto and my running mate, Gerry Sharfenberger for the work you are doing for our great County!

Most importantly, thank you to the voters of Monmouth County for electing me to serve as a Freeholder with this great board.   I am honored and humbled that you have placed your trust in me.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend: January 3-6, 2019

By Greg Kelly

Thursday, Jan. 3

• Happy New Year 2019
• New Year’s Day Beach Walk on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Learn to Play Bridge (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• Bayshore Hooks and Needles (Hazlet) – MORE INFO
• SHIP: MediCare Questions Answered (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Knit Wits: Enjoy Knitting & Crocheting (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Crocheters of the Jersey Shore (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Squan Village Historical Society Museum Tours (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

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The world must stand against China’s war on religion

By Congressman Chris Smith

Mihrigul Tursun said she pleaded with God to end her life as her Chinese jailers increased the electrical currents coursing through her body. Tursun, a Muslim Uighur whose escape led her to the United States in September, broke down weeping at a Nov. 28 congressional hearing as she recounted her experience in one of China’s infamous political “ re-education centers.”

It is an appalling story but one that is all too familiar as existential threats to religious freedom rise in President Xi Jinping’s China. The world can’t ignore what’s happening there. We must all stand up and oppose these human rights violations.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party has undertaken the most comprehensive attempt to manipulate and control — or destroy — religious communities since Chairman Mao Zedong made the eradication of religion a goal of his disastrous Cultural Revolution half a century ago. Now Xi, apparently fearing the power of independent religious belief as a challenge the Communist Party’s legitimacy, is trying to radically transform religion into the party’s servant, employing a draconian policy known as sinicization.

Under sinicization, all religions and believers must comport with and aggressively promote communist ideology — or else.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend (And Next..), December 27, 2018 — January 6, 2019:

By Greg Kelly

Friday, Dec. 28

• The Castoffs (Howell) – MORE INFO
• “Holiday Model Train Display” at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• “Magic of Lights” at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• Super Smash Brothers Tournament (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Ice at the Pier (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Fabulous Food Holiday Exhibit at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

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82 year old Asbury Park man charged in hit and run murder

Johnny Westbrook

Johnny Westbrook, 82, of Asbury Park, was charged with first degree murder in the hit and run death of Daniel Rivera, 63, also of Asbury Park, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Asbury Park police received a 911 call at approximately 5:11 p.m. for a hit and run incident on Friday evening.  Law enforcement officials arrived to find the victim, Rivera, struck in the area of 3^rd Avenue and Langford Street in Asbury Park.

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AdvancedPMR Offers Free Sports Massage to Veterans

Advanced Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has declared Saturday, December 22 to be Veterans Appreciation Day.   The company is Giving Back To Those Who Risked Everything Thing with free 20 minute sports massages for military veterans, as well as active duty and reservists, at all six of their Central Jersey locations from 9 a.m. until 1 pm.

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Opinion: Cap on SALT deduction should lead to property tax reform

By Harold V. Kane

Harold V. Kane

Did President Donald Trump inadvertently give the New Jersey Republicans a gift horse? It is no secret that the cap of $10,000 on the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) will hit many Garden State residents hard. Many residents of the Hudson County Gold Coast are paying $20,000 to $30,000 in property taxes plus New Jersey income and sales taxes, and New York City and state income taxes. These residents are used to taking the full SALT deduction from their federal taxes and often receive a tax refund from the Treasury. Now there is a high probability that these people will be sending a check to the Treasury instead of receiving one. Some will blame the president for the additional tax liability, but the national tax laws have to be applied equally. Where the changes hurt New Jersey they actually help Texas since Texas has much lower property taxes and no state income tax. So why is this a gift horse?

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The Season: Giving is Contagious

By Greg Kelly

With the nation’s economy now in a very good phase, it’s time to give back to those who are truly in need this holiday season. In good times and bad — generosity is always necessary.

And besides, your efforts at giving can “jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community.” According to a report from the Greater Good Science Center, “giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.”

The following Monmouth County-based charitable/volunteer/service organizations (along with some worthy arts groups) help the needy as well as the community at large. When it comes to giving be sure to remember them this holiday season.

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