Freehold Borough’s 9-11 Memorial

By Muriel J. Smith

photo via facebook

FREEHOLD – Small town America showed how big and magnificent it really is as the borough of Freehold’s Human Relations Committee conducted its Sept. 11 Remembrance ceremony at borough hall Sunday evening.

More than 500 participants and spectators filled the chairs and spilled out into Main Street, which the Mayor and Council had closed to vehicular traffic for the event to hear and see people of all ages participate in the program honoring the 147 residents of Monmouth County who lost their lives in the attacks 15 years ago.

Jane Fields chaired the event for the Committee, assisted by cochairman Gianna Dell’Omo.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

9-11 Memorial at Mt.Mitchill

By Muriel J. Smith

ATL. HIGHLANDS – “We are still a nation of promise and possibilities and I am confident this will always be true,” concluded Freeholder Lillian Burry as she opened the commemorative ceremonies recalling the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

More than 300 persons were at Mount Mitchill at 8 a.m. Sunday morning to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved so many more lives when two planes ripped into the World Trade Center and collapsed both buildings, while another plane crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth was averted from further terrorism because of quick action by heroes aboard the flight.

As in past years, Burry, welcomed the crowd and gave initial remarks before introducing Freeholder Director Tom Arnone who spoke on the tragedies as a part of history and urged all Americans to “Remember…Never Forget.”

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Congressman Chris Smith’s remarks at the Middletown 9-11 Memorial

Congressman Chris Smith and Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger

Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing—I was in Washington chairing a Veteran’s Affairs Committee hearing—when a group of cowards hijacked airliners in order to perpetrate the worst act of terrorism in American history.

No-one remembers the shock, horror and numbing sorrow more, however, than the families and close friends of the victims.

Because it was a surprise attack, there was no chance to fight back that day although when Todd Beamer and other passengers learned what happened to the Twin Towers, Todd famously said “let’s roll” and attacked the terrorists on board the flight that crashed in a Pennsylvania field.

Who can forget the courageous first responders running up the stairs of the burning buildings—with total disregard for their own safety—saving some at the expense of their own lives.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

THE BEST BET FOR NEW JERSEY CASINOS

By Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

The question of new casinos will be on the November ballot, and I believe it’s a good idea, but only if done the right way. Like any business, the casino industry needs to build on existing resources and use potential synergies to its advantage. This means taking advantage of existing betting sites. I’m talking about the racetracks – the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and Freehold Raceway. These tracks strike the perfect balance between the desires to expand gambling and keep it contained. The tracks are experienced in handling gambling and have everything from the technology to parking in place. These are the only places where we don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and there’s more to it than that.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Middletown Sex Offender, 24, Charged With Luring A 14 Year Old Girl

Bryan Sanderson. photo via Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Bryan W. Sanderson, 24, of Middletown was arrested and charged on August 18 with luring a 14 year old girl last year using the online social media app Kik, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced this afternoon.

Sanderson has been in the custody of the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Bordentown, since September 9, 2015 after he was found with the 14 year old year in a car after a traffic stop in Union County for an expired registration.  A subsequent investigation led to the discovery of numerous images and videos considered child pornography on Sanderson’s cellphone.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 9-11, 2016

By Greg Kelly

Like this?

Friday, Sept. 9

• Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair – MORE INFO
• Asbury Park Oysterfest ‘16 – MORE INFO
• Iago by NJ Repertory Company (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• Walking Lantern Ghost Tours (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Radio Technology Museum Open at InfoAge (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Live Horse Racing at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

DiMaso distributes sackpacks to Freehold Learning Center students

Monmouth County Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso distributed sackpacks filled with school supplies to students of the Freehold Learning Center earlier today. The colorful sackpacks and the school supplies were donated by the Office Depot Foundation as part of their 2016 National Backpack Program in partnership with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL).

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

The Arnone Report: Addressing the needs of autistic children and adults

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

As I have mentioned before, one of the most rewarding organizations I am involved in is the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children (MOFFC).  I share this honor with our Monmouth County Sheriff, Shaun Golden, as we are both members of the board of directors.  As the vice chairman of the board, I am working with MOFFC leadership to develop a facility for adults with autism because they “age out” of the current services available within our county at 21 years of age.  This facility would provide programming, services, therapies, and life skills training. These adults with special needs deserve a safe environment where they can continue to thrive and learn.

I am pleased to say we are extremely close to making this program a reality and I am currently working on the funding sources for it. I hope to have more specific details on this important and exciting project in the weeks to come.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Why Hermine could be such a “freak show” of a storm for N.J.

The Jersey Shore is once again in trouble, and if it seems officials are having difficulty communicating why, it’s with good reason. We’ve never seen anything quite like Hermine. There’s Sandy, of course, but that storm barreled into the coast with reckless abandon. There’s Irene or Floyd, but those zipped through New Jersey leaving a greater… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

New Jersey Gov. Christie, seeking revenue, ends 40-year tax agreement with Pa.

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is scrapping an agreement between New Jersey and Pennsylvania that has allowed taxpayers to pay income tax in the state where they live, not where they work. The Christie administration on Friday notified officials in Harrisburg, Pa., that the governor was nixing the agreement. That means wealthy Pennsylvania… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet