Monmouth County is prepared for weekend snow

Monmouth County Public Works crews readied all of its snow removal equipment Friday, March 18 in advance of the snow predicted for the weekend.

You’ve probably packed away your shovels and snowblowers.  Many landscapers have removed the plows from their pickups.  March came in like a lamb but might show us some lion Saturday night and Sunday.

The National Weather Service said at 4:39 this morning that the probability of hazardous weather conditions is low for Saturday, day and night, but that a coastal storm could bring snow accumulations on Sunday afternoon and night.

The Monmouth County Department of Public Works is ready for whatever the first day of Spring brings.

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Belmar won’t disclose where FEMA money is, Resident sues for records

Where is the $5.4 million that Matt Doherty claimed FEMA gave Belmar for Taylor Pavilion?

Gov Chris Christie and his favorite mayor, Matt Doherty of Belmar, on the boardwalk celebrating Sandy recovery.

The ongoing controversy over the rebuilding of the beach pavilions in Belmar has resulted in yet another law suit filed against the Borough by an activist resident calling for fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Joy DeSanctis filed suit last week against Belmar and Borough Clerk April Claudio in her capacity as Custodian of Records.  DeSanctis is not seeking money, other than her legal fees.  Rather, she is asking the Court to Order Belmar and Claudio to comply with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and provide copies of all correspondence between Belmar and FEMA regarding Superstorm Sandy Funds and correspondence regarding the construction of the pavilions between October 29, 2012 and February 5, 2016, the date that DeSanctis filed her OPRA request.

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Mocking Christie: Trump is working on the Jersey vote

graphic via writersbeat.com

Most so called experts are saying that unless Donald Trump wins both the Florida and Ohio primaries tonight that he won’t have the 1237 delegates needed to win the 2016 GOP presidential nomination outright.   Two of Trump’s three remaining competitors for the nomination are openly angling for a brokered nominating convention.

New Jersey’s presidential primary could make a difference in who is nominated for the first time in decades.  Trump is poll obsessed and knows that Governor Chris Christie’s approval numbers at home are in the tank.  As The Donald has been saying about Marco Rubio in Florida, Christie couldn’t get elected dog catcher in New Jersey.

Christie has declared himself the most prominent of Trump’s endorsements.

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U.S. Supreme Court staying out of pension fight is good for N.J., Moody’s says

TRENTON — A Wall Street rating agency called the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear an appeal on New Jersey’s pension contributions “credit positive” for the state. The Supreme Court late last month declined to review the case that pitted public labor unions against the Christie administration, which slashed billions of dollars in planned pension… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth County, Middletown and NY Waterway are working together to mitigate NJ Transit strike impact

Monmouth County, Middletown Township and NY Waterways officials are working together to lessen the possible inconvenience to commuters in the event of a New Jersey Transit strike starting Sunday morning.

“The County is working with NY Waterway and Middletown to take a proactive approach to the situation we may face next week if there is any disruption to how our residents travel to work,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We understand the inconvenience that a disruption would cause and are actively taking measures to make sure we are doing everything we can to arrange to accommodate an increase in ferry passengers.”

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Kevin Kane lands a job in the Fulop Administration

Freehold Borough Councilman Kevin Kane has landed a $65,000 per year job as the assistant director of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s Office of Tax Abatement and Compliance.

The five term Democrat councilman who ran for Monmouth County Clerk last year against Christine Giordano Hanlon is responsible for the day to day operations of the office when the director is not at work, according to his Linkedin profile.  The office is charged with ensuring “adherence with all municipal ordinances, administrative codes and state statutes relating to tax abated development projects in Jersey City. The Compliance Office, reporting directly to the Business Administrator, is responsible for documenting all non-compliance issues and violations of the Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and Project Employment and Contracting Agreements (PECAs).” Kane recommends to the director any and all actions to be taken as a result of non-compliance in a specified project.

Prior to joining the Fulop administration, Kane was the Vice President of Operations for a Freehold based janitorial company owned by his parents.

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Petition filed to repeal “Matt’s Law”; Belmar’s loosened pay to play ordinance

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty

The Committee of Petitioners to repeal Belmar’s recently passed Ethics Ordinance that would allow Borough elected officials seeking higher office to accept campaign contributions from town vendors, developers, professionals and liquor licensees and accept anonymous contributions under $300 submitted 326 signatures to Borough Clerk April Claudio today, according to Committee Member Katrina Clapsis.

Claudio confirmed the receipt of the petition.

Dubbed “Matt’s Law” by locals because the timing of the Ordinance’s introduction and passage coincided with Mayor Matt Doherty’s announcement that he is running for Monmouth County Freeholder, the measure is now subject to repeal by the Borough Council or a referendum within 40-90 days of the signatures being certified by Claudio. 61 more signatures than need to force a repeal or referendum were submitted, according to Clapsis.

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Nancy Davis Reagan

July 6, 1921 –March 6, 2016

5/13/1987 Nancy Reagan speaking at a “Just Say No” Rally in Los Angeles California, photo via The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Nancy Davis Reagan was born on July 6, 1921, in New York City. Raised in Chicago, she graduated from Girls’ Latin School and went on to Smith College, Northampton, Mass., where she graduated in 1943.

In her early career, Nancy Davis worked as an actress in stage, film and television productions. In 1949, she signed a seven-year contract with MGM. During this time, she met Ronald Reagan and they were married on March 4, 1952. She made eleven films in all, including three after her marriage. Her last film, at Columbia in 1956, was Hellcats of the Navy, the only film in which she and her husband appeared together.

Shortly after Ronald Reagan became Governor of California in 1967, Mrs. Reagan began visiting wounded Vietnam veterans and became active in projects concerning POWs and servicemen missing in action. While First Lady of California, she made regular visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly, as well as schools for physically and emotionally handicapped children. During one of these hospital visits in 1967, she observed participants in the Foster Grandparent Program, a program which brings together senior citizens and handicapped children, and she soon became its champion. Later, as First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Reagan continued to help expand the program on a national level and promote private funding in local communities.

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New seats at Atlantic Cinemas

Atlantic Cinemas owner Fred Rast tests his new seats.

Atlantic Cinemas, our sponsor on 1st Ave in Atlantic Highlands, completed a major step in their ongoing modernization with the installation new wider seats with thicker cushions in Cinema 3 this week.

Those coming out to see Zootopia and London Has Fallen in Atlantic Highlands this week will be the first to enjoy the higher seat backs and movable armrests.

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Asbury Park Mayor’s First Rodeo

Asbury Park Mayor John Moor and his daughter Christa

Asbury Park Mayor John Moor is not a tuxedo guy.  He didn’t even wear one to his daughter’s wedding. Since taking office, many have suggested that Moor host a Mayor’s Ball to raise money for a worthy city cause. Rather than risk Dan Jacobson writing “Mayor Moor Has No Balls,” he’s having a rodeo to raise money for the city’s summer recreation program.

Moor told MoreMonmouthMusings that last summer 50 city children were turned away from the summer recreation program due to lack of funding. Moor found out about that too late to do something last year and vowed to do what ever it takes, except wearing a tuxedo, to make sure every Asbury Park child who wants to attend the summer recreation program can attend the summer recreation program.

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