State of the State 2016

Governor Chris Christie will deliver his State of the State address in Trenton at 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The address, and NJTV’s coverage can be viewed live here:

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Monmouth County Awarded $714K in Road Safety Grants

Funding for projects in Middletown, Millstone and Upper Freehold

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone announced this afternoon that Monmouth County has been awarded $714,000 in federal funds to make safety improvements on County roads in Middletown, Millstone and Upper Freehold.

The improvements will be completed as part of two separate projects:

• Upgraded traffic signals, installation of dedicated left turn lanes, pedestrian countdown signals and highly visible crosswalks at the intersection of Leonardville Road (CR 516) and East Road in Middletown, $339,000
• Application of high friction surface treatment, safety edging (to minimize vertical drop-off and allow motorists to safely reenter the paved road) and signage to warn of curves along Stagecoach Road (CR 524) from Cherry Lane in Millstone to the intersection with Chambers Road and Roosevelt Road in Upper Freehold, $375,000.

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Hanlon: Don’t pay scammers for overpriced deed copies

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is once again warning Monmouth County residents that there is no need to pay a private service $89 for a copy of their property deed.

Hanlon’s office received several calls from confused homeowners who received letter solicitations last month looking to charge $89 for certified copies of deeds. These homeowners expressed concern that the letters contained misleading or incorrect property information.  The mail solicitations are crafted to appear as though they are from a legitimate government agency.

Hanlon is encouraging property owners to contact the County Clerk’s Office if they have questions regarding these letters by calling 732-431-7324. In addition, Hanlon advises homeowners that they can obtain a copy of their deeds for a minimal fee from the County Clerk’s Office.

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Compromise Reached on North Jersey Casino Gambling Measure

Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto announced this afternoon that a compromised had been reached over two competing proposals to amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow casino gambling in northern New Jersey.

The compromise requires that, should New Jersey voters approve the proposed Constitutional amendment in November, that the new licensees be required to invest at least $1 billion in constructing new casinos and to impose a timeline on the licensees to build the new casinos.

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Christie Press Conference Live @ 2:45

Governor Chris Christie announced at 2PM that he will hold a press conference at his Trenton office at 2:45 this afternoon.

View the recording here:

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Art G joins Tommy G on the radio this afternoon: WCTC 1450 AM

MMM publisher Art Gallagher will be TommyG’s guest on the TommyG radio show this afternoon from 3-3:30.  Art and Tommy will be talking about what’s ahead in 2016.  There’s lots to talk about.

The show can be heard on you AM radio in Central Jersey at 1450. Or listen on the net from you phone or computer here.

Everyone knows we’ll be electing a new President this year.  Will Donald Trump be the Republican nominee?  Tune in to hear why or why not.
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Arnone Calls For Tax Cut, Boost of Local Jobs

Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

Freehold– Freehold Director Thomas A. Arnone called on his colleagues to reverse $4.9 million County property tax increase, 1.5%, imposed last year,  now that Monmouth County is no longer subsidizing the nursing homes that had cost Monmouth taxpayers almost $50 million over the last ten years.

Speaking at the annual reorganization of the County government on Wednesday afternoon, Arnone, who was elected as Director for 2016 by his fellow freeholders, announced that the auction of the nursing homes was completed this week and generated $32.4 million, $12.4 million more than expected.  Arnone said that as a result of no longer having to carry the nursing homes, that taxes should be reduced back to the level that the board had held steady from 2008 through 2014.  The Director told MoreMonmouthMusings that he would urge the Board to use the $32.4 million proceeds of the sale to reduce the County’s AAA rated debt.

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Federal Charges Filed Against Millstone Gun Owner

John Lafergolo, 52, of Millstone appeared in federal court in Trenton this morning on charges that he possessed 36 machine guns, which are illegal to possess in the United States, according to a state by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman’s Office.

Lafergola was arrested at his Millstone home following a domestic violence incident on October 5, 2014.

According to the 2014 complaints Lafergola pointed a black 5.7X28mm Fabrique Nationale Herstal handgun model Five Seven at the victim. It is alleged that while Lafergola was pointing the handgun at the victim, he stated “I’ll blow your f***ing brain’s out”.

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Scharfenberger Sworn In As Middletown Mayor

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD, on Sunday when the Middletown Township Committee reorganized for 2016.

Selected by his fellow members of the Township Committee, Scharfenberger replaces Stephanie Murray who served two terms as mayor through 2014 and 2015.  Scharfenberger praised the “spectacular job” Murray did as mayor and expressed his gratitude to her for what she taught him about leadership and public service.

Scharfenberger has been a member of the Township Committee since 2005 and previously served as mayor in 2007,2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Guadagno swore in Committeeman Tony Fiore as Deputy Mayor and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden administered the Oath to Committeeman Steve Massell who was elected to his third term on the Committee last November.

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Solomeno kicks off his campaign for Surrogate

Vincent Solomeno

Hazlet-Vincent Solomeno, 30, announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Surrogate this morning, promising to transform the constitutional position that is judicial in nature, to one of advocacy for “the most vulnerable among us.”

Currently a Platoon Training at the National Guard Officer Training School in Sea Girt, Solomeno returned from a one year deployment in as a military planner and manager in Operation Freedom last October.

Solomeno was the Command Historian of the New Jersey National Guard from November of 2010 through until his deployment.
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