Christie will not take State matching funds for the primary cycle

Governor Chris Christie’s reelection campaign announced today that they will not be accepting taxpayer funds for the primary election.

“In response to Governor Christie’s decisive leadership and clear record of historic, bipartisan reform, we’ve seen an unprecedented level of financial support from donors across all 21 counties in New Jersey.  This positive reaction during such a short period of time only continues to grow daily which is why Governor Christie’s campaign has decided not to pursue matching funds for this primary election cycle” said Bill Palatucci.

“I would also like to thank Todd Christie, Jon Hanson and the entire finance committee for their continued efforts. They have been a tremendous help in reaching the campaign’s fundraising goals.”

Christie’s campaign reported raising $2.139 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $2.08 million cash on hand.

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Ocean Grove Beachfront and Boardwalk May Not Get FEMA Funding To Rebuild

By Art Gallagher

Photo credit: Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association

Neptune Township’s beachfront and boardwalk in the Ocean Grove section of the Township might not get the estimated $3 million in FEMA funding needed to rebuild because the property is owned by the private non-profit and religious Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA), according to an article by freelance journalist Caren Chesler published at NJSpotLight.

Neptune Township Committee Member and Ocean Grove business owner Randy Bishop, as well as Michael Bascom, the Township’s CFO are working with OGCMA to pursuade FEMA to pay for the repairs on the stretch of beach that connects the regional shoreline from Asbury Park south to Spring Lake.

In a press release posted on OGCMA’s website, President Dr. Dale C. Whilden said, “The Camp Meeting is fully committed to restoring Ocean Grove’s beautiful beachfront, a keystone of our community as well as a protection from ocean storms, and we’re on track to implement a comprehensive beach and boardwalk restoration plan.  With God’s blessing and the assistance of our local, state and federal officials, as well as support from individuals and organizations, our beach will open on Memorial Day weekend.”

Read the rest of this entry »

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Computer Security Experts: Disable Java Unless You Know You Need It

By Art Gallagher

Oracle released a fix to the Java vulnerability we reported last night.     The company said another update is due out “soon.”  You can access the fix here.

Or, you can do what multiple computer security experts are suggesting and disable or uninstall Java unless you know you need it.

MoreMonmouthMusings is not a tech site and doesn’t pretend to be.   If you want more technical information, we recommend:

KrebsOnSecurity

arstechnia

Computerworld

Mashable

NakedSecurity

ZDNet: Security experts on Java: Fixing zero-day exploit could take ‘two years’

Technical comments from anonymous sources are not welcome on this post. If you are a known commenter with a valid email address, your contributions are welcome.  If you are a new commenter who wants to contribute technical information, your comment will be moderated until your identity is verified.

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Department of Homeland Security Issues Warning To Computer Users

By Art Gallagher

If you’ve been surfing the net over the last few days,  you are very likely at risk for identity theft.  Your networks could be at risk. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that hackers have discovered and are exploiting a flaw in Java security that could allow the installation of malicious software and malware on your computer.

DHS is recommending that computer users disable or uninstall Java until further notice.

Most anti-virus, firewall and malware detection programs are not preventing this vulnerability from being exploited.

For instructions on disabling or uninstalling Java click here.

This is a serious problem that has not yet been widely reported in the media.

For more detailed information, read this article by Brian Krebs at KrebsOnSecurity.com

UPDATED: Computer Experts Recommend Disabling Java Unless You Know You Need It

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Weekend hotel evictions continuing for displaced Sandy victims

Status OF Transition Sheltering Assistance Extension Is Uncertain. Refugees Left To Fend For Themselves With No Notice

By Art Gallagher

Evicitions from FEMA sponsored hotel accommodations are continuing this weekend for New Jersey residents whose homes were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.  MoreMonmouthMusings  reported on Wednesday that some residents have been left to sleep in their cars on weekends.

NJ.com is reporting that the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch is evicting refugees to accomodate a pre-booked scrapbooking retreat.

Highlands residents Angus Mcdougland and Leia Sims have been living at Ocean Place since Sandy destoyed their home.  This morning they received a notice from the hotel that they needed to check out today or pay $260 per night to stay.  Mcdougland told MMM that there is a college basketball team filling the hotel, in addition to the scrapbookers.

Lois Pongo, also of Highlands, was locked out the room where she’s been staying this week at the Holiday Inn in Hazlet this morning.  Hotel employees told her that she was no longer eligible for transitional housing assistance.  Pongo paid for her room for tonight and is scrambling to get her contractors to finish the repairs on her home this weekend.

Pongo visited the FEMA Recovery Center in Leonardo on Thursday to verify that her temporary housing was to be extended. She was left with the impression that her temporary housing was in place.  The Leonardo FEMA office which had been so helpful earlier this week said they could not help her today.

Governor Christie announced on Thursday that FEMA’s transitional housing program had been extended for two weeks until January 25th.  Evidently someone at FEMA gave Christie bad or incomplete information.

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Hornik: Christie’s playing politics with school safety

By Art Gallagher

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik told NJ.com that Governor Chris Christie is playing politics by not supporting Marlboro’s decision to post armed police officers at each of their schools as a reaction to the Newtown, CT massacre.

“Unfortunately, I believe that if Governor Christie was not contemplating running for President or was not running for re-election, he would be firmly behind [Marlboro’s actions], but politics has had its influence on him,” said Hornik. “Politics can’t come into play when you’re talking about children’s safety. We need gun control in this country, and we need to get rid of assault weapons and multi-bullet clips. I don’t see a need for them, while recognizing the Second Amendment, at all. But the reality is that guns are out there, right now.”

Since the day after the Newtown shooting, Christie has said that he does not think cops at schools are conductive to the learning environment nor are such deployments the answer answer to mass shootings.

At the press conference for the Belmar boardwalk groundbreaking this week, the governor said that he would not take action to stop communities that decide to have police at their schools.

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger told MoreMonmouthMusings that Hornik’s comments sound political. “Maybe Jon’s running for governor,” said Scharfenberger, “his comments sound just plain silly.  I don’t hear anything political in what Christie said.  He is sharing his philosophy and a lot of people agree with him.”

Hornik told MMM that he’s not running for anything this year. “I doing my job as mayor. No other office excites me. You never know what will come your way, but I am not pursuing anything politically.”

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May their first child be a masculine child

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Asbury Park Press Building Up For Sale

Gannett has listed The Asbury Park Press headquarters in Neptune for sale.  The price of the 24,000 square foot facility is not disclosed.

APP explained that the move is part of its “ongoing strategic transformation” and that they plan to lease space in the Monmouth/Ocean area.

“We’re excited about the opportunity this presents,” said President and Publisher Tom Donovan. “We are beginning the search for new space where we will continue to pursue great journalism and work for the greater good of our communities while positioning ourselves for an increasingly digital and mobile world. We remain deeply committed to serving the vital Monmouth and Ocean County communities. “

All righty then.  Good thing they are continuing to pursue great journalism.  I hope they get there soon.

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Seastreak providing transportation and lodging to NY for family and friends of crash victims

Seastreak LLC has announced that it will provide free transportation to NY, via ferry or car service, to friends and family members of those who were injured in this morning’s accident at Pier 11.   The company will also provide lodging for those who may need to stay in New York overnight.

For additional information and to make arrangements call Seastreak at 1-800-BOATRIDE (800-262-8743)

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Seastreak Ferry Out Of Highlands Crashes at Pier 11

Photo credit: Stephanie Agresta via facebook

Seastreak Manager Jack Bevins told MMM that the ferry that crashed into Pier 11 in Manhattan at 8:45 this morning was out of Highlands, not Atlantic Highlands as has been reported by multiple media sources.

News12 is reporting that 30-50 people have been injured, one critically.

The Star Ledger is reporting that there were 326 commuters and 5 crew members on the boat.

Seastreak issued a statement acknowledging the accident and pledging to work closely with Federal, State and local authorities to determine its cause.  They said their thoughts and prayers are with the injured.

Donovan Mannato of Rumson was on the top deck of the ferry when the crash occurred.

“As we were approaching the pier I was packing up my Ipad and closing the seat tray when I felt and severe impact,” Mannato said, “my head hit on the tray in front of me and I saw a gentleman who was standing fly several feet and land on the ground where he laid for quite sometime. There were two glass doors cracked but still in their frames.  It was obvious that people had hit those windows.

“When I got up to get off the boat I saw a man severely injured with people surrounding him at the bottom of the stairs. When I finally got downstairs, there were many people bleeding and with head injuries being tended to by passengers who were not injured.”

Mannato said he has a shiner under his eye and a stiff neck. He has not yet received medical attention.  He is concerned for the recovery of those more seriously injured.

Seastreak has cancelled the 5:55 departure from E 35th Street and the 6:10 departure from Pier 11.

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