Howell Democrats Endorse Independent For Township Council

Howell Democrat candidate for Council, John Bonevich, right, with Gov Murphy and Mayor Berger, endorsed his Independent opponent, Michael Bernstein

There are three seats on the Howell Township Council on the ballot in November.  The Howell Democrats have three candidates, as do the Howell Republicans.

An Independent candidate, Michael Bernstein, submitted nominating petitions for his candidacy to Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon last Monday morning.

John McCabe, the Chairman of the Howell Democrats, John Bonevich, one of the Democrat candidates for Township Council and Amy Sara Cores, the Democrat candidate for State Senate in the 30th legislative district last year, signed Bernstein’s nominating petition. Five members of the Howell Democrat County Committee signed Bernstein’s petition.  13 people who signed Bernstein’s petitions also signed the petitions for the Democrats candidates.

Howell’s Republican candidates for council, Tommy Russo, Pamela Richmond and Robert Walsh said that the Democrats are colluding with Bernstein and that the Independent should be knocked off the ballot, in a formal challenge file with Hanlon yesterday. 

Hanlon has till Wednesday to rule on the challenge.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Howell Homeless Camp Is Preparing For Winter, Seeking Alternative Shelter For Residents

photos courtesy of Minster Steve Brigham
Minister Steve Brigham, the founder of Destiny’s Bridge , the non-profit organization that operates the homeless camp in Howell, announced on facebook this morning that the organization is seeking to find alternative housing for residents of the camp for the winter months.

Brigham opened the Howell camp last year with the agreement of the Township.  Prior to that, the minister operated Tent City in Lakewood for many years, taking care of as many as 130 homeless people, before Lakewood officials shutdown and demolished the camp while providing temporary rental assistance to 60 residents. Read the rest of this entry »

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Inside the homeless encampment hidden in woods of Howell

HOWELL – On a recent unusually warm winter day, a handful of people milled about a camp site situated about a half-mile off a bustling stretch of Route 9 in Howell. The shantytown carved out of a township-owned section of woods has all the makings of a weekend camping getaway: a pantry lined with food, a… Read the rest of this entry »

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Howell Republicans Accuse Democrats Of Anti-Semitism

Political mailers by the Howell Democrat candidates for mayor and council, paid for by the NJ State Democratic Party, that prominently point out that development sites are owned by Jewish organizations and charge that the Republican candidates are offering special deals to Lakewood developers have prompted Republican elected officials and Party leaders to condemn the Democrats’ tactics as anti-Semitic and racist.

Mayor William Gotto and Deputy Mayor Rob Nicastro, both Republicans, held a press conference in Howell to condemn the Democrats mailings, according to reports on The Asbury Park Press and News12.  Howell Republican Chairman Juan Malave posted a letter condemning the Democrats mail on facebook.

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Drunk RV driver slams into poles, fence, Howell cops say

HOWELL– A Howell man has been charged with several motor-vehicle offenses after he repeatedly crashed a recreational vehicle while under the influence of alcohol Sunday night, police said. Police received numerous calls from witnesses who saw the vehicle being driven erratically on Rt. 524. Witnesses told police the vehicle hit at least four utility poles and… Read the rest of this entry »

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Howell police rescue man found hanging in the woods near school

HOWELL – Three township police officers are being credited with saving the life of a man they found hanging in the woods near an elementary school. At approximately 9 p.m. on Oct. 16, Howell police officers Richard Robertiello, Nicholas Austin and Daniel Bozza responded to the area of Aldrich School after family members and friends of… Read the rest of this entry »

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Swastikas found painted in Howell park, police say

HOWELL — Nine swastikas were spray-painted at a park frequently visited by members of the Jewish community, police said. Police discovered the swastikas Monday at Echo Lake Park, located at 1205 Maxim Southard Road, after a concerned citizen reported the vandalism and provided a picture to police. Howell police Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez, the police department’s… Read the rest of this entry »

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Lawsuit delays Howell housing project involving Sandy funds

HOWELL – The controversial 72-unit affordable housing project on West Farms Road is reportedly being held up by a lawsuit filed against the township by a resident. Joe Del Duca, an attorney for the Barnegat-based developer Walters Group, told the Asbury Park Press that construction on the $22.6 million Howell Family Apartments will likely be delayed… Read the rest of this entry »

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Howell dog hoarders appear in court; face maximum of $1M in fines

HOWELL — A couple who housed 276 dogs in what officials called the worst hoarding case in Monmouth County history, appeared in municipal court in Howell on Wednesday to face more than 500 counts of animal cruelty. If Charlene and Joseph Handrick are each found guilty of a 552 counts of animal cruelty, they could face… Read the rest of this entry »

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Howell Farm Preserved

Monmouth County, Howell Township and the New Jersey State Agricultural Development Committee have purchased the development rights of Thompson Farm, 49 Howell Rd, through the State’s Farmland Preservation Program. The $1,158,268 transaction ensures that the 68-acre farm will be devoted to agricultural use.

“Preserving farmland and acquiring open space are two critical pieces of protecting our environment and retaining its natural character,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry. “It is no coincidence that Thompson farm is adjacent to Meade farm, which was the first farm preserved in Monmouth County 29 years ago. Mr. Thompson’s heirs are to be commended for honoring their father by protecting the land on which he toiled for many years.”

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