Gopal blames County Republicans, MoreMonmouthMusings for Middletown High School North controversy

Monmouth Democratic Chairman “Goofy” Gopal and Belmar Mayor “Lawless Matt” Doherty also blamed a protest at a campaign fundraiser on the Monmouth GOP and this website

In an email to the members of the Middletown Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Dr. William George, Monmouth County Democrat Chairman Vin Gopal blamed the controversy about his candidates for Surrogate and Freeholder campaigning in a Middletown High School North honors Government, Law and Public Policy Program (GLP3) seminar on the Monmouth County Republicans and this website.

“I feel sorry for the school district that the County Republicans and a local blogger are trying to create a witch hunt and create an issue that does not exist,” Gopal wrote in his email last evening.

There he goes again. Whenever things go wrong for Gopal he blames the Republicans, this website and the boogeyman. 

That’s one of the reasons why we call him Goofy.

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Monmouth Democrats threaten to sue over the Middletown High School North story

For the second time in less than a month, the Monmouth County Democrats have threatened to sue MoreMonmouthMusings.

Earlier this month Maggie Moran, former Governor Corzine’s campaign manager and Deputy Chief of Staff and the wife of Belmar Mayor “Lawless Matt” Doherty threatened to take legal action against us if we did not correct or retract a story wherein we claimed she worked for Ashbritt, the company that made millions cleaning up the Jersey Shore after Hurricane Sandy and the company Belmar hired after Dirty Doherty fired a local clean up contractor.  We responded by publishing her lawyer’s letter and proof that Maggie worked on behalf of Ashbritt, in the form of marketing materials with Maggie’s name and phone number on it.

Yesterday, Monmouth County Democrat Chairman Vin Gopal, threatened to sue, not about something we wrote, but about something we might write.

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Marletta to plead guilty to hit and run death of Marissa Procopio

Toni Ann Marletta in Judge Ronald Reisner’s Court Room, June 20, 2016

FREEHOLD- Toni Ann Marletta, the 50 year old Leonardo woman accused of killing Marissa Procopio, 15, of Atlantic Highlands, in a hit and run incident on Rt 36 on July 8, 2015, accepted a plea offer that carries a seven year sentencing recommendation during a case conference in Judge Ronald Reisner’s Courtroom in Freehold this morning.

Marletta is scheduled to plead guilty to Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident which resulted in a death, a Second Degree Crime, two counts of Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child on September 16th in Judge Reisner’s Courtroom. Her sentencing is scheduled for December 2.

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Monmouth County Reliability Project Sheds Light on the State’s Continued Skim on Taxpayers

By Tony Fiore, Middletown Deputy Mayor

The recent filing of the proposed JCP&L Monmouth County Reliability Project should serve as a wake-up call to all taxpayers in the state of New Jersey.   The proposed 10 mile project with upwards of 200 foot monopoles to be installed on New Jersey Transit right-of way, will have a negative impact on the property values of all adjoining properties and potentially, properties within the line of site.  The impact alone in Middletown could be upwards of $1.5 million in lost value. However, don’t despair taxpayers of Middletown, Holmdel, Hazlet, Aberdeen and Red Bank, according to their BPU filing, JCP&L will be making a $9.8 million payment towards the local municipalities through Energy Receipts taxes.

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Middletown Named 5th Safest Town To Raise Children

Middletown Township has been named the safest town in New Jersey and the 5th safest in the nation to raise a child, according to Safewise, a security and safety website, in their recent The 30 Safest Cities to Raise a Child-2016 report.

“Our ranking as one of the top five places in the United States to raise a child once again affirms our assertion that Middletown is a great place to live,” said Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger. “The accolade is concrete evidence that the township’s police department and its school district continue to be among the absolute best in the nation.”

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Circus Camel Escapes In Middletown

Heidi the prodigal camel

North Middletown- A female camel escaped from St. Catherine’s Church on Monday. The camel, Heidi, is not left over from the parish’s nativity scene.  She is a featured performer in the circus that St. Catherine’s is hosting tonight, Tuesday, May 24.

Heidi escaped while the circus staff was setting up the tent for tonight’s festivities, according to church secretary Kathy Toomey.

“The camel took a stroll down Bray Avenue dragging her tether and chain behind her,” Toomey said.  Residents of Bray Avenue laughed and said they were unaware of the incident when MMM asked them about it.

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Middletown Police to hold Child Safety Checkpoint on Friday, May 13

The Middletown Police Department will hold a Child Safety Checkpoint on Friday, May 13^th from 3pm to 7pm inside Old Village Firehouse, located at 1340 Route 35.

Police officers trained as child passenger safety technicians will assist motorists with proper child safety seat installation as well as proper positioning and harnessing of a child. No appointment is necessary. The checkpoint is free and open to the public. Please remember state law requires that all children below 8 years old or less than 80 lbs. in weight must be seated in a child restraint system.

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Middletown Teacher Who Played Anti-Trump Video In Class Apologizes, Asks Supporters To Stand Down

Joe Ventre

Joe Ventre, the Middletown High School South history teacher who sparked controversy in the community when he announced to the media that he was forced to resign over showing an anti-Trump video in his classroom and then rescinded the resignation has issued an open letter via a newly created twitter account wherein he  apologizes to the community for playing the “profane and inappropriate” video to his students.

Ventre said that he had no intention to cause any harm and that it is appropriate for parents and students to question his judgement. He absolved parents, students, the Board of Education and the administration of any fault in the matter which he said was entirely his responsibility.

The young non-tenured teacher apologized to “anyone injured or erroneously portrayed” by the incident, especially “any students and parents who expressed concerns.”  Ventre asked his supporters not to protest on his behalf with the Board of Education.  His letter can be viewed here or on twitter.

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Scharfenberger Honored By Vets

Township Committee Declares May Buddy Poppy Month

Middletown, NJ-Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, PhD was honored last week by VFW Post 2179 for his ongoing and steadfast support of the military veterans of the Township.

Post Commander Will Purcell recognized Mayor Scharfenberger at the April Township Committee meeting. In attendance were veterans and members of the Ladies Auxiliary. They thanked the mayor for his continued support of and dedication to veterans. Purcell also thanked Mayor Scharfenberger for his attendance at all of their ceremonies and remembrances over the years.

“We are forever indebted to our veterans for their sacrifice, service and valor,” said Mayor Scharfenberger. “They are brave soldiers who put their lives on the line to defend our country and protect our way of life.”

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Middletown teacher reportedly forced to resign over anti-Trump video

MIDDLETOWN – A Middletown High School South teacher was reportedly forced to resign after he showed his class a video critical of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Joseph Ventre, a history teacher at the Monmouth County high school, was asked for his resignation after at least one parent complained that he showed a video from HBO’s… Read the rest of this entry »

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