Christie Says He Will Finish His Term And Enter The Private Sector

Senator Jennifer Beck says she’s pleased with the Governor’s Committment

file photo. Governor Chris Christie and Sen Jennifer Beck , along with Congressman Chris Smith and former Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande at the Ocean Grove boardwalk ribbon cutting in July, 2014

During a lengthy press conference wherein he answered all of the questions of reporters present, Governor Chris Christie said that he will serve the remainder of his term as governor and enter the private sector.  “There is nothing that can change that,” Christie said, ruling out a position in the next presidential administration.

“In between now and then, I will be working as hard as I can doing things right for the people of the State, the same way I have for the last six years,” said the governor.

Christie said that he is not a full time participant in the Trump for President campaign and that his travel out of state for Trump will be occasional.

The Governor’s statements satisfied Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) who yesterday called for Christie to recommit to his job or to resign.

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Belmar Residents Seek To Repeal Loosened Ethics Laws

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty laughs with approval during Governor Chris Christie’s speech during the Two Year Anniversary Community Event in Belmar, N.J. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)

Belmar- A committee of Independent and Democrat Belmar voters is gathering signatures to repeal the recently passed Pay-to-Play/Ethics Ordinance that allows Belmar elected officials running for higher office outside of Belmar to accept campaign contributions from Borough vendors, professionals, liquor licensees and developers.  New the Ethics Ordinance also allows those who contribute less than $300 to an elected official’s campaign to remain anonymous.  The previous Ethics Ordinance required that all campaign contributions be disclosed.

In an announcement released on Common Sense for Belmar, Thomas Fahy, Linda Chelsen, Linda Sharkus, Katrina Clapsis, and former Mayor Kenneth Pringle said:

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Sen Jen Beck: Christie should lead or quit

photo via facebook

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank) told the Asbury Park Press Editorial Board today that Governor Chris Christie needs to choose between campaigning actively for Donald Trump or leading the State of New Jersey.

“If he is going to go on the campaign trail with Donald Trump, he cannot continue to serve as our governor,” she said in an editorial board meeting Wednesday with the Asbury Park Press. “The governorship of the state of New Jersey is more than a full-time job.”

Beck noted the success Christie had during his first term while he was engaged and leading the the way in Trenton. “I think he can lead if he is here,” she said.

Assemblywomen Amy Handlin echoed Beck’s sentitment, according to APP.

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Christie names N.J. Supreme Court nominee for a second time

TRENTON — In a surprise announcement, Gov. Chris Christie on Monday once again nominated a veteran Monmouth County judge to the state Supreme Court — even though the same nominee was rejected by the state Senate three years ago. The governor announced he was nominating David Bauman, a fellow Republican, at a Statehouse news conference. The… Read the rest of this entry »

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The Arnone Report: Promises made, promises kept; a tax cut for Monmouth County

By Freeholder Director Arnone, Thomas[email protected].us

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Mother Nature may be playing tricks on us with the weather again – she’s bringing in extremely low temperatures, then teasing us with spring like weather in the 60s this past weekend. But there is no trickery here at the County, I made a promise last month that I would provide our residents with a much needed tax break, and I am holding true to the that statement, along with my fellow freeholders by proposing an overall tax cut of $4.5 million. This is the first time, I believe, that freeholders have ever decreased taxes to the county residents.

We propose collecting $302.5 million from property taxes, down from $307 million just last year. At the end of 2015, Monmouth County completed the sale of its two care centers which eliminated the yearly operating losses that the facilities have incurred for several years. The public auction of the two facilities generated $32.4 million in revenue; approximately $18 million more than was projected.

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Diquan “Gudda” Speights Charged with Jamar Small’s Murder

Diquan Speights was charged with the murder of Jamar Small. photo via facebook

An Asbury Park man who had been charged with Attempted Murder in 2014 was charged today with the December 20, 2015 shooting, murder and attempted murder in the 1000 block on Summerfield Avenue in Asbury Park.  The announcement by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office did not name the victims of today’s charges, but the time line and location match up with the murder of Jamar Small and the attempted murder of his brother.

A law enforcement official confirmed that today’s charges are for the Small murder.

Small was a standout football player who graduated from Asbury Park High School in 2010 and from Texas Southern University last year. He was the quarterback of the Texan Southern Tigers.  He returned to his home city to give back and mentor Asbury Park youth.

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Ex-Monmouth County prosecutor charged with drunken driving

EAST WINDSOR – Former Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin is due in court next week to face drunken driving charges from a December arrest in East Windsor, authorities said Friday. Valentin, 49, who currently works as an attorney in the civil rights division of the Attorney General’s Office, is scheduled to appear in East Windsor Municipal… Read the rest of this entry »

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5 charged with stealing Hurricane Sandy funds

TRENTON — Five people were charged on Thursday with filing falsified applications to get tens of thousands in federal Hurricane Sandy aid, state officials said. The charges bring to 50 the number of people who have been accused by the state Attorney General’s Office since March 2014 of trying to cheat the government out money meant… Read the rest of this entry »

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Freeholders Reduce County Spending By $18.2 million

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will introduce their new budget to the public on Feb. 25 at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury and at 7 p.m. on March 24 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters on Symmes Drive in Manalapan.  Both meetings start at 7 p.m.

The $469.85 million budget is $18.2 million less than last year’s, reduces the county tax levy to the 2010 level and reduces spending to the 2007 amount.  County property taxes are reduced by $4.9 million.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, February 26-28, 2016

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, February 26

• One Man, Two Guvnors at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
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• Red Bank Restaurant Week – MORE INFO
• College Men’s Basketball: Monmouth U. vs. Rider (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Girlfriends Getaway Weekend ‘16 (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Dead Man’s Cell Phone at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• JSAC Winter Arts Festival (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

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