
Like Ground Hog Day, Ed Zipprich is flaunting the rules again. photo via facebook
Red Bank Republican Chairman Sean DiSomma is calling for an investigation into the likely improper use of Red Bank Borough Property, the Parks and Recreation Department’s email list, after a political email, “Election Request from Councilman Ed Zipprich” was sent to Monmouth County Recreation Commissioner Michael Harmon, a resident of Atlantic Highlands who regularly receives electronic correspondence for Red Bank’s Parks and Recreaton Department.
“Desperate people do desperate things. On the eve of losing control of Red Bank voters’ escalating property taxes, the Democratic Chairman, Councilman Ed Zipprich, apparently decided it was worth the risk of violating New Jersey Election Law, Ethics Law and to potentially commit Official Misconduct by illegally obtaining the Borough Parks and Recreations Department’s email list and using it for political purposes, ” said DiSomma. “On behalf of Red Bank taxpayers, I am calling for an investigation by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Local Finance Board and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.”
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Posted: November 3rd, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2015 Elections, Monmouth County News, Red Bank | Tags: 2015 Elections, Ed Zipprich, Linda Schwabenbauer, Mark Taylor, Michael Ballard, Michael Dupont, Michael Whelan, Mike Harmon, Red Bank, Sean DiSomma | 3 Comments »
Over the last two elections, Red Bank voters have expressed their dissatisfaction with their municipal government and transformed a Democratic stronghold into a swing town by splitting their partisan preferences in Council candidates.
Tomorrow, Red Bank will either turn over their government to Republican office holders with a 4-2 new majority, split partisan control of the Council 3-3, giving Democratic Mayor Pat Menna a deciding vote, or keep the current status-quo of 4-2 Democratic partisan control with Menna presiding over meetings and cutting ribbons, but having no power over policy.
Democratic incumbent Michael DuPont, 54, is running for his fourth term. Joining his effort to retain Democratic control of Red Bank is Board of Education Member Michael Ballard. Ballard, 52, replaced former Council President Art Murphy who resigned after a video of a drunken rant of him deriding a small business went viral.
Challenging DuPont and Ballard are Young Republicans Mark Taylor, 37, an attorney and Michael Whalen, 24, an insurance executive.
As the campaign comes to a close, the Democrats seem desperate to maintain control and their composure.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2015 Elections, Monmouth County, Monmouth County News, Red Bank | Tags: 2015 Elections, Dan Jacobson, Mark Taylor, Michael Ballard, Michael Dupont, Michael Whelan, Red Bank, Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna, Sean DiSomma, Vin Gopal | 1 Comment »

Stephen Fedorka. photo via facebook
Stephen Fedorka, 33, of the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge Towship, was arrested on Sunday and charged in the Armed Robbery that occurred at the Santander Bank branch at 2985 Route 35, Hazlet, on Wednesday, October 28, according to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
The Hazlet Police Department was contacted at approximately 9:46 a.m. on October 28 and responded to the Santander Bank located at 2985 State Highway 35, Hazlet, New Jersey, for a reported robbery. The suspect was described as a white male possibly in his 30’s, approximately 5’9”, wearing dark blue or black sweatshirt and dark colored jeans. The suspect entered the bank and handed a note to a bank teller demanding money and indicating that he possessed a gun. The suspect then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of United States currency.
An investigation by the Hazlet PD, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI lead to Fedorka’s arrest in Hazlet on Sunday morning.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Crime, Crime and Punishment, Hazlet, Monmouth County News, Monmouth County Prosecutor | Tags: Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Armed robbery, Bank Robbery, Hazlet, Hazlet Bank Robbery, Laurence Harbor, Monmouth County News, Old Bridge, Stephen Fedorka | Comments Off on Old Bridge Man Arrested in Hazlet Bank Robbery
By Sue Veitengruber
I have a self imposed rule of not using my Facebook page for political views on candidates. My friends’ beliefs and ideals cover the entire spectrum. However, at the risk of a few individuals never speaking to me again, I have questions about certain BOE candidates on the ballot. Board of Education members are supposed to be the epitome of community volunteers. Howell is not “the big city.” So why, I need to ask, is one candidate being funded by state wide Political Action Committees and the Mayor of Elizabeth? The Elizabeth BOE has been fraught with corruption and nepotism. Board officials, including an attorney, were indicted on fraudulently claiming their kids were eligible for free lunches. Staff members were pressured into contributing to BOE members campaigns. Why does that candidate list her name and “politician” on her election FB cover page? This is not what the Howell BOE needs. It is the largest and best K-8 in the state. I am proud to have been part of the reforms in the 80s as a board member for almost 9 years, reforms that succeeding boards built on to continue the excellence in education in our town. We don’t need the Elizabeth political machine determining the decisions and future of the Howell BOE.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2015 | Author: admin | Filed under: 2015 Elections, Education, Howell, Monmouth County News, Opinion | Tags: Howell, Howell Board of Education, Monmouth County News, Opinion, Sue Veitengruber | 13 Comments »
By Councilman Joe Irace

Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace
For the past eight years, it has been my privilege to serve the people of Oceanport. At all times, I have done what I felt was best for our borough because I, like you, truly love our collective home. As you know, I have been very outspoken on behalf of Oceanport. I have used my position as Councilman to keep Oceanport residents informed of important issues pertaining to Oceanport, oftentimes to my own personal detriment within the very Council on which I serve.
It has been my honor to help the people of this borough, but now I am asking for your help in return on a matter of critical importance:
THIS TUESDAY, Nov. 3rd, is ELECTION DAY. I am asking all of you to vote for write-in Candidates John F. Coffey II (for mayor) and Cullin Wible (for Councilman, full term). I believe Partisan Politics are irrelevant when it comes to doing what’s best for our town. We need strong leaders who personify the honesty, integrity and inclusiveness that Oceanport Residents deserve.
I fully endorse John F. Coffey II (for mayor) and Cullin Wible (for Councilman, full term). They are committed to getting Oceanport back on track. They have vowed toserve only the best interests of the people of our borough. I have confidence in their abilities to do so.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2015 | Author: admin | Filed under: 2015 Elections, Joe Irace, Monmouth County News, Oceanport | Tags: 2015 Elections, Cullin Wible, Joe Irace, John F. Coffey II, Monmouth County News, Oceanport, Write-in campaign | 1 Comment »
Why are the Hornikcrats politicizing Marlboro’s schools?
What else are the Hornikcrats lying about?

John Dwyer smiling
In Marlboro, the incumbent Democrats, Mayor Jon Hornik, Councilwoman Randi Marder and Councilman Michael Scalea have raised over $70,000 and counting for their reelection campaign. They are spending aggressively in an apparent pursuit to keep anyone other than an approved member of the Hornikcrats from participating in municipal government.
In contrast, the “Positively Marlboro” Republicans are spending less than $13,000 on their campaign, according to their filings with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
The Hornikcrats have also politicized the highly regarded Marlboro School System by endorsing a slate of Board of Education candidates.
They have further politicized the Schools with two mailers to Marlboro voters in the last week or so, in which they lie about former School Board Member John Dwyer’s role in the property tax increase associated with the School Board Budget. Dwyer, and Sui Allex, are the Republican candidates running against Marder and Scalea.
Dwyer voted NO on the current School Board Budget. Here’s the proof:
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Posted: October 31st, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2015 Elections, Jon Hornik, Marlboro, Monmouth County News | Tags: Hornikcrats, Ira Goldberg, John Dwyer, Jon Hornik, Marlboro, Marlboro election, Michael Scalea, Randi Marder, Sui Allex | 11 Comments »
By Ernesto Cullari
Dear Democrats,
We want you. That’s right; we in the Monmouth, Ocean & Middlesex County GOP organizations want you to vote for our candidates on Tuesday November 3rd. The reason? Your own self interest.
Half of you want to leave New Jersey at some point, according to a poll conducted by Monmouth University and the Asbury Park Press. New Jersey actually leads the nation in families fleeing their home state to more affordable places like Florida and North Carolina. For every family that moves to the Garden State two families pick up and leave.
Elections have consequences. It’s no longer my team versus your team, families in New Jersey are hurting. For the last 15 to 20 years Democrats have ruled the State Senate and the State Assembly; with the exception of the Republican Governors we’ve had, we’ve had no reprieve from higher taxes and higher spending. It’s taken a toll on all our families.
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Posted: October 31st, 2015 | Author: admin | Filed under: 2015 Elections, 2015 Legislative Races, Ernesto Cullari, Monmouth County News, Opinion | Tags: 2015 Elections, 2015 Legislative Races, Caroline Casagrande, Christine Hanlon, Ernesto Cullari, John Curley, Mary Pat Angelini, Monmouth County News, New Jersey Democrats, Opinion, Susan McCue | 3 Comments »

Kevin Motyka. photo via facebook
Kevin Motyka, 24, of Howell Township, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a toddler and electronically recording the act, according to a statement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Motyka must serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He will be subject to the provision of Megan’s Law, Parole Supervision for life and is banned from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18, pursuant to the sentence imposed by Judge Anthony J. Mellaci, Jr.
A tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to the arrest of Motyka in February of 2014.
A Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit investigation revealed Motyka sexually assaulted a 2-year-old boy between May and December 2012, and created photographs and video recordings of the attacks. The defendant also distributed child pornography of images that did not include his young victim.
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Posted: October 31st, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Crime, Crime and Punishment, Howell, Monmouth County Court, Monmouth County News, Monmouth County Prosecutor | Tags: Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Crime, Howell Township, Judge Anthony Mellaci, Kevin Motkya, Megan's Law, Monmouth County News, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Pedophilia | 2 Comments »
A Super PAC funded by the NJEA, New Jersey’s largest teachers’ union, and run by U.S.Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s former Chief of Staff, has spent nearly $200,000 so far on television and radio ads to imply that Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-11 Monmouth County) “took” $1 millon in government grants for herself and her staff, rather than help New Jersey schools prevent drug abuse.
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Posted: October 30th, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 11th Legislative District, 2015 Legislative Races, Monmouth County News | Tags: Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, General Majority PAC, Monmouth County News, Preferred Behavioral Heath Group, Susan McCue | 3 Comments »
FREEHOLD – A Colts Neck teen will have up to 15 years behind bars to think about the night he repeatedly stabbed and slashed a woman with a 10-inch knife, before carjacking her and then leaving her for dead. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Ronald Reisner sentenced Brennan Doyle, 18, of Colts Neck, to a pair… Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: October 30th, 2015 | Author: admin | Filed under: Colts Neck, Crime, Crime and Punishment, Monmouth County Court, Monmouth County News | Tags: Brennan Doyle, Colts Neck, Judge Ronald Reisner, Laurie Gerhardt, Mitchell Ansell, Monmouth County News, Monmouth County Prosecutor | Comments Off on Teen gets 15 years for trying to kill Colts Neck woman