Report: Bennett ousted as Woodbridge administrator

John Bennett delivers an impassioned speech at the Monmouth GOP convention on June 11, 2014 before his defeat by Shaun Golden

John O. Bennett III is out of his job as administrator of Woodbridge Township, according to a NewJerseyGlobe report.

The Globe reports that the official word is that Bennett is leaving of his own accord, but that is not entirely true.

Bennett was the last Republican President of the New Jersey Senate.  The Party has been out of power in Trenton since Bennett lost his own seat in the 12th legislative district to Marlboro Council President Ellen Karcher in 2003.

During his 3 1/2 days as Acting Governor in 2002, Bennett delivered the State of the State address, held a party at Drumthwacket for his daughters’ engagements, pardoned a friend, had stationary printed, signed bills and “toured New Jersey like a a conquering Caesar visiting the provinces.”

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Skudera out as Tinton Falls Administrator

Former Tinton Falls Borough Administrator Michael Skudera

Tinton Falls Mayor Vito Perillo fired Borough Administrator Michael Skudera on December 31, 2019.  Skudera’s termination is effective on January 30, according to the notice obtained by MMM.

Mayor Perillo declined to speak with MMM, stating he was busy with people in his office when we got him on the phone this afternoon.

Skudera, a former mayor of the borough, will get 3 months severance according to a source familiar with his contract.  He has not yet returned our phone call seeking comment.

Perillo and Skudera “were never in sync,” according to a source who asked not to be named.

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Perry will be Middletown Mayor in 2020

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry

Tony Perry is expected to be elected to a second consecutive year as mayor of Middletown when the Township Committee reorganizes on  Sunday, January 5 at 10 am at Town Hall.

Tony Fiore will serve as Deputy Mayor of the Township for the sixth time since he joined the Committee in 2009.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on all we accomplished in 2019 and provide our residents with the fiscally responsible government they have come to expect,” said Mayor Perry. “This has been an extremely productive year and the Township Committee and I will continue to seek innovative solutions that will lead Middletown into the next decade and not shy away from the pressing issues that impact our community.”

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County this Weekend, January 3-5, 2020

By Greg Kelly

Friday, January 3:

• Happy New Year 2020!
• Men’s College Basketball: Monmouth U. vs. Siena (WLB) – MORE INFO
• “Winter Wonderland Model Train Display” (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Job Fair at New Sickles Market (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• For Seniors: Improve Your Gait and Balance (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• Monmouth County Arts High School/Middle School Traveling Exhibit (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• Yoga for Adults (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

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Dollinger is Chief of Police in St Pauls North Carolina

St Pauls, NC Police Chief Steve Dollinger. Photo via The Robesonian

Former Middletown Deputy Police Chief Steve Dollinger became the Chief of Police of St. Pauls, North Carolina on January 1, according to a report in The Robesonian.

St. Pauls, population 2,351, is a town in Robeson County, about 70 miles southwest of Raleigh.  The police department has 13 officers and five dispatchers.

Dollinger, 48, retired from the Middletown Police Department last March.

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Dr. Harry M. Swartz RIP

Dr Harry Swartz was honored by the Monmouth County Freeholders at his retirement party in Middletown in 2017

Dr. Harry Mason Swartz of Rumson passed away on December 27, 2019.  He was 88.

“Dr. Harry,” as he was known to tens of thousands of patients in his Middletown family practice of 59 years, was born in Atlantic Highlands, and graduated as valedictorian of his class at Middletown High School. He graduated at the top of his class from both Ursinus College and Thomas Jefferson Medical School and was inducted into the prestigious AOA medical honors society. He completed his residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He later served as a Major in the New Jersey National Guard.

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Howell Police Seek Accused Assailant

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Bramnick for Governor?

By Art Gallagher

Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, “top contender for governor” Jon Bramnick and Freeholder Director Tom Arnone on the Walk to Washington train last winter.

The pre-primary of the 2021 GOP nomination for NJ Governor got a lot more interesting this morning.

In a Star Ledger Friendly Fire interview with Democrat strategist Julie Roginsky and Republican strategist Mike DuHaime that Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick shared on facebook, DuHaime declared Bramnick to be a “top contender for governor after a strong 2019.”

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Burry undecided about seeking a 6th term on the Monmouth Freeholder Board

Freeholder Lillian Burry celebrating Veteran’s Day last month at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury

Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry has not decided whether or not she will seek a 6th term on the County’s governing body.

First elected in the wake of U.S. Attorney Chris Christie’s Operation Bid Rig II in 2005, Burry has been a leader in the transformation of Monmouth County government and the Monmouth GOP from a corrupt swamp to a beacon of good government. In 2005 , the Asbury Park Press had an ongoing investigative series, Club Monmouth, into the wasteful patronage of Monmouth County government.  This year, the APP editorial board said, “It isn’t easy finding major weaknesses in the way the county has been run in recent years. Spending has been kept in check and the county has maintained a triple-A bond rating. It takes shared services between towns seriously and it has made concerted efforts to improve the climate for small businesses.  The county also has one of the finest park systems in the state.” Lillian Burry has been a huge contributor to the reforms which warranted those accolades from a critical source.

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Greg’s List: Places to Donate this Holiday Season

By Greg Kelly

I’ve heard genuine praise — along with masses of web traffic — for my “Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County this Weekend.” The list has been published here at More Monmouth Musings prior to every weekend for going on 7 years now. I don’t think I’ve missed a weekend.

Compliments about the list include: “There’s nothing like it on the web.” “I don’t start my weekend without it.” “It really tells me what’s happening.” “It’s a fantastic resource.” “I get it all in one stop.” “It’s amazing all the good stuff to do for Monmouth County weekends.” “It’s the most complete things-to-do list around.” Read the rest of this entry »

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