Super-storm Sandy arrived with a fury leaving devastation and destruction just about every where you turned in Monmouth County. The effects of Sandy have been catastrophic and far reaching. We have all been forced to reckon with the likes of this tragic event of nature. Through no fault of our own, many residents were left frozen and powerless in more ways than one. The wrath of Sandy overwrought the county with crumbled boardwalks, shattered homes, bringing shattered hopes and dreams to many; buildings were destroyed by fallen trees and downed power lines with fires emerging caused major havoc throughout our great county and then…. all was still.
As I toured the areas in Monmouth County that were hit the hardest and who were impacted most severely, I walked around in disbelief. All of it was so surreal.
However, this is Monmouth County. A county filled with people of integrity who possess a passion for protecting and preserving what we as residents have come to know, love and appreciate from living in this wonderful county. Even before the chaos of “Sandy” began and continuing throughout the touchdown of the storm lasting right up until the writing of this article, our County Employees have worked tirelessly and feverishly day and night in a valiant team effort to spare our county and all its residents from even further devastation.
As I write this article today, it is with great pride and an enormous amount of gratitude that I say thank you to all those County Employees who in typical county fashion have risen to the occasion when faced with the challenges brought here by “Sandy”. A simple thank you extended to these impressive men and women somehow just doesn’t seem sufficient. Our Monmouth County employees deserve to be applauded and recognized for their outstanding heroic efforts seen throughout the entire chain of events occurring pre and post “Sandy”. Monmouth County employees are the true backbone of this great county. Under normal circumstances, we residents rely heavily on their abilities and when asked for their assistance, these Monmouth County employees perform their duties effectively and efficiently coupled with an eager responsive manner and always with a willing and able attitude. The handling of “Sandy” was certainly no exception!
Additionally, The Board of Chosen Freeholders would also like to thank and recognize the tremendous effort put forth by each and every one of our Mayors, Council Representatives, Administrators and all of the Emergency Services Personnel who were so instrumental in assisting our County Employees in securing the safety of Monmouth County and its residents. All of the support and man power you supplied certainly aided in accomplishing what needed to get done while making every second count.
Yes, “Sandy” was fierce, wreaked havoc and brought destruction, but along with this negative, she gave way for some very moving positive. What was left behind in the aftermath of “Sandy” was the true human spirit. People came together for the sole purpose of aiding one another. Friends, family members, neighbors and strangers could be seen helping each other all throughout the county. Volunteer forces came out in droves from every state in this great nation joined together to assist our county and local officials, police departments, fire departments and electric companies to name just a few. What an amazing display to observe; concerned random people from everywhere banding together united in one overwhelming effort and all for the sake of the common good of Monmouth County. It is an intangible that was left behind and that most will remember always.
Again, on behalf of the entire Board of Chosen Freeholders, thank you to our premier team of employees for getting us through thus far and who no doubt will continue in their diligence as we work through the next phase of restoration and recovery.
In closing, I reiterate with confidence something that’s been said many, many times before…..Monmouth County is the place you want to be! It certainly has been in the past and we, The Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with our great County Employees are committed to making sure it always will be.
Tom Arnone is Freeholder Deputy Director, Monmouth County
The Monmouth County Democratic Organization swept races across the county yesterday! U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. for a big 65% district-wide victory! Congressman Pallone also comfortably carried the Monmouth County portion of the district with over 55% of the vote. President Obama and Senator Menendez nearly matched Governor Romney and Senator Kyrillos vote by vote in what analysts had predicted earlier in the year would be a Republican blowout in Monmouth. They were wrong! Monmouth County Democrats delivered over 125,000 votes for President Obama, the 6th highest amount of votes in the state of all 21 counties. Turnout for the election was at an impressive 58% of registered voters despite half the county still not having power and with thousands of people still displaced from their homes.
Monmouth County Democrats scored major municipal wins, defeating 7 incumbent Republicans. NO Democratic incumbents were defeated. Monmouth Dems scored major wins in the Bayshore this year, with wins in Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet, Keyport and Matawan, setting up a strong foundation in the Bayshore for future years. Here are some of our major wins
In Atlantic Highlands, Roy Dellosso and Bob Sutton were re-elected, topping two Republican challengers by over 350 votes.
In Belmar, Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay won nearly 60% of the vote, trouncing her Republican challenger.
In Eatontown, incumbent Councilman Anthony Talerico was top vote-getter by nearly 1,000 votes defeating his Republican challenger. In addition, Janice Kroposky comfortably defeated Republican incumbent Kevin Gonzalez to win the second seat. Welcome to the Eatontown governing body, Councilwoman-Elect Kroposky!
In Farmingdale, 4 Democrats faced 4 Republicans in a showdown for the Western Monmouth community. Democrats Richard Geffken and newcomer Carly Immen defeated their Republican opponents to win 2 of the seats. Democrat Jan Zientek currently trails by just 5 votes behind his Republican challenger for the 3rd seat. Absentee ballots and Provisionals still need to be counted and Monmouth County Democrats’ attorneys are weighing a re-count for Jan’s seat. Still, winning these 2 seats is a huge breakthrough in a town where Republican voter registration outnumbers Democrats 2 to 1.
In Freehold Borough, Democratic newcomer Ron Griffiths outsed Republican incumbent John Newman while Democratic incumbent Sharon Shutzer was re-elected.
In Hazlet, Democrats Jim DiNardo and Barbara Ronchetti beat Republican incumbent Mayor David Tinker and Committeeman Jim Brady to take a 3-2 majority of the Hazlet governing body, a big win for the Bayshore community.
In Highlands, Democratic Councilman Kevin Redmond was re-elected and Democrat Tara Ryan was elected, winning a Republican held seat.
In Keyport, Democratic Councilman Ken McPeek was re-elected and Sophia Lamberson was elected. Councilwoman-Elect Lamberson will take the seat of Council President Christian Bolte who did not seek re-election. The duo beat their GOP challengers by more than 500 votes.
In Matawan, Democratic newcomer Kim Daly was elected to the Borough Council defeating incumbent councilman Andrew Lopez. Democrat Nicholas Nellegar was narrowly defeated for the 2nd seat by just 80 votes. Monmouth County Democrats Attorneys are currently reviewing absentee ballots and provisionals but Democrats have broken the all GOP stronghold in Matawan.
Jamey and Norman Seldin tell MMM that they witnessed voter fraud in Freehold yesterday while voting early.
From Jamey via facebook:
Art, thought you would be interested in this. Norm & I went to Freehold to vote early today. Got there, filled out paperwork and were given a ballot. Never asked for an ID or anything! We were in the room voting and an “election aide” asked a woman if she needed help filling out the ballot and she said no, “I am voting for my daughter who is out of town.” AND THEY LET HER VOTE!!!!!
Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno reported this morning that over 4,000 Monmouth County voters made the trip to Freehold this weekend to vote early. I wonder how many of them were voting for friends or family.
Jamey Seldin in the owner of Seldin’s Trinket’s, the best jewelery store in Red Bank. Norm is The Original Stormin Norman, the legendary pianist, singer, songwriter and composer.
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Clerk’s Office and the Monmouth County Board of Elections continue to strive to provide a normal as possible Election Day for residents of Monmouth County in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
In 51 of the 53 Monmouth County municipalities, residents will be voting in their communities. For a complete list of locations, click here.
Provisions have been made for residents in two of the most severely storm-ravaged boroughs to vote in neighboring communities. Sea Bright residents will vote at the Fair Haven Fire House on 645 River Road in Fair Haven. Loch Arbour residents will be voting at the Allenhurst Fire House on 311 Hume Street in Allenhurst. All other residents will vote in their own community.
In 23 of the 53 municipalities of Monmouth County, there will be no changes in polling districts.
However, storm damage has required polling sites to be moved or consolidated in the remaining municipalities. These changes were coordinated with the municipal clerks in each municipality.
For questions about Election Day polling places, please call your municipal clerk.
Individuals and Business Invited to Drop-off Needed Items
LINCROFT, NJ – Monmouth County has established a donation site for desperately needed items to assist the victims affected by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. The site has been set up at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520) in Lincroft.
The donation center is located at the service entrance of the park. It is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to receive donated items.
Items needed include:
• Bottled Water
• Non perishable food
• Pet food
• New clothing
• Blankets
• Personal hygiene items including baby items
Thompson Park is a donation site only – no distribution will be made there. Items will be sorted and taken to three distribution sites in strategic areas in Monmouth County which will be announced as the items have arrived at those locations.
“This is a way for residents to help out during this time of need,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Through this process, donations from those who were fortunate during Hurricane Sandy can assist those who were less fortunate.”
For monetary donations, please use your preferred non-profit organization.
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management urges residents to heed the warnings that have been issued in connection with Hurricane Sandy, currently a Category 1 storm.
Freeholder Director John P. Curley reviews plans with OEM Coordinator Mike Oppegaard
Meanwhile, county emergency personnel are continuing to monitor the effects of the storm and respond to the needs of communities. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in all or part of 15 municipalities. Nearly 1,000 residents have sought accommodation at the two county shelters.
“We are expecting Hurricane Sandy to impact the county for at least the next 24 hours,” Mike Oppegaard, Director of the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management said. “We are hoping that residents have heeded warnings and evacuations and are prepared for the possibility of high winds, power outages and flooding.”
Over the past few days, residents have been encouraged to plan, prepare and stay informed.
“Residents who have created a kit and evacuated to the homes of friends or families or are sheltering in place should be ready to make it through the storm,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said. “Everyone should continue to monitor local radio and television for the latest information on Hurricane Sandy.”
Oppegaard also reminds residents to be safe with these reminders:
Do not go outside. Flying debris from high winds is a danger. As the eye of the storm passes, there will be a short period of calm followed by rapid wind speed increases to hurricane force that will come from the opposite direction.
Avoid using candles for lighting. Use a battery-powered flashlight.
Try to stay in an interior room away from windows.
If flooding occurs, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
If your power goes out, turn off your major appliances. This will minimize losing power again through a power surge and protect the equipment when power returns.
Stay calm and do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden echoed the 9-1-1 reminder.
“Calling 9-1-1 for the wrong reason or calling the number inadvertently may keep someone else from getting the help they need,” Golden said. “If you do call by mistake, please stay on the line until the call taker can confirm that you do not require emergency assistance.”
Do not call 9-1-1 to ask for directions, to check on power, telephone or cable outages, to inquire about road or weather conditions, to get information about public services or to report situations that are not emergencies.
“During severe weather and all other times, residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 only in emergencies that threaten life or property,” Golden said. “These include a fire or serious medical condition, when there is fear for personal safety or the safety of others, or during a crime in progress.”
For more information about emergency preparedness, go to the County website, www.visitmonmouth.nj.us, check the Monmouth County’s Facebook page, or sign up to receive County tweets from Twitter,MonmouthCountyGov.
