Republicans Take Control In Belmar

Freeholder Sue Kiley, Belmar Council Members Tom Carvelli, Jim McCracken and Patricia Wann, Mayor Mark Walsifer, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger celebrate Republican government in Belmar, Jan 5,2019 at the Belmar Fishing Club

The Borough of Belmar has a Republican mayor and a majority Republican Council for the first time since the town’s residents voted in the current form of government in 1990.

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Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger’s remarks upon being sworn in

As prepared for delivery

Thank you everyone and happy New Year.  It is an absolute honor to be standing here as a part of this new and much improved Freeholder board.  My first year on the board has been not only a great learning experience but also very productive.  One of the initiatives I am most proud of is the Faith Based initiative we passed early last year.  This is designed to provide services and programs without tax dollars in partnership with houses of worship and other non-profit organizations.  It’s also a way to right size government which in my opinion, has taken on way too many of the roles of the private and non-profit sectors over the years.  Another initiative I have worked on this year on behalf of the board is the creation of affordable housing in the county through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.  So far, two municipally-owned lots have been identified in Middletown and one sub-dividable lot in Highlands to be turned over to Habitat at no cost for the construction of up to 15 units.  Meetings with several other municipalities are being scheduled to inventory similar lots that can be redeveloped for affordable housing.  This is the way it should be done – without the heavy hand of government and some costly, environmentally devastating unfunded mandate foisted upon the taxpayers.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend: January 3-6, 2019

By Greg Kelly

Thursday, Jan. 3

• Happy New Year 2019
• New Year’s Day Beach Walk on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Learn to Play Bridge (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• Bayshore Hooks and Needles (Hazlet) – MORE INFO
• SHIP: MediCare Questions Answered (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Knit Wits: Enjoy Knitting & Crocheting (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Crocheters of the Jersey Shore (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Squan Village Historical Society Museum Tours (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend (And Next..), December 27, 2018 — January 6, 2019:

By Greg Kelly

Friday, Dec. 28

• The Castoffs (Howell) – MORE INFO
• “Holiday Model Train Display” at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• “Magic of Lights” at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• Super Smash Brothers Tournament (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Ice at the Pier (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Fabulous Food Holiday Exhibit at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

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Middletown honors heroes of Shadow Lake fire

Mayor Kevin Settembrino and the Middletown Township Committee honored Keith Thornton, a Security Officer with Marion Security Agency and Patrolman Nicholas Manochio for their heroic efforts in rescuing Gladys Bowden, 88, from her burning home in Shadow Lake Village  on Saturday night, December 15.

The audience in the full meeting room at Town Hall gave Thornton and Manochio a standing ovation following Settembrino’s remarks and the presentation of their Life Saving Awards.

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Volunteers Welcome To RAINE Christmas Wrapping

Elves of all ages have been wrapping gifts for those less fortunate this week in preparation for the RAINE Foundation’s 17th annual Christmas gift delivery to thousands of Raritan Bayshore area children.

Volunteers are welcome to join the wrapping party Monday through Wednesday, December 17-19, at 2931 Route 35 N in Hazlet (the former Franks Nursery building) from 5 p.m till 9 p.m.

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Scharfenberger in no rush to decide which office he will seek next year

Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger takes the Oath of Office on Feb 3.

Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger will be running for office again in 2019.  He will either seek his own full term on the Freeholder Board, having been elected to complete Assemblywoman Serena Dimaso’s term last month, or he will seek the Assembly seat being vacated by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Middletown).

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The Season: Giving is Contagious

By Greg Kelly

With the nation’s economy now in a very good phase, it’s time to give back to those who are truly in need this holiday season. In good times and bad — generosity is always necessary.

And besides, your efforts at giving can “jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community.” According to a report from the Greater Good Science Center, “giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.”

The following Monmouth County-based charitable/volunteer/service organizations (along with some worthy arts groups) help the needy as well as the community at large. When it comes to giving be sure to remember them this holiday season.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, December 14-16, 2018:

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, Dec. 14

• Holiday Doo Wop at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Art” at Holmdel Theatre Company – MORE INFO
• Scrooge (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• The Nutcracker by ARB at Two River Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “The Emperor’s New Duds” by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Spectacular & Train Display at InfoAge (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Santa Claus at Sickles Market (Little Silver) – MORE INFO
• August Wilson’s King Hedley II at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Holiday Model Train Display” at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

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Hanlon Honored By Monmouth County Superior Officers

Acting Warden Donald Sutton, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Fraternal Order of Police, Superior Officer’s Lodge #30 President Shawn M. Reece, Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, and Freeholder Gerry P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D.

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon was honored as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #30, Monmouth County Superior Officers Association’s Person of the Year for 2018 at the union’s 11th annual winter gala last weekend at Doolan’s in Spring Lake.

“Our admiration for Clerk Hanlon extends back to her career as an attorney. She has consistently been supportive of law enforcement, corrections and our members in particular,” said Lt.Shawn Reece, president of FOP Lodge #30. “In her role as County Clerk, Ms. Hanlon is a role model for elected officials, present and future, for the professionalism and dignity with which she conducts her office.”

Reece told MMM that Hanlon was the unanimous choice of the 11 person screening committee that chose this year’s honoree.

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