Highlands Businesses Holding Holiday Lights Contest

The Highlands Business Partnership is awarding cash prizes and gift certificates (BID Bucks) to borough residents who light up their homes for the 3rd Annual Holiday Lights Contest.

“This a a perfect way to show off community pride and light up the holiday season,” said HBP President Carla Cefalo-Braswell.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.  BID Bucks can be used at any Highlands establishment.

Judging will take place on Saturday, December 19 from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m.  The awards will be presented to the winners at their homes that evening.

Contestants have the option of having their addresses publicized.  Residents can register for the contest, which is free on charge, here.

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Holiday Giving List: Hurting and Helping

By Greg Kelly

My father once told that when you make a charitable donation to a worthy cause, “it should hurt a little.” Meaning the gift or contribution should bring about a significant sacrifice on your part.

Although charities certainly welcome big donations, it’s the smaller donations, when added together, that allow them to function. Kindness and generosity is the spirit of our holiday season. And with most charities needing financial support to keep their cause going, now is the season to make an impact.

The many Monmouth County-based charitable/volunteer organizations listed below work hard every day to help those less fortunate or for causes that improve the human condition. Please help them to help others this holiday season.

(And remember, a nice gift to your local police, fire, first aid and/or public works departments is both a supportive and wise contribution.)

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The Arnone Report: Shop Local, $32.4 million bid for county nursing homes

By Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone

Freeholder Tom Arone

Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us. We’ve been extremely fortunate as the weather has been mild thus far, allowing many of us to continue to enjoy the outdoor activities we love to do throughout our beautiful county – from the beaches and parks, to local tree and menorah lightings, to shopping in our beautiful downtowns and local shopping centers.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to shop local, I encourage all of you to do some this holiday season when buying gifts for your loved ones. I was happy to join our Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno, on Small Business Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), along with my fellow Freeholder, Serena DiMaso, on a tour of several local businesses in the Red Bank region. We were pleased to see these businesses thriving on that start to the holiday shopping season, as well as the crowds we saw on the bustling sidewalks throughout the downtown.

It’s a proven fact that independent and locally-owned businesses recirculate more revenue locally. The spending done by a local business to operate (including inventory, utilities, equipment and salary to employees) directly impacts the economy within our own community. In addition, the indirect impact happens as employees and business owners spend their income within our local economy, recirculating dollars through their earned money.

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Eatontown man just released from prison charged with burglary in retirement community

Robert Meloni

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP — An Eatontown man released from prison last week found himself behind bars yet again after he was charged Wednesday in connection with at least one burglary in a retirement community. Robert Meloni, 51, was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools after police identified him as a person… Read the rest of this entry »

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White House to Christie: We’ll tell you when Syrian refugees settle in N.J.

WASHINGTON — The White House said Monday it will tell Gov. Chris Christie and other governors how many Syrian refugees are settling in their states. In a letter sent to Christie and obtained by NJ Advance Media, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said the information would be made available to any governor who requests… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth Tax Board: Towns Can Opt Out of Assessment Demonstration Program

Tax Commissioners Cliff Moore, James Stuart and Kathy Cody Bjelka

The Monmouth County Tax Board acted on Monday to allow municipalities to opt out of the controversial pilot program, the Assessment Demonstration Program. The program has resulted in the volatility of property assessments and spurred a grand jury investigation into alleged conflicts of interest among key players in the County’s complex property tax system.

By an unanimous vote Monday afternoon, the Tax Board approved a resolution offered by Commissioner Clifford J. Moore III to immediately allow municipalities to opt out of the program for the 2017 tax year.  Towns must notify the board that they are opting out by 11:59 p.m. on April 29, 2016.

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N.J. man who got $218K in relief aid admits to Sandy fraud

TRENTON — A Toms River man who received more than $218,000 in Hurricane Sandy relief aid has admitted to filing fraudulent applications for funding from government-run storm recovery programs, authorities said. Gregory Wagner, 63, pleaded guilty in state Superior Court on Monday to third-degree theft by deception, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. Wagner… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, November 26-29, 2015

By Greg Kelly

Like this?

Thursday, November 26

• Happy Thanksgiving
• Avon Pond Turkey Trot 2.2 Miles (Avon-by-the-Sea) – MORE INFO

Friday, November 27

• Holiday Express Concert & Town Lighting (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Arts & Crafts Marketplace at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Otto’s Fortune at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO
• Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Sickles Market (Little Silver) – MORE INFO
• Winter Solstice: A Seasonal Artisan Market (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Ghost Tours (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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Howell Mayor Gotto calls his video taped behavior “unacceptable”

Howell Mayor William Gotto. Photo via HowellRepublican.com

A heated exchanged between Howell Mayor William Gotto and a 19 year old Township resident, Chris Cohen, that ended with both parties apologizing, shaking hands and expressing their respect for one another has ignited a social media outrage now that a video of part of their encounter has been posted on facebook and YouTube, more than a month after the incident occurred.

On October 14, there was a petition drive at the Howell library to collect signatures of residents opposed to a proposed affordable housing development at West Farms on Route 9.   Grotto and Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro went to the gathering to answer questions about the proposed development.

The questions were heated and pointed when Cohen says he asked the mayor, “Whose pockets were being lined here?”

Gotto says he heard the question as an accusation of personal corruption. He lost his composure, as can be seen on the video:

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Recounts scheduled for in Asbury Park, Neptune City and Spring Lake Hts elections

The results of the November 3, 2015 Board of Education election in Asbury Park, and the municipal races in Neptune City and Spring Lake Heights will be rechecked and recounted on Tuesday, November 24 at 10 am, at the Board of Elections Office in Freehold, pursuant to Judge Katie A. Gummer’s Orders.

The rechecks and recounts were requested via Petitions filed by Allan C. Roth, a Springfield, NJ attorney, on behalf of Asbury Park Board of Education candidate Barbara Lesiniski, Spring Lake Heights Council candidate Nathaniel Novak and Michael Skudera, a candidate for Council in Neptune City.

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