Atlantic Highlands Mayor Fred Rast Encourages Republicans and Independent Voters To Vote For Lou Fligor on June 2

Dear Citizens of Atlantic Highlands,

Over the past seven years that I have been your Mayor, I have made sure that politics played a very small role in operating our town. The successes we have had during these years are 100% due to the fact that I, as Mayor, and most of our Council, have worked together to protect and enhance our town.

I have also never allowed political interference in my appointments and actions. As a matter of fact, approximately half of my appointments have been people who are not registered Republicans.

The County, as is their prerogative, have chosen to support the request of the Atlantic Highlands Chair of the Republican Party to place Jack Archibald as the “Party Line Candidate”. The vote of the local Republican Committee between Lou and Jack was a split vote of 4 to 4. We believe the people should have a choice so the Atlantic Highlands Republican party will have a primary on June 2, 2015.

Lou Fligor is his own man. He is the most dedicated public servant of the people of our town, a champion of our town’s people. He has led the battle to force the Gas Company’s clean-up operations. He spearheaded the committee to dissolve the Atlantic Highlands/Highlands Regional Sewer Authority, which has saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last year alone. Lou is the person we all see working for our town 365 days a year, not just during election time. He is a self-made man, who keeps his actions above political considerations. He is a true, loyal friend to all of our town’s people. Lou wants the job, not just the title as Mayor.

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“Party crashers” could determine Atlantic Highlands GOP mayoral nominee

Atlantic Highlands Councilmen Jack Archibald, left, and Lou Fligor, right, face off for the Republican nomination for mayor in the June 2 primary

Partisan primaries in New Jersey are usually very low turnout elections. Mostly they are uncontested, so only die hard partisans, poll workers and their friends who bring them doughnuts bother to vote. In Atlantic Highlands last year, of the roughly 700 registered Republicans, only 101 voted in the primary. Only 68 or the roughly 800 Democrats voted in the 2014 primary.

In contested primaries on a local level, the candidate with the “Party line” on the ballot usually has a huge advantage over a challenger.

The “Party line” advantage is being challenged in Atlantic Highlands in this year’s Republican primary on June 2.  Two long term Republican Councilmen are competing to be the Party’s nominee for mayor.   Incumbent Mayor Fred Rast, first elected in 2007, is keeping his promise to term limit himself out of office.  Councilman Jack Archibald and Councilman Lou Fligor both want to be mayor.

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Stupid Parking Tricks in Red Bank

Red Bank Republicans and the business community are opposed to expanding the paid parking zone along Monmouth Street from Maple Avenue west to Bridge Avenue, and along a stretch of Bridge, according to reports on RedBankGreen.

Discussion to end a five year moratorium on parking fees in the area was tabled at Tuesday’s Council Meeting due to the absence of Mayor Pat Menna who is recovering from heart bypass surgery.  I wish Menna well and pray for his quick recovery.

I don’t know enough about the western Monmouth Street parking situation to opine, but if the businesses and Republicans think charging for parking is a bad idea, it probably is.   The wiring for the parking kiosks was installed in 2012 and 13 new kiosks will cost the borough $135,308.  $10,400 per kiosk, installed, sounds to me like more of a ripoff than $1 per hour to park.

What is really dumb about Red Bank’s paid parking is the coin operated meters in the heart of the business district located along side kiosks.

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Christie coming to Belmar Friday, May 29 to announce flood mitigation grant

Mayor Matt Doherty and Governor Chris Christie walk the Belmar boardwalk in August 2011. Photo Credit: Tim Larson, Governor’s Office

Governor Chris Christie will be in Belmar tomorrow, May 29, to announce the award of a $6.185 million flood mitigation grant and to “kick off the summer in Belmar baby,” Mayor Matt Doherty told MMM.

The Community Development Block Grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development is being awarded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection after a competitive application process,  according to Doherty.   The funds will be used for an outflow pipe in Lake Cuomo which will provide flood mitigation for residents of Belmar, Spring Lake and the Borough of Lake Cuomo.

Christie is scheduled to arrive in Belmar at 2:15 p.m.  The event will take place on Ocean Avenue at 20th Street.

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Brookdale Prez Doesn’t Get Texas Job

Brookdale Community College President Maureen Murphy’s search for her next gig continues.

One of four finalists for the presidency of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, Murphy lost out when the Board of Trustees unanimously chose Dr. Mary Hensly, a 14 year veteran administrator of the Austin Texas Community College District.

Murphy has been the president of Brookdale for three years. In the 16 years since leaving teaching to become an administrator in 1999, she’s held five different positions at four different community colleges. Her contract with Brookdale was extended last October.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, May 29-31, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Saturday, May 30

• Ocean Grove Giant Spring Flea Market – MORE INFO
• Red Bank River Fest – MORE INFO
• Jersey Born Music Festival (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Twilight by the Bay on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Avon 5k Run/Walk – MORE INFO
• Civil War Encampment at Allaire Village – MORE INFO
• “Smartphonographer” Workshop (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Shrewsbury Borough Wide Yard Sale – MORE INFO
• Criminal MIND, Dead BODY, Evil SPIRIT at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

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Father shot dead in hostage standoff had domestic violence arrests, records show

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The Arnone Report: Ready for Summer!

Freeholder Tom Arone

It’s “unofficially” here and personally, I could not be happier – the boots are replaced with flip flops, t-shirts to wear instead of parkas, and the big snow shovels have been stored and replaced with sand shovels!

This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off to summer. I hope that while you were celebrating and barbequing with family and friends, you took a moment to reflect on the true reason for this holiday – those soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. On Memorial Day, we remember those that came before us and fought for the freedoms and protection we enjoy each and every day. Thank you to all those who served in the past, those that protect us in the present and those who will continue the legacy in the future.

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Reminder: Oceanic Bridge Closes May 26

The Oceanic Bridge (S-31), the span that connects Rumson and Middletown over the Navesink River, will close for repairs at 6:00 am on Tuesday morning May 26 and remain closed until the estimated completion date of June 12, according to Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone, liason to the Department of Public Works and Engineering.

The current repair project of the bridge was stated on February 9th and was scheduled to be completed by April 15th.  However, in late April, Arnone announced that while work was being done it was discovered that two of the bridge’s four main bearings need to be repaired. The bearings are part of the mechanism that supports the bascule and flanking spans on the bridge approaches.  The bearings were inaccessible at the beginning of the project.

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Memorial Day

“To be draped in the Stars and Stripes is to be graced by a nation’s eternal gratitude. … These are patriots, these are heroes. … So flags in for the courage. Flags in for the cause. Flags in for the freedom. Flags in for the fallen, who we salute on this #MemorialDay, and we will remember forever.”

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