Suspicious call prompts Holmdel schools to shelter in place

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NJ Senate Confirms Hanlon As Monmouth County Clerk

Clerks: Christine Giordano Hanlon and her predecessor M. Claire French.  MMM file photo

Christine Giordano Hanlon was confirmed as Monmouth County Clerk today by a unanimous vote of the New Jersey State Senate.

Hanlon was nominated by Governor Chris Christie in February to fill the anticipated vacancy created by  former Clerk M. Claire French’s retirement announcement.  She has been serving as Acting Clerk since French left office at the end of business on March 31.

“I am honored to have been confirmed today, and can now be sworn in as the Clerk of Monmouth County,” said Hanlon.  “It is my privilege to serve the citizens of Monmouth County in this capacity and I look forward to continuing the great work of my predecessor, M. Claire French.”

Hanlon’s nomination was supported by Monmouth Senators Joe Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck and Robert Singer, as well as Republican County Chairman Shaun Golden and outgoing Clerk M. Claire French.  “Christine has our full support and we are confident she will do an exemplary job as Clerk,” said Senator Kyrillos.  “Her background as an attorney for over 20 years and as a Commissioner on the Monmouth Board of Elections makes her exceedingly qualified for this position and we know she will do a great job.”

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O’Scanlon: When pumping gas, DON’T SET YOURSELF ON FIRE

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon is offended by the argument that New Jerseyans are not capable of pumping their own gas without setting themselves on fire.  But in order to get his legislation that would decriminalize consumer gas pumping passed he in inserting language into the bill that would require signs on gas pumps for the protection of the mentally challenged and members of the Jersey City Council.

“I am offended by people that argue that New Jerseyans are mentally incapable of pumping their own gas without setting themselves on fire. But I hear them.  For that reason I am recommending language be inserted in the final bill that mandates signs at all self serve pumps, in bold red and blue flashing neon lettering, that reads “Do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, set yourself on fire!!”   I think that should resolve these concerns” O’Scanlon said when introducing the legislation.

O’Scanlon’s bill, which mirrors a bill in the Senate sponsored by Bergen County Senators Paul Sarlo and Gerald Cardinale, except for the signage language, would decriminalize gas pumping by consumers and provide for self-service islands at New Jersey gas stations. Each facility would be required to operate at least one island full service for three years following enactment, and the bill also allows for gas retailers to charge a lesser price for self-service gasoline.

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Buckle Up or Pay Up

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden

Wear your seat belts, Monmouth County drivers. Sheriff Shaun Golden is sending reinforcements to police departments throughout the county as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.  The seat belt enforcement program provided through a grant by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety kicks off on Monday, May 18, and runs through Sunday, May 31.

“I’m proud that the sheriff’s office has been selected once again to participate in such a lifesaving program,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “The main focus of these patrols and checkpoints, which will be conducted throughout Monmouth County, is to issue summonses to motorists and front and rear passengers, who are not complying with the state’s seat belt laws and to raise awareness on how vital it is to buckle up.”

According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey currently stands at 87.59%. The goal for this year’s campaign is to increase the statewide rate to 90%.

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82 New Officers Graduate from Monmouth Police Academy

82 young men and women were sworn in as law enforcement officers today during their graduation ceremony from the Monmouth County Police Academy at Neptune High School’s Performing Arts Center, according to an announcement by Sheriff Shaun Golden.

43 officers completed the Basic Course for Police Officers, a 19 week program with 780 hours of training. 39 completed the Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers, a three month program that consists of approximately 600 hours of training with full police powers while on duty. Both classes are run through the Monmouth County Police Academy and upon completion the officers are well trained and well prepared to serve their respective law enforcement agencies.

The new officers’ training was sponsored by jurisdictions in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer and Burlington counties.

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Toni Marie Angelini Resigns From Matawan Council Effective June 30

Matawan Councilwoman Toni Marie Angelini has resigned from the borough’s governing body effective June 30.   Angelini, who declined to seek reelection this year, is moving to Wall Township.

Mayor Paul Buccellato said that Angelini will be missed. “Toni was a valuable member of the council who represented the residents of Matawan with honesty and integrity,” Buccellato said, “She always made decisions with the best interests of the people in mind.”

Angelini has lived in Matawan for 15 years and was elected to the Borough Council twice.  Her move to Wall brings her closer to her family, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini  and Ocean Township School Board Member Bob Angelini, and gives her a shorter to commute to Trenton where she is the Senior Media Manger for Northeast and Midwest at the National Federation of Independent Businesses. (NFIB).

Toni Marie was formerly the manager of the Hazlet Motor Vehicle Commission facility and worked on Superstorm Sandy recovery in Governor Chris Christie’s office until October of last year.

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Bloom Again Foundation Is Opening A New Jersey Chapter In Monmouth County

Bloom Again Foundation, a Pasadena, CA based charity that provides rapid response emergency financial assistance to working women facing medical crises, is launching a New Jersey Chapter on Wednesday, May 27 during a luncheon at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown.

Founded in 2008 by Dr. Lois Frankel, PhD, the foundation provides rapid response financial assistance for living essentials to working women living at or near the poverty level when medical challenges stretch their already limited resources.

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Howell Bridge Collapses

photo via facebook

The Monmouth County bridge that crosses Havens Bridge Road in Howell Township collapsed on Saturday, May 9.   The bridge had been closed for weeks prior to the failure due to damage discovered during an inspection by employees of the County Public Works and Engineering Department.

News of the collapse was first reported on the Our Howell NJ facebook community page.

“Thank God we closed the bridge before this happened and no one got hurt,” said Freeholder Tom Arnone, liaison to the Public Works Department, when confirming the collapse.

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Another homeless summer for some Sandy victims | Di Ionno

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Monmouth County Honors Centenarians

Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso celebrates with Holmdel resident Addy Lubkert at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Hazlet

HAZLET, NJ – Monmouth County’s Office on Aging joined with Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hazlet to host the Monmouth County’s Centenarian Celebration, honoring residents who are or will be aged 100 and over in 2015.

The birthday party was held at the Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on May 11 and included a luncheon, music, gifts and a birthday cake.

There were 15 centenarians in attendance: Josephine Alessandro, 100; Eleanora Bell, 99; Rita D’Elia, 99; Katherine Elberty, 101; Hazel Feick, 100; Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, 102; Mario Gazzara, 101; Nicoletta Granato, 100; Adeline Lubkert, 99; Helen McKeown, 99; Rose Perrotta, 101; Brother Patrick Power, 102; Christina Savoca, 103; Ruth Schiff, 102; and Irene Starosolsky, will turn 104 on May 31.

In May 2013, Regency broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Largest Gathering of Centenarians” at their Somerset location, Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by gathering 31 centenarians in one location.

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