Coward of the County: Curley Doesn’t Show Up For Censure Meeting

John P. Curley went to federal court to get his ban from the Hall of Records lifted. Then he didn’t show up to fight his censure.

Freeholder John P. Curley did not show up to fight his censure at the Special Meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Friday afternoon in Judge Patricia D. Clearly’s courtroom in the Hall of Records. Read the rest of this entry »

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Garden State’s Homeless Rate Halved During Past Decade

New national data show that homelessness in New Jersey fell by 50.7 percent during the past decade, the biggest decline in any state during that period. The figures came in an annual report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But Renee Koubiadis, executive director of the Anti-Poverty Network of… Read the rest of this entry »

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N.J.’s weekend snow forecast just got worse; up to 4 inches possible

A storm system is now expected to move closer to the Atlantic coast than was initially anticipated, upping the probability that most areas of New Jersey will see their first snow accumulations of the season this weekend. In a revised forecast issued Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service forecast office in Mount Holly now calls for… Read the rest of this entry »

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House passes Conceal Carry Reciprocity, Smith and Pallone vote No

The U. S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 today, 231-198 with six Democrats voting ‘Aye.’  Fourteen Republicans voted against the bill, including Chris Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey.  Congressman Frank Pallone, who along with Smith represents Monmouth County, voted against the bill.

“Today, the House took action to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a statement. “The truth is that concealed carry laws save lives. Right now, current law creates confusion for people who cross state borders with a lawful concealed carry permit. The legislation passed by the House today ensures that people who carry their legal firearm across state borders are protected under the law.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Freeholders Postpone Curley’s Harassment Censure

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders have postponed the censure of Freeholder John P. Curley for harassing multiple County employees pending the outcome of proceedings in U.S. District Court in Trenton before Judge Brian R. Martinotti.

Curley filed a federal lawsuit against his fellow freeholders, County Counsel Michael Fitzgerald and County Administrator on Friday in which he asked the Court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent his censure.  Judge Matinotti did not issue the TRO but summoned the parties to Trenton for a conference on Monday morning. Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon Implores Assembly Speaker To Put Salary Arbitration Cap To A Vote

Senator-elect Declan O’Scanlon

Declan O’Scanlon, the Assembly Republican Budget Officer and the Senator-elect from the 13th Legislative District, today urged Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to allow the New Jersey General Assembly to vote on permanently extending the interest arbitration cap for public worker salaries.

O’Scanlon sent Prieto the following letter:

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Belmar Accountant Stole $1,175,720 From Orthopedic Doctors

Harry Wolfmuller, 70, formerly of Belmar, admitting embezzling $1,175,720 over eight years from the orthopedic medical practice where he was Chief Financial Officer, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick.

Wolfmuller pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Read the rest of this entry »

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Murphy vs. MacArthur: Trump tax plan vote ignites feud

TRENTON — Incoming Gov. Phil Murphy wasted little time in igniting a feud against the only federal lawmaker from New Jersey who supported the House Republican tax bill that would curb the deduction for state and local taxes. Murphy, a Democrat, this weekend singled out U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., who backed the legislation even… Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon’s road map for Gov-elect Murphy’s success

Senator-elect Declan O’Scanlon

By Declan O’Scanlon Republicans must understand our role. It is our job to be skeptical, to challenge, to question, to offer alternatives to Gov.-elect Phil Murphy and his incoming administration. But, it is also our moral obligation to root for the administration’s success. To wish for or foment failure is to wish ill for all New… Read the rest of this entry »

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Republicans send Trump a message: Hands off N.J.’s big military base

WASHINGTON — Funding for KC-46A refueling tankers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would speed up and President Donald Trump would be barred from beginning a new round of base closings under legislation setting defense policy for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2018. The $692 billion National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill setting Congress’ defense policies,… Read the rest of this entry »

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