During a press conference this afternoon Governor Chris Chrisite announced that the Garden State Parkway Southbound will be closed at Exit 98 this evening at 8PM. Southbound traffic will be routed to Rt 195.
MVC offices in Monmouth County will be closed at 4PM today until further notice. MVC has extended drivers licenses and registration that expire this month until September 10.
The Governor reiterated the seriousness of the coming hurricane and said that those who ignore evacuation orders are putting their own lives at risk.
Christie expects that we are in for a long haul, at least five days, including the aftermath of the strom. He urged all state residents to be prepared with enough water, none perishable food, a manual can opener and batteries for flash lights and portable radios to last five days.
Christie will have addition updates after three this afternoon, including preparations for Monmouth County.
NOAA-NWS-ALERTS-NJ20110826134300HurricaneWarning20110827134500NJ.PHIHLSPHI.4a05540e72ec472ffc17683f3744e66b from [email protected]
Sent:9:43 EDT on 08-26-2011
Effective:9:43 EDT on 08-26-2011
Expires:9:45 EDT on 08-27-2011
Event:
Hurricane Warning
Alert:
...DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRENE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE REGION
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...
.NEW INFORMATION...
UPDATED STORM LOCATION.
UPDATED TO ADD HUNTERDON COUNTY NJ.
.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY...EASTERN
PENNSYLVANIA...DELAWARE...AND THE MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. THIS
STATEMENT ALSO APPLIES TO COASTAL AREAS FROM RARITAN BAY AND SANDY
HOOK NEW JERSEY TO FENWICK ISLAND DELAWARE INCLUDING ALL OF THE
DELAWARE BAY.
.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A HURRICANE WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...NEW
CASTLE...KENT...INLAND SUSSEX...DELAWARE BEACHES...WESTERN
MONMOUTH...EASTERN MONMOUTH...SALEM...GLOUCESTER...CAMDEN...
NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON...OCEAN...CUMBERLAND...ATLANTIC...CAPE
MAY...ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY...COASTAL ATLANTIC...COASTAL
OCEAN...SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON...DELAWARE AND PHILADELPHIA.
FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A HURRICANE WARNING CONTINUES FOR ALL OF
NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE COASTAL WATERS AND DELAWARE BAY.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
CECIL...KENT MD...QUEEN ANNES...TALBOT...CAROLINE...MERCER...
CHESTER...MONTGOMERY AND BUCKS.
A HURRICANE WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
MIDDLESEX.
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
MORRIS...HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET.
A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE REGION. PLEASE LISTEN
CLOSELY FOR ANY FLOOD WARNINGS THAT MIGHT BE IN EFFECT FOR YOUR
AREA.
.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 8 AM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 30.0N...LONGITUDE 77.3W. THIS WAS ABOUT 640 MILES SOUTH
OF DOVER DE...OR ABOUT 630 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF CAPE MAY NJ.
STORM MOTION WAS N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH. STORM INTENSITY WAS
110 MPH.
.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRENE IS FORECAST TO TRACK NORTH NORTHEAST
THROUGH SUNDAY, WHICH BRINGS THE CENTER VERY NEAR THE NEW JERSEY
AND DELAWARE COASTS SUNDAY. THE STORM WILL BRING DAMAGING WINDS,
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL AND COASTAL FLOODING. THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL
ANTICIPATED IS 6 TO 12 INCHES. THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN IN COMBINATION
WITH A WET MONTH WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD FLOODING. THERE IS THE
POTENTIAL FOR MAJOR FLOODING IN SOME LOCATIONS. WHEN MAKING
DECISIONS, DO NOT FOCUS ON THE EXACT FORECAST TRACK AS THIS
HURRICANE IS A LARGE STORM. THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS
SITUATION, THEREFORE EVERYONE IS URGED COMPLETE THEIR PREPARATIONS
TODAY.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT FOR CAPE MAY COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT FOR LONG BEACH ISLAND, AND
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP IN OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF ATLANTIC
COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF
LOCAL OFFICIALS WHEN EVACUATIONS ARE ORDERED.
.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
.NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY AROUND NOON EDT...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.
...HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...
...NEW INFORMATION...
NO NEW INFORMATION.
...PROBABILITY OF TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE CONDITIONS...
THE CHANCE FOR HURRICANE CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME IS LESS THAN OR
EQUAL TO 14 PERCENT. ALSO...THE CHANCE FOR TROPICAL STORM
CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME IS UP TO 82 PERCENT. THIS REPRESENTS A
GENERAL STEADY TREND SINCE THE LAST FORECAST. THE ONSET OF
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS COULD START AS EARLY AS SATURDAY
AFTERNOON.
...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE...
MUCH DEPENDS ON THE PRECISE SIZE, INTENSITY AND TRACK OF THE
SYSTEM AS IT APPROACHES THE COAST. GIVEN THE LATEST FORECAST,
A STORM SURGE OF 3 TO 6 FEET IS POSSIBLE.
...INLAND FLOODING...
A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. HEAVY AND
POSSIBLY RECORD SETTING RAINFALL AMOUNTS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MAY
RESULT IN MAJOR FLOODING ACROSS THE AREA.
...COASTAL HAZARDS...
HERE IS A HIGH RISK OF SIGNIFICANT BEACH EROSION ALONG WITH
BATTERING WAVES.
...RIP CURRENTS...
THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS. CONDITIONS IN THE SURF ZONE
WILL BECOME DANGEROUS, THEREFORE EVERYONE IS URGED TO STAY OUT OF
THE WATER.
Instructions:
FOR THOSE UNDER A WARNING, NOW IS THE TIME TO RUSH TO COMPLETE PREPARATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. EVACUATE IF DIRECTED TO DO SO BY LOCAL OFFICIALS, OR IF YOUR HOME IS VULNERABLE TO HIGH WINDS OR FLOODING. FOR INTERESTS AT PORTS, DOCKS AND MARINAS, URGENTLY COMPLETE PRESCRIBED PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES. IF YOU LIVE ON A BOAT, MAKE FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR SECURING YOUR CRAFT BEFORE LEAVING IT. BE SURE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF BRIDGES AND CAUSEWAYS. SMALL CRAFT SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT AND WELL SECURED. FOR THOSE UNDER A WATCH, CONTINUE WITH YOUR PREPARATIONS AND LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS. CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS FOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE FORECAST. FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY AND PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO YOUR LOCATION AS FURTHER DESCRIBED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
Target Area:
Atlantic
Atlantic Coastal Cape May
Camden
Cape May
Coastal Atlantic
Coastal Ocean
Cumberland
Eastern Monmouth
Gloucester
Northwestern Burlington
Ocean
Salem
Southeastern Burlington
Western Monmouth
The earthquake and the coming hurricane kept Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno off the front pages this week despite the Governor’s press office’s best efforts to raise her public profile.
Yesterday, for the first time Guadagno, as Acting Governor with Christie out of the state, signed a bill into law. The press office issued as press release and a video. One of three videos of the LG released this week.
With Hurricane Irene coming, Governor Christie has shorten his vacation and will hold a hurricane preparedness press conference at noon. That is sure to overshadow Guadagno’s press conference at 3PM at Cargotec USA in Monroe.
Maybe the administration has decided it needs to do more to promote their pro-business and job growth efforts. Maybe Christie is getting ready to run for president and wants Guadagno to bet better known since she would be Acting Governor a great deal more often should that happen and Governor should he win. Maybe Guadagno will enter the race to take on U.S. Senator Robert Menendez .
Something has shifted, that’s for sure. It’s worth keeping an eye on.
Former Middlesex County Republican Chairman Joe Leo passed away on Saturday, August 21. He was 73 years old.
Leo served as a public administrator, manager and public safety director for many municipalities over a 45 year career, including Holmdel, Marlboro, Jackson, Monore, Delran, Brick, Middletown, Matawan and his home town of 54 years, Old Bridge.
During the summer months, Leo could often be found taking in the sunset at the Seagull’s Nest at Sandy Hook.
Funeral Arrangements as follows: Wake: Thursday, 25 August 2011 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, 3377 Route 9 North, Old Bridge, NJ 08857, 732-679-4422. Mass: Friday, 26 August 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, 133 Amboy Road, Matawan, NJ 07747-6816.
45 km (27 miles) E of Charlottesville, Virginia
55 km (34 miles) SW of Fredericksburg, Virginia
64 km (39 miles) NW of RICHMOND, Virginia
82 km (50 miles) NNE of Farmville, Virginia
By Joe Irace, Oceanport Councilman, delivered as remarks at a council meeting on August 18th
Yesterday’s announcement by Perretti Farms, the largest standardbred
breeder in New Jersey, that they are putting up the “for sale” sign and
closing shop in the state is the latest blow to our racing industry. Mr.
Perretti had made it clear in the past that Trenton needed to change their
way of thinking in order to allow our farms a chance to compete with the
surrounding states. Once again, slot machines, VLT’s or a gaming casino in
the Meadowlands would have been the answer to keep Perretti Farms not only
viable, but successful. What becomes of Peretti Farms one can only wonder,
Mc Mansions, condos, strip malls?
Yesterday’s news led Assemblywoman Connie Wagner of Bergen County to become the latest member of Trenton to call for VLT’s in the Meadowlands.
Assemblyman Ralph Caputo was quoted in the paper a day earlier calling for
the same. Our District 12 Representatives Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande have been vocal for years on this yet it continues to be held up by parochial politics and not common sense.
More Monmouth Musings blog says that over 100 farms are listed as for
sale at bargain basement prices in New Jersey. Where does it end? As Perretti closes and takes 30 fulltime jobs and countless ancillary jobs away from the state what more does it take for Trenton to move on VLT”s?
As we know from our own experience with Fort Monmouth, the last thing New
Jersey needs is additional strip malls and more housing. I urge all our
elected representatives to bring this issue up for a vote in the Assembly
and Senate. Every day we waste hurts our farms, race tracks, horsemen and
most importantly the taxpayers of New Jersey.
Prolific Reporter Is Joining The Asbury Park Press
Dustin Racioppi is taking his considerable talent to The Asbury Park Press. Hopefully the creative and entrepreneurial scribe will not be stifled by the suits at Gannett.
“Hopefully I won’t become a “Nudnik'”, said Dustin when confirming his move.
In his two years at RedBankGreen Dustin demonstrated an enviable ability to report local events from car accidents to council meetings with a compelling flair that kept readers coming back for more. He contributed mightly to the impressive growth of RBG and to the emergence of the “hyber-local” news business that the corporate media giants are now unwittingly attempting to homogenize.
Focus is a key to Dustin’s success. He lived and breathed his beat of Red Bank, Fair Haven, Rumson and Middletown. Last year while preparing to cover Congressman Frank Pallone’s office hours in Long Branch, I reached out to Dustin to see if he was going to cover it. “Long Branch is Jupiter to us,” was his response.
I was surprised when I first heard that Dustin was leaving RBG. While preparing to move MMM to this domain from the old blogspot site I sent a feeler out to Dustin about joining me. “I love working for John Ward,” was his immediate response. That was obvious from the quality of his work.
And Ward, owner/publisher of RBG, obviously loved having Dustin work for him. In an “Help Wanted” ad for reporters on RBG, Ward says:
We’re interested in teaming up with people who can quickly gather information and shape it into brief stories that are factually solid and fair, yet more than mere stenography. A distinctive and confident writer’s voice, or a desire to develop one, is a must. So is a broad range of interests, from the arts to public policy to business. The ability to take a decent photograph is a big plus. Wannabes, whiners and prima donnas: please don’t waste our time. We’re interested in working only with those who demonstrate entrepreneurial energy and focus on what needs to be done. Yeah, they sound boring, but they’re the most fun to be around. And we do have fun here.
In other words, John is looking to clone Dustin. Not an easy person to find, as I have learned over the last year. If you’re out there and love politics more than sprinkling fire hydrants or fireworks shows, call me first, or last.
Dustin’s move comes at a difficult time for RBG as it faces competition for advertising dollars from the patch.com sites and perhaps The Two River Times. Two weeks ago, Dan Jacobson reported in the triCityNews that TRT’s new publisher Ellen McCarthy was planning to convert the weekly paper’s website to an active news site with daily updates. If McCarthy has started doing so, I haven’t noticed. It’s probably still in the planning stages. Diane Gooch is still listed as publisher on the TRT site, an indication that they haven’t gotten to working on the website yet.
MMM wishes the best for Dustin at APP, and for Ward and RBG. While we’re at it, we wish the best for McCarthy and TRT and we pray the Neptune Nudniks learn from Dustin rather than trying to train him into a dead tree scribe. The more quality sources of local information available the better for all of us in this Internet age. I’m pretty sure Ward knows that. Maybe the Nudni’s are beginning to figure that out, but probably not. Jacobson doesn’t care. Only Dan knows how to make dead trees sing.
We don’t wish Patch well so much. We’d love them if they put out a consistently quality product, but that’s difficult if not impossible to do with part-time writers working for an extra $50-$100 per week. In the mean time they’re only mucking up the revenue side of the business. Patch’s only hope long term is for AOL/Ariann Huffington to pay Ward, Jacobson or me hundreds of millions of dollars and then leave us alone to do what we want to do.
It seems weird to me that a pollster would release a study with issues as diverse as voters attitudes to Port Authority’s proposed toll and fare increases, the sexual proclivities of office holders and whether a Muslim Judge can do his job, but that is exactly what the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute did this morning.
New Jersey voters do not support Port Authority raising tolls. The only surprise here is that even people who don’t use the Hudson River crossings or Path Trains don’t support the tolls any more than the people who pay the tolls. 17% of voters favor the toll increases, 38% do not, and 43% haven’t heard enough about them.
54% of New Jersey voters think there should be more women office holders. 80% think that male office holders are more likely than women to be involved in sex scandals. We needed a poll for that?
71% of voters were unaware that Governor Christie appointed a Muslim to the bench in Passaic County Superior Court. 65% think Judge Mohammed’s religion will not effect his job performance.
If Quinnipiac asked if Muslim male judges are more or less likely to be involved in sex scandals than non-Muslim male judges, they didn’t report the results.
Dick LaRossa and I spent a great hour on the radio with Bob Ingle yesterday afternoon.
In the free wheeling and wide ranging conversation we discussed The Soprano State book and movie, corruption in New Jersey and the lack of prosecutions under our new U.S. Attorney, the demise of the Jersey Guys show on 101.5 FM, education reform, Abbott districts, racial segregation in New Jersey schools, former Governor McGreevey, the proposed Port Authority toll and fare hikes, Governor Christie and the likelihood, or lack thereof, that Christie will run for President in 2012.
The Soprano State movie will likely be released again this fall in New York and Los Angeles in order to be considered for an Oscar nomination.
If you missed the show or would like to hear it again, here’s a recording:
The LaRossa and Gallagher: Real Jersey Guys On The Radio is sponsored by Repatriot Radio. It is broadcast every Tuesday from 5pM-6PM on WIFI AM 1460 and on the Internet here.
Former Middlesex County Republican Chairman Joe Leo passed away on Saturday, August 21. He was 73 years old.