Frankly Chatting: Don’t be a baby

By Steve Frank

I always sorta’ saw myself as a tough guy. Not physically but in a mental patient kind of way. I never pampered myself. Didn’t let the weather affect me; scorcher, nor’easter, flooding, blizzard -didn’t matter. I went about my business doing whatever it is I do. I used to coach wrestling. Anyone who’s ever spent time in a wrestling practice room knows the saying “Suck it Up!” When you’ve got nothing left in the tank; you’re gasping for air; there’s thirty seconds left on the clock. Suck it Up!

I incorporated this politically incorrect child-rearing philosophy into raising my kids. They flirted with 100% attendance almost every year of their school lives. Got a headache? It’ll pass. Queasy stomach? Don’t be a baby. Tired? Stop whining. And, of course, you never get to quit anything. Well, at least, without giving it your best shot.

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Murphy Reprises Corzine’s Asset Monetization Plans, MMM Reprises ‘King of the Road’

Asbury Park Press graphic. Permission to use granted 11 years ago

Politico is reporting that Governor Phil Murphy is reaching back to the previous Goldman Sachs Administration in New Jersey by “launching an effort to identify state assets that could be leveraged to reduce New Jersey’s unfunded pension liability.”

Former Governor Corzine couldn’t sell his idea of selling New Jersey’s toll roads to investors (China) for a $30+ billion cash infusion to plug our chronic budget wholes. Will Murphy, who according to Politico is looking to sell more assets than toll roads,“numerous state assets, including property, buildings, roads, transit facilities, easements, air rights, naming rights and infrastructure, such as airports, bridges, water facilities, ports, parks and recreational facilities,” succeed where Corzine failed?

Politico says that Senate President Steve Sweeney supports the concept.

On January 21, 2008, MMM responded to Corzine’s scheme with a song parody crafted by Lori Gallagher, aka Mrs. Musings:

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Republican Enthusiasm Abounds At Monmouth County Lincoln Day Dinner

It’s become a winter tradition that Monmouth County Republicans can mark their calendars by.  Shaun Golden’s annual Starry Night Celebration is on the last Friday of January followed by the Monmouth GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner two weeks later.

The atmosphere was electric on Friday night in Freehold where over 500 enthusiastic Republicans gathered at Southgate Manor for the annual celebration of America’s first Republican president and the annual kickoff of signature gathering for candidates’ petitions.

New Jersey’s sole remaining Republican in Congress, Rep Chris Smith, received a spontaneous standing ovation when Golden noted his arrival from a Friday voting session in Washington.  Smith in turn acknowledged the strong Monmouth Republican team that held back the blue wave that swept the rest of New Jersey in last fall’s election and specifically congratulated Golden, not for politics, but for outstanding government.  The Sheriff was honored in Washington last year, Smith noted, for leading the best 911 call center in the country.

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Statement by Long Branch Police Chief Jason Roebuck on the arrest of Officer Patrick Joyce, Jr

Long Branch Police Chief Jason Roebuck

As with any investigation, especially one involving a law enforcement officer, I cannot legally release certain information to the press, no matter how much I may want to, until that investigation has been completed. This was the situation with the incident involving Officer Patrick Joyce, Jr.

Now that the investigation is complete, and charges filed, I can issue the following statement, with much outrage and embarrassment. Officer Patrick Joyce Jr was charged with Criminal Sexual Contact (4th degree) and Harassment (Disorderly Persons offense) by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, February 8th, 2019. While the matter was under investigation, he was immediately suspended without pay, which was supported by the command staff of the department and the City’s leadership. He is now facing termination of his employment.

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Long Branch Cop Charged With Criminal Sexual Contact

Patrick D. Joyce, Jr., 35, of West Long Branch, a Long Branch Police Officer for 12 years, has been charged with fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact and Harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

The charges are the result of an incident that occurred on February 1 at Jack’s Goal Line Stand during a private party celebrating the promotions of 12 Long Branch Officers.  MMM was the first to report on the incident and the investigation.

It is alleged that at the private party Joyce inappropriately touched a 21-year-old woman without her consent for his own sexual arousal or gratification.

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O’Scanlon and DiMaso Introduce “River’s Law” To Increase Penalties For Animal Abuse

River

Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso have introduced legislation that will increase certain animal abuse crimes to the second degree level.  Convictions for second degree crimes carry penalties of five to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $150,000.

The legislation is named for River, a pitbull/mix that was rescued by a Good Samaritan, Jennifer Vaz of Highlands, who discovered the dog caged and left to drown on the banks of the Shrewbury River at Veterans Memorial Park last June.

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Robert Neff will run for reelection as Little Silver Mayor

Little Silver Mayor Robert C. Neff announced today that he is seeking a third term leading the Borough.

Neff, a 56 year old attorney has been mayor since 2011.  He and Council members Donald Galante and Corinne Thygeson are running as a team for the Republican nominations in the primary on June 4 with the “overwhelming endorsement” of the local GOP organization, according to their announcement.

“The committee’s support for Bob was extremely strong, and we look forward to working with Bob and his running mates to continue to serve the people of Little Silver,” said Little Silver Republican Chairman Stuart Van Winkle.

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Mary Pat Christie for Congress? From the 11th or the 3rd district?

CHRISCHRISTIE.COM PHOTO

Former Governor Chris Christie floated the idea of his wife, Mary Pat Christie, running for Congress in the 11th district next year as a challenger to freshman Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, according to a report at NewJerseyGlobe.

Sherrill, who flipped the Republican 11th district convincingly with a 57%-42%  victory over Assemblyman Jay Webber, and raised a gazillion dollars to do it, will be tough to beat in 2020.

Mary Pat would have a much easier race against 3rd district freshman Congressman Andy Kim who barely beat Tom MacArthur last year.   The Chrisites own a house in Bay Head, in addition to their home in Mendam.  MacArthur relocated to Ocean County from Morris County to run for the seat after Jon Runyan retired in 2014.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, February 8-10, 2019

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, February 8

• An Evening with The Celebrity Housewives at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Sylvia by South Street Players (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• “Apple Season” at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Beyond #MeToo Exhibit Opening at Monmouth U. (WLB) – MORE INFO
• “Wet as the Atlantic Ocean: Prohibition in NJ” exhibit (Ocean Twp.) – MORE INFO
• School Italian Dinner (Eatontown) – MORE INFO
• Hunt for the Hearts Festival (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• AARP Tax-Aid Program (Monmouth County Libraries) – MORE INFO

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Probation Officer Charged With Raping Woman He Supervised

Henry C. Cirignano, 48, a New Jersey State Probation Officer who resides in Wall Township, was arrested on Monday and charged with with 2 counts of second degree Sexual Assault for coercing a women under his supervision into sexual activity, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Cirginano is currently in the custody of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pending the outcome of his detention hearing which is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8, 2019. If convicted of Sexual Assault, he faces up to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison on each count, subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” (NERA) requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be subject to the provisions of “Megan’s Law” and Parole Supervision for Life requiring a minimum of 15 years of parole supervision following his release from prison.

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