NJ Lawmakers reach $171M deal on school funding

TRENTON — Top Democratic lawmakers who have been pushing competing plans to repair education funding in New Jersey said Wednesday they have agreed to a deal that would increase state funding by $125 million. Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) said their plan that would add $100 million in new K-12… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, June 16-18, 2017

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, June 16

• Bryan Adams at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• “Doodle” at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• SpringFest ’17 (Monmouth Beach) – MORE INFO
• “Lincroft Eats” Food Truck Fest & Car Show at BCC – MORE INFO
• The Little Mermaid Jr. at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Romeo and Juliet by Stone Church Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO
• The Ballad of Little Jo at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

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Guadagno Goes on Attack, as She, Murphy, Court NJ Businesses

LG Claims Murphy’s promises will cost $50 Billion

HAMILTON — The two candidates vying to be the state’s next governor delivered back-to-back speeches Tuesday night before the business community, tearing into each other with a series of barbs. Democratic Phil Murphy described a state in dire straights fiscally and in need of a strong leader to set the right course for the next generation… Read the rest of this entry »

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Kiley Connects High School Students and Seniors

Hazlet Mayor Sue Kiley

Hazlet, NJ- Mayor Sue Kiley announced a new community building program in her Mayor’s Update this week.

“Connect” is a program that Kiley has been developing to bring people, places and things together for the betterment of the community.  The inaugural Connect session was on June 7 when Raritan High School honor students, under the direction of teachers Ms. Melissa Trenton and Ms. Melissa Gardner, met with Hazlet Senior Citizens at the Cullen Center for a session on how to use modern technology.

“I’m leaning to use my not so smart phone,” one of the seniors joked.

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Christie nominates Massell and Luttrell for Monmouth County Tax Board

Stephen Massell

Governor Chris Christie this afternoon announced the nominations of Stephen Massell of Middletown and Renee Luttrell of Holmdel to serve five year terms on the Monmouth County Tax Board.   If confirmed by the New Jersey Senate, Massell will fill the Republican seat on the Board currently held by Kathleen Cody Bjelka who term has expired.  Luttrell will take the Democratic seat vacated by the death of Thomas J. Byrne of Spring Lake.

Given the legislative calendar, neither nominee is likely to be confirmed until the lame duck session which starts in November. The State Legislature typically takes the summer off after passing the State Budget which is due by June 30th.  Given that all 120 seats in the legislature are up for election this year, members of the legislature are likely to spend the fall campaigning and not legislating.

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Repairing the Asbury Park Press’ Conservative Insufficiency

By Tom DeSeno

The Asbury Park Press is the only daily paper targeting two New Jersey counties.  If that sounds small, consider those two counties have a larger population than eight U.S. states. They double the population of Washington DC. That makes the AP Press important not only as a courier of news, but considering its monopoly, as a sculptor of opinion in our great national debate.

Owned by media giant Gannett, the largest newspaper publisher in America and parent of USA Today, there exists available resources to publish a product that mirrors the Press’ considerable responsibility (if Gannett is willing to open the spigot on resources, that is).

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Bear roaming through Union County caught, relocated safely

GARWOOD — A bear that had been seen roaming through Cranford early Monday, causing an elementary school to have a delayed opening, was captured in Garwood and safely relocated, police said. The bear was near the Brookside Place School Monday and later wandered into neighboring Garwood, where it was contained to a backyard until animal control… Read the rest of this entry »

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Jughandle Brewing Celebrates 1st Anniversary

Partners Mike Skudera, Chris Hanigan and Peter Artherholt celebrate the Grand Opening of their microbrewery. June 2016

It’s been a terrific first year for Chris Hanigan, Pete Artherholt, Mike Skudera, the founding partners of Jughandle Brewing Company in Tinton Falls.  Since opening their Asbury Ave microbrewery and taproom on June 18 last year, the beermeisters have their brew flowing in about 40 New Jersey adult beverage establishments.

Jughandle Brewing has doubled its beer taps, hired additional staff, extended its public tasting room hours, increased capacity by purchasing new fermenters, and continues to expand its wholesale market to new establishments throughout New Jersey.

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O’Scanlon forces Assembly vote on property tax cap effectiveness

Democrats punt on property tax reform

Trenton, NJ- Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. invoked a parliamentary rule on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday to force a vote on his bill that would remove the sunset provision on the arbitration cap of police and fireman salaries.

The arbitration cap was institution as part of the 2010 landmark property tax reform legislation that capped New Jersey property tax growth at 2% per year. The initial cap expired in 2014 and was renewed in 2014 with a sunset provision for the end of this year.  O’Scanlon’s bill, A-2123,would make the 2% arbitration cap permanent.

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Monmouth County To Auction Surplus Equipment Online

Monmouth County will hold an online auction to sell equipment from the County’s Fleet Services, Sheriff’s Office, Buildings and Grounds, Reclamation Center, Park System and seized and surplus property from the Prosecutor’s Office starting Saturday June 10 through Tuesday June, 13, according to an announcement from the Freeholder Board.

A total of 225 items are now listed for sale at USGovBid.com, including cars, trucks, heavy equipment, office equipment, jewelry and cell phones.

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