DuPont Concedes Red Bank Election

Red Bank Councilman Michael DuPont

Red Bank Councilman Michael DuPont told MoreMonmouthMusings that he will not contest the results of the election that has him losing to his Republican challenger Michael Whelan.   Whelan increased his margin of victory from 2 to 3 votes as a result of an Election Recount and Recheck this morning that DuPont had requested.

“After consulting with my representatives who were present at the recount this morning, I have decided to accept the result and wish the new council members well in doing what is best for Red Bank, ” DuPont said.

“You haven’t heard the last of me,” the three term Democrat continued,”but for now it is best for Red Bank that we move forward.”

Whelan and his running mate Mark Taylor, the top vote getter in the four way race for two seats on the Council, will be sworn into office in early January,giving the Republican Party control of the Borough’s government for the first time time in two decades.  Republicans will have a 4-2 majority.

“I hope the new councilmen do what is best for Red Bank and that they are not beholden to Party bosses,” DuPont said.

Red Bank Republican Chairman Sean DiSomma issued the following statement:

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Republican Michael Whelan prevails over Michael DuPont in Red Bank recount

Bruce Padula, Esq, attorney for the Red Bank Republicans, Joseph Libutti, Monmouth Dem Exec Director, Rajvir S. Goomer, Esq, attorney for Michael DuPont and Bertha Sumick, Special Deputy Clerk of Elections prepare for the recount of Red Bank ballots.

FREEHOLD-Republican Councilman-elect Michael Whelan increased his lead over incumbent Democratic Councilman Michael DuPont after the ballots were recounted this morning by the Monmouth County Board of Elections.  Whelan now leads DuPont by 3 votes, a net pick up of one vote from the unofficial count on November 9 when the provisional ballots were counted by the Board.

All four candidates for the two Red Bank Council seats picked up votes as a result of the hand counting of Vote-By-Mail and Provisional Ballots, which prior to today have been tabulated electronically by a scanner.  The results, which are expected to be certified my Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon today are:  Michael Ballard- 937, Michael Dupont 968, Mark Taylor 1038, Michael Whelan,971.  Republicans Taylor and Whelan have thus far maintained their victory and are on track to join Republican Councilwomen Cindy Burnham and Linda Schwabenbauer in partisan control of Red Bank’s local government for the first time in two decades.

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2 charged in teacher’s mistaken-identity killing plead not guilty

FREEHOLD — Two of the three men accused of beating a beloved Red Bank schoolteacher to death in a case of mistaken identity appeared Thursday in court where they proclaimed their innocence. One of the suspects, James Fair, 27, boldly declared himself not guilty of the seven charges lodged against him on Wednesday when he and… Read the rest of this entry »

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State blasts tax boards, may force N.J. towns to reassess properties

TRENTON — Three New Jersey municipalities in Union, Hudson and Middlesex counties are under investigation by the state for stalling property reassessments for decades and could be forced to conduct revaluations. The investigation of Jersey City, Elizabeth and Dunellen is a shot across the bow to municipalities in the three counties the state says have neglected… Read the rest of this entry »

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N.J. has worst business tax climate in U.S., study finds

TRENTON — New Jersey’s high property and income taxes contribute to its standing as the nation’s least attractive tax climate for businesses, according to a Washington tax policy group’s annual ranking of the 50 states. The Tax Foundation, a public policy group that has two former Republican lawmakers on its board of directors, considered five metrics,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Three Asbury Park Men Charged in Red Bank Teacher’s Murder

Freehold,NJ- Three Asbury Park men, all currently incarcerated on unrelated crimes, have been charged in the 2009 murder of Jonelle Melton, a 33 year old Red Bank Middle School teacher who resided in Brighton Arms apartment complex in Neptune City.

James Fair, 27, Ebenezer Byrd, 35 and Gregory Jean-Baptiste, 26, were each charged with first degree Felony Murder, first degree Robbery, and other second degree charges.   Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced the charges during a press conference at Freehold office this morning.  Melton’s husband, mother and other family members and friends were present for the announcement.

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Recounts scheduled for in Asbury Park, Neptune City and Spring Lake Hts elections

The results of the November 3, 2015 Board of Education election in Asbury Park, and the municipal races in Neptune City and Spring Lake Heights will be rechecked and recounted on Tuesday, November 24 at 10 am, at the Board of Elections Office in Freehold, pursuant to Judge Katie A. Gummer’s Orders.

The rechecks and recounts were requested via Petitions filed by Allan C. Roth, a Springfield, NJ attorney, on behalf of Asbury Park Board of Education candidate Barbara Lesiniski, Spring Lake Heights Council candidate Nathaniel Novak and Michael Skudera, a candidate for Council in Neptune City.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, November 20-22, 2015

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By Greg Kelly

Friday, November 20

• One Last Waltz: Celebration of The Band at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Peter Pan at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• The Choir Room by Spotlight Players (Matawan) – MORE INFO
• Winter Solstice: A Seasonal Artisan Market (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Laura by Monmouth Players (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• The Producers at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO
• A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Otto’s Fortune at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Ghost Tours (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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N.J. Muslim leaders strongly condemn terrorist attacks in Paris

PISCATAWAY — Muslim leaders from around New Jersey gathered at Rutgers University Tuesday morning to issue a statement condemning “on the strongest possible terms the barbaric terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Paris.” “Islam is against terrorism and does not condone or provide any justification, whatsoever, for such despicable acts,” the statement said. “There is no… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie to Obama: N.J. won’t accept Syrian refugees

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday sent a letter to President Obama saying New Jersey will not accept any Syrian refugees from the war-torn country. In the letter, Christie argued the Obama administration failed to notify the state or coordinate with New Jersey agencies on resettling refugees in the Garden State. Christie, who is running… Read the rest of this entry »

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