NJ Senate Confirms Hanlon As Monmouth County Clerk

Clerks: Christine Giordano Hanlon and her predecessor M. Claire French.  MMM file photo

Christine Giordano Hanlon was confirmed as Monmouth County Clerk today by a unanimous vote of the New Jersey State Senate.

Hanlon was nominated by Governor Chris Christie in February to fill the anticipated vacancy created by  former Clerk M. Claire French’s retirement announcement.  She has been serving as Acting Clerk since French left office at the end of business on March 31.

“I am honored to have been confirmed today, and can now be sworn in as the Clerk of Monmouth County,” said Hanlon.  “It is my privilege to serve the citizens of Monmouth County in this capacity and I look forward to continuing the great work of my predecessor, M. Claire French.”

Hanlon’s nomination was supported by Monmouth Senators Joe Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck and Robert Singer, as well as Republican County Chairman Shaun Golden and outgoing Clerk M. Claire French.  “Christine has our full support and we are confident she will do an exemplary job as Clerk,” said Senator Kyrillos.  “Her background as an attorney for over 20 years and as a Commissioner on the Monmouth Board of Elections makes her exceedingly qualified for this position and we know she will do a great job.”

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Self Service or Full Service, You’ll have to get out of your car before getting gas starting in 2017

Some Independent Gasoline Retailers Are At Odds With Their Lobbyist Who Is Pushing Self Service

O’Scanlon: Self Service bill will give consumers and retailers a choice.  Will decriminalize a harmless convenience

Starting in October of 2017 New Jersey drivers will have to get out of their cars, swipe their own credit or debit card and enter a PIN before an attendant can can pump gas into their car, according to a report at NorthJersey.com.

Consumers will no longer be allowed to hand their cards gas station employees due to new credit card security requirements, The Record quotes Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline C-Store Automotive Association (NJGCA), an independent gas station owners group, as saying.

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Amtrak Service Between New York and Philly will resume on Monday

Amtrak service between New York and Philadelphia will resume Monday morning, according to from report The New York Times.

The first trains will be departing from Philadelphia at 5:53 a.m. and New York at 5:30 a.m.

Service between the two cities has been suspended since the derailment on Tuesday night that killed 8 people and injured more than 200.

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More than 600 trains derailed in N.J. over past 20 years, rate of human error twice national average

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Fight over N.J. pro-car dealer legislation revs up again | The Auditor

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O’Scanlon: When pumping gas, DON’T SET YOURSELF ON FIRE

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon is offended by the argument that New Jerseyans are not capable of pumping their own gas without setting themselves on fire.  But in order to get his legislation that would decriminalize consumer gas pumping passed he in inserting language into the bill that would require signs on gas pumps for the protection of the mentally challenged and members of the Jersey City Council.

“I am offended by people that argue that New Jerseyans are mentally incapable of pumping their own gas without setting themselves on fire. But I hear them.  For that reason I am recommending language be inserted in the final bill that mandates signs at all self serve pumps, in bold red and blue flashing neon lettering, that reads “Do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, set yourself on fire!!”   I think that should resolve these concerns” O’Scanlon said when introducing the legislation.

O’Scanlon’s bill, which mirrors a bill in the Senate sponsored by Bergen County Senators Paul Sarlo and Gerald Cardinale, except for the signage language, would decriminalize gas pumping by consumers and provide for self-service islands at New Jersey gas stations. Each facility would be required to operate at least one island full service for three years following enactment, and the bill also allows for gas retailers to charge a lesser price for self-service gasoline.

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Howard Dean screams about Chris Christie in N.J.: ‘You’re not gonna win!’

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Westfield High School Displays Anti-Cop Student Art

photo via TAP into Westfield

A school district-wide student art exhibit by Westfield High School students titled, “Law Enforcement — Police Brutality,” is drawing criticism from the law enforcement community, according to a report at TAP into Westfield.

Westfield, a toney Union County town of 30,000 with a median family income of $112,145 as of the 2010 U.S. Census, was named the 24th safest city in the United States in 2015 by Neighborhood Scout.   The chances of being the victim of a crime in Westfield is 1 in 2057. Statewide in New Jersey, the chances of being the victim of a crime is 1 in 347, according to Neighborhood Scout.

Westfield is 13.5 miles from Newark and 10 miles from Elizabeth.

The art exhibit, which closed this afternoon, includes an image of a bloodied figure stabbed in the back with a badge and several images of guns aimed at unarmed figures.

TAP into Westfield reports that police officers worldwide are sharing photos from the display on social media and encouraging complaints to be emailed to Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan.

The student’s work was accompanied by artist statements.

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Buckle Up or Pay Up

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden

Wear your seat belts, Monmouth County drivers. Sheriff Shaun Golden is sending reinforcements to police departments throughout the county as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.  The seat belt enforcement program provided through a grant by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety kicks off on Monday, May 18, and runs through Sunday, May 31.

“I’m proud that the sheriff’s office has been selected once again to participate in such a lifesaving program,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “The main focus of these patrols and checkpoints, which will be conducted throughout Monmouth County, is to issue summonses to motorists and front and rear passengers, who are not complying with the state’s seat belt laws and to raise awareness on how vital it is to buckle up.”

According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey currently stands at 87.59%. The goal for this year’s campaign is to increase the statewide rate to 90%.

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82 New Officers Graduate from Monmouth Police Academy

82 young men and women were sworn in as law enforcement officers today during their graduation ceremony from the Monmouth County Police Academy at Neptune High School’s Performing Arts Center, according to an announcement by Sheriff Shaun Golden.

43 officers completed the Basic Course for Police Officers, a 19 week program with 780 hours of training. 39 completed the Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers, a three month program that consists of approximately 600 hours of training with full police powers while on duty. Both classes are run through the Monmouth County Police Academy and upon completion the officers are well trained and well prepared to serve their respective law enforcement agencies.

The new officers’ training was sponsored by jurisdictions in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer and Burlington counties.

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