NJEA Spent Nearly $60M on Campaigns and Lobbying in Past 15 Years

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Governor Vetoes Statewide Ban on Smoking at Public Beaches, Parks

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Christie Grappling With Bond Downgrades, Budget Shortfalls, Casino Closures

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 12-14, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, September 12

• Dinner with the Boys at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Sound of Music at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• I Ought To Be In Pictures at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Belmar Pro Surfing Competition – MORE INFO

• Count Basie 365: The Gambone Project (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Used Book Sale at Red Bank Library – MORE INFO

• Comedian Kevin Meaney (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Harry Chapin’s Music: Lies & Legends (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Work: A Series of One Act Plays at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Garden State Line at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Terry Bozzio at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• John Eddie at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Growing Older, Staying Healthy (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Computer Skills for Job Hunters (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• Meet Artist Robert Mueller at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• D-Day Exhibit at NJ National Guard Militia Museum (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

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The hardest thing about being in politics is the politics

By Freeholder Deputy Director Gary Rich

Gary Rich, Deputy Director, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders

The hardest thing about being in politics is the politics. Truthfully, it’s not something I have much of a tolerance for. I’m an ideas man. I see a problem and I want to fix it. I like logic and honesty, which may sound like an odd thing to have to say, but you’d be surprised how many people these days seem to lack both completely or just don’t have the time for them. What I don’t have time for is games—they serve no one and they have no place in serving the public.

People today are looking for real leadership—maybe in part because it seems to be so sorely lacking from so many politicians or would-be politicians at all levels of our government. The people we serve need substance. Not empty accusations. Not grandstanding for the sake of show. Not whining about problems without offering solutions. And not making up facts when the mood strikes.

The truth is, in Monmouth County we’re providing that leadership. We’re making the tough decisions. We’re partnering with our municipalities to fix problems. And we’re getting things done.

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FDU Poll: 36% of NJ voters approve of Obama, 42% will vote for Booker

photo via facebook

The political landscape in New Jersey is ripe for a historic shift this November. But a shift in New Jersey’s representation in Washington is not likely to happen because the New Jersey Republican Party is wholly unprepared for the opportunity.  The nincompoops who lead the NJGOP gave up on the U.S. Senate race in January.  They gave up on picking up seats in the Congressional Delegation in 2012 when the new congressional map was drawn.

According to a Fairleigh Dickinson Univeristy Public Mind Poll released this morning, President Barack Obama’s approval rating among New Jersey registered voters is a dismal 36%.  49%, including 21% of Democrats and 45% of Independents, disapprove of the President’s job performance.  Senator Cory Booker is 8 points below the magic number of 50% that an incumbent needs to be comfortable in a reelection race.  Those are the kind of numbers any opposition party/candidate would pray for 8 weeks before an election.

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Reeling from casino closures, Atlantic City boosters attempt to change resort’s sub-Vegas reputation

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Bookerism of the day

“I believe that Barack Obama has the best ideas to move this nation forward” -Cory Booker

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Justice for Rice. Now let’s have some Justice for Shaneen Allen

Shaneen Allen and her sons Niare and Sincere

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was released by the NFL team today and suspended indefinitely by the league as a result of the public outrage at the video of Rice knocking out his then fiancee that was released by TMZ this morning.

Clearly, the NFL’s move is a public relations and business decision.  NFL officials had seen the video prior to suspending Rice for only 2 games and docking his pay for a third.

One has to wonder if Atlantic County Prosecutor James McClain would have accepted Rice into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program had the video become public before the former Rutgers star was given leniency.  Rice had been indicted on third degree aggravated assault charges after clocking his wife.  The prosecutor said there was enough evidence for a conviction even without Mrs. Rice’s cooperation. Presumably he meant the video.  Rice faced five years in prison, but McClain accepted him into the Pre-Trial Invention Program for first offenders.  If Rice stays out of trouble until May of next year, he is off the hook, legally, for the assault.

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Atlantic County Justice

Shaneen Allen and her sons Niare and Sincere. Photo via facebook

The mainstream media will be making a big deal today about the leniency Baltimore Raven Ray Rice received from the NFL after knocking out his then finance in Atlantic City in February. TMZ obtained an released a video of the incident this morning. Sources are quoted as saying that NFL officials saw the video before suspending Rice for the first two games of this season and docking his pay for a third game.

But the NFL would not be subject to the public outrage they are experiencing had the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office not been lenient with Rice first.  Rice was first charged with simple assault.  The charges were upgraded to aggravated assault by an Atlantic County Grand Jury.  Rice faced a possible five years in State Prison.   But the Prosecutor accepted Rice’s application into the Pre-trial Intervention Program for First Offenders and his Not Guilty plea which leaves him off the hook if he stays out of trouble for a year.

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