U.S. State Dept. officials tour County Connection

County office is participating in national pilot program

Freeholder John Curley, County Clerk M. Claire French, U.S. Passport Chief Brenda Sprague, Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Freeholder Tom Arnone at the County Connection in Neptune, August 28, 2014

NEPTUNE, NJ – Chief of the U.S. State Department’s Passport Office, Brenda Sprague, toured the Monmouth County Connection yesterday with County Clerk M. Claire French and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“It is an honor for the Monmouth County Connection to be recognized by the U.S. Department of State as a Leading Acceptance facility and chosen to participate in a national pilot program studying customer service,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “The Connection’s enhanced services include extended hours, photo services and walk-in availabilities, which provide the American traveling public with a more convenient, seamless passport application process.”

In April 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated the County Connection as a Leading Acceptance Facility. As a result of this honor, the Monmouth County Connection has been chosen to participate in a customer service-oriented pilot program to help the Department of State better understand customer preferences. Only eight passport acceptance facilities, out of 8,500, were chosen to participate.

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Manhattan DA probes secret settlement between Port Authority, seaport company

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, August 29

• Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair – MORE INFO

• Joan Rivers at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Canterbury Art Show (Rumson) – MORE INFO

• Gabrielle Stravelli (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Shore Blue Band (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Campfire on the Beach on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale at Pier Village (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Canoeing on Sandy Hook Bay – MORE INFO

• Seining at Horseshoe Cove – MORE INFO

• Lucky Me at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Bus Stop at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Car Show Art Show (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Yoga for Adults (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Ocean Grove Antiques & Collectibles Auction – MORE INFO

• Comedian Frank Santos, Jr. (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Uncle Funky (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

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

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

• Kids Night Out (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

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Teams Needed for Fundraiser for the Keyport Teams

The Keyport Indians Football & Cheerleading Team is holding a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser

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O’Scanlon announces new electric meter installation guidelines for flood zones

“Sometimes the process works”

Assemblyman O’Scanlon praised the process that led to the comprehensive and sensible solution to the placement of electric meters in flood zones.  “As hard as it is to accept, conflicting concerns will mean we sometimes encounter frustrating rules and regulations” said O’Scanlon. “Sometimes those enshrined rules and regulations can be exceedingly difficult to alter, even in the face of drastically altered conditions.  So when we came across the meter height issue a few weeks ago, I was very concerned.”

O’Scanlon was contacted by a constituent, along with local Sea Bright officials regarding the conflicting guidance pertaining to the placement of her electric meter.  “The original guidance directed her to place the meter above the base flood elevation level, which she did.  The problem arose when JCP&L representatives showed up and informed the homeowner to move the meter down to 5.5 feet above ground level, well below the future flood level. We almost simultaneously encountered the issue during an inspection of rebuilt neighborhoods in Union Beach.  I immediately contacted JCP&L and the Governor’s Office of Rebuilding and Recovery.  Everyone ‘s attitude was immediately open-minded. The JCP&L folks explained the reasoning behind their rules – they must have easy access to meters in case of fire or other emergencies – but understood that a better solution was needed for these flood prone areas and they committed to finding one”.

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Photos Of iPhone 6 Parts Leaked Online

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Sea Bright Farmers’ Market Continues to Build Momentum

Sea Bright, NJ – Kicking off its inaugural season just weeks ago, the Sea Bright Farmers’ Market continues to add to its line-up of area farmers and food makers who source ingredients locally.  In the past weeks, the Market welcomed Holly Jolly Jams producer of homemade jams and jellies made from hand-picked or locally sourced fruit whenever possible and Pickle Licious purveyor of garlic-soaked pickles and vegetables.  Beginning Thursday, August 28^th, the Market will begin featuring organic grass fed meat and cheese, cream top yogurt and eggs from pasture raised, hormone free hens.

The new vendors join an existing line-up which includes Krowicki Farm, Great Road Farm and Happy Harvest Hydroponics producers of locally and sustainably grown fresh fruit and vegetables; Baker’s Bounty bakers of fresh bread and pastries; Neshanic Valley Beekeepers makers of raw honey; Fair Mountain Coffee roasters of organic fair trade coffee; and Franklin Soapworks creators of all natural, environmentally responsible soaps.

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ObamaCare puts Monmouth County’s nursing homes in peril

UPDATE: August, 27, Curley pulls nursing home sale resolution

Freeholder John Curley called this morning to say that he has pulled his resolution to sell the Monmouth County owned nursing homes from this week’s agenda. County CFO Craig Marshall is on vacation.  Curley wants Marshall available to address all of the financial concerns regarding the proposed sale. Curley expects to reintroduce the resolution in September.

Reductions in Medicaid payments for long term care under the Affordable Care Act have led to increasing deficits at Monmouth County’s two government owned nursing homes.

The John L. Montgomery Care Center in Freehold and the Geraldine L. Thompson Care Center in Wall are owned and operated by Monmouth County’s government. Property tax payers have been subsidizing the long term care of the elderly, disabled and infirm residing in these facilities for decades.  From 2007 through 2013 the cumulative deficit funded by Monmouth property tax payers was about $40 million.  Despite cost cutting measures and union givebacks, the combined deficit this year is on track to exceed $13 million plus the cost of repairs and capital improvements required to keep the facilities in compliance with state and federal regulations, due to cutbacks in the amount that Medicaid pays for patient care under ObamaCare.  98% of the patients at Montgomery and Thompson are insured by Medicaid.

Freeholder John Curley has been pushing his colleagues on the all Republican Board of Chosen Freeholders to sell the nursing homes for years.  Every time the issue gets traction or public attention, patients in wheelchairs  and staff members of the nursing facilities show up at Freeholder meetings and plead with the Freeholders not to sell the facilities.  The patients’ stories are heart wrenching. The declarations of love for their patients by the staff members are moving.

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Avon Man Charged in Rumson overdose death

Michael Renna, 25 of Avon-by-the Sea, was charged today with the October 2013 overdose death of Christopher L. Pesce, a 25 year old resident of Oxford House, a drug rehabilitation transitional facility located in Rumson.

Renna is charged with one count of first degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Deaths and one count of third degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous.  He was released from the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after posting $210,000 in bail as set by Judge John R. Tassini, according to Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Marc LeMieux.

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Casino closings wipe $2B from Atlantic City property-tax values

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