United Airlines to award frequent-flyer points based on dollars spent, not miles flown

United Airlines to award frequent-flyer points based on dollars spent, not miles flown (via NJ.com)

NEWARK — The days of United Airlines frequent fliers earning points based on how many miles they fly is coming to an end. United will instead begin awarding points based on dollars spent beginning in March, the airline announced today. The changes…

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5 former NJ inmates charged with stealing $100K in unemployment benefits while in jail

5 former NJ inmates charged with stealing $100K in unemployment benefits while in jail (via NJ.com)

Five former state inmates have been charged with stealing approximately $100,000 in unemployment insurance benefits while they were in county jails and ineligible to receive them, the state Attorney General’s office said today. The inmates, along…

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Monmouth GOP Convention Tonight

The Monmouth County Republican Committee will convene to elect a Chairman this evening at iPlay America in Freehold, at 7PM.

Only credentialed County Committee members will be permitted to vote.  County Committee members are urged to arrive at 6PM in order to check in and receive their credentials.  Only Republicans on the County Committee list generated by the Superintendent of Elections will be credentialed.  Municipal Chairmen and Chairwomen are urged to verify that their accurate and complete list of committee members is submitted to Superintendent Bertha Sumick this morning.

In lieu of a debate, the candidates for Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee have agreed to a round of Cosmic Battle Laser Tag at 5:30PM. Arrive early! You don’t want to miss the Cosmic Battle!

Just kidding.  The amusements are on the opposite side of the building from the Event Center where the convention will be held.

iPlay American is at 110 Schanck Rd, on the southbound side of Route 9.  When you enter the parking lot look for signs for the Event Center, which is on the far side, the north side, of the building.

There are five restaurants inside the iPlay America complex, one of them just next to the room where the convention will be held. Arrive early and relax with other Republicans from throughout the county.

Get directions to iPlay America here.

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Costigan exits on a high note

Howell GOP Municipal Chairman Juan Malave and Monmouth GOP State Committeeman John Costigan celebrate Malave’s election.

Monmouth County Republican State Committeeman John Costigan, the GOP Municipal Chairman of Howell Township for six years, and Vice Chair under the late Noreen Kelly for six years before that, convened the reorganizational meeting of the Howell Republican Committee this evening and promptly placed the name of former Councilman Juan Malave into nomination as the new Municipal Chairman.

Costigan lost his County Committee seat in last Tuesday’s primary.  The incumbent slate of Council Members, supported by Malave, beat back a primary challenge from a slate believed to be backed by Costigan.  Costigan denied backing the challengers but said he was glad they were running.

Many Republicans throughout Monmouth County were expecting Costigan to attempt to retain his Chairmanship, despite losing his seat. But the State Committeeman chose to bow out in a gracious gesture of unity by nominating Malave.

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Electrical Connection Failure Might Be The Cause Of Union Beach Fire

An electrical connection failure may have been the cause of the Union Beach fire on Sunday that resulted in the death of volunteer fire fighter Robert “Hawk” Myer.

“The failure of an exterior electrical connection cannot be ruled out as the cause for the fire that ripped through a Union Avenue business Sunday evening where a Union Beach volunteer firefighter died from cardiac arrest,”announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni from Afghanistan where he is ten days into a six month deployment. Gramiccioni is a Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve JAG Corps.

Union Beach firefighters responded to a 5:56 p.m. report of a structure fire at Hydrair, Inc., located at 615 Union Ave. and upon arrival struck a Second Alarm to bring additional resources to the scene. The fire was eventually elevated to Four Alarms with firefighters from the Middletown Fire Department, North Centerville Fire Department, Hazlet Fire Department, Keyport Fire Department, Holmdel Fire Department, East Keansburg Fire Company, Keansburg Fire Department and Red Bank Fire Department responding.

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Golden’s closing letter to the GOP County Committee

By Shaun Golden

Shaun Golden

Dear County Committee Member:

On June 10, 2014 at 7pm, at iPlay America in Freehold Township we will come together to decide who will serve as our next Monmouth Republican Chairman. I thank you for all of your support throughout this campaign and I humbly ask for your vote at our Monmouth Republican Convention.

Over the past month, I have shared my positive vision for the future of our Party in Monmouth County. As an organization, we must be the leaders in innovation, technology, outreach and communication. We must boldly meet our challenges with the commitment to never rest on our laurels and never stop sharing our message of conservative values, fiscal responsibility and ethical leadership.

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Vent here

So I closed the anonymous comments on the Chairman’s race posts and now my phone is ringing off the hook and I’m being bombarded by private messages on facebook.

I had no idea that so many of the anonymous posters assumed (some correctly and some incorrectly) that I knew who they were AND that they really wanted ME to know their opinions.

I can’t be selfish and keep all this fun to myself.  So, if you have a comment about the Chairman’s race or any of the posts that I’ve closed the comments on, make them here.

But, if you’re going to be anonymous or use a fake name, use a fake name for the person you being critical of or praising. Got something to say about John Bennett or Shaun Golden, go ahead and say it, just don’t use the words John, Shaun, Golden, Chairman, Sheriff or Bennett.  Same goes for Fred Niemann, John Kaye, Wayne Pomanowski and Tom Arnone or anyone else.  Don’t use their names, titles or former titles (like former Senator.)

For example, if you have a complaint about me or something I wrote, don’t write, Art, you screwed the pooch. Instead write….pick a name..Willie, you screwed the pooch.

If after you’ve vented, if you don’t feel better and you really really really want me to know how you feel, then you can call.  You can use real names on the phone.

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Summer schedule for drum circles in Monmouth County

All of these circles will be on going all summer long, 
Please use these spaces for drumming, dancing, hooping and and togetherness

Congo Square Drum Circle
Tuesday 6pm-10pm
North Asbury Park Boardwalk
4th Ave Greens Space
4th and Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park

Belmar Boardwalk Drum Circle
Wednesdays 5:30pm – 9:00pm
2nd Ave and Ocean, Belmar

Long Branch Drum Circle 
Saturdays 5pm-9pmWest End Park 
Brighton and Ocean Avenue, Long Branch

For further information call John Eustor at 631-741-2295
If you would like updates and to be placed on the e-mail list,
 write to John at, [email protected]

Don’t forget to Save the Environment and use Resuable Water Bottles!!!!
Enjoy the summer everyone…cause it’ll probably go quicker
 then you think… Blessings, Love & Light- John

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Arnone Endorses Golden

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

All but one Monmouth County elected official above the municipal level (Legislators and County Officials) have stayed out of the Monmouth County GOP Chairman’s race between incumbent John Bennett and Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Freeholder Tom Arnone broke from the pack this afternoon with a positive, yet pointed, endorsement of his friend and running mate, Golden.

Arnone said that he is endorsing Golden because, “I have been a witness to his abilities on the campaign trail and I am keenly aware of what he has done for our party without bragging about it while other attempt to take credit for Shaun’s hard work.”

In an apparent jab at Bennett’s campaign management and fundraising accomplishments, Arnone implied that Golden is responsible for much of the Monmouth GOP’s success over the last two years.

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Ocean State Job Lot Opens in Shrewsbury

Pictured left to right: OSJL Regional L.P. Manager Bill Thompson, OSJL Director of Store Operations Paul Cox, OSJL Sales Manager Edmund Lynn, OSJL Regional Director Pat Nevue, Mayor Donald Burden, Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, OSJL Assistant Manager Hakeem Reynolds, Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder John P. Curley.

Ocean State Job Lot, the New England discount retailer, held the Grand Opening of their first New Jersey location on Saturday in Shrewsbury.

Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Freeholders Tom Arnone and John Curley, as well as Mayor Donald Burden were on hand to welcome the company to Monmouth County.

OSJL sells brand name, first quality products at close out prices.  The company says their merchandise selection not only consists of a variety of manufacturer’s overruns, overstocks and packaging changes, but also includes many areas where our buyers have determined that “holes” exist in the marketplace. We are constantly on the hunt for special deals, which allow us to offer quality brand name merchandise at closeout prices.

While they are known as a closeout company, Ocean State Job Lots prefers to think of themselves as opportunistic merchants.

The Shrewsbury location is at 179 Newman Springs Rd East, which is near the corner of Shrewsbury Ave and across the street from  Butch’s Lube and Wash.

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