VIDEO: Watch Holmdel High School’s End of the Year Lip Dub

VIDEO: Watch Holmdel High School’s End of the Year Lip Dub (via Holmdel-Hazlet Patch)

Hundreds of students and teachers are starring in the annual Holmdel High School “Lib Dub,” a sort of jubilant video yearbook in which the everyone gets to show off their creativity, school spirit, and ability to memorize lots of lyrics…

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Bennett’s “Final Letter.” Challenges Golden to debate before the convention

By John Bennett, Chairman Monmouth Republican Committee

John Benentt

It is truly a pleasure to see the Republican County Committee so energized heading into tomorrow’s County Convention. Two years ago I ran on a platform of instituting new by-laws which would include a return the County Convention system for candidate selection. Now, the County Committee selects our candidates, not a select few in the back room. I also pledged to implement a new, regional Board of Directors, and to open our campaign headquarters full time to run professional campaigns on a county and local level. These promises were made, and these promises were kept.

I believe as candidates, we are charged with the responsibility to give you, the County Committee Members, as much information on our platforms as possible. I also believe this is best delivered in person, where the candidates can be asked the hard questions. This is why I have repeatedly requested that Sheriff Golden agree to a debate. Unfortunately, to date I have not received a response from the Sheriff. I am issuing a final call to Sheriff Golden to meet me at the convention hall tomorrow a half hour early, at 6:30PM, so that we can debate by fielding questions from YOU, the County Committee, about the issues facing our Party. You deserve nothing less.

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Leading NJ Legal Scholar: Golden has no conflict serving as Chairman and Sheriff

Bennett dismisses the opinion, says the Local Finance Board should decide

By Art Gallagher

At his breakfast meet and greet gatherings in Freehold and Neptune, Sheriff Shaun Golden said the he had consulted “large law firms, much bigger than any firm here in Monmouth County,” about the “fabricated conflict” of a Sheriff serving as a County Party Chairman raised by Chairman John Bennett and Municipal Chairs Steve McEnery of Manalapan and Anthony Graziano of Freehold Township.

Golden said, “there is no conflict.” He said in Freehold he would show the letter to anyone who wanted to see it. In Neptune he said he would “publish it if need be.”

I told Shaun I wanted to see the letter and that I wanted to publish it.  Here it is.

In the seven page letter that reviews the Ethics Law, Common Law and court cases from 1935 through 2009, Thomas P. Scrivo, Managing Partner of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter, concludes:

Scrivo is the author of New Jersey Government Deskbook, the plain language handbook published by New Jersey Law Journal that is updated annually in cooperation with the New Jersey League of Municipalities.   The book is a guide for Freeholders, Mayors, Council Members, Municipal Attorneys, etc, on numerous Local Government issues including Ethics.  Additionally, he has been published in New Jersey Law Journal on matters of ethics and conflicts of interests.

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Firefighter dies battling fire at Union Beach commercial building, official says

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Communications Upgrades in the Works for Sandy-damaged Shore Towns

Communications Upgrades in the Works for Sandy-damaged Shore Towns, Part 2 (via NJ Tech Weekly)

Mayor William Curtis of Bay Head | Courtesy William Curtis This is the second of a two-part story on technological upgrades being implemented in New Jersey shore towns in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Police communications systems. New websites…

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A crazy June: Things to look out for in Trenton this month

A crazy June: Things to look out for in Trenton this month (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — Hold onto your seats. It’s June in Trenton, and that’s always a bumpy ride. With the state budget due by month’s end, horse-trading is rampant as just about everything that was proposed all year long under the Statehouse dome is up…

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FAIR HAVEN: SHOTS FIRED, TWO ARRESTED

FAIR HAVEN: SHOTS FIRED, TWO ARRESTED (via redbankgreen)

Two Rumson men were arrested Saturday following a predawn report of shots fired, police said. Matthew Robertson, 21, and Michael Robertson, 22, were stopped by police as they attempted to flee after shots were reported in the area of Tyson Drive and…

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Golden rallies his supporters, releases Marlboro’s endorsement

STRONG SUPPORT HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND – THANK YOU

Shaun Golden

Dear County Committee Members:

Many thanks to all the folks who came out to the kick off to the summer event at Bar A Wednesday night!  With 250+ supporters in attendance, we had a great time connecting, networking and enjoying each other’s company!

As we approach the final days of this campaign, I want you to know that I appreciate all of your support.  All corners of the County, towns large and small, have endorsed my candidacy and more importantly, embraced my vision for the future of our Party. From Wall to Keyport, Howell to Ocean, Spring Lake and Avon to Holmdel and Middletown, Party leaders know that I have the experience, enthusiasm and energy to lead our Party through the challenges we face ahead.  The most recent endorsement, from Marlboro municipal chairman Chris Dean, is included below.

My campaign has been focused upon positive ideas and initiatives.  My opponent pledged to run a positive campaign, yet he and his supporters continue their false and negative attacks.  I will not respond in kind, but it is important for you, the county committee members to know that there is no legal or ethical bar to my serving as Chairman.  Our state’s courts have directly addressed the issue and there are numerous precedents of elected officials on the local, county and state level who hold the position of political party chairman.  Many outstanding elected officials on both sides of the isle serve or have served as County Chairmen, including Senator Sam Thompson, Senator Kevin O’Toole, Assemblyman Scott Rumana. Even our own Senator Joe Kyrillos served as State Republican Party Chairman while a Senator.

I would be happy to speak with you more about my ideas and vision for our Party at any time.  You can reach me at 732-904-2946 or at [email protected].  Please remember to mark your calendars for I-Play America in Freehold, June 10th, doors open at 6pm.  I wish you a great weekend with your families and friends.

Respectfully,

Shaun Golden

MARLBORO REPUBLICAN MUNICIPAL CHAIR SUPPORTS GOLDEN FOR COUNTY CHAIR
Municipal Chair, Christopher Dean issues Statement of Support for Shaun Golden for County Chairman

I take nothing away from the work that John Bennett has done as County Chair for the last two years, but I must join with countless Chairs and elected officials across Monmouth County in pledging my support for Shaun Golden.
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John Kaye: Vin Gopal and the Monmouth Democrats will “beat us over the head” if Golden is Chairman

By Art Gallagher

John Kaye

Former Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye, currently the President of the Monmouth County Affiliated Republican Club, wrote to the Republican County Committee members today to warn that Vin Gopal, the County Democrats and the press, will use Sheriff Shaun Golden’s “dual offices” as a campaign issue in the event he becomes Chairman.  Here’s a copy of Kaye’s letter.

Just as important as what John has done, is what he has not done – and that’s gift wrap a campaign issue for Vin Gopal and the County Democrats to beat us all over the head with. Unfortunately, I am concerned that is exactly what electing Shaun Golden to the dual offices of County Sheriff and County Republican Chairman will do.

Chairman Bennett called me on the day Golden announced he was running for Chairman and asked if I was going to “be fair with him this time.”  He felt my coverage of the 2012 Chairman’s race when I endorsed his opponent was unfair.   I told him I would be and I believe I have been.  Earlier this week I sat down separately with John and his daughter, Meghan Bennett Clark.  They both acknowledged that MMM’s coverage of the Chairman’s race has been fair.

So, if fairness, I have to say, the argument Kaye raises today in his letter to the County Committee is the same argument I raised against John Bennett being Chairman two years ago.  I argued that the Democrats and the press would have a field day with Bennett.  I argued that they would use Bennett’s record, pension and multiple public jobs to beat Monmouth County Republicans over the head.  It would be Club Monmouth all over again.

I was wrong.  It didn’t happen.

I don’t think it will happen this time either.  But if it does, both Bennett and Golden could both be vulnerable.

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Crime in Asbury Park, Part 2 ENFORCEMENT

By JOE WOERNER

Enhanced enforcement is the best first step to addressing our crime issue in Asbury Park. With over 80 police officers in a City that is a little larger than one square mile, we should be better able to police our streets.

What has worked in other communities would also make me feel safer in my neighborhood; a clear strategy to deal with gang violence, police walking/biking the beat more often, and stricter code enforcement. As this is essentially police work, the Asbury Police Department must lead this effort. The development of a comprehensive plan should also involve the City Council, community activists, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, the State Police, and it must be made public.

As gang members commit our most violent crimes, a specific gang intervention component is key. This strategy must focus on putting the hardcore gang leaders in jail and lower level members into intervention programs outside of Asbury Park. A few model programs suggested by community members that have found success in other urban areas include the Highpoint Interventionstrategy, Counterinsurgency Cops that employ a block-by-block approach, Cities United, and Violence Interrupters.

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