Manalapan Elected Officials Stand With Bennett

The four of the five members of Manalapan’s Township Committee, all Republicans, endorsed Monmouth County Republican Chairman John O. Bennett III for a second term as Chairman yesterday.

In a statement released by Bennett which can be found here, the Mayor Jordan Maskowitz, Deputy Mayor Jack McNaboe, and Committee Members Mary Ann Musich and Susan Cohen, the MCGOP Vice Chairwoman, said:

It is a great honor to stand with John O. Bennett in his campaign to seek a second term as Chairman and Vice-Chairwoman, respectively. The bottom line is that John Bennett has kept all of his campaign promises from two years ago, and the Monmouth County Republican Party is stronger today than it was then.
John’s first promise when running two years ago was to implement a new set of by-laws and move to a convention system when selecting candidates in order to make the entire process more democratic. John has done this, and now County Committee members select our organization’s candidates, not political bosses in the back room.

Manalapan Township Committee Members Mary Ann Musich, Deputy Mayor Jack McNaboe, Mayor Jordan Maskowitz, Susan Cohen and Ryan Green

John also pledged to put in place a Board of Directors to meet and advise the Chairman, and he has met this promise as well. Now, Republican representatives from all over the county have a direct say in the County Party. He also promised to keep our County Party headquarters open and staffed full time, and has done this. The County Party headquarters has been an invaluable resource for Manalapan Township. Last year at the headquarters, our campaign volunteers made phone calls into Manalapan every Monday night on behalf of Governor Christie, our County candidates, and our local Township Committee candidates.

We encourage County Committee members not just of Manalapan, but all of Monmouth County to vote for JohnO. Bennett, a proven leader and party builder, at the June 10th Chairman’s Convention. Thank you.

The fifth Republican on the Township Committee, Ryan Green, has ostracized himself from his colleagues because he wasn’t selected to be Mayor. Maskowtiz has called for Green’s resignation and Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery likened Green to Edward Snowden while calling him a petulant pipsqueak. 

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N.J. Congressman: Sandy funds still needed for infrastructure, businesses

N.J. Congressman: Sandy funds still needed for infrastructure, businesses (via NJ.com)

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – While public officials welcomed the news that the latest round of Hurricane Sandy recovery money will cover the New Jersey’s unmet need for housing funds, one congressman says that the funding does not go far enough. U.S. Rep…

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Fifth person shot in Neptune in 5 days

Fifth person shot in Neptune in 5 days (via NJ.com)

NEPTUNE – One person was shot on Milton Avenue late Thursday in the third night of gunfire in the township in less than a week, authorities said. The male victim suffered non-life threatening injuries, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman…

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Opinion: Christie’s Available Options Have Gone From Bad to Worse

Opinion: Christie’s Available Options Have Gone From Bad to Worse (via NJSpotlight)

Being governor is all about having options, settling on a course of action, marshaling legislative and public support, and then implementing it smoothly and effectively. From time to time, though, issues arise for which none of the available options…

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Christie gave raises to 27 staff members this year, report says

Christie gave raises to 27 staff members this year, report says (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie in the last two months gave raises to the staff members who run his press shop, his schedule and his public appearances, according to a report by The Record. Of the 27 staff members who got their salary bumped, 24 are…

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Crime in Asbury Park, Part One: Understanding the Problems of Our Youth

By Joe Woerner

Consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in New Jersey, the crime on our streets has been more than ever on the minds of residents. In an effort to continue the discussion already underway in our community I will be sharing a few ideas that have helped me better grasp the issue as well as suggesting some possible actions. In a series of three letters I will address the fundamental underpinnings of crime, enforcement, and how to better support our community members.

Aristotle said, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” To understand our crime issue, we must first understand the devastating role poverty plays in our community. The socio-economic and emotional impacts of poverty directly correlate with insufficient family and community support. This absence of adequate support limits options and makes it near impossible for our young people to succeed.

The Center for Disease Control publishes risk and protective factors for youth violence. The risk factors, such as low parental income and diminished economic opportunity, read like a laundry list of Asbury Park’s problems. Poverty not only increases the risk factors but also decreases protective ones. Our youth live in broken homes, substandard housing, and without basic services like simple healthcare. As a result many turn to gangs for protection, financial opportunity, and a sense of belonging. This American Life did a two-part special on Harper High School (part I & part II) in Chicago that illustrates the lack of options for poor minority youth in urban areas like Asbury Park. For too many, gang involvement and violence are a given, not a choice.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, May 30-June 1, 2014

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Friday, May 30

• Nature Cruise at Manasquan Reservoir (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Church Indoor Flea Market (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• Doo Wop Extravaganza at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Jerry Topinka & Friends (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Children’s High End Sample Sale (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Circle BMW i3 Ride & Drive Event (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Chris Turner & the Steel Rail Blues (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank RiverFest – MORE INFO

• Linda Chorney at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• The Gin Game at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Paint the Town Pink Events (County wide) – MORE INFO

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO

• Draw the Jersey Devil (Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• “What’s So Funny?” Exhibit (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Toyota NHRA Summernationals at Raceway Park (Englishtown) – MORE INFO

• Rainbow Connection: 50 Years of LGBT Theater (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Kids Night Out (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

• BlackBerry(R) 10: Doing More (Hazlet) – MORE INFO

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Dueling Endorsements for Monmouth GOP Chairman

All five members of the Freehold Township governing body endorsed John Bennett for a second term as Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee.

Freehold Township Committee Members Eugene B. Golub, Thomas L. Cook, Mayor David M. Salkin, Deputy Mayor Anthony J. Ammiano, and Barbara J. McMorrow

In a press release sent to MMM and posted on Bennett’s facebook page, Mayor David Salkin, Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano, and Township Commitee Members Thomas Cook, Eugene Golub, PhD and Barbara McMorrow said,

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Belmar Arts Council Presents a Weekend of Music-Poetry-Books

The Belmar Arts Council is primarily a volunteer organization that is housed in a building located at the corner of 7th Avenue and River Road near the railroad tracks in the Borough of Belmar. 

It is dedicated to improving the quality of life for our residents, visitors and neighbors by helping the arts to flourish and offering diverse and exciting experiences in both the visual and performing arts for people of all ages 
in a quaint coffee-house atmosphere.

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Sea Gull’s Nest Will Not Reopen

“Raise  your hand if this is your first time here,”  Eddie Segall religiously started off his nightly sunset ceremonies at the Sea Gull’s Nest.  “Now raise your hand if this is your last time here,” Segall barked as 10’s of customers raised their hands in laughter, just as they had the night or the week before.  The joke never got old.

Photo by Paul Scharff

We’ve raised our hands, sung God Bless American along with a Kate Smith recording and watched the octogenarian Segall challenge much younger men to 50 push ups for the last time.

Sandy, and the federal bureaucracy, has claimed the iconic Monmouth County attraction that was a favorite of tourists and locals alike.

The Sea Gull’s Nest at Sandy Hook will not be reopening, according to a report on Highlandsblog.   The blog quotes Daphne Yun, spokesperson for Gateway National Recreation Area, ” the lease for the popular Sea Gull’s Nest Restaurant has not been renewed.  Sea Gull’s Nest will not be reopened.”

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