Restaurant Owners Must Sell Their Liquor License Due To Intoxicated Customers Deaths

The owners of Tiffany’s Restaurant in Toms River have agreed to sell the establishment’s liquor license rather than contest charges by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control that their bartenders served drinks to visibly intoxicated patrons on three separate occasions, ABC Director Michael Halfacre announced today.

On two of those occasions, two female Tiffany’s patrons were killed in separate drunk driving crashes.  In the third, an intoxicated male motorcyclist was injured in a crash.

Bruno D’Uva Sr. and Bruno D’Uva Jr., both of whom own 30 percent of the license, and Lisa Barna, who owns 40 percent, must sell their interests in the license by July 24, 2015 and pay a fine of $200,000. ABC laws prohibit licensed establishments from selling alcoholic beverages to any patrons actually or visibly intoxicated.

Tiffany’s has four other locations in New Jersey, Peaquanock, Pine Brook, Morris Plains and Union. The liquor licenses at those locations are not impacted by this settlement.

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Jimmy Carter Coming To Union Beach To Volunteer In Re-building

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Roslyn will be part of the crew of volunteers fixing up 13 homes and building two new ones in Union Beach on October 12, according to a story first reported on Holmdel-Hazlet Patch.

“We’re ecstatic the Carters are coming,” said Ray Gabler, the director of operations for Habit for Humanity Monmouth County, based in Long Branch. “This is bringing attention to Sandy victims of low and moderate income all along the Jersey shore. We’re really excited.”

The goal is to repair 13 homes and construct two new ones in the Raritan Bay borough of Union Beach, where 270 homes have been demolished since Sandy. The small town was battered by winds and swamped by surging tidal water in the Oct. 29 storm.

Habitat for Humanity has identified the homes destined for repair, and is finalizing plans with two families for new construction. The new homes are being made possible by funding from the Carter’s organization, and Wells Fargo, said Gabler.

Union Beach Mayor Paul J. Smith has been keeping the news close to his vest for months, he said, and Secret Service officers have already visited. Smith said he is thrilled to welcome Jimmy Carter, 88, and Rosalynn Carter, 86. “I think it’s a big boost,” he said. “We still have some people hurting, but we have had so many beautiful volunteers come forward.”

In addition to Union Beach, Habitat for Humanity is also helping residents of Keansburg, Port Monmouth, Belford, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright rebuild their Superstorm Sandy ravaged homes.  The organization is accepting applications from both homeowners needing help and volunteers at their website.

Volunteers can contact the Laura Lella-Smith, the Development Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County at  [email protected]  or call the office at (732) 728-0441.

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Highlands Home Collapses While Being Lifted

Highlands, NJ- A home that had been damaged in Superstorm Sandy collapsed while being lifted above the floodplain this morning, destroying an adjoining home in the process.  No one was injured.  Both homes will be torn down this afternoon.

Borough Engineer Dale Leubner said that the cribbing, the wood palates piled to hold the structure while lifting takes place, apparently failed on one corner of the home, causing the collapse.

No one was home in either property. Leubner said that residents of the neighborhood were evacuated.  Fire Departments from Asbury Park, Middletown and Naval Weapons Station Earle were on hand to assist the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department in preventing further property damage or injury.  Utility workers from JCP&L and New Jersey Natural Gas were on hand to shut off the utilities in preparation of the demolitions.

Steven Hasenfus, President of Hasenfus Construction, the company hired to lift the Locust Ave home said, “It was an accident.” Hasenfus declined to comment further.  Hasenfus Construction has offices in Long Branch and in Plymouth, MA.  Hasenfus’s LinkedIn profile says he’s from the Great Boston area.

Mayor Nolan thanked the Highlands first responders, and those from the neighboring communities who arrived to assist and urged homeowners who are rebuilding and raising their home to be careful.  “Thank God no one was hurt.  This should be a cautionary tale for homeowners to be sure they hire qualified contractors and that those contractors have adequate insurance.”

Patricia Parker, President of the Highlands Fire Department’s Ladies Auxilary, said that homeowners who are lifting their homes should be sure to remove all valuable possession and important papers.

The owner of the home that collapsed is traveling out of state.  Friends and family are on the scene waiting to recover whatever possession are in the home after it is demolished.

The adjoining home has been abandoned since Hurricane Irene devastated the borough in 2011.

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EDA Approves First NJ Angel Tax Credit for Investment in Biopharma Firm

EDA Approves First NJ Angel Tax Credit for Investment in Biopharma Firm (via NJ Tech Weekly)

Jonathan Perelman, CPA | Friedman LLP A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm is the first beneficiary of an investment from an angel using the New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit program. Approved at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (…

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Barack Obama: Foreign policy eunuch!

Barack Obama: Foreign policy eunuch! (via The Political Commentator)

Should this sign hang over the Obama White House? This is a President who, due to his failed policies and empty rhetoric, has painted the United States with his rancid brush of perceived weakness, ineptness and impotence! Editor’s Note: As you read…

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Did Booker Endorse Christie?

It sure sounds like it in the beginning of this video as the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate sings Governor Christie’s praises during an appearance in Newark yesterday, while GOP Senate candidate Steve Lonegan’s campaign manager Rick Shaftan on was hand to video the event.

Booker remains hopeful

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Booker Has Corzine Covered

Off With His Head!

Those young campaign staffers do the darnedest things.

Anxious to promote President Obama’s endorsement of Newark Mayor Cory Booker for U.S. Senate earlier this week, a Booker staffer searched for a photo of Obama and Booker together to post of the campaign website.  The problem, apparently the only time Booker and the President have been photographed together was at the 2009 rally for former Governor Jon Corzine’s failed reelection bid.

The kid was savvy enough to know that Booker really doesn’t want to be associated with the disgraced former governor who remains under investigation for the missing $1.2 billion in customer funds that disappeared during the MF Global collapse.

So he/she put a text box over Corzine’s head.

Lachlan Markay caught it and shared it with the world before the adults in the Booker campaign had it taken down.

So far the New Jersey media is not making a big deal about this gaffe, like they did about the Lonegan staffer’s gaffe on twitter. But Business Insider picked it up for fun.

Lonegan did not fire his staffer for the “silly, childish” tweet that caused a stir.

Booker’s daily inspirational social media message this morning indicates that he might not be so forgiving.

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In New Jersey, Welfare Exceeds Minimum Wage

By Matt Rooney, SaveJersey.com

Save Jersey bloggers have spent a lot of time discussing how a minimum wage hike will kill jobs if this fall’s ballot question passes.

What we haven’t discussed at-length is one of the terrible ironies of Big Government’s central planning in New Jersey: many welfare beneficiaries are already receiving significantly more money than they would working for the minimum wage after this proposed increase!

The libertarian CATO Institute released the results of an eye-opening new study this week that found welfare benefits in 35 U.S. states are actually worth more than a minimum wage job. You can click here to read the full report.

Specifically, in our own state of New Jersey, the full government welfare package (TANF, SNAP, housing assistance, Medicaid, etc) is worth $38,782 annually. That works out to roughly $18.62 per hour.

In case you’ve forgotten, Save Jerseyans, New Jersey’s current minimum wage is $7.25, so someone working a 40 hour per week job is earning only $15,080 annually. President Obama previously pitched a $9 federal minimum wage and Cory Booker wants $10.10 per hour. This November, New Jerseyans will vote on a comparatively modest bump (to $8.25 an hour) and, less modestly, whether to constitutionally tie future increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

I’m trying to understand how liberal logic rationalizes this economic incongruity.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, August 23-25, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, August 25

• Dawn Patrol at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Wings of Freedom Tour (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Baroque Treasures: Handel & Bach (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• NY Mets vs. Tigers via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Saving Kitty at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• You’re Good Man, Charlie Brown by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• The Voodudes (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Arts & Crafts Show at the Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• 5k Challenge for CHHANGE (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• All Things Birds Field Trip on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Pier Village Sidewalk Sale (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth Park Kid’s Club (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Summer Showdown Contest & Art Sale (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Blueberries! (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Dropkick Murphys at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Holmdel Sports Memorabilia Show – MORE INFO

• Search for Mushrooms (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Feed the Turtles (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Mark DiIonno Lecture, “The Last Newspaper Man” (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Jose Loo in Concert (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, August 30: St. Benedict’s Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

Saturday, August 31: Garden State Wine Festival at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Sunday, Sept. 1: BBQ & Craft Beer Festival at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Sept. 7: Asbury Park Oyster Fest – MORE INFO

Sept. 14: Fall Crafters’ Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Sept. 21: Ocean Grove British Car Show – MORE INFO

Sept. 28: Beer on the Pier (Belmar) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at [email protected]

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Governor Christie and Gun Control

By Bader George Qarmout

In the aftermath of the Newtown, Connecticut school massacre in December of 2012, many politicians moved to give the appearance of doing something about gun control. My heart continues to brake for the families who will always feel an emptiness in their life. New Jersey politicians were not immune from the pressure of passing gun control bills. I was opposed to new laws and urged others to join me in opposition.  The thirteen bills passed by the New Jersey legislature that landed on Governor Christie’s desk did little to address the real issues and did nothing to prevent a similar massacre from reoccurring.

Last week Governor Christie addressed the last three of the thirteen bills. The first ten bills were signed into law by the republican governor. The National Rifle Association classified 2 of the 10 as a benefit to gun owners and two were opposed by NRA. I remain opposed to the signing of those 2 bills. The remaining six bills had a negligible impact on gun owners and were not opposed. This week Gov. Christie Vetoed and returned the remaining 3 of the 13 bills. Of all thirteen bills the three remaining bills were most intrusive and an offense to the Constitution and violated Liberty. My family and I are proud gun owners and members of the NRA and New Jersey Second Amendment Society (NJ2AS). I urge all good patriots who support the 2nd Amendment by joining either or both organizations.

I want to thank and applaud Governor Christie for vetoing the remaining gun control bills because I truly believe when you take guns away from law abiding citizens; you empower the criminals and embolden the government against the citizenry.  Thank you Governor for defending the 2nd amendment and standing with 1 million lawful gun owners in New Jersey who are law abiding citizens, because to punish the innocent along with the guilty is no justice at all.

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