Remembering Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice For Our Freedom

Our Memorial Day tradition, An American Hero

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Obama to speak at Convention Hall in Asbury Park on Tuesday

President Barack Obama will visit Asbury Park on Tuesday, according to a report at The Star Ledger.

Obama, accompanied by Gov. Chris Christie, is expected to visit with families and business owners, according to the White House. The president’s visit comes roughly 200 days after he toured the region with Christie in the days immediately after the hurricane.

After touring the area, Obama will deliver remarks at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, according to the White House statement. The event at Convention Hall is open to the public. Tickets are limited to one per person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall.

Gov Chris Christie and President Barack Obama greet residents sheltering in Brigantine. Oct 31, 2012. Gov’s Office/Tim Larsen

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Thanks Gannett, for the kick in the teeth #STTS

Photo credit: www.SignsByTheSea.com

Ugh!

As if the weather wasn’t a damper enough to the Jersey Shore kickoff that Superstorm Sandy ravished businesses, their employees and  shore area municipalities desperately need, the shore’s biggest newspaper, and its most popular columnist/blogger are working against us too.

The Asbury Park Press Editorial Board (formerly known here as the Neptune Nudniks, a title we retired the day before Sandy hit, but are tempted to bring back after today’s doozy), opines today that Governor Christie should issue an Executive Order doing away with beach badge sales.

What is really insulting, is that the APP blatantly show how ignorant they are about the New Jersey economy, our tax structure and the cost allocation of our various governments.

There is another logical reason for making the beaches free: revitalizing the Shore economy. What better extra inducement to get people to come to the Jersey Shore? Free beaches could mean millions of dollars in additional revenues for towns. More money spent in restaurants and bars, on summer rentals and motel stays, on souvenirs, on gasoline. For some families, beach fees are prohibitive. For a family of four, they can run $40 or more. That kind of expense can make the difference between going to the beach or staying home. Or between going once or twice a summer instead of several times during the season.

Doing away with beach badges would be a logical thing to do if it would bring revenues to shore towns. Duh!  Why didn’t the mayors think of that!?

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O’Scanlon: Keep Calm. Sandy Relief Grants Are Not First Come First Served

Rumors are rampant that grants under the $780 million program for home rebuilding that the Christie Administration announced this morning  are being awarded on a first come first served basis.  That is not so.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon says Keep Calm and apply by June 30th.

“I want to be crystal clear on this, these grants and  loans are absolutely NOT first come – first serve,” O’Scanlon said in a prepared statement, “I have heard some folks  making this claim recently and the huge volume of calls to the call centers  confirm this belief, we need everyone to understand that this is just not so.  There are a number of criteria considered when determining eligibility: extent  and amount of damage, geographic location, areas most affected, and income.” 

Regional help centers will open in each county on June 8^th, the exact  locations are still being determined. Applications can be submitted until June  30^th. The best way to apply for the programs (the Homeowner  Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program and the  Homeowner Resettlement Program) is online at www.renewjerseystronger.org if you have problems with the online process you can  call 1-855-SANDYHM. But the online application process is definitely the  fastest.”

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Snooki on Christie: “He just doesn’t like us” #STTS

Perfect together?

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ICYMI: Christie on the Today Show, “We’re here to let people know the shore is open” #STTS

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Christie Administration Announces Launch of “reNew Jersey Stronger” Housing Assistance Initiative

$780 Million Available for Homeowners Impacted by Superstorm Sandy

Trenton, NJ – Marking a major step forward in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy, the Christie Administration today launched the reNew Jersey Stronger housing assistance initiative to assist homeowners impacted by the storm. Beginning today, eligible homeowners can apply for grant assistance at www.renewjerseystronger.org or by calling 1-855-SANDYHM (1-855-726-3946).

The grants are designed to encourage homeowners to resettle in their primary residences and help them reconstruct, rehabilitate, elevate and mitigate their homes.

“We are working incredibly hard to get money out to Sandy-impacted individuals as quickly as possible, and today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to this mission,” said Governor Chris Christie. “Sandy may have damaged homes in New Jersey, but it did not destroy New Jerseyans’ spirits. With the help of initiatives such as reNew Jersey Stronger housing grants, we will be back, stronger than ever.”

Today’s launch of the housing assistance programs comes less than a month after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved New Jersey’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan. The Action Plan details how the State will utilize $1,829,520,000 in federal funding to help homeowners, renters, businesses and communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy. The reNew Jersey Stronger housing assistance initiative will utilize $780 million of the allocation.

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Why I am voting against Leigh-Ann Bellew on June 4

By Art Gallagher

Yesterday I was interviewed by The Star Ledger and went on the record saying that I would be voting for Joe Kyrillos for State Senate in the 13th Legislative District Republican primary on June 4th.   Consistent with my slogan of being fair and biased, it is appropriate that I tell you, my readers and the reason my opinion matters to The Star Ledger, that MMM is now part of the story and that I have made a decision that can’t help but color my coverage of the rest of the campaign.

MMM is part of the LD 13 story, instead of just covering the story, because we’ve provided the bulk of the media coverage of the primary campaign to date and because Kyrillos’ challenger, Leigh-Ann Bellew, attacked this site in a press release, according to The Star Ledger.

On many important issues, Life and The Right to Bear Arms in particular, I am in more philosophical agreement with Bellew than I am with Kyrillos.   Despite my philosophical differences with Kyrillos, the choice between him and Bellew has become a very easy one.  Kyrillos is a very good State Senator.  Bellew is a deeply flawed candidate.  She never should have exposed herself, her family, and friends who care about her deeply to the rigors and vetting of this campaign.

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Sea Bright Man Charged With Defrauding Storm Assistance Program

William Nagle of Sea Bright got a certificate of occupancy for his Center Street apartment on December 29th, yet continued to charge FEMA for 68 nights of hotel stays from January 14 through March 23, according to charges filed by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Nagle was arrested and charged Wednesday with third degree Theft by Deception for defrauding FEMA of more than $12,000 in Transitional Aid Housing.

“Being a victim does not open the door to defraud the government in times of need. We can all pull together in times of crisis to help one another, but that combined effort to aid and assist comes with the understanding that no one will take advantage of the situation,” Acting Prosecutor Christopher J Gramiccioni said.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County Memorial Day Weekend! May 24-27, 2013 #STTS

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Friday, May 24

• Escape to Martha’s Vineyard via Seastreak – MORE INFO

• Sicilians in the Basement at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Paint the Town Pink 2013 – MORE INFO

• Natural Horsemanship Demonstration (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Ride-A-Thon for Sea Bright Rising (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

• Bruce Springsteen Tribute Show at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Addiction & Trauma Conference at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Ballroom, Latin, Swing & Salsa Dancing (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Huge Garage Sale (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Huge Multi-Family Sale (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Proper Foot Care Class at RMC (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Micah Williams: Portrait Artist (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Memorial Day Weekend Sale at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth County Beaches Guide 2013 – MORE INFO

Saturday, May 25

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