Dr. Benjamin Carson’s Remarkable Speech At The National Prayer Breakfast

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NY Times calls for Menendez’s removal as Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ethics Investigation

In a scathing editorial that did not mention the prostitution and pedophilia allegations against U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, The New York Times has called for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to remove New Jersey’s junior senator from his newly acquired post as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senator Robert Menendez was never a distinguished choice for chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the position he ascended to this month by virtue of seniority. Concerns about that quality gap have sharply escalated amid new disclosures about Mr. Menendez’s use of his position to advance the financial interests of a friend and big donor. Instead of trying to protect Mr. Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, needs to remove his gavel, at least pending credible resolution by the Senate Ethics Committee of the swirling accusations of misconduct.

The editorial goes on the summarize how Menendez abused his power as a Senator on the behalf Dr. Salomon Melgen, his friend and benefactor. Menendez held a Senate Sub-Committee hearing, where he was the only senator present, to pressure the State Department to prevail on the Dominican Republic to enforce a contract for port security with a company that Melgen has an ownership interest in.  In 2009 and 2012, Menendez contacted federal health care officials to question their rulings that Melgan had over-billed the government $8.9 million in Medicare and Medicaid payments to his Florida eye care clinic.

The editorial concludes,

It appears Mr. Menendez has learned little from his own previous ethics issues or from the fall of a former New Jersey senator, Robert Torricelli, who decided not to run for re-election in 2002 amid allegations that he had inappropriately aided a big donor and accepted expensive gifts. It is unclear whether the Senate Ethics Committee has initiated a formal inquiry into Mr. Menendez’s conduct, but a prompt and thorough review is surely called for. In the meantime, Mr. Menendez needs to relinquish his leadership role, at least temporarily.

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O’SCANLON: WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH SANDY VICTIMS AS MORE FAMILIES’ HOUSING NEEDS ARE

Fort  Monmouth and  other temporary housing options are being utilized by those hit hard by storms.

Assemblyman  Declan O’Scanlon today said that For Monmouth does or shortly will have 115  units occupied by Sandy affected families. Housing at the closed fort was  made available to those in need of temporary housing in the wake of Superstorm  Sandy.

“We  continue to work with folks in need but still need to hear from those who are  not having their needs met, O’Scanlon explained.  “I have spoken with  Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Constable. The DCA,  Department of Human Services (DHS) and County welfare agencies have been meeting  daily at the Joint Field Office in Lincroft . Every day they’ve reach out to  those remaining in the Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) program to  determine how to best accommodate their needs.”

“If particular  issues – like pets or children with special needs- arise, we have been working  with apartment associations to find those families housing that will suit their  circumstances,” said O’Scanlon. “This process is in high gear and working well,  but folks still in need to reach out to my office.”

“DCA  Commissioner Constable and DHS Commissioner Velez care about the welfare of  these people and they are working as hard as they can to resolve their issues,” O’Scanlon. “My office fields dozens of calls a week from very emotional people  who just want to know that someone is there to help. I’m proud we can provide  that service and working with the Christie Administration and his cabinet has  made the recovery process all that much easier.”

O’Scanlon’s  office can be reached at 732-933-1591 or [email protected].

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Honor Flight-One Last Mission

Reserve seats now for February 18th private showing at AMC Lowes-Eatontown

Melissa Zimmerman of Red Bank is looking for at least 63 more people to join her for a private showing of Honor Flight, a heartwarming documentary about four World War II veterans and a MidWest community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime to the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.

63 more tickets must be pre-sold in order for the private showing to occur.  Tickets are $12 and proceeds will benefit Honor Flight Network, the nonprofit organization that has flown over 100,000 WWII vets in their late 80’s and 90’s to Washington, DC to be thanked and honored for their service.

If you’re not attending the Monmouth GOP Lincoln Day Dinner, this would be a good way to spend Presidents Day evening.

Pre-paid reservations can be made here.

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Governor Christie’s 3PM Press Conference

UPDATE:  The Governor’s press conference is now scheduled for 3:30PM

Governor Chris Christie has a press conference scheduled for 3PM this afternoon in Trenton.

Livestream coverage can be viewed here:

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HANDLIN PROPOSES STRONGER PENALTIES FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO PROFIT FROM ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE

BILL WOULD INCREASE MAXIMUM ETHICS FINES TO $10,000 – AS  RECOMMENDED BY RECENT COMPTROLLER REPORT

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin introduced legislation yesterday imposing larger  fines against unethical local public officials after a recent State Comptroller  investigation showed current penalties did not deter a local official from  improperly using his government position and gain substantial profit in a land  deal.

            “It’s no longer a shock when public officials act in their own interests  instead of the public good. With penalties set so low, it’s more surprising that  we don’t see officials improperly profiting from public service more  frequently,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “To an unscrupulous official with $1  million at stake, a $500 penalty is just a sunken cost that would barely budge  the bottom line.”

            A recent Comptroller’s report determined a Chesterfield Township committeeman improperly used his  government position in facilitating a private land deal that brought him  substantial profit. The report recommended increasing maximum fines for  violations of the Local Government Ethics Law from $500 to $10,000. Handlin’s  proposal would implement those increased penalties.

            “I agree with Comptroller Matt Boxer’s call to bring ethics penalties for  local officials in line with those for state employees, especially now that New  Jersey is undergoing a massive rebuilding effort mixing planning decisions and  tens of billions of federal funding,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “Rebuilding our  state after Hurricane Sandy is too important to be tainted by corruption. We  need a loud message and strong deterrents against self-serving politicians who  violate the public’s trust to earn a buck.”

Comptroller’s press release:

http://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_press_release_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

Comptroller’s  report:

http://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_report_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

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Golden, Arnone and DiMaso Annnounce Re-election Bid

Former Congressional candidate is seeking Democratic nomination for Freeholder.  Democrats still looking to fill their Monmouth County slate

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso announced yesterday that they are seeking the Republican nomination for their offices and re-election as a team.  There is no known opposition to the incumbents for the GOP nomination.  The party will award the organization’s “line” for the June primary at its nomination convention on March 23.

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, Deputy Director Serena DiMaso and Sheriff Shaun Golden

In a joint statement the team cited the county’s reduced spending, its response to Superstorm Sandy, and the positive business climate as the accomplishments of their first terms.  Golden and Arnone are completing their first full term in office.  DiMaso was elected by the Republican County Commitee in January of 2012 to fill Assemblyman Rob Clifton’s seat when Clifton moved to the Assembly. She was elected by the voters last November to complete the term.

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Major Coastal Storm To Impact New Jersey, Governor Christie Orders State Emergency Operations Center Activated

West Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the National Weather Service, is monitoring a major coastal storm expected to impact the State today and tomorrow. State emergency management officials anticipate coastal flooding, high wind conditions, snow, sleet, and even blizzard conditions in the northeast corner of the State. The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated at 7:00 a.m.today, and will remain open as long as necessary to meet anticipated challenging conditions.

“This is a dangerous storm; and we ask motorists to be careful while driving. There is also the potential for downed trees and wires because of wind conditions,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and State Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. “Tomorrow night’s evening commute will be treacherous throughout much of New Jersey.”

The following is a brief list of general winter weather preparedness tips for motorists:

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Drone

Editorial cartoons are sponsored by New Markets Realty, 146 Maple Ave, Red Bank. 732-741-8211. Jim Giannell, President

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Oxley’s confimed by Senate

Photo credit: Scarcini, Hollenbeck

Former Monmouth County Sheriff Joe Oxley’s nomination to the Superior Court was confirmed by the State Senate this afternoon after having been unanimously approved by the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee earlier in the day.

Four of the other nominees confirmed today will be joining Oxley on the Monmouth County bench.  Angela White Dalton of Howell, a former Township Councilwoman, Katie A. Gummer of Rumson,  Arnold L. Natali, Jr of Little Silver and Mara E. Zazzali-Hogan of Shrewsbury are each expected to be confirmed by the Senate today.  Zazzali-Hogan is the daughter of former NJ Chief Justice James R. Zazzali.  Zazzali was Chief Justice for seven months, October 2006 until his mandatory retirement in June of 2007,  after being nominated for the top post by Governor Corzine.  He became an Associate Justice in June of 2000.

Monmouth County Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson told MMM last December that the Court has been operating with six vacancies.  Kathy Sheedy of Cream Ridge was nominated by Governor Christie on Monday to fill the final vacancy.

Lawson was not available when MMM called this afternoon to ask what the assignments will be for the new judges.

Monmouth County Senators Jennifer Beck and Joe Kyrillos issued the following statement praising the New Jersey Senate’s confirmation of five Monmouth County residents to be judges of the Superior Court:

            “Monmouth County, like counties across the state, has had a number of judicial vacancies that have caused backlogs in our court system. We are pleased that the New Jersey Senate has finally taken action to confirm qualified nominees. By filling judicial vacancies, we can ensure that all kinds of legal proceedings, from criminal trials to divorce proceedings, can be heard in court in a timely manner.”

UPDATE and CORRECTION 2/8/13

Judge Lawson told MMM this afternoon that despite his Monmouth County residence, Natali will be assigned to the Middlesex County Vicinage. If Sheedy is confirmed by the Senate, the Monmouth Court will still have a vacancy.

A second vacancy will occur if Judge David F. Bauman is confirmed as an Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court.  Bauman and Board of Public Utilities President Robert Hanna were nominated to the Supreme Court by Governor Christie on December 10, 2012.   Senate President Steve Sweeney said this week that he wouldn’t be rushed into holding confirmation hearings for the two Supreme Court nominations.

Lawson said that the new Monmouth Judges will be assigned in either Family Court or Civil Court.  He has yet to determine who will be assigned where.

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