Norine Kelly of Howell Township passed away yesterday after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Mrs. Kelly was a dedicated community leader in Monmouth County and her beloved Howell Township. She served as the Vice-Chair of the Monmouth GOP, Chair of the Howell GOP, and on the Monmouth County Board of Elections.
She was the first President of the Southard School Parent Teachers Association. She served on the Howell Board of Education and the Howell Economic Development Committee.
Our thought and prayers are with Norine’s family.
Visitation will be Friday, April 15, from 3-5PM and from 7-9PM at the Clayton-McGirr Funeral Home in Freehold. A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 16 at the Church of Saint Veronica, Route 9 North, Howell at 9:30 AM.
The Bergenfield High School Class of ’76 had its 35th year reunion this past weekend. Thanks to facebook I’ve reconnected with many friends from my youth and attended my first reunion since graduation.
I suppose the good news is that I wasn’t the heaviest or the grayest member of my class in attendence. It was fun catching up with and remembering so many old friends. It felt odd pretending to remember others.
There were two people I got reacquainted with at the reunion that reminded me of how much the world has changed in 35 years.
I don’t remember who was designated “most likely to succeed” in my high school year book. The guy who succeeded is Glenn. He retired a year ago from the Bergenfield Police Department. His take home pay from his pension is $20 per month less than it was when he was working, so he says. He’s now a full time dad to his 10 year old son.
Bob probably should have been voted most likely to succeed back in 1976. I knew from facebook that Bob became a medical doctor, which impressed me. Seeing Bob on Saturday night for the first time in 35 years I congratulated him on his success. “You’re a doctor!” I said. “I have a family practice,” Bob said, without an ounce of pride or joy.
Family practitioners are small business owners. Bob and I had more in common than I realized. Life was sweet for us five years ago. Our educations and hard work were paying off and the future looked bright and comfortable. Now we are both facing a great deal of uncertainty and second guessing the choices we made decades ago. We’re getting squeezed by institutions we can’t afford to fight and by circumstances beyond our control.
The choices Glenn made look pretty good in hindsight.
Now that the Monmouth Democrats don’t have a candidate officially running for Senate in the 13th district, maybe they should take a page from the Burlington County Democrats and get a celebrity to run. In case you missed it, former Olympian and former music video star Carl Lewis is running for Senate as a Democrat in the 8th legislative district.
As much as I would like to see Tea Party Democrat Mark Falzon muck up the works by waging a write in campaign for the 13th Democratic Senate nod, the district has numerous celebrity residents that would make terrible candidates but be great for blog traffic.
Bruce Springsteen has recently become a policy wonk. The anti-poverty activist has estates in Rumson and Colts Neck. If he’s registered to vote in Rumson he can run in the 13th. If Bruce is registered to vote in Colts Neck, we’ll know who the third vote is for Democratic Township Committee candidate, our friend Rick Ambrosia, is in November.
Film maker Kevin Smith hails from Highlands.
Drummer and real estate developer Max Weinberg was a trustee of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation before subdividing his Middletown estate.
Is there no liberal hypocrite willing to challenge Kyrillos?
The potty mouth pundit says he supports incumbent Mary Pat Angelini, in large measure due to her pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage positions and that he is considering a challenge to Caroline Casagrande.
In his publisher’s message last week Jacobson said he supported Angelini because she was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage.
MMM has learned that Angelini is pro-life and that she voted against restoring Planned Parenthood’s funding that was cut from the state budget last year. We regret the error and promise to fact check the triCityNews in the future.
The Democrats gave Senator Joe Kyrillos, who turned 51 yesterday, a nice birthday gift.
The party’s nominee for the 13th district senate seat, former Hazlet Mayor Chris Cullen, did not file his nominating petitions according to Politickernj.
The Democrats will now have to spend money a primary where they have no opposition in order to ask voters to write in Cullen.
Maybe Tea Party Democrat Mark Falzon will wage a write in campaign for the nomination. Falzon filed to run against Congressman Frank Pallone in the primary last year only to have his petitions successfully challenged by the Democratic organization.
The Monmouth Park Task Force is pleased with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority‟s choice to begin negotiations with developer and entrepreneur Morris Bailey for a five-year private lease to run Monmouth Park Racetrack. The NJSEA expects to turn over track operations by June 1, 2011 to the successful lease operator.
“Oceanport is pleased the Authority is taking the next step toward for a self-sustaining industry in New Jersey and returning Monmouth Park Racetrack to its place as the premier location for thoroughbred horse racing. We look forward to his plans for revitalizing the facility and capitalizing on the OTW‟s. I look forward to seeing Monmouth Park under his management.” „ Said Mayor Michael J. Mahon, Task Force Chairman “We‟re hopeful Mr. Bailey will bring a fresh excitement to the 2011 season and quickly build on the success of the Elite Summer Meet held last year. Monmouth will be an exciting place again for horse racing. Oceanport and Monmouth Park Racetrack will continue our long standing partnership and we look forward to working with Mr. Bailey as he takes the reins.” Stated Councilman and Task Force member Joseph Irace
“The Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has been hoping a lessee would step forward who would be committed to maintain Monmouth Park as a racetrack. This is critical for the Borough as we look to preserve jobs, protect the environment, maintain open space and preserve this historic centerpiece of horse racing in Monmouth County and the Jersey Shore.” Said Mayor Michael J. Mahon
The Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has continued to maintain the position that
VLT‟s, slot machines, or an all out gaming casino in the Meadowlands is the only way to protect horse racing in New Jersey. All the surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania,
Delaware and Maryland now have some form of gaming at their race tracks. This uneven
Playing field enables our competitors to lure New Jersey horseman out of State with larger purses and better quality horse racing. This will continue to challenge the industry as new operators take the reins at both the Meadowlands and here at Monmouth Park Racetrack.
Posted: April 12th, 2011 | Author:admin | Filed under:Press Release | Tags:Monmouth Park, Oceanport, Press Release | Comments Off on OCEANPORT TASK FORCE COMMENTS ON DECISION BY THE NJSEA TO NEGOTIATE WITH DEVELOPER AND ENTREPRENEUR MORRIS BAILEY ON THE LEASE OF MONMOUTH PARK RACETRACK
Senator Calls for Immediate Vote or Justification from Senate Leadership
“In total, these municipalities (Newark, Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Trenton, South Brunswick, East Orange, Hackensack) paid more than $39 million last year to more than 700 employees who cashed in their unused sick and vacation time.”
–The Star-Ledger, 4/11/2011
Trenton—In light of new information showing eight municipalities in New Jersey paid out $39 million in terminal leave payments to departing public employees, Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex) called for Senate Democrats to explain their continued defense of the practice:
“I have to wonder if the cost to the taxpayers of this outrageous public employee perk is sinking in with my Democrat colleagues.”
“Even more frustrating is that some of the municipalities with the largest terminal leave debts are also recipients of huge amounts of state aid, paid for by the rest of the state’s beleaguered taxpayers.”
“Contrary to the claims of Trenton special interests defending the practice, sick leave is not a form of deferred compensation.These payments are wrong in any amount and must be ended, not just capped, by the Legislature.This is a vote the Senate needs to hold this month.”
“If the Majority party continues its crusade to preserve these payments, the taxpayers deserve an explanation as to why they should pay for a public employee perk that the majority of New Jersey workers do not receive themselves.”
On Saturday April 2nd, the Red Bank Elks Lodge #233 held its 100th Annual Charity Ball, honoring 4-year old Leo Olsen, our Child of the Year.
Every year the lodge finds and supports a local child with special needs and provides assistance to the child and the family throughout the year and beyond. Leo Olsen was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, and has had other health challenges throughout his very young life. And although his motor skills have been greatly affected, Leo’s spirit and courage remain unswayed. His mother Cristina, army veteran father Fred, older brother Pierce and younger brother Ty, feel truly blessed to have this smart, loving and funny little boy in their lives.
And now, so does the Lodge.
Leo called the Lodge members he met at the Ball his “Elk friends”; and his new friends gave Leo 3 of his favorite things: a Panda bear stuffed animal (he later named “Elky”), a NY Giants T-shirt and a NJ Devils hat.
At the charity ball, the lodge raised money for items that can help make Leo’s life and mobility a little easier-a wheelchair ramp, car lift, or any other household and transportation needs. Leo has had some tough obstacles, but he’s strong, truly special, and deserves a shot at independence.
And the night was topped off when Leo and his brother Pierce sang along to one of their favorite country songs, The Impossible, by Joe Nichols:
And Billy couldn’t feel his legs
Said he’d never walk again
But Billy said he would and his mom and daddy prayed
And the day we graduated, he stood up to say:
Unsinkable ships, sink
Unbreakable walls, break
Sometimes the things you think would never happen
Happen just like that
Unbendable steel, bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I’ve learned to never underestimate
The impossible
The Red Bank Elks Lodge also supports many other local special needs children throughout the year by sponsoring “Camperships”, trips in the summer to the NJ Elks Special Needs camp, Camp Moore. This year, the Red Bank Elks will send 9 children for a week-long stay and 24 young adults for a weekend, to enjoy the pool, playground, and daily activities at the camp-helping each camper experience new adventures, lasting friendships, and opportunities that promote independence and greater self-confidence.
Also, every month, in partnership with Red Bank Parks and Recreation department, the lodge hosts a dance for special needs children in the community. And the next dance will be held on Wednesday April 20th at 6pm, at the Red Bank Elks Lodge, 40 West Front Street.
And some other upcoming events are a Wine Tasting and Gift Auction fundraiser on April 17th from 3-6pm and a Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday May 8th from 9am-12pm, proceeds benefitting the Special Needs Children.
triCityNews publisher Dan Jacobson told MoreMonmouthMusings that he will not be a candidate for Assembly in 11th district Republican primary because, “it just doesn’t feel right.” “I like both incumbents,” Jacobson said of Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Cassagrande, “it wouldn’t be like challenging Sean Kean.”
Jacobson of Asbury Park, a former Democratic member of the Assembly, registered as a Republican last month in preparation of challenging Kean in the Senate primary. The new legislative map moved Kean, of Wall, into the 30th legislative district. Kean will be running for Assembly in the 30th, as Republican Senator Robert Singer, Lakewood, also resides in the new 30th.
Jacobson is angry with Kean over his vote against gay marriage.
Middletown Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill will not be seeking a third term on the Township Committee, according to a statement released by the Middletown GOP today.
Zoning Board Member and Housing Authority Commissioner Stephanie Murray will be Mayor Tony Fiore’s running mate. Fiore is seeking his second term on the Township Committee. The candidates filed their nominating petitions today.
“While my commitment to public service is no less no than it was six years ago, I feel that it is the right time to pass the baton to another active member of our community, which is why I am pleased to support Stephanie Murray for Township Committee,” said Brightbill. “I know Stephanie will make and excellent addition to the Committee and help preserve the quality of life we all enjoy in Middletown.”
In addition to serving as a member of the Zoning Board and Housing Authority, Murray has also served as a member of the Township’s Parks and Recreation and Open Space Committees. She is the founder of the community group known as “Middletown Mornings” which is an open forum for residents to meet with their local public officials. Murray holds a B.A. from Fordham University and runs a small publishing company.
Fiore said of Murray, ” I know Stephanie Murray will serve the taxpayers of Middletown well based on her record of service on the Zoning Board and as a Commissioner on the Housing Authority. Stephanie is not only a tireless member of our community, but also a dedicated wife and mother to three children whose family has lived in Middletown for 10 years.”
