Arnone Report: Kids eating healthy and other really good stuff

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

It has been a busy couple of weeks full of exciting initiatives and events here in Monmouth County! As such, I’d like to share just a few updates with everyone.

First of all, I’m pleased to announce the end of another successful year of my Healthy Eating Initiative SUSHI, which aims to promote healthy eating and living among our youth. My goal in creating this program was to show students the importance of eating local and eating healthy through educational programs.  We have well exceeded our expectations!

This year we expanded the initiative by adding a third school to the program. Students from Colts Neck, Asbury Park and Neptune City participated in weekly after-school field trips to the Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township. During these trips, the students learned the process behind growing different types of fruits and vegetables and why it is important to incorporate them into our daily diets. The students also worked on creating their own gardens at their respective schools. Read the rest of this entry »

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Arnone Report: Freeholder Director honors fallen heroes and their families

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone marching in the Farmingdale Memorial Day Parade

In observance of this past Memorial Day, we should take the time to remember those who lost their lives while bravely serving our country. It is because of these heroic men and women that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms they so bravely fought to defend.

Let it also not be lost on us the sacrifices made by the families of these heroes, including Gold Star Mothers. Through their grief and heartbreak, these women have been pillars of strength in their communities, keeping alive the legacies of their loved ones. I would also like to thank those who have served and are currently serving our country.

I encourage all parents and guardians to talk to their children about the importance of honoring and remembering those who have fought for our country. It is important to teach our children to recognize and remember the sacrifices made by those who serve our country throughout the entire year, not just during certain occasions and holidays.

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Arnone Report: Taking Care of Kids In Need, Tourism and the Dump

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Happy May! After this rainy and cold spring, I am looking forward to the summer months ahead.

I know I always say that it has been a busy couple of weeks but it truly has been. I’d like to take some time to share with you what I have been up to and a few important dates to come.

Last week I, along with my fellow Freeholders, attended the 10^th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. The center was established with the intention to create a single “one-stop” location for abused children and their families to receive the services they need. The building was designed to be a child-focused facility in order to reduce the trauma to the victims. In 2015, the center saw an expansion with the addition of a medical suite where exams can be conducted, as well as space for art therapy and mental health counseling. Read the rest of this entry »

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Arnone Report: Made in Monmouth Success! Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Update

By Tom Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Hello, everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend and was able to enjoy time with family and friends!

I, along with my fellow Freeholders, am proud to announce the eighth annual Made in Monmouth event on April 13^th was an absolute success!

This year, more than 5,000 shoppers supported the event, which showcased more than 260 vendors who displayed and sold their locally-made products. From furniture and jewelry to pet products and gourmet specialty foods, there was truly a wide variety of items for attendees to choose from.

Serving as liaison to the Monmouth County Division of Economic Development, I take great pride in hosting events like Made in Monmouth. When I created this program shortly after I joined the Board of Chosen Freeholders, my goal was to focus my attention on small consumer product manufacturers located within Monmouth County to help them grow their businesses. As such, I’m happy to say the County has amassed a list of nearly 700 Made in Monmouth companies and counting!

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The Arnone Report: Made In Monmouth Returns This Weekend

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Hello, everyone!

We have a lot of exciting events and programs in the coming weeks and months. However, I want to take the time this week to write about one of our biggest and most popular events returning this weekend – Made in Monmouth!

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Arnone Report: Monmouth County Spending $43.8 million less than in 2010

By Tom Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Happy Spring!

Last week the 2019 Monmouth County budget was approved during the March 18^th meeting of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. The adopted budget is $449.6 million, for comparison, in 2010 the County Budget peaked at $493.4 million, before its steady descent to $449.6 million in 2019, a decrease of $43.8 million.

In 2010 the County spent $173.6 million on salaries and wages, and in 2018 the county spent $166.8 million.  That amounts to a $6.8 million reduction in payroll spending while providing salary increases to our employees in each of those years, and maintaining services. This can be credited to an aggressive approach to vacancies and the provision of services including job consolidation, shared services, and outsourcing.

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Arnone Report: Freeholder Director’s update on efforts for odor mitigation and more

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

The first topic this week I would like to provide an update is our efforts at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center. It continues to be our mission to eliminate the odors emitted at the site.

As you may know, the County purchased an odor neutralizer that continues to be applied directly to the most critical areas, as well as other areas as needed. We will continue these efforts until the odor is under control. This remains a top priority for us at the County and we look forward to continuing an open dialogue with those impacted by this situation.

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The Arnone Report: Public Works Keeping Roads Safe, Ongoing Progress At Dump

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

I hope everyone stayed safe and warm during last week’s snow and ice storm. We anticipate more inclement weather this week and as always, the County is prepared for whatever comes our way.

I’d like to thank our department of public works employees for working throughout this recent storm to clear our roads and county-owned properties. As always, these employees did a great job. I’d also like to thank our first responders who were also out working throughout the storm in difficult weather conditions.

It has been a busy and exciting few weeks in the County!

I want to update everyone on our efforts to eliminate the odors being emitted at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center. Last week we installed five vapor system stations. It is important to note that these non-toxic vapors do not mask the odors, but rather neutralize the odors, which is more effective.

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The Arnone Report: Progress at the dump and other good news

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Happy February! I hope everyone has been staying safe and warm this past week with the extremely cold weather. I’m excited that our friend Punxsutawney Phil did not see is shadow signaling that an early spring will be upon us.

Many exciting things have taken place last couple weeks.

On January 28, I participated in a Town Hall style meeting in Tinton Falls with Senator Vin Gopal as well as County and State employees to address the community’s concerns about the recent increase in odor coming from the reclamation center.  The several hundred people who showed up at the meeting, and many who didn’t, are justifiably concerned about the environmental impact of the dump on the health of our residents as well as property values.

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The Arnone Report: Freeholder Director Tom Arnone’s Update on Monmouth County Government

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Millie Gonzalez of Union Beach, Ms Wheelchair NJ, is honored by the Monmouth County Freeholders

I hope everyone is staying warm, happy and healthy this winter season. It sure has been cold the last few days but on the bright side, summer is only a little more than 100 days away!

It has been an eventful few weeks at the County. During our last Freeholder meeting, the Freeholders honored the new Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey, Millie Gonzalez from Union Beach. Millie’s accomplishments are incredible and she is a true inspiration to us all for overcoming so many obstacles and achieving her goals. The Board looks forward to continuing our support for her in Little Rock, Arkansas where she will compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 competition this July! Read the rest of this entry »

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