Holmdel PBA endorses Freeholder Serena DiMaso for reelection

By Patrolman John Allen, President of Holmdel P.B.A. #239

Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso

The Holmdel Township Police Benevolent Association #239 is proud to endorse Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso for re-election. In her years as Freeholder, Serena DiMaso has been a constant advocate for law enforcement, making sure we have what we need to do our job to the best of our abilities and keep our communities safe.

As a former Mayor of Holmdel, DiMaso cultivated a strong relationship with the police department. She stepped in when needed to address issues, but always had our back. As a member of the local First Aid Squad, Serena dedicates herself to public service in all aspects. She responds 24/7 to emergencies as any other member of the squad and works hand in hand with the police department to care for our residents. The care and compassion she shows to individuals in times of crisis is a model for all of us to emulate.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

PBA Local 240 Endorses Golden, Arnone and DiMaso for Reelection

Freehold, NJ- Anthony Anderson, President of the Police Benevolent Association Local #240, Monmouth County’s 300 corrections officers, announced the union’s support of Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso for reelection on November 8.

“Sheriff Shaun Golden is an innovator and an extraordinary leader of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office,” Anderson said. “During his tenure as Sheriff, Golden as achieved what for many government leaders would be unimaginable—he has reduced his department’s budget by millions of dollars while enhancing the working conditions of the men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Monmouth County residents.  As his employees and as taxpayers in Monmouth County, we are proud to encourage our friends and families to vote for him on November 8.

“Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso have proven themselves to be strong stewards of Monmouth County’s government and strong supporters of law enforcement and public safety.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON FREEHOLDERS’ HEALTH BENEFITS

By Assemblyman Rob Clifton

I recently read Former Monmouth County Freeholder Amy Mallet’s criticism of Freeholder Serena DiMaso’s purchase of health benefits through the County. I have to disagree with the former Freeholder’s comments. I was on the Freeholder board in 2009 when Freeholder Lillian Burry and I proposed eliminating taxpayer fund health benefits for freeholders in order to deal with the downturn in economy. I was deputy director in 2010 when we made the resolution permanent.

Both actions were taken to save money in the budget and to return those dollars to the taxpayers.  Our intent was to no longer have the residents pay for health benefits; certainly if Ms. Mallet wanted to pay for those benefits out of her own pocket we could have and would have allowed it.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

PBA 314 Endorses DiMaso for reelection

Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso

Police Benevolent Association Local #314, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers, announced their endorsement of Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso for a second full term on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, association President Robert Derasmo announced.

Calling DiMaso “the ideal candidate” for Monmouth County Freeholder, Derasmo cited her education with a law degree and bachelors from St. John’s University, her “vast experience” in public administration as a Freeholder since 2012 and as a former Mayor and Township Committee Member in Holmdel.

The endorsement letter noted that DiMaso is following in her family history as a first responder as a member of the Holmdel First Aid Squad. “Her administrative and front line experience gives Serena great perspective as an advocate for Shared Services in Monmouth County,” Dermaso said.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Desperate Doherty alleges voter suppression

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty, a Democrat candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder, has posted a plea to his supporters on social media to make sure they get out to vote for him because Republicans might try to suppress the vote.

Doherty linked his comment to an Asbury Park Press article about alleged voter suppression during the 1981 New Jersey gubernatorial election when Tom Kean, Sr defeated then Congressman Jim Floro by 1797 votes and the Democratic National Committee’s allegation that Donald Trump’s campaign in attempting to suppress minority turnout in this year’s election.

Lorenzo W. Dangler, president of the Greater Long Branch NAACP, told APP that he was unaware of any real fears of voter suppression in Monmouth County. Dangler emphasized that his organization has not endorsed any candidates.  “We’re neutral,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Belmar’s absentee mayor wants to be a freeholder

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty has taken a page out of Governor Chris Christie’s book by neglecting the job he was elected to while running for higher office.

The Asbury Park Press is reporting that Doherty has missed most of the Belmar governing body’s meetings since he became a Democrat nominee for Freeholder in June. The amount of meetings he has missed this year, 8, is more than double all of his absences in the previous five years combined.

Just like Christie said he could govern New Jersey via smart phone from New Hampshire and Iowa, Doherty says his absenteeism is no big deal.

“A council meeting is maybe two hours a month. I spend well over 20 hours a week being the mayor of Belmar. So for two hours a month if I’m not available, that has zero impact on the ability to perform my function as the mayor of the town,” Doherty told The Press.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Freeholders approve $35 million in bonds for Fort Monmouth acquisition

Freeholder John Curley, Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso, Freeholder Lillian Burry and Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders agreed to back up the acquisition of the 560 acres at Fort Monmouth that is not already controlled by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) with a $35 million bond guarantee.  The Freeholders voted 4-1, with John Curley opposing the guarantee, at their meeting last night which was held in Ocean Township.

The Freeholders’ action enables the Monmouth County Improvement Authority to guarantee bonds issued by FMERA.  With the AAA bond rating of MCIA, the bonds will have the lowest interest rate available in the market.  FMERA will use the proceeds to purchase the land, valued at $90 million, from the Department of the Army for roughly $35 million.  The bonds will be secured by the land.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Monmouth Freeholders Cut Taxes and Spending

DEMOCRATS TRY TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso at the Asbury Park St. Pat’s Parade

The all Republican Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a budget which included a $18.2 million spending cut and a $4.5 million property tax cut last Thursday.

“This budget reduces the tax impact on residents and businesses and returns the amount to be raised by taxation to the 2010 level,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “In January, I called for a roll back of last year’s 1.4 percent tax increase and we have achieved that.”

“Cost cutting and belt tightening over the past six years and the sale of the two County care centers have made it possible for this Freeholder Board to present a budget that resets our spending to below the 2007 amount,” Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso said.

Monmouth County’s government now spends $5.5 million less on salaries than it did in 2008 and has 1000 fewer employees than it did seven years ago when the Republican Party won control of the Freeholder Board back from the Democrats.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Freeholders Reduce County Spending By $18.2 million

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will introduce their new budget to the public on Feb. 25 at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury and at 7 p.m. on March 24 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters on Symmes Drive in Manalapan.  Both meetings start at 7 p.m.

The $469.85 million budget is $18.2 million less than last year’s, reduces the county tax levy to the 2010 level and reduces spending to the 2007 amount.  County property taxes are reduced by $4.9 million.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Monmouth County enters 10 year agreement with Middlesex for Medical Examiners Services

Freeholders in Monmouth and Middlesex counties have entered into a 10 year agreement that has the Middlesex Medical Examiner’s Office performing autopsies for unexplained natural deaths and violent deaths that occur in Monmouth County. The office also preserves evidence, analyzes physical evidence and provides expert testimony in courts of law.

The agreement announced today extends a shared services partnership between the counties that was first instituted in 2009.

Monmouth County taxpayers will save $1 million over the term of the agreement which is part of the Freeholders’ ongoing effort to streamline costs and share services.  Middlesex County taxpayers will see a $1.4 million per year benefit as a result of the agreement.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet