Gopal Declares War On Monmouth County Legislators

Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal, speaking at his “Chairman’s Ball” fundraiser in Neptune last night, declared that he is targeting every Monmouth County Republican seat in the legislature in the 2017 election, according to a report on PolitickerNJ.

Gopal singled out Senator Joe Kyrillos, Senator Jennifer Beck and Assemblymen Declan O’Scanlon and Dave Rible in his remarks.

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Freeholders Give Combat Wounded Vets Special Parking Privileges

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Gary Rich, Lillian Burry, Director Tom Arnone, Deputy Director Serena DiMaso and John Curly, commemorate the installation of a Wounded Warrior parking spot at the Hall of Records.

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has followed the lead of Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso in making the lives of combat wounded war veterans a little easier.

Under a new program announced yesterday, the Freeholders are designating special parking spaces at county facilities for use by Purple Heart Medal recipients.

“We all recognize the tremendous sacrifices our military personnel have made to secure the freedoms we enjoy every day,” said DiMaso. “Regretfully, many of these men and women have returned home with physical and emotional injuries that will follow them the rest of their lives. A designated parking space is a simple way to say thank you.”

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Arnone Calls For Tax Cut, Boost of Local Jobs

Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

Freehold– Freehold Director Thomas A. Arnone called on his colleagues to reverse $4.9 million County property tax increase, 1.5%, imposed last year,  now that Monmouth County is no longer subsidizing the nursing homes that had cost Monmouth taxpayers almost $50 million over the last ten years.

Speaking at the annual reorganization of the County government on Wednesday afternoon, Arnone, who was elected as Director for 2016 by his fellow freeholders, announced that the auction of the nursing homes was completed this week and generated $32.4 million, $12.4 million more than expected.  Arnone said that as a result of no longer having to carry the nursing homes, that taxes should be reduced back to the level that the board had held steady from 2008 through 2014.  The Director told MoreMonmouthMusings that he would urge the Board to use the $32.4 million proceeds of the sale to reduce the County’s AAA rated debt.

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Year in review: September 2015

Freeholder John Curley

Freeholder John P. Curley released an anonymous letter that alleged improprieties in the County’s pilot Tax Assessment Demonstration Program.  Curley called for the suspension of the program and referred the letter to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Three weeks later, the Asbury Park Press published an expose into potential ethical conflicts that occurred in the implementation of the program.  In December, the Monmouth County Tax Board announced that municipalities could opt-out of the program for the 2017 tax year. APP has claimed credit, which arguably should go to Curley, for all actions taken regarding the ADP program since they published the expose.

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Sen Jennifer Beck calls for Tax Administrator’s Suspension

Senator Jennifer Beck

Senator Jennifer Beck today called for Monmouth County Tax Board Administrator Matthew Clark to step down or being suspended, pending the outcome of a reported Monmouth County Prosecutor’s investigation to his relationships with vendors of the the controversial Assessment Demonstration Program that creates new assessments of Monmouth County properties for property tax purposes annually.

“In light of the fact the Prosecutor has an active and ongoing investigation into the Tax Administrator, steps must be taken to suspend him from his day-to-day duties until the Prosecutor’s investigation is complete,” Beck said in a statement issued to the media.  “At present, our taxpayers have lost confidence in the Administrator and until he is either vindicated or indicted, Matthew Clark should step aside.”

The Asbury Park Press reported last week that grand jury subpoenas were served on at least three county towns as well as the Monmouth County government in connection with a criminal investigation to the program.

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Curley Romps To A Third Term

Freeholder John P. Curley

Freeholder John P. Curley was easily elected to a third term on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.

With 57% of the vote (44,713-34,227), Curley defeated Carol Rizzo of Neptune Township, keeping control of the Board in 5-0 control of the GOP.

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ASBURY PARK MAYOR JOHN MOOR ENDORSES HANLON FOR CLERK, CURLEY FOR FREEHOLDER

Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, Councilman Jesse Kendle, Freeholder Lillian Burry, Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton and County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon break ground at Springwood Ave Park, Oct 20, 2015.photo via facebook

Asbury Park, NJ- Mayor John Moor announced today that he is supporting Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon and Freeholder John P. Curley in the general election on November 3.

“John and Christine have both been great public officials and have served the citizens of Asbury Park with passion and integrity,” said Mayor Moor.

“Asbury Park has had legally contested elections in recent years.  I witnessed Hanlon’s honest and level headed efforts first hand as she dealt with those controversies as a member of the Board of Elections.  I have no doubt that Monmouth County elections, and all of the important functions of the Clerk’s Office will be conducted with fairness and integrity so long as Christine remains at the helm.”

“John Curley and all of the Monmouth County Freeholders have been very responsive to Asbury Park.  This summer when we had a health concern at Sunset Lake, Curley himself showed up with Health Department personnel,” Moor continued, “That kind of dedication and attention is what Freeholder Curley is all about”

“Asbury Park has a great relationship with Monmouth County. Hanlon and Curly personify excellence in public service.   They deserve to be elected on November 3.”

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Tax Board Rejects Curley’s Call To Suspend Assessment Program

Prosecutor Mum On Whether He Will Investigate Anonymous Allegations

Freeholder John P. Curley

The Monmouth County Board of Taxation voted unanimously on Friday to reject Freeholder John Curley’s call that they suspend their new method of assessing values on properties in the county for property tax purposes.

Curley’s call to suspend the program came last week after he said received an anonymous letter from a group of realtors, appraisers, tax assessors and former tax assessors alleging that the program, “Tax Assessment Demonstration Program,” is not being implemented in accordance with the law that created it and implying that Matthew Clark, the Tax Board Administrator, has inappropriate dealings with the program vendors.

Curley referred the anonymous letter to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni, declaring in his own letter to the prosecutor that it is “omnipotent (sic) that all government business be conducted with full transparency, ethical and legal standards.”   Curley also wrote Tax Board President James Stuart to request the tax assessment program be suspended while Gramiccioni investigates.  He then released the anonymous letter and his letters to Gramiccioni and Stuart to the Asbury Park Press.

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Monmouth GOP Honors Claire French

Monmouth County Clerk M. Clair French address the Monmouth GOP convention. Chairman Shaun Golden in background. photo by Art Gallagher

An impressive crowd of over 400 Monmouth Republican County Committee members gathered on Saturday morning to nominate their candidates for State Assembly, County Clerk and Freeholder.  The size of the crowd was impressive not only because of the weather but because the results of the convention were a foregone conclusion as there were no challengers to the incumbent Assembly Members, Freeholder or Governor Chris Christie’s nominee for County Clerk.

Free of any competitive tensions, the mood at Colts Neck High School was upbeat, friendly and proud among the grassroots leaders who came out for Chairman Shaun Golden first nominating convention.  Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso noted both the size and enthusiasm of the crowd. “This crowd is almost as large as last year’s convention when we had a competition for the freeholder nominations,” DiMaso said, “We’re in really great shape and that is a testament to Shaun’s leadership.”

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Residents Urged To Keep Fire Hydrants Clear Of Snow

FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County officials are urging residents to clear away snow from fire hydrants so that the hydrants are easily accessible in case of an emergency.

It is very important for fire hydrants to be kept clear of snow so they are visible and accessible from the street.

“If you’re out shoveling snow, please take some time to help clear a nearby fire hydrant,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the County Fire Marshal’s Office. “Every second counts if a fire breaks out, so a cleared fire hydrant can make a significant difference in helping out firefighters and saving property in your neighborhood.”

A three-foot radius around a hydrant is best. With freezing overnight temperatures, snow can turn into ice, which could freeze the hydrant making it useless when firefighters need it most.

“When a lot of snow has fallen, it may be tempting to move snow from around your car or sidewalk to any available open space; but it is important to keep fire hydrants clear,” said Fire Marshal Henry Stryker III. “Our firefighters thank you in advance!”

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