Freehold Township Students Win County Consumer Bowl

Raiyan Hossain, Karim Lakhani, Amit Bachani, Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, Michael Galanaugh (Team Captain), Christopher Galiano, Dan Cooper (Teacher/Advisor)

A team of five Freehold Township High School whiz kids prevailed against students from Colts Neck High School, Freehold High School, Howell High School, Manalapan High School, Marlboro High School, Raritan High School and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School yesterday and were crowned the Monmouth County champs of the annual Consumer Bowl, a  a game-show-style competition for teams of high school students which was held at the Fire Academy in Howell.    Read the rest of this entry »

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Golden honors veterans at Pearl Harbor ceremony

FREEHOLD — More than 100 people, including law enforcement officials and members of the armed forces throughout Monmouth County, on Wednesday joined state and local leaders for a ceremony honoring the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Patriot’s Pride ceremony was hosted by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, and included Lt. Gov. Kim… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth County: A FINANCIAL FORCE MULTIPLIER

By Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

Freeholders Tom Arnone and Lillian Burry complete the purchase of Ft. Monmouth with Noreen Dresser, Chief of Real Estate, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, NY Distirct

Anyone living in Monmouth County is likely to be aware of the many good things County government provides including our roads, parks and library system.  One of the most important and valuable things the County provides, however, is known to relatively few residents. That’s the role the County plays in enhancing the financial resources of others and it’s a role that’s played quietly, sometimes indirectly, and always with unwavering expertise.

Sometimes it takes the form of a direct payment, providing the County share of the price for preserving farmland that brings far larger amounts of state dollars to a deal. At other times it’s providing a mix of funding and in-kind staff resources as a match for Green Acres dollars used to acquire or develop additional open space or some other worthy grant funded project. And sometimes it’s taking advantage of the AAA bond rating of the County – a rating held by fewer than two dozen of the more than three thousand American counties – to help others borrow money through the Monmouth County Improvement Authority (MCIA) at interest rates that can save significant amounts of dollars in interest payments over the life of a loan.

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Arnone: Casino referendum is bad for Monmouth County

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone today announced his opposition to the public question that would amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow casino gambling in Northern New Jersey.

“My first responsibility as a Freeholder is to make sure Monmouth County’s interests are my top priority,” Arnone said in an announcement released by ‘Trenton’s Bad Bet,’ the group that has been campaigning against the constitutional amendment, “Unfortunately, the ballot question on casino expansion is misguided, shortchanges our horse racing industry, and favors a small group of out-of-state, special interests.”

“In no way does this legislation help Monmouth County,” Arnone concluded.

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Freeholders Launch “Grown in Monmouth” Marketing Campaign

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Freeholder Lillian Burry announced a boost to the Agribusiness sector of Monmouth County’s economy last week with the launch of a marketing campaign for farm products grown in the county.

Monmouth County farms and related business can sign up to use the new “Grown in Monmouth” logo which is the first part of county wide marketing strategy funded under a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant the county received last year to evaluate current trends and future opportunities to expand the local farming industry, and to develop a marketing strategy to promote and market agricultural products.

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Planning for NWS Earle

photo via globalsecurity.org

Monmouth County has received a $206,000 federal grant from the Department of Defense to prepare a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) for Naval Weapons Station Earle.

A cooperative land use planning effort between affected local government entities and the military installation, the project looks to create compatible development measures to keep the base operational, while also looking out for the surrounding public’s health, safety, and welfare. When land use decisions impair the effectiveness of a military base, the utility of the installation and its mission can be compromised.  Mission constraints can lead to base closure. Monmouth County will contribute $32,500 in staff time and materials to the study.

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THE BEST BET FOR NEW JERSEY CASINOS

By Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

The question of new casinos will be on the November ballot, and I believe it’s a good idea, but only if done the right way. Like any business, the casino industry needs to build on existing resources and use potential synergies to its advantage. This means taking advantage of existing betting sites. I’m talking about the racetracks – the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and Freehold Raceway. These tracks strike the perfect balance between the desires to expand gambling and keep it contained. The tracks are experienced in handling gambling and have everything from the technology to parking in place. These are the only places where we don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and there’s more to it than that.

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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.

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FROM THE DESK OF LILLIAN G. BURRY: Fair is fair and the library has an app        

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

Folks get ready, it’s that time of year again, and the 42^nd Annual Monmouth County Fair is set to get underway. Once again you can enjoy all the wonderful fun activities that have become synonymous with the Monmouth County Fair. Congratulations to the Monmouth County Parks system and the Monmouth County 4-H Association for leaving no stone unturned. This year’s fair will prove to be one that you surely will not want to miss, and it will run from Wednesday to Sunday, July 27 – 31 delivering excitement for the entire family. From the 4-H shows & exhibits, home and garden competitions and horse shows to the games, rides and live entertainment, it is guaranteed to be a great time. Additionally, you can expect to see crafters and commercial vendors. You will have many opportunities to sample some delectable food, as well as have an opportunity to make purchases from the farm stands that will be featuring local produce. There is even a climbing wall! I encourage everyone to come out to the Monmouth County Fair and be prepared to be totally entertained with lots of laughs and good surprises along the way.

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THOUGHTS ON THE 4TH OF JULY

By Freeholder Lillian Burry (as prepared for delivery to the Borough of Avon’s July 4th ceremony)

Hello and thank you for having me here today. With the Fourth of July at hand, I thought it appropriate to reflect on the meaning of that day in American History and the cause of liberty that makes it special. The fourth is the celebration of the founding of our nation and the ideals on which that founding was based.

When we think of the American Revolution we do not think of any single place or person or act more than the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. And we recall those powerful words with which our founding fathers bound themselves together and we remember the great men who put their names to them. “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor”.

While that was a singular event, there were many other moments that led up to and followed along after it that also embodied the same spirit of American freedom. We must remember that this was a revolution that rose from the people of the thirteen colonies, each with its own leaders and prominent voices. All were inspired and united with a spirit best remembered in the work of Thomas Paine. Our second President, John Adams, wrote “Without the pen of the author of “Common Sense” the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”

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