Sheriff Golden, Freeholders demand that Trenton fund 911 centers

Sheriff Shaun Golden points to the $.90 fee on his phone bill. Click photo for larger view

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and all five Monmouth County Freeholders called for the State of New Jersey to stop diverting the $.90 per phone line surcharge New Jersey consumers pay with their cell and landline bills from it’s intended purpose…the funding of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)… at a press conference outside the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Center in Freehold this afternoon.

According to draft resolution that the New Jersey Association of Counties is urging all 21 New Jersey Freeholder Boards to adopt, New Jersey is in violation of federal law, the “NET 911 Act of 2008” (H.R 3403) for having diverted 89% of the $1.25 billion in 911 System and Emergency Response Fees collected since 2006.

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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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MAST gets another Fort Hancock building, Students will have a gym

By Muriel Smith

MIDDLETOWN – “We’re a long way away from putting a shovel in the ground, but if we’re able to agree on a project plan that meets our needs, and is acceptable to all community stakeholders, it will be a huge step in the future of our program. We really can’t thank Ms. Burry and the Freeholders enough for recognizing our need for a gymnasium, and offering their support.”

That’s what Earl Moore, principal at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Fort Hancok said this week when he learned the Monmouth County Vocational Board of Education and the National Park Service signed a Memorandum of Intent, paving the way  for conversion of Buildings 56 and 23 at Fort Hancock into a new facility.

The announcement, which was signed by all parties involved on Thursday, was made at the Fort Hancock 21^st Century Advisory Committee meeting at Thompson Park Friday.

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Howell Farm Preserved

Monmouth County, Howell Township and the New Jersey State Agricultural Development Committee have purchased the development rights of Thompson Farm, 49 Howell Rd, through the State’s Farmland Preservation Program. The $1,158,268 transaction ensures that the 68-acre farm will be devoted to agricultural use.

“Preserving farmland and acquiring open space are two critical pieces of protecting our environment and retaining its natural character,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry. “It is no coincidence that Thompson farm is adjacent to Meade farm, which was the first farm preserved in Monmouth County 29 years ago. Mr. Thompson’s heirs are to be commended for honoring their father by protecting the land on which he toiled for many years.”

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The Arnone Report: Tree Planting, Pledge of Allegiance and Summer is Coming!

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

This week we are finally experiencing some warmer temperatures and the sun has returned to us! Let’s hope the weather continues to improve as we head towards our “unofficial” start to summer, Memorial Day Weekend.

We’ve been pretty busy at the County the past several weeks. I am extremely pleased to say that despite all the rain we have had, the paving portion of the Ocean Avenue project is finished, with striping and some handicap accessible ramps yet to be completed. We are well paced to finish this project before the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Great job by our Public Works and Engineering staff in overseeing the logistics of the project, as well as the contractor, Stavola Contracting Company based in Tinton Falls.

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Christie nominates Gramiccioni for Monmouth County Prosecutor

Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni

The “Acting” my soon get dropped from Christopher Gramiccioni’s title.  Governor Chris Christie has nominated the Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor for a full term.  If confirmed by the Democratic State Senate, Gramiccioni will have a five year term.

Gramiccioni, an alumni of Christie’s U.S. Attoney’s Office, joined the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in 2011 as First Assistant Prosecutor.  He was promoted to Acting Prosecutor on July 1, 2012 after his predecessor, Peter Warshaw became a Superior Court Judge.

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Confidence, Courage and Character

Lillian G. Burry

Remarks of Lillian G. Burry as prepared for delivery on April 1, 2016 to the Jersey Shore Girl Scouts annual Women of Distinction Dinner.

Confidence, Courage and Character

A slogan featured by the Girl Scouts.

I would like to tie it into my life.

Confidence, Courage , Character.

These are three things that start growing in the heart of every girl from the day she is born. If she is lucky, she has them nurtured by parents and family and friends. But just like muscles, these qualities must be exercised regularly if they’re to become strong and certain. Fortunately, life affords us regular chances.

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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.

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Year in review: February 2015

Fire fighter Pat Breen and Freeholder Lillian Burry inspect the devastation in Ocean Grove. Feb 7, 2015. Photo by Bob Burlew

Fort Monmouth was designated as an Ebola quarantine site.

Mater Dei Prep was slated to close.  The community raised $1 million to save the school.

While in New Hampshire, Governor Chris Christie criticized Governor Maggie Hassan for appearing to be more focused on running for her next job than on governing the state she was elected to lead.

Christine Giordano Hanlon was nominated to replace M.Claire French as Monmouth County Clerk.

Locals remembered Brian Williams’ early exaggerations.

A fire destroyed four businesses and seven apartments in Ocean Grove.

In reaction to 50 Shades of Grey, Tommy DeSeno wrote that sex is the same for everyone, like eating, and that we shouldn’t talk about it so much.

Belmar’s Home By Summer campaign raised $50K in two weeks to assist the last two borough residents who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy get back into their homes.

The year in review: 2015

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Police Recruits Graduate, Embark on a Career in Law Enforcement

Sheriff Shaun Golden salutes a new policewoman

Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce the graduation of 68 newly sworn in law enforcement officers from the Monmouth County Police Academy.  On Dec. 17 recruits from the 89^th Basic Course for Police Officers received their police training commission certifications during a ceremony at Neptune High School’s Performing Arts Center.

“By successfully completing this training, these fine men and women have demonstrated their commitment to law enforcement,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden.  “That is a great privilege, since there is no higher responsibility, than maintaining public safety. I’m proud of their accomplishments and commend all for a job well done.”

The Basic Course for Police Officers is a 20 week program with 780 hours of training. The class is run through the Monmouth County Police Academy and upon completion the officers are well trained and well prepared to serve their respective law enforcement agencies.

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