The Arnone Report: Freeholders Introduce Yet Another Flat Budget And Other Great Stuff

By Freeholder Tom Arnone

Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

I’m proud to announce the Board of Chosen Freeholders has introduced a zero tax-increase budget, while maintaining the high quality of services for our residents. We will be keeping the tax levy flat while keeping spending down. As introduced, the budget is $445 million, in comparison to $493 million in 2010.

As public servants, this is what we strive for – providing residents with the high quality of life and services they deserve at the lowest possible cost.

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Arnone Endorses O’Scanlon in LD 13 Senate Race

Asemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Sheriff Shaun Golden. Freeholder Serena DiMaso, and Freeholder Tom Arnone

Freeholder Tom Arnone has endorsed Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the upper house of the legislature next year.

“I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Assemblyman O’Scanlon with our shared goal to maintain the high quality of life our residents deserve.” Arnone said. “Serving as the Assembly Republican Budget Officer since 2012, he has consistently made fiscally responsible decisions on behalf of our constituents. Assemblyman O’Scanlon will serve as a tremendous asset and voice for Monmouth County against the special interest groups in Trenton, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure our municipalities are being fairly represented. As such, I am proud to endorse Assemblyman O’Scanlon in his bid to replace Senator Kyrillos. He will certainly have big shoes to fill, but I am confident he will serve us well.”

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The Arnone Report: Celebrating the generosity of Monmouth County residents

Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

By Freeholder Tom Arnone

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, Monmouth County is a great place to live and work. I’ve had the opportunity in the last couple of weeks to see firsthand just how generous and compassionate our residents truly are and I could not be more proud to call this County my home.

One benefit I recently attended helped raise funds for the victims of devastating earthquakes in Italy, specifically in the town of Amatrice. Through the coordination of local residents, this benefit was a great way for our area to pay it forward to those in need. As we witnessed in the days, months and even years since Superstorm Sandy, the generosity of others – especially strangers from all parts of the world – can go a long way to bringing back a sense of normalcy.

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Monmouth County Road Crews Are Prepared For Snow

Monmouth County’s Public Works crews are prepared for the anticipated snow storm and the impact it will have on the 1000 lane miles of roads they maintain, according to an announcement by Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso.

“The County’s snow room will open this evening and we will monitor the storm’s progress,” said Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “Our process helps us manage the personnel needed at the County’s ten highway districts and dispatch crews as needed. We have 135 trucks outfitted with spreading and plowing capabilities.”

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Junction Boutique: A Made in Monmouth Success Story in Middletown

Jeanine Riegler, left, and Chris Slater of Junction Boutique

Junction Boutique opened their doors in a small retail space in Belford’s Campbell’s Junction less than two years ago.  The cooperative effort of local artisans selling their homemade jewelry, heirlooms, clothes, candles and bath products and other art started with eight local crafters.

Two months later Chris Slater, the organizer and inspiration of the group, attended a Made in Monmouth trade show at Monmouth University, where she met other Monmouth County based small business owners/artist. They weren’t competitors, they were collaborators.  The number of businesses selling their products at the tiny store quickly grew and by the end of 2016 the 28 participants had outgrown their space.  Slater said that all but a handful of the Junction Boutique artisans were connected through Made in Monmouth and all are New Jersey based.

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Traffic Safety Enhanced in Tinton Falls

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Public safety will be enhanced and traffic will flow easier on Asbury Ave between Garden State Parkway exit 102 and Shafto Road in Tinton Falls thanks to a new traffic signal that was activated yesterday by Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso and employees of the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering.

“Monmouth County’s first traffic improvement for 2017 is the activation of the traffic signal on Asbury Avenue at Fox Chase and Cannonball Drive,” said Freeholder Arnone. “The signal will improve overall safety for motorists and pedestrians while allowing for better traffic flow and operational efficiency at the intersection. We appreciate the support and patience of local residents and the Tinton Falls officials as we worked to improve public safety in the area.”

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The Arnone Report: In Monmouth County, We Keep Our Promises

By Freeholder Tom Arnone

Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

Happy New Year! Last week I was sworn into my third term as Freeholder and I am excited and grateful to continue to serve the residents of Monmouth County. I would like to thank my family for their support and my fellow Freeholders for their continued dedication to our County.

I would like to congratulate my running mates, Freeholder Serena DiMaso, Sheriff Shaun Golden and Surrogate Rosemarie Peters on their well-deserved re-elections. I would also like to congratulate Lillian Burry on her selection as the 2017 Freeholder Director and John Curley on his selection as Freeholder Deputy Director. I look forward to working with you both, and the entire Freeholder Board in the coming year. As always, I would like to wish all of our mayors best of luck as we begin the New Year.

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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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The Arnone Report: Shop Local, $32.4 million bid for county nursing homes

By Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone

Freeholder Tom Arone

Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us. We’ve been extremely fortunate as the weather has been mild thus far, allowing many of us to continue to enjoy the outdoor activities we love to do throughout our beautiful county – from the beaches and parks, to local tree and menorah lightings, to shopping in our beautiful downtowns and local shopping centers.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to shop local, I encourage all of you to do some this holiday season when buying gifts for your loved ones. I was happy to join our Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno, on Small Business Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), along with my fellow Freeholder, Serena DiMaso, on a tour of several local businesses in the Red Bank region. We were pleased to see these businesses thriving on that start to the holiday shopping season, as well as the crowds we saw on the bustling sidewalks throughout the downtown.

It’s a proven fact that independent and locally-owned businesses recirculate more revenue locally. The spending done by a local business to operate (including inventory, utilities, equipment and salary to employees) directly impacts the economy within our own community. In addition, the indirect impact happens as employees and business owners spend their income within our local economy, recirculating dollars through their earned money.

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The Arnone Report: Infrastructure Updates

Freeholder Tom Arnone

By Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone

What an incredible fall season we have experienced thus far. The weather has been extremely kind, allowing us to enjoy the amazing landscapes Monmouth County has to offer. I hope that you attended some of the fall events and festivals held in our beautiful county parks and at our beaches, and also those coordinated in your hometowns. The leaves have changed and that means after leaf collection is completed, the county will begin to prep for the upcoming winter season. We are already collecting salt and materials to safeguard our over 1000 miles of roadways when the inclement weather presents itself. The county will be ready as always.

In the meantime, you may have noticed our red trucks mobilized throughout the county as the Public Works and Engineering staff have been busy the past few months, working hard to enhance the infrastructure and efficiency of our roadways, bridge and culvert structures, traffic signals and natural resources.

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