Freeholders Signal Flat Taxes During Monmouth County Reorganization

Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, 2017. Gary Rich Sr, Serena DiMaso, Lillian Burry, John Curley and Tom Arnone

Continuing to reduce the size and cost of government while improving the quality of services and infrastructure was the theme of the day as Monmouth County’s leadership gathered yesterday before a standing room only crowd in the Biotech High School Auditorium in Freehold to reorganize the county government for 2017 and to swear in the victors of the November election.

Freeholders Serena DiMaso and Tom Arnone were each sworn into new three year terms, as was Sheriff Shaun Golden.  Surrogate Rosemarie Peters was sworn into a new five year term.   Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno issued the Oath of Office to DiMaso and Golden.  State Senator Joe Kyrillos administered the Oath for Arnone.  Superior Court Assignment Judge Lisa P. Thorton presided over Peter’s pledge to uphold the Constitutions of the United States of America and New Jersey and perform the duties of her office to the best of her ability.

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That day that Freeholder John Curley called Governor Christie a mother f’er, and other Bridgegate news

Freeholder John Curley

NEWARK– The governor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs was supposed to be an outreach office–a one-stop shop for mayors, local officials and civic leaders seeking assistance from the state. But as Gov. Chris Christie’s 2013 re-election campaign ramped up, the agency took on another role. It became a virtual arm of the campaign, using public resources to… Read the rest of this entry »

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Curley: Control of Fort Monmouth should transfer to County, Towns along with the deed

By Monmouth County Freeholder John P. Curley

Freeholder John P. Curley

In 2010, Governor Chris Christie signed into law the Fort Monmouth Revitalization Authority Act therefore, evolving into the Fort Monmouth Revitalization Authority, FMERA. As stated in their annual report, FMERA is to “provide investment continuity and economic growth to the communities impacted by the federal government’s decision to close Fort Monmouth”. The original plan addressed the 1126 acres in Eatontown, Oceanport, and Tinton Falls.

The Monmouth County Improvement Authority will be sanctioned by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to bond 33 million dollars for the Phase II redevelopment effort at Fort Monmouth. This bonding will provide for a direct purchase (transfer) of the remaining 560 acres in the Borough of Oceanport and the Borough of Eatontown, from the Department of the Army to a state created entity, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority, FMERA.

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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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Rabid Pitbull May Have Infected Puppies, County Health Department Seeks Info On Cliffwood Pitbull Pups

Two of the four pit bulls that were in contact with the rabid dog that bit three people during the last three weeks in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen Township are lactating, which indicates that they may have may have passed on rabies to their puppies.  The Monmouth County Health Department is asking that anyone who may have acquired, purchased, adopted or come into contact with pit bull puppies in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen in the past three weeks contact them immediately.

The Monmouth County Health Department phone number is 732-431-7456, ext. 8580. After regular business hours, call 732-845-2004.

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An Open Letter to Democrats in New Jersey

By Ernesto Cullari

Dear Democrats,

We want you. That’s right; we in the Monmouth, Ocean & Middlesex County GOP organizations want you to vote for our candidates on Tuesday November 3rd. The reason? Your own self interest.

Half of you want to leave New Jersey at some point, according to a poll conducted by Monmouth University and the Asbury Park Press. New Jersey actually leads the nation in families fleeing their home state to more affordable places like Florida and North Carolina. For every family that moves to the Garden State two families pick up and leave.

Elections have consequences. It’s no longer my team versus your team, families in New Jersey are hurting. For the last 15 to 20 years Democrats have ruled the State Senate and the State Assembly; with the exception of the Republican Governors we’ve had, we’ve had no reprieve from higher taxes and higher spending. It’s taken a toll on all our families.

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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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Hornik Calls For Suspension Of Tax Assessment Program

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik and Councilwoman Randi Marder at a campaign event last month. photo via facebook

Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik called for the immediate suspension of the controversial tax assessment program, Assessment Demonstration Pilot Program(ADP), in a press release issued Tuesday evening.

Responding to an “investigate report” in the Asbury Park Press that alleges cronyism, nepotism and ethics violations on the part of Monmouth County Tax Administrator Matt Clark, former Tax Commissioner Daniel Kelly and the companies that won the contracts to provide the inspections and appraisals of all Monmouth County properties that are assessed through ADP, Hornik said, “I am heartened by the recent call by the Asbury Park Press for an investigation of the Monmouth County Tax Assessment Demonstration Pilot Program,” said Mayor Hornik. “I have been a vocal critic of this program since its inception, and I expressed, in no uncertain terms, that the program did not fairly and accurately reflect market value, that it inappropriately interfered with local tax assessors and that it had a disproportionate adverse effect on residential and senior citizen property taxpayers.”

Hornik joins Freeholder John Curley in calling for ADP to be suspended and investigated.

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Tinton Falls Mayor Endorses Hanlon and Curley

Tinton Falls Mayor Gerald M. Turning

Tinton Falls, NJ—Tinton Falls Mayor Gerald M. Turning announced today that he will be voting for Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon and Freeholder John P. Curly on November 3rd. Turning urged all Tinton Falls and Monmouth County voters to do the same.

“I can personally attest to Christine’s abilities given my experience working with her while she served the people of Tinton Falls with distinction as the Deputy Director of Law,” said Turning.  “Christine’s keen intellect, strong work ethic and unshakeable integrity served Tinton Falls very well.”

“Christine has already brought new energy and enthusiasm to the job that serves Monmouth County very well,” continued Turning.  “I am looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes for the people of Monmouth County during her full term of office.”

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Jersey Prefers Clinton, Bush or Walker over Christie for President in 2016

Christie’s poll numbers stink

New Jerseyans would rather see former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush or Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker elected president in 2016 than their own Governor Chris Christie, according to a Monmouth University Poll released this morning.

“The message from New Jersey voters seems to be as simple as ABC – anybody but Christie,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.

In fairness to Christie, it should be noted that Murray did not poll the Governor’s presidential bona fides against former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Frank Pallone, Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik, Freeholder John Curley, Monmouth Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal or Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Christie isn’t even New Jersey Republicans first choice to the president.  By 44%-30% New Jersey Republicans prefer Walker to Christie in 2016.

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