Skudera out as Tinton Falls Administrator

Former Tinton Falls Borough Administrator Michael Skudera

Tinton Falls Mayor Vito Perillo fired Borough Administrator Michael Skudera on December 31, 2019.  Skudera’s termination is effective on January 30, according to the notice obtained by MMM.

Mayor Perillo declined to speak with MMM, stating he was busy with people in his office when we got him on the phone this afternoon.

Skudera, a former mayor of the borough, will get 3 months severance according to a source familiar with his contract.  He has not yet returned our phone call seeking comment.

Perillo and Skudera “were never in sync,” according to a source who asked not to be named.

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Jughandle Brewing company is ready to go!

Jughandle Brewing Company, and owners Pete Artherholt and Mike Skudera of Tinton Falls and Chris Hanigan of Red Bank are ready to open their new Tinton Falls microbrewery on Saturday at noon.

The brewery in the Tinton Falls Centre Plaza on Asbury Ave. held a “soft opening” on Thursday evening to identify and work out any kinks.  The beer is fresh, cold and delicious.

Your favorite blogger sampled the Imperial Stout and English Bitter, both of which are excellent.  The opening menu of beers also includes IPA, RyePA, Saison, and Hefeweizen.

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Pryor Wins Neptune City Special Election, Monmouth GOP prevails over bus loads of Democratic canvassers

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor, center, celebrates his reelection with Neptune City and Monmouth GOP leaders. Click photo for larger view

The streets of Neptune City were reminiscent of Newark, Jersey City or Chicago on election day Tuesday as out of town canvassers worked the town to get Democrats to come out and vote in a Special Election for a Council seat that was vacated as a result of a tie vote last November.

The State Democratic Party emailed Democrat activists statewide, imploring them to knock on doors and make phone calls in Neptune City, “because it is the home of Monmouth County Freeholder Director and Republican Leader Tom Arnone, who previously served as mayor.” U.S. Senator Cory Booker made a robocall for the Democrat candidate. An estimated 30 out of towners were bused in on Tuesday to to find Democratic votes to drag to the polls.

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Neptune City teen’s vote counts. Special election set for council race

Michaela O’Brien, photo via facebook

Michaela O’Brien’s vote has been counted, 84 days after she cast it, and as a result the Neptune City Council election between Democrat Michael Skudera and Republican Richard Pryor is tied at 602-602.  A special election between the two currently former councilmen will be held on March 22.

O’Brien, an 18 year old Brookdale student voting for the first time on November 3, voted by provisional ballot when her name did not appear in the poll book at the Neptune City First Aid Building.  O’Brien turned 18 in August and registered to vote on or about October 13, according to the election contest complaint file by Jason Sena, Esq on behalf of Pryor.

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Microbrewery to open in Tinton Falls next spring

Tinton Falls-Three Monmouth County residents, former Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera, Pete Artherholt, also of Tinton Falls, and Chris Hanigan of Red Bank are on track to open Jughandle Brewing Co. on Asbury Ave in the borough in the spring of 2016.

“We will offer 6 craft beers on tap and plan on expanding to 14,” says Artherholt, a former chemist with over 15 years of brewing experience. Through Artherholt’s wife Darlene, who has a master’s in microbiology, the group has access to knowledge and skills that are usually acquired only when breweries expand and become better established. “Having a strong science background will help drive consistency and quality control in the craft beers that we sell.”

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Pryor contests Neptune City election

Michaela O’Brien, 18 of Neptune City. “Every vote counts…I prove it.”

Election result rests with first time voter

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor has lodged a contest of the November 3 general election in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Pryor, a Republican, was leading his race for reelection by one vote following the counting of provisional ballots on November 9.  In the November 24 recount, Democrat Michael Skudera picked up three votes while Pryor picked up one.  Skudera now leads Pryor by one vote, 602-601.

At issue in the contest, which was filed by Jason N. Sena, Esq of the Manalapan law firm Cutolo Mandel, LLC, is one of the two provisional votes that was disqualified by the Board of Election on November 9.

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Recount Tilts Outcome Of Neptune City Council Race

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor is trailing Michael Skudera by one vote after the recount

The outcome of the election for a seat on the Neptune City Council changed as a result of the recount that took place this morning at the Board of Elections office in Freehold.

Democratic candidate Michael Skudera (not the same Michael Skudera who is the former mayor of Tinton Falls) gained three votes in the hand count of Vote-By-Mail  and provisional ballots and now leads incumbent Republican Councilman Richard Pryor by one vote, 602-601.  Pryor picked up one vote in the recount.

Hand recounts of Vote-By-Mail and provisional ballots often result in additional votes being counted. The votes are first counted electronically via scanner.  During a hand recount, elections commissioners are able to determine the intent of a voter who may have not completely filled in the box on the ballot sufficiently to be  read by the scanner.

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Neptune City Council Race Tied

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor, a Republican, is tied with Democratic challenger Michael Skudera now that the provisional ballots have been counted.

In the post-Election Day machine count, Pryor trailed Skudera by one vote.

Barring a change in the tally due to a recount, which neither side has announced, there will be a run-off election between Pryor and Skudera, on a date to be determined, most likely in mid-December.

Republicans are said to be reviewing the Vote-By-Mail applications from the City prior to deciding whether to file for a recount. Operatives of the notorious Asbury Park “A Team” are rumored to have managed the Vote-By-Mail operation for the Democrats.

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Skudera Will Not Seek Another Term As Mayor Of Tinton Falls

Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera last evening announced that he will not seek a second term.

Elected to the borough council in 2005 and mayor in 2009, Skudera told supporters via email that after almost a decade of service he looks forward to what life brings next.

Skudera wrote of his team’s accomplishments and endorsed Jerry Turning to be his successor.

“When I took office as Mayor four years ago, the Borough was experiencing sharp tax increases of over 10% per year and its surplus was depleted. Now, despite a difficult economic climate, taxes have been contained to about 2% per year and match the rate of inflation. Spending has been significantly reduced; in fact this year’s budget is lower than last year’s budget.

We have improved the Borough’s aging infrastructure that was neglected for decades.  We have repaved and reconstructed miles of roadway, installed new sidewalks, and improved long neglected storm and waste-water facilities.  We improved the Borough’s credit rating, significantly reduced borrowing costs, and paid of debt before its maturity date to save taxpayers money.

In the past, economic growth was just assumed, now it’s actively pursued, encouraged and taking place.  In the last four years, we have brought one of the Northeast’s largest solar farms to Tinton Falls while also quickly advancing the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth, bringing not only millions in capital investments to Tinton Falls, but also high paying jobs.  We have utilized technology more than ever before to improve efficiencies, productivity, and to better communicate with the public.

While doing all of this, we have managed to preserve more open space than ever before to enhance our quality of life. We did this by spending less per acre, which allowed us to reduce the Borough’s open space tax.

Finally, Tinton Falls needs a leader who will continue the work we have all begun. That is why Jerry Turning will be running for Mayor. Jerry has served our community as the head of my administration and we have worked very closely together over the years. My record of accomplishments is also Jerry’s record of accomplishments.  Running with Jerry in the November election is veteran Councilman Scott Larkin and Zoning Board of Adjustment member John Roche, who I know will continue to serve the Borough well.”

Tinton Falls holds non-partisan elections in November.

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The State of Tinton Falls

Mayor Michael Skudera’s State of the Borough Address, as prepared for delivery, April 16, 2013

Mayor Michael Skudera

Introduction

Good evening everyone and thank you for being here. Tonight, I will share the many accomplishments that have been collectively achieved and highlight our goals for 2013.

First, I would like to recognize the members of the governing body. Council President Baldwin,

Deputy Council President Pak, Councilwoman Fama, Councilman Larkin, and Councilman Schertz, it is an honor working with each of you as we move Tinton Falls forward.

I would like to thank the borough employees, who are the backbone of this town. I like to thank my team that works with me day-in-and-day-out: Borough Administrator Gerry Turning, Borough Attorney Brian Nelson,  Chief Financial Officer Steven Pfeffer , Director of Public Works Gary Gebele, Chief of Police John Scrivanic, Director of Information Technology Dan Romanov, Borough Engineer Dave Marks, and my assistant Liz Morris.

We live in a great town called Tinton Falls. It is an excellent place to raise a family, to work, and even to retire.

In fact, in 2012 Tinton Falls was named the Best Town to Retire in New Jersey by the Star Ledger.

Tinton Falls is a town – where people care. During the height of Superstorm Sandy, when power was out to large sections of the borough, over 250 volunteers answered our call for help. They went door-to-door to check on those without power, some of whom had no power themselves. These kind-hearted individuals shared food, firewood, and even ran errands for those in need.

Tinton Falls is a town – with a low crime rate. We are protected by a highly educated, professional and dedicated police department. When the horrible tragedy occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, our police chief immediately worked with our schools to improve their security measures and protect our children.

Tinton Falls is a town – where our community comes together. Last year our Community Day event drew its highest attendance on record.

Tinton Falls is a town – that has active and growing recreational facilities. We have activities for all ages at every season.

Tinton Falls is a town – that has seen great progress over the past 4 years. Some of which include:

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