The Arnone Report: Spring into Monmouth County

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso at the Asbury Park St. Pat’s Parade

The past two weekends have been filled with fun festivities throughout the county and the list of activities throughout the rest of March includes parades, plays and performances. March is the month to celebrate the end of winter by getting outside and with two holidays happening this month, there are plenty of great events to choose from.

There’s nothing like a parade to usher in the month and the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Belmar on Sunday, March 6 was the perfect place to do it.  Those of you who were in attendance may have seen me, along with my colleagues, on our 2016 float – it was a great way to participate in the parade – we had the best view! I also had a great time at the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 13 walking with Freeholder Serena DiMaso, along with Mayor Moor and members of the Council and look forward to keeping the festive spirit alive in the Highlands by walking in their parade on March 19.  March 20 marks the first day of spring, so take the kids outside (if weather permits) and join the Monmouth County Park System for a nature walk at 10 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir to look for signs of the new season.  Log onto www.visitmonmouth.com for a full list of activities throughout the County.

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Man arrested after shore cab driver is robbed at gunpoint, police say

NEPTUNE CITY — A borough man, who evaded authorities for two hours, was arrested early Saturday for allegedly robbing a taxicab driver at gunpoint. The incident started in Eatontown when Christopher Cutler, 24, caught a cab to drive him to his apartment in the Brighton Arms complex on West Sylvania Avenue, Neptune City Public Safety Director… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth County, Middletown and NY Waterway are working together to mitigate NJ Transit strike impact

Monmouth County, Middletown Township and NY Waterways officials are working together to lessen the possible inconvenience to commuters in the event of a New Jersey Transit strike starting Sunday morning.

“The County is working with NY Waterway and Middletown to take a proactive approach to the situation we may face next week if there is any disruption to how our residents travel to work,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We understand the inconvenience that a disruption would cause and are actively taking measures to make sure we are doing everything we can to arrange to accommodate an increase in ferry passengers.”

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Suspended Neptune cop pleads guilty, avoids life sentence in ex-wife’s killing

FREEHOLD — A suspended police sergeant who police say shot his ex-wife to death in front of their young daughter last year accepted a plea deal on Thursday that will allow him to avoid spending the rest of his life in prison. Philip Seidle, 51, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment in the June… Read the rest of this entry »

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Jury convicts N.J. man in first ISIS trial in U.S.

BROOKLYN–An Air Force veteran from New Jersey, charged with planning to “fight jihad,” was convicted by a federal jury Wednesday of attempting to join the terror group ISIS. Tairod Pugh, 48, of Neptune–arrested last year just weeks after being fired from his job as an aircraft mechanic in Kuwait–was accused of traveling to Turkey in an… Read the rest of this entry »

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Kiefer Sutherland’s new country band will rock Asbury Park

ASBURY PARK — Bauer meets banjo? Veteran actor Kiefer Sutherland will visit The Stone Pony in Asbury Park this spring, not to discuss his film career or time spent on the famed Fox thriller “24,” but as the frontman for a country-rock group. The Kiefer Sutherland Band, which released its debut album “Down In a Hole”… Read the rest of this entry »

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Kevin Kane lands a job in the Fulop Administration

Freehold Borough Councilman Kevin Kane has landed a $65,000 per year job as the assistant director of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s Office of Tax Abatement and Compliance.

The five term Democrat councilman who ran for Monmouth County Clerk last year against Christine Giordano Hanlon is responsible for the day to day operations of the office when the director is not at work, according to his Linkedin profile.  The office is charged with ensuring “adherence with all municipal ordinances, administrative codes and state statutes relating to tax abated development projects in Jersey City. The Compliance Office, reporting directly to the Business Administrator, is responsible for documenting all non-compliance issues and violations of the Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and Project Employment and Contracting Agreements (PECAs).” Kane recommends to the director any and all actions to be taken as a result of non-compliance in a specified project.

Prior to joining the Fulop administration, Kane was the Vice President of Operations for a Freehold based janitorial company owned by his parents.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, March 11-13, 2016

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, March 11

• For Worse at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Iced: The Story of the Snow Queen by Spotlight Players (Matawan) – MORE INFO
• One Man, Two Guvnors at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
• Ropes at Two River Theater (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Chocolate Lovers’ Weekend (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Godspell at Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Chapter Two at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO

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DiBella: End Nicastro Recall Effort

By Joe DiBella

Joe DiBella

I was disturbed and disappointed to learn that a group of residents have filed a petition to recall our Deputy Mayor, Rob Nicastro.

I have lived in Howell for nearly 20 years and have not seen a more hard working, devoted public servant than Deputy Mayor Nicastro. I met the Deputy Mayor Nicastro while he was leading the fight to correct an issue with how his neighborhood was being unfairly charged for water services. In dealing with the issue facing he and his neighbors he worked tirelessly with local, county and state officials and he got results. When he disagreed with a policy issue he did not try and overthrow the government or overturn a legitimate election. Instead he rallied people together and worked collaboratively to get results. He has applied that same tenacious approach while serving as an elected official in Howell. He was recruited to run for office based and at first declined the opportunity to run. Having seen him in action these past few years I for one am glad he was convinced to seek office.

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Petition filed to repeal “Matt’s Law”; Belmar’s loosened pay to play ordinance

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty

The Committee of Petitioners to repeal Belmar’s recently passed Ethics Ordinance that would allow Borough elected officials seeking higher office to accept campaign contributions from town vendors, developers, professionals and liquor licensees and accept anonymous contributions under $300 submitted 326 signatures to Borough Clerk April Claudio today, according to Committee Member Katrina Clapsis.

Claudio confirmed the receipt of the petition.

Dubbed “Matt’s Law” by locals because the timing of the Ordinance’s introduction and passage coincided with Mayor Matt Doherty’s announcement that he is running for Monmouth County Freeholder, the measure is now subject to repeal by the Borough Council or a referendum within 40-90 days of the signatures being certified by Claudio. 61 more signatures than need to force a repeal or referendum were submitted, according to Clapsis.

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