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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Sen Jennifer Beck calls for Tax Administrator’s Suspension

Senator Jennifer Beck

Senator Jennifer Beck today called for Monmouth County Tax Board Administrator Matthew Clark to step down or being suspended, pending the outcome of a reported Monmouth County Prosecutor’s investigation to his relationships with vendors of the the controversial Assessment Demonstration Program that creates new assessments of Monmouth County properties for property tax purposes annually.

“In light of the fact the Prosecutor has an active and ongoing investigation into the Tax Administrator, steps must be taken to suspend him from his day-to-day duties until the Prosecutor’s investigation is complete,” Beck said in a statement issued to the media.  “At present, our taxpayers have lost confidence in the Administrator and until he is either vindicated or indicted, Matthew Clark should step aside.”

The Asbury Park Press reported last week that grand jury subpoenas were served on at least three county towns as well as the Monmouth County government in connection with a criminal investigation to the program.

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Keyport Garden Club Decorates Governor’s Study

via Keyport Garden Club’s facebook page

The Keyport Garden Club is decorating the Governor’s study at Drumthwacket,  for the holiday open houses at the official residence of New Jersey’s chief executive, according to a statement by First Lady Mary Pat Christie.

Keyport’s garders cut and dried hydrangeas and luminaria from members’ gardens, which club designers artfully turned into elegant holiday pieces.  Preserved cream colored roses and orchids are interspersed throughout our arrangements to add elegance and brightness to the Governor’s Study.  Dogwood red twigs, also from a Keyport Garden Club member, creates a gentle flow to the arrangements.  Also, the white vestibule is decorated by the club to entice visitors into the Governor’s Study.

Also participating in the holiday decorating of the mansion are garden clubs from Bayhead, Mountain Lakes ,Warren, Morristown, Somerset Hills and for the first time, the Garden Club of America.

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Rabid cat found in Middletown

The Middletown Township Health Department issued a rabies alert on Friday, November 20.

Middletown Township Animal Control responded to a cat that appeared sick and acting abnormally in the area of Ferraro Court, Green Oak Blvd. and Daniel Towers in the New Monmouth section of the Township on November 17, 2015. The animal was captured and sent to the State Laboratory for testing. On Friday, November 20, 2015, we were informed that this cat did test positive for the rabies virus.

This is the first case of a rabid cat in 2015, although we have had other cases in wildlife samples. The cat was black with white markings on the chest and paws. It is possible that this stray cat was living in or around the neighborhood.

If anyone, or their domestic pet had any contact with this cat, please contact the Middletown Township Health Department and Animal Control at 732-615-2097 or the Middletown Police Department at night or on the weekends at 732-615-2100. We need to ascertain if there has been any contact that would warrant an immediate referral to a physician or veterinarian. Any resident with concerns or who may see other stray cats in this area are also encouraged to contact Animal Control.

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Rumson native bound for Oxford as Rhodes Scholar

Evan Soltas. photo via twitter

RUMSON — In 2012, Rumson native and Princeton University student Evan Soltas started an economics website that earned him a job with Ezra Klein’s Wonkblog at The Washington Post. Three years later, it has led him to a Rhodes Scholarship to pursue post-graduate studies at Oxford University. The 22-year-old New Jersey man was one of 32… Read the rest of this entry »

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2 men charged when Ocean Township Police find 118 bags of heroin in bullet-riddled car

Lesley Valentin, photo via NJ Dept of Corrections

OCEAN TOWNSHIP — Two men have been charged with having 118 bags of heroin in a car that was riddled with bullet holes in Ocean Township, authorities said. Police are still looking for one of those suspects, Robinson Marvilus, 26, of Elizabeth, who along with Lesly Valentin, 30, of Asbury Park, were stopped on Nov. 4… Read the rest of this entry »

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DuPont Concedes Red Bank Election

Red Bank Councilman Michael DuPont

Red Bank Councilman Michael DuPont told MoreMonmouthMusings that he will not contest the results of the election that has him losing to his Republican challenger Michael Whelan.   Whelan increased his margin of victory from 2 to 3 votes as a result of an Election Recount and Recheck this morning that DuPont had requested.

“After consulting with my representatives who were present at the recount this morning, I have decided to accept the result and wish the new council members well in doing what is best for Red Bank, ” DuPont said.

“You haven’t heard the last of me,” the three term Democrat continued,”but for now it is best for Red Bank that we move forward.”

Whelan and his running mate Mark Taylor, the top vote getter in the four way race for two seats on the Council, will be sworn into office in early January,giving the Republican Party control of the Borough’s government for the first time time in two decades.  Republicans will have a 4-2 majority.

“I hope the new councilmen do what is best for Red Bank and that they are not beholden to Party bosses,” DuPont said.

Red Bank Republican Chairman Sean DiSomma issued the following statement:

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Republican Michael Whelan prevails over Michael DuPont in Red Bank recount

Bruce Padula, Esq, attorney for the Red Bank Republicans, Joseph Libutti, Monmouth Dem Exec Director, Rajvir S. Goomer, Esq, attorney for Michael DuPont and Bertha Sumick, Special Deputy Clerk of Elections prepare for the recount of Red Bank ballots.

FREEHOLD-Republican Councilman-elect Michael Whelan increased his lead over incumbent Democratic Councilman Michael DuPont after the ballots were recounted this morning by the Monmouth County Board of Elections.  Whelan now leads DuPont by 3 votes, a net pick up of one vote from the unofficial count on November 9 when the provisional ballots were counted by the Board.

All four candidates for the two Red Bank Council seats picked up votes as a result of the hand counting of Vote-By-Mail and Provisional Ballots, which prior to today have been tabulated electronically by a scanner.  The results, which are expected to be certified my Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon today are:  Michael Ballard- 937, Michael Dupont 968, Mark Taylor 1038, Michael Whelan,971.  Republicans Taylor and Whelan have thus far maintained their victory and are on track to join Republican Councilwomen Cindy Burnham and Linda Schwabenbauer in partisan control of Red Bank’s local government for the first time in two decades.

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2 charged in teacher’s mistaken-identity killing plead not guilty

FREEHOLD — Two of the three men accused of beating a beloved Red Bank schoolteacher to death in a case of mistaken identity appeared Thursday in court where they proclaimed their innocence. One of the suspects, James Fair, 27, boldly declared himself not guilty of the seven charges lodged against him on Wednesday when he and… Read the rest of this entry »

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Three Asbury Park Men Charged in Red Bank Teacher’s Murder

Freehold,NJ- Three Asbury Park men, all currently incarcerated on unrelated crimes, have been charged in the 2009 murder of Jonelle Melton, a 33 year old Red Bank Middle School teacher who resided in Brighton Arms apartment complex in Neptune City.

James Fair, 27, Ebenezer Byrd, 35 and Gregory Jean-Baptiste, 26, were each charged with first degree Felony Murder, first degree Robbery, and other second degree charges.   Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced the charges during a press conference at Freehold office this morning.  Melton’s husband, mother and other family members and friends were present for the announcement.

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