Monmouth County Government to Reorganize on Thursday

Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso with Sheriff Shaun Golden

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold their annual reorganization meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2014, 4 PM, at the Biotechnology High School, 5000 Kozloski Road, in Freehold Township.

Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso will be sworn into their new terms of office, as will Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Freeholder Lillian Burry is expected to be elected Freeholder Director for 2014.  Freeholder Gary Rich is expected to be elected Deputy Director.

The 2013 Freeholder Board will hold a Sine Die meeting to conclude the years business at 2PM on the 2nd, at the Monmouth County Hall of Records.

The Latin term Sine Die means the final adjournment of a legislative session, without adjourning to a specific time or date; literally it means “adjournment without a day.”

• Tweet

Winners and Losers of 2013, Part One

Winners

January 2013 seems like a long time ago.

The years are supposed to go by faster as we get older.  2013 missed the memo, at least for me. President Obama’s second Inauguration and Freeholder John Curley’s second swearing in seem like a long time ago.

Selikia Joshia Gore started us off in 2013 with a timeless call to renew our humanity; the ongoing struggle of saints and sinners to love one another regardless of standing, status or creed.   It is a winning message that works only by embracing our failures without resigning to them.

The Governor. Governor Chris Christie started the year lambasting House Speaker John Boehner and the Congressional Republicans for playing politics with Superstorm Sandy aid and ended the year as the front runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. In between he built a bi-partisan and multi-cultural coalition that reelected him with over 60% of the vote in Blue Jersey.   Christie had the best year of any politician in America.  Only Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin had better years globally.

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.  Menendez started the year on the losers list. Embroiled in a sandal of allegations of his cavorting with teenaged girls in the Dominican Republic and using the powers of his office to benefit the businesses of the donor who arranged the party, speculation was that he would resign as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, if not his Senate seat.  Menendez seems to have survived an FBI investigation into his relationship with Dr. Saloman Melgan unscathed.

At the end of the year, Menendez’s position seems secure. He is the leading, and most powerful, critic of President Obama’s foreign policy.   His approval ratings are net positive 22 points in the last Monmouth University Poll. He got engaged to be married earlier this month.

Given where he started, Menendez may have had the best 2013 of any New Jersey public figure, other than Christie.

The Gramiccionis.  The Wall Township power couple had a very good year.  In March, Christopher, the Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor and U.S. Naval Reserve Officer, received orders to report for a 9 month tour of active duty in Afghanistan effective in August.  Those orders were canceled in July, keeping Chris on the job fighting crime in Monmouth County and home for the holidays.  Deborah was appointed by Governor Christie to be the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  The job pays $289,657.

Monmouth County Republicans.  Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso were always expected to be reelected on the strength of their records and due to the fact that Monmouth County Independent voters usually vote Republican.  They make the winners list by virtue of fact that they ran as if they were behind, not taking any votes for granted.  More importantly, they ran a positive campaign based on reducing spending, holding the line on taxes, and improving services, in the face of yet another negative campaign on the part of the Monmouth County Democrats.

Monmouth County’s Legislative Delegation.  Each member of Monmouth County’s Legislative Delegation deserves more recognition than space will allow.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Arnone Announces School and Grow Monmouth Funding

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Last week the Christie Administration announced the approval of $507.7 million in state funds to help fund the cost of 1,538 individual school construction projects in 331 school districts throughout the state. Of the state funding $37.8 million will go to support 171 projects in 26 school districts in Monmouth County, supporting a total of $94.4 million in school construction throughout the county.

            Between state and local contributions, the total project costs of the 1,538 eligible projects are estimated to exceed $1.1 billion. The state-funded grants represent at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects in the Regular Operating Districts and address health and safety issues, student overcrowding and other critical needs. The grants are contingent on local approval of the remaining cost to school districts. Regular Operating District grants are separate from the funding for the 31 “SDA districts,” where the Schools Development Authority is responsible for financing 100 percent of eligible costs.

            The Department of Education determines the selection of school projects receiving grant funds, which are administered by the Schools Development Authority. The State Department of Education received applications for more than 2,100 individual school projects.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Oceanport Councilman Resigns To Take County Job

William Johnson, right and Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace. Photo credit: Rhoda Chodosh

William Johnson resigned his seat on the Oceanport Borough Council on November 1, due to his recent employment by Monmouth County.  Johnson’s resignation was first reported by LittleSilver-Oceanport Patch.

Johnson is the Monmouth County Recycling Coordinator, working out of the County Reclamation Center in Tinton Falls.  Prior to his employment by the county, Johnson was a loan officer at Colonial American Bank.

Municipal elected officials from Monmouth County towns are banned from employment with the county due to a Resolution proposed by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, then a Freeholder, in 2005.  The resolution was passed unanimously by the all Republican Freeholder Board in April of 2005 in the wake of the Operation Bid Rig raid that February wherein numerous county employees and municipal elected officials were arrested on corruption charges.

Employees who held elective office at the time the resolution was passed were grandfathered.  County Administrator Teri O’Connor said this morning “there might be a few” employees still grandfathered and holding elected office, but she wasn’t aware of any.

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said that Johnson applied for the job through a posting on the County’s website, and that the appointment was not a matter of political patronage.

• Tweet

Arnone Thanks Voters

Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholders Serena DiMaso and Tom Arnone at Christie fundraiser, facebook photo

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORTED Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso and myself through the many months of what turned out to be a very exciting and sometimes exhausting 2013 political campaign. We are very grateful and extremely blessed to have had so many people come out and volunteer countless hours of their free time to support and join us in our efforts to make certain that the progress that has been made over the last three years continues. As a direct result of the loyal support we received, we were afforded the ability to serve all the residents of Monmouth County for another three years. With that we would like to thank everyone involved because this is something we truly could not have achieved without the involvement from the multitude of residents.

          Ultimately, we would like to recognize and thank each and every resident that took time out of their day to vote on November 5^th and take part in what truly is the greatest aspect of democracy. For the next three years we promise to continue to represent all 600,000 residents of our great county with the same resolve and dedication they have come to know and expect. Thank you for having the confidence and the faith in what we are doing for the betterment of Monmouth County.

          As I said, we will continue our commitment to the businesses and the people who make up Monmouth County, and we will do so with the same energy and enthusiasm that we have demonstrated in the past.

          Once again, we applaud your dedication and your support. We are proud and honored to be able to continue to serve the 600,000 residents which comprise all of Monmouth County, and we will strive to ensure that Monmouth County continues to be the greatest county in the State of New Jersey.

• Tweet

Monmouth Vote By Mail Going 2-1 for Christie

As of 4pm, mail in ballots in Monmouth County were breaking 2-1 in favor of Governor Chris Christie. Two thirds of the ballots had already been counted, according to a reliable source.

Christie has coattails in Monmouth County.  Our source said the election is looking to be a Republican landslide throughout the county and in all legislative districts.

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, October 4-6, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Saturday, October 5

• Bradley Beach Tour-the-Town Garage Sale – MORE INFO

• Putting the Garden to Bed (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Latino Festival of Monmouth County (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Park Zombie Walk – MORE INFO

• Fall Flea Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• AUM Church Rummage Sale (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Sandy Hook Bird Walk – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest in Highlands – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest in Fair Haven – MORE INFO

• SPCA Dog Walk & Pet Fair (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Fall Craft & Vendor Show (Bradley Beach) – MORE INFO

• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• College Football: Monmouth U vs. Robert Morris (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Ocean Twp IAA Flea Market – MORE INFO

• Our Town by Stone Church Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO

• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• AAUW Used Book Sale (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Tinton Falls Community Day – MORE INFO

• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstrations (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Open Shoot Archery (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Yoga Class for Beginners (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Guitar Concert with Paul Pugliese (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Hazlet Day Festival – MORE INFO

• Homeowners: Short Sale vs. Foreclosure (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Camp Evans “Base of Terror” (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• First Saturday Asbury Park – MORE INFO

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Ride (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• SPUR Fine Wine & Craft Beer Tasting (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• St. John’s Fall Festival (Hazlet) – MORE INFO

• Saturday Morning Craft Time (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend—September 13-15, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Saturday, Sept. 14

• Manasquan Fall Arts & Crafts Fair – MORE INFO

• Irish Festival at the Jersey Shore (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Tri-State Theatre Festival (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Colts Neck Rock Fest – MORE INFO

• Ocean Ave Mile (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Fall Crafters’ Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• Apple Fest at Delicious Orchards (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO

• College Football: Monmouth U. vs. Lehigh (WLB) – MORE INFO

• College Football: Army vs. Stanford via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• NY Mets vs. Marlins via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• The Dixie Swim Club at First Ave. Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

36 Mumps Cases Being Investigated, Most Still Tied To D’Jais

The number of cases of mumps being investigated by the Monmouth County Health Department has jumped from 27 to 36.  One case has been confirmed, according to a statement by the department.

“Individuals are continuing to come forward to report mumps-like symptoms,” County public health coordinator Michael Meddis said. “The median age of the individuals under investigation is 26. With the exception of one pre-school aged child, all of the individuals are adults and 39 percent of the cases involve females.”

The cases under investigation include individuals who have or had mumps-like symptoms as early as August 3. As in previous updates, most of the individuals under investigation have either been patrons or employees of D’Jais Bar and Grill in Belmar.

D’Jais voluntarily closed its doors to patrons last week. The Health Department provided cleaning and sanitizing recommendations to D’Jais management.

On Sunday, County Health Department nurses immunized 32 D’Jais employees with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Several D’Jais employees submitted immunization records that were evaluated for age appropriate MMR immunization.

“If you believe that you may have been exposed to someone who has experienced mumps like symptoms, call the Monmouth County Health Department,” said Meddis. “Our public health nurses can answer your questions and evaluate your need for additional follow-up.”

The Monmouth County Health Department continues to ask that anyone who is experiencing swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite should seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.

Of the cases under investigation, individuals in Monmouth County are from Asbury Park, Belmar, Colts Neck, Farmingdale, Howell, Keyport, Long Branch, Matawan, Middletown, Neptune City, Tinton Falls and Wall. Individuals who reported hometowns from outside the county are from the New Jersey towns of Brick, Ogdensburg, Emerson, Fairfield, Jackson, Lawrenceville, Monmouth Junction, Point Pleasant, Saddle Brook, Waldrick, Warren, Whippany and Woodbridge. Individuals who reported out of state hometowns are from New York City, Philadelphia, Straussberg, PA and Port Saint Lucie, FL.

• Tweet

Mumps Closes D’Jais For The Weekend

D’Jais, the popular Belmar bar suspected of being ground zero for a Monmouth County mumps outbreak, is closing voluntarily for the weekend to clean and sanitize what might be left on the virus, according to a statement by the Monmouth County Health Department.

With the exception of one pre-school aged child, all of the individuals are adults. The median age of the individuals under investigation is 27. Most of the individuals have either been patrons or employees of D’Jais Bar and Grill in Belmar.

“The staff and management and ownership of D’Jais have all been very cooperative and most helpful in advancing this investigation,” said Monmouth County Administrator Teri O’Connor. “Additionally, the Borough of Belmar continues to assist as we work our way through this public health issue.”

D’Jais has voluntarily closed its doors to patrons for the coming weekend. D’Jais has received and carried out cleaning and sanitizing recommendations from the Health Department.

The Health Department has confirmed one case of mumps. 26 other cases of patients with mumps-like symptoms are under investigation.

The Health Department asks that anyone with symptoms of the swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite to seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.

• Tweet