Congressman Smith Announces National Blue Ribbon Schools

Biotech High School, Pace Charter School, Performing Arts Academy and St. Gregory the Great recognized

Congressman Chris Smith announced yesterday that four schools in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“Educating our children is among the most important investment we can make in our families’ and our nation’s future,” said Smith.  “I am thrilled that four of the 11 Blue Ribbon Schools in New Jersey are located right here in the Fourth Congressional District of New Jersey.”

The four schools being recognized for their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, which requires demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels, are:

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Documentary About Coastal Development in New Jersey To Be Shown in Rumson

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Sea Bright Farmers’ Market Touch-A-Truck Event

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Skimbash returns to Sea Bright this weekend

The annual action-packed event offers the hottest skimboarding action on the Jersey Shore

Sea Bright, NJ –  The 11th annual SkimBash skimboarding competition returns to Sea Bright, New Jersey on September 6 and 7. This is always a high-energy, exciting event that is sure to offer thrills for all ages – both competitors and spectators.
From beginners to professionals, skimboarders gather for the 2-day event to show off their skills and compete for prizes. The Pro Division showcases the country’s best skimboarders, who compete for a cash purse.

The contest runs from early morning to approximately 4 p.m. each day. Families, teens and young adults gather at Sea Bright’s beautiful beach to cheer on contestants and show their support for the local skimboarding community. Parking and admission are free.
“The September SkimBash is a tradition in Sea Bright,” notes Felecia Stratton, SkimBash contest director. “We held our first SkimBash 11 years ago in September, and it has become an annual event that both skimboarders and spectators look forward to.”

For more information about SkimBash 2014, visit www.SkimBash.com.

Warning: This video contains singing by John Schneider. Listener discretion advised.

Skim Boarding in Sea Bright from Jersey Bayshore on Vimeo.

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U.S. State Dept. officials tour County Connection

County office is participating in national pilot program

Freeholder John Curley, County Clerk M. Claire French, U.S. Passport Chief Brenda Sprague, Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Freeholder Tom Arnone at the County Connection in Neptune, August 28, 2014

NEPTUNE, NJ – Chief of the U.S. State Department’s Passport Office, Brenda Sprague, toured the Monmouth County Connection yesterday with County Clerk M. Claire French and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“It is an honor for the Monmouth County Connection to be recognized by the U.S. Department of State as a Leading Acceptance facility and chosen to participate in a national pilot program studying customer service,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “The Connection’s enhanced services include extended hours, photo services and walk-in availabilities, which provide the American traveling public with a more convenient, seamless passport application process.”

In April 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated the County Connection as a Leading Acceptance Facility. As a result of this honor, the Monmouth County Connection has been chosen to participate in a customer service-oriented pilot program to help the Department of State better understand customer preferences. Only eight passport acceptance facilities, out of 8,500, were chosen to participate.

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O’Scanlon announces new electric meter installation guidelines for flood zones

“Sometimes the process works”

Assemblyman O’Scanlon praised the process that led to the comprehensive and sensible solution to the placement of electric meters in flood zones.  “As hard as it is to accept, conflicting concerns will mean we sometimes encounter frustrating rules and regulations” said O’Scanlon. “Sometimes those enshrined rules and regulations can be exceedingly difficult to alter, even in the face of drastically altered conditions.  So when we came across the meter height issue a few weeks ago, I was very concerned.”

O’Scanlon was contacted by a constituent, along with local Sea Bright officials regarding the conflicting guidance pertaining to the placement of her electric meter.  “The original guidance directed her to place the meter above the base flood elevation level, which she did.  The problem arose when JCP&L representatives showed up and informed the homeowner to move the meter down to 5.5 feet above ground level, well below the future flood level. We almost simultaneously encountered the issue during an inspection of rebuilt neighborhoods in Union Beach.  I immediately contacted JCP&L and the Governor’s Office of Rebuilding and Recovery.  Everyone ‘s attitude was immediately open-minded. The JCP&L folks explained the reasoning behind their rules – they must have easy access to meters in case of fire or other emergencies – but understood that a better solution was needed for these flood prone areas and they committed to finding one”.

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Sea Bright Farmers’ Market Continues to Build Momentum

Sea Bright, NJ – Kicking off its inaugural season just weeks ago, the Sea Bright Farmers’ Market continues to add to its line-up of area farmers and food makers who source ingredients locally.  In the past weeks, the Market welcomed Holly Jolly Jams producer of homemade jams and jellies made from hand-picked or locally sourced fruit whenever possible and Pickle Licious purveyor of garlic-soaked pickles and vegetables.  Beginning Thursday, August 28^th, the Market will begin featuring organic grass fed meat and cheese, cream top yogurt and eggs from pasture raised, hormone free hens.

The new vendors join an existing line-up which includes Krowicki Farm, Great Road Farm and Happy Harvest Hydroponics producers of locally and sustainably grown fresh fruit and vegetables; Baker’s Bounty bakers of fresh bread and pastries; Neshanic Valley Beekeepers makers of raw honey; Fair Mountain Coffee roasters of organic fair trade coffee; and Franklin Soapworks creators of all natural, environmentally responsible soaps.

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Monmouth County seeking employers for September 19 job fair

Companies must register to participate; jobseekers do not

Spring Job Fair at Brookdale Community College, April 2014

LINCROFT, NJ – Monmouth County will again offer employers and jobseekers the opportunity to connect at the Monmouth County Fall Job Fair scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 at Brookdale Community College.

“Employers who have immediate job openings are invited to participate in Monmouth County’s Fall Job Fair,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso, liaison to the Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development. “This will improve the probability that jobseekers will find employment by attending.”

The event is free for employers to reserve a table and for jobseekers to attend.

The 2014 Monmouth County Job Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at the Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft.

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O’SCANLON BILL ENDS FLEECING OF NJ DRIVERS BY OUT OF STATE SPEED AND RED-LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAMS

Legislation will prohibit NJ drivers’ information from being shared with private companies for purposes of speed or red-light camera enforcement

NJ101.5 photo

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he has filed legislation that will not allow New Jersey drivers to be preyed upon by red-light or speed-camera manufacturers that operate in other States. This legislation was modeled after a South Dakota statute that passed both houses and was signed into law by South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard this year.

“New Jersey’s red light camera program, mercifully, appears to be headed towards certain death this December – and we already wisely ban speed camera enforcement – but these systems continue to operate in neighboring states where our drivers often commute,” O’Scanlon explained. “These systems have proven to be error-ridden and non-effective so we shouldn’t allow our motorists to be preyed upon when they are outside of our borders.  By continuing to share this information – now that the evidence is clear that these systems don’t improve safety – New Jersey would essentially become complicit in the scam.  And that’s exactly what these systems are – government sanctioned theft.  If you set yellow light times and speed limits based on sound engineering criteria you end up with the safest roadways.  You also eliminate the profits in these systems.”

The bill will prohibit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from sharing residents’ license plate information with the private companies operating these systems for the purposes of speed-camera and red-light camera citations.

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Rabies Alert in Middletown

Photo credit: Noel Westerland, Sr

The Middletown Township Health Department has received confirmation of a sixth raccoon testing positive for Rabies. The raccoon was captured and tested after a resident noticed the animal was acting sickly. The raccoon was found on Highway 35 between Kanes Lane and Kings Hwy East.

Previous cases have been found over the last two months at the following locations:

• Red Hill Road between Dwight Road and Deepdale Drive,
• Michael Drive off of Nutswamp Road,
• Ueland Road off Nutswamp Road,
• Essex Street off of Bray Avenue, and
• Clay Court off of Hartshorne Road,

The Middletown Township Health Department would like to remind residents to be aware of your pets when they are outside. Wildlife will be attracted to areas where residents put food out for their animals.  Any dog or cat found to be in direct contact with a known rabid animal that is not properly immunized could be at risk. The domestic animal would be placed under either a strict 6 month confinement in a cage with no human contact or would be humanely euthanized to protect the family and the public from the Rabies virus.

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