The Arnone Report: Stay cool and hydrated, Kyrillos bridge dedication on July 27

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone Meeting

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July holiday!

I was happy to spend part of the holiday walking in the annual Ocean Grove Fourth of July Parade. As always, I had a great time walking the route and seeing everyone dressed in their best patriotic clothing while holding American flags. It is truly a wonderful parade and I look forward to next year’s celebration!

As everyone is aware, we have experienced hotter than normal weather lately. Heat wave or not, I always advise those who plan on spending time outdoors in the heat to be prepared. Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable.

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Dems will have a primary race for Senate in LD 13

Joshua Leinsdorf and Sean Byrnes will compete in the Democratic Primary for State Senate in LD 13

Joshua Leinsdorf of Atlantic Highlands has filed as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senate from the 13th legislative district.

The former Princeton Board of Education member ran for Assembly as an Independent in 2015 and for Governor as a third party candidate in 2009. As a gubernatorial candidate, Leinsdorf called for cutting taxes, fixing the schools, making public transportation usable and the elimination of county government.

Leinsdorf is the first candidate in the 13th district to file petitions with the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections.  His petition contains 170 signatures. 100 are required. Petitions are due in Trenton on Monday April 3 at 4p.m.

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GOP Leaders Weigh In On LD 13 Slate

Monmouth County and New Jersey Republican Leaders congratulated the GOP legislative team of Declan O’Scanlon, Amy Handlin and Serena DiMaso in the 13th district today.

Senator Joe Kyrillos, who created the game of dominoes that has that has had Republican office holders dancing on the district and county levesl when he announced his retirement in October, said, “Looks like things are working out very well for my friend Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon to fill my seat next year and I’m proud of him. He’s been a great assemblyman, and together with Amy and Serena, will contribute to the long tradition of Monmouth county’s especially strong legislative delegations to the State House.”

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Arnone Endorses O’Scanlon in LD 13 Senate Race

Asemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Sheriff Shaun Golden. Freeholder Serena DiMaso, and Freeholder Tom Arnone

Freeholder Tom Arnone has endorsed Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the upper house of the legislature next year.

“I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Assemblyman O’Scanlon with our shared goal to maintain the high quality of life our residents deserve.” Arnone said. “Serving as the Assembly Republican Budget Officer since 2012, he has consistently made fiscally responsible decisions on behalf of our constituents. Assemblyman O’Scanlon will serve as a tremendous asset and voice for Monmouth County against the special interest groups in Trenton, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure our municipalities are being fairly represented. As such, I am proud to endorse Assemblyman O’Scanlon in his bid to replace Senator Kyrillos. He will certainly have big shoes to fill, but I am confident he will serve us well.”

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O’Scanlon Raises $121K in two months for LD13 State Senate Race

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Middletown Township Committeeman Steve Massell at Monmouth County’s Reorganization, January 5, 2017

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he raised $121,075 in the two months since he declared his candidacy for State Senate in New Jersey’s 13th Legislative District.  O’Scanlon is seeking to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the Senate.  Kyrillos announced in late October that he would not seek another term.

“The job of a State Senator is so much more than going to Trenton and voting on bills,” O’Scanlon said. “The job includes being a leader in the community and the Party.  That means having the resources to support your own campaign, the campaigns of other great candidates and most importantly, civic and charitable organizations in the district.  I am deeply grateful to my friends and supporters who have enabled me to support great candidates and organizations during my eight year career in the Assembly.  I am humbled that they have stepped up so strongly to support my candidacy for Senate.”

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Serena DiMaso Announces Her Candidacy For Assembly In LD 13

Freeholder Serena DiMaso

Freeholder Serena DiMaso, a resident of Holmdel, announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for State Assembly in the 13th Legislative District this morning in a press release.

LD 13 is located in northern Momouth County. The district is comprised of Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright and Union Beach.

“The retirement of our great State Senator, Joe Kyrillos, has left some big shoes to be filled and those shoes will likely be filled by one of our current Assembly members”, said DiMaso. “After speaking with my campaign team, and having Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholder Tom Arnone offer their encouragement and support I have decided to announce my candidacy for the New Jersey State Assembly from the 13^th District.”

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Handlin will run for Assembly if she fails in Senate bid, wants O’Scanlon to do the same

O’Scanlon: “While I appreciate Amy’s confidence and endorsement for Assembly, I am running for Senate”

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin said she would seek another term in the New Jersey General Assembly if the 13th district County Committee members choose another candidate to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the upper house of the legislature.  So far, the only other candidate for the Senate seat is Handlin’s district mate, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.

“Yes and yes,” Handlin said when asked if she would seek the GOP nomination for Assembly if she failed in her Senate bid and if she wanted O’Scanlon on the ticket as a candidate for Assembly.

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Beck Endorses O’Scanlon For Senate

Senator Jennifer Beck announced her endorsement of Assembly Declan O’Scanlon for the 13th district senate seat being vacated by Senator Joe Kyrillos.

“Declan was my running-mate when we first ran for the Assembly together in 2005” said Beck. “I had known him for years prior, but I learned during that hard fought campaign what a tireless worker he is and saw first hand his dedication to the residents of New Jersey”

“Declan showed that he is a leader early in his stint in the Assembly, being named Assembly Republican Budget Officer before the end of his second term. He commits himself to knowing all facets of a given policy before he makes a decision. There is no legislator that has been more focused on our looming budget issues or who has proposed more comprehensive solutions” Beck explained. “Assemblyman O’Scanlon stands tall above all other candidates for the State Senate and I look forward to having Declan join me in the upper house of the legislature”.

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Senator Joe Kyrillos will not seek reelection

New Jersey State Senator Joe Kyrillos will not seek reelection in 2017, according to a report on Observer-PolitickerNJ .

“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve the people of my district and the state of New Jersey in the Legislature,” Kyrillos told the Observer. “Ever since I was a kid growing up in Monmouth County, I’ve always believed that public service is an important and noble profession. I am truly fortunate to have had the ability to serve for so many years in the state Senate, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished on behalf of the people of New Jersey.”

A senator since 1992, Kyrillos has been a consistently influential figure in Monmouth County, Trenton and beyond.  Known for his elegant and diplomatic style, the silver haired gentleman from Middletown is a consensus and relationship builder who started his political career right out of college working for Vice President George H.W. Bush during the 1984 presidential campaign.  After President Ronald Reagan’s reelection, Kyrillos served as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior until he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987.

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With transportation funding negotiations deadlocked, County has plan to restart Shark River dredging

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said he will announce a plan to restart the Shark River dredging project Wednesday morning at the Shark River Marina in Neptune Township.

The project, which had restarted on schedule on July 1 was halted at midnight on July 8 when Governor Christie’s executive order halting projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund took effect.

The legislature failed to pass TTF funding with a $.23 per gallon gas tax on June 30th. The Senate’s plan was to increase the gas tax while phasing out the estate tax and reducing income taxes on retirees.  Christie and the Assembly agreed on a bill that would have raised the gas tax and reduced the sales tax from 7% to 6%.  Senate President Steve Sweeny and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto agreed to pass a revised version of the Senate’s original bill last week.  Yesterday, Christie said the Democrats plan is “dead on arrival.”

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