NBC: Bridgegate Indictments Could Be Coming in January

One day after the State Legislative Committee’s report stating that there was no evidence that Governor Chris Christie had prior knowledge of the September 2013 George Washington Bridge lane closures, WNBC-4 New York’s Brian Thompson is reporting that multiple sources say that U. S. Attorney Paul Fishman’s investigation into the scandal could be wrapped up by the end of next month resulting in “at least a half dozen potential indictments.”

Thompson’s report said that those facing potential indictment are former Christie staffers and current and former Port Authority officials.

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Dems’ Christie Probe Comes Up Empty

The Joint Legislative Committee led by Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) have produced an ‘interim” report that has found no evidence that Governor Chris Christie had any prior knowledge of the George Washington Bridge lane closures in September of 2013.

The report, which was made available to members of the committee yesterday and is scheduled to be made public on Monday, was reviewed by NJ.com who first reported on its contents.

“At present, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether Governor Chris Christie was or was not aware of the lane closures either in advance of their implementation or contemporaneously as they were occurring,” the report states. “Nor is there conclusive evidence as to whether Governor Christie did or did not have involvement in implementing or directing the lane closures.”

As has been widely reported since the “Bridgegate” story broke last January, the report indicates that Christie’s Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Ann Kelly and Port Authority staffer David Wildstein ordered the lane closures.  The Wisniewski/Weinberg investigation has not discovered why Kelly emailed Wildstein in August of 2013 “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”  It has been widely speculated that the lane closures were political retribution aimed at Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich for failing to endorse Christie’s reelection.  The report repeats the speculation.

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Sweeney coming to Red Bank to raise campaign cash for Murphy and Dupont

DiSomma says Dems fear losing control. Signals hard hitting campaign to come

Senate President Steve Sweeney. file photo by Art Gallagher

Senate President Steve Sweeney, a contender the 2017 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, is coming to Red Bank on December 17 as the headliner for a $175 per head fundraiser for Red Bank Councilmen Arthur Murphy’s and Michael Dupont’s reelection campaign.

The soiree is being hosted by Mayor Pat Menna and former Mayor Ed McKenna at Buona Sera.

The invitation includes a questionnaire to assure compliance with the borough’s “pay to play” ordinance.  Contractors that do business with the borough, developers and “Alcoholic Licensees” must disclose their attendance and in certain circumstances limit their campaign contributions to $400.

Who would have guessed that Red Bank issues licenses to alcoholics?

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Red Bank Dems rushing $2.2 million bond ordinance to detect leaking toilets

When Red Bank Councilwoman-elect Linda Schwabenbauer, a Republican, takes the oath of office in January, the Red Bank Democrats may no longer have enough votes on the council to borrow money at will.

Councilwoman Cindy Burnham, now the lone Republican on the six member council, told RedBankGreen  that the Democrats are rushing to pass a $2.2 million bond ordinance that has not been vetted before Schwabenbauer takes office.  The funds are to be used to replace water meters for the borough’s 4000 homes and buildings.

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Christie Nominates Prominent National Democrats To Rutgers Board Of Governors

Susan McCue. photo via Message-Global.com

Governor Chris Christie this morning nominated two distinguished Rutgers Almuni to serve on the University’s Board of Governors.

Susan McCue,  of Alexandria, VA, is the President of Message Global, a public affairs firm she founded in 2008 after serving as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from 1999-2007.

“One of the nations’s top political strategists,” according to her website, McCue co-founded and co-chairs Reid’s Senate Majority PAC.  She is on the board of American Bridge 21st Century SuperPAC, with whom she shares her Washington, DC office space, according to the NY Times .

American Bridge has a page on it’s website that features videos of Christie.

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Fair Haven Councilman Dies From Injuries Sustained In Bicycling Accident

Fair Haven Councilman Jerome Koch passed away Sunday from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident on Saturday.

Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli issue the following statement on facebook :

“On behalf of the entire Fair Haven Community, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Councilman Jerome Koch, who passed away on Sunday evening from injuries he sustained after being struck by a car on River Road in Fair Haven late Saturday afternoon. Councilman Koch was a dedicated public servant who served the residents of Fair Haven for nine years as a member of our Borough Council. More importantly, Jerome was a husband, father, and grandfather, who was dearly loved his by his family. His passing is tragic and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. We send our best thoughts, prayers, and support, to his family during this time of mourning.”

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Tis the season to make a difference

By Greg Kelly and Art Gallagher

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

‘Tis the season to be jolly—and generous.

A MMM reader asked Art to publish an article on ways to volunteer during the holidays.  Art asked Greg to make a list and check it twice, with a Monmouth County focus, and to include charities and non-profits that need volunteers and financial support.

The following 100+ charitable/volunteer organizations based in Monmouth County go the extra mile every day to help those less fortunate or for causes that really matter to humanity. You can help them to help others this holiday season.

Feel free to add to the list in the comments.

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Christie Vetoes Pig Gestation Legislation

Calling the legislation a “solution in search of a problem,” Governor Chris Christie vetoed  S998 today, legislation that would have outlawed pigs being inhumanely crated while gestating.

“It is a political movement masquerading and substantive policy,” Christie said in his veto message.

Christie stated that the practice is not occurring in New Jersey and compared the bill that another he vetoed…a bill banning hydraulic fracking in New Jersey when there is no frackable shale in the State.

“I urge the Legislature to stop using their law making authority to play politics with issues that do not exist in our State,” Christie wrote,  “We have significant issues to deal with; I urge them to get to work on those issues and stop following misguided partisans and special interests who want to use the the law making process as a political cudgel on issues outside our borders.”

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Christie Declares Emergency

The storm we are experiencing here in New Jersey has a name; Winter Stom Cato.

Governor Chris Christie declared a State of Emergency this afternoon because Cato is impede transportation and travel throughout the Garden State.

“Today’s storm is expected to produce travel hazards and potentially cause power outages throughout the state,” said Governor Christie. “I’ve authorized state officials to take all necessary action to prepare, and my Administration will continue monitoring conditions throughout the remainder of the storm. With higher than normal traffic volume due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I strongly encourage all New Jerseyans to drive carefully so that they and their families arrive safely at their destinations. ”

The declaration authorizes the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies. Commuters are asked to use extreme caution while traveling across the state.

On twitter, Christie said the declaration was made as a precaution.

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Pallone calls Ferguson Grand Jury decision a “failure of justice”

Congressman Frank Pallone issued the following statement regarding the St. Louis County, Missouri Grand Jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown:

“The St. Louis County Grand Jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson is a failure of our justice system.  The principle of ‘Equal Justice under Law’ must apply to all Americans.  My thoughts and prayers are with Michael Brown’s family, especially his parents, who have endured such unimaginable pain and hardship over these past few months.”

Pallone’s statement is disgraceful and beneath his office.  He did not sit on the Grand Jury and hear the evidence.

Monmouth County GOP Chairman Shaun Golden, Middlesex County GOP Chairman Sam Thompson and the New Jersey Republican Congressional Caucus members should start recruiting a candidate to defeat Pallone in 2016 and start raising money for that campaign immediately.

Pallone is a radical liberal extremist who does not represent the people of the 6th Congressional District.  He can be defeated and he should be defeated.  Defeating him will take a will, a plan and money. It can be done and it should be done.

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