Murphy Reprises Corzine’s Asset Monetization Plans, MMM Reprises ‘King of the Road’

Asbury Park Press graphic. Permission to use granted 11 years ago

Politico is reporting that Governor Phil Murphy is reaching back to the previous Goldman Sachs Administration in New Jersey by “launching an effort to identify state assets that could be leveraged to reduce New Jersey’s unfunded pension liability.”

Former Governor Corzine couldn’t sell his idea of selling New Jersey’s toll roads to investors (China) for a $30+ billion cash infusion to plug our chronic budget wholes. Will Murphy, who according to Politico is looking to sell more assets than toll roads,“numerous state assets, including property, buildings, roads, transit facilities, easements, air rights, naming rights and infrastructure, such as airports, bridges, water facilities, ports, parks and recreational facilities,” succeed where Corzine failed?

Politico says that Senate President Steve Sweeney supports the concept.

On January 21, 2008, MMM responded to Corzine’s scheme with a song parody crafted by Lori Gallagher, aka Mrs. Musings:

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Republican Enthusiasm Abounds At Monmouth County Lincoln Day Dinner

It’s become a winter tradition that Monmouth County Republicans can mark their calendars by.  Shaun Golden’s annual Starry Night Celebration is on the last Friday of January followed by the Monmouth GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner two weeks later.

The atmosphere was electric on Friday night in Freehold where over 500 enthusiastic Republicans gathered at Southgate Manor for the annual celebration of America’s first Republican president and the annual kickoff of signature gathering for candidates’ petitions.

New Jersey’s sole remaining Republican in Congress, Rep Chris Smith, received a spontaneous standing ovation when Golden noted his arrival from a Friday voting session in Washington.  Smith in turn acknowledged the strong Monmouth Republican team that held back the blue wave that swept the rest of New Jersey in last fall’s election and specifically congratulated Golden, not for politics, but for outstanding government.  The Sheriff was honored in Washington last year, Smith noted, for leading the best 911 call center in the country.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Long Branch Cop Charged With Criminal Sexual Contact

Patrick D. Joyce, Jr., 35, of West Long Branch, a Long Branch Police Officer for 12 years, has been charged with fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact and Harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

The charges are the result of an incident that occurred on February 1 at Jack’s Goal Line Stand during a private party celebrating the promotions of 12 Long Branch Officers.  MMM was the first to report on the incident and the investigation.

It is alleged that at the private party Joyce inappropriately touched a 21-year-old woman without her consent for his own sexual arousal or gratification.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

O’Scanlon and DiMaso Introduce “River’s Law” To Increase Penalties For Animal Abuse

River

Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso have introduced legislation that will increase certain animal abuse crimes to the second degree level.  Convictions for second degree crimes carry penalties of five to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $150,000.

The legislation is named for River, a pitbull/mix that was rescued by a Good Samaritan, Jennifer Vaz of Highlands, who discovered the dog caged and left to drown on the banks of the Shrewbury River at Veterans Memorial Park last June.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Robert Neff will run for reelection as Little Silver Mayor

Little Silver Mayor Robert C. Neff announced today that he is seeking a third term leading the Borough.

Neff, a 56 year old attorney has been mayor since 2011.  He and Council members Donald Galante and Corinne Thygeson are running as a team for the Republican nominations in the primary on June 4 with the “overwhelming endorsement” of the local GOP organization, according to their announcement.

“The committee’s support for Bob was extremely strong, and we look forward to working with Bob and his running mates to continue to serve the people of Little Silver,” said Little Silver Republican Chairman Stuart Van Winkle.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Mary Pat Christie for Congress? From the 11th or the 3rd district?

CHRISCHRISTIE.COM PHOTO

Former Governor Chris Christie floated the idea of his wife, Mary Pat Christie, running for Congress in the 11th district next year as a challenger to freshman Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, according to a report at NewJerseyGlobe.

Sherrill, who flipped the Republican 11th district convincingly with a 57%-42%  victory over Assemblyman Jay Webber, and raised a gazillion dollars to do it, will be tough to beat in 2020.

Mary Pat would have a much easier race against 3rd district freshman Congressman Andy Kim who barely beat Tom MacArthur last year.   The Chrisites own a house in Bay Head, in addition to their home in Mendam.  MacArthur relocated to Ocean County from Morris County to run for the seat after Jon Runyan retired in 2014.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, February 8-10, 2019

By Greg Kelly

Like this?

Friday, February 8

• An Evening with The Celebrity Housewives at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Sylvia by South Street Players (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• “Apple Season” at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Beyond #MeToo Exhibit Opening at Monmouth U. (WLB) – MORE INFO
• “Wet as the Atlantic Ocean: Prohibition in NJ” exhibit (Ocean Twp.) – MORE INFO
• School Italian Dinner (Eatontown) – MORE INFO
• Hunt for the Hearts Festival (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• AARP Tax-Aid Program (Monmouth County Libraries) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

State Owned Bank and Legal Weed: Perfect Together?

Embed from Getty Images

On his Ask the Governor show on public radio last night, Governor Phil Murphy said he has a big meeting today about his idea to create a state owned bank, according to reporter Joe Hernandez.

.@GovMurphy says he has a big meeting tomorrow on his idea to create a public bank in N.J. which hasn’t gotten much attention since his campaign

— Joe Hernandez (@byJoeHernandez) February 5, 2019

As Hernandez noted in his tweet, the Murphy’s public bank idea has not gotten much attention since his 2017 campaign. So why now?

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Civil War Hero’s Medal Returned To His Family

The Medal of Honor earned by a Civil War hero from Monmouth County was returned to the possession of his descendant family on Monday by Congressman Chris Smith, in a ceremony in Freehold Borough.

Thomas T. Fallon emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1859, settling in Freehold.  He entered the service of the U.S. Army at Freehold during the Civil War and became a private in Company K of 37th New York Infantry, the 4th  U.S. Artillery Regiment and served as a sergeant in the 35th New Jersey Infantry until July 1985, three months after the conclusion of the war.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Long Branch Police Officer Under Investigation For Sexual Assault

Photo credit Will Bahamonde via Long Branch PD’s facebook page

MMM has learned that a Long Branch Police Officer is under investigation for allegedly inappropriately groping a female guest, during a celebration of police promotions on Friday night at Jack’s Goal Line Stand, a popular restaurant on Brighton Ave in the city.

Long Branch Police Chief Jason Roebuck confirmed the incident is being investigated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet