A Teachable Moment

Editor’s note:  Freeholder Director Lillian Burry submitted this column back in February. In light of the recent “push polling” negative campaign tactic on the part of the Monmouth County Democrats and what looks to be an ugly seven weeks coming before election day, we thought it might be a good idea to run her column again.

By Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Photo by Vinnie Amessé © www.amessephoto.com

When Vin Gopal launched his latest attack, I heard from friends with two different types of advice.  Some said I should fight back immediately because silence would suggest I had no defense.  Others said I should do nothing because to respond to bullying would make me just look defensive.  I thanked them all for their kind thoughts but told them all the same thing.  I see this as a teachable moment to be shared with everyone who may be thinking of someday entering public life.

You may see public office as I do – a way of giving back to society and being thankful for the success you’ve had in your professional life.  In an ideal democracy opponents would challenge you by putting forth a competing vision of the future they would work for and offer up their record of accomplishments so people could judge whether or not they had as good a record as yours when it comes to getting things done.  Unfortunately, that’s not how our democracy has evolved.

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Need help around the house? Call Larry and Joe

If Democratic freeholder candidates Larry Luttrell and/or Joe Grillo come knocking on your door any time in the next seven weeks…invite them in and put them to work!

The Democrats’ campaign is not only fraudulent phone calls, defaming good county employees, and lying about the ethics of distinguished public servants.  They are also offering to do household chores for voters as they go door to door.

Yesterday in Aberdeen, Luttrell helped a voter take down a tree!

In Howell last week, Grillo came across a voter who is a customer of his family’s tile business. Giuseppe sealed the guy’s grout for free!

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 12-14, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, September 12

• Dinner with the Boys at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Sound of Music at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• I Ought To Be In Pictures at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Belmar Pro Surfing Competition – MORE INFO

• Count Basie 365: The Gambone Project (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Used Book Sale at Red Bank Library – MORE INFO

• Comedian Kevin Meaney (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Harry Chapin’s Music: Lies & Legends (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Work: A Series of One Act Plays at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Garden State Line at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Terry Bozzio at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• John Eddie at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Growing Older, Staying Healthy (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Computer Skills for Job Hunters (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• Meet Artist Robert Mueller at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• D-Day Exhibit at NJ National Guard Militia Museum (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

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The hardest thing about being in politics is the politics

By Freeholder Deputy Director Gary Rich

Gary Rich, Deputy Director, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders

The hardest thing about being in politics is the politics. Truthfully, it’s not something I have much of a tolerance for. I’m an ideas man. I see a problem and I want to fix it. I like logic and honesty, which may sound like an odd thing to have to say, but you’d be surprised how many people these days seem to lack both completely or just don’t have the time for them. What I don’t have time for is games—they serve no one and they have no place in serving the public.

People today are looking for real leadership—maybe in part because it seems to be so sorely lacking from so many politicians or would-be politicians at all levels of our government. The people we serve need substance. Not empty accusations. Not grandstanding for the sake of show. Not whining about problems without offering solutions. And not making up facts when the mood strikes.

The truth is, in Monmouth County we’re providing that leadership. We’re making the tough decisions. We’re partnering with our municipalities to fix problems. And we’re getting things done.

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Geraldo Rivera to headline Monmouth GOP Fundraiser

Photo courtesy of Geraldo.com. Used with permission

Had the late Senator Frank Lautenberg lived to complete his term, Geraldo Rivera might have been the Republican nominee to be New Jersey’s junior member of the United States Senate. Cory Booker would still be mayor of Newark and the two celebrities would have been engaged now in an expensive high profile race with national implications.

In early 2013, Rivera was very publicly exploring the possibility of running for Launtenberg’s seat.  Booker had just declined to challenge Governor Chris Christie’s reelection bid and announced that he would run for Lautenberg’s seat.  Booker’s announcement came before the ailing Lautenberg’s announcement that he would not seek another term.

Lautenberg’s June 2013 death and Christie’s call for an October Special Election to fill the seat scuttled the plans of the television and radio personality/journalist to enter politics on a national level.  He was not able to rearrange his life or gain support of his family in the short time required to compete in an August GOP primary.

What might have been a high profile exciting battle between Rivera and Booker this fall is now reduced to bragging rights as to which man will raise more money for his respective Party in Monmouth County.   Monmouth County Republican Chairman Shaun Golden will announce this afternoon that Rivera is the keynote speaker at the GOP Fundraising Gala on October 15 at the Navesink Country Club.  Rivera’s office and Golden both confirmed that Geraldo is coming.

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Ocean Township Cops Make A Narcan Save

Bill Bucco, Acting Assistant Director of the Monmouth County Division of Addiction Services.

Two Ocean Township Police Officers saved the life of a 25 year old man late Tuesday night by administering two doses of Narcan, the antidote for heroin overdoses that New Jersey law enforcement officers have been authorized to administer since July.

Officers Randy Slawsky and Zachary Rhein of the Ocean Police Department responded to a reported overdose at an apartment located on Rustic Drive. Upon arrival, officers located a 25 year old male unresponsive in the living room of the home. A family member reported that they believed the victim had ingested heroin prior to being found unconscious.

Officers on scene administered two doses of Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan) resulting in the victim becoming conscious and responsive. The victim was speaking with officers immediately prior to being transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Officers and EMS personnel credit the use of the Narcan in saving the man’s life.

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Float Me Out to the Ballgame

“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.”

—Yogi Berra

By Greg Kelly

Both of my children are baseball fans—pretty serious baseball fans. Each has a love and respect for the history and traditions of the game. They remember seasons, teams, players, games, and events. Me too.

So the game presents a superb opportunity for us to make a connection. We got the opportunity to do some very nice baseball bonding just recently when we attended a Met game at Citi Field. And while the Mets stunk up the joint (losing 9-0, with just three hits), we still had a grand time.

You see, to get the time and attention of my children nowadays is no small task. They’re getting older (my son, Kyle, will be 21 next March and my daughter, Lauren, turns 19 in November), so they have their work, their schooling, their friends, and their interests to pursue.

But when I told them we’d be going to a game, and on the ferry, they leaped at the opportunity. The Seastreak boat ride to the game offered up the comfort, relaxation, and time to talk and laugh with my kids (along with my sister, Shannon, who joined us and enjoyed herself very much).

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Jackson Councilmen Cleared Of Ethics Charges Over Appointment

The Local Finance Board, the entity within the Department of Community Affairs which oversees the ethics of local officials, has ruled that two Jackson Township councilmen did not violate State Ethics or Campaign Finance Laws when they voted to appoint their former campaign manger a job on the Jackson Municipal Utilities Authority, according to a report on Shore News Network.

Cara Glory was the 2012 campaign manager for Councilmen Barry Calogero and Robert Nixon.  On January 6, 2014 Calogero, Nixon join the rest of the Jackson governing body in unanimously voting to approve Glory’s appointment to the MUA.  Unidentified Jackson residents filed ethics charges with the Local Fiance Board.

The charges were deemed frivolous by Board Chairmen Thomas Neff, according to the Shore News Network report.

“Following preliminary investigation and evaluation of the facts and circumstances relevant to the complaints and upon consideration of the foregoing provisions of Local Government Ethics Law, the Local Finance Board voted to dismiss the complaints as having no reasonable factual basis.”

The state reiterated their stance, adding, “The relationship between an elected officeholder and a campaign deputy treasurer or campaign manager is simply not one, in and of itself, which poses a conflict.”

The charges against the councilmen were dismissed and Glory’s appointment remained as-is.

The issue is of significance in Monmouth County as Democratic freeholder candidates Larry Luttrell and Joe Grillo attempt to portray themselves and paragons of virtue in the campaign against Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Deputy Director Gary Rich.

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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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Number of whale sightings increase off the coast of New Jersey

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