Gopal Makes False Allegations Over Lucas Arrest

Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal

Just as he did last October when he falsely accused a Republican candidate for Red Bank Council of being a fugitive, Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal is lying today in his attempt to make political hay over the arrest of former Manalapan Mayor Andew Lucas.

Lucas was indicted for alleged actions in connection with his purchase of Burke Farm.

The ever deceptive young chairman issued a statement to PoltickerNJ and other outlets that alleges a scandal regarding the sale of the development rights to the farm to the state/county and municipally funded Open Space program.  Gopal say blatantly accuses the Republican members of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders of being involved in the scandal.  The U.S. Attorney thoroughly investigated the sale of the farm, with the cooperation of Monmouth County officials. No charges  have been filed regarding the sale of the development rights.  No one other than Lucas has been charged with any wrong doing.

Gopal said:

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Christie in Keansburg: Sandy Relief Will Fall $17 Billion Short

Photo by Paul Scharff

Governor Chris Christie came to the bayshore with members of his cabinet yesterday with a sobering message for residents battered by Superstorm Sandy who a waiting for government assistance to rebuild their homes and to comply with new government imposed requirements for those homes.

New Jersey sustained $37 billion in damage from Sandy.  Federal assistance to New Jersey will tap out at between $15 and $20 billion, Christie said.

It’s been 15 months since Superstorm Sandy ravaged New Jersey. The first $1.83 billion in relief from the Department of Housing and Urban Development has been spent or is committed.  Another $1.46 billion is being applied for, but it will be another three months at least before that money starts to flow.

The HUD Community Block Development Grants (CBDG) grants are the last resort funding for homeowners and renters/landlords, designed to fill needs not covered by insurance proceeds, FEMA assistance, Small Business Administration loans and other sources.

Before New Jersey receives the $1.46 billion second round of funding, there is a 30 day public comment period on the CDBG Disaster Recovery Action Plan.  The public comment period runs through March 5.  In Monmouth County, there will be a public hearing on February 13 at Brookdale Community College, Robert J. Collins Arena, 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft from 4pm-7pm.  There will be hearing is Atlantic County at Stockton University on February 11 and in Essex County at the New Jersey Institute of Technology on the 12th.  Written comments can be submitted via email to sandy.publiccomment@dca.state.nj.us or can be provided by mail to the attention of Gabrielle Gallagher, NJ Department of Community Affairs, 101 South Broad Street, Post Office Box 800, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0800.  All comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 5, 2014.

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Bayshore Tea Party Group Boasts of 1000 Members, Staunch Backers of Anna Little

Bayshore Tea Party Group member Frank Gonzalez, husband of the group’s co-founder, Barbara, installs homemade lawn signs on Rt 35 in Middletown during the 2013 Monmouth County Republican primary campaign

Bayshore Tea Party Group co-founder Barbara Gonzalez told HuffPost that her group has nearly 1000 members and that they are staunch supporters of former Highlands Mayor Anna Little’s quest to unseat Congressman Frank Pallone, in an article posted last evening.

“If you don’t get someone in who is totally willing to fight the establishment, it will never change,” Gonzalez told HuffPost.

Little lost to Pallone in 2010 and 2012 with BTPG’s support, but Gonzalez thinks it will be different this year.

Gonzalez said her membership roll has grown by “a couple of dozen new members” since earlier this month when the Bridgegate controversy broke.

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Elf on the shelf?

Walsh won’t say if he’s running for freeholder

Howell Councilman Bob Walsh. photo via facebook

It’s been almost two months since Howell Councilman Bob Walsh told us he would challenge Republican freeholder incumbents, Director Lillian Burry and Deputy Director Gary Rich, at the upcoming Monmouth Republican Nominating Convention.  In our early December interview, which Walsh claimed he thought was off the record after publication, he said he would be sending a letter to member of the Monmouth County Republican Committee shortly after the first of the year.

Now, at the end of January, there’s been no letter, and Walsh wouldn’t say if he’s running when we called him late last week.  “I’m busy at work and have a few things to take care of; go to the doctor for my annual check up.  Then I’ll decide,” Walsh said.

But Walsh was overheard at a Howell Republican Club meeting last week saying he was going to run and he was seen working the crowd at Sheriff’s Shaun Golden’s Winter Breakout fundraiser on Friday.

One Republican insider who requested not to be named said Walsh is running.  “He’s all in and its going to be a shit show,” the committee member said, ” he’s calling the municipal chairmen.”

Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery said he hasn’t heard from Walsh. “He hasn’t called me,” McEnery said, “so I really don’t know what he’s going to do, but I don’t think we need a convention fight for freeholder nominations.”

Another chairperson said Walsh is probably gauging his level of support before committing. “A lot of people rallied around Lillian and Gary as a result of your article in December,” the chair said, “they both (Burry and Rich) have issues, but nothing that disqualifies them. Why should we have a fight just because Bob Walsh wants to be a freeholder?”

Burry, who said Walsh “should wait his turn” in December, laughed when told that he in now equivocating.  “One day he’s running, the next day he’s not. You’ll have to ask him,” Burry said, “I’m running.  I already have more than enough signatures on my petitions and I’m still collecting.”

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Ice boating returns to the Navesink River

Ice boating returns to the Navesink River (via NewsWorks)

With arctic air continuing to surge into the region, ice boaters are seizing on the opportunity to cruise on the frozen Navesink River, a tradition dating back to the late 19th century.  After an ice inspection Sunday morning, the North Shrewsbury…

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Hornik on Tommy G Show This Afternoon

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik is taking his not running for governor  tour to the Tommy G Radio Show this afternoon.

The show can be heard here live between 4 and 6.  You can call in to speak with Tommy and the mayor at 732-446-9777.

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Monmouth County Ready To Battle Snow Storm

Public Works crews have pre-treated county roads in advance of storm

FREEHOLD, NJ – Meteorologists predict more than eight inches of snow could fall in Monmouth County in the next 24 hours, and the County’s Public Works crews have been busy today applying liquid salt brine and rock salt to the County roads.

“Pre-treating the roads is key,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “The County’s snow room is open and we are monitoring the storm’s progress and we have 135 trucks outfitted with spreading and plowing capabilities.”

Road crews from the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering have applied liquid salt brine to the County’s roads; they are now following up with an application of salt treated with magnesium chloride. The pre-treatment prevents the snow and ice from bonding to the road surface, making it easier for the plows to clear the snow. The County maintains about 1,000 lane miles of roads.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, January 17-19, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, January 17

• The Ultimate Elvis Birthday Bash at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Admit One at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Underpants at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO

• Yoga for Adults (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Play Mah Jongg (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• No Exit (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Night Out: Mexican Cuisine (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO

• iPlay After Dark (Freehold) – MORE INFO

Photo courtesy of Noel Westerland , Sr

• Ballroom, Latin, Swing, and Salsa Dancing (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Kindness Matters Storytime at Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• The Facts on Weight Loss Surgery (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Light of Day 2014 at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Light of Day 2014 at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Light of Day 2014 at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Open Skating (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Pinewood Derby Tutorial Class (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO

• Buying Digital Photo Equipment (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Open Skating (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Open Evening Swim (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Kids Night Out! (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

• WordPress Training Workshop at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Winter Fun Kids Sports Spectacular (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Winter Crafternoon for Kids (Neptune) – MORE INFO

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Report: Holmdel Bomb Scare Was A Hoax

The bomb scare at St. John Vianney HIgh School reported earlier today was a hoax, according to a report on Holmdel-Hazlet Patch.

Acting-Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni says a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of St. John Vianney High School Wednesday was a hoax.

“We’re looking at it hard and believe it to be a hoax and we will be investigating it thoroughly,” said Gramiccioni.

Gramiccioni said the Holmdel Police Department received a call at 10:39 a.m. indicating that a bomb was on the premises of St. John Vianney and that the caller was carrying a weapon. Following the call, the school was locked down and students and staff were evacuated.

Responding to the scene were Holmdel, Hazlet and Matawan police departments, State Police, and the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team. Gramiccioni said the FBI also offered to assist.

No weapons or explosives were found after the school was swept twice. The school was cleared at 2:45 p.m.

“It was an unsubstantiated threat and appears to be a hoax,” said Gramiccioni.

If you have any information regarding the incident, call the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-744

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Possible Bomb Scare At Holmdel School

From the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office:

Holmdel – St. John Vianney High School has been evacuated due to a possible bomb threat. The school has been safely evacuated. All students and personnel are safe.

MOCERT is currently conducting a room to room search of the building. Once this completed the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Unit along with other law enforcement K-9s will search the building for possible explosives.

Please keep clear of Line Road and the surrounding area in Howell, in order for law enforcement officers to perform their job.
Parents can pick-up their kids at St. Benedict’s School. Buses will be divert to that location.
#MCSONJ

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