Grow Monmouth Facade Improvement Program

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

It gives me great pleasure to announce The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently passed a resolution approving the Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program. As liaison to the Department of Economic Development and the originator of the Grow Monmouth initiative already in place, I am very proud to have been an instrumental part of the Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program. This is yet another example of the county’s commitment to our business world and to the continued promotion of economic growth within our county.

            The program, the newest initiative under our Grow Monmouth program, uses HUD Community Development Block Grant funds that were de-obligated by grantees to help privately held commercial buildings that are located in eligible areas improve the look of their businesses. NO county funds are used for the program.

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Two Women Show Up At GoTopless Protest

Two women, one from Mercer County and one from Ocean County, showed up at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution this morning to protest hunger striking Phoenix Feeley’s incarceration and anti-toplessness laws.   They kept their tops on.

Sue Vliet, of Toms River, identified herself as an admin of One Million Vaginas, a feminist organization dedicated to empowering women to take their vagina’s back from invasive conservative politicians, was one of the two protestors.  Her sign said, “STOP THE DOUBLE STANDARD. FREE OUR BREASTS.” Vliet said she was protesting the “double standard and draconian laws” that allow men that to bare their chests in public, but not women.

Judith Sherwood of Mercer County read a letter from GoTopless.org in support of Feeley. You can hear that letter by viewing the video below.

Sherwood said she wasn’t raising money to pay Feeley’s $816 fine, which would end the incarceration, as a matter of principle.  Sherwood and Vliet both said they were not protesting topless and risking arrest themselves, because their protest was not about going topless.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, August 9-11, 2013

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By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, August 11

• NY Yankees vs. Tigers via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Ocean Township Italian Festival – MORE INFO

• Saving Kitty at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Wizard of Oz at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Shade Tree Mechanics (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Kidz Bop Live! (Freehold Twp) – MORE INFO

• Harry at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Kortney’s Challenge Fun Run/Walk at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

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Crime Stoppers To Reward Anonymous Tipsters Of Monmouth County Crimes With Cash

Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced a new partnership Crime Stoppers in an effort to encourage the public to share information with law enforcement.  The announcement was made last evening at National Night Out events in Asbury Park,  Neptune City, Neptune Township and Union Beach.

“Unfortunately people with information about crimes are often reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement because they are afraid of retaliation, they do not care enough to get involved or  they want something in exchange for the information,” Gramiccioni said, “Crime stoppers offers cash, up to $5000, no questions asked, with anonymity as a solution to this lack of information.”

Citizens with information about a crime or fugitive may contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400, which is a confidential telephone tip line; they can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or the can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

When a tipster contacts Crime Stoppers via tip line, email or text, the tipster is assigned a confidential code number, which becomes their only identity in the system. At no time does anyone ask a tipster for their name.  When an arrest is made, the tipster will be told to go to the Crime Stopper’s bank in Freehold, provide the confidential code number, and collect the cash.

Gramiccioni asked the the crowd in Asbury Park for information about the September 2009 murder of Red Bank Middle School teacher Jonelle Melton, who was found in a pool of her own blood in her Neptune City home.  He said the investigation has led law enforcement to believe that Melton’s murder was a case of mistaken identify; that the perpetrator went to the wrong home and intended to kill someone else.

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Topless Rights Advocate Jailed in Monmouth

Phoenix Feeley on Coney Island NY beach where female toplessness is legal. Photo via JetsNation.

Phoenix Feeley is serving time at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution rather than pay fines for going topless in Spring Lake five years ago.

According to a statement by GoTopless.Org, Feeley is protesting her incarceration with a hunger strike.  However, a Monmouth County official said Feeley ate a bologna sandwich yesterday.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said that Feeley, like any hunger striking inmate, in under constant watch. Golden said it is unlikely that Feeley will be assigned to a road crew.

GoTopless , whose motto is Free Your Breasts, Free Your Mind, says it will be staging protests in support of Feeley on August 25 which is International Go Topless Day.

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Scudiery Aggressively Out To See Pallone Defeated

Former Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

Victor V. Scudiery, the Monmouth County businessman and former 23 year Chairman of the Monmouth County Democrats, is backing up his endorsement of Newark Mayor Cory Booker in the August 13 Special U.S. Senate Primary with an aggressive negative endorsement of Congressman Frank Pallone.

Scudiery is launching a personally financed campaign this morning designed to weaken Pallone’s support in his 6th Congressional district home base of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. Scudiery’s efforts are independent of and without the prior knowledge of the Booker for Senate campaign.

The $45,000 campaign includes a mailing to 75,000 likely Democratic primary voters, print ads in local weekly newspapers and a web based ad campaign on local websites.

“I might even spend more by the time the 13th (the August 13th primary) comes around,” Scudiery said this morning.

“He’s all about himself, not for the people,” Scudiery said of the congressman whose tenure coincided with his own marathon as party chairman, “When I brought him to events, non-political events, like for senior citizens, Italian-Americans or small businesses, people would always say, ‘Frank, you never got back to me, I need your help,’ He’s been an embarrassment.  He rarely followed through. When he did follow through, it was usually with excuses, not results.”

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend. August 2-4, 2013 #STTS

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By Greg Kelly

Friday, August 2

• Manasquan Summer Sidewalk Sale – MORE INFO

• The Diary of Anne Frank by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Highlands Clam Festival – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Firemen’s Fair – MORE INFO

• Saving Kitty at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Shakespeare by the Sea (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Memories of Elvis (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• The Wizard of Oz at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Pat Roddy (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Return to Asbury 2013 – MORE INFO

• Children of Eden at St. John’s Community Playhouse (Hazlet) – MORE INFO

• Visit Martha’s Vineyard via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Seining at the Bayshore (Port Monmouth) – MORE INFO

• Embroidery for Beginners (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank Ghost Tours – MORE INFO

• 107.1 FM Live Broadcast from Pier Village (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• La Cage Aux Folles (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Exotic Driving Experiences at Raceway Park – MORE INFO

• “No Relation Quartet” at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Back-to-School & Fall Preview Sale at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

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Saturday, August 3

• Highlands Clam Festival – MORE INFO

• Coin, Card & Currency Show (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Firemen’s Fair – MORE INFO

• NY Mets vs. Royals via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

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SHERIFF GOLDEN CONTINUES TO MAKE CHILD SAFETY A PRIORITY THROUGH YOUTH ID PROGRAM

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce that the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office issued 600 youth ID cards during the Monmouth County Fair which was held from July 24 to July 28. The Youth ID program consists of a credit card size photo ID of a child that is carried by a parent or guardian who maintains complete control of the card. In an emergency, the card can be given to local first responders to aid in the rapid location and safe return of a child.

“The Youth ID Program is offered year round and helps ensure the safety of our children, which is a top priority at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County This Weekend, July 26-28, 2013

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By Greg Kelly

Friday, July 26

• Monmouth County Fair (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank Sidewalk Sale – MORE INFO

• Shakespeare by the Sea (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• A Chorus Line (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Children of Eden at St. John’s Community Playhouse (Hazlet) – MORE INFO

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Saving Kitty at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Teen Improv Comedy Night (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Visit Martha’s Vineyard via SeaStreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Seining at the Bayshore (Port Monmouth) – MORE INFO

• Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• The Diary of Anne Frank by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Learn Computer E-mail Basics (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• 107.1 FM Live Broadcast from Pier Village (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• A Bronx Tale: Chazz Palminteriat Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Danny White Band (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Camp Out in the Park (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

• “Summer Wind” CPC Benefit (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• La Cage Aux Folles (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Dueling Keys Quartet at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

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Saturday, July 27

• NY Yankees vs. Rays via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth County Fair (Freehold) – MORE INFO

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Reforming Engineering Bidding Process Saves Tax Payers Money and Increases Competition

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

In the past, when Monmouth County looked to hire engineering and architectural consultants for various projects, the firms applying had to prepare extensive proposals, costing them thousands of dollars, just to compete for the work. As of now, however, the process will be streamlined, after the Board of Chosen Freeholders voted to revise it to make it easier and less costly for consulting firms to seek contract with the county.

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

The freeholders voted 5-0 last Thursday to adopt new bidding procedures for architectural and engineering contracts. The new procedures create a two pronged process that will make applying to work on county projects more cost effective for the consulting firms seeking the work as well as for the county, which has to provide the staff to review the proposals. The county is aimed at encouraging more professional firms to apply for work.

As liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering, I embarked on a mission a year and a half ago to look at ways to streamline the bidding process to make it easier and less costly for consultants to apply for work. Under the old process, professional firms would have to submit voluminous proposals, usually hundreds of pages long and costing them thousands of dollars to prepare. Some of the cost of that work was passed on to the county, and, the county would have to commit its staff sometimes for weeks or more to review the proposals. Because it would cost the consulting firms between $10,000 and $15,000 just to apply for work, (which seemed somewhat unjust) a year and a half ago, I asked the Freeholder Board if we could research a way to streamline it.

The new process is a two-pronged one in which the firms seeking to be hired for a project would first submit three or four pages documenting their background and experience. From those submitting the initial applications, county engineering staff would choose three or four firms and ask them to submit full technical and cost proposals. The firm to be hired would be selected from among those who submit the full proposals. The process also takes into account how many county projects a firm already is working on, so that other firms without work can be considered for new projects. Most of the top engineering firms in the state come out of Monmouth County. Most of the businesses that are here employ Monmouth County people, so more people are continuing to work. Under the new process, the Board of Chosen Freeholders remains confident that everybody’s going to get work.

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