The State of Tinton Falls

Mayor Michael Skudera’s State of the Borough Address, as prepared for delivery, April 16, 2013

Mayor Michael Skudera

Introduction

Good evening everyone and thank you for being here. Tonight, I will share the many accomplishments that have been collectively achieved and highlight our goals for 2013.

First, I would like to recognize the members of the governing body. Council President Baldwin,

Deputy Council President Pak, Councilwoman Fama, Councilman Larkin, and Councilman Schertz, it is an honor working with each of you as we move Tinton Falls forward.

I would like to thank the borough employees, who are the backbone of this town. I like to thank my team that works with me day-in-and-day-out: Borough Administrator Gerry Turning, Borough Attorney Brian Nelson,  Chief Financial Officer Steven Pfeffer , Director of Public Works Gary Gebele, Chief of Police John Scrivanic, Director of Information Technology Dan Romanov, Borough Engineer Dave Marks, and my assistant Liz Morris.

We live in a great town called Tinton Falls. It is an excellent place to raise a family, to work, and even to retire.

In fact, in 2012 Tinton Falls was named the Best Town to Retire in New Jersey by the Star Ledger.

Tinton Falls is a town – where people care. During the height of Superstorm Sandy, when power was out to large sections of the borough, over 250 volunteers answered our call for help. They went door-to-door to check on those without power, some of whom had no power themselves. These kind-hearted individuals shared food, firewood, and even ran errands for those in need.

Tinton Falls is a town – with a low crime rate. We are protected by a highly educated, professional and dedicated police department. When the horrible tragedy occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, our police chief immediately worked with our schools to improve their security measures and protect our children.

Tinton Falls is a town – where our community comes together. Last year our Community Day event drew its highest attendance on record.

Tinton Falls is a town – that has active and growing recreational facilities. We have activities for all ages at every season.

Tinton Falls is a town – that has seen great progress over the past 4 years. Some of which include:

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend—April 19-21

By Greg Kelly

Friday, April 19

• Marriage Is Hazardous to Your Health at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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

• Guys & Dolls at Spring Lake Community House – MORE INFO

• Max Weinberg at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Step Afrika! at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Monty Python’s SPAMALOT at Algonguin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Ryan Beatty at Count Basie theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• The Electric Baby at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Park Bookfest Weekend – MORE INFO

• Spring Swap Meet & Auto Show at Raceway Park (Englishtown) – MORE INFO

• Tri-State Theatre Festival (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Fit to Kill by Monmouth Players (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Anything Goes at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Roger McGuinn Workshop & Guitar Circle at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Simple Gifts Folk Concert (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

~~~

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Christie in Long Branch Today

Governor Chris Christie will be holding a roundtable discussion with local business leaders, followed by a press conference, at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch this afternoon. The event is scheduled to start at 2:30.

• Tweet

Low turnout is a major risk for LD 13 incumbents

LD 13:Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach

The idea that State Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon could be defeated by their Tea Party challengers, Leigh-Ann Bellew for Senate and Edna Walsh and Stephen Boracchia for Assembly, in the June 4 primary is unthinkable, even laughable, to many Monmouth County Republicans.

But recent history and a look at the numbers indicate that an upset with statewide consequences could very well be in the making if the challenge is not taken seriously.

With only nominal competition in the governor’s race, voter turnout in the Republican primary on June 4 is likely to be very low.   Therein lies the danger for the incumbents. Even “good Republicans” rarely vote in primaries.  Even fewer if there is no perceived competition.

There are 34,216 registered Republicans in the 13th district. In the 2011 primary, the last time the legislature was on the ballot, only 2,274 Republicans voted.   The challengers know that.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List—Things to do in Monmouth County This Weekend, April 12-14

By Greg Kelly

Friday, April 12

• Jersey Shore Restaurant Week – MORE INFO

• Marriage Is Hazardous to Your Health at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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

• Guys & Dolls at Spring Lake Community House – MORE INFO

• Max Weinberg at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Step Afrika! at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Monty Python’s SPAMALOT at Algonguin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Ryan Beatty at Count Basie theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• The Electric Baby at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Ballyhoo at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Why is the Bayshore Tea Party Group Challenging Monmouth County Incumbents?

Bayshore Tea Party Group Co-Founders Bob Gordon and Barbara Gonzalez took to their Asbury Park Press blog yesterday to attempt to explain why they are challenging the 13th Legislative District and County Republican incumbents.  In this post I’ll attempt to explain their explanation with the benefit of having spoken to them and having attended the meeting where they introduced most of their candidates.  If I get any of it wrong, I suspect they will correct me in the comments.

Gordon and Gonzalez would probably object to the characterization that they are challenging the incumbents.  They would say they are supporting the challenge, not doing the challenging.  Just as senate candidate Leigh-Ann Bellew said she is not the BTPG’s candidate, but anticipates the group’s support.  This a linguistic distinction without a practical difference.  The challenge is a Tea Party challenge.

THE PROCESS

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Coast Guard Gives Seastreak’s ‘Wall Street’ OK To Sail

Seastreak Wall Street docked at Highlands Connors Terminal. Photo by Art Gallagher. Click on photo for full view.

Vessel that crashed in January will be back in service on Thursday

The Seastreak ferry that crashed into Pier 11 in New York City on January 9 will be back in service bringing Monmouth County commuters to Manhattan tomorrow, according to Seastreak  management.

The company informed its passengers via email this morning that that Seastreak Wall Street has been given clearance by the United States Coast Guard to resume operations:

As you may know, the Seastreak Wall Street returned to Highlands, New Jersey a little over two weeks ago to finish repairs and to undergo testing and inspection by the United States Coast Guard.  The Wall Street has now successfully completed the extensive inspections by the United States Coast Guard.  In addition to Sea trials under the supervision of the US Coast Guard, the company has had the vessel operating and making her normal docks for several days and has confirmed that all systems are operating normally and safely.

On behalf of everyone at Seastreak we would like to acknowledge the support you have shown us over the last several months. We are pleased now to return the Wall Street to service and look forward to continuing to providing safe and reliable service to you our valued customers.

The starboard-side of the boat crashed into the dock at Pier 11 on the morning of January 9. One passenger was seriously injured.  83 passengers and one crew members were treated for minor injuries.

A company spokesperson declined to talk about the cause of the accident, citing a request by the National Transportation Safety Board that they not disclose such information.

Terry Williams, spokesperson for NTSB, told MoreMonmouthMusings that the accident’s cause has yet to be determined.  Williams said that NTSB investigations typically take a year or more.

• Tweet

Casagrande, Handlin: “1000 times no to JCP&L rate increase”

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin

Public hearings for JCP&L’s proposed rate increase started yesterday in Toms River.  The Monmouth County hearing is on April 24 at the Freehold Township Municipal Building.

Assemblywomen Caroline Casagrande (R-11) and Amy Handlin (R-13) have already gathered 1300 constituent signatures on a petition opposing the JCP&L rate increase.  The petition will be submitted to the Board of the Public Utilities at the Freehold hearing.

“Our constituents are tired of over promises and underperformances by  their electric company and we’re going to make sure their voices are heard until  JCP&L pulls the plug on this rate hike,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said.  “JCP&L’s customers have already paid the price by suffering through  prolonged outages, so our response to their request is a simple and firm,  ‘No.’”

Handlin and Casagrande noted their constituent’s outrage with JCP&L’s poor performance in restoring  power and keeping families, businesses and communities informed during prolonged  outages – most notably Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. The petition also notes the  allegation by the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel that the utility is earning too much profit from New Jersey ratepayers to send  back to its parent company in Ohio.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

“We can say it once, or we can say it a thousand times, the answer is  still, ‘No,’” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Losing power for extended periods  of time is a very difficult and costly burden for families and businesses. We  have had more than our share of severe outages because JCP&L refused to  invest its corporate profits to update its infrastructure and keep the power on  in our communities.”

The petition can be signed online here.

• Tweet

Rible, Arnone Launch Initiative To Attract Super Bowl Visitors To Monmouth County

By Chris Fotache, Jersey Shore Vacations

Yesterday (April 8th) I attended a press conference at The Breakers in Spring Lake, organized by Assemblyman Dave Rible and Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, which addressed initiatives to bring 2014 Super Bowl travelers to the coastal Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Super Bowl XLVIII will take place on February 2nd, 2014, at the Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, which is within an hour of most of Monmouth County. “Monmouth and Ocean counties are closer to the Meadowlands than people realize,” said Dave Rible. “Our state’s excellent transportation network and first class hotels and dining facilities offer people a chance to take in a part of New Jersey that will play an important role in next February’s most watched event.  Our rebound from last year’s superstorm is well under way. The beach communities don’t close after Labor Day. The partners we have assembled will make sure visitors are aware of the Shore’s year-round attractions and are worth a visit during their stay leading up to the Super Bowl.”

Tom Arnone, who spearheads initiatives to strengthen Monmouth County’s economy and create jobs stressed the importance of tourism to the local economy: “A vibrant tourism industry is an integral part of our economy in Monmouth County and being involved with the Super Bowl will be a tremendous boost for our local businesses. I look forward to working with local merchants to use this historic event to bring more tourism and more business to Monmouth County.”

The event was attended by local politicians (also including Freeholders Serena DiMaso and John Curley, and Asbury Park Economic Development Director Tom Gilmour), business leaders (Evelyn Mars and Adam Puharic from the Southern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, Bob Hilton from the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chris Fotache from Jersey Shore Vacations) and tourism officials (NJ Tourism Director Grace Hanlon and Monmouth Tourism Director Jeannie De Young). Special guests were two-time Super Bowl winner with the NY Giants, Lee Rouson, and former NY Jets star Joe Klecko.

• Tweet

Greg’s List Is Back!

Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, April 5-7

By Greg Kelly

Friday, April 5

• Marriage Is Hazardous to Your Health at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO (http://www.firstavenueplayhouse.com/upcom.htm)

• Noir at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO (http://www.njrep.org/)

• Garden State Film Festival (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO (http://www.gsff.org/)

• John Hammond with Billy Hector at Monmouth U. (WLB) – MORE INFO (http://www.monmouth.edu/arts/)

• Teen & Tween Improv Night at Algonquin Arts Theater (Manasquan) – MORE INFO (http://www.algonquinarts.org/)

• Book Discussion: A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO (http://search.app.com/localevents/event//136191-Book-Discussion)

• Kid’s Drop-In Craft: Flower Power (Neptune) – MORE INFO (http://search.app.com/localevents/event//136171-Drop-In-Craft-Flower-Power)

• Grateful Dead Tribute at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO (http://www.stoneponyonline.com/schedule.html#0411)

***************

Saturday, April 6

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet