The Arnone Report: Spring into Monmouth County

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso at the Asbury Park St. Pat’s Parade

The past two weekends have been filled with fun festivities throughout the county and the list of activities throughout the rest of March includes parades, plays and performances. March is the month to celebrate the end of winter by getting outside and with two holidays happening this month, there are plenty of great events to choose from.

There’s nothing like a parade to usher in the month and the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Belmar on Sunday, March 6 was the perfect place to do it.  Those of you who were in attendance may have seen me, along with my colleagues, on our 2016 float – it was a great way to participate in the parade – we had the best view! I also had a great time at the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 13 walking with Freeholder Serena DiMaso, along with Mayor Moor and members of the Council and look forward to keeping the festive spirit alive in the Highlands by walking in their parade on March 19.  March 20 marks the first day of spring, so take the kids outside (if weather permits) and join the Monmouth County Park System for a nature walk at 10 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir to look for signs of the new season.  Log onto www.visitmonmouth.com for a full list of activities throughout the County.

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Monmouth County, Middletown and NY Waterway are working together to mitigate NJ Transit strike impact

Monmouth County, Middletown Township and NY Waterways officials are working together to lessen the possible inconvenience to commuters in the event of a New Jersey Transit strike starting Sunday morning.

“The County is working with NY Waterway and Middletown to take a proactive approach to the situation we may face next week if there is any disruption to how our residents travel to work,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We understand the inconvenience that a disruption would cause and are actively taking measures to make sure we are doing everything we can to arrange to accommodate an increase in ferry passengers.”

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, March 11-13, 2016

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, March 11

• For Worse at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Iced: The Story of the Snow Queen by Spotlight Players (Matawan) – MORE INFO
• One Man, Two Guvnors at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
• Ropes at Two River Theater (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Chocolate Lovers’ Weekend (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Godspell at Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Chapter Two at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO

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New seats at Atlantic Cinemas

Atlantic Cinemas owner Fred Rast tests his new seats.

Atlantic Cinemas, our sponsor on 1st Ave in Atlantic Highlands, completed a major step in their ongoing modernization with the installation new wider seats with thicker cushions in Cinema 3 this week.

Those coming out to see Zootopia and London Has Fallen in Atlantic Highlands this week will be the first to enjoy the higher seat backs and movable armrests.

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Belmar Residents Seek To Repeal Loosened Ethics Laws

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty laughs with approval during Governor Chris Christie’s speech during the Two Year Anniversary Community Event in Belmar, N.J. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)

Belmar- A committee of Independent and Democrat Belmar voters is gathering signatures to repeal the recently passed Pay-to-Play/Ethics Ordinance that allows Belmar elected officials running for higher office outside of Belmar to accept campaign contributions from Borough vendors, professionals, liquor licensees and developers.  New the Ethics Ordinance also allows those who contribute less than $300 to an elected official’s campaign to remain anonymous.  The previous Ethics Ordinance required that all campaign contributions be disclosed.

In an announcement released on Common Sense for Belmar, Thomas Fahy, Linda Chelsen, Linda Sharkus, Katrina Clapsis, and former Mayor Kenneth Pringle said:

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The Arnone Report: Promises made, promises kept; a tax cut for Monmouth County

By Freeholder Director Arnone, Thomas.Arnone@co.monmouuth.nj.us

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Mother Nature may be playing tricks on us with the weather again – she’s bringing in extremely low temperatures, then teasing us with spring like weather in the 60s this past weekend. But there is no trickery here at the County, I made a promise last month that I would provide our residents with a much needed tax break, and I am holding true to the that statement, along with my fellow freeholders by proposing an overall tax cut of $4.5 million. This is the first time, I believe, that freeholders have ever decreased taxes to the county residents.

We propose collecting $302.5 million from property taxes, down from $307 million just last year. At the end of 2015, Monmouth County completed the sale of its two care centers which eliminated the yearly operating losses that the facilities have incurred for several years. The public auction of the two facilities generated $32.4 million in revenue; approximately $18 million more than was projected.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, February 26-28, 2016

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, February 26

• One Man, Two Guvnors at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
• MORE INFO
• Red Bank Restaurant Week – MORE INFO
• College Men’s Basketball: Monmouth U. vs. Rider (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Girlfriends Getaway Weekend ‘16 (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Dead Man’s Cell Phone at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• JSAC Winter Arts Festival (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

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Asbury Park man indicted for firing at cop in shooting that injured 8 year old girl

FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County grand jury has indicted a 20-year-old Asbury Park man on six counts, including attempted murder, after he allegedly exchanged gunfire with a police officer in November. At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Nov. 4, an Asbury Park police officer attempted to conduct a field stop of Dante Allen, 20, of Asbury Park,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth County enters 10 year agreement with Middlesex for Medical Examiners Services

Freeholders in Monmouth and Middlesex counties have entered into a 10 year agreement that has the Middlesex Medical Examiner’s Office performing autopsies for unexplained natural deaths and violent deaths that occur in Monmouth County. The office also preserves evidence, analyzes physical evidence and provides expert testimony in courts of law.

The agreement announced today extends a shared services partnership between the counties that was first instituted in 2009.

Monmouth County taxpayers will save $1 million over the term of the agreement which is part of the Freeholders’ ongoing effort to streamline costs and share services.  Middlesex County taxpayers will see a $1.4 million per year benefit as a result of the agreement.

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Physicians Assistant Charged With Selling Phony Scripts

Frank Campione, a 45 year old physicians assistant with a home office in Brick Township, was arrested by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office this week on charges of selling prescriptions for opiates and other drugs, according to an announcement by Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

A four month long investigation revealed that between January 2015 and January 2016 Campione met with individuals in public places and sold them prescriptions for oxycodone and Xanax and other dangerous drugs.

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