If you’re at the south end of the Jersey Shore this month, stop by the Torche Galerie in Belmar. Many of the works on display last month in the gallery’s 2nd anniversary exhibition have been either taken down or sold. But it’s worth a stop to see the magnificent interior space—as well as to examine some of the art gems which are still hanging on the wall. The space is the creation of owner/sculptor Roddy Wildeman, who has his own workroom connected to the gallery in the back of the first floor.
SEA BRIGHT — A stretch of Sea Bright’s shoreline that used to be among the few free beaches in New Jersey will start charging patrons for access starting this weekend when nearly all Shore towns’ beach fees kick in for summer. A wooden booth stands at the entrance to Anchorage Beach where a badge checker will… Read the rest of this entry »
Traveling through the heart of northeastern Monmouth County got a lot easier this week after State,County and Local officials celebrated the reopening of the West Front Street Bridge, AKA Hubbard’s Bridge, that connects Middletown and Red Bank over the Swimming River.
The five month long replacement project that came in as promised before the Memorial Day weekend.
The opening follows the construction of a new 488-foot long steel girder bridge to the north of the existing West Front Street Bridge.
NEPTUNE – Members of law enforcement from across the state gathered Tuesday at The Great Auditorium to honor and remember five officers who died in the line of duty over the past year. During the ceremony, acting state Attorney General John Jay Hoffman said that while his heart was heavy with the loss of the officers,… Read the rest of this entry »
HOLMDEL – Robert Gildersleeve Jr.’s humor, enthusiasm for life and love for his family were remembered during an emotional funeral mass at The Church of St. Catharine on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of people from multiple states filled the church to say goodbye the 45-year-old father of two, who was one of eight people killed in the… Read the rest of this entry »
HOLMDEL – Police have confirmed that all of the township’s schools were placed in “Shelter in Place” status on Tuesday morning. The action, which means no one many enter or exit any building until police given clearance, was in response to a “suspicious phone call received this morning at Village School,” police said. “All are safe,”… Read the rest of this entry »
Clerks: Christine Giordano Hanlon and her predecessor M. Claire French. MMM file photo
Christine Giordano Hanlon was confirmed as Monmouth County Clerk today by a unanimous vote of the New Jersey State Senate.
Hanlon was nominated by Governor Chris Christie in February to fill the anticipated vacancy created by former Clerk M. Claire French’s retirement announcement. She has been serving as Acting Clerk since French left office at the end of business on March 31.
“I am honored to have been confirmed today, and can now be sworn in as the Clerk of Monmouth County,” said Hanlon. “It is my privilege to serve the citizens of Monmouth County in this capacity and I look forward to continuing the great work of my predecessor, M. Claire French.”
Hanlon’s nomination was supported by Monmouth Senators Joe Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck and Robert Singer, as well as Republican County Chairman Shaun Golden and outgoing Clerk M. Claire French. “Christine has our full support and we are confident she will do an exemplary job as Clerk,” said Senator Kyrillos. “Her background as an attorney for over 20 years and as a Commissioner on the Monmouth Board of Elections makes her exceedingly qualified for this position and we know she will do a great job.”
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon is offended by the argument that New Jerseyans are not capable of pumping their own gas without setting themselves on fire. But in order to get his legislation that would decriminalize consumer gas pumping passed he in inserting language into the bill that would require signs on gas pumps for the protection of the mentally challenged and members of the Jersey City Council.
“I am offended by people that argue that New Jerseyans are mentally incapable of pumping their own gas without setting themselves on fire. But I hear them. For that reason I am recommending language be inserted in the final bill that mandates signs at all self serve pumps, in bold red and blue flashing neon lettering, that reads “Do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, set yourself on fire!!” I think that should resolve these concerns” O’Scanlon said when introducing the legislation.
O’Scanlon’s bill, which mirrors a bill in the Senate sponsored by Bergen County Senators Paul Sarlo and Gerald Cardinale, except for the signage language, would decriminalize gas pumping by consumers and provide for self-service islands at New Jersey gas stations. Each facility would be required to operate at least one island full service for three years following enactment, and the bill also allows for gas retailers to charge a lesser price for self-service gasoline.
Back in February of 2013, Governor Chris Christie said that Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal practices “the politics of yesterday.”
Gopal had issued a statement threatening Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long with “the restructuring of the Democratic Party in Sea Bright, to ensure that the true voice of Democrats is one that prevails” in response to the news that Long was endorsing Christie’s reelection as governor.
Long has since left the Democratic Party and is running unopposed, as an Independent, for another term as Sea Bright’s mayor. But that is another story.
Since Christie accused Gopal of practicing the politics of yesterday, it has become very clear that Christie was and is practicing politics with an eye towards a future office. Gopal seems to be doing the same.
