Christie Nominates Prominent National Democrats To Rutgers Board Of Governors

Susan McCue. photo via Message-Global.com

Governor Chris Christie this morning nominated two distinguished Rutgers Almuni to serve on the University’s Board of Governors.

Susan McCue,  of Alexandria, VA, is the President of Message Global, a public affairs firm she founded in 2008 after serving as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from 1999-2007.

“One of the nations’s top political strategists,” according to her website, McCue co-founded and co-chairs Reid’s Senate Majority PAC.  She is on the board of American Bridge 21st Century SuperPAC, with whom she shares her Washington, DC office space, according to the NY Times .

American Bridge has a page on it’s website that features videos of Christie.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Fair Haven Councilman Dies From Injuries Sustained In Bicycling Accident

Fair Haven Councilman Jerome Koch passed away Sunday from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident on Saturday.

Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli issue the following statement on facebook :

“On behalf of the entire Fair Haven Community, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Councilman Jerome Koch, who passed away on Sunday evening from injuries he sustained after being struck by a car on River Road in Fair Haven late Saturday afternoon. Councilman Koch was a dedicated public servant who served the residents of Fair Haven for nine years as a member of our Borough Council. More importantly, Jerome was a husband, father, and grandfather, who was dearly loved his by his family. His passing is tragic and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. We send our best thoughts, prayers, and support, to his family during this time of mourning.”

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Tis the season to make a difference

By Greg Kelly and Art Gallagher

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

‘Tis the season to be jolly—and generous.

A MMM reader asked Art to publish an article on ways to volunteer during the holidays.  Art asked Greg to make a list and check it twice, with a Monmouth County focus, and to include charities and non-profits that need volunteers and financial support.

The following 100+ charitable/volunteer organizations based in Monmouth County go the extra mile every day to help those less fortunate or for causes that really matter to humanity. You can help them to help others this holiday season.

Feel free to add to the list in the comments.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this Thanksgiving Weekend, November 26-30, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Wednesday, November 26

• A Marvelous Night: The Music of Van Morrison at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Camelot at Two River Theater (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• John Eddie at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• River City Extension at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Railroads: All Aboard! at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• WUF-Wearable, Usable, Functional Holiday Boutique (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Des & the Swagmatics at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

Thursday, November 27  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  FAMILY, FOOD AND FOOTBALL.  Don’t go shopping.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

In Eatontown, Connelly Prevails In Recount

Eatontown “Mayor-elect” Dennis Connelley. photo via facebook with permission.

Dennnis J. Connelly is the Mayor-elect of Eatontown.

On election night, the Republican Council President was trailing four term incumbent Mayor Gerald J. Tarantolo by one vote.

After the provisional ballots were counted on November 10, Connelly was leading by two votes, 1481 to 1479.

Connelly and Tarantolo each picked up on vote during the recount this morning. Connelly’s a provisional and Tarantolo’s a vote my mail ballot. The final count is 1482 Connelly to 1480 Tarantolo.

Connelly told MMM that Tarantolo congratulated him and assured a smooth transition.

• Tweet

The Arnone Report

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

By Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

Our Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program continues to be popular. We are still accepting applications and approving projects to help businesses improve the look of their building. We could not be more pleased with how the program is going. As part of the Grow Monmouth Initiative this past weekend there was a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of Little Dog Brewing, a microbrewery located on Steiner Avenue in Neptune City. Along with Mayor Brown, I was happy to attend and cut the ribbon at the brewery’s opening. The Grow Monmouth Business Roundtables will be continuing after the holidays. I look forward to getting back out to discuss the needs of Monmouth County’s business community.

We continue to assist our municipalities with ensuring the safety of Monmouth County and its residents. A few ways in which this is accomplished is through the upkeep of county roads as well as the upkeep of traffic signals. There was a traffic signal activation ceremony conducted a few days ago at the intersection of County Route 40A (Memorial Drive) and Evergreen Avenue in the Boroughs of Neptune City and Bradley Beach.  The Activation Ceremony marked the completion of this much anticipated project.  As liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering, I am happy to have been able to be a part of it from its inception through fruition.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Pallone’s Status Is On The Line This Week

House Democrats won’t let pregnant Iraqi war veteran vote by proxy

Congressman Frank Pallone cruised to reelection easily earlier this month, but the race he’s been waging since February for a key leadership post in the Democratic Minority of the House of Representatives will come to a head on Tuesday, November 18.

Pallone is battling California Congressman Anna Eshoo for the ranking position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The retirements of Henry Waxman and John Dingle made the coveted position available. Pallone is the next in line for the job, based upon seniority, but Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in backing her California colleague Eshoo who, as At-Large Democratic Whip, has been part of Pelosi’s leadership team since 2003.

Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer, the # 2 Democratic Leader in the House, backs Pallone for the position.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Musings from the NJ Hall of Fame 2014 Induction Ceremony

By Chris Fotache

On November 13th I had the pleasure of attending for the first time the NJ Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Class of 2014 was inducted at the Asbury Park Convention Hall, and it was a very fun night out. I was there as a member of the press, and covered both the red carpet arrivals and the show itself. I have to thank NJ Discover for taking me with them, since the organizers don’t accept simply bloggers, just accredited organizations.

The most popular red carpet guests were cast members from the Sopranos. Vince Curatola (Johnny Sacks) arrived first and was very friendly with the media. Then Aida Turturro (Janice Soprano) spent a lot of time really loving the attention and talking to everybody. Vincent Pastore (Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero) was also cool and not in a rush to leave his media friends. The FBI Agent Guy slipped unnoticed since nobody knew who he was. Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) was last to arrive and while friendly as well, he seemed to be still in character.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Senate Panel Approves Casagrande’s Bill On Life-Saving Allergy Treatment In Schools

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

School nurses and other trained personnel would be authorized to administer epinephrine to any student having an anaphylactic reaction under legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-11).

Casagrande’s bill, A-304 was passed  in the Assembly, 73-0, on May 22 and was approved by the Senate Education Committee unanimously this morning.  If approved by the full Senate, the bill will go to Governor Chris Christie whose signature will make it law.

“As many as two children in every classroom have at least one food allergy,” said Casagrande, R – Monmouth. “Schools should be able to respond quickly and appropriately to help children with a serious allergic reaction.”

Recent studies suggest that one in 13 children are affected by food allergies. More than 15 percent of school aged children with food allergies have had a reaction at school.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Caden’s Christmas; To Benefit the Zane Family

Matt and Jill Zane are two loved and selfless educators in the Wall Township, New Jersey school district. After battling fertility issues for several years, Jill became pregnant with twins through IVF. Eight weeks into the pregnancy, one of the eggs split, giving Matt and Jill triplets in August, 2010.

One of their three children, Caden, is a medically complex, chronically ill disabled little boy. Every day is a serious struggle for Caden, vomiting constantly and often crying through sleepless nights. These are just a few of the many difficulties Caden endures. With very little understanding of Caden’s condition, the Zane family has struggled to get him the help he needs.

Most recently, Jill has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to her bones and two organs.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet