Governor Murphy’s State of the State Address

Governor Phil Murphy will deliver the annual State of the State address this afternoon at noon from the Statehouse in Trenton.

Watch it here courtesy of NJTV:

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Three GOP State Senators Willing To Trade Marijuana Support For Fiscal And Public Safety Reforms

Senator Declan O’Scanlon

Three  Republican State Senators, including Monmouth County’s Declan O’Scanlon are willing to vote to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey if Governor Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney deliver the return of the Energy Receipts Tax to municipalities, a dedicated 911 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund, funding for addiction recovery services and a guaranteed reimbursement fund for municipalities paying to train police officers as Drug Recognition Experts who can assess if a driver is impaired by cannabis, according to an article on NJ.com

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Seals Spotted in Neptune

Earlier today, we spotted this seal catching some rays on a dock near the RT 35 Bridge in Neptune.

Please remember to keep your distance. These seals aren’t injured, sick, or cold, they’re just relaxing! If you’re concerned, call @NeptunePolice or your local PD.#NeptuneNews pic.twitter.com/8qhb1aE9yZ

— Neptune Township PD (@NeptunePolice) January 12, 2019

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Gilmore’s Insanity Defense

By Art Gallagher

George Gilmore, NewJerseyGlobe photo

George Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican Chairman and Board of Elections Chairman who was indicted on federal tax evasion and bank fraud charges last week, didn’t pay his taxes and omitted tax debt from a loan application because he has a hoarding disorder, his lawyer told the Asbury Park Press.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office was aware of Gilmore’s disability before it sought an indictment, his lawyer, Kevin Marino told app.

Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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Local Bank Offers Mortgage Relief For Borrowers Impacted By Federal Shutdown

OceanFirst Bank N.A. is offering a forbearance or temporary suspension of mortgage and home equity loan payments for up to 90 days to its customers who work for the federal government or businesses affected by the government shutdown, the bank announced last week.

“As a community bank, OceanFirst wants to provide support to every mortgage customer who works for the federal government or businesses that are affected by the current shutdown,” said Anthony Giordano, III, OceanFirst Bank’s Senior Vice President and Senior Operations Officer. “We recognize these are stressful times for these customers, many of whom are worried about meeting their mortgage and other financial obligations, especially if there is a prolonged shutdown. By offering the Mortgage Relief Program, we hope we can ease any concerns relating to their mortgage or home equity loan until they get back to work and are paid.”

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Gilmore needs to step aside

POLITICO is reporting that indicted Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, also the Chairman of Ocean County Board of Elections,  said in a text message that he intends to stay on in both roles while he fights to avoid the next 30 years in prison on federal tax evasion and bank fraud charges.

Who does he think he is?  Bob Menendez?

Hopefully that text was a knee jerk reaction from a proud man in shock and denial over his situation and the peril he puts his constituencies in each day he holds onto those positions now.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, January 11-13, 2019:

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, January 11

• Godspell at JSAC (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• “Apple Season” at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time Tour at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• The Castoffs (Howell) – MORE INFO
• RBR Winter Dance Showcase Little Silver) – MORE INFO
• Friday Night Open Ice Skating (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Ice at the Pier (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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Congressman Smith Re-Introduces Bill to Combat Anti-Semitism

Congressman Chris Smith’s bill requiring the President to appoint an ambassador level envoy at the State Department to combat anti-Semetism bill, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act, overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives during the 115th Congress, but did not make it through the Senate. Smith re-introduced the bill today in the 116th Congress. His remarks about the bill on the House floor:

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Ocean County GOP Chairman Indicted For Tax Evasion And Other Charges

George Gilmore

George Gilmore, the long time chairman of the Ocean County Republican Party, was indicted by a federal grand jury, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced this afternoon.

Gilmore, 69, is  an attorney, lobbyist and one of the most powerful Republicans in New Jersey. He was was charged in a six-count indictment with one count of income tax evasion for calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015; two counts of filing false tax returns for calendar years 2013 and 2014; failing to collect, account for, and pay over payroll taxes for two quarters in 2016, and making false statements on a 2015 loan application submitted to Ocean First Bank N.A.

According to Honig’s announcement, documents file in the case indicate:

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Sheriff Golden Warns Of Phone Scams

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is warning the public of phone scams demanding money in the name of the Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office received a number of calls from residents in reference to a telephone solicitation, claiming that they owed money. The scam artists say they are members of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division and are calling individuals, stating that their legal issues must be rectified immediately by paying a fine.

“This type of solicitation and misrepresentation is inexcusable and will not be tolerated,” said Sheriff Golden. “Our agency does not make calls asking for money or contributions of any kind, nor does it authorize the solicitation of funds. We will aggressively investigate such scams and pursue all avenues of complaints both on the criminal and civil side.”

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