Gopal named Deputy Vice Chairman of State Democratic Party

Monmouth Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal

Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal has been named one of four deputy vice chairs of the State Party, by Chairman John Currie at the Party’s annual conference in Atlantic City last week.

In addition to Gopal, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, the former Speaker, Atlantic County Freeholder Colin Bell and Garden State Equality Founder and former Chair Steven Goldstein were named Deputy Vice Chair.

“I am thrilled to name these four outstanding New Jersey Democrats as Deputy Vice Chairs. I will look to them for guidance and support as the campaign season progresses. These individuals represent diverse interests and regions and they have all been leaders in their respective communities,” said Chairman Currie in a statement released by the Party. “They strengthen the NJDSC leadership team and increase our ability to conduct outreach and other party business across the state.”

Gopal told MMM that the position is advisory in nature and that he does not have a specific portfolio of responsibility with the NJDSC.

• Tweet

Golden: Passion and pride, not personal gain, will grow the Monmouth GOP

Sheriff Shaun Golden

Speaking at the first of three breakfast meetings he has scheduled for Monmouth Republican County Committee members, Sheriff Shaun Golden said this morning that he started to considering seeking the Monmouth GOP Chairmanship over a year ago, even if it meant challenging incumbent John Bennett, because of the decline of participation and enthusiasm he observed as he attended Republican events across the county.

“We have over 200 vacant county committee seats,” Golden declared, “that’s nearly an all time high.  That’s our base that’s shrinking.”

Golden said that he would bring back monthly breakfast meetings, scheduled regionally, fill the vacant county committee seats and and bring new growth the Republican Clubs in the Monmouth County municipalities.

“Communication is the key to growth and new enthusiasm.  We can’t update our website and email newsletters only before a Chairman’s election. It is embarrassing that our 2013 candidates were featured on our site until just recently.  Our opponents see that.   We need to increase our use of electronic communication, our website, email and social media to increase our base, expand participation and get our great message out. We need to communicate and reach out constantly, not just before a convention.”

“I am passionate about our Party.  It is passion and pride that will have us grow, not personal gain.  I have nothing to gain personally, I won’t make more money by doing this,” Golden said.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Red Bank proceeds with controversial bulkhead repairs

Red Bank proceeds with controversial bulkhead repairs (via NJ.com)

RED BANK – Repairs on the borough’s crumbling bank along the Navesink River are set to begin, and just in the nick of time. With part of the bank near homes on North Prospect Avenue caving in, the Red Bank Borough Council approved almost $600,000…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Judge deems Belmar’s post-Sandy beachfront redevelopment plan unreasonable, invalid

Judge deems Belmar’s post-Sandy beachfront redevelopment plan unreasonable, invalid (via NJ.com)

BELMAR – The borough’s efforts to recover from Hurricane Sandy have been mired in controversy and legal battles. And last week, a Monmouth County Superior Court judge dealt yet another blow to the recovery process. In April 2013, the Borough Council…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

National group gives NJ contractors a new way to influence elections

National group gives NJ contractors a new way to influence elections (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — New Jersey government contractors banned from making major campaign contributions to state and local politicians are now donating big to a national Republican group that is showering the Garden State GOP with money, a Star-Ledger review…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith to hold information session about nominations to military service academies

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith to hold information session about nominations to military service academies (via NJ.com)

It should come as no surprise that the application process to the nation’s five military service academies is more demanding than other colleges and universities. After all, tuition is free, but comes with an obligation of five years of service after…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Photos: More than 2,000 graduate from Brookdale Community College

Photos: More than 2,000 graduate from Brookdale Community College (via NJ.com)

MIDDLETOWN – Brookdale Community College celebrated the commencement of its latest graduating class on Friday. The more than 2,000 graduates hailed from 16 different countries and accounted for 203 distinguished scholars and 42 perfect 4.0 GPAs. “…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Interactive Map: Per-Pupil Costs Vary Widely in New Jersey’s Schools

Interactive Map: Per-Pupil Costs Vary Widely in New Jersey’s Schools (via NJSpotlight)

Hover over a district to see its total spent, click for more information. The map does not include charter schools and the county districts and some elementary districts may be obscured by the regional high school districts to which they send students…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Business groups join together to kick-off summer on the bayshore

Five Bayshore business groups and the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau joined together yesterday in Keyport to kick-off the Summer of 2014 on the Monmouth County Bayshore..Exit 117…the Gateway to the Jersey Shore.

Lt Governor Kim Guadagno, Congressman Frank Pallone, State Senator Joe Kyrillos, Keyport Mayor Harry Aumack were on hand as the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Keyport Bayshore Business Copperative, the Hazlet Business Owners Association, the Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the Highlands Business Partnership and the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau  joined together in cooperation for ceremonial ribbon cutting for the region’s summer tourist season.

• Tweet

Bennett’s Undetered By Golden’s Endorsements

John Bennett

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John Bennett told MMM that he continues to be upbeat and positive about his chances for reelection on June 10, despite the endorsements of the municipal elected officials in Middletown and Howell going to his opponent in the GOP Chairman’s race, Sheriff Shaun Golden.

“Those were elected officials, not county committee members or municipal chairmen,” Bennett said, “I expect to get quite a few county committee votes from those towns. Those endorsements were not surprising to me.”

The chairman said he expected a similar endorsement for Golden to come out of Wall Township. “Its not over until its over,”he said,  “I am remaining upbeat and positive. I’m keeping the campaign positive and I hope the other side does as well.”

Wall Township Municipal Chairwomen Mary DeSarno declined to comment.

Bennett said one of the elected officials who endorsed Golden told him that he/she was unaware Bennett was running for reelection when the Golden endorsement was made.

• Tweet