Bob Walsh: “The Monmouth GOP’s Brand Is Tarnished”

Howell Councilman Bob Walsh, second from left, and Freeholder Gary Rich, right, are set to compete for a 2014 GOP nomination. Andrew Lucas, left, then a Manalapan Committeeman and Wall Township Committeeman George Newberry, between Walsh and Rich. Photo from 2011 Freeholder nomination race.

Howell Councilman Bob Walsh, a candidate for one of two available nominations for freeholder at the Monmouth Republican Convention on March 22, said that the Monmouth Republican Party’s brand has been tarnished by the Burke Farm deal with Andrew Lucas and by the Brookdale Community College scandal that resulted in former Brookdale President’s Peter Burnham’s conviction for official misconduct and theft.

Incumbent freeholders, Director Lillian Burry and Deputy Director Gary Rich are seeking to be nominated for reelection at the convention.

Speaking on the record, Walsh said that many “neutral people, people who know nothing” that he encounters think that the Lucas farm deal and the Brookdale scandal are examples of Republican corruption.  Walsh said that he talks to these people and tries to correct their perception, “but it is out there and a lot of people think that way, it’s a common thread.”

Walsh was very careful not to speak negatively about Burry and Rich specifically while discussing his own candidacy.  “I don’t consider that I am challenging them,” he said, “I am seeking an office according to the rules.  No one is elected forever.  People complain and complain about government, yet keep electing the same people.  That’s what’s wrong with this country.”

“People say that government should be run as a business.  I have a very good record in business, as a licensed banker,  and a very good record as mayor of Howell that I am proud of.  I think I am an asset and will be an asset to the freeholder board. I have energy, passion and the flexibility to do the job.”

While not specifically accusing anyone of complacency, Walsh said that his candidacy and his service, if elected, would be a battle against complacency in county government.

“Complacency has no place if public service,” he said, “I am very pleased with some of the things I see happening since I started running.” He declined to elaborate.

Walsh said he expected that this November’s election will be more contentious that usual.

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, February 28 – March 2, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, February 28

• “Girlfriends Getaway Weekend” (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• College Men’s Basketball: Monmouth U vs. Niagara (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Talk Ain’t Cheap, It’s Deadly Dinner Theater (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Family Game Night (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Mardi Gras Gift Auction (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• An Evening of Gratitude, Story and Song (Rumson) – MORE INFO

• Into the Woods at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO

• Free Tax Preparation Help (Wall Twp, Shrewsbury, Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• Sylvia at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Once On This Island at Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Baby the Musical at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• An Evening of Irish Culture (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

SEA BRIGHT RISING TO HELP REBUILD HOMES

• Tweet

Chris Christie promises to take ‘extreme measures’ on pension if Democrats don’t play ball

Chris Christie promises to take ‘extreme measures’ on pension if Democrats don’t play ball (via NJ.com)

LONG HILL — The day after his budget address, an upbeat Gov. Chris Christie returned to a message that has worked for him in the past: State finances are in trouble and only he can help. The Republican governor urged Democrats in the state Legislature…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

An attitude of status quo

Governor Chris Christie came charging into Trenton pledging to turn it upside down in 2010. He made a left turn onto the Boulevard of Compromise in 2011, cruised the boulevard through 2012 and rode the waves of Sandy through 2013.   Now he’s hit a dead end on the bridgegate to nowhere.

The message of the FY 2015 Budget Address is ‘No Change.”   Christie warned of the looming crisis we sent him to Trenton to fix and offered no solutions. No reductions in government.  An increase in spending. Christie lamented that he couldn’t spend more because of commitments made to people who are no longer working and to repay money that has already been spent.

Christie meekly suggested that more pension and benefit reforms are necessary in order to grow the state government. State Senate President Steve Sweeney said, “We’re not doing it.”

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Governor Chris Christie’s FY 2015 Budget Address As Prepared For Delivery

Lt. Governor Guadagno, Speaker Prieto, President Sweeney, members of the Legislature, fellow New Jerseyans:

I am pleased to present to you my Budget for Fiscal Year 2015.

This is the fifth time I have come before this Legislature to deliver a budget message.

It is one of the most important obligations of any governor.

Today, I present to you a budget that is balanced, and, for the fifth year in a row, requires no new taxes on the people of New Jersey.

Total spending in this budget for the next fiscal year is $34.5 billion, with a responsible surplus of over $300 million.

Here is more important news.

This budget, when you take out pension and health care costs and debt service, is $2.2 billion smaller than Fiscal Year 2008.

Over the last five years we have cut discretionary spending by $2.2 billion.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Christie bridge scandal: Records show Samson’s role; Fort Lee mayor meets with feds

Christie bridge scandal: Records show Samson’s role; Fort Lee mayor meets with feds (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — Records turned over to the state legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closings show the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, David Samson, has been “intimately involved” with day-to-…

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Governor Christie’s 2015 Budget Address

Governor Chris Christie will deliver his annual budget address to the legislature at 2pm this afternoon.  The address can be viewed via livestream provided by NJTV here:

“A Choice of Attitude” is the theme of Governor Chris Christie’s FY 2015 budget address.

Christie will argue that state government spending as proposed in his budget is $2.2 billion lower than the fiscal 2008 state budget, save for the $2.25 billion pension payment budget for this year.   He will call further pension reforms, arguing that the massive obligation to state employees prevents the government from spending on education, university research, energy, the environment and infrastructure.  He will argue that pensions and entitlements must be reformed in order to prevent a looming crisis.

Christie says new taxes are not an option.

Excerpts of Christie’s address as released by the Governor’s office is below:

A 5^th Balanced Budget Without Raising Taxes That Makes The Largest Pension Payment Ever

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Cullari Considering Congressional Bid

Ernesto Cullari of Asbury Park said that if he can raise $30,000 in thirty days he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Congressman Frank Pallone at the Monmouth and Middlesex Republican nominating conventions on March 22.

The conservative Justified Right columnist for the triCityNews was the Monmouth GOP endorsed candidate in the 2012 6th district primary which he lost for former Highlands Mayor Anna Little who was tabbed by the Middlesex GOP.

Cullari said that he had hoped that Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden had run against Pallone. “Shaun is a great elected official and public servant. He was the candidate who could really have taken it to Pallone, ” Cullari said, “now that Shaun has said he is not running, I am taking a serious look at doing it. If I can raise $1000 per day for a month, I’m in.”

“I want to fight for my county.  I’m too old for military service, but I would run against Pallone as if I were protecting our freedom, because I believe that ultimately that is what is a stake given what is going on in Washington.”

Cullari said he would file a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission this week and start calling his supporters for donations.

• Tweet

Tip Line Leads To Pedophile Arrest

Kevin Motkya’s facebook profile picture. Photo altered to hide the identity of the child.

A tip made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children lead to the arrest of a 22 year old Howell Township man on Monday, according to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Kevin Motkya was arrested by detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on charges of manufacturing and distributing child pornography as well as the sexual assault of a toddler.

Motkya is charged with one count of second degree Sexual Assault, one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for engaging in sexual conduct that would impair or debauch the morals of a child; one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for causing a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act knowing or intending it would be photographed or filmed; one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for manufacturing child pornography; two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for distribution of child pornography; and one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for possession of child pornography.

Motyka is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $700,000 bail with no option to post 10 percent, and the added condition he not return to his home if he is released on bail, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Honora O’Brien Kilgallen.

Several computers and computer-related items were seized from Motyka’s home.<

The investigation is active and ongoing, and anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-553-7443.

• Tweet