Disputed Asbury Park Election Ballots Will Not Be Opened

By Asbury Park Sun

A Monmouth County Superior Court judge has ruled that 252 rejected vote by mail [VBM] ballots in the Asbury Park city council election should not be opened.

The number of ballots at issue were enough to change the election results.

Daniel Harris III, an unsuccessful candidate on the A-Team slate, filed the legal challenge to the May 14 election. His A-Team running mates Jim Keady and Duanne Small were 178 votes away from unseating Mayor Myra Campbell and Deputy Mayor Susan Henderson, the two lowest vote-getters who won seats on the five-member city council.

Harris’s attorney, Kristie Howard of Montclair, said Harris will appeal the decision.

“Definitely. Immediately,” she said.

The 252 ballots subject to the ruling today by Judge Dennis O’Brien were disqualified by the Monmouth County Board of Elections. The board had ruled that handwriting on the applications for the ballots indicated other individuals provided assistance to the voter in filling out the applications.

Read the rest of this entry>>

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend — July 19-21, 2013 #STTS

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Sunday, July 21

• Red Bank Food & Wine Walk – MORE INFO

• Discover Disc Golf (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Blacksmith Demonstration (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• La Cage Aux Folles (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Canoeing on Marlu Lake (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Dawn Patrol at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• A Chorus Line (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• The Music Man at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Asbury Park Press Gets Its Facts Wrong Again

No news. Empty newsstands stored in the Asbury Park Press’s empty parking lot in Neptune.

This morning the Asbury Park Press Neptune Nudniks have an article about something that might be happening and that might cause something else that’s bad to happen.

Two of the three mayors on the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority may be breaking confidentiality rules — and possibly jeopardizing millions of dollars in redevelopment deals — to keep their governing bodies up to date on property negotiations affecting their towns. (Emphasis added)

In a nutshell, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) is the entity responsible for redeveloping the fort that Congressmen Frank Pallone and Rush Holt let get away.  The authority is governed by a 13 member board. 6 of the board members are representives of the State government. 1 is a Monmouth County Freeholder, 3 are “public members.” The final three are the mayors of the communities that host the fort, Oceanport, Tinton Falls and Eatontown. 

Here’s where APP reporter Bill Bowman got a basic fact wrong:

A state authority under the umbrella of the state Department of Community Affairs, FMERA is the sole body that seeks out potential buyers and lessors and negotiates and approves contracts for the property.

FMERA is not under the umbrella of the state Department of Community Affairs.  It is an independent authority staffed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Have Fun and Stay Safe This Summer

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

By Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

It’s summertime and the living is easy – but to enjoy the fun, be sure to follow the most important summer safety tips so you and your family can make the most of the carefree moments while keeping everyone happy all season long.

Upon Heading Out the Door, before you even leave your house, no matter what the destination, make sure you are prepared for a day outside in the sun. Lather everyone up with suncreen and make sure it is designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.Wear sunglasses and a hat to offer further protection from the sun’s damaging rays and be sure to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other drinks.

If you are just hanging out in your yard, Pay attention to Fire Safety.
Believe it or not, the National Fire Protection Association recently reported that fire departments in the U.S. responded annually to 7,700 home fires involving grills and barbecues. 81 percent of these fires involved gas grills, which makes gas grill maintenance a high summertime safety priority. In order to avoid gas grill issues, check your grill’s gas line for leaks and breaks. Also, always practice the safe handling techniques outlined in your grill’s instruction manual, whether it’s charcoal or gas.

  Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Groper Fingered For Stuffing Bets

Jeffery Bork

Oceanport Police have arrested Jeffrey L. Bork, 65, of Eatontown and charged him with Criminal Sexual Contact.  A betting teller at Monmouth Park, Bork is alleged to have groped the breasts of several female patrons of the racetrack after putting their betting vouchers down the front of their shirts, according to a statement released by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramicconi.

The incidents reportedly occurred between 1PM and 4PM on Saturday July 13.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Oceanport Police Detective Jonathan Tucci at 732-222-6301 ext. 107.

Bork is being held at Golden’s Palace.  His bail is $15,000 as set by Oceanport Municipal Judge Richard B. Thompson.

• Tweet

Ho Lee Fuk, Howie Felterbush!

Gannett’s USAToday Gets Pranked While Reporting Zimmerman Verdict

‘Howie Felterbush’s’ facebook avatar. The photo is actually of photographer Terry Richardson and two friends, according to TinEye.com

Newspaper/website conglomerate Gannett has more problems than the Asbury Park Press Editorial Board Neptune Nudniks.

The editors of the USA Today, the flagship paper of the Nudnik’s parent company, Gannett, were pranked over the weekend while covering the George Zimmerman verdict.

Deadspin caught the prank and saved it with a screen grab:

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Spring Lake Democratic Elected Officials Endorse Christie For Governor

Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton at the completion of the 2012 Belmar 5K, Photo by Stephen Lacko via facebook. StephenLacko.com

Four more Monmouth County Democratic elected officials  broke ranks with their party to endorse Governor Chris Christie for reelection today.

Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton and Council members Janice Venables, Bob Dasheff and Priscilla Reilly joined Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long and Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider in throwing their support behind Christie despite Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal’s attempts to enforce party discipline.

Gopal issued statements critical Long’s and Scheider’s endorsements of Christie, prompting the Governor to say that the 27 year old chairman represents the “politics of yesterday.”

Regarding today’s endorsements, Gopal said, “Spring Lake is an overwhelmingly Republican town. When Councilwoman Venables ran council last year, her mail pieces asked people to vote Democratic locally but not the rest of the ticket. The Monmouth County Democrats, as a county party, strongly supports Senator Barbara Buono for Governor. She will fight for working families throughout this county and state.”

Venables was a Monmouth Democratic Freeholder nominee in 2010.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Scudiery Endorsing Booker For U.S. Senate, Bashes Pallone

Former Monmouth Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery

Former Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery is breaking with the organization he lead for over 20 years by endorsing Newark Mayor Cory Booker over Congressman Frank Pallone in the Special Senate Primary on August 13.

“I was born and raised in Newark,” Scudiery told MMM, “I have great admiration for Mayor Booker and what he has accomplished in the city and with their schools.  I believe he is the right person to move up to be our next United States Senator.

“Newark is not an easy city to govern, but they’ve made great strides under Mayor Booker.  I am proud to support him.”

Scudiery said that the Monmouth County campaign headquarters of the Booker campaign will open on Thursday in the Airport Plaza Shopping Center which he owns.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

United Arab Emirates Donates $4.5 million to Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund

photo by Art Gallagher. Click on image for larger view.

Governor Chris Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie visited Highlands Elementary School this morning to accept a $4.5 million dollar gift to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba made the presentation and, along with the Christies, met with students of the school’s Summer Camp Program.

The UAE Embassy gift, made on behalf of the people of the UAE, will help address critical technology needs, such as infrastructure construction to increase internet bandwidth capacity, wiring and hardware for instructional areas, acquisition of mobile computing devices for faculty and students, and additional training for teachers and administrators.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

NJ Consumer Confidence Jumps

Matthew Morehead, dog groomer and Democratic candidate for Assembly looking confident. facebook photo

Optimism among New Jersey consumers rebounded strongly over the last six months, according to a survey released by the FDU Public Mind Poll this morning.

37% of the 588 residents surveyed said their finances are better than they were a year ago, up from 18% in January and 26% last July.

51% believe their finances will be better in the year to come, up from 34% in January and 38% in July, 2012.

 “We’ve not seen numbers this good in quite some time,” said Krista Jenkins, director of PublicMind and professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University. “Despite Hurricane Sandy and an unemployment rate that has left many in the state without work or underemployed, the past year has been good for many Garden State residents.”

72% expect the value of their homes to rise over the next year, compared to only 48% who thought so in January.

“This is an election year, and what people think about their finances is often a big consideration when choosing for whom to vote. Time will tell how strong an influence pocketbook issues will be in shaping the outcome of upcoming elections,” said Jenkins. “One thing is for certain, however, and that’s the rosier view people seem to have these days about the state of their own bottom lines.”

• Tweet