Galante emphasizes Republican values to support Neff in Little Silver primary

By Don Galante, Little Silver Councilman

Don Galante

Can we take a minute to contemplate what’s been unfolding in our community with this upcoming Primary election and consider how it highlights the very definition of community service? We see a veteran Mayor who has donated 12 years of his time researching topics so he can make responsible, educated decisions to benefit his community and never looking for any credit for doing so. We see a leader who has been endorsed by every other sitting person on the Governing Body, all the employees of the Borough, a number of state and County elected Officials, members of both political parties, a number of volunteer organizations in our town and so many other informed members of our community. I personally have been fortunate to serve on Town Council, putting me in a position to sit next to Bob for this entire journey and watch his efforts to improve facilities, services and the quality of life in our incredible community. Read the rest of this entry »

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Neff does not believe that Brandt is banned from Markham Place School

Little Silver Mayor Bob Neff and Rick Brandt are facing off in the GOP primary on June 4

Little Silver Mayor Bob Neff contacted MMM this morning, in response to our story about the Meet the Candidates event on May 28, to say he does not believe that Rick Brandt, his opponent in the June 4 Republican primary, is avoiding the forum sponsored by the Little Silver GOP because he is not permitted at the venue.

“I don’t believe that Rick’s access to Markham Place School has ever been restricted in any way, so that’s not standing in the way of a debate,” Neff said in text message.

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Little Silver Candidates Invited To Public Forum At Markham Place School

Rick Brandt is banned from school properties, says he’s “taken aback” by invitation to meet at a school

Little Silver Mayoral Candidates Bob Neff and Rick Brandt

Little Silver Republican Chairman Stuart Van Winkle has invited all candidates in the June 4th Republican Primary to attend a Meet the Candidates Night on Tuesday, May 28, 8PM at Markham Place School.  The event is open to the public.

Little Silver Democrats do not have any candidates running in their primary, meaning that is is likely that the Republican primary will determine who will be the mayor for the next four years.   Incumbent Mayor Bob Neff is seeking a third term. He is being challenged by Rick Brandt, aka Little Silver’s Superman.

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Fligor Not Ruling Out Running For Mayor Of Atlantic Highlands

Councilman F. Lou Fligor

Seven term Atlantic Highlands Councilman F. Lou Fligor told MMM that he has not ruled out running for mayor of the borough as an Independent candidate this year.  He has until June 4 to file nominating petitions.

First elected to the council in 1995 as a Republican, Fligor won his seventh term running as an Independent in 2016 with the support of a bi-partisan coalition led by former Mayor Fred Rast and local Democrat Party Chair Regina Hawley Keelen. 

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Donlon Is Top Vote Getter In Ocean Township

Dr. Margie Donlon

Dr. Margie Donlon is the top vote getter in the non-partisan municipal election in Ocean Township.

If the unofficial results hold once all vote by mail ballots are received and counted, the Ocean Township Council starting on July 1 will be Donlon, Christoper Siciliano, the current Mayor, Dr. David Fisher, Councilman Rob Acerra and Councilman John Napolitani.

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Rick Brandt Spent $30K so far in Little Silver GOP Primary

Candidate is acting as his own treasurer.  His numbers don’t add up

Rick Brandt, pretender

Richard Brandt, the 30 year old printing and packaging salesman challenging Little Silver Mayor Bob Neff in the June 4 Republican Primary has spent $29,297.74 in his quest for a portrait in borough hall, according to documents he filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

Brandt, who acts as his own campaign treasurer, says he raised $30,520.11 for his campaign, including $20,450 he loaned to the campaign himself.  He reported expenditures of $29,297.74 and cash on hand of $56, leaving $1,165.51 unaccounted for.  Additionally, at one place on his Form R-1 twenty-nine day report, he says the loaned the campaign $17,100, not the aggregate loans of $20,450 he reported elsewhere on the form, for a $3,350 revenue discrepancy.

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Hornik and McCormac holding joint fundraiser in Marlboro tonight

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik and Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac are having a joint high dollar fundraiser tonight at Cuzin’s Seafood Clam Bar in Marlboro. The $300 per head event is being hosted by Middlesex Democrat Chairman Kevin McCabe and Monmouth Democrat Chair David Brown.

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Prosecutor To Investigate Ocean Township Property Tax Fraud

Councilman John Napolitani does not deny the fraud when give the opportunity

Councilman John Napolitani did not deny that he is the member of the governing body who directed favorable treatment from the tax department for friends of the community

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating allegations that a member of the Ocean Township governing body had Stephen Gallagher (no relation to this blogger), the Township’s Chief Financial Officer, instruct employees of the Tax Department to remove properties of friends of the community, according to an announcement by Councilman Rob Acerra.

The allegations were made in a lawsuit by Meredith Nelson, Deputy Director of Finance, and first reported by MMM.

Acerra released a letter sent to the Prosecutor requesting the investigation and said he confirmed that the allegations would be investigated.

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Acerra: Siciliano “should consider” getting out of the Ocean Township Council race

Rob Acerra and Victor Ashkenazi

Ocean Township Councilman Rob Acerra responded to the news of Mayor Christopher Siciliano’s threat to a constituent on social media by demanding that Siciliano apologize and consider resigning.  Acerra said that Ocean Township “voters should strongly consider turning the page on the Siciliano era” in the municipal election on May 14.

“Here in Ocean we have a rich history of non-partisanship and civil political discourse,” said Acerra in a statement released early on Monday afternoon. “To see the Mayor acting like a schoolyard bully toward a constituent he is supposed to be representing raises doubts about his ability to lead. He is responsible for the commentary posted on his facebook profile in his name, period. At the very least Chris needs to apologize for these remarks, if not consider dropping out of the race. Voters don’t deserve a Mayor who solves challenges and bridges divides by threatening Ocean residents. We can and must do better.”

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Little Silver’s Tale of Two Mayors

By Don Galante

Don Galante

I have had the honor of serving my community as a Borough Councilman for 16 years. During that period, I worked with two incredible people who held the position of Mayor of Little Silver. The first eight years (2000 to 2008) were spent working and collaborating with Suzy Castleman. The second eight years (2011 to present) joining forces with Bob Neff. Although both terms are unique, due to different issues facing our town and our society, there are incredible similarities in both leaders and how they managed Little Silver.

I want to start by clarifying, being Mayor of Little Silver is not a ceremonial job.  The job entails many long hours, lots of hard work, tough decisions and difficult negotiations.  Being Mayor also means doing copious amounts of research in order to make the most educated decisions for the town.  These decisions are usually not the easy or popular ones. And while Suzy and Bob had a completely different approach, I never wavered in my belief that both Mayors have always had only the best interests of their constituents in mind. All decisions were for the greater good, not to win popularity contests or to post photos.

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