Former Dem Assemblyman takes Gopal to task for false and misleading campaign mail

By Michael J. Panter

Like Kevin Asadi and other residents, I recently received the letter from Senate candidate Vin Gopal which denounces the Assessment Demonstration Program (the “ADP”), implemented in 2013, as the source of high property taxes.

Since I have run in four state elections in Monmouth County, I have been in Mr. Gopal’s shoes.  Political operatives refer to the weeks before an election as the “silly season”, since candidates will say almost anything about their opponents to generate a headline.

However, there is a line which should never be crossed – candidates should not issue false or misleading information, since it not only subjects them to legal liability, but most importantly, it does a disservice to taxpayers. Read the rest of this entry »

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Al Gore Coming To Monmouth County

Former Vice President Al Gore is coming to Monmouth County to support Democrat candidates up and down the ballot, according to an announcement of the Monmouth Dems’ website.

Gore is scheduled to appear at the Ocean Township Community Gym on Sunday, October 15 from 3 P.M till 5 P.M.

When last we heard of the inventor of the Internet and Global Warming campaigning in Monmouth County, he was embroiled in the “Crazed Sex Poodle” scandal.  Six years before NBC leaked the Access Hollywood tapes featuring Donald Trump and Billy Bush joking about grabbing pussies, Portland Oregon massage therapist Molly Hagerty accused Gore of  groping her and painfully squeezing her nipples over her clothes after she declined to rub his adductor magnus. Read the rest of this entry »

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Property Tax Appeal Attorney Responds to Gopal’s Ignorance

By Kevin I. Asadi

Kevin I. Asadi

Monmouth County residents: I received this letter in the mail today from Vin Gopal. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but a letter like this shows such a gross and shocking misunderstanding of how property taxes work, that I fear what damage he might do to all of us, should he win.

I handle property tax appeals as part of my law practice. Here is how it works, basically: the property you own is given an assessed value by the local tax assessor or by a revaluation company. In most counties, that assessment will remain the same year after year, until the town decides to perform a revaluation or a reassessment.

Whether your assessed value is $100,000 or $1,000,000, either way, your town needs a certain number of dollars in the kitty each year in order to operate. Take the amount of money the town needs divided by their total assessments, and the quotient is called the “general tax rate.” The property tax dollars you pay is the product of your assessed value times the general tax rate. Read the rest of this entry »

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Scharfenberger honored for Historic Preservation

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon announced today that Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, PhD, is this year’s M. Claire French Award winner.

Created by Hanlon in 2015 and named for her predecessor, The M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation recognizes outstanding achievements of an elected official, government employee, public servant or civic organization in supporting historic preservation in Monmouth County through education, development, planning, rehabilitation, advocacy, community leadership or other means.

“Gerry Scharfenberger, an Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Monmouth University, exemplifies the important aspects of the M. Claire French Award through his dedication to the maintenance and preservation of various historic sites in Monmouth County,” said Hanlon. “It is my honor to present the award to such a deserving community leader and educator.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, October 6-8, 2017

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, October 6

• “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at Allaire Village – MORE INFO
• “A Raisin in the Sun” at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Keansburg Centennial Weekend Celebration – MORE INFO
• Camp Evans Base of Terror (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Brennan & Christine Sweet: Live & Intimate (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Once Upon a Mattress by Stone Church Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO
• “Legend of the Jersey Devil” at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth County Honors Its Fallen Firefighters

The Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated at the Monmouth County Fire Academy in Howell on Sunday morning during a moving ceremony that commemorated the courage of the 47 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the lives and property of county residents from 1881 through 2017.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Neptune double homicide victims identified

Frantz Paraison  37, of Neptune Township and Shaezeel Collins, 37, of Toms River were shot dead on the 500 block of Sayre Street on Friday afternoon. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office identified the victim in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

At about 4:30 p.m. Friday, Neptune Police responded to a 911 call for two gunshots victims.  Upon Officers arrival, they found Paraison and Collins inside a gray 2004 Acura MDX .   Read the rest of this entry »

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Howell Homeless Camp Is Preparing For Winter, Seeking Alternative Shelter For Residents

photos courtesy of Minster Steve Brigham
Minister Steve Brigham, the founder of Destiny’s Bridge , the non-profit organization that operates the homeless camp in Howell, announced on facebook this morning that the organization is seeking to find alternative housing for residents of the camp for the winter months.

Brigham opened the Howell camp last year with the agreement of the Township.  Prior to that, the minister operated Tent City in Lakewood for many years, taking care of as many as 130 homeless people, before Lakewood officials shutdown and demolished the camp while providing temporary rental assistance to 60 residents. Read the rest of this entry »

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Things to do in Monmouth County on Sunday instead of watching football

Protesting during the National Anthem has become the sanctioned cultural message of the NFL.  Here are some great things to in Monmouth County on Sunday instead of watching football.

Sunday, Oct. 1

• Pier Fest ’17 (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Artisan Festival ’17 (Freehold Twp.) – MORE INFO
• All About Eve Festival of the Arts (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Apple Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

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FOP Lodge #30 – Monmouth County Superior Officers Endorses Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry for reelection

Freehold, NJ- The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #30, Monmouth County Superior Officers’ Association, supports the reelection of Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry announced the association’s president, Shawn Reece.

“Public Safety is one of the most important functions of county government,” Reece said. “Freeholder Director Burry has always recognized that truth and as the liaison to the Sheriff’s Office has made sure that our members have the support, training and resources we need to keep Monmouth County a safe and secure place to live and raise our families. Read the rest of this entry »

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