Arnone Calls For Tax Cut, Boost of Local Jobs

Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

Freehold– Freehold Director Thomas A. Arnone called on his colleagues to reverse $4.9 million County property tax increase, 1.5%, imposed last year,  now that Monmouth County is no longer subsidizing the nursing homes that had cost Monmouth taxpayers almost $50 million over the last ten years.

Speaking at the annual reorganization of the County government on Wednesday afternoon, Arnone, who was elected as Director for 2016 by his fellow freeholders, announced that the auction of the nursing homes was completed this week and generated $32.4 million, $12.4 million more than expected.  Arnone said that as a result of no longer having to carry the nursing homes, that taxes should be reduced back to the level that the board had held steady from 2008 through 2014.  The Director told MoreMonmouthMusings that he would urge the Board to use the $32.4 million proceeds of the sale to reduce the County’s AAA rated debt.

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New brewery ready to be trendsetter in Asbury Park

ASBURY PARK – Dark City Brewing Company is already a trendsetter and it hasn’t even opened yet – that happens Friday. This long embattled city is in the midst of – or at the very least on the verge of – a true renaissance, with major redevelopment projects underway, an influx of new restaurants and the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Powerball jackpot rises to record $675M after no one hits it

We’ve reached record territory not only for Powerball but for all U.S. lotteries. No one matched five numbers and the Powerball in Wednesday night’s drawing, pushing the top prize for Saturday to at least $675 million. Expect that figure to jump though, as brisk ticket sales twice bumped the jackpot higher leading to Wednesday’s drawing. As… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, January 8-10, 2016

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, January 8

• 19th Century New Jersey Chairmaking Exhibit (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Radio Technology Museum Open at InfoAge (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Mindfulness Meditation (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• Teen Anime Club (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• JSUMC Defensive Driving Class (Neptune) – MORE INFO
• Open Indoor Ice Skating (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Thirteen Abstract Artists (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Student Library Art Exhibit (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Splintered Sunlight at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Dentist at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• White Collar Crime at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

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Federal Charges Filed Against Millstone Gun Owner

John Lafergolo, 52, of Millstone appeared in federal court in Trenton this morning on charges that he possessed 36 machine guns, which are illegal to possess in the United States, according to a state by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman’s Office.

Lafergola was arrested at his Millstone home following a domestic violence incident on October 5, 2014.

According to the 2014 complaints Lafergola pointed a black 5.7X28mm Fabrique Nationale Herstal handgun model Five Seven at the victim. It is alleged that while Lafergola was pointing the handgun at the victim, he stated “I’ll blow your f***ing brain’s out”.

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Scharfenberger Sworn In As Middletown Mayor

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD, on Sunday when the Middletown Township Committee reorganized for 2016.

Selected by his fellow members of the Township Committee, Scharfenberger replaces Stephanie Murray who served two terms as mayor through 2014 and 2015.  Scharfenberger praised the “spectacular job” Murray did as mayor and expressed his gratitude to her for what she taught him about leadership and public service.

Scharfenberger has been a member of the Township Committee since 2005 and previously served as mayor in 2007,2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Guadagno swore in Committeeman Tony Fiore as Deputy Mayor and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden administered the Oath to Committeeman Steve Massell who was elected to his third term on the Committee last November.

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Solomeno kicks off his campaign for Surrogate

Vincent Solomeno

Hazlet-Vincent Solomeno, 30, announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Surrogate this morning, promising to transform the constitutional position that is judicial in nature, to one of advocacy for “the most vulnerable among us.”

Currently a Platoon Training at the National Guard Officer Training School in Sea Girt, Solomeno returned from a one year deployment in as a military planner and manager in Operation Freedom last October.

Solomeno was the Command Historian of the New Jersey National Guard from November of 2010 through until his deployment.
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Fired Monmouth Regional Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sex Charges

Nicholas J. DePue, photo via Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Nicholas DePue, the Monmouth Regional High School teacher who was fired last June after he was arrested and charged with second degree Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, pleaded guilty today to two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of Minor, before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Josepeh W. Oxley in Freehold, according a report by ace Asbury Park Press reporter Kathleen Hopkins.

DePue admitted sending inappropriate text messages and/or having sexual physical contact with two female Monmouth Regional students, ages 16 and 17.

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Man killed in Middletown accident was beloved elementary school custodian

MIDDLETOWN – The man struck and killed by a car on Route 36 Saturday was a beloved staff member at a township elementary school, according to officials. John Chambers, 36, was known affectionately as “Mr. John” to students at Harmony School, where he served as head daytime custodian, Principal Erik Paulson said in a letter posted… Read the rest of this entry »

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Deal police captain killed in off-duty car crash

OCEAN TOWNSHIP — An off-duty Deal police captain was killed Saturday morning when he lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole in Ocean Township, authorities said. Capt. Earl B. Alexander 4 th died from his injuries in the single-car crash at Route 71 near Perrine Avenue at 12:38 a.m., said Ocean Township… Read the rest of this entry »

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