DuPont will file for a recount in Red Bank

Red Bank Councilman Michael DuPont. photo via facebook

Democratic Councilman Michael DuPont told MMM that he will file for a recount of the election results in the Borough that having him losing the seat that he has held for nine years to Young Republican Micheal Whalen by 3 votes.

“This is a close race with a very low turnout,” DuPont said in a phone interview with MMM, “It is important that every vote be counted and the result is accurate.”

Recount applications are due with the Board of Elections by November 18.

Red Bank Republican Chairman Sean DiSomma said, “We respect Councilman DuPont’s right to file for a recount.  We’re confident that the result will stand. We’re looking forward to Mark Taylor and Michael Whelan taking office in January and bringing Red Bank into the next generation.”

Taylor and Whelan issued the following joint statement:

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Neptune City Council Race Tied

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor, a Republican, is tied with Democratic challenger Michael Skudera now that the provisional ballots have been counted.

In the post-Election Day machine count, Pryor trailed Skudera by one vote.

Barring a change in the tally due to a recount, which neither side has announced, there will be a run-off election between Pryor and Skudera, on a date to be determined, most likely in mid-December.

Republicans are said to be reviewing the Vote-By-Mail applications from the City prior to deciding whether to file for a recount. Operatives of the notorious Asbury Park “A Team” are rumored to have managed the Vote-By-Mail operation for the Democrats.

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Red Bank Republicans Hold On To Victory after Provisional Ballots Counted

With the provisional ballots counted this morning by the Board of Elections in Freehold, Republican Council Candidate Michael Whelan has held on to his victory over incumbent Democratic Councilman Michael DuPont.

Whelan was leading DuPont by 4 votes on the voting machine ballots, 963-959. DuPont picked up 5 votes from provisional ballots.  Whelan picked up 4 votes.

Whelan’s running mate, Mark Taylor was the lead vote getter on the machine count with 1,029 votes.  Taylor picked up 4 votes from provisional ballots.

DuPonts running mate, School Board Member Michael Ballard had 925 machine ballot votes.  Ballard picked up 9 votes from provisional ballots.

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2 stabbed at N.J. home of Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA

MILLSTONE — Authorities are investigating a double stabbing that occurred early Saturday morning at the Millstone home of rapper RZA. Police are saying little about the early-morning incident and it could not immediately be determined whether RZA, whose real name is Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, was home at the time. New Jersey State Police responded to a… Read the rest of this entry »

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Tax Man Shuts Down Merla’s Sub Shop

John Merla

The New Jersey Division of Taxation has closed Jersey Shore Subs, the Keyport eatery owned and operated by the borough’s former mayor John Merla, according to a report on KeyportAnchorNews.

On Monday, November 2, Merla announced his troubles via facebook:

The Past 14 Days Have Without a Doubt, Been The Toughest Time For Me Personally, When The SAY The Devil Works 24-7 Thats No Bull !!! Yes It Is True My Store Has Been Temporarly Closed Down For The Past Week, The Little Orange Sticker Doesn’t Tell All Only What The Haters Want To Read…I Personally Can’t Believe The Amount Of Friends, Great Customers And Family That Have Reached Out To Me Or A Family Member To Try To Help, This Setback, Just Made Me Much Much Stronger Then Ever, We Have OptionsAnd We Are Weighing Our Options Very Carefully… Many Of You Want The Store Back OPEN, And That Is One Of Are Options…I Just Can’t Tell You How HARD I’ve Worked This Past 5 Years To Make A Little Business Work For Our Community, I Really Wasn’t Going To Write This But Because Of The Support For The Business And My Family I Had Too…. I’m Sure Those That Have Been Supportive Will Appreciate It, And Those Who Like The Drama, And Want To Continue To Hate,Love It Too…. All I Can Say Is We’re Looking At Every Option Possible….The Devil Might Work 24-7, But I Work Harder…… Anyone That Knows What I’ve Done And My Business Has Contributed, Knows Where My Heart Lies…….Thank You For Your SUPPORT!!!!!!!

Merla told MMM publisher Art Gallagher that a former employee complained to the State that his wages were paid in cash.

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Asbury Park man shot by cop charged with attempted murder

ASBURY PARK — A 20-year-old city resident faces attempted murder charges after authorities say he shot at a police officer during a foot pursuit Wednesday night. Dante Allen, who was struck during the gun battle, remains in stable condition at a local hospital, said acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni. He was charged with attempted murder,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, November 6-8, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, November 6

• Jersey Shore Restaurant Week – MORE INFO
• Red Bank Restaurant Week – MORE INFO
• Agnes of God by South Street Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• The Rainmaker by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• The Seedbed at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Ghost Tours (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Dancing In the Light at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Highlands Farmer’s Market – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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How a write-in candidate ousted Oceanport’s incumbent mayor

OCEANPORT — Before the summer, John “Jay” Coffey didn’t have any intentions of becoming the borough’s next mayor. A member of the Board of Education, Coffey was an active participant in the community — but he didn’t start regularly attending Borough Council meetings until after a slew of officials in the borough resigned. The resignations caught… Read the rest of this entry »

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Jay Coffey is Mayor-elect of Oceanport

Oceanport Mayor-elect Jay Coffey

Attorney John F. Coffey II received 949 of the 988 write-in ballots in the Oceanport election for mayor, according to Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon.  Incumbent Mayor Michael Mahon received 721 votes.

All machine and Vote By Mail ballots have been counted. There were 15 provisional ballots cast in Oceanport, which will be counted on November 9.   Jay Coffey is the Mayor-elect of Oceanport.

For Borough  Council, full-term, there were 807 write -in votes. Write-in candidate Cullin Wibble received a total of 694 votes. Candidates John A. Patti received 901 votes and Patricia Cooper received 843 votes.

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Belmar’s controversial boardwalk pavilion narrowly approved by voters

BELMAR — Belmar residents should be getting a new pavilion on the boardwalk after voters Tuesday night narrowly approved a bond ordinance to borrow $4.1 million to rebuild what Hurricane Sandy destroyed three years ago. The approval wasn’t without confusion, though. Shortly after borough officials declared victory with a plan they had pushed and modified for… Read the rest of this entry »

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