The Arnone Report: Locals’ summer follows a great season, Hire locally for county work

By Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder

Freeholder Tom Arone

I can’t believe I am saying this, but summer has slipped away before our eyes. While the calendar does not officially declare autumn until September 23, the unofficial end of the season is Labor Day, when our beaches officially close, lifeguard towers are put away and the school doors open.  As most of us locals know, some of the best beach and park days are still ahead of us, as September and October provide us with the perfect weather to continue to enjoy these gems we are lucky enough to call home.

The 2015 summer tourism season went extremely well, as we were blessed with great weather – modest temperatures and very little rain; in addition both the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays provided us with an extra two weeks of the season.

I am extremely happy to hear that most beach towns are providing initial reports that badge sales were up over last year, with some reporting the 2015 season as a record year.  Asbury Park has already reported that beach badge sales were up 21% over last year and Belmar has already exceeded their final total number from 2014. Spring Lake officials have reported that beaches have been crowded all season and the shops on 3^rd Avenue are doing record business.  Long Branch not only reported record crowds at Ocean Fest, but has continued to experience a packed beach and boardwalk all summer, with all Pier Village shops and restaurants doing very well.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, Sept. 11-13, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, Sept. 11

• Asbury Park Oysterfest ’15 – MORE INFO
• Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair – MORE INFO
• Belmar Pro Surfing Competition – MORE INFO
• Evita at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• 9/11 Memorial at Mount Mitchill (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Nobody’s Girl by NJ Repertory Company (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Casey James (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Fall Orchid Festival (Neptune) – MORE INFO
• Documentary: The Cats of Mirikitani (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Fort Hancock Committee Meeting (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Sip & Shop at J. McLaughlin (Rumson) – MORE INFO
• Special 9/11 Service (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

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N.J.’s Pallone backs Obama on Iran

Congressman Frank Pallone and Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik. photo via facebook

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. on Friday became the fourth New Jersey Democratic member of Congress to endorse the agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program for at least a decade in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. In a statement, Pallone called the deal “the most effective means available to monitor Iran’s nuclear program and… Read the rest of this entry »

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Long Branch Fire Victims Suffered Gunshot Wounds

photo via facebook

The four bodies recovered from the two alarm fire in Long Branch on Tuesday each suffered gunshot wounds, according to a statement released this morning by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

While it appears that Lyndon “Shane” Beharry, 35, shot his sons Brandon Beharry, 7, and Brian Beharry, 4, and their mother, Amanda Morris, 29, before setting the fire and shooting himself, the investigation is ongoing and the cause of the mother and boys’ death has yet to be official determined by the Middlesex County Coroner’s Office*.  Ms. Morris and her sons’ death have been ruled homicides.   Shane Beharry’s death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Long Branch police and firefighters responded to multiple 911 calls at 11:48 p.m. reporting a fire at 245 Joline Avenue in the city. Once on scene, Long Branch fire officials elevated the fire to a two-alarm fire and requested assistance from additional fire companies from West Long Branch, Sea Bright, Oakhurst, Oceanport and Eatontown.

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Middletown Police Seeks Public Support in Locating Driver Who Dragged and Robbed Gas Station Attendent

The Middletown Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of white, 4 door Toyota Corolla LE (2000-2012) with tinted windows who robbed a gas station attendant and dragged him 35 feet before heading north on Route 36 in Belford on Saturday evening August 15.

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Monmouth and Assembly Republicans Support Marlboro GOP

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (center-right) presents a check to the “Positively Marlboro” GOP candidates, Sui Allex for Council, Ira Goldberg for Mayor and Council candidate John Dwyer, far right, as campaign treasurer Mario Giudice licks his lips in anticipation in the background photo bomb.

Republican activists and leaders from throughout Monmouth County and beyond gathered with the Marlboro Party faithful last night at the Bella Vista Country Club, providing the “Positively Marlboro” GOP slate of Ira Goldberg for Mayor and Council Candidates Sui Allex and John Dwyer with a boost of enthusiasm and campaign cash for their uphill battle to unseat Democratic Mayor Jon Hornik and his “Right Team” slate of incumbent council members Randi Marder and Mike Scalea.

“Two hours ago I was in the Governor’s backyard,” Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, the headliner of the event, said as he started his remarks. “Where are you going?,” Bramnick said the Governor wanted to know as he prepared to leave.”  “Marlboro.”  “Why?” “Because Selika Josiah Gore (Chair of the Marlboro GOP) called me an wouldn’t get off the line until I agreed.”

“This is the most energetic Republican event I have seen this season,” Bramnick said during his remarks and announced that he would write a check to the campaign from his own account on the spot.

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Murder-suicide suspected after family pulled from burning home, authorities say

LONG BRANCH — The fire in a Long Branch home where a family of four was found does not appear to be accidental, authorities said. All four family members — the father, Lyndon Beharry, 35; mother, Amanda Morris, 29, and their two children — Brandon Beharry, 7, and 4-year-old Brian –have all died, according to the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Hornik Confident At Campaign Kickoff

Congressman Frank Pallone and Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik. photo via facebook

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik bursts into laughter when considering his opponent, Ira Goldberg, according to a report on PoltickerNJ about the Democrats’ campaign kickoff at the home of Hornik’s law partner (and unelected Deputy Mayor) Larry Rosen last evening.

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Long Branch house fire kills 3

LONG BRANCH — Three members of a family were killed in a late-night house fire in Long Branch, according to reports. The fire broke out shortly before midnight Wednesday at a home on Joline Avenue, according to a report on WABC-7’s website. Firefighters had trouble reaching the trapped family as thy battled heavy smoke and flames,… Read the rest of this entry »

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FEMA wasted $3M on Hurricane Sandy N.J. field office, audit says

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency spent as much as $3 million unnecessarily as it set up a New Jersey field office to coordinate its response to Hurricane Sandy, the agency’s watchdog said in a report released Monday. By waiting until the storm hit rather than make arrangements in advance, FEMA spent as much as… Read the rest of this entry »

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