House Defense Bill Will Boost Joint Base MDL, Congressman Smith announces

Congressmen Chris Smith and Tom MacArthur cut the ribbon for a new hanger at JB-MDL in 2015

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, passed by the House of Representatives today, provides for a 2.6% pay increase for all military personnel, the largest increase in nine years, and provides $10.2 million for projects at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst , Congressman Chris Smith announced this afternoon.  Additionally, there will be no Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process through fiscal 2019, under the terms of the bill.

“It is critical that this legislation authorizes a pay raise and new equipment for the men and women serving in our nation’s armed forces,” Congressman Smith said.  “For too long their needs have been ignored, and now is the time to ensure they have all the resources and equipment they require to  get the job done.”

The $10.2 million for JB-MDL will fund infrastructure improvements needed in preparation for the highly-anticipated arrival of 15 KC-46A refueling tankers, which are expected to begin arriving in FY 2021.

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Limit Curley’s Legal Fees to $2600

U.S. District Court Judge Brian R. Martinotti ruled yesterday that Monmouth County taxpayers will have to pay disgraced Freeholder John P. Curley’s legal bill from Angelo Genova.

Even though Curley’s legal gymnastics to keep the report of his sexual harassment and bigotry secret was ruled to have no basis, Judge Martinotti ruled that Genova is entitled to get paid by the taxpayers.

Genova should be awarded no more than $2600, the maximum allowable contribution to Curley’s reelection campaign. Curley’s lawsuit was all about his reelection prospects.   He even charged his ride to Court in Trenton to his campaign.

In their opposition to disgraced Curley’s contempt motion, Monmouth County argued that Curley did not have “clean hands” in the matter.

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Monmouth County Fair Closed Tonight

photo via facebook

The Monmouth County Fair held its traditional opening ceremony tonight, attended mostly my County employees and officials, and then closed due to weather.

The Fair will open on Thursday night, July 26, at 5PM, according to an announcement from the Monmouth County Park System.

Located at the East Freehold Showgrounds on Kozloski Road in Freehold Township, the fair is scheduled to be open from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 3 p.m. till 11 p.m. on Saturday and from Sunday from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m.

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Curley’s Lawsuit Against Monmouth County Dismissed

Arnone Calls For Curley to Resign

Disgraced Freeholder John Curley’s lawsuit to supress hi Censure and Reprimanded for sexual harassment was dismissed

U.S. District Court Judge Brian R. Martinotti dismissed all 12 counts of disgraced Freeholder John P. Curley’s lawsuit against Monmouth County today, ruling that Curley failed to make a legal claim.

Curley sued Monmouth County, his fellow freeholders, County Counsel Michael Fitzgerald and County Administrator Teri O’Connor last December, claiming that the investigation employee sexual harassment complaints against him and his subsequent censure by the Freeholder Board violated his Constitutional rights to free speech, due process, and property rights to his elected office.  Judge Martinotti ruled that the defendants did not violate Curley’s Constitutional rights, and that he does not own his office.  Judge Martinotti further ruled that Curley’s claim of reputational damage which would negatively impact his chance to be reelected is without merit.

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone immediately called upon Curley to resign.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, July 27-29, 2018:

By Greg Kelly

Like this?

Friday, July 27

• “Dinner with Friends” by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Indie Street Film Festival (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Red Bank Sidewalk Sale – MORE INFO
• Night Hike on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Noises Off at CBA’s Henderson Theater (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Monmouth County Fair ‘18 (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• The Outsiders at Holmdel Theatre Company – MORE INFO

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The Arnone Report: Freeholder Director promotes Grown in Monmouth businesses

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Hello! I hope everyone is continuing to enjoy the summertime sunshine and warm weather!

I would like to take the time to provide an update on the County’s Grown in Monmouth program. As liaison to the County’s division of economic development, I could not be more proud of the success of this program.

For those who have not heard about this initiative, Grown in Monmouth focuses on the retention and expansion of our County’s agricultural industry through the promotion of Monmouth-grown agricultural products and services. We know how important this industry is in Monmouth County and this program helps business owners showcase their products.

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JCP&L providing water and ice to customers without power

JCP&L announced that they are providing free water and ice to their customers who are without power due to weather conditions at the following Shop Rite stores in Monmouth County:

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Golden: Don’t use law enforcement to pursue marijuana agenda

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden issued a sharp criticism of Jersey City’s decision to unilaterally decriminalize marijuana possession last night via twitter:

Dangerous 4 Law Enforcement-At what point do cities/towns arbitrarily NOT enforce other state laws? Controlling what the PDs can/cannot enforce is a dangerous course action. If you disagree with the law-change it, Stop using LE to pursue agenda. @MichaelAronNJTV @NJSPBA @njfop https://t.co/Od0lW9s4z7

— Shaun Golden (@sheriffgolden) July 22, 2018

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DWI Check Point in Fair Haven Friday, Deal on Saturday

ALERT: The Monmouth County #DWI Task force will conduct 2 checkpoints this weekend:
#1 Fair Haven: A checkpoint will be run from 9pm Friday through 1 am Saturday on River Road.
#2 Deal: The checkpoint will be run from 10pm Saturday through 2am Sunday on Ocean Ave.#DriveSober pic.twitter.com/B5wv3XACsJ

— Monmouth Prosecutor (@MonCoProsecutor) July 20, 2018

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New Jerseyans Need Tax Relief — Not More Spending and Higher Taxes

By Assemblyman Ned Thomson

Assemblyman Ned Thompson

While New Jersey narrowly avoided a second straight government shutdown, the budget agreement that was achieved at the last minute will have a serious impact on area taxpayers that will be felt for years to come.

As a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, I participated in a number of meetings and listened to hours of testimony on Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget that sought to increase spending by more than 7 percent and raise taxes by $1.7 billion. Gov. Murphy and the Democrat majority in the Legislature then spent much of the spring and early part of summer arguing over which of our taxes to raise.

Never, it seems, did they consider reducing government spending nor did the conversation appear to focus on reducing the burden on some of the most overtaxed citizens in the country. In fact, during the debate, serious consideration was given to additional tax hikes, including proposals to increase the realty transfer fee and add taxes to short-term home rentals — two ideas that would have dramatically impacted Monmouth and Ocean County residents. Read the rest of this entry »

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