D.C. Ship Yard District – New York Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez is upset this week after learning that she is not the political heroine that she was hoping to be for America.  In fact, according to a new Gallup poll released last week, she’s no different than any of her peers in Congress.

You can view the poll results here.

“Despite her undeniable uniqueness, Ocasio-Cortez’s image is now much like most of her congressional peers, whose negative ratings generally outweigh their positive ones,” Gallup said.  “[Americans]  view of her has become slightly more negative than positive.”

The poll doesn’t say why, but it revealed that although she has a bias, which could almost be described as hatred toward white people in America, it’s not just rich, old Republicans who are losing patience with the young socialist pushing to bankrupt America with an insane $93 trillion hail mary Green New Deal, because, after all, if we don’t implement her way, it’s the highway…and the end of the world in just twelve years.

Nearly across the board, Americans are moving into Ocasio’s red zone.   She lost favorability with adults nationwide, Republicans and independents.  Both men and women have expressed lower approval ratings since Gallup’s last @AOC poll last September.  After blaming most of America’s woes on white people, Republicans, and the ever so disgusting “Boomers” as she and her followers call them in disdain, she’s also losing ground with white people, showing a 15% drop in her approval rating since September in that demographic.

None of it matters for Cortez who recently certified that her constituents are illegal aliens living in Queens and the Bronx, so at the end of the day, to get re-elected, that’s all she needs to focus on…except for one small problem…it will be interesting to see how she does in her next election after costing her community 25,000 high paying Amazon jobs.

Cortez who champions herself as the leader of the millennial segment of America also had some spillage in the 18 to 34 demographic, with a 7% drop in her approval ratings…probably just the white dudes though.

One thing is evident, outside of the Democrat party and Nancy Pelosi, America is losing their patience with the young champagne socialist who now cries racial injustice, white privilege and has increased her racially biased attacks against white people in America in recent weeks.

Apparently, anyone who is white and doesn’t agree with her Marxist agenda is labeled as a white supremacist white dude.   Anyone who thinks $93 trillion to stop cows from farting is bigoted.

Ocasio…America now has your number.   No amount of tweet-shaming us as “racists” is going to make us think you’re anything but ignorant champagne socialist with a bad idea.  The reality is, you wouldn’t win an election outside of your own district…and probably won’t win again in 2019, so sit back, enjoy the ride and find a way to funnel more money into your own bank account like your peers…because you won’t have as long as Nancy did to accumulate her wealth, especially when it’s not white Republicans who are your biggest threat…but your own party who is already plotting your defeat, because you’re even too much for “Centrist” Democrats and even center-left Democrats to stomach.

 

 

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TRENTON-Not even a few days after New Jersey officially became a sanctuary state, liberal-progressive New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy passed his party’s “Rain Tax” into law.  The new law will allow local government the ability to establish stormwater management authorities, similar to municipal water utility authorities to then tax residents and businesses for their stormwater runoff.

The problem is, for many, this will be double taxation as local land use boards already charge business owners and residents for proper stormwater management measures during the construction phase of a home, a new business or shopping center.

“Governor Murphy just signed the Rain Tax into law,” said Steinhardt, Chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party.  “This measure opens up a new avenue for Murphy’s government to collect tax revenue from New Jersey businesses and homeowners.”

Steinhardt, a vocal critic of Murphy’s California style progressive agenda said the rain tax will do nothing more than to continue taxing the highest taxed residents and business in America.

“A rainy day fund used to be what responsible government collected for emergencies. Not anymore. Not in New Jersey. Now, it’s just another Democratic property tax and Trenton money grab,”  he said. “Governor Murphy signed S1073 and opened the flood gates for New Jersey’s “Rain Tax”. Instead of feeding your families, Murphy’s newest property tax scheme runs from your pockets and straight into Trenton’s to feed Murphy’s liberal agenda. New Jersey needs its Republican legislators to create a bill to repeal this Rain Tax. Then, we need to flip seats during the Murphy midterms, ebb the never ending tide of Trenton taxes, and throw New Jersey taxpayers a life raft.

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JERSEY CITY-Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop just scored a progressive Democrat touchdown, forcing businesses that have already invested millions, sometimes billions into the resurgence of his city.   That victory comes in the form of a court ruling that would force all employers in the city to pony up a 1% city payroll tax.   Once one of the dregs of the Garden State, Jersey City has come a long way since the 1980’s, mostly through corporate investment in the city.

Now, Fulop is making business pay for the deficient state and local government in his city.

“Big win for us and our schools. Our legal team did a nice job here on an important issue here that will impact JC for decades,” Fulop said. “The decision is in on Jersey City Payroll Tax lawsuit as it was Jersey City vs the larger corporations. The corporations fought us arguing that a 1% payroll tax on the employer dedicated to support Jersey City Public Schools is not legal. Well – guess what the decision is in and it IS legal.”

Fulop event went on to blame corporations in his city for his city’s educational funding failures.   He also blamed President Donald J. Trump, taking a page out of the Democrat’s victimhood playbook.

“My feelings continue to be that there is no reason these corporations shouldn’t participate in larger issues that impact the city where they are located – especially after they all benefited from the Trump tax cut this is not a big number to them but it is very helpful to our kids,” he added “This will help JC schools with approximately $70+ million in additional funding per year.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-From high atop the swank Agora apartment complex in the gentrified D.C. shipyard neighborhood, Democratic Socialist Alexandria “Sandy” Ocasio-Cortez has taken her place at the head of the table for the Democrat party.    Last week as her hate-filled racist rhetoric continued against white America, she admitted what the more seasoned and intelligent Democrats around her have tried to hide for years…their party’s real agenda.

Illegal aliens are the new constituency of the Democrat Party.  She said it and as the rightful heir to the party’s throne, it is doctrine.  The doctrine that not even party figurehead Nancy Pelosi can deny.  This was evidenced by a Congressional vote that completely ignored Republican Congressman, Texan Dan Crenshaw who put a motion on the house floor that would have closed the door on the prospect of illegal aliens voting in municipal and state elections.

In New Jersey, her Justice Democrat platform reach and influence is evident as even former Barrack Obama insider, Congressman Andy Kim also voted against the measure that would bar illegal aliens from voting in small-town elections across the country.   Kim, like many of the other radical progressive liberals who won congressional seats in Congress, has maintained his far-left political voting line since taking office in January.

While Kim struggles daily to project a credible above-the-fray image as a bi-partisan congressman, despite his past history of encouraging leftist radicalism, his partner in Congress, Ocasio-Cortez has routinely gone off the deep end showing the party’s hand openly despite best efforts by others to hide their hand from the public eye.

Cortez has, most likely, prematurely launched the Democrat’s anti-white platform, which could have major consequences around the country for Democrats trying to sneak through the door one more time in local elections nationwide. She has gone from just pushing “Puerto Rican Power” to demonizing the “white man” in many of her recent tweets, taking on the role of victim, blaming “Old white dudes” for all of the world’s problems.   Soon, she’ll probably start tossing out derogatory “anti-boomer” tweets like many of her young socialist followers.

As far as her calling illegal aliens, her “constituents”, it’s one more example of why this champagne socialist does not understand how America works.   By definition, a constituent is a person who wields power through their ability to vote.   Since illegal aliens cannot legally vote in America, they are not her constituents.  They are people who have broken into America, cut in front of the legal citizenship line and do not have any legal ownership to the American Dream, which if socialists like Cortez have any say, will soon turn into the American nightmare.

Democrats realize they are on the ropes and the fingers of Cortez are far more dangerous than the early tweeting tendencies of President Donald J. Trump to their party.  That’s why they are going full steam trying to rally a new voting base, illegal immigrants and 16-year-olds, because America is realizing the direction the Democrat party is going these days evidenced by the many “walk away” campaigns that have emerged in recent years.

 

 

 

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Mayor Amato Proudly Announces “The Sounds of Summer Concert Series”

Wednesday Night Concert Series Returns for its 20th Season

 

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP– Mayor Carmen F. Amato, Jr. is proud to announce that the Sounds of Summer Concert Series Will return to Veterans Park in Bayville this summer. “I am pleased to say that the return of our wildly popular “Sounds of Summer Concert Series” for 2019 is our 20th year,” Mayor Amato proclaimed.

 

 “Opening night will be Wednesday June 26th. Beginning at 6:00pm, we will feature long-time Jersey Shore talent, Rock N’ Rhythm; a five-part vocal group with a tight harmonious sound of both traditional Doo-Wop and contemporary styles, followed by headliner Garden State Radio, a pop and rock band playing hits from the 80’s, 90’s and today. This band will thrill the audience with the music from Pat Benatar to Katy Perry; from Michael Jackson to Journey and many more,” Mayor Amato said. 

 

July 10th will be a night with two Headliners. Starting the evening at 6pm, we will feature Atlantic City Headliner Gerard Esposito, who will give you a Centennial Celebration of the music of the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra along with the music of Paul Anka, Bobby Darin and more.  The crowd will be entertained by the songs of these iconic figures. From Vegas to Broadway, Gerard can do it all. The second act of the evening will be the The Duprees, one of the all-time favorite golden oldies recording groups,” Mayor Amato added.

 

July 24th, beginning at 6pm, we will feature opening act, Sounds of the Street, a popular Doo-Wop group followed by Beginnings– The ultimate Chicago Tribute Band. “Their horn section and vocals will make you feel like you’re at an authentic Chicago concert as they play all the hits of this Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame group,” Mayor Amato stated. 

 

July 31st, will be our Annual Beach Party at White Sands Beach in South Seaside Park at 23rd Avenue. From 5:30pm to 8:30pm Alotta Colada, keep your toes in the sand and enjoy a jamming island party band with great music, props and a lot of energy, will entertain crowds for the evening.

 

August 7th, beginning at 5:30pm, will be our Eighth Annual “Night Out Against Crime.”  Mayor Amato stated, “The Berkeley Township Police Department will be on hand along with our Township First Aid Squads, Township Fire Departments and other public safety agencies to greet residents and show the different types of equipment that they utilize. All of these public safety agencies will have their vehicles and equipment on display, as well.  Our DARE Program will also be there with games and prizes for the children to enjoy.” The group performing at 7:30pm is The Infernos Band, America’s #1 Show Band and the area’s premier live performance group singing four decades of music.

 

August 21st, will begin with Julian & Dominique. This dynamic duo will entertain the audience with a wide variety of music.  Known as the show of 1,000 voices, you will delight to the sounds of Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Antibellum, Michael Buble, Johnny Mathis, Barry White and many more. They will be followed by headlining group,“Wanted DOA” a Bon Jovi Tribute Band. This is the ultimate tribute to this Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame band. The look and sound of this band will make you feel like you’re at an actual Bon Jovi concert.

 

Our Summer Concert Series Finale will be on Saturday, September 7th – Berkeley Township Community Pride Day. Community Pride Day begins at 11 am with rides and inflatable’s for the kids.  We will have many vendors, local non-profits and community groups. The late afternoon will begin our musical entertainment at 5:30pm with Jukebox Legends. Their vocals and show will take you back in time to the sounds of the 50’s and 60’s, followed by New Power Soul. This dynamic 9-piece band will entertain the crowd with their music and showmanship.  From R&B, Classic Rock, 80’s to Top 40. From Queen to Bruno Mars.  High Energy all the way!! After the show, we will have a fabulous fireworks display. 

 

As always, the cost of the summer entertainment is funded by community and business donations. These donations fund Berkeley Township’s entire Summer Concert Series, our Beach Party, Berkeley Township Community Pride Day and other summer events. The funds are raised through the Mayor’s golf outing, our summer program book and outdoor stage advertising. 

 

Local businesses interested in sponsoring, can visit:

http://www.berkeleytownship.org/document_center/Recreation/2019%20Concert%20Packet.pdf

To download a Summer Advertising Packet or contact Berkeley Recreation at: 732-269-4456.

 

The Annual Mayor’s Golf Outing, is scheduled for Thursday, June 6th. If you’re interested in being a sponsor or playing in the golf outing, you can contact Berkeley Recreation at: 732-269-4456.

 

Mayor Amato said, “As you can see we have a great mix of talented groups in our summer line up. There’s something for everyone!  Please come on out for a great summer of entertainment and don’t forget to bring a chair! Refreshments are always provided by our local non-profit groups and organizations that use these concerts as their fundraisers. We hope to see you at the show!!!”

 

https://www.facebook.com/695145930612295/photos/a.736391686487719.1073741828.695145930612295/1341566835970198/?type=3&theater

 

For more information, contact the Berkeley TownshipRecreation Department at 732-269-4456 or www.BTRec.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Berkeley-Township.

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BEACHWOOD-We’re all familiar with the iconic dinosaur along Route 9 in Bayville, but soon, you won’t have to travel as far south to see one.   The owners of the Sandcastle Diner will soon have a concrete dinosaur at their doorstep, thanks to Mark Stanfeild, of Empire Masonry.

Stanfield is constructing a new dinosaur at the Sandcastle Diner in Beachwood.  He was the one who helped restore the original dinosaur just a couple miles south in Bayville.

Photos by Sandcastle Diner.

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TRENTON-Governor Phil Murphy is upset.  The Governor who is suing President Donald Trump to block the building of the border wall between the United States and Mexico, declared his state a sanctuary state, has sharply criticized the President and recently passed a law to keep him off the 2020 election ballot is now upset because he’s not getting money for his Gateway Tunnel between New Jersey and New York City.

Murphy met with the President back in February, but it appears that meeting did not go in the Governor’s favor as Trump’s new budget allocates no money for the project.

Deputy Secretary Jeffrey Rosen said this week if Phil Murphy and fellow Democrat Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, want a tunnel, they have to find the funds on their own.

“Those transit projects are local responsibilities, and elected officials from New York and New Jersey are the ones accountable for them,” Rosen said.

To date, neither state has approved funding for the $30 billion project.

“Those are projects that those communities themselves have thus far chosen not to fund,” he said. “While we occasionally hear reports that officials from those states say they will do so, there is not yet any discernible path forward.”

Cuomo accused the President of injecting politics by not funding the project.

Murphy’s administration has been defiant and non-supportive of the Trump administration since taking office in January of 2018, now the Governor is realizing it is his own brand of aggressive progressive politics that may have cost both states funding for the tunnel.

To learn more about this project, visit Bloomberg.

 

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Mayor Amato will ask Council to Approve Resolution Opposing Increase – Authorizing Attorney to Intervene.

BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen F. Amato, Jr., said today that he strongly opposes Aqua Water’s nearly 19% rate increase. “These are difficult economic times for everyone, for Aqua Water to asking for an 18.7% increase is unconscionable.” Mayor Amato said.

Aqua Water provides potable water to approximately 4,000 businesses and residences in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township.

“I will ask the Township Council to approve a resolution opposing the increase and authorizing our attorney to intervene on behalf of the residents to fight against this increase.” Mayor Amato said.

“Together with the proposed increase of 18.7% in the base monthly rates, they are also seeking an increase in the usage fee from $5.41 per 1,000 gallons to $6.49 per 1,000 gallons. If these increases were to be approved, the average residential customer that uses 5,000 gallons per month, will see their monthly bill rise approximately $ 11.00 per month or $132.00 a year.” Mayor Amato said.

“Council Vice President Keith Buscio said he would be proud to make the motion on the resolution and Councilman John Bacchione has agreed to second the motion.” Mayor Amato said.

The Township has been critical of Aqua Water’s high concentration of iron in recent years. “After many residents contacted the Mayor and Council regarding the quality of water in 2017, we took the extra step and hired an environmental engineer to conduct independent testing of selected sites in Aqua’s local franchise area.

We promise now, to use any resources at our disposal to vigorously fight these proposed rate increases” Mayor Amato said.

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Deborah Heart and Lung Center earned a 5-Star top rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Deborah Heart and Lung Center is one of only six hospitals (out of 67 in New Jersey) to receive 5 Stars, and the rating places the Center in the top 8% of hospitals in the country.

“We are honored to be a CMS 5-Star rated hospital,” said Joseph Chirichella, Deborah President and CEO. “This reinforces our recent 3-Star highest level rating on quality outcomes for cardiac surgery from the Society for Thoracic Surgeons. The staff of the Center work exceptionally hard to ensure our quality measures exceed standards, and that our patient experience is the very best. All of these contribute to Deborah’s overall superior ratings, which is important for patients when making decisions about choosing a hospital for care. While no single rating should determine your care decisions, the CMS rating system is the only one that is standardized across the industry and looks at hospitals equally across the nation. For this reason, it is gratifying to be recognized by the federal government as one of the best hospitals in the country.”

This is the first time since 2017 that CMS has updated its Hospital Compare ratings. This national rating system calculates more than 60 different quality measures in seven categories: mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, timeliness of care, effectiveness of care, and imaging efficiency. It is designed for consumers to compare quality measures and is the most standardized benchmark of hospital quality in the country.

For more information about Deborah’s rating, visit https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html

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NEWARK-Two men who are charged based on the seizure of more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl made their initial court appearances in Newark federal court today, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Luis Aponte, 48, of Hesperia, California, and Denny Diaz, 29, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by complaint with one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Dickson in Newark federal court. The defendants were detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Aponte allegedly drove a truck to a rest stop in Bloomsbury, New Jersey, on March 1, 2019. The next day, he and Diaz met in a car and, once inside, Aponte gave Diaz approximately seven kilograms of fentanyl. Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested the two men and searched Aponte’s truck. They found an additional 13 kilograms of fentanyl and five kilograms of heroin inside.

The count with which the defendants are charged carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.

This case is being investigated by the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprising agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department and New York State Police. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, New York Division; New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill; and N.Y. State Police Acting Superintendent Keith M. Corlett with the investigation leading to the arrests.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-New Jersey Progressive Democrat Andy Kim voted against amending a government voting reform bill to include language that would make it illegal for any non-U.S. citizen to vote in an election.   Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas asked that Congress reaffirmed the notion that voting is a right provided only to legal American citizens at all levels of government within the country.

Democrats, including Kim, largely ignored Crenshaw’s request and voted to approve the bill without language that would make it illegal for an illegal alien to vote in U.S. elections.

Crenshaw referenced the city of San Francisco where illegal immigrants are now allowed to vote in that city’s school board elections.

In a press release issued by Kim after the passage of H.R. 1, he did not mention why Democrats chose to ignore Crenshaw’s request.

“Today’s vote is a victory for the voice of the American people. It’s a defeat for dark money and special interests,” Kim said.  “H.R. 1 is a massive step forward in truly making our democracy for the people. I call on the Senate to take up this bill and answer the call of our constituents, Democrats and Republicans alike, to restore power back to the people and deliver the government they deserve.”

 

 

 

 

 

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TRENTON-Governor Phil Murphy today acknowledged that under his predecessor, Governor Chris Christie, high school graduation rates were increasing across the Garden State.   Murphy

Murphy used his visit to the West Orange School District to spotlight the improved state graduation rate of 90.9 percent for 2018– an all-time high. Now, it’s up to Murphy to continue on the success of the Christie administration’s policies that got the state to where it is today.

The rate which has steadily advanced since 2011, when it was 83 percent.  Christie became Governor in 2008 and instituted sweeping school reforms when taking office.

Governor Christie’s Reform Agenda helped move public education in New Jersey away from an antiquated, ineffective model that props up failing schools and toward a system that demands accountability, rewards highly effective teachers, utilizes performance measures and ensures each and every child receives the quality education they deserve.

“This continual improvement in our graduation rate translates to a tangible impact on real lives,” said Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet. “Each year, hundreds upon hundreds of additional young people are earning their high school diploma, which is a passport that offers a greater opportunity for postsecondary success. We applaud the educators who remain steadfast in their commitment to continue increasing the graduation rate for students of all backgrounds.”

The following is a summary of 2018 graduation rates by subgroups of students:

  • African-American students graduated at a rate of 84.22 percent in 2018, an increase of more than 15 percentage points from 2011, when it was 69 percent.
  • 84.79 percent of Hispanic students graduated in 2018; in 2011 it was 73 percent.
  • 94.96 percent of white students graduated in 2018, an increase from 90 percent in 2011.
  • 97.14 percent of Asian students graduated last year, an increase from 93 percent in 2011.
  • Economically disadvantaged students graduated at a rate of 84.6 percent in 2018, an increase from 71 percent in 2011.
  • 75.82 percent of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students graduated in 2018, an increase from 68 percent in 2011.
  • Students with disabilities graduated at a rate of 80.14 percent last year, an increase from 73 percent in 2011.

New Jersey has consistently held among the highest graduation rates in the nation; in 2017, New Jersey’s rate of 90.5 percent was second only to Iowa’s rate of 91.0 percent.

“Public schools are vital to our democracy and the cornerstone of the middle class,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey.

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ-On Monday March 4, 2019, Chief of Police Matthew Kunz introduced the newest additions to the Jackson Police Department as they were sworn in by Township Clerk Janice Kisty.

Brittany LaFalce, Nicholas Kokich and Andrew Brodzinski were sworn in as the newest full time sworn officers to join the agency.

Brittany LaFalce, age 23, graduated from Jackson Liberty High School and received a degree in criminal justice from Stockton University. She was previously employed by Macy’s as a loss prevention officer.

Nicholas Kokich, age 28, graduated from Jackson Liberty High School and received a degree in business administration from Nichols College. He was previously employed as a purchasing specialist with New Jersey Transit.

Andrew Brodzinski, age 29, graduated from Jackson Memorial High School and received a degree in criminal justice from Ocean County College. He was previously employed as a senior corrections officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

The three new officers will be attending in service training with the agency prior to the start of the Ocean County Police Academy later this month. Upon successful completion of the approximately 23 week long academy, they will be assigned to a Field Training Officer for agency training for approximately 4 months before being assigned to a patrol squad.

Also sworn in as Class 2 Special Police Officers were Lauren Hornfeck and Matthew Cilento.

Lauren Hornfeck, age 28, graduated from Keystone National High School in Bloomsburg, PA and is attending Strayer University for criminal justice. She has graduated from the Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy and the Ocean County Police Academy with a Class 2 certification. She was previously employed as a Class 2 Special Police Officer with the Ocean Gate Police Department and as a part time Telecommunications Officer with the Jackson Police Department.

Matthew Cilento, age 24, graduated from Jackson Liberty High School and is currently active in the United States Army Reserve. He graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy with a Class 2 certification and was previously employed as a Class 2 Special Police Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.

The Class 2 Officers will be attending in service agency training and will then be assigned to a Field Training Officer for several months. Their primary responsibilities are court room security, traffic assignments and road patrol.

With the addition of these newest officers, including 2 officers scheduled to graduate from the current police academy this week, it brings the agency staffing to 94 full time sworn officers to serve the 100 square mile township and its growing population.

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TOMS RIVER-The Toms River school district, it’s employees, students and members of the township government marched on Trenton to demand Governor Phil Murphy addresses a school funding flaw in his budget that shortchanges the district.   The event was coordinated to coincide with Governor Phil Murphy’s annual state budget address.

“Hundreds upon hundreds of Toms River Regional Schools students, administrators, teachers, board members, and staff members, along with parents and Toms River residents, rallied today at the statehouse in Trenton to oppose drastic cuts to state aid that will decimate the district for years to come. The occasion for the rally was Governor Murphy’s budget address, which took place at 2 p.m.,” the district said.

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March 6, 2019— High School South’s Alle Johnsen qualified to participate in the first N.J.S.I.A.A. Girls State Wrestling Tournament which was held in Atlantic City last weekend. Alle was the first Toms River female to be selected to wrestle in the tournament, and she competed in the 118-pound weight class, finishing fifth. She pinned her opponent to bring home the fifth place finish.

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The Toms River PBA Polar Bear Plunge Team participated in the 2019 Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge today and raised $13,721 which helped contribute to the record total of $2.3 million raised by the event! Toms River PBA was 17th out of 447 teams that registered for fund raising. Great work for amazing athletes!

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TOMS RIVER-Mayor Kelaher joined Karen Hershey of the Toms River Chamber of Commerce to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the British Swim School at 955 Hooper Avenue.

The British Swim School offers a unique program of water survival and swim classes that teach all ages: from babies 3-months old, kids of all ages, and adults as well. They operate year-round indoors and you can start any time. Find out more on their website
https://britishswimschool.com/southcentralnj/about-us/

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TOMS RIVER-Mayor Thomas Kelaher stopped by The Oaks at Toms River to congratulate them on their 10 year Anniversary.

The Oaks At Toms River apartments is an affordable senior rental housing community located at 923 Oak Avenue that features one-bedroom apartment units. They are great community partners with the township and the community. Every year they bring a large donation of items for the township’s annual Toys for Tots drive.

 

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TRENTON-Last year, Governor Phil Murphy’s state budget decimated funding for Toms River’s regional school district.  Now, Toms River Republicans are stepping up to the plate to help the students and faculty who keep the engine running within the school district.

This week, Councilman Dan Rodrick and Mo Hill boarded the buses at Toms River High School North with teachers and faculty and headed to Trenton.  They went to join the teachers and students to protest the draconian state cuts in school aid for Toms River.

“The students and teachers were very vocal in their call for restoration of State aid to Toms River and other suburban districts. We appreciate the strong support from the Toms River community,” the Republican Club said in a statement on Facebook.

Toms River and other shore area school districts saw funding cuts under the administration of Democrat Governor Phil Murphy.

Toms River GOP Councilman Daniel Rodrick and Maurice Hill.

 

 

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EL PASO, Texas — Deportation officers and special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday discovered 67 illegal aliens from Guatemala and Ecuador, including six unaccompanied teenagers, in a stash house in Dexter, New Mexico.

The stash house, in the 7300 block of Southeast Main Street, was used by an alien smuggling organization to house illegal aliens who had been smuggled into the United States. Dexter is about 18 miles from Roswell, New Mexico.

Tomas Miguel Mateo, 38, of Guatemala, is charged in a federal criminal complaint with harboring the illegal aliens and with unlawfully re-entering the United States after having been previously deported.

“As the deplorable conditions of this stash house demonstrate, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) have no respect for human life,” said Jack P. Staton, special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. “Human smuggling is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, and the individuals being smuggled are viewed as cargo by the criminal networks. HSI continues to investigate this organization and will hold them accountable for their illicit activities.”

The illegal aliens were cramped into an unfurnished and filthy 20-foot by 20-foot wooden addition to a travel trailer and provided minimal food and water. The addition didn’t have a working toilet, and a sign was placed on the bathroom door that read in Spanish, “Don’t use the bathroom.”

This is an HSI-led ongoing investigation.

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Defendant concealed that she had murdered 6 unarmed civilians and prisoners of war during the 1990s Balkans Conflict

WASHINGTON — On March 1, Judge Marco A. Hernandez of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon entered an order revoking the naturalized U.S. citizenship of a convicted war criminal. The court held that defendant Sammy Rasema Yetisen aka Rasema Handanovic aka Zolja, a native of the former Yugoslavia, illegally procured her U.S. citizenship. The court’s order was based on its finding that Yetisen lacked the good moral character required to naturalize because during the 1990s Balkans Conflicts she had executed six unarmed civilians and prisoners of war because of their religion and ethnicity. She later concealed her crimes to procure U.S. citizenship in the United States.

Yetisen, 46, was part of an elite unit of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina that attacked the village of Trusina in April 1993, in what is known as the Trusina massacre. The unit targeted Bosnian Croats who resided in the village because of their Christian religion and Croat ethnicity, killing 22 unarmed individuals including women and the elderly. Yetisen played a key role in the massacre, serving as part of a firing squad that lined up and executed six unarmed prisoners of war and civilians. Yetisen naturalized as a United States citizen in 2002. In her naturalization application, Yetisen indicated that she had never had any military service “in the United States or in any other place.”

“This case exemplifies the work of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. We will use all available resources, collaborate with all possible partners and explore all mechanisms of the law to bring these cases of horrendous human rights violations to justice,” said Mark Shaffer, Chief of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. “Our inter-disciplinary, inter-agency team continues to delve into the human rights abuses that occurred in the former Yugoslavia and around the world, and we will not rest until we are certain that the United States does not serve as a safe haven for those who would commit such abuses.”

“War criminals will find no safe haven in the United States,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. “The Justice Department will continue to prosecute those who fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship and willfully abuse our [immigration system].”

In April 2012, Yetisen was convicted in a Bosnian court pursuant to a guilty plea of war crimes against prisoners of war and war crimes against civilians based on the firing squad execution-style killings. In exchange for her plea and cooperation, Yetisen was sentenced to five years and six months in prison. Upon her release from prison, Yetisen returned to the United States and resides in Oregon. ICE previously investigated Edin Dzeko, one of Yetisen’s fellow soldiers and another perpetrator of the Trusina massacre and the Justice Department secured his denaturalization. Dzeko and Yetisen concealed and affirmatively misrepresented their criminal history, military service, and persecutory acts throughout their immigration proceedings.

“Sammy Rasema Yetisen’s denaturalization is yet another example of the Justice Department’s enduring commitment to ensuring war criminals find no sanctuary in our country,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The long passage of time will neither shelter nor immunize those who have defrauded the United States by concealing such heinous crimes.”

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations Human Rights Violator and War Crimes Center and the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation, District Court Section (OIL-DCS) National Security and Affirmative Litigation Unit (NS/A Unit), with consultation and support from ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) Seattle Office of the Chief Counsel, and the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.

The case was jointly prosecuted by Chief Timothy Belsan and Senior Counsel for National Security Aram Gavoor of OIL-DCS’s NS/A Unit and Trial Attorney Steven Platt of OIL-DCS, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianne Schweiner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

The HRVWCC comprises ICE HSI’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit, ICE’s Human Rights Law Section, FBI’s International Human Rights Unit and HRSP. Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. The HRVWCC leverages the expertise of a select group of agents, lawyers, intelligence and research specialists, historians and analysts who direct the government’s broader enforcement efforts against these offenders.

Since 2003, ICE has arrested more than 415 individuals for human rights-related violations of the law under various criminal and/or immigration statutes. During that same period, ICE obtained deportation orders against and physically removed 908 known or suspected human rights violators from the United States. Additionally, ICE has facilitated the departure of an additional 122 such individuals from the United States.

Currently, HSI has more than 155 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,750 leads and removals cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries. Since 2003, the HRVWCC has issued more than 75,000 lookouts for individuals from more than 110 countries and stopped over 300 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals or naturalized U.S. citizens suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are encouraged to call the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or to complete its online tip form; or the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section at 1-202-616-2492. Callers may remain anonymous.

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NEW YORK — During the month of February 2019, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal’s (ERO) deportation officers assigned to the New York Field Office arrested more than 20 criminal aliens throughout their area of responsibility, after they were released from local law enforcement custody with an active immigration detainer in place.

“The sanctuary city politics of this city continue to put the safety of New York residents at risk,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO NY. “We need our elected officials to stop the rhetoric. The fact remains that ICE makes this city safer by removing criminal aliens and public threats off the street so they are unable to reoffend, victimizing our city residents.”

Case Examples

  • Bronx County: An unlawfully present Guyanese national, was arrested by local authorities for Assault 2nd, Assault 3rd, Reckless Endangerment, Menacing, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 8, ERO deportation officers arrested him in the Bronx. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Bronx County: An unlawfully present Mexican national, was arrested by local authorities for Robbery 2nd: Aided by Another, and Robbery 2nd: Cause Physical Injury. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 8, ERO deportation officers arrested him in the Bronx. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Bronx County: An unlawfully present Dominican national, was arrested by local authorities for Criminal Sale of Marijuana, Criminal Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 8, ERO deportation officers arrested him in the Bronx. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Kings County: An unlawfully present Italian national, was arrested by local authorities for Criminal Tax Fraud. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 25, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Brooklyn. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending removal to Italy.
  • Kings County: An unlawfully present Spanish national, was arrested by local authorities for Assault, menacing, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, and Harassment. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 26, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Brooklyn. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending removal to Spain.
  • New York County: An unlawfully present Mexican national, was arrested by local authorities for Assault 2nd, Assault 3rd, and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation. He A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. He subsequently plead guilty to Assault 3rd. On Feb. 26, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Manhattan. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Queens County: An unlawfully present Mexican national, was arrested by local authorities for Assault 2nd , Act in Manner Injure Child Less Than 17, Escape, Harassment 2nd: Physical Contact. The victim in this case was under the age of 11. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 6, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Kew Gardens. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Queens County: An unlawfully present Mexican national, was arrested by local authorities for Criminal Contempt: Disobey Court. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 19, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Kew Gardens. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  •  Queens County: An unlawfully present Colombian national, was arrested by local authorities in October 2018 for Strangulation, Assault, and Harassment, and again in December 2018 for Robbery, and Assault. A detainer was issued each time, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 26, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Kew Gardens. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Rockland County: An unlawfully present Guatemalan national, was arrested by local authorities for Rape. A detainer was issued to the county jail, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 26, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Spring Valley. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Suffolk County: An unlawfully present Salvadoran national, and MS-13 associate, was arrested by local authorities for DWI. A detainer was issued, but was not honored and he was released. On Feb. 27, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Brentwood. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending removal to El Salvador.
  • Westchester County: An unlawfully present Colombian national, was arrested by local authorities for Assault 2nd: Intent to Cause Serious Physical Injury. A detainer was issued to the county jail, but was not honored due to Westchester County’s Immigrant Protection Act. He was later sentenced to a year in prison. On March 1, ERO deportation officers arrested him in Valhalla. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.

ERO New York Operations

In Fiscal Year 2018, the New York field office made more than 3,400 arrests in their area of responsibility (southernmost 14 counties of New York State) – approximately 87 percent of those individuals either had a prior criminal conviction or had criminal charges pending, pursuant to their arrest by a law enforcement agency. In a region with a population of approximately 8-10 million residents, these statistics clearly illustrate that ERO New York prioritizes its daily targeted enforcement efforts, on criminals and public safety threats. Reports of ICE raids, sweeps or checkpoints are false, dangerous and irresponsible. These reports create panic and put communities and law enforcement personnel in unnecessary danger. Any groups falsely reporting such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to support.

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TOMS RIVER-Two individuals charged in Toms River after a month-long drug sting have both been released from jail, according to records at the Ocean County Jail.  The pair were charged with intent to distribute heroin on school property.

According to police, on Friday, March 1st, 2019, the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team executed a search warrant with TRPD Emergency Services Unit on 47 Walnut Street Apartment A7 in Toms River and a vehicle affiliated with this address. These search warrants were the culmination of a month long investigation regarding heroin distribution within the township. As a result of these search warrant executions officers seized over a half pound of marijuana and approximately 48 bricks (2,400 wax folds) of heroin with an estimated the street value of approximately $10,000.00 and approximately $700.00 in U.S. currency.

Officers charged Louis Stokes, 40 years of age, of 47 Walnut Street Apartment A7, Toms River, with possession of heroin, possession of over one half ounce of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of over 50 grams of marijuana, possession of marijuana over one ounce with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute CDS on School Property. Additionally, Tosha Hester, 46 years of age, of 47 Walnut Street Apartment A7, Toms River, was charged with possession of marijuana over 50 grams, possession of over one ounce of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession with the intent to distribute CDS on School Property.

Louis Stokes is currently being held at Ocean County Jail awaiting a court appearance but was later released from Ocean County Jail. Tosha Hester was released on a summons pending a future court date.

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TOMS RIVER, NJ-A police report issued by the Toms River Police Department said two men from out of state caught with 2,000 doses of heroin were charged and set free after being arrested last week.

On Saturday, March 2, 2019, as a result of a suspicious vehicle investigation during a surveillance operation, the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team seized approximately 2 grams of marijuana, $580.00 in U.S. currency and a plastic bag containing more than 20 grams of raw heroin. Once broken down and cut that heroin had the potential to be 45 bricks, or over 2000 doses, with an approximate street value of $10,000.00.

Officers arrested and charged the passenger of the vehicle, Covan Taylor Jr., 27, of Huttig, Arkansas with possession of heroin, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of heroin over one half ounce with the intent to distribute (Second Degree). Mr. Taylor was initially held at the Ocean County Jail but has since been released by the court pending a future court date.

Officers also arrested the driver of the vehicle, John Woodall, 68, of Sardis Mississippi with possession of marijuana and released him on a summons.

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