Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the founder and editor of Shore News Network. A 28 year media and technology expert, Phil is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Joe Rullo Challenges New Jersey's Assault on Gun Rights in Jackson Township

JACKSON-New Jersey candidate for Governor and Ocean County resident Joseph Rullo spoke Wednesday night in front of a standing room only crowd at the Jackson Township based Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club about the citizens’ right to carry and conceal in the Garden State.

Jackson Township is New Jersey’s third largest municipality by square miles with over 100 square miles of land, most of protected pinelands and wetlands, making it one of the top hunting destinations in New Jersey.

It’s a town where each deer season cars and trucks line the roads near the thousands of acres of protected open space.  It’s one of those few places in New Jersey where a deer stand in the woods or a duck blind in an old cranberry bog is a common sight.

Rullo spoke to some 300 of those avid hunters and gun rights advocates at the club’s regular meeting.

Rullo took aim at Democrat politicians such as Senator Cory Booker, the former mayor of the City of Newark, where violent crime in that city is five times greater than elsewhere in the state for promoting restrictive gun control laws that Rullo said only empowers the bad guys.

During his speech he also took aim at the length of time it takes for law abiding citizens of New Jersey to obtain a firearms permit.

“In this town, you can’t get your gun permit approved in six months and that is inexcusable,” he added.   “As governor I will work immediately with the New Jersey State Police and chiefs of police to help make the process quicker and give them the resources they need.”

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was also in Rullo’s crosshairs.   At the March 8th Ocean County GOP nominating convention, Guadagno bragged about being a female armed with a gun, a right she shares with few other women in the state.

“Never underestimate a woman with a bulletproof vest who carries a gun,” Guadagno bragged before her opponent Jack Ciattarelli and the Republican establishment present at that event.  Rullo agreed with the Lt. Governor, every woman should be allowed to arm and protect herself, not just the political elite.

“Everyone should be able to carry a gun in New Jersey, Kim,” Rullo said in front of the Jackson gun club.  “But we don’t even know where the hell you stand on the second amendment…we don’t know where half of them stand.”

Rullo said that the government is so worried that everyone will apply for conceal and carry permits, but said that isn’t the case, instead said even if few people actually applied, it would be a deterrent because criminals and terrorists won’t know who is armed and who is not.

He doubled down on his commitment to conceal and carry, saying if elected governor he will turn down his right to be protected by armed security if the average resident can’t be afforded the same protections.

“I will not be protected by guns financed by taxpayers when the people of NJ are sitting ducks stripped of their rights to conceal carry,” Rullo said today.  “I will hire my own personal protection if it is necessary with my salary. The irony is I believe my life has been in more danger as a candidate with so many controversial issues.”

“I have over 100,000 social media followers from all my pages pages combined and as many candidates receive threats during the campaign,” he added.  “I don’t have the state police watching over me at most events if the Lt. Governor is not at the event.”

 

 

 

Establishment Republicans in Toms River Launch Attack Against Primary Challenger Lamb

TOMS RIVER-A press release issued by the Toms River Republican Club, the political powerbrokers of the community, criticized fellow Republican opponent Justin Lamb, just days after Lamb thanked the town council for holding the line on taxes in 2017.

Lamb, an Ortley Beach resident and Lavallette police officer running against incumbent Maria Maruca in the June 6th Republican primary criticized the township council, calling the all-Republican council out for raising taxes in previous years, but backtracking on a 2017 hike after his open criticism.

The township council, in April submitted a new budget that lowered spending by nearly an additional $1,000,000 after Lamb’s criticism.

The township establishment Republicans grilled Lamb for only criticizing the municipal budget while  making no comment on a school board tax hike.

“Lamb pans the zero tax increase by the Republican Kelaher team, fails to criticize the HUGH[sic] tax increase levied by dem controlled BOE,” a statement issued by Toms River Republican Club Chairman Robert DiBiase read.  “Members of the Toms River Regular Republican Club are pushing back against political newcomer, Justin Lamb.”

Lamb responded quickly to the attack by the Republican power base.

“This unfounded criticism does not surprise me in the slightest,” Lamb said.  “Regardless of what a local club spokesman may opine, I have not slammed a zero percent municipal increase, rather I’ve questioned the township council’s leadership prior to my announcement and the tendency to react hastily to the challenging issues facing Toms River.”

“His candidacy is fundamentally questionable,” DiBiase said.  “I see no measure of credibility here, his actions so far seem intentioned only to help Democrats in November.”

Lamb responded to say the township Republicans, including the club chairman, who he noted is also employed by the township,  are trying to squash his right to legally challenge them in a Republican primary election this June.

“I find the attack on my eligibility to run for office, a right bestowed upon me through the United States Constitution, completely baseless,” he added.   “I’ll continue to focus on the real issues our community faces and not on personal attacks. I will keep driving the agenda going forward and hopefully, the so-called Republican establishment will continue following my lead on addressing these issues.”

Lamb, a Republican is running against incumbent Maria Maruca in the June 6th Republican primary for Toms River Township’s Ward 1 council seat.

 

 

 

Taxes Going Up…Jackson Council Votes to Exceed NJ 2% Budget Cap for 2017

JACKSON-Taxes in Jackson are on the rise again.

On April 11th, the township council approved an ordinance to raise taxes beyond the state’s annual 2% tax increase cap set forth by Governor Chris Christie.

The council voted 4-1 in favor of the tax increase in which the budget exceeds the 2% cap by $1,040,243, a total appropriations increase of 3%.

“The Township Council hereby determines that a 3.00% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $1,040,283 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary,” the approved ordinance states.

Council members Scott Martin, Barry Calogero, Robert Nixon and Anne Updegrave voted in favor of exceeding the 2% tax cap.

Council President Ken Bressi rejected the Mayor’s request to exceed the cap and dissented with his fellow councilmembers, saying only, “no” when asked for his vote by township clerk Ann Marie Eden.

This year, the township will collect $155 million in taxes between the township, school board and fire companies, including $2.2 million for open space purchases, $31.8 million in municipal spending, representing an overall increase of nearly $1,000,000 for the municipal government.

According to the proposed budget, the 6 member mayor/council body will cost the township $175,603 for part time services including base pay, medical benefits and employment taxes.

Total personnel costs for the township will be $28,000,000 in 2017.

Township executives feeling under the weather in 2016?

In total, the township will pay out $2.9 million, or 10% of the total payroll for 2016, in compensated absence (sick pay) pay, including $34,500 to the Director of Public Works, $32,000 to the Chief Financial Officer and $27,000 to the chief of police.

According to the U.S. Census, The median income for a household in the township was $65,218, and the median income for a family was $71,045. Males had a median income of $51,276 versus$33,882 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,981.

Professional Expenses

Jackson’s legal campaign donors stand to make out big again in 2017, with $857,000 in payouts expected, an increase from $831,000 in 2016, an overall increase in legal costs for the year.  Professionals on the land use board and engineers also will see increases in 2017.

Code enforcement wages will increase from $287,000 to $305,000.

You can view the complete budget on the Jackson Township website, here.

 

 

 

 

Opponents Blast Guadagno Tax Plan as "Short Circuit" and "Rearranging Deck Chairs on Titanic"

TOMS RIVER-This week Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno unveiled an immediate property tax relief proposal which promises tax cuts for middle class families.

Guadagno called her tax relief program a property tax ‘circuit breaker’ by capping a homeowner’s property tax bill to a percentage of their household income, but campaign rival Joe Rullo today said that her plan will short circuit because it relies on an audit of state finances that has neither yet been conducted nor is guaranteed to free up the $1.5 billion necessary to make it work.

“Like a circuit breaker for electricity, which automatically stops the flow of electricity after exceeding a safe capacity, the property tax ‘circuit breaker’ kicks in if the school portion of a homeowner’s property tax liability exceeds 5% of their yearly household income,” Guadagno said.  “The homeowner will receive a direct credit on their tax bill for any amount exceeding the 5% threshold. Depending on the school district, average savings under this plan would be $1,000 annually.”

“The administration of Christie and Guadagno has missed revenue projections for years,” Rullo said. Rullo said the plan is nothing more than typical baseless Trenton posturing and smoke and mirrors that voters have grown weary of.  Rullo said Guadagno’s “circuit breaker” plan, like most other plans that promised tax relief for New Jersey residents is bound to short circuit an already overloaded breaker box.

Rullo said the plan relies on too much on an audit that hasn’t yet been conducted and will probably not turn up the $1.5 billion needed to support the plan, adding that gimmicks such as the Lt. Governor’s “Circuit Breaker” plan are what have driven New Jersey to its current state of affairs.

Instead of addressing the major problems in New Jersey headon, Jack Ciattarelli said the plan is dangerous and irresponsible.

“The Lt. Governor’s so-called plan is disappointing and akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Proposing a $1.5 billion property tax plan by saying it will be paid for with undetermined savings and assumed revenue growth is both dangerous and irresponsible,” Ciattarelli said.  “This kind of proposal is a continuation of the failed economic and fiscal policies of the last 7+ years that have led to 11 credit downgrades, the highest property taxes in the country, and a record number of people fleeing the state.”

Ciattarelli said few hardworking Jersey residents would actually benefit if her plan was to go forward.

“The Lt. governor’s plan is also flawed in that it provides zero tax relief to many middle-class families. Based on her own projections, a family where a public school teacher is married to a police officer would be considered ‘too wealthy’ to benefit.” he added.

 

 

Taking on Town Hall in Toms River: Lamb Criticizes New Budget as Political Posturing Ahead of Election

TOMS RIVER-Justin Lamb, who has been taking on town hall this week in his bid to unseat establishment Republican incumbent Maria Maruca in the town’s coastal first ward issued another release today, this time criticizing the township budget.

Initially posed as a tax increase, Lamb said a last minute budget change to show a zero tax increase was nothing more than political posturing during an election cycle.

“As the primary challenger, it is gratifying to watch the Township Council mirror the sentiments I expressed in my opening Facebook post over two weeks ago,” Lamb said.  “The property tax burden placed on our residents, especially those living in our beach and bay communities has been totally unacceptable. With 50 days left until the primary, the Township Council’s posturing is obvious and the Republican voters will not be fooled. The time has come for an outside Republican voice to enter the fray and lead, rather than take a reactive position.”

Lamb said the budget is beyond numbers on a spreadsheet though.  Being a resident of the barrier island, where some 600 homes have yet to be rebuilt from Hurricane Sandy nearly five years ago, he said the budget is also about the losses those residents endure and the hardships they face trying to rebuild their homes.

Lamb said many of the difficulties are the result of policy decisions made by the elected council.

“What is truly disappointing to me is hearing the stories from dozens of Ward 1 residents who faced overwhelming difficulties in dealing with our township in rebuilding after the storm,” he said.  “The burdens placed upon these hardworking folks through the policy decisions by this Township Council has in itself kept the so-called “hole” in our tax base intact five years later. Our residents are simply fed-up and I do not blame them.”

Lamb invited residents to discuss the important issues facing ward 1 voters on his campaign facebook page:

Candidate Criticizes Toms River Council over Airbnb Legislation

TOMS RIVER-Seaside vacationers looking for a place to spend a few days on the barrier island in Ocean County these days are turning to Airbnb to find short term summer vacations rentals.

Airbnb is a San Francisco based firm that connects rental property owners directly with potential renters through their iphone, mobile devices and online.

The service allows travelers to book accommodations worldwide, directly with the property owners.

The Toms River Township council has recently attempted to regulate Airbnb style rentals within its borders, restricting short term rentals under 30 days on the mainland year round and limited airbnb rentals to a period between April 15th and September 15th on the barrier island.

Justin Lamb, a Lavallette police officer who is challenging incumbent councilwoman Maria Maruca in the township’s first ward called the ordinance a knee jerk decision.

“The Township Council’s overreach in its hastily delivered Airbnb measure illustrates the type of bad decision making that needs to end now. The ordinance as delivered was a knee-jerk reaction that was short-sighted and showed the lack of understanding the governing body has with our residents. After coming under fire by our Ward 1 residents, they now are quickly working to undo the draconian course they prematurely took,” Lamb said.  “As a strong Republican, I believe that any restriction on individual property rights is not consistent with the same conservative principles our Township Council members now claim to be running on in this primary election. With that being said, the council’s unwillingness to craft an ordinance that balances the interests and concerns of every resident in Ward 1 should not be tolerated. This type of knee-jerk decision-making must end now. The residents of Ward 1 deserve a more transparent and rational governing body.”

Toms River’s first ward is split between the eastern portion of Toms River on the mainland and the township’s barrier island communities.

The township is scheduled to host a public hearing to revise the airbnb ordinance on April 25th at 6pm at town hall.

 

Rullo Calls Guadagno, Ciattarelli Career Politicians, BS Artists in Facebook Live Message

The battle for New Jersey’s Republican nomination for Governor got hot this week after Ocean County candidate Joseph Rullo called his opponents “bullshit artists” and “career politicians” in a Facebook live message.

Rullo used the 40 minute session to call for an end to career politicking in New Jersey and played his Trump card again with his supporters.

While his opponents Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli continue to fight over establishment GOP support across New Jersey, Rullo doubled down on the everyday New Jersey resident who isn’t vying for political appointments or contracts in the event of a November win.

https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/1322138681154810/

Rullo reiterated his support for conceal carry legislation, tougher stances on illegal immigration and out of control taxes in the Garden State.

He also told his supporters that when his opponents were turning on Trump, he has stood behind the President from beginning to present.

In the video, Rullo again expressed his displeasure of the state being last in many important categories, including among the highest gas prices in the nation, highest property taxes, highest exit rate and highest cost per mile of road in the country.

Rullo has won 10 out of 10 online polls this year, including a poll conducted by the Asbury Park Press.

 

 

 

 

 

HS Lacrosse: Brick Memorial Crushes TR North

BRICK-Lindsay Hernandez was strong in goal, stopping 11 of 17 shots against her in 17-6 win over Toms River North.

Tea Ferrara had 5 goals and 2 assists, accompanied by Megan Egan’s 3 goals and 7 assists.

 

HS Baseball: Manchester tops Liberty 4-3

MANCHESTER-Joe Felipe struck out 10 batters and pitched 6 innings, giving up just one run but didn’t earn the win for the Manchester Hawks in a 1-1 nail biter that broke openin the 7th inning.

Matt Piro pitched 3 innings for the Lions, giving up 1 run.  Rich Dordas pitched 3.1 innings a struck out 3.

 

Jackson Liberty took a 3-1 lead in the top of the 7th inning, but gave up 3 runs to lose the game at the bottom of the inning.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Jackson Liberty
 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 4 4
Manchester Township
 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 7 3

HS Girls Lacrosse: Point Pleasant Boro Defeats Jackson Liberty 6-5

JACKSON-Goals were scarce as Jackson Liberty and Point Boro faced off against each other.  Keira McNamara scored 2 goals and had 2 assists for the Panthers.  Maeve Carney scored 2 goals and had an assist for the Lions.

Team 1 2 Final
Point Pleasant Boro
 2 4 6
Jackson Liberty
 3 2 5

HS Girls Lacrosse: Southern Beats Jackson Memorial

MANAHAWKIN-Laura Flynn scored 4 goals and had 1 assist to lead the Rams to a 12-9 win against Jackson Memorial on Wednesday.  Mildred Timley saved 10, but 12 got through.  On the other side of the field, Clare McCarthy stopped 8 shots on goal for the win in the close game.

Heather Devaney scored 3 goals for the Jags, Sabrina Chandler and Emily Lasko each scored 2.

For the Rams, Crystina Blaney, Shannon Lytle and Alexis Maul each scored 2 goals.

Team 1 2 Final
Jackson Memorial
 4 5 9
Southern
 10 2 12

Boys Volleyball: Swanton Leads Mariners Past Jags

JACKSON-Joseph Swanson had 6 aces, 10 service points, 2 kills and 13 blocks to shut down the Jackson Memorial Jaguars on the road Wednesday.

Erik Wrightson had 8 aces, 10 service points, 5 kills and 8 blocks.  Robert Kauffman had 8 digs for the Mariners.

On the other side of the net, Brendon Hudak had 2 aces, 7 service points, 13 assists and 5 digs.  Justin Bienick had 3 pts, 9 kills and 5 digs.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 Final
Toms River North
 25 25 0 2
Jackson Memorial
 19 20 0 0

 

Jackson MUA Approves Up To $15,000 Pine Snake Survey for Six Flags Water Plant

JACKSON-At the February 23rd meeting of the Jackson Municipal Utilities Authority Commissioners, MUA Director David Harpell reported that a more involved pine snake survey at the proposed Six Flags Water Treatment Plant will be required before the authority can bid the project out.

“Mr. Harpell stated that the Authority heard from our environmental consultant this week and they identified mammalian burrows which could be an overwintering habitat for the pine snake. Mr. Harpell stated that the Authority will have to do an RFP for this additional survey and we will plan on awarding this project in March,” the MUA said.  “The survey can be done early April to see if pine snakes are present. If no pine snakes are identified, we should be able to go out to bid on the project. Mrs. Blake questioned if there is anything that can be put into the holes to see what is in it and Mr. Harpell stated that the normal routine is to put silt fence around the hole and wait to see what comes out. Chairman Allmann stated that if the Authority should need any approvals on this survey prior to the award at the next public meeting, please notify the Board.”

On Tuesday, the authority issued a public notice awarding the contract to DuBois Environmental Consultants, LLC in an amount not to exceed $15,000.

 

 

Domed Sports Facility Planned Near Six Flags Great Adventure

JACKSON-It’s being called Jackson Crossing 2 and includes a domed multipurpose sports facility.  The project as submitted by Cardinale Enterprises of Jackson Township, developer of Jackson Crossing, consists of an indoor soccer dome, and multipurpose turf fields that include one full baseball field, 3 soccer fields and 4 baseball/softball diamonds.

A hearing at the township zoning board will be heard on April 19th at 7pm.  A variance is needed to build the 50.5 ft high dome in a zone where there is a 35.5 foot limit.

The proposed facility will be built at the southeast corner of the exit 16 interchange of Route 195, just north of Six Flags Great Adventure.

According to tax records, the the property was purchased on March 29, 2016 for $1.15 million.

Domed sports facility planned near six flags great adventure

Domed sports facility planned near six flags great adventure

Private Beach Debate Boils Over as Proposed Parking Fees Could Aide Off-Limits Beach Clean Up

DEAL-A plan by the borough council is under fire by the New Jersey Chapter of the Surfrider Organization.  The organization is claiming that beaches aren’t the only thing here that need cleaning, but so does a new ordinance that could allocate public funds to beaches that are off limits to the general public.

According to Andrew L. Chambarry, Esq., representing the public, “The Borough of Deal has proposed their most sinister parking plan to date. They want to charge the public for parking passes which would fund the purchase of a beach sweeping machine. The machine will be used to clean beaches that you can’t access.”

At a public meeting on April 5, 2017, the Borough of Deal introduced Ordinance #1143 which would require permit parking during the summer months on five streets (Monmouth Terrace, Monmouth Drive, Hathaway, Sydney and Neptune Ave) with two vital beach access points for a cost of $100 for the summer or $50 per month.

“Mayor Cohen also said, and this is a direct quote from the public hearing, that this ordinance is the lesser of two evils,” said Harry Chambarry.  “So he admits that the ordinance is evil.”

A release by the organization read:

At the meeting, Mayor Cohen said it best, “If you want easier public access, you’re going to have to pay!” The Borough wants the public to pay $100 for a parking permit that won’t guarantee a space. They won’t restrict beachfront residents from purchasing permits and parking on the street to keep you away. They won’t admit that restricting parking is restricting access. They have no plan for ADA access or handicapped parking. They have no plan for increased traffic west of Ocean Ave. They want to push Ordinance #1143 through.

Worst of all is the Borough’s reasoning behind the Ordinance. They plan to purchase a $100,000 “beach sweep” machine to clean the beaches. Sounds great right? Wrong. Deal has notoriously horrible public access. Many of the street ends lead to dead-ends where access points should be. These street ends were vacated by the Borough in the 1980’s and early 1990’s to benefit adjacent homeowners and create private beaches. In essence, the Borough wants to charge you for a permit to fund beach cleaning equipment for beaches that you can’t enjoy.

The borough tried to pass similar ordinances in October 2015 and June 2016 restricting access. Those ordinances were tabled after they were met with fierce opposition. Ordinance #1143 is another slap in the face to local taxpayers, given that Deal’s beaches were recently the benefactor of a $40 million taxpayer-funded beach restoration project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

It’s clear to everyone that the Borough intends to keep surfers, fisherman and the general public away from what they consider to be “their” private beaches. We have a right to access and enjoy the shoreline under New Jersey law. We can’t allow the Borough of Deal to restrict access to beaches that we all paid for.

 

Ocean County Says It Is NOT a Sanctuary County

TOMS RIVER-Ocean County officials are trying to set the record straight, it is not a sanctuary county, despite it once being identified as such by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division of Homeland Security (ICE).

As of August 2014, Ocean County was officially designated as a sanctuary county.

According to ICE, Ocean County previously stated it would not honor ICE detainers unless an individual committed an indictable offenses such as being a danger to the community, offenses against property, offenses against others or offenses against public order, health and decency.

Ocean County also honored ICE detainers for offenses such as escape and eluding police officers.

Now, the county wants to let the world know it should no longer be called a sanctuary county.

“We are not a sanctuary county, nor has Ocean County ever had an interest in being a sanctuary county,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety.”

We have been actively working to correct the record and have Ocean County’s name removed from whatever lists are out there calling us a sanctuary county.

“ICE has taken steps to memorialize this information (March 31) by removing Ocean County’s name from its declined detainer outcome report list of sanctuary counties and cities,” Kelly added.

The change officially took effect in 2015, when Sandra Mueller took office to replace longtime jail warden Theodore Hutler and rescinded a previous policy that placed restrictions on when suspects would be reported to ICE.

In an email sent to Ocean County Jail Warden Sandra Mueller on March 30, an ICE official wrote: “I want to thank you again for the continued cooperation between the Ocean County Department of Corrections and ICE… I have submitted your updated policy regarding Immigration Detainers dated July 28, 2015 to the department responsible for Declined Detainer Outcome Report and have explained that Ocean County works very closely and cooperatively with ICE.”

Shortly after the email, Ocean County’s name was no longer listed on the ICE declined detainer outcome report, but was listed in prior reports.

Ocean County’s 48 Hour Immigration Detainer Policy was crafted on July 28, 2015 by Jail Warden Mueller. This was done to cooperate with the intention of detainer requests by ICE under the Priority Enforcement Program (PEP). This policy was jointly developed with ICE. Under the policy Ocean County would maintain custody, not to exceed 48 hours, of a removable alien who has been identified as an immigration enforcement priority under the Priority Enforcement Program and that probable cause existed that these individuals are removable aliens. Earlier detainment procedures were not this specific and had not been created in partnership with ICE which appears to have resulted in the county being viewed as a sanctuary county.

Now, the county must hope the change filters through many resources on the internet that continue to list it as a sanctuary county as the federal government begins to take aim at sanctuary cities and counties with the threat of reduced federal funding.

Jackson Memorial (9) at Southern (12) – Girls Lacrosse

Lauryn Flynn scored four goals and added an assist as Southern defeated Jackson Memorial, 12-9, in Manahawkin. Crystina Blaney, Shannon Lytle and Alexis Maul scored two goals apiece in the win as Kelly Fontana and Kaitlyn Spaschak also found the back of the net. Spaschak’s goal was her first varsity goal as Rachel Sauer, who tallied…

New Egypt (10) at Northern Burlington (14) – Boys Lacrosse

Sean Miller | For NJ Advance Media COLUMBUS — After a sub-.500 campaign in 2016, the Northern Burlington boys lacrosse team came into this year with much higher expectations. Based on the game Wednesday with New Egypt, it appears that the Greyhounds may be able to meet those lofty goals. Northern Burlington used a strong first…