Sweet cannoli, a new Italian bakery is coming to Cooksbridge Commons this spring. It’s been years since Sal’s Pastry Shoppe went out of business after the plaza opened, but now at near full capacity and no other bakeries in town it should do well. It is owned by Peter Como, owner of Mona Lisa Pizza and will be right next door to Bubakoo Burritos.
Phil Stilton
Jackson Memorial Jazz Ensemble Member Receive Awards at First Competition
The Jackson Memorial Jazz Ensemble had their first competition at Hamilton High School West and Tyler McCann won Outstanding Musician and Soloist Award. Tom Perucki also received an Outstanding Soloist award. The group’s next performance is at Steinert High School.
MacArthur Visit With Protesters Not Enough for Ocean County's Angry Alt-Left
TOMS RIVER-In a surprise move by Congressman Tom MacArthur on Thursday, he met with alt-left protesters assembled outside the WOBM radio station in Downtown Toms River.
The alt-left across America have stepped up their protests against all Republicans of late. This week was the first time the protests reached Ocean County after the local Ocean County Democrat Club has been hosting courses at branches of the Ocean County Library designed to teach residents how to protest and disrupt at the local level.
MacArthur showed the upset and angry left once again that his brand of Republican and conservative diplomacy and governing is about inclusion, not division, so he spoke to the mob of about 40 protesters.
“Tonight, during my regular ‘Ask the Congressman’ radio program, a sizable group of my constituents peacefully demonstrated outside the WOBM studios,” MacArthur posted on his Facebook page. “I respect each of them – those who disagree with me as much as those who agree with me – for exercising our most precious, God-given right of free expression.”
While most of the protesters were protesting President Donald Trump, some challenged MacArthur his lack of town hall events, something not required by his position and a forum frequently used by liberals with post election stress disorder (PESD) to vent their frustrations about losing the presidential election last November.
“After the radio program, I went out to the group and promised I would honestly answer their questions and asked in return that they let me speak without drowning out my answers,” MacArthur added. “And that began some genuine, open, respectful conversation that touched on a range of issues including healthcare, gun control, the environment, and of course President Trump.”
MacArthur told the protesters he understands their anxiety, being brought up in a bi-political household as a child.
“As I shared with my constituents tonight, I grew up with a Mom who was a progressive democrat and a Dad who was a conservative republican,” he added. “They loved each other and I love and respect both of them. Talking with this crowd tonight was like dinner back at home. I’m grateful for those who took the time to make me a better representative and I always welcome the opportunity to have productive conversations with my constituents.”
This was the second time this week MacArthur, a Republican surprised Democrats, once again bringing them into his circle of inclusion.
On Wednesday, he was hosting a meeting in the same building where the Evesham Democrat Club held their monthly meeting. He stopped by to talk to them about their concerns.
“So, I walked in. Yes, a Republican Congressman dropping in to a meeting of local Democrats to talk with them about some very serious concerns they had. We didn’t yell or point fingers. We talked honestly and respectfully. We certainly disagreed in some areas, but we did it respectfully,” he said. “I genuinely cherish moments like these and I’m certain our country would be the better for it, if members of both parties – Republicans and Democrats alike – would commit ourselves to working together to make America the best it can be.”
But for the angry left, MacArthur’s kindness and openness wasn’t enough, as it never is. Instead of thanks, he was further assaulted on Facebook today.
“Too bad you couldn’t show up for the 500 at Demasi. You don’t get to pat yourself on the back because you got cornered,” wrote Rachel Patore.
“God given? It wasn’t given, it was created by people who were forward thinking and other people who marched for that right,” ranted Meredith Alison.
“Surprise visits for a photo op don’t get you points.” wrote a frustrated Andrea Gurney. “Meet with your constituents in a town hall like a normal, rational, reasonable, paid MoC instead of someone fleeing questions.”
Some were more constructive.
“Thank you for meeting the small group of us that still remained in the parking lot after your WOBM call in show had ended,” wrote Stacey Kalb. “I hope you took away from our meeting, the urgency to have real town halls with real back and forth dialogue.”
“I am proud to have you as our Representative. You have always shown yourself to be a person who truly cares and always reaching across the aisle,” wrote Mark LeMire.
But, for most, it wasn’t.
“So we need to wait outside of your closed door events for the chance to talk,” griped Kelly McKelvey.
The protest was organized by the Ocean County Democrat Club and paid political consultants who are managing a new alt-left campaign of protest and disruption in Ocean County.
The group plans on protesting MacArthur’s March 31st event at Ocean County College, but some conservative groups are already planning to show up to support the Congressman and President Donald Trump in the face of growing alt-left uprising here in Ocean County.
Lead photo by Tom MacArthury. Photos from YouTube video posted by WOBM and 94.3 the Point.
Christie's Shadow, Anti-Trump Stance Daunting Obstacles for Kim Guadagno in June's Republican Primary
TOMS RIVER-For almost eight years, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno has resided in the large shadow cast by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
At a Governor’s forum held in Toms River on Tuesday, Guadagno tried to get out from behind Christie’s shadow and answered to the backseat role she said she was delegated by him.
“The Governor wanted the Lt. Governor to do one thing, bring jobs back to New Jersey,” she told an audience of Ocean County GOP members. “That’s what I did.”
She also shirked off the idea from her competitors, Joe Rullo and Jack Ciattarelli over her reluctant stance on public debates.
“I was a federal prosecutor and carried a gun when I was sheriff,” she said. “Think I’m afraid of a debate?”
Despite being number two in charge for the past eight years in a state that ranks in the bottom ten percent in many areas, she told the audience she can do what needs to be done to right the sinking ship.
Her opponents have called her “Silent Kim” for not speaking out against the 23% gas tax hike and for avoiding public debates to this point. In fact, one opponent Jack Ciattarelli has launched a website at www.silentkim.com, challenging her to a debate in all 21 New Jersey counties. The counter on the website today was at 36 days since Ciattarelli issued the challenge.
Guadagno, like Ciattarelli, will have to overcome is their branding as a “Never Trumpers” after both refused to back the GOP’s headliner last November, a decision that could cost them both dearly, especially during the Republican primaries.
“I will be voting,” Guadagno said at the time. “I can’t vote for Hillary Clinton. I will not be voting for Trump.”
“Every Republican who is not working for Trump is working for Clinton,” Christie said during the campaign.
Two days after the forum, in an online poll conducted by the Asbury Park Press, Guadagno is polling at just 3%, trailing Rullo (45.9%) and Steve Rogers (39%). In fact, she’s even trailing Hirsch Singh, an Atlantic County man who just announced is candidacy Tuesday night.
Rullo Takes the Lead in New Jersey Republican Governor Primary Race
TOMS RIVER-Make no mistake, Joe Rullo is an Ocean County “Good Ole’ Boy”, but not in the more commonly accepted pejorative way the term is usually used in New Jersey’s oceanside Republican stronghold.
Rullo is a small businessman who has never held a public office, bestowed a public appointment or awarded a public contract, but for a decade has been a staunch supporter of Republican values at the Jersey Shore. While he’s a “Good Ole’ Boy”, he’s definitely not one of the “Good Ole’ Boys”.
At a recent governor candidate forum held in Toms River which featured Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Hirsch Singh and Joe Rullo, those vying for Governor had a chance to speak directly to a room full of about 100 Ocean County political movers and shakers.
Rullo’s speech was in stark contrast to longtime Trenton insiders Jack Ciattarelli and Kim Guadagno. Although Rullo touted his core campaign message of ending the streak of New Jersey being last in all the wrong things, he also reminded the audience that he was the outsider who was not beholden to anyone and has the resolve to make the hard choices that lay ahead.
He was the only person to take the stage that night who openly backed and admittedly voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential election. While many in the New Jersey Trenton sociopolitical elite very publicly and very clearly distanced themselves from the President during his campaign, Rullo was promoting and campaigning for him, something he hopes will resonate with Trump’s supporters in the June primary.
Both Ciattarelli and Kim Guadagno, by proxy supported Hillary Clinton with their clear and open refusal to support their the top of their own party’s ticket in November.
On the stage Tuesday night, it was obvious Rullo was the outsider. Both Guadagno and Ciattarelli delivered well planned and calculated campaign speeches, that were probably written by well seasoned political establishment speech writers and delivered countless times in the past few weeks. Both gave the generic politician speeches of lower taxes, fix Trenton, make things better for everyone in the state and other well rehearsed talking points, but it was only Rullo who spoke to the audience with passion and determination to actually fulfill the promises he was making on stage.
Guadagno tried hard to distance herself from her 8 year affiliation with Governor Chris Christie.”All he [Christie] wanted the Lt. Governor to do was bring jobs back to New Jersey,” Guadagno said, and she admitted that’s all she did during those eight years.
“I want to be New Jersey’s first governor from Ocean County,” Rullo said. “I’m the political outsider here. I’ve never held a job and never was given a contract with my business.” Rullo prides himself on being a good Republican with no financial strings attached.
Rullo has tackled many issues that are truly important to New Jersey voters. He resists giving his audiences lip service, because at the end of the day, just a few months ago, he was that guy in the audience.
Rullo has also been critical of New Jersey’s 23 cent gas tax hike imposed by the Christie/Guadagno administration and vows to repeal it. He is a strong supporter of the second amendment, critic of New Jersey’s Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act and wants to see an end to New Jersey’s income tax on veterans pensions. Rullo is also a critic of common core and New Jersey’s Abbott school districts which takes tax dollars from rural and suburban communities across the state and dumps that money into failing and corrupt urban school districts. He’d like to see more of that money staying in the home districts.
He stated that he wants to once and for all fix the pension system in New Jersey so that the money can get into the hands of New Jersey’s public workers and law enforcement retirees.
“Right now, $1.3 billion from the pension fund goes to politically connected brokerage houses in New York City,” he said. “We need to replace those connected brokerages with licensed brokers here in New Jersey and use those fees towards pension payment.”
“I will fire hundreds of high-salary patronage jobs, saving hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes,” he added.
Rullo has been trending on social media. His platform is being consumed by Republicans and moderate independents statewide who are sick and tired of the state’s ultra-liberal tendencies.
In the polls, Rullo is hands down winning them all, except on those where his name is omitted, like a recent NJ 101.5 poll held by GOP political insider Bill Spadea and a recent FDU poll where he polled at 0%.
He’s won several politicker NJ polls and a Save Jersey poll. In an Asbury Park Press Poll today, Rullo was leading Steve Rogers 47% to 32%. Kim Guadagno had 3.8% and Jack Ciattarelli had 2.12%, showing that New Jersey voters are clearly looking for an outsider this November.
Comedian Joe Piscopo was a now show Tuesday night. He just didn’t show up. Steve Rogers hosted his campaign rally and couldn’t attend.
https://www.facebook.com/brian.mcdowell.771/videos/10212438772703177/
Councilman’s Charity Once Again Receives Exorbitant Percentage of Funding from MUA Charitable Kickback Program
JACKSON– A Jackson Township Councilman’s veterans memorial charity is once again the recipient of a sizeable charitable donation from a company that provides water line insurance coverage to its customers under an agreement between the company and the authority.
In 2008, the Jackson MUA chose HomeserveUSA and began offering its customers optional contract services for line coverage. In return for the business in Jackson, HomeserveUSA kicks back a percentage of that revenue in the form of donations to local charities in Jackson.
The majority of that money goes to the Jackson Food Pantry which received $20,729.65 in donations between 2009 and 2016.
Other charities include Adopt-A-Senior Program ($1,000 in 2016), Jackson Relay for Life ($1,319 in2016), Jackson Memorial Band Parents Inc. ($1,750 in 2014), Jackson First Aid Squad ($2,000 in 2012), Jackson VFW Post 4702 ($2,650 in 2011), and Inches of Hope ($5,529 from 2014-2016).
The second largest recipient of the grant money was awarded to Councilman Ken Bressi’s Jackson Veterans Memorial which received a total of $8,479 between 2013 and 2016.
While many charities in town receive small one-time donations, Bressi’s charity, has received annual funding. Bressi is a councilman in Jackson Township and also serves on the Jackson Township Planning Board.
The decision making body that decides which charities in town receive the contributions from HomeserveUSA is the board of directors of the Jackson MUA. The board of directors are a politically appointed body, appointed by the Jackson Township Council, for which Bressi votes.
The current board includes Clara Glory, who served as Bressi’s campaign manager in 2016 and another high ranking member of the Jackson Republican Club. Todd Porter, the Republican Club president, and Chairman William Allman also sit on the MUA commissioners board. Bressi’s wife Karen is an employee at the Jackson MUA.
Bressi’s charity received $1,319.65 in December again. Other charities receiving funding this year in the amount of $1319.65 include Inches of Hope, Adopt-A-Senior and Jackson Relay for Life.
Sanders Reminds Media Why President Continues to Bypass Them to Reach Americans
WASHINGTON, DC-White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Stern gave the White House media pool aboard Air Force One a firm reminder why the President has chosen to circumvent the biased anti-Trump media.
Sanders was asked why the President, who was inaugurated four weeks ago feels the need tomorrow to go back onto the stump and reach out directly to the American people.
“I think it’s real simple the reason he wants to go back,” Sanders said. “I think, in large part, it’s because his message, when filtered through — unfortunately, people standing in this circle don’t always do the best job delivering his message, and nobody does it better than he does.”
Trump has lost all faith in the mainstream media’s ability to provide fair and honest reporting of his Presidency.
“And so, he can do that very easily by taking the stage and talking directly to the people of America, addressing their concerns, and being able to properly express exactly what he’s doing, what his administration has done over the last month, and what they plan to do in the coming weeks,” Sanders added.
When asked a ridiculous question by the “dishonest” media, Sanders handled it like a pro.
“Is this a campaign rally for 2020? Or is it a campaign rally for another candidate? Or how do you portray it?” one reporter asked.
“I think it’s most likely a campaign rally for America,” she responded. “I think it’s — again, it’s the President’s time to be able to speak directly to people across this country in an unfiltered way, and in a way that doesn’t have any bias that’s been expressed through the reporting that usually happens.”
The press pool, who rarely, if ever questioned former President Barack Obama over his travel plans continued to grill Stern with more absurd and leading questions.
Trump Touts Elimination of Anti-Coal Regulations and Recognizes Women Business Leaders in America
Washington, DC-President Donald Trump hailed his elimination of anti-coal regulations and meeting with women business leaders in America as two of his major successes this week in the Oval Office during his weekly address.
Transcript:
We have taken major steps during the first few weeks of my Administration to remove wasteful regulations and get our people back to work. I have been saying I was going to do that for a long time.
This week I signed two pieces of legislation to remove burdens on our economy, continue to keep my promises to the American People and so much more.
I signed House Joint Resolution 38, which eliminates an anti-coal regulation put forward by unelected bureaucrats. Our coal miners have been treated horribly, and we are going to turn that around – and we are going to turn it around quickly. We are going to fight for lower energy prices for all Americans as part of the deal.
That’s why I also signed a resolution to eliminate a costly regulation Dodd-Frank imposed on American energy companies. By stopping this regulation, we are able to save American companies and workers millions and millions of dollars in job-killing compliance costs.
But to truly succeed as a country, we must realize the full potential of women in our economy.
That is why I was thrilled to host the White House’s women’s business leaders roundtable—very exciting, great women.
As President, I am committed to ensuring that women entrepreneurs have equal access to the capital, markets, and networks of support that they need, and I mean really need. And it’s going to happen. This is a priority for my Administration. I campaigned on helping women in the workforce, and we are going to deliver on that promise, believe me.
In fact, as part of my first official meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, we announced the creation of the joint United States-Canada Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. Actually, very exciting.
The United States also reaffirmed our unbreakable bond this week with our cherished ally, Israel. It was an honor to welcome my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.
I affirmed to the Prime Minister America’s commitment to working with Israel and our allies and partners toward greater security and stability. The threat of terrorism—and believe me it is a threat—must be confronted and defeated and we will defeat it.
We share with Israel a deep conviction that we must protect all innocent human life.
So as you head into the President’s Day weekend, the American people should know that we are working tirelessly on your behalf. We are not here for the benefit of bureaucrats, consultants, or pundits—we are here to work for you, and only for you, the American people.
Thank you, God Bless you and God Bless America.
Man who sunk dog with truck on frozen Toms River gets 180 days in Ocean County Jail
by Al DellaFave, OCPO
TOMS RIVER-Andrew Mayer, 29, was sentenced today on his plea to Cruelty to Animals in the Third degree. The State was seeking a sentence of 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of Probation, along with restitution to the various rescue agencies that had requested it (of all the agencies involved in the rescue, only the NJSP and TR Fire District One replied asking for restitution, $6273.76 and $8,370.60 respectively). Also the State requested that Mayer be banned from companion animal ownership for 5 years.
Judge James Blaney sentenced Mayer to 180 days in the Ocean County Jail. He agreed with the State that some incarceration is appropriate for the reckless act that lead to a large rescue operation and caused the demise of his dog, Rolo. He did not sentence him to any probation. He did order him to pay $1,000 restitution to each of the two agencies seeking restitution, as he felt Mr. Mayer should take some financial responsibility for his actions. The judge did not deem a ban on companion ownership as necessary in this case, as Mayer expressed remorse and his acts were deemed reckless and no intent to harm his dog. He was also sentenced to pay minimum fines of $155. The Sheriffs officers took custody of Mayer and he was escorted to the County Jail. The related Criminal Mischief in the third degree charge and Pollution of water summons were dismissed as part of the sentence.
His acts on March 1, 2015, purposely, knowingly or recklessly failed to provide necessary care for and protection of his dog, Rolo, from harm by driving his pickup truck onto the frozen Toms River and as a result the vehicle cracked through the ice and his dog died.
Mayer then failed to notify authorities of this incident when he got safely to shore, resulting in a huge rescue operation that took place for hours involving the United States Coast Guard’s Aviation Unit, The New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, NJ State Police/local marine units, multiple local police departments, fire companies and First Aid squads from Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach and Island Heights.
Mayer is released on his own recognizance to appear in court on a future date. The maximum he could face on each charge would be five years in New Jersey State Prison.
This case was a joint investigation by the NJ State Police, NJ SPCA, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the Toms River, Pine Beach, Beachwood and Island Heights Police Departments. Prosecuting attorney is Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman.
Silent Kim Guadagno and Black Train Jack Ciattarelli Continue to Ignore Bail Reform Woes Plaguing New Jersey
The top two contending Republican candidates for the office of Governor in New Jersey, Kim Guadagno and Jack Ciattarelli continue to ignore the growing nightmare facing New Jersey, bail reform.
We’ve asked both campaigns repeatedly to let New Jersey know where they stand on bail reform, but so far, what we received was a new CD release from “Black Train Jack” Ciattarelli mocking Kim Guadagno and more silence from Guadagno who is quickly becoming deserving of her moniker, “Silent Kim”.
The two of them are shining examples of Trenton style politics independent Republicans across New Jersey are sick and tired of. One of them is busy producing music releases (who uses compact discs anyway?), the other making no noise at all.
Here’s what we know about bail reform so far…
Ocean County Senior Population at Risk Under NJ Bail Reform
TOMS RIVER-Let’s face it, most criminals and drug addicts don’t have long term financial planners and they live life payday to payday to survive. That’s not to say these criminals are not smart. In fact, they are very smart. They know how to get what they need, when they need and however they have to do it.
With changes in New Jersey’s bail reform, many who would be incarcerated until trial, you know those poor individuals who couldn’t make bail under the old system, are getting out of jail just hours after committing their crimes.
They committed those crimes out of necessity. According to local law enforcement authorities most of these criminals commit crimes out of necessity. The need for money to pay for drugs, or they need for money to pay rent. It’s what drives a large portion of the county’s criminals to commit the crimes they commit over and over again.
When they steal your jewelry, your stored away cash or electronics, they aren’t interested in having those items to improve their lives, they steal those items in the hopes of selling them for another heroin fix in most cases.
Criminals also know where to find the easy targets, Ocean County’s 125,000 strong senior population of 65 and overs. 27.7% of Ocean County’s total population are senior citizens.
Senior communities have long been the target of burglars looking for jewelry to pawn so they can get their daily heroin fix. They also know that seniors are a higher score for prescription medication.
In the old days, 2016, many of these criminals who act out of desperation would be held in jail on bail. It was to their benefit and the benefit of the law abiding community outside of jail.
Some say it’s not fair to hold these people in jail while they await trial, but today, the tables have turned. Now it’s not fair to the law abiding population that these individuals are immediately being returned to their communities to commit more crimes.
It has been proven very early on that bail reform isn’t working. Criminals and addicts so desperate for money are being released because a computer says so and because a judge receives a pinky promise from the defendant. That’s all that protects Ocean County’s senior citizens in 2013, a computerized grading system and a promise to not commit more crime and to return to court like a good citizen should.
Except, they’re not going to return to court. They’re not going to stop committing crimes, because in most cases, it’s beyond their own physical and mental control.
While Ocean County’s judges continue this revolving door, they’re only thinking about the rights of the criminals and not the rights of the county’s law abiding residents…especially the senior citizens who are the easy prey for these individuals.
Related stories:
http://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2017/02/how-shore-area-legislators-voted-on-latest-bail-reform-funding-bill/
http://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2017/02/ocean-county-freeholder-joe-vicari-throw-out-bail-reform-and-start-over/
Reader Poll: Is Governor Chris Christie's Recent Drug Addiction Stance Sincere?
After being governor for 7 years, Chris Christie recently embarked on a crusade to fight New Jersey’s growing opiate addiction problem, which has been growing for many years. Many are now questioning the governor’s motives and doubting his sincerity in the effort. What do you think?
How Shore Area Legislators Voted on Latest Bail Reform Funding Bill
In January, New Jersey legislators were asked to throw $17.6 million dollars into the new failing bail reform system to hire 20 more judges required to manage the system that has been nothing but a revolving door for repeat criminals in the state.
These are the Jersey Shore area legislators who recently voted to spend $17.6 million on continuing bail reform. We have added their phone numbers for those who want to call to express their concerns.
YES – Voted to spend $17.6 million over 2 years to keep bail reform alive.
NO – Voted against spending $17.6 million
ABSTAIN – Did not vote.
Here’s who voted here at the Jersey Shore:
District 13 – Northern Monmouth
YES Senator Joe Kyrillos (732) 671-3206
NO Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (732) 383-7820
YES Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (732) 933-1591
District 11 – Central Monmouth
YES Senator Jennifer Beck (732) 933-1591
YES Assemblyman Joann Downey (732) 695-3371
YES Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (732) 695-3371
District 30 – Southern Monmouth/Northern Ocean
YES Senator Robert Singer (732) 987-5669
YES Assemblyman Sean Kean (732) 974-0400
YES Assemblyman David Rible (732) 974-0400
District 12 – Western Ocean
YES Senator Samuel Thompson (732) 607-7580
YES Assemblyman Robert Clifton (732) 970-6386
YES Assemblyman Ron Dancer (609) 758-0205
District 10 – Central Ocean County
ABSTAIN Senator James Holzapfel (732) 840-9028
YES Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin (732) 840-9028
YES Assemblyman David Wolfe (732) 840-9028
District 9 – Southern Ocean County
NO Senator Christopher Connors (609) 693-6700
NO Assemblyman Dianne Gove (609) 693-6700
NO Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (609) 693-6700
District 2 – Atlantic County
YES Senator Jim Whelan (609) 383-1388
YES Assemblyman Chris Brown (609) 677-8266
YES Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo (609) 383-1388
District 1 – Cape May
YES Senator Jeff Van Drew (856) 765-0891
YES Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczack (856) 765-0891
YES Assemblyman R. Bruce Land (856) 765-0891
OC Police Chiefs Call for Repeal of Bail Reform: Dangerous, onerous and fiscally disastrous
TOMS RIVER-The Ocean County Association of Chiefs of Police called upon call upon Governor Christie, the New Jersey Legislature, the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts and New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino to immediately suspend the use of the current public safety assessment computerized program that scores criminal defendants under New Jersey’s bail reform law.
The association, which represents the county’s municipal police chiefs also said the new system is, “Dangerous, onerous and fiscally disastrous to the taxpayers of this great state.”
Below is a resolution prepared by the Ocean County Association of Chiefs of Police:
Resolution
Whereas, The Ocean County Association of Chiefs of Police consists of the law enforcement chief executives from all the law enforcement agencies currently active in the Ocean County, and,
Whereas, It is the goal of this Organization to promote the welfare and mission of its members, their relative agencies and the general public, and,
Whereas, the voters of The State of New Jersey recently approved a state constitutional amendment that called for bail reform for low level indigent offenders, and,
Whereas, that amendment was implemented by a state legislative enactment which took effect on January 1, 2017 and for which a computer generated Public Safety Algorithm (PSA) was designated to assess the threat level of respective arrestees , and,
Whereas, the required usage of that modality thus far has been observed to involve long delays and often produces what appear to be highly inappropriate results regarding the relative threat level of these offenders, and,
Whereas, These delays and this extra work being placed on our systems without budgetary support requires reallocation of budgetary items that are already in too short of supply due to existing funding restrictions, and,
Whereas, Existing State Law requires enactments that impose a financial impact on Counties and Municipalities to be supported by a concomitant State funding initiative that does not appear to have been provided in this case, and,
Whereas, Officers being redeployed to these activities are not available to answer even emergency calls for service, and has resulted in slower response times and the suspension of discretionary police activities that support and improve the quality of life in those communities, and,
Whereas, Certain inappropriately low threat assessments have also led to the ill-advised release of offenders who traditionally have, and we believe should, be remanded to custody for the safety of the public, and,
Whereas, Many of these releases relate directly to offenses against special victims such as sexual offenses, offenses against children, domestic violence victims and senior citizens to name but a few, and,
Whereas, Certain protections for these special victims appear to have been completely disregarded by the PSA, those protections having been built into our laws over the course of decades and often the result of collective tragedies, and,
Whereas, NJ Court officials announced yesterday that in those cases where incarceration is indicated under the PSA, extensive discovery must be provided to the defendant almost immediately further increasing the burden of this initiative and demanding additional staffing that currently does not and will not exist, and,
Whereas, in other cases, such as serial shoplifters, it is our understanding that inappropriately high threat levels have been observed, due again to data given inappropriate weight by the PSA and causing additional systemic work and incarceration senselessly for subjects who would have otherwise been released, and,
Now heretofore, be it resolved on this the eighth day of February, 2017, The members of this Association support the State mandate, State pay litigation initiated by New Jersey Counties and call upon Governor Christie, the New Jersey Legislature, the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts and New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino to immediately suspend the use of the current PSA as being dangerous, onerous and fiscally disastrous to the taxpayers of this great State.
Ocean County Freeholder Joe Vicari: Throw Out Bail Reform and Start Over
TOMS RIVER-As the follies of New Jersey’s bail reform continue to add up, one Ocean County elected official says it’s time to lock up the flawed bail reform system and throw away the key.
Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari today, along with fellow board members vowed their support to the law abiding public in Ocean County and stood with Ocean County law enforcement, calling for the abolition of the new law.
Press Release by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders
TOMS RIVER-THE STATE’S so-called bail reform law is costing taxpayers millions of dollars while threatening to release potentially dangerous criminals back into the community, two Ocean County Freeholders said.
Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari and Deputy Director Gerry P. Little today commended the Ocean County Association of Chiefs of Police for its recent opposition to the bail reform laws.
“These law enforcement professionals and leaders from all of our municipalities agree that this version of bail reform is not working,” Vicari said. “We’re not against reviewing and improving our bail regulations, but we are against this law.”
The Chief’s Association on February 10 unanimously approved a resolution calling for the appeal of the reform legislation, calling it “dangerous, onerous and fiscally disastrous.”
Little went one step further, calling the state-mandated law, “nothing but a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card.”
Little argued that the original public question placed before voters in 2014 was not only inaccurate, but also “disingenuous.”
“In no way did the question ask whether voters wanted the courts to release sex offenders, drug dealers, burglars and other potentially violent criminals back on the streets without bail,” Little said. “Judges already had the power to release or hold suspects with or without bail.”
The actual question on the November 2014 ballot read:
“Do you approve amending the Constitution to allow a court to order pretrial detention of a person in a criminal case? This would change the current constitutional right to bail. The change to the Constitution would mean that a court could order that a person remain in jail prior to a trial even without a chance for the person to post bail, in some situations.”
Vicari said the facts concerning the number of prisoners released state-wide before trial confirm the Freeholders’ concerns.
According to a statement issued by the New Jersey State PBA on February 7th, bail was set for only 3 out of 3,382 suspects that came before judges in January.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our police officers in opposition to these dangerous changes,” Vicari said.
Vicari and Little also praised the New Jersey Association of Counties for filing a suit before the state Council on Mandates arguing that the legislation falls under the “State Mandate, State Pay” statutes and is therefore unconstitutional unless fully funded by Trenton.
Vicari said the county estimates that complying with the regulations will cost taxpayers about $2.4 million in new staff, equipment and capital expenses.
“NJAC is absolutely correct – the state mandated these costs and under the state Constitution they should pay to implement this program,” Vicari said.
However, the Freeholder said a better proposal would be to scrap the law and start fresh.
“It’s time to throw it out and come up with a better plan that both protects our residents and controls costs,” Vicari said.
Fox News Keeps Top Spot in Primetime Cable TV Ratings
The only real news coming out of CNN this week is the fact that the network finished 9th in the cable television ratings again. The flailing news network, struggling to regain the relevance they once had decades ago, finished behind TBS, Discovery Channel, USA Network, HGTV, AMC and even liberal news rival MSNBC (5th).
At the top of the charts once again was Fox News, scoring a 2950, nearly three times as many viewers as CNN.
FOX 2950
HGTV 1633
AMC 1565
USA 1561
MSNBC 1436
DISC 1384
ESPN 1326
TBSC 1315
CNN 1275
HIST 1251
Everything You Need to Know About Saturday's Fire District Elections in Jackson
This Saturday is the day residents of Jackson can go out and vote for their local fire district commissioners and budgets. Polls in Jackson are open from 2pm to 9pm on Saturday, February 18th.
Jackson Fire District 2 (Consolidated 1&2)
3 yr. Commissioner Seats Available: 2
Candidates: *John Alchevsky, *Martin Flemming III, Robert Reddington, Jr.
1 yr. Commissioner Seats Available: 1
Candidates: *John Ryan
Budget detail: 2017 Proposed Budget 2017 APPROPRIATIONS Salaries $682,615 Fringe Benefits 355,923 Election Expense 1,500 Office Expense 5,400 Professional Services 50,000 Travel Expenses 200 Advertising Expense 2,000 Insurance Expense 165,000 Maintenance & Repairs 140,000 Hydrant Rental 38,000 Supplies Expense 5,000 Training & Education 10,000 Uniforms & Personal Equipment 37,000 Utilities 40,000 Fire Supression Contracts 40,500 Payroll Service Fees 5,500 Physicals 10,000 Fuel 20,000 Replacement Equipment 36,500 Extrication Equipment 24,000 SCBA 20,000 Hose 5,000 Pagers 5,000 Operating Expenses 66,800 Losap 40,000 Capital Appropriations 490,000 Debt Service 137,021 Total Appropriations $ 2,432,959 REVENUES Fund Balance Utilized $655,500 Misc. Revenues 12,745 Interest Income 3,300 Supplemental Fire Grant 116,500 Amount to be Raised by Taxation 1,644 914 Total Revenues $ 2,432,959 Tax Rate Per $100 $0.0812
Voting place: Miller Avenue Firehouse, 785 Miller Avenue
Jackson Fire District 3
3 yr. Commissioner Seats Available: 1
Candidates: *John Seidler, Vincent Nicosia
Budget detail: OPERATING APPROPRIATIONS: Current Operating Expenses $ 3,008,400.00 CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS: a. Debt Service $ 84,105.00 b. Total Capital Improvements $ 100,000.00 c. Reserve for future Capital Outlays $ -0- d. Length of Service Award Program $ 30,000.00 TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS: Total revenues and fund balance $ 3,222,505.00. utilized to defray taxation: $ 264,651. 00 AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXES: $ 2,957,854.00.
Voting Place: Jackson Volunteer Fire Company Firehouse 200 Kierych Memorial Drive
Jackson Fire District 4
3 yr. Commissioner Seats Available: 2
Candidates: *Brian Ruditsky, *Ray Torres, Kenneth Byrnes, Wallace Jamison, n/a
Note: n/a – One candidate omitted at request of family member under threat of lawsuit.
Budget detail: OPERATING APPROPRIATIONS: Current Operating Expenses $ 1,546,141.00 CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS: a. Debt Service $ -0- b. Total Capital Improvements $ 500,000.00 c. Reserve for future Capital Outlays $ -0- d. Length of Service Award Program $ 50,000.00 TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS: $ 2,096,141.00 Total revenues and fund balance utilized to defray taxation: $ 538,757..00 AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXES: $ 1,557,384.00
Voting Place: Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company firehouse, 465A North County Line Road.
* Indicates JTOWN Magazine’s fire commissioner endorsement.
North Jersey Police Powerless in Stopping Man Who Got Out of Jail Three Times in One Week Under Bail Reform
HOPATCONG-A man posing as a DPW worker to commit burglaries is on the streets again in North Jersey, thanks to the state’s new public safety assessment and bail reform laws.
Police here say they are powerless to keep a dangerous repeat criminal in jail and off the streets.
“Major is accused of committing multiple burglaries in multiple jurisdictions over the last month or so. (See the towns that we know of above). Major would put on a tri color safety vest and pose to be a DPW worker. He would knock on doors and if no one answered he would break in and steal what he could,” according to the Hopatcong Police Department.
Police said their only method of protecting the communities from future robberies is to post his picture to alert potential victims.
Related: Last night on NJ101.5 radio, Governor Chris Christie touted the success of New Jersey’s bail reform and criticized opponents of the flailing legislation as “crap” and “propaganda”.
“There is nothing the Police can do about this because of the new bail reform law. In our efforts to keep the public safe we can only attach Major’s picture to this press release. If you see him on your property or a neighbor’s, please call 911,” the department said.
Police say Major drives a 1990’s green Dodge Pickup with a black ladder rack.
On Friday, with the help of the Hopatcong detectives, Byram Township Detectives, Sparta Township Detectives and the Sussex County Prosecutors Office, Major was investigated and arrested in Elmwood Park.
With the assistance of the Elmwood park police, drug paraphernalia, and proceeds from many burglaries were recovered.
After being released from the Elmwood Park burglaries, he was charged for two burglaries in Hopatcong.
“Because of the Elmwood Park charges, we were able to get a high enough score on the new PSA (Public Safety Assessment) to have him lodged in the Sussex County Jail on Saturday morning,” Hopatcong Police Department said. “Major was released a few hours later after a court hearing on Sunday.”
After being released Sunday, Major was arrested in Morris Township for committing another burglary. He was charged and later released. At this time Major is not incarcerated.
Police in all of the towns where Major was released by judges based on PSA are powerless in stopping him.
Major’s actions were highlighted today on a bail reform watchdog page, which bore the brunt of Governor Christie’s anger last night.
NJSPBA: Criminal Mocked Bail Reform "If they let me out again, I will do more crime."
SOUTH BRUNSWICK-Last night, Governor Chris Christie touted New Jersey’s bail reform as a success, at least one repeat criminal agrees with him.
On Saturday, 47 year old George Pescavage, Jr. robbed a South Brunswick liquor store and was found bleeding and frozen in a snow pile.
Patrol units responded to a reported attempted burglary at the Quick Aid Pharmacy located at 569 Milltown Road. Upon their arrival, officers observed visible signs of an attempted forced entry burglary to the rear door. During a subsequent cursory search of the area, Officers located a male subject matching the description given by witnesses loitering across the street in the Brunswick Shopping Center. The Officers made contact with the subject, identified him, and investigated further.
After being caught for a second crime in two days, he indicated to detectives that even he couldn’t believe that he was plainly released after just four hours.
“Even I was surprised how fast I got out, if they let me out again I will do more crime,” the man said, according to the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
Pescavage was released “with a pinky promise” to the New Jersey courts and the next day he was arrested trying to break into the local Quick Aid Pharmacy.
Police said he was again transported to Middlesex County Corrections, indicating that if he is again released so soon, he will again commit a similar crime in order to get by.
Bail Reform – Suspect quote after 2nd arrest, "Even I was surprised how fast I got out, if they let me out again I will do more crime" pic.twitter.com/5brGriQxTJ
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) February 14, 2017
@NB_PublicSafety arrest same suspect who broke into liquor store Friday in South Brunswick for breaking into store Saturday in their town pic.twitter.com/E0bGxmx1pF
— So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) February 13, 2017
Christie Touts Bail Reform, Calls Opposition "Ridiculous Crap"
TRENTON-Governor Chris Christie went into a childish rant on New Jersey 101.5 last night after being asked a question about bail reform which has been allowing violent offenders and even several who have committed sexual assault against children, some repeat offenders, back into New Jersey’s communities.
“Oh stop, that’s ridiculous, they’re not being released on nothing more than a promise, they’re given bracelets,” Christie said. “These are non violent people who are not causing problems when they get out.”
Christie said only people in the bail bonds community is upset over bail reform.
“Now they’re pissed, too bad,” Christie said. “You shouldn’t be making money off the poor [criminals].”
Christie said a Facebook page which track the release of violent criminals and sexual predators is nothing more than “ridiculous crap”.
The most notable breakdown in bail reform in 2017 happened in Ocean County where a man who offered a video game console to a young child in exchange for sex over the internet was set free with an ankle bracelet.
Local Police Chief Richard Buzby said the man had a known reputation for trying to entice children to have sex with him, including a second pending case for an earlier sexual assault against a child.
Local officials said the subject also approached young children at their school bus stops.