FREEHOLD – A judge Friday rejected a motion by Ocean County to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former detective in the county prosecutor’s office who alleges county-wide corruption, according to a published report. The Asbury Park Press reports the motion was denied by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jamie S. Perri. The case was moved…
New Jersey News
April Fool's Day Video Targets Kim Guadagno, Jack Ciattarelli, Phil Murphy and Joe Rullo, NJ Governor Candidates
Celebrating April Fool’s Day is an age old media gag that can’t be passed up. This year, we take a look at the race for New Jersey Governor in New Jersey, one of the most important political elections of the 2017 cycle nationwide. While most of the candidates are playing the Trenton and D.C. political game by the Politics 101 playbook, local resident Joe Rullo has been out there doing his own thing. He’s been ignored by the establishment elite, big money donors and even his own opponents who have already written him off as dead.
Like Donald Trump, many are saying Rullo is doing it for the name recognition, but as the primary heats up, Rullo, is in dead last in every big name poll that sampled 200 or so random landline telephone owners, but he’s won virtually every online poll in the state, yet his opponents, the media and all of the other cogs in the Trenton machine walk by and shake their head at him.
The last time we heard Rullo speak, he said “I’m not like the others”. My mind instantly flashed back to a childhood moment. I was maybe 7 or 8 and Sesame Street was on and the the “Which of these things don’t belong?” game came on. As Rullo was speaking, I was humming the song in my head. I instantly knew that was my 2017 April Fools Day skit for the Shore News Network if he was still in the race.
So here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/416437185078997/videos/1411455585577147/
LBI: Then And Now – Loveladies
This aerial photograph of the small community of Loveladies on Long Beach Island shows the development of Long Beach Island. The original photo was taken in the early to mid 1950’s and the current view is the most recent Google Earth imagery available.
If you look closely, you can see that some of the original homes still exist with modifications and additions. Loveladies is located in the northern section of Long Beach Township on Long Beach Island.
It was a location of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, established in 1871. The land adjacent to the station was owned by Thomas Lovelady and the section of the island was called “Lovelady’s” before eventually evolving into Loveladies.
Police Involved in Deadly Turnpike Rest Stop Shooting
TRENTON — Authorities have confirmed a man was fatally shot by a state trooper Thursday afternoon at a rest stop along the New Jersey Turnpike. But the state Attorney General’s Office, which is overseeing the investigation into the shooting, has released few details. Fatal shooting involving State Police reported at N.J. Turnpike rest stop WHAT WE…
After Christie praises them, N.J. addiction doctors blast Trump budget cuts
PATERSON — As Gov. Chris Christie spends his last year in office focused on expanding addiction treatment, President Donald Trump has been seeking massive cuts to the National Institute of Health’s budget. On Thursday, those two political realities collided awkwardly. The governor appeared at St. Joseph’s Hospital to tout its successful opiate addiction prevention program. But…
The Day Guadagno and Christie Both Left New Jersey for D.C.
Was New Jersey without a governor for a while on Wednesday? Gov. Chris Christie and his second in command, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, both took separate trips to the White House during the day. Christie’s was high profile: As two of his former allies were being sentenced back home in the Bridgegate scandal, the governor did…
Prominent NJ Democrat Slams Bail Reform Failures
JERSEY CITY — Mayor Steve Fulop took a shot at New Jersey’s bail reform during his sixth and final state of the city address tonight, saying the system is keeping the city from “turning a corner” on preventing gun violence. Fulop, in a 30-minute speech delivered in the Casino in the Park banquet hall, slapped state…
New Jersey University Ditches Fast Food from Menu
NEW BRUNSWICK — In a makeover of its dining hall menus, Rutgers University plans to eliminate chicken nuggets, hash browns and other unhealthy foods from its takeout section and incorporate more nutritious options in the all-you-can-eat cafeterias. By the end of the fall semester, Rutgers expects chicken wings will be baked instead of fried, hot sauce…
Contractor's scam grows, now affects 34 victims and $1.5M, authorities say
TOMS RIVER — A contractor charged with bilking homeowners after promising to repair their homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy is facing a new indictment after authorities found more victims in a scam that’s reached $1.5 million. Jamie Lynn Lawson, 42, was initially charged with theft and money laundering related to 14 people who were tricked out…
Shelter: Dog Rescued from Abandoned Home Ready for Forever Home
The Associated Humane Society rescue at Popcorn Park shared a story this week about a dog that was rescued from a horrible situation last fall.
Kronk is a big, beautiful Dogue De Bordeaux of about 6 years old that is hoping for a fabulous home to start over in. Kronk always looks as if he is smiling, doesn’t he? He has plenty to smile about these days, now that he is safe and taken care of. Sadly, that wasn’t always the case for Kronk. He was removed from a terrible situation along with another dog last fall. Kronk was living in an abandoned house in conditions that were too deplorable to imagine. He spent some time getting healthy and back on his feet, now he’s ready to move on with his life. Kronk was a little leery of new people when he arrived but we learned that with patience and time, Kronk learns to trust people and then just acts like a big, silly puppy. Once you’re his friend, he’ll love you forever. He is playful, active and strong, but he walks well on a leash and sits nicely when asked. He gets along with larger dogs, given the chance to get to know them, but will need a home with no children under 10. Kronk just melts when you give him a little love and attention, and that’s really all he’s asking for. He’ll love you so much in return if you give him a chance.
ADOPTION INFORMATION:
Associated Humane Societies/Popcorn Park Animal Shelter is located at 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731. The hours for meeting adopting pets are Mon-Fri 12pm to 5:30, Sat & Sun 12pm to 4:30. We usually have between 50 to 70 dogs, and 100 to 150 cats available for adoption, as well as smaller animals such as rabbits. Most of our available dogs can be found by clicking on our “Photos” section of our page, and searching out our album, “Dogs Available for Adoption”. This album is updated almost daily but does not always include all of our available dogs. Some of our cats available can be found in our album, “Cats Available for Adoption”.
Damaged inlet wall at Shore to get repairs next week
TOMS RIVER — Emergency work to repair a gaping hole in the bulkhead of the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach is planned to start next week when crews can have better access to the damaged wall during prime hours. Mayor Stephen Reid said construction crews and divers plan to work on the bulkhead, damaged two…
Construction Begins on New Ferris Wheel in Seaside Heights
Casino Pier announced the start of construction on their new ferris wheel to be built on the new portion of the amusement pier this week.
A new 40 meter Ferris Wheel will stand 131 ft tall & bright on our newly expanded pier in 2017. Manufactured by Technical Park, 34 gondolas seating 6 passengers will offer breathtaking views of the Jersey Shore. One gondola will offer wheelchair accessibility.
“Some shiny and new pieces arrived for the Ferris Wheel! The west support is being put into place,” the company said on Facebook. Photo Casino Pier, FB.
Officials Seeking Contractor Who Stole $1.5 Million from Hurricane Sandy Victims
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato is asking media outlets in a number of towns and states listed below to post the attached picture of Jamie Lynn Lawson, age 42, a Super Storm Sandy contractor wanted for fraudulent activity by the Ocean County Prosecutor. Lawson has been a fugitive since December 14, 2016. He is currently under indictment for theft and money laundering related to 14 victims of contractor fraud totaling $480,000. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will be superseding that indictment to include 34 victims totaling approximately $1.5 million. Its alleged Lawson took money from the thirty-four homeowners in Ocean & Monmouth Counties and then did either no work or less than contracted services on their homes. He allegedly used the money for vehicles and personal expenses.
Jamie Lynn Lawson is believed to have been in the following areas since December of 2016:
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Addison, TX
Denton, TX
Irving, TX
Houston, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Rowland, NC
Fairmount, NC
Lumberton, NC
Bishopville, SC
Greenville, TN
Siloam, GA
Livingston, AL
Sedalia, MO
St. Louis. MO
Tulsa, OK
Quapaw, OK
Mendenhall, MS
Brandon, MS
Florence, MS
Jackson, MS
Magee, MS
Lawson moved to New Jersey shortly after Superstorm Sandy and made application to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor. The State registered Lawson based upon his material misrepresentations on the application including his failure to disclose his prior criminal convictions. Shortly thereafter, he began taking contracts to perform Sandy related renovations and new home construction.
The specific counts of the original Indictment include Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) – Second Degree (more than $75,000), six counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Second Degree (more than $75,000), nine counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Third Degree (more than $500 and less than $75,000), Tampering with Public Records for submitting a fictitious Home Improvement Contractor Application Third Degree and one count of Unregistered Home Improvement Contracting – Fourth Degree. Superior Court Judge Patricia B. Roe, J.S.C. set bail on the Indictment Warrant at $150,000, restricted him from engaging in home improvement & building contracts and required him to surrender his passport.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted in cooperation with the Brick Police Department, Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Anyone with information regarding Lawson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Economic Crime Unit
Chadwick Island Bridge to be Replaced
Originally built in the 1950s, the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge has served the residents of the island well providing access from their homes to Route 35. It even weathered Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
But age has taken its toll on the timber span and Ocean County will now oversee a study to determine the best course of action for rehabilitating or replacing bridge located on the northern barrier island in Toms River Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees approved $325,000 in federal funds for the study at its March meeting.
Funding for the study is provided through the Local Concept Development Phase of the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2018 Local Capital Project Delivery Program. The Local Capital Project Delivery Program awards grants to NJTPA member counties and cities to investigate all aspects of a project, including environmental, right of way access, design and feasibility issues. The NJTPA Board approved a combined $2.76 million for studies in FY 2018 and FY 2019 at its March 13 meeting in Newark.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari extended his appreciation to the NJTPA for providing the funds for the study.
He noted the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge is used by many bicyclists and pedestrians especially in the summer months.
The two-lane bridge on Strickland Boulevard crosses the Barnegat Bay, connecting Chadwick Beach Island and its 300 homes to Route 35.
In 1985, new deck boards, pile caps and railings were installed. The timber bulkheads and load-bearing piles are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The bridge’s width and sidewalk do not meet current standards.
According to the NJTPA, Local Concept Development is the first phase of the Local Capital Project Delivery Program, which guides projects from initial concepts all the way to construction.
During the initial phase, the County will identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies and select a preferred alternative. Projects that complete this initial investigative work may be eligible for eventual construction with federal funds. More information on the program can be found at www.njtpa.org.
5 more people charged as scammers who stole nearly $300K in Sandy aid
TOMS RIVER — Five property owners were charged Thursday with bilking the federal government out of nearly $300,000 in federal Hurricane Sandy aid for allegedly lying on their applications to get money to rebuild homes at the Shore damaged by the 2012 storm. In four of the cases state Attorney General Christopher Porrino laid out, the…
Ocean County Split Over This Weekend's Seaside Heights Pro-Trump Rally
SEASIDE HEIGHTS-The MAGA March is coming to Seaside Heights this Saturday and Ocean County residents are split on whether or not it’s a good thing.
The Seaside Heights march has been designated as the official MAGA March for New Jersey and is part of a national pro Trump effort.
“It is about time we stand up for America. We are marching for our President, Vice President, Military, and First Responders. We are the silent majority and we are ready for a real change,” the organization said on its website. “A change for how our Veterans are treated when the focus seems to be somewhere else.”
“It’s a peaceful pro American event. Ok. Right,” wrote Bradley Livingston. “I would be against this if it was an anti trump march. Again, nothing good will come of this.”
“I’m a very big Trump supporter. But I kinda agree with Brad,” replied Kenny TuShak “This could bring some unwanted attention and Seaside Heights is always under the gun.”
“We need to show support for Trump and our country which is in the process of being taken over,” said Kathy Serra. “WE can’t let the left think they are winning because they are not!”
Some want to use the event as a show of force against the alt-left uprising that has been gaining momentum across Ocean County in recent weeks.
“All the more reason to attend,” wrote Robert Heany. “Time to put these pansies in their places. Make it ‘uncomfortable’ to confront the once passive right.”
“Will they be celebrating the loss of their health insurance, social security, Medicare and Medicaid? I’ll buy tickets to see that,” quipped Margaret Jelcich.
You can learn more about the event on their Facebook event page.
Opponent Calls on Guadagno to Come Clean on Taxpayer Funded Campaign Expenses
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli launched a big accusation against New Jersey’s number two Republican, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno last week.
He issued the following release:
“Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno should explicitly detail and publicly release all information regarding to travel and security expenses incurred by her and her official office senior staff since announcing her candidacy.” Ciattarelli said.
Ciattarelli said he was “troubled” that while Guadagno dinged Governor Christie during her kickoff announcement in January for the controversy surrounding the Governor’s travel and security costs, the Lt. Governor regularly travels to campaign events with a security detail funded by state taxpayers.
“Incumbent politicians like the Lt. Governor, who are running for re-election or election to a higher office, should not be forcing state taxpayers to cover their travel and security costs,” said Ciattarelli, who added that if the Lt. Governor has already been doing the right thing and reimbursing taxpayers, she should publicly say so. “With all Kim’s talk about auditing how state government spends money, perhaps she could start with her own office, and let taxpayers know exactly how much they have involuntarily contributed to her campaign over the last six weeks.”
“Any time the Lt. Governor makes a campaign stop – and she has made plenty over the past six and a half weeks – her campaign committee should fully reimburse taxpayers for any and all expenses incurred,” said Ciattarelli. “It strikes me as a bit hypocritical that the Lt. Governor’s stump speeches about fiscal responsibility and financial audits are sandwiched between trips up and down the Turnpike and Parkway in the back a state-owned SUV surrounded by a taxpayer-funded security detail.”
REPORT: Bail Reform Supporter Fails to Gain Republican Nomination in Middlesex
Sam Thompson, who represents Jackson Township in the New Jersey legislature failed to secure the nomination of the Middlesex County Republicans at their annual convention. Thompson, a supporter and backer of NJ’s flailing new bail reform and speedy trial act fell short Wednesday night. Here’s a full report from SaveJersey.
Jack Ciattarelli wasn’t the only Republican to score an upset of sorts on Wednesday night, Save Jerseyans, which means Asw. Betty Lou DeCroce (R-12) is no longer the only 2017 GOP legislative incumbent in real primary jeopardy. The basics: Also in Middlesex County, where Ciattarelli overcame NJGOP gubernatorial primary front runner Kim Guadagno and prevented the…
Long-awaited $128M beach replenishment to start in Ortley Beach next month
TOMS RIVER — Beach replenishment for the northern Ocean County peninsula is set to start the middle of next month, with Ortley Beach as the first spot to get the sand. State environmental protection officials said Weeks Marine Inc., the Cranford-based contractor selected to perform the $128 million project, will spend two weeks beginning mid-April pumping…
Deer stuck in frozen N.J. pond rescued but struggling to walk
ROXBURY – Officials rescued Sunday morning a deer stuck in a frozen pond for nearly 24 hours in Roxbury. The deer is out of the water but is struggling to walk on its own. The deer had been stuck in the pond located in a residential neighborhood overnight. An attempt to rescue the deer Saturday was…
Former Jackson Business Administrator Turns Himself in to State Police on Corruption Charges
TOTOWA-When Jackson Township hired former Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres in 2010 to succeed Phil Del Turco as business administrator, everyone in the township knew is it was a mistake, except for the governing body. Appointed by Mayor Michael Reina with a stunning referral from then township attorney George Gilmore, the township council approved the appointment, despite Torres being legally qualified for the position.
In the all-or-nothing effort to appoint Torres, notorious for political backroom wheeling and dealing, Councilman Scott Martin suggested the township change their legal code to allow Torres in. In Torres’ tumultuous time in Jackson, the township furloughed DPW workers, threatened police department layoffs and many other negative impacts to the township as Torres used the position simply as a holdover until he ran for mayor in Paterson in 2014, after being deposed in his hometown a year earlier.
One of Torres’ most damaging and notorious backroom deals was the agreement he made with a local landscaper, in which township resources were used to provide a political ally with with tons of leaves, free of charge, which the landscaper then was given authority by Torres to convert the leaves into mulch for commercial resale.
That agreement led to years of complaints from local residents and an eventual lawsuit in which the town was forced to sue the landscaper, costing taxpayers nearly $250,000 in legal and professional fees during the investigation and subsequent lawsuit.
Now, Torres, might finally be heading to jail as he was indicted on political corruption charges in Paterson. He turned himself into authorities earlier this week.
Earlier this month, federal authorities raided Torres’ offices as part of an unrelated investigation. Subpoenas were also sent to multiple Ocean County town halls, including Jackson related to that second investigation.
Below is a report from the Star Ledger:
TOTOWA – Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres turned himself in to the State Police on Monday after being indicted last week on corruption charges. Torres, 58 of Paterson, walked into the State Police barracks in Totowa to answer charges that he conspired to have work performed on a property connected to one of his family members.…
U.S. Attorney Fishman: You're Fired! says Donald Trump as he "Drains the Swamp"
WASHINGTON–All 46 U.S. attorneys serving as holdover appointments from the Obama administration were asked to resign by Attorney General Jeff Sessions Friday afternoon, Justice Department officials said. Among them include Paul Fishman, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey. A spokesman for his office said on Friday afternoon he could not be reached for comment. It is…
Boardwalk Pro-Trump Rally Scheduled for March 25th in Seaside Heights
SEASIDE HEIGHTS-The national MAGA March is coming to Ocean County on March 25th when supporters of President Donald J. Trump hit the boards on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights.
The Seaside Heights march has been designated as the official MAGA March for New Jersey and is part of a national pro Trump effort.
“It is about time we stand up for America. We are marching for our President, Vice President, Military, and First Responders. We are the silent majority and we are ready for a real change,” the organization said on its website. “A change for how our Veterans are treated when the focus seems to be somewhere else.”
Some officials in Seaside Heights are concerned about the possibility of organized counter protests to the event which celebrates the presidency of Donald J. Trump. The borough would be on the hook for additional police presence and it may be necessary to enlist the help of outside agencies, including the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department should the alt-left attempt a disruption of the otherwise peaceful pro-American event.
At least one hotel has publicly offered discounts to those coming to the borough to attend the rally.
In Orange County, California, efforts to block the march led county officials to officially close the Costa Mesa fairgrounds the day of the national march.
The rally will feature several guest speakers, although none have officially been announced.
To learn more about MAGA March, visit http://www.magamarch.org/.
Police: Man Exposed Himself to Girls Twice in Point Pleasant
The Point Pleasant Police Department is investigating two reported incidents involving a male subject exposing himself to 2 female juveniles. The two incidents occurred about a week apart, both between the hours of 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The first incident occurred on Cohocton Ave, north of Bridge Ave. The second incident occurred on Barton Ave, north of Herbertsville Road. In both cases the subject was described as a white male, possibly in his 20s or 30s, approximately 5’10”, heavy build with brown “messy” hair. The subject was walking past the two juveniles when he exposed himself. In each instance, the male subject then continued to walk away, leaving the area on foot. The Point Pleasant Police Department is actively investigating these incidents and we are pursuing a number of leads, utilizing every appropriate resource. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Joseph Hynes at 732-892-0060 or ask for the TIPS line to remain anonymous.
Photo: Google Maps photo of location where incident happened/Stock Photo.
Two State Troopers, Driver Airlifted After Dump Truck Crashed into Motor Vehicle Stop
Knowlton Twp., Warren County-Two New Jersey State troopers were injured in a crash on Interstate 80 in Knowlton Twp. yesterday afternoon.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., a trooper stopped a Honda Accord in the area of milepost 5.3 westbound. While the trooper was speaking with the driver outside of his vehicle, another trooper was traveling westbound in a Chevrolet Caprice, attempting to assist.
As the trooper was approaching the stop, the Caprice was struck in the rear by a Mack dump truck. The impact of the crash forced the Caprice onto the right shoulder and into the rear of the Honda, which was then pushed forward striking the trooper and the driver of the Honda.
Both troopers and the driver of the Honda were airlifted to Morristown Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the dump truck was not injured in the crash.
Cause of the crash is still under investigation.
7 Buildings Damaged in Ocean Grove Fire
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”94577,94578,94579,94580,94581,94582″ img_size=”800×450″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Fire has damaged 7 buildings overnight in Ocean Grove. Visit https://twitter.com/neptuneoem to get details on this story.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center Receives the 2017 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Breast Centers
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical
Decomposed leg washes up along Delaware River
NATIONAL PARK — The lower part of a person’s decomposed leg was discovered Sunday after washed up along the shoreline of the Delaware River in Gloucester County, authorities said. A woman found the limb while walking her dog in National Park. The foot was attached to the limb, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office said in a…
Seaside Heights Man Charged for Beating Small Dog to Death
SEASIDE HEIGHTS-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the indictment of Nicholas Piccolino, 34, of Seaside Heights, for one count of Animal Cruelty in the 3rd degree for causing serious bodily injury and death to a 10 year-old female Bichon Frise dog named “Booshu”.
The indictment stems from an animal abuse incident reported on August 19, 2016, at approximately 9:55 pm, to the Seaside Heights Police Department. Booshu’s owner alleged that Piccolino, who was alone with the dog in her kitchen, caused the dog’s death. An investigation by NJSPCA Det. Sergeant Larry Donato, with assistance from the Seaside Heights Police Department, determined that during Piccolino’s time alone with Booshu, a resident of the house upstairs heard several loud banging sounds and a dog yelping in the kitchen below. Shortly after, Piccolino notified the dog’s owner that something was wrong with her dog. Booshu’s owner found the dog dead on the floor of the bathroom. Piccolino claimed that Booshu “dirtied” herself in her crate and that while he was cleaning her up, he dropped her.
Booshu was transported to Red Bank Animal Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. A subsequent necropsy performed on Booshu by Dr. Shannon Swist of the NJ Animal Health Diagnostic Lab found that Booshu suffered multiple blunt force injuries to her head and body which contributed to her death.
On September 13, 2016, having received the necropsy report and having completed witness interviews, Det. Donato presented his findings to Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman who approved Third Degree charges pursuant to NJSA Title 4:22-17c(1) and 4:22-17 c (3)(a) of Torment, torture, unnecessarily or cruelly beating a living animal resulting in their death. Bail was set at the time of his arrest at $35,000.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Heavy traffic expected for Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights
SEASIDE HEIGHTS – The Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge has brought thousands of off-season visitors to the Jersey Shore every year for nearly a half century. As a result, the crowds and area residents alike have grown accustomed to a little extra traffic when this popular fundraiser is in town. This year, however, the…
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/
New Jersey Democrat Governor Candidate: Donald Trump is Adolf Hitler
TOMS RIVER-Like many disappointed liberals in New Jersey, Phil Murphy, a Democrat running for Governor is suffering from post-election stress syndrome in the wake of Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory against Hillary Clinton in November.
In a shocking video at a campaign event, front-running Democrat candidate Murphy attempted to invoke fear by comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler.
“I have lived in Germany twice – once as a private citizen and once as the United States ambassador, and I’m a modest student of Germany history,” Murphy said. “And I know what was being said about somebody else in the 1920s. And you could unfortunately drop in names from today into those observations from the 1920’s, and the moves that have been made early on only aide and abet that argument.”
On Tuesday, at a Republican governor’s candidate forum in Ocean County, home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish population centers in the world outside of Israel, Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore expressed disappointment with the words Murphy chose to describe President Trump. Murphy invoked both Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust to make his political statement against Trump.
“Mr. Murphy set the tone for the 2017 gubernatorial campaign,” Gilmore said. “It’s unfortunate that he chose those words to compare our President to a man who killed 6 million innocent Jewish people during the Holocaust and millions more.”
Murphy made the statement to rally his alt-left liberal supporters in the blue state of New Jersey. Gilmore said it was a sign that Democrats in New Jersey are scared and out of touch.
“People say that a Republican can’t win New Jersey in 2017,” Gilmore added. “Those are the exact same people who also said Trump couldn’t win the Presidency in 2016.”
“Ocean County brought Donald Trump the largest victory in New Jersey and we carried Chris Christie twice,” said Republican candidate Joe Rullo. “Communist Phil Murphy calling our president Adolf Hitler is one of the worst things on earth.”
“Murphy made his first Hillary Clinton mistake,” Rullo said. “Trust me, if Phil Murphy is elected, you will absolutely miss Chris Christie.”
Rullo sharply criticized Murphy for running a campaign that is promising tax increases across the board in the top taxed state in the United States.
“Murphy already spent $20 million in campaign money and nobody is even talking about him,” Rullo added.
Another Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli also took a swipe at Murphy’s alt-left focused liberal agenda and open support for sanctuary cities in New Jersey. Murphy has stated on numerous occasions he would staunchly defend sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants in New Jersey, a stance many residents outside of the inner cities oppose.
“When Trump cuts funding to New Jersey’s sanctuaries, who will [Phil Murphy] get to foot that bill?” Ciattarelli asked. “Not New Jersey, if I’m Governor.”
“Phil Murphy’s comparison of the President of the United States to Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler is repulsive and inexcusable,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. “His stunning lack of judgement and sensitivity is insulting to those whose families suffered, died or fought during World War II. It diminishes the slaughter of six million Jews and he should apologize to the people of New Jersey immediately.”
It wasn’t just Republicans in Ocean County who took notice, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said Murphy owes an apology to Trump and the Jewish population he offended with his remarks.
The Republican Governors Association released the following statement regarding New Jersey Democrat gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s remarks comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.
“Phil Murphy’s comparison of our president to an authoritarian tyrant responsible for the deaths of millions is shameful,” said RGA Chairman Governor Scott Walker. “Murphy’s absurd statement raises serious questions about his judgment and ability to lead, and proves that he is too extreme to represent the people of New Jersey. Murphy should immediately apologize for this offensive and despicable remark.”
That Annoying Liberal Activist Friend on Facebook is About to get More Annoying
TOMS RIVER-Let’s face it, we all have a few friends on Facebook who have been doing nothing but whining and complaining about Donald Trump since election day. While we either blocked or unfollowed most of our not-so-close friends for the basic crime of being annoying, we all have those two or three we just can’t silence on Facebook because it would make for an awkward dinner party next week.
For eight years, we put up with their “hope” and “change” posts and quietly scrolled past their responses on our pages calling us racists for criticizing Barack Obama’s trainwreck of a Presidency. They were always invading your page, while you have quietly let them cheer on their golden child at will, because after all, everyone has a right to believe what they want to believe.
They told us for years that everyone has a right to free speech and the people had spoken, not once but twice. That was ok, because they were right. Before the election, they preached things like higher ground and treating people with respect.
But things didn’t go their way, did it? Now they have become THAT guy…or THAT girl. The Facebook political activist. The disruptor who dons a bandana before logging in, hurling molotov cocktails one post at a time at anything they don’t agree with, armed with buckets of links to fake news reports, courtesy of MSNBC, HuffPo, New York Times and CNN.
It’s not going to get any better. A national level plan for Democrats revolves around being more even annoying, if that’s even possible, and the Ocean County Democrat Club is trying to teach people just how to do it.
The club has been hosting seminars on how to be a better Democrat and how to bring the national level of lunacy and insanity to the local level. Emboldened by election wins in Ocean County’s only blue town, Brick Township and exploiting the Michael Ritacco scandal to gain power of the the Toms River School Board, Democrats in the county hope to take that momentum and flip it–like they did the senate, congress and the presidency.
They are now preaching the platform that Ocean County overwhelmingly rejected in the voting booth just three short months ago. Ocean County Democrats have historically been the possums of the New Jersey political scene. They come out at night and try to steal your trash when there’s nobody looking, but either scurry into the woods or play dead once the light shines on them.
This week at the Ocean County administration building cafeteria, Democrats hosted a forum from the belly of the beast to help their followers be better organizers.
Knock on doors, make phone calls, host a house party, write letters to the editor and attend town meetings were the key strategy elements.
The ominous last message however is the one that perhaps will finally lead you to block that annoying Trump hater, “Social media engagement with friends and neighbors.”
Yes, it can get worse. Ocean County Democrats have signed on to rebuild themselves on the platform of being a nuisance to their fellow neighbors.
Please, if you’re an Ocean County Democrat, do not engage your friends on social media because nearly 3 out of 4 of them don’t agree with you and voted for Trump. Go back to posting pictures of beach sunrises and cute dog pics, we liked you better back then.
Presidents Day weekend to feel like spring in N.J.
New Jersey residents will enjoy spring-like weather this weekend as the days heat up through Presidents Day. But don’t put those coats away yet. Forecasters say temperatures will take dramatic dips at night, keeping a winter chill hanging around. AccuWeather says that taste of spring — with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal for this…
Shark River Dredging Project Complete
NEPTUNE, NJ – After facing years of setbacks and obstacles, the long-awaited dredging project at Shark River has been completed. Equipment from the project, which included removing sediment and reopening the navigation channels in the Shark River, is being removed.
“I’m pleased to report that with help of local and state partners, Shark River’s navigable channels have been restored to use,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “The project’s two phases have restored the full length of the navigable channels.”
“The restoration of state channels to allow safe passage for recreational and commercial traffic is critically important to maintaining our vibrant shore economy,” NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. “I am proud of the efforts of the NJDOT Office of Maritime Resources, working with the county and local officials, to make the Shark River safer to navigate than it has been in decades.”
The dredging project hydraulically removed almost three decades of sediment from the Shark River making it possible for vessels to travel during low tide from the eastern side of the river in Neptune Township to the main channels on the western side in Neptune City and Belmar. Approximately 9,000 feet of navigable channels have been restored.
The sediment was hydraulically dredged and then piped via a secure welded pipeline to mechanical dewatering equipment located in the Belmar Marina parking lot. The dewatered material was then trucked to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center for beneficial use as cover material on the active landfill.
“Last summer this project was suspended by the shutdown of projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF),” said Arnone. “I participated in negotiations with the State to restart this project and I plan to keep advocating for the State to maintain and improve this valuable environmental, recreational and economic resource for all County residents.
“Efforts to dredge the Shark River were a long time in the making and I am extremely pleased that our strong coalition of State, County and local leaders effectively advocated and committed funding to the dredging project,” said Arnone. “Twenty years ago, I was a councilman in Neptune City when I began advocating for keeping the Shark River a viable waterway. I kept up the pressure as mayor and finally, as a Monmouth County Freeholder, I am seeing results. Thank you to the NJDOT, the County Freeholders, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Wall, and Belmar.”
“I am pleased to have worked to secure funding for the Shark River dredging which was long overdue,” said Congressman Chris Smith. “The FEMA reimbursement of roughly one third of the project cost made the dredging possible, and will now make for safe navigation in the state channels. As someone who grew up boating and fishing on the Shark River, I know the importance of seeing this waterway improved.”
The dredging project was bid at $7.6 million, began in December 2015 and was performed by Mobile Dredging sand Pumping Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania. County and municipal commitments were as follows: Monmouth County $1.1 million; Neptune City $100,000; Neptune Township $450,000; and Wall Township $315,000. Belmar provided in-kind service for the dewatering process at the Belmar Marina.
“This is really a beginning; it certainly could not have been accomplished without the coordination of the surrounding municipalities, County, and the State to get it off the ground,” Senator Jennifer Beck said. Going forward we must conduct regular maintenance dredging to ensure the viability of this river.”
Freehold Township High School Wins Monmouth County Consumer Bowl
HOWELL, NJ – Freehold Township High School came up winners in the 2017 Monmouth County Consumer Bowl, a game-show-style competition for teams of high school students held Feb. 14 at the Monmouth County Fire Academy.
Students from seven high schools answered consumer-related questions in a multiple choice and open-ended format to test their knowledge of consumer issues, such as Internet fraud and buying and leasing automobiles.
The six-member team from Freehold Township High School successfully earned its 2017 Monmouth County Consumer Bowl title against students from Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Howell, Manalapan and Raritan and Saint John Vianney High School.
“The best part about this program is that all of our participating young adults gained some knowledge about what it takes to help them be smarter consumers and possibly future consumer advocates,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso, who was on hand to congratulate the winners. “It is also a great way to promote the County’s Consumer Affairs office, which enforces consumer laws and helps people who suspect they might be victims of unscrupulous business practices.”
In the final round, Freehold Twp. faced-off with Howell High School. Though the scores were close, the Freehold Township team was victorious and won the 2017 County Consumer Bowl for the seventh time in eight years. .
“It’s important that teens understand consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, marketing and advertising,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs. “Consumer Bowl participants are a step ahead of their peers with their knowledge of consumer issues and are well-prepared to tackle issues in the marketplace.”
Team members are Anna Landre (team captain), Matthew Bernstein, Jake LaFronz, Michael Galanaugh and Raiyan Hussain. Their advisor is Dan Cooper; school principal is Elizabeth Higley.
The Freehold Township team now moves on to the regional competition on April 6 with home field advantage because the competition will be held at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. The winner of the regional competition will go on to compete in the 2017 New Jersey State Consumer Bowl scheduled for May in Trenton.
The New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl is a program of the state Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs. It was established in 1997 to help students learn about consumer issues that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Since the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977, the department has handled more than 50,000 complaints and resolved disputes, resulting in savings to consumers of more than $22 million; $9 million has been resolved in the past five years.
Consumer Affairs is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and dishonest business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and many other regulations.
Additional information about fraud and other consumer affairs programs can be found on the County website at www.VisitMonmouth.com, by calling 732-431-7900 or email ConsumerAffairs@co.monmouth.nj.us. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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
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
Who is Tim Schnacke and why is he pushing bail reform down our throats in New Jersey?
Tim Schnacke lives in Colorado, but suddenly has an interest in touting New Jersey’s Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act as a monumental success.
He has been attacking the media, including yours truly, law enforcement, prosecutors, the bail bond industry and anyone who dares criticize bail reform.
After all, it is his baby.
“Man, I never thought I’d ever use such a stupid term as ‘fake news,’ and my dad knew Nixon,” Schnacke wrote on his blog, followed by just 5 people. “But recently I’ve seen the bail insurance company posts with all these stories about how horrible everything is in New Jersey, and I noticed that they were all coming from one source – Shore News Network. I mean, it was literally the only outfit saying these things, and the things it was saying were pretty much the opposite of what I was hearing both from people high up and on the ground in New Jersey.”
We decided to look into the man behind the curtain and see why his panties are in such a bunch. After all, it was his program that just facilitated the release of a two-time child sexual predator back into the neighborhood in Little Egg Harbor.
It turns out Mr. Schnacke is paid good money to promote bail reform. In fact the company he works for, Pretrial Justice Institute has received over $7 million in federal grant money to write positive reports and analysis on bail reform. Those are just the grants we were able to find through a quick Google search.
Pretrial Justice Institute hails itself as “The Third Generation of Bail Reform”.
It turns out Schnacke is even one of the architects behind bail reform programs such as New Jersey’s which has put child sex offenders and other repeat offenders back on the streets in the first 30 days.
In fact, in 2013 he was the driving force behind pretrial bail reform in Jefferson Colorado. By 2016, the Attorney General there shut the failing bail reform program down.
Tim Schnacke’s bail reform ideas failed the citizens of Colorado and the Attorney General suspended it in December of last year, a few days before Schnacke’s model was implemented in New Jersey. Now schnacke is pushing bail reform in NJ and going after NJ’s law enforcement community and news outlets such as ours who are reporting the failures. He’s also going after the bail industry because he NEEDS reform to work in NJ so he can get more million dollar grants from the federal government.
Schnacke’s methods were sharply criticized by the American Bail Coalition, a bail industry advocate in 2011, prior to launching his failed bail reform pilot program in Jefferson County, Colorado.
“Tim Schnake from Jefferson County, CO, wants JEFFCO to become the DC of the Rockies. In his position as a criminal justice planner/analyst for the county, he explained his two part program the first part of which was a jail impact study and the second part of which was to highlight the defects of the commercial bail system in Colorado,” the ABC wrote.
“During the debate over CO SB 186, Schnacke’s findings were challenged by a professor of criminology at the University of Texas, who concluded, that by contemporary academic/scientific standards, Schanke’s methodology suffered from such grave design flaws, that they were fatal to the validity of his findings,” the report continued. “Schnake did not react well and attacked the professor ad hominem through all the deans on his campus, the provost, plus the system chancellor of the University of Texas. Schnake never did address the substance of the professor’s criticism, nor did he mention such a challenge during the symposium presentation (nor did his colleague, Mike Jones, who gave substantially the same presentation at the National Sheriffs Association annual meeting on 18 JUN in a session lumberingly entitled, Increasing Public Safety While Reducing Jail Populations: The Benefit of Cost-Effective Bail Setting and Pre-Trial Services Programs).”
Two years later, Schnacke was able to reform JEFFCO’s justice system. Three years later, it was shut down.
The mainstream liberal media in New Jersey has for the most part not covered the downside of the new Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act.
Schnacke and his company are making big bucks on bail reform at the expense of the residents of New Jersey who now have sexual predators being released back into their neighborhoods.
That’s why Schnacke is interested in pushing bail reform and trash talking the media, law abiding citizens, prosecutors and law enforcement officers who criticize his platform. His company survives on federal grant money and if the narrative of success is not maintained, they could lose that money in the future.
With the amount of revenue being spent on bail reform, we can only hope at some point this scam against the American people and especially the people of New Jersey is noticed by the Trump Administration and is shut down until a more practical, affordable and sensible reform can be adopted.
Schnacke’s bail reform has failed the citizens of Colorado, where marijuana is legal, but officials are of enough sound mind to have pulled the plug on his terrible bail reform program.
We attempted to contact Mr. Schnacke several times this week to hear his side of the story, but he dodged our repeated calls and never returned any messages.
Seaside Park Bombing Terrorist Would Have Scored Lower Than Shoplifter Under NJ Bail Reform PSA?
A document making its rounds today purportedly shows a leaked training document claiming Ahmad Khan Rahami, the terrorist who was shot and captured in Linden after setting off bombs in Seaside Park and New York City would have scored a 2,2 under the New Jersey Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act’s computerized public safety assessment.
The same document suggests a shoplifter, sexual offender or the local drug dealer could score higher than Rahami if he was arrested after the new bail reform system was enacted on January 1st.
PSA is a computerized pre-trial assessment that assigns a score of 1 to 6 based on two factors, a failure to appear risk scale and a new criminal activity risk scale.
The PSA score takes into consideration only the nature of the current offense and the offender’s criminal case and court history data.
What the computer does not calculate is the manner in which the present offense was committed, the strength of the case by prosecutors against the defendant, out of state charges or convictions, juvenile records, expunged records, threats of future harm to current victims or witnesses, gang involvement, drug or alcohol dependencies, mental illness or missing criminal information in the criminal database.
According to the document, it’s the prosecution’s responsibility to alert the courts to that information, but it will not be factored into the defendant’s computer generated score.
Our investigation found that the document is a revision of an actual New Jersey Attorney General’s Office bail reform survival guide for New Jersey Prosecutors. Who made that revision at this time is unknown or if the revision represents an earlier or unreleased version of the survival guide.
The document appears to be a modified revision of “CONFRONTING THE CHALLENGES OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROSECUTORS“, created by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, however in the version online at the current time, that page does not appear.
Peter Aseltine, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office said the page being circulated representing the course was not generated or approved by their office. Aseltine added that the course was delivered to law enforcement agencies in a format that did allow them to modify the curriculum at the local levels.
“It was in a format that made it possible for others to create their own modified versions,” Aseltine said.
As far as the validity of Rahami scoring a 2,2 on a PSA, he said, “I cannot comment on that data. Again, that page was not something that came from us.”
Correction: Originally published as being a document by the New Jersey Judiciary. It is a version of a document by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Keady: Democrats on Right Side of Issues; Have Momentum in Ocean and Monmouth Counties
The political landscape in Ocean and Monmouth Counties has been ugly of late, but it looks like it’s about to get uglier as deflated progressives at the shore are backed further into a corner of irrelevance. But one man this week said he intends to bottle up that frustration and unleash it before the 2018 congressional elections.
James Keady a political disruptor, known most for being told to “sit down and shut up” by Governor Chris Christie said this week that shore Democrats and progressives need to begin to organize grassroots efforts and step up political activism if they want to start winning elections in the predominantly conservative region of New Jersey.
“We have momentum. We are on the right side of the issues. We are ready to stand up and be counted,” Keady said. “Now, let’s get down to business.”
What?
Democrats in Ocean and Monmouth Counties hold no higher office outside of a couple of mayors and council seats. It’s unsure what momentum he is referring to.
Keady lost the Democratic nomination for Congressman last November to perhaps one of the worst run campaigns and failed candidates at the Jersey Shore in decades, that of Frederick John LaVergne. Despite LaVergne’s personal bankruptcy and home foreclosure proceedings, Democrats chose him to go to battle against Tom MacArthur last year…and lost miserably. On top of that, Republican Tom MacArthur cleaned LaVergne’s clock in the election booth.
In Monmouth County and Northern Ocean, Congressman Chris Smith won his 18th consecutive election, this year flattening his Democratic opponent Lorna Phillipson by a more than 2-1 margin.
With conventional campaigning ineffective for Democrats, Keady says it’s time to take to the streets to protest, march and disrupt. Keady now hopes to tap into the young leftist activist moving sweeping across urban America in the wake of the Trump presidency.
“In response to our current political reality, many people are finding themselves adopting the role of being a political activist for the first time,” Keady said. “People who have never protested before are marching in the streets. People who didn’t know the names of their elected officials are now calling their offices every day.”
Keady recommended young aspiring leftists should start reading ‘Rules for Radicals’ by Saul Alinsky. He also suggested young liberals connect online with the radical disruptive ‘Our Revolution’ movement.
He also encouraged liberals to get off of Facebook and Twitter and to get out into the streets of the Jersey Shore.
“Realize that we are not going to Tweet or Facebook post our way out of this,” Keady added. “It’s going to take our time, effort, and sacrifice in real life. Make the time and put in the effort to actively be a part of organizing meetings, demonstrations, call-ins, etc.”
Keady offered would-be organizers a script designed to discredit Congressman Chris Smith, a Republican.
Here is a sample script.
YOU: Do you think our Congressperson should live in our district?
NEIGHBOR: Of course.
YOU: Did you know that Chris Smith hasn’t lived in our district since the early 80s? He’s been living in Virginia for so long that his kids get in-state tuition at Virginia schools.
NEIGHBOR: What?! That’s crazy.
YOU: Yeah, he keeps a small apartment in Mercer County so he can have a NJ address. A news outlet did a story about it years ago and the neighbors there didn’t even know that a Congressman lived in the complex, they were shocked.
NEIGHBOR: That’s just wrong.
YOU: Along with him not living here, did you know that he never comes back to the district to hold open, public town hall meetings?
NEIGHBOR: Really?
YOU: Yeah, some friends and I have looked into it and we cannot find any reference of any town hall meetings on record since he’s been in office. Some people think there may have been one in 1991 or 1992, but we can’t find anything about it. We keep calling and emailing his office to get an answer and they won’t tell us when the last one happened and he refuses to commit to a town hall meeting in 2017.
NEIGHBOR: What?! That’s crazy.
YOU: Yeah, isn’t it? Our tax dollars pay this guy’s salary, the least he can do is meet us face to face a few times a year, right?!
NEIGHBOR: Yeah, that’s the least he can do.
YOU: Do you think that there are way too many people in Washington who have been there far too long? Don’t we need some new blood?
NEIGHBOR: Absolutely. That’s why I agreed with Trump that we should “drain the swamp.”
YOU: I hear you. Did you know that our Congressman has been in the same office for 37 years.
NEIGHBOR: What?! That’s crazy.
YOU: Yeah, 37 years. My friends and I think that’s long enough and it’s time we get someone new in there to shake things up. Someone who’s an independent thinker from outside of Washington.
NEIGHBOR: I am down with that.
YOU: I am involved with a group that is working on bringing people together who agree with us that we need new blood in Congress and that at a minimum, our Congressperson should live in our district and should hold regular town halls to listen to the concerns of taxpayers. Would you like to join us one night?
NEIGHBOR: Sure.
YOU: Cool. Why don’t you give me your email address and cell number and I will shoot you a message about the next meeting. If you need a ride maybe we can go over together.
NEIGHBOR: That sounds great.
This last part of the engagement is REALLY important. If we are going to be effective political organizers, we need to be able to get in touch with people. Getting someone’s contact info is as important as it gets. So never, ever, ever skip this step. Even if they aren’t yet interested in coming to a meeting, ask for their info and tell them you would like to reach out to them in the future. Getting email addresses and cell numbers is gold in political organizing.
Keady’s message is inline with the Ocean and Monmouth Democrat’s scheduled meetings to begin enticing local radicals at the Jersey Shore how to become political activists and disruptors, following the model being used at the national level.
Rullo Hits Absent "Silent Kim" Guadagno at First Republican Primary Debate
The 2017 Republican gubernatorial primary campaign season officially kicked off on February 6th with the Morris County Young Republicans’ debate. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was not present and neither was Jack Ciattarelli who announced that he would be scaling back his campaign while he undergoes cancer treatment.
Rullo struck first at New Jersey’s recent gas tax, claiming Guadagno has been silent on the tax, branding the Lt. Governor as “Silent Kim”. Rullo also criticized New Jersey’s sanctuaries and illegal immigration.
“We so are grateful for the 150+ who attended, the media who covered the event, our sponsors who made it possible, and the candidates who came: Joseph Rullo and Steve Rogers,” the MCYR said, “Our moderators Michael Crispi and Anthony J Somma Jr. did an outstanding job! This was a great way to kick off the 2017 GOP Primary.”
Video provided by Rullo’s campaign.
https://www.facebook.com/JosephRudyRullo/videos/10212140184762869/
New Jersey State Police Union Reveals Terrifying Bail Reform Statistic
The New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association this week released a terrifying statistic about New Jersey’s bail reform. It’s a system where those pushing it are making millions of dollars, but the people of New Jersey, including police and prosecutors are the ones paying the price.
“Bail Reform Numbers – In the 3,382 cases statewide that were processed in the first four weeks of January, judges set bail only three times,” the NJSPBA announced.
Bail Reform Numbers – In the 3,382 cases statewide that were processed in the first four weeks of January, judges set bail only three times.
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) February 8, 2017
Secaucus DPW truck plowing snow bursts into flames
JERSEY CITY — A Secaucus Department of Public Works truck plowing snow on Seaview Drive burst into flames this morning. At about 8:45 a.m. the driver noticed fire coming from the truck’s engine compartment and the flames quickly grew, stretching several feet above the truck’s roof, Secaucus Police Capt. Dennis Miller said. The town fire department…
Report: Developer Seeks to Build 1,800 Homes on Eagle Ridge Golf Course
LAKEWOOD-A report in today’s Asbury Park Press says Lakewood’s Eagle Ridge Golf Club on Faraday Avenue is being eyed by a developer who seeks to build 1,800 homes on the site.
The report also states the course was in the process of being sold. The report also said the buyer told nearby residents it would continue operating the golf course and restaurant.
Freeholders Oppose Flounder Restrictions
OMS RIVER – Noting the importance of the fishing industry on Ocean County’s economy, County officials are supporting federal and state representatives and recreational and commercial anglers who are in opposition to changes that will have a drastic effect on the summer flounder recreational harvest.
“I stand with federal and state lawmakers, along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and representatives of the state’s recreational and commercial fishing industries in stating that the new regulations would devastate our fishing industry and have a devastating economic impact on Ocean County’s shore tourism,” stated Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the county’s Tourism and Business Development. “Summer flounder is one of the most popular game fish in the region among recreational anglers and is very important to commercial fishing operations.”
Vicari authored a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker noting his concerns about the proposed rule recently announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries that would significantly reduce the commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018.
“This rule will have a dramatic and disastrous effect on the residents of Ocean County, especially those that rely upon the summer flounder fishery for their livelihood,” Vicari said. “Some of our area fisherman said this rule would put them out of business.
“In an area of New Jersey that was heavily hit by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and is finally regaining some of its economic losses, this rule will hurt tourism which is a key factor of our economic engine,” Vicari said. “Our fishing communities have faced many adverse challenges and are already struggling. We do not need to add to this.”
In New Jersey, the recreational and commercial fishing industries generate about $2.5 billion annually and represent more than 20,000 jobs, according to State DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. Recreational fishermen landed more than 650,000 summer flounder and commercial fishermen caught more than 1.2 million pounds last year.
Last month, votes taken by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) would likely result in an increase in the size of individual summer flounder anglers can keep, as well as a decrease in number of fish that may be kept each day, and a reduction in season length.
One of the options under consideration could reduce New Jersey’s recreational harvest limit for summer flounder by as much as nearly 50 percent.
Vicari, echoing the recommendations of DEP Commissioner Bob Martin, said the quotas that have been proposed are arbitrary and require a more thorough scientific analysis.
“Without fair examination taking into consideration the impact of the proposed quota, the County’s marinas, charter boat operators, bait and tackle shops, hotels, restaurants and other tourism related businesses will be adversely affected,” Vicari said.
Vicari applauded DEP Commissioner Martin, U.S. Representatives Frank LoBiondo, Tom MacArthur and Frank Pallone Jr. and U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory A. Booker for coming together to support the fishing industry and oppose the proposed quotas.
“I also commend the many organizations representing our commercial and recreational fishing industries for their actions in opposing these new regulations,” Vicari said.
Fishing advocacy groups that have been actively opposing the measure include the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the New Jersey Coast Anglers Association, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, United Boatmen and the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund.
According to the DEP, the summer flounder season in New Jersey typically runs from May through September, concurrent with the peak tourism season. Current New Jersey regulations allow recreational anglers fishing in most parts of the state to keep summer flounder that are at least 18 inches long, at a maximum of five fish per day. In Delaware Bay, anglers may take up to four summer flounder per day that meet a minimum 17-inch length requirement.
The DEP is particularly concerned about any regulatory changes that would increase the minimum length of fish caught in New Jersey because few fish would meet the larger size limit. Summer flounder in New Jersey tend to be smaller than in states to the north due to the species’ biological needs and migration patterns.