Crime Scene Middletown: Burglary, Theft Suspect Released After Posting Bail And Other Activity For 11/21 - 11/27/11

Written by Middletown Township Police Department Monday, 28 November 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses: Rick Chapman, age 45, from Monmouth Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on November 21, 2011 by Detective Daniel Sullivan for Burglary and Theft. He was released after posting $2,500.00 with a 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson. Jesse Ballard, age 20, from Birchwood Lane in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 21, 2011 by Patrolman Greg Buhowski on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Red Bank Municipal Court. He was released after posting $47.00 bail.

Jenine Rounds, age 30, from Pacific Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 21, 2011 by Patrolman Greg Buhowski on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. She was released after posting $90.00 bail. Luigi Nardella, age 50, from Bernard Drive in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on November 21, 2011 by Patrolman John Mele on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail. Vincent Coccimiglio, age 43, from Swimming River Road in Lincroft, NJ, arrested on November 21, 2011 by Corporal Bernard Chenoweth on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Sayreville Municipal Court. He was released after posting $170.00 bail. Michael Culkin, age 45, from Monmouth Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 22, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date. Joseph Fitzpatrick, age 64, from Randolph Road in Freehold, NJ, arrested November 22, 2011 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $250.00 bail. Jason Macero, age 24, from Cosma Road in North Easton, MA, arrested on November 22, 2011 by Patrolman Michael Nolan on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $250.00 bail. John McDougald, age 31, from Lawrence Street in Perth Amboy, NJ, arrested on November 26, 2011 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan on Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail. Tyron Whitley, age 25, from Washington Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Police Office Patricia Colangelo on a Contempt of Court issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. He was released after posting $250.00 bail. Ryan Zacher, age 21, from Spruce Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Sergeant First Class William Colangelo for Providing Alcohol to Minors. He was released pending a court date. Justin Zacher, age 19, from Spruce Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Sergeant First Class William Colangelo for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. He was released pending a court date. Daniel Supienski, age 23, from Ocean Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Union Municipal Court and on a Non-Support warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court. He was held on bail. Gregory Cole, age 32, from Spring Street in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Corporal Daniel Murdoch for Driving While Intoxicated. He was released pending a court date. Steven Nalbach, age 50, from Hamilton Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Albert Scott on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Newark Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail. Francis Stenz, age 52, from Locust Grove in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield for Driving While Intoxicated. He was released pending a court date.  David Foggy, age 41, from North Shore Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 23, 2011 by Patrolman Adam Colfer for Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was held on $10,000.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson. Edwin Smith, age 39, from Carr Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 23, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Greenwood and Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. He was held on $200.00 bail. Michael Henninger, age 21, from Navesink Avenue in Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 23, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham and Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date. Michael Dennis, age 23, from York Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on November 23, 2011 by Patrolman Richard and Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date. Nicolo Esparra, age 20, from Memorial Parkway in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 23, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date. On November 25, 2011 Corporal Douglas Wiatrak arrested a 12 year old male juvenile form Port Monmouth, NJ, for Attempted Burglary. He was released pending a court date. Fady Guirguis, age 40, from Wood Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Greg Buhowski for Shoplifting from the Sears Store. He was released pending a court date. Semon Luka, age 35, from Wood Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Corporal Bernard Chenoweth for Shoplifting from the Sears Store. She was released pending a court date. Michelle Mazurek, age 20, from Maplewood Avenue in Rumson, NJ, arrested on November 26, 2011 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan for Shoplifting from the Sears Store. She was released pending a court date. Nickolas Rosamilia, age 32, from Kentucky Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Greenwood and Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit for Providing False Information to a Police Officer and on a Non-Support warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court. He was being at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ. Wendi Cherry, age 40, from 24th Road in Arlington, VA, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Raike for Simple Assault. She was released pending a court date. Amanda Beck, age 23, from West Shore Drive in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 23, 2011 by Patrolman John Mele on Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Holmdel and Keansburg Municipal Court. She was held on $521.00 bail. Gwendolyn Cherry, age 70, from Garden Place in Tinton Falls, NJ, arrested on November 25, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Raike for Simple Assault. She was released pending a court date. Michael Sarris, age 50, from Dewitt Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ, arrested on November 27, 2011 by Patrolman Carl Roth on Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Woodbridge, Middletown and Tinton Falls Municipal Courts. He was held on $2,339.00 bail. Matthew Oleson, age 18, from Ideal Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 27, 2011 by Patrolman John Mele for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date. Gregory Hafner, age 20, from Hance Road in Fair Haven, NJ, arrested on November 27, 2011 by Patrolman John Mele for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date. Mitchell Moudatsos, age 34, from Attison Avenue in Toms River, NJ, arrested on November 26, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein for Possession of Cocaine and on a Failure to Appear warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court. He was held on $11,548.00 bail. Vincent Marchese, age 27, from Ocean Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 27, 2011 by Corporal James Keenan for Simple Assault. He was released after posting $2,500.00 bail.

The $500,000 Raid On The Middletown Library Won’t Be The Last

The Township Committee adds two additional Library Board members, sets the stage for majority control in 2012.

by guest blogger Linda Baum

A couple of months back, there was a rumor that the Township Committee intended to appoint two additional members to the Middletown Library Board, bringing the number of Board members from 7 to 9. (By comparison, keep in mind that the Township Committee consists of just 5 people.)

As it turns out, the rumor is true. At the Township Committee’s November 21, 2011 meeting, Ordinance 2011-3048 was introduced to add two new Library trustees. A public hearing on the Ordinance will be held at the Town Committee’s regular meeting on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Two of the existing Board members, Mr. Milne and Ms. Raymond, are up for re-appointment at year end, and another Board member was already booted and replaced with Committeeman Settembrino at the start of this year. Add to those three spots the two new ones, and that’s a 5-4 majority to do the Town Committee’s bidding. So it would seem our mayor and his fellow Town Committee members have no intention of stopping at half a million.

As many of you know, I regularly attend the Library Board meetings and have since February of this year. I’m the only member of the public who regularly attends. If the woman who frequented Board of Education meetings was seen as the natural pick for that Board, I figure that makes me the front runner for one of the two new spots on the Library Board, right??? So I am submitting to the Town my application for Library Board membership, a futile effort since I am not likely to be appointed. My guess is that the two new appointees, or likely four if Mr. Milne and Ms. Raymond are replaced, will be members of the Republican Party faithful who are already serving on one or more other boards or commissions. I guess we’ll find out on Township Reorganization Day.

To understand what these changes could mean, let me recap a little history. In a taxpayer-funded play in 2010, Township attorney Brian Nelson succeeded in having New Jersey law changed to require our municipal public library to relinquish to the Township a significant portion of its surplus. (Previously, the law allowed for the transfer of funds but there was no requirement.) Now, the Library can keep some surplus -- an amount no more than 20% above the prior year’s budget -- but has to fork over the rest, with some exceptions. Some Library monies are protected under the law and are not considered surplus, such as restricted reserves for capital projects.

You may recall that of the $500K taken from the Library this year, half was restricted reserves that the Township was not entitled to legally. That’s one of the reasons such a battle erupted. The Library trustees were out-maneuvered from the start and in the end most felt obligated to pay the full $500,000. It was not without recognizing the precarious financial condition it left the Library in.

Faced with the substantial reduction in funding, the combined result of the $500K raid and an overall revenue decline in line with lower assessments, the Library trustees have been diligent this year about reducing costs where feasible without disruption to services. However, success in reducing the operating budget also has the effect of reducing the amount of surplus that can be retained (20% of the budget), leaving more on the table to be taken by the Township. In addition, the trustees have had to balance the need to set aside reserves – for unexpected expenses or to compensate for annual fluctuations in revenue – against what they stand to lose. The greater the reserve, the more the Township can take.

At its November 16th meeting, the Library Board discussed moving $122,000 to the capital fund to save for the parking lot expansion. Restricting a portion of the reserves for capital projects is supposed to protect the money from seizure by the Township. It won’t. The Library Board need only vote to unrestrict the funds, as was done this year. While the current Board is not likely to do that a second time, the newly re-structured 9-member Board might, and the Town Committee can ensure that it will by appointing the “right” people to the Board.

Sadly, the result may be a Library Board that fails to act in the best interests of the Library.

It's Your Town - Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 22- 11/21/11

The current edition of It's Your Town Newsletter is here and covers the only Middletown NJ Township Committee meeting that took place for the month of November held on November 21,2011.

This meeting included the passing of an ordinance that approved the rezoning of the Bamm Hollow property as a result of settling a lawsuit out of court. There was also an ordinance introduced for the purpose of increasing the number of members to be appointed to the board of the Middletown Public Library.

Currently there are 7 board trustees serving the Middletown Library, this ordinance will increase the number who serve as Library Board Trustees to 9.

The problem with this is that the Township Committee, which appoints the trustees to the Library Board, will handpicked loyal Republican cronies to serve on the library board, which will then make it easier in the future for the Township Committee to raid surplus and reserved library funds for its own use, as it did earlier this year when it extorted nearly $500,000 from the library (threatening that the library would be held responsible for police lay-offs if the money was not given up), in order to balance the Township budget.

A public hearing on the ordinance will take place at the December 19,2011 Township Committee meeting.

The bill lists that were included with this edition did not scanned well therefore some of the pages are missing information on the left side of the page.

Guest blogger Linda Baum has written a post concerning the appointment of new members to the Middletown Library Board and what it will mean to those who already sit on the board and for those who run Middletown's governing body and how it will effect the library in general.

I will post it later today, in the meantime you can read the latest newsletter.... Here

NFL Week 12 Is Nearly Over But Not Before Princess Picks The Saint In Monday Night Match-Up Vs The Giants

It's been a long Thanksgiving weekend between eating turkey, Black Friday shopping and watching football, so seeing how Princess the Camel decided to choose this weeks Monday night match-up between the New Orleans Saints and the NY Giants as this weeks game in which to issue her prognostication it has given me a little more time to post about it.

If you recall from my last Princess post for NFL week 11, she picked the NY Jets to beat the Denver Broncos in a game that the Jets unfortunately went on to loose.

It was a bad loss for the Jets, it set off a fire storm of criticism in the media, put the Jets play-off hope at risk and lead Coach Rex Ryan to publicly humiliate Quarterback Marc Sanchez by taking away some of his practice time with the first string offense.

In this weeks game Princess seems to have made the a predictable safe prediction after two straight very close loosing predictions (Giants over Niners, Jets over Broncos). Princess says that the New Orleans Saints will beat the NY Giants in New Orleans to close out week 12 in the NFL on Monday night.

"...the blue on the Giants is a little faded and I think they are too. The defense is in disarray and they looked almost as bad as the Jets defense. The Saints are tough especially in their own building. Someone has to step up and take control of the Giants, until then…"

Princess record at picking games this year is currently 6W-5L, I think after this game her record will be even. I just can't imagine after two bad losses in a row,the last one being a total shellacking by the Eagles, that the Giants will stink it up three weeks in a row.

I think the Giants will be ready for this game even though their offensive line is being reconstructed this week and they will be playing without runningback Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants defense will hold the Saints in check just enough for Eli Manning to work enough voodoo in his New Orleans homecoming.

It will be close, I'm thinking somewhere along the lines of say, 20-17 Giants.

European Credit Crunch Won't Keep The French From Their Foie Gras This Holiday Season

And you thought the credit crunch here in the U.S was bad, what is Frenchman to do without his Foie Gras for the holidays?

DCCC Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet; Arm Yourself With The Facts Before It's Too Late

Just in case your Republican friends or relatives at Thanksgiving try to repeat anything they’ve heard from Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, or by reading Sarah Palin's Facebook page, we wanted to help you respond with the truth.

(click to enlarge)

You can download this years edition of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet for yourself (or email it to a friend) to have on hand when the Thanksgiving dinner conversation inexplicably turns from footbal to politics.

Arm yourself with the facts before it's too late.

The Definitive History of the Presidential Turkey Pardon

Posted From The White House Blog




Each Thanksgiving, the President “pardons” a hand-selected turkey, sparing the bird from someone’s dinner table and ensuring the rest of its days are spent roaming on a farm, doing whatever it is turkeys love to do. Twenty-two turkeys have been pardoned, and today, President Obama will pardon one more.

You’re probably wondering: Where did this very serious business of the Presidential turkey pardon come from anyway?

Americans have been sending the President turkeys for the holidays since at least the 19th century. Beginning in 1873 during Grant’s presidency, a Rhode Island man named Horace Vose was responsible for “selecting with the utmost care” the “noblest gobbler in all that little state” for the President’s Thanksgiving dinner, a tradition he carried out for more than 25 years according to The New York Times. In 1947, the National Turkey Federation took on the role of official turkey supplier to the President, delivering a 47-pound bird in time for the Christmas holiday.

That year, the White House also began holding a turkey receiving ceremony, usually in the Rose Garden, providing a photo op that many confuse with the beginning of the pardoning tradition. Back then, however, birds were more likely to be destined for the White House dining table than the easy life on a farm. In 1948, President Truman said he would take the gifted turkey home to Independence, Missouri, where his 25 relatives “require a lot.”

So then when did the pardoning start? Here’s where it gets tricky. Tales of spared turkeys date back to the Lincoln days. According to one story, Lincoln’s son Tad begged his father to write out a presidential pardon for the bird meant for the family’s Christmas table, arguing it had as much a right to live as anyone. Lincoln acquiesced and the turkey lived.

In 1963, President Kennedy decided to send that year’s gift from the National Turkey Federation back to the farm where it came from. “We’ll just let this one grow,” he said. Sometime around the Nixon administration, the President began sending the turkey to a petting farm near Washington after holding the traditional receiving ceremony and photo op, although no formal pardon was given.

President George H.W. Bush was the first to actually offer a turkey pardon. On November 14, 1989, he announced that year’s bird had “been granted a presidential pardon as of right now.” He sent the turkey on his way to the perhaps unfortunately named Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Virginia, and with that, a tradition was born.

Since taking office, President Obama has pardoned two turkeys, although in 2009, he admitted Courage, that year’s top turkey, came dangerously close to gracing the White House table. “Thanks to the intervention of Malia and Sasha – because I was ready to eat this sucker – Courage will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate."

"I'm told Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys," Obama said. "You can't fault them for that; that's a good-looking bird."

Thanksgiving & Holiday Safety tips

UL offers Thanksgiving safety tips

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Northbrook, IL-based Underwriters Laboratories is reminding families to keep safety on the menu. 

To help prevent Thanksgiving fires and injuries, UL recommends:

• Do not overload the stovetop with too many pots and pans, and keep the area free of clutter.
• Never hold a child while cooking. If possible, keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
• Never put a glass casserole dish on the stove or over a burner, as it could cause the container to explode.
• Consider avoiding the use of turkey fryers because they pose a number of safety hazards.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Remove lids from pots and pans by tilting them away from you to avoid hot steam.
• Ensure shirt sleeves are short, fitted or tightly rolled when cooking.
• If a small fire starts in a pan, grab a flame-resistant potholder and smother the fire with a lid. Do not remove the lid until the pan has cooled.
• Remain in the kitchen while cooking. If you must leave the room briefly, carry an oven mitt with you to remind you that food is cooking.

 

Holidays call for ladder safety reminders for workers

The risk of ladder falls can increase during the holiday season when workers are charged with hanging and removing holiday decorations, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries cautioned this week.

Washington L&I reminds workers of the following ladder safety tips:

• Carefully inspect the ladder for defects, cracks and corrosion before use. Tag and remove from service any ladders deemed unsafe.
• Make sure the ladder's feet have slip-resistant pads.
• Use a fiberglass ladder around electricity.
• When setting up a ladder, look for a location with firm, level footing and a rigid support for the top of the ladder.
• Always use three-point contact when climbing a ladder. Either both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand should be in contact with the ladder at all times.
• Never carry a load that could cause you to lose your balance.
• Never stand on the top of a ladder.
• Do not pull, stretch or make sudden movements that could cause a ladder to tip.
• Avoid placing ladders near doorways, pedestrian walkways or vehicular traffic.

 

Crime Scene Middletown: Arrest Warrants and Other Various Offenses

Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Monday, 21 November 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions

The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:

Jose Rosario, age 42, from Richard Ave in West Caldwell, NJ, arrested on November 15, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Dellatacoma on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail.

Theresa Oswin, age 47, from Henry Place in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 15, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Dellatacoma on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $100.00 bail.

Nielson Montero, age 25, from South West 12th street in Miami, FL, arrested on November 15, 2011 by Patrolman Christian Clark on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $250.00 bail.

Jamie Leckie, age 47, from Church Street in Belford, NJ, arrested on November 15, 2011 by Patrolman John Mele on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court. He was released after posting $1,155.00 bail.

Griffin O’Brien, age 18, from Mount Vernon Court in Colts Neck, NJ, arrested on November 15, 2011 by Patrolman Lawrence Seymour on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Paul Johnson, age 20, from Haskell Way in Oceanport, NJ, arrested on November 16, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham and Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date.

Patrick Larkin, age 21, from Edgewood Avenue in Little Silver, NJ, arrested on November 16, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Greenwood and Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date.

Carmine Marino, age 44, from Roger Avenue in Lincroft, NJ, arrested on November 16, 2011 by Police Officer Janine Kennedy on a Non-Support warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court. He was held on $8,401.00 bail.

Chad Zimmer, age 38, from Lorillard Avenue in Union Beach, NJ, arrested on November 16, 2011 by Detective Laurence Schachtel for Burglary, Theft and on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Holmdel Municipal Court. He was held on $25,164.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Casey Hewitt, age 18, from Kanes Lane in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 16, 2011 by Corporal James Keenan on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.

Vaughn Cosby, age 26, from Oakland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Robert McNair for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Sayreville Municipal Court. He was released after posting $131.00 bail.

Gary Miksza, age 49, from Thousand Oaks Drive in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 18, 2011 by Patrolman Charles Higgins for Simple Assault. He was released after posting $1,000.00 with a 10% option.

James Kirgan, age 52, from Clark Drive in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Brain Dilworth for Disorderly Conduct. He was released pending a court date.
Edward Couvertier, age 53, from Guyon Avenue in Staten Island, NY, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Keller for Obstructing an Investigation. He was released pending a court date.

JD Rockafellow, age 22, from Willow Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Greenwood on a Non-Support warrant issued by the Middlesex County Superior Court. He was held on $3,588.00 bail.

Kelly Topping, age 44, from Dakota Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Charles Higgins on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. She was released after posting $400.00 bail.

Jonathan Steele, age 24, from Walling Avenue in Belford, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Detective Daniel Sullivan for Forgery. He was also charged with Theft by Detective Jeff Miller of the Hazlet Township Police Department. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $15,000.00 bail.

William Karsanbas, age 20, from West Roosevelt Circle in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Antonio Ciccone for Possession of Less than 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date.
Kourtney Maloney, age 20, from Seabreeze Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman James Beirne for Possession of Less than 50 Grams of Marijuana. She was released pending a court date.

Marissa Politan, age 34, from Deal Esplanade in Deal, NJ, arrested on November 18, 2011 by Sergeant Paul Bailey for Disorderly Conduct. She was released pending a court date.
Jonathan Brownell, age 24, from Upper Pennsylvania Avenue in Jackson, NJ, arrested on November 19, 2011 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan on Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Brick, East Brunswick and Jackson Municipal Court. He was held on $1,676.00 bail.

Daniel McGowan, age 31, from Park Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 18, 2011 by Patrolman Donald Coates on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility on $1000.00 bail.

Christine Johanns, age 49, from East Road in Belford, NJ, arrested on November 18, 2011 by Patrolman Donald Coates on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $100.00 bail.

Vincent Nolan, age 19, from Northwoods Road in Ocean, NJ, arrested on November 18, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham and Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Quality of Life Unit on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Gary Miksza, age 49, from Thousand Oaks Drive in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 18, 2011 by Patrolman Charles Higgins for Obstructing an Investigation, Unlawful Possession of a Rifle, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Possession of Hollow Point Bullets and Possession of a Stun Gun. He was held on $47,500.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.
Georges Fiori, age 40, from Bonnie Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 20, 2011 by Patrolman Lawrence Seymour on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $89.00 bail.

Brittany Carr, age 20, from Brainard Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 20, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Gigante on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.

Raul Escobar, age 46, from West Sunset Avenue in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on November 21, 2011 by Patrolman Joseph Ahlemeyer for Driving While Intoxicated. He was released pending a court date.

Susan Gallagher, age 44, from Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on November 20, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Gigante for Driving While Intoxicated. She was released pending a court date.

Matthew Merwin, age 29, from Joy Avenue in Bayville, NJ, arrested on November 19, 2011 by Corporal William Kennelly for Driving While Intoxicated. He was released pending a court date.

Lillian Pearce, age 59, from Division Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham and Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of over 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of over 50 Grams of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute. She was held on $40,000.00 bail.

Lorraine Yurgelonis, age 57, from McClellan Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 17, 2011 by Stephen Greenwood and Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of over 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of over 50 Grams of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute. She was held on $40,000.00 bail.

Crime Scene Middletown: Local Crime Statistics Mirror County's But Appear To Be On The Rise For 2011

The Asbury Park Press has an article posted about the rising crime rate for Monmouth and Ocean Counties. It states that according to the NJ State Police Uniform Crime Report for 2010 incidents of major crime( violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and the nonviolent crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) rose by 7% in Ocean County and 4% in Monmouth County in the year following 2009.

Seeing how I reside in Middletown, which has a population of 67,000 residents spreadout over 42 square miles, I am not really interested in what is happening in Ocean County, I'm more interested in what's happening closer to home.

According to the APP article:

In Monmouth County, most categories of violent crime remained stable, although aggravated assaults fell 11 percent. The increase in overall major crimes in Monmouth County was partly attributable to a 6.5 percent uptick in the number of burglaries, from 2,528 to 2,694.

Monmouth County saw a 24 percent jump in the number of arrests for the sale or manufacture of drugs, from 455 to 562

After reading the full article it made me a bit curious about what has been going on in Middletown over this same time period, what I found locally seems to have mirrored what happened county wide.

In Middletown, while the crime index for 2010 rose a mere 0.84% over the 2009 index (12.39 vs 13.23), the incidents of Part I Crimes (Murder, Rape, Robbery, Agg. Assault,Burglary, Larceny, Auto Theft, Arson) rose 5.2% (2009/828 vs 2010/873) and the incidents of Part II Crimes (Simple Assaut,Forgery, Fraud, Embezzlement,Vandalism, Weapons, Other Sex Offenses, Disorderly Conduct and Other) rose 13% (2009/4454 vs 2010/5111).

I found this information posted on the Middletown Township website posted under the Police Department link for the year to date Crime Stats. I've been keeping an eye on these statistics for most of the year, after I discovered them posted on the Township website a number of months ago. The stat sheet compares the crime index and incidents of crime in Middletown going back to 2002 and has been recently updated to include incidents of crime through October 2011.

Looking at the reported numbers thus far for 2011, it seems that the crime rate in Middletown will be somewhat higher than it was in 2010. With two months left to report crime statistics, Part I type crimes total 690 while Part II type crimes total 3932. Interestingly (or not), the arrest rate is also up over last year thus far (1599),which I suppose should be expected given the increase in incidents.

Calls for service is also up sharply and should exceed last years total of 45,587 which is staggering to me when you consider how understaffed Middletown's Police Department is,on the flip side of that however, is that the number of summonses written thus far this year. It seems that summonses issued should also top the total of 6,473 that were issued in 2010.

Given the numbers, I think members of Middletown's Police Department should be commended for the hard work and effort they give keeping us all safe during this time of increased criminal activity.

Residents are quick to criticize when response times are slow or when they see a police car parked on the side of the road with an officer just sitting there seeming to be doing nothing and are slow to give credit for a job well done under stressful circumstances.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Pilgrim Porky

Here's a little history lesson for those that were wondering about the Mayflower and its journey to the new world, while it may not be 100% accurate it is entertaining. So sit back with that bowl of Cheerios and enjoy a cartoon.

President Obama's Weekly Address 11/19/11: Creating an Economy Built to Last

WASHINGTON—In this week’s address, President Obama spoke from Indonesia and told the American people that during his trip to the Asia Pacific, he has made progress opening up markets to support thousands of American jobs and keep us on track to double American exports by 2014. The President’s trip underscores his belief that our businesses will always be successful competing around the world and that he will continue to do everything possible to create jobs for the American people.

Vote On Delaware River Basin Fracking Ban Postponed

Readers of this blog know my stance on the hydraulic fracturing(fracking) shale in order to release natural gas deposits that were unattainable before the process was developed, I have posted about its potential harm to our enviroment and drinking water supplies numerous times in the past which you can read Here... Here and Here .

Until it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the process is not harmful to the environment or to our drinking water supplies the practice of fracking should be haulted. Fresh clean, drinkable water is becoming scarce and harder to find, thus it is becoming a precious commodity that shouldn't be messed with.

So the vote yesterday morning to postponing the upcoming Monday mornings vote to approve the process in and along the Delaware River Basin (a key fresh water source for residents of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware) is welcomed news.

Accoding to the Star-Ledger environmental groups are pleased with this postponment:

Environmentalists greeted the vote postponement as a major victory, and for grassroots activism. Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, said the anti-fracking contingent would still be demonstrating in Trenton on Monday morning as previously planned, despite the cancellation.

"There's still going to be a showing — to send a message, largely," she said.

"As long as there is a delay, we can continue working toward getting a permanent ban on fracking in the Delaware basin," added Jeff Tittel, executive director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter. "We need to keep the pressure up on Governor Christie and the Obama administration to stop these weak rules from moving forward."

You can read the more about the postponement .... Here

Rush Holt; Polluters Should Pay Once Again

Posted from Congressman Holt's newletter

Last week, I toured two toxic cleanup sites in Middlesex County that are being restored to health by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program which requires polluters to pay for the cleanup of sites they have contaminated.

A few years ago, these sites were toxic dumps, unsafe for anyone to live or work. One had hosted incinerators for photographic film and circuit boards; the other had been home to a chemical plant used in the production of oil field chemicals and anti-corrosive agents. In both areas, toxic chemicals had leached into the soil and groundwater. Without intervention, the sites would have been unsafe for human habitation for decades, even centuries.

Now they are on track to be fully restored for public use. That is a testament to the potential of the Superfund, and it is evidence of the remarkable work of the Environmental Protection Agency – an agency that is so often the target of political attacks precisely because it is so effective in standing up against polluters.

The Superfund law originally required highly polluting industries to also pay for the cleanup of “orphan sites” where no specific polluter could be identified. More recently, however, Republicans in Congress have blocked efforts to require polluters to pay into the Superfund “orphan” cleanup fund.

Partly as a result, the Superfund is dramatically underfunded, delaying efforts to clean up hundreds of toxic waste sites across New Jersey and the country. Even worse, taxpayers – rather than polluters – are now being forced to take on the burden of cleaning up these “orphan” toxic industrial sites. This is simply a wrongheaded and wasteful way to use our very limited tax dollars.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

Princess Pick Updates; The Camel Picks'em Wrong The Past Two Weeks

For those having a little fun keeping track of Princess the Camel's NFL picks I need to give an update after missing the past two weeks, NFL weeks 10 & 11.

Last week I missed posting about Princess's choice to take the NY Giants over the S.F 49ers, I got busy with post election stuff and honey-do lists. Princess picked the Giants to beat the 49ers in that game out on the left coast believing that Eli Manning would be able to rally the team from behind once again late in the game if necessary. And if it wasn't for an injury on defense to Middle-linebacker Michael Boley, the Giants might have held their opposition and allowed Eli to make the comeback complete.

This weeks game for week 11 went off last night between the NY Jets vs the Denver Broncos. Due to the game being played on Thursday night this week, I didn't check in with Princess early enough this week to see her pick.

In last night's game, Princess like most of us, assumed that the Jets would handily take care of Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos but you remember what the say about assuming... Poor plays on offense (interception returned for a touchdown) and defense (Tebow 20 yard touchdown run on third and 4 with a minutes to play) had the Jets crashing to earth and the Broncos sitting high in their saddles eking out the 17-13 victory.

We'll have to wait to see next week if Princess rights her recent losing ways but for those now keeping score, after losses the past two weeks Princess's record stands at 6W-5L

President Obama: Congratulations to Everyone Taking Part in Today's Great American Smokeout

From the White House blog

Today, Americans from across the country are making plans to quit smoking as part of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. And this morning, we released a video from President Obama congratulating everyone who is participating in this important event and underscoring our Administration’s commitment to fighting tobacco use:



President Obama and his Administration are committed to doing all we can to stop kids from smoking and reducing the number of Americans who smoke. And for those of you who are making the commitment to quit, you are not alone and we have resources to help you succeed. You can visit HHS.gov today to connect with a smoking cessation expert via IM or phone, use the online step-by-step quit guide, or sign up for SmokefreeTXT a texted based smoking cessation program. And under the Affordable Care Act insurance companies are required to cover recommended preventive services, including tobacco cessation counseling without charging you an extra penny out of your own pocket.

We are also continuing our efforts to protect young people from starting smoking in the first place.

President Obama was proud to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which gives us new tools to help young people stop smoking before they start. New prevention efforts include addressing marketing practices aimed at children like banning fruit and candy flavored cigarettes and working with states to keep tobacco out of the hands of kids by increasing enforcement at the retail level. And the law calls for graphic warning labels that make the danger of smoking abundantly clear. Big tobacco companies are trying to stand in the way of these commonsense measures to protect our kids, but we’re confident their attempts will ultimately fail.

Sadly, we’ve seen too many friends, families and communities suffer needlessly, and suffer tremendously, from tobacco-related death, disease and disability. We have a clear path to ending the tobacco epidemic and it is a battle we can – and must - win. The prosperity and health of our country depends on it....

Pallone Announces Sayreville Landfill is No Longer a Superfund Toxic Waste Site

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Tuesday announced the Sayreville Landfill Superfund Site is free of toxic chemicals and that the site has now been removed from the Superfund list of the country’s most toxic waste sites. EPA’s Superfund program is responsible for the ongoing cleanup of numerous sites including the Imperial Oil and Raritan Bay Slag Superfund sites in New Jersey.

“This is a testament to the importance of the Superfund program and it’s a success for New Jerseyans who live in close proximity to this site,” said Pallone. “This site was harmful to the environment, but EPA’s commitment to cleaning up the site will make it possible for this land to be potentially put to use to the benefit of the taxpayers.”

Pallone has been a long-time advocate of fully funding the Superfund program and has raised concerns that the program lacks adequate funding because it is no longer funded by a tax on the chemical and petroleum industry. Because Congress has not reauthorized the polluter-pays taxes, the cleanup of Superfund sites is paid for out of the general treasury.

In April 2011, Pallone introduced H.R. 1634, the Superfund Polluter Pays Act, to restore polluter-pays provisions for cleaning up America’s most toxic and polluted sites. The bill mandates a cents per barrel tax on crude oil or refined oil products and dollars per ton on certain toxic chemicals The President’s FY 2012 budget, which calls for reauthorization of these taxes, estimates that they would raise about $2 billion per year and $20.8 billion over 10 years.

Over 30 drums were removed from the Sayreville Landfill Superfund site, a system to control stormwater and contain methane gas was installed and the site was capped. The work was done with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and overseen by EPA.

William Shatner & State Farm® present "Eat, Fry, Love," a turkey fryer fire cautionary tale

William Shatner loves deep-fried turkey, but over many Thanksgivings and Christmases he's made mistakes, burned himself, and nearly burned down his house. In this dramatic retelling, Bill shows us how dangerous turkey fryers can be.




Watch a real turkey fryer fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETBD0EqQGoU
View the photo slideshow: http://statefarm.socialshare.mobi/shatner

Safe Turkey Frying Tips
1: Avoid oil spillover--don't overfill the pot.
2: Turn off flame when lowering the turkey into oil.
3: Fry outside, away from the house.
4: Properly thaw the turkey before frying.
5: Keep a grease-fire-approved extinguisher nearby.

This video was posted on YouTube and was produced by State Farm Insurance Company

Crime Scene Middletown: Arrest Update For 11/15/11

Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Tuesday, 15 November 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions



The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:

Jonpaul Debow, age 26, from North Shore Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 13, 2011 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. He was released after posting $200.00 bail.

William Bahr, age 25, from Oakes Avenue in Belford, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman Andrew Micalizzi for Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was held on bail.

Janis Vannortwick, age 42, from Oakdale Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman Christian Clark on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $500.00 bail.

Sean Murphy, age 39, from Mountainview Way in Sea Bright, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Corporal Daniel Murdoch for Disorderly Conduct and Simple Assault. He was released pending a court date.

Nicole Mainwaring, age 28, from Cedar Street in Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman Ian May for Criminal Trespass. She was released pending a court date.

Alexandra Switzer, age 18, from Palmer Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman James Beirne for Simple Assault. She was released pending a court date.

Michael Neal, age 30, from Arlington Avenue in Cliffwood, NJ, arrested on November 11, 2011 by Patrolman Robert McNair for Possession of Cocaine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 1000 Feet of a School Zone. He was held on $15,000.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Zachary Kaczmarsky, age 46, from Balmoral Avenue in Matawan, NJ, arrested on November 11, 2011 by Patrolman Adam Vendetti for Shoplifting from the Sears Store. He was released pending a court date.

Janine Foster, age 38, from Atlantic Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman James Beirne for Possession of Heroin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Hindering Apprehension and multiple Contempt of Court warrants issued by various municipal court. She was held on bail.

David Foggy, age 41, from Shore Boulevard in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman Christopher Dee for Disorderly Conduct. He was released pending a court date.

Melody Taylor, age 28, from Laurel Drive in Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 13, 2011 by Police Officer Janine Kennedy for Disorderly Conduct. She was released pending a court date.

Isabel Sanchez, age 18, from Norwood Avenue in Long Branch, NJ, arrested on November 13, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Dellatacoma for Shoplifting from the Sears Store. She was released pending a court date.

Chelsea Villano, age 18, from Vermont Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on November 13, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Dellatacoma for Shoplifting from the Sears Store. She was released pending a court date.

Jillian Kochon, age 24, from West Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein for Unlawful Possession of Oxycodone, Unlawful Possession of Xanax and Being under the Influence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. She was released pending a court date.

Anthony Verange, age 28, from Prospect Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 12, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte for Unlawful Possession of Xanax and Being under the Influence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. He was released pending a court date.

Derren Bonaventura, age 23, from Francis Place in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on November 11, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit for Unlawful Possession of Oxycodone. He was released pending a court date.

Kevin Shannon, age 30, from Neptune Street in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 11, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit for Unlawful Possession of Oxycodone, Possession of Oxycodone with the Intent to Distribute, Possession with the intent to distribute Oxycodone within 1000 feet of a School Zone, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana, He was held on $15,000.00 with a 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Kaitlin McGreevy, age 24, from West Richard Street in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on November 11, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Fulham of the Quality of Life Unit for Unlawful Possession of Oxycodone. She was released pending a court date.

David Hickman, age 26, from Broadway Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Police Officer Janine Kennedy on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Allenhurst Municipal Court. He was released after posting $114.00 bail.

Brian Hilliard, age 30, from Gettusburg Lane in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Stormi Hill, age 19, from Oakland Street in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Patrolman Anthony Gigante on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Joseph Mandevilee, age 28, from Kimberly Court in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Patrolman John Soltysik for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Woodbridge and Sayreville Municipal Courts. He was released after posting $823.00 bail.

Dia Anselmi, age 38, from Oakdale Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Detective Schachtel for Burglary, Theft and on a Contempt of Court warrant issued the New Brunswick Municipal Court. She was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Zachary White, age 18, from Harkins drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Allenhurst Municipal Court. He was released after posting $86.00 bail.

Jeron Redway, age 23, from Willow Drive in Ocean, NJ, arrested on November 14, 2011 by Patrolman Savino Capilupi on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail.

Mtown Upcoming Holiday Events

November 18^th, 6 p.m.
Soccer Turkey Shoot-Out

Middletown girls and boys ages 6-12 are invited to shoot soccer balls from various distance and accumulate points to win a trophy and a turkey in 3 age divisions. This fall favorite will be held on November 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the Croydon Hall Gym, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo. Cost is $5 per person. Register online or download registration forms at www.middletownnj.org. Registration will be accepted at the door. Call 732-615-2260 for more information.

 

Daddy-Daughter Dances Dec. 2^nd and Dec. 3^rd
Registration Now Accepted

Middletown Dads will have the opportunity to escort their little angels in Grades K - 5 to an evening of dinner, dancing and great fun at the annual Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by Middletown Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Dances will be held on Friday, December 2^nd and Saturday, December 3^rd at Jacques Reception Center from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $40 per person. Evening includes music, games, complete buffet dinner, souvenir photo and special keepsake. Registration is currently being accepted. Limited seating for each date. Open to Middletown residents only. Registration is accepted by in-person or by mail at the Recreation Office, 900 Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, 07737. Leonardo. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Download registration forms at www.middletownnj.org or call 732-615-2000 x2235.

 

Holiday Train Ride Tickets Now on Sale
Train Ride is Saturday, December 10

Tickets are now on sale for Middletown’s annual Holiday Train Ride. The event will take place on Saturday, December 10. Travelers can choose to ride the 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. train. The train rides, which have become a holiday tradition for many families, will feature visits from Santa and friends, jugglers, Holiday caroling, clowns, magic and goodie bags. Tickets are $15 per person. Free for children younger than 1 year of age, but a ticket is still required. Residents can purchase tickets in-person at Middletown Parks and Recreation, Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville, Leonardo, NJ 07737, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Recreation office until all seats are sold. Registrants will be assigned a specific car on the train at the time of registration. It is highly recommended that if you would like to sit with other families that you all register early and at the same time. Cash, checks, Visa and Mastercard accepted.

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Senator Lautenberg, Congressman Pallone Call for Action to Eliminate Sudden Infant Death, Stillbirth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2011

New Brunswick, NJ –Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Monday stood with advocates, doctors and parents who have been affected by either a sudden infant death or stillbirth to call for action on legislation that would have a significant impact finding the causes, raising awareness about and preventing deaths that leave so many families with more questions than answers.

"There is no greater tragedy than when a parent loses a child – but when that child is an infant, the pain is unbearable," said Senator Lautenberg, "This bill will improve the way we collect data about these deaths so that researchers have the information they need, and it will provide families with the information and support they deserve. It's time to finally unravel the mysteries behind these deaths."

Every year, there are more than 25,000 stillbirths in the United States. Many of these deaths are the result of birth defects, infections, umbilical cord problems, and chronic conditions of the mother. However, there is no known cause for as many as half of all stillbirths, leaving many parents without explanations for their loss.

"No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child, especially without knowing why that child was taken from them so soon," said Pallone. "Our legislation works for a better chance at life for our nation's children and works to answer the questions parents face after they lose a child unexpectedly."

There are more than 4,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths each year and another 200 children between the ages 1 and 4 die without any obvious cause. Additional tragedies could be prevented if there were a better understanding of the deaths.

At the event, which took place at UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Pallone and Lautenberg stood with parents who have experienced a loss due to a sudden unexplained infant death as well as leaders in the medical profession from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the SIDS Center of New Jersey who are on the forefront of preventing these deaths in children.

Lautenberg and Pallone Monday introduced legislation that will contribute significantly to better understanding the causes of these conditions. The Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education, and Awareness Act would:

• Expand current data collection activities to identify the causes of stillbirth and ways to prevent it in the future;
• Create a national public awareness and education campaign to educate women about the risk factors for stillbirth, educate women about the importance of prenatal care, and educate parents and caregivers about known SUID risk factors;
• Expand support services, such as grief counseling, for families who have experienced a stillbirth or SUID loss;
• Encourage states and local entities to complete scene investigations and autopsies to help determine causes of SUIDs;
• Expand child death review programs to review the circumstances surrounding infant and child deaths;
• Establish a national database to track SUID deaths and identify risk factors.

Meet Gov. Christie's Million-Dollar Triple-Dipper

Meet the Governor's Million-Dollar Triple-Dipper

CHRISTIE'S 'RETIRED' BUDGET GURU POCKETS $1M IN PUBLIC PAYOUTS

One of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s key advisers has received three golden parachutes from taxpayers during the past nine years.

Cabinet Secretary Louis C. Goetting IV raked home $1.1 million from two severance payouts and an early retirement deal. In addition, Goetting collects $219,000 a year from the state – a $130,000 salary plus $89,000 in pension payments.

Christie hired Goetting (pronounced “getting”) in 2010 as a budget guru to help trim the cost of government. But Goetting resembles a problem, not a solution, according to a New Jersey Watchdog analysis of his employment history. Prior to joining Christie’s senior staff:

Goetting received $190,000 plus perks when forced to resign as executive vice president of Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County, effective June 2009.

Goetting collected $180,000 in severance pay after he resigned as a vice president at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, effective Jan. 1, 2003,

That same day, Goetting “retired” as a state employee at age 51, taking advantage of a state Early Retirement Incentive Program. From that pension, he receives 89,000 a year.

So far, Goetting has triple-dipped roughly $1.1 million from public coffers. He has collected $734,000 in early retirement checks from the state in addition to $370,000 in payouts from Brookdale and UMDNJ. And that doesn't count his pay from the governor's office.

Goetting's good fortune illustrates weaknesses in Christie's pension reforms, which the governor has called his "biggest governmental victory." In addition, Christie has publicly opposed severance deals similar to the ones Goetting has gotten.

For the full story, click here or visit www.njwatchdog.org. New Jersey Watchdog’s Mark Lagerkvist can be contacted at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

Highlights From The Sewerage Authority Board Meeting Of November 10, 2011.

by guest blogger Linda Baum

I attended my first Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) board meeting on Thursday night, November 10th. I got there about ten minutes early. There was a conversation going on that promptly ended. The moment I walked in, Pat Parkinson jumped up to introduce himself and get my name. I felt set upon. I shook his hand because he caught me off guard, but gave him only my first name. It took him about a minute to run out of the room to inquire, and I heard my full name mentioned in the hall by someone I didn't see, and who didn't see me, when I walked in. So I had to wonder how that person knew who I was. The front gate took a long time to open when I arrived, so it appears someone is watching. In fact, the gate remained closed for so long that I thought I had come to the wrong place and had begun to back up to leave when it finally opened.

Chairperson Chantal Bouw also came over to introduce herself and get my name -- she wasn't there for the Parkinson maneuver. At that point I was annoyed and admit I was impolite.

When it was time for public comments at the end of the meeting, I said that never before had I attended a public meeting and had so many people in a tizzy to know who I was. I said that it was a public meeting and I was a member of the public and expected to just come in and sit down. Ms. Bouw said they rarely had visitors and wanted to make the public feel welcome and part of the process. I said a better way to do that (besides leaving the gate open!) is to make more information accessible easily and at no cost, and mentioned all the information they could be providing via email and on their website like the Town does -- financial documents, agendas, resolutions, etc. (And by the way, even the documents the town offers are just the tip of the iceberg.) Parkinson said that people are welcome to come in during office hours and review documents, and I said no they aren't because not everyone is free during the day and some people are disabled and can’t easily make the trip.

I also said TOMSA's copy fees are unreasonably high and further deter people from obtaining the information. (Per their OPRA form, the first 10 pages will cost you a hefty $7.50, and 100 pages will cost you $32.50. Compare that to the Town’s charges for paper copies, for which 100 pages would cost you $5 for letter size or $7 for legal. However the Town typically emails material at no charge. TOMSA does not.)

Parkinson said that they are a small operation and that copy fees are to offset their costs. I can't recall if I mentioned the $750K surplus gifted to the town over the last two years, which shows TOMSA doesn’t need the additional source of revenue. Parkinson said that most people are not interested in financial documents, anyway. The fact is he has no way of knowing that -- maybe they just don't want to pay the $50 bucks for them! I said it didn't matter how many people were interested in the information, that TOMSA is a public entity and should be providing it. Then someone whom I believe may be their attorney stated they are in full compliance with the Open Public Records Act. (A very Brian Nelson-esque comment.) I said the Act didn't preclude them from providing information and wasn't meant to be a guide as to what they should be providing.

There was no notebook with copies of resolutions and ordinances for me to look through like there is at Town Committee meetings. There should be that at least since TOMSA doesn't list the documents on their website. This is something else they could do to make “the public feel welcome and part of the process”, as Ms. Bouw put it.

They were all pleasant at first but started to steel themselves during my comments. Parkinson finally launched into talking points that reminded me of what we hear at Town Committee meetings. He offered familiar comparisons about operating at lower cost than other towns. I let it slide but next time may point out the $750K surplus and excess benefits, without which operating costs would be much less. He also said something about providing services they don't charge for, like timely response when a resident is having a problem. I said those aren't free services, that residents already pay fees for that.

There was mention that the solar bids are due December 1st from the County. Currently, TOMSA is paying about 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity, which includes the delivery charge.

Aside from the professionals in attendance, board members there were Chantal Bouw, Emil Wrede, Tom Stokes, and Charles Rogers. Absent were Joan Smith and James Hinckley.

I learned that Emil Wrede and Joan Smith are actually alternate members, even though Joan Smith is listed as Secretary/Treasurer on the TOMSA website and Emil Wrede is listed as Commissioner. There is no mention of their “alternate” status. According to Ms. Bouw, the TOMSA board is actually a five-member board that currently has one empty seat that was vacated by Cliff Raisch earlier this year.

It will be interesting to see if that empty seat is filled because any new board appointee would not receive pension and medical benefits, which were stripped per a 2009 Town ordinance. That ordinance also “grandfathered in” those benefits for existing board members, whose compensation was never meant to include them.

When I had no more comments, Ms. Bouw stated that business was concluded and that there would be no executive session. No one said otherwise. Yet, with the exception of two staffers, no one was leaving and they were clearly waiting for me to leave. I did, only to realize afterwards that there was no formal vote to close the public meeting in line with Robert’s Rules of Order. And today I noticed that the last page of the meeting agenda does list an executive session as the last item.

I was in my car but hadn’t left yet when I realized I should pick up a copy of the OPRA form before going because it’s not on the TOMSA website. I went back in to find the conference room door closed. So, was that an executive session or a continuation of the public meeting, which was never formally closed? And will there be minutes for that non-public discussion, I wonder?

A woman was in the office when I came back in and she provided me the OPRA form. Per quick glance at it, I saw no information for submitting it other than a street address, so asked for the fax number. I asked a few other questions about the process, but the woman said she didn’t know and that Mr. Parkinson was the person to ask. She then went into the conference room to let them know I was there.

Parkinson came running out, happy to help. As long as I had the opportunity, I pointed out to him that the fees listed on the OPRA form were much higher than what he quoted during the meeting – the starting price is 75 cents per page, not the 25 cents he quoted. He said he didn’t know those details exactly. That struck me as insincere. The policy has been the same for years, and there has been plenty of criticism of TOMSA’s fees and overly burdensome records request process, enough that he should be well familiar with all the rules. He’s the executive director, so he set the policy, didn’t he?

What’s interesting to note is that Mr. Parkinson made a habit that evening of rushing over to help. In one instance, as two TOMSA staffers were leaving at the end of the public portion of the meeting, I stopped them to ask their names. In a flash, Parkinson was between us, offering to help. It was ridiculous. He was clearly running interference. I think the question is, why did he feel the need to?

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Holiday For Drumsticks

Come on, come on... it's only 12days before Thanksgiving and It's time to slim down a little before the big day. Be careful what you wish for however because slimming down to much may have a few unexpected consequences.

President Obama's Weekly Address 11/12/11: Honoring our Veterans for their Service and Sacrifice

WASHINGTON—In this week’s address, President Obama spoke from the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego during Veterans Day, and he called on all Americans to rededicate themselves to serving our brave men and women in uniform as well as they have served us. Today, there are more than 850,000 veterans unemployed, which is why the President issued a challenge to private companies to hire or train more than 100,000 post-9/11 veterans or their spouses by 2013, and he was pleased to see the Senate pass proposals in his American Jobs Act on Thursday to give businesses tax credits for hiring veterans. President Obama told veterans that just as they have fought for us, he will continue to fight for jobs and opportunities for them, and that the United States will always honor their service and sacrifice.

Congressman Congressman Pallone Honors New Jersey's Veterans

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Thursday released the following statement recognizing the sacrifices and bravery of New Jersey’s veterans in honor of Veterans Day Friday, November 11, 2011.

“As today’s veterans return from deployment it’s important we continue to fulfill the same promises to them as we have to past generations and that we also respond to the unique needs veterans face today as they reenter civilian life. If you have the opportunity, thank a veteran for fighting to protect freedom we enjoy every day,” Pallone said in a statement.

Rush Holt - Long-Overdue Honors for Carl DeAngelis, A Local Veteran

On this Veterans Day, we extend our thanks as a grateful nation to the men and women who have defended our freedom.

Each of the 22 million American veterans has a unique and extraordinary story. Today, I’d like to share one story about a remarkable veteran in our community.
Carl DeAngelis joined the Army in September of 1942, at the height of the Second World War. His training was a time of great sorrow: his mother died shortly after his enlistment, and Carl’s service prevented him from attending his funeral. Yet it was also a time of surprising joys. One day, unexpectedly, a fellow soldier pulled a photo of his sister from his wallet and showed it to Carl. “I’m going to marry her,” Carl announced – and sure enough, after the war, he did.

Carl fought in Normandy, dodging bullets that sped just inches away from him. Later, he served on guard duty in France, where he was assaulted one evening outside a bar. Carl was forced to shoot in self-defense, and only later did he learn that the FBI had been seeking his assailant for a long time: this man, Carl was told, was wanted in a series of deaths.

When the war ended, Carl came home and started a family with Flora Terranova DeAngelis, the girl in the picture, and they have been married for 65 years. Now Carl is 90 and living in a rehabilitation home on Staten Island. Yet even after so many decades, the story of his military service remains unfinished. Carl had earned seven medals for his faithful and dedicated service – but he never received any decorations at all.

A few months ago, Carl’s daughter, who lives in East Brunswick, contacted me in an effort to right this wrong. Tomorrow morning, on Veterans Day, I will have the honor of presenting to Carl the medals he has so long deserved. You can watch live on WPIX 11, broadcasting from New York City, at about 8:40 a.m.

I hope you will join me in honoring our veterans tomorrow. And if you or someone you know is also due a medal or award that you have never received, please contact me so that our nation may properly honor our heroes.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

Senator Robert Menendez: Honoring our Veterans This Veterans Day

Dear Friend,

This Veterans Day, it is time to recommit ourselves to helping every military family across the Garden State.

We need to help businesses help veterans and their spouses build careers, make sure that our schools are doing all they can to help military kids, and all of us need to do what we can to help military families in our local communities.

But truly honoring our veterans means providing jobs. It means job training, and giving every job opportunity possible to unemployed veterans.

In New Jersey we have 453,498 veterans -- 12 percent of them are unemployed. That’s why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act that gives businesses a tax credit for hiring returning veterans, and more of a tax credit if they hire a wounded veteran.

As our troops begin coming home from Iraq, our duty to them is not just remembering their service, not just saying thank you on Veterans Day, it’s delivering on the promise of a grateful nation every day.

New Jersey’s hero-sons-and-daughters did not wait to sign up to serve this country, and they should not have to wait to get the benefits they have earned defending it. And they should not have to come home only to stand on the unemployment line after putting themselves on the line serving this nation.

That’s why the Veterans jobs bill encourages employers to hire veterans, ensures that disabled veterans who have exhausted their unemployment benefits get the training and rehabilitation they need, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits they need and job assistance tailored to today’s job market.

The bill provides a competitive grant program for nonprofits that provide mentoring and training programs for vets. It allows employers to be paid for providing on-the-job training to veterans and it would provide Work Opportunity Tax Credits for businesses that hire veterans -- and more for businesses that hire disabled vets.

We made a promise to veterans, and it’s a promise we must keep.

Happy Veterans Day to all.

May God bless our troops. And may God bless America.

Mtown News Flash 11-9-11

Touch a Truck to be held Nov 10
Middletown Township and the Middletown Public Library will present Touch a Truck: Your Community At Work on Thursday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held in the Middletown High School North parking lot, 63 Tindall Road. This interactive event allows children to explore their favorite trucks and vehicles and learn about them from the public employees who operate them. In addition, the library will have a book mobile, crafts, books and other giveaways. The event is free and will be held rain or shine. No registration is required.

Get a Taste of Middletown November 13
Dining enthusiasts are invited to a get a Taste of Middletown on Sunday November 13^th during the Township’s first food festival. Diners can purchase Taste of Middletown tickets at any one of 20 restaurants and eateries located throughout the township.

The $30 admission cost provides foodies with a wristband, map and food and/or drinks at participating restaurants. Diners can visit as many of the participating establishments as they wish between noon and 6:00 pm on November 13. Each restaurant will provide visitors with a sample of some of some their most popular fare. Tastings will include pasta dishes and pizza; Mexican and Asian specialties; chocolate and cupcakes; wine and draft beer.

Participating eateries are Maria’s Pizza, Slater’s Deli, Romeo’s Restaurant, Middletown Pizza, Carvel, Nature’s Harvest Farm Market, Jersey Mikes, Pasquale Pizza III, Vitner’s Circle, Anna’s Italian Kitchen, Toscanella Village Café, Suzi's Sweet Shoppe, Pronto Pizza, Outback Steakhouse, Centrex Sports Club, CIBO Coal Fired Pizza, Oriental Gourmet, Luigi's Famous Pizza, Aleo's Pizza & Pasta, and Queso Mexican Grill. Visit http://www.tasteofmiddletown.com/ for restaurants locations and additional information.

Taste of Middletown is held in partnership with the Recreation Advisory Committee and Jersey Media Network. The event is designed to encourage the community to support local businesses and explore the many delicious dining opportunities in Middletown.
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Pallone Fights for New Jersey’s Shot at Billions in Professional Sports Betting Profits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2011

Will Introduce Bill to Ensure Approved Sports Betting Referendum is Implemented

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said when it comes to professional sports betting in New Jersey, the voters spoke yesterday and 2:1 voted to allow sports betting at casinos and racetracks. Pallone added that the federal government or any other entity that attempts to block implementation of this vote will not be tolerated.

“New Jersey voted for, and deserves a bite of the apple in terms of sports betting,” said Pallone. “Any delay in making this possible is a loss of profits for local businesses which is unacceptable.”

The threat to implementing the referendum approved by New Jersey voters Tuesday comes in the form of a 1992 law that prohibits any governmental entity from authorizing professional and amateur sports betting and when it was passed exempted four states from the law. The referendum allows the legislature to legalize betting on professional sports at approved locations.

“The law as it stands is unconstitutional and unfairly prohibits New Jersey from benefitting from this billion-dollar industry. We’re not asking to break the rules, rather that everyone play by the same rules,” Pallone added.

Pallone will introduce legislation on Monday that amends the current statute to exclude New Jersey from the prohibition on professional sports gambling and allow only professional sports betting. The legislation would allow a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling or scheme to be operated which is exclusively based in New Jersey and which is based on professional sports. The legislation would force these changes to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Under the referendum, sports betting could be approved at the Monmouth Park Racetrack just outside Pallone’s district, potentially attracting hundreds of visitors to the area and thousands in new revenue for the park and surrounding businesses.