Once again I am a little late at posting the latest edition of It's Your Town newsletter, the newsletter was sent out to subscribers on Monday.Dog Rabies Clinic October 1The Middletown Health Department will hold a free rabies clinic for dogs only at the overflow parking lot on the corner of Kings Hwy and Penelope Lane on Saturday October 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Open to all residents of New Jersey. All dogs must be on a leash. Middletown residents may renew and or apply for new licenses - proof of neutering must be supplied for reduced fees. Please bring proof of any previous rabies vaccinations.
Fall Recreation Class Registration
The Middletown Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is currently accepting registration for youth and adult classes offered this fall. Adult classes include computers, karate and volleyball. Youth classes include Computer Explorers, ceramics, bowling and gymnastics. Registrations are accepted on-line, by mail and at the Parks and Recreation Office, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo. Call 732-615-2260 for details. Online Registration - https://parkpay.middletownnj.org/vsiwebtrac.html
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center open Mon-Sat
Assistance Claims must be filed by October 31
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Monmouth County Park System's Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Route 36 will be processing claims from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The office will be closed on Sundays effectively immediatelyMonmouth County residents and business owners whose properties sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Irene are also reminded to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance no later than Oct. 31.
Before visiting the DRC, residents and business owners who sustained losses should register online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov or via mobile phone application m.fema.gov. You can also register by phone between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or for the speech or hearing impaired, TTY 1-800-462-7585.
After registering for FEMA assistance, claimants should receive notification by mail within 10 days on whether they qualify for federal disaster assistance. If eligible, the letter explains how much the grant will be, and how it is intended to be used. You should keep receipts and other documentation for at least three years as proof the funds were spent as intended. If ineligible – or if the grant amount reads "0" – you may still qualify. The denial may just mean the application is missing information or that you missed an appointment with an inspector. FEMA recommends that you consider the appeals process.
The Oct. 31 deadline also applies to loan applications submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov or 1-800-659-2955. Other storm recovery information and links to FEMA resources are available on the Monmouth County Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com
Police Advise Residents to Lock Car Doors
The Middletown Police Department has warned township residents to lock their car doors and to remove their car keys and any valuable items from their vehicles. Most of the burglaries and thefts from vehicles occur when residents leave them unlocked. "Cherry Picking" is the practice of walking through randomly chosen neighborhoods and checking vehicles in order to identify those that are left unlocked. Once a thief locates an unlocked car he or she will enter the vehicle and remove any items of value.Police also warn residents to remove any of value from their vehicles such as keys, money, cell phones, computers, etc. Recently, there have been numerous thefts from vehicles where the suspects have only removed the vehicle's keys. This permits the thieves to return to the area at another time and possibly steal the car.
Almost all of the car burglaries, thefts from vehicles and actual stolen cars occur in vehicles that have been left unlocked. The simple process of locking your doors, even when the vehicle is parked at your home, and removing valuable items from your car, often discourages a thief from choosing your vehicle.
The Middletown Police Department requests that anyone with information in reference to any car burglaries or vehicle thefts to call Police Headquarters at (732) 615-2100 or the Detective Bureau at (732) 615-2120.
Written Comments on Oceanic Bridge Accepted Through 10/26
If you missed the chance to voice your concerns about the Oceanic Bridge at recent public information meetings held in Rumson and Middletown, you can still do so in writing.The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering has created and posted a form online that you can download and use to submit your written comments.
The public meetings were held to discuss the replacement alternatives of the Oceanic Bridge over the Navesink River between Rumson and Middletown, in accordance with federal and state regulations. The public is encouraged to voice their opinions on their preferred bridge replacement alternative. All written public comments will be included in the submission to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
The forms, as well as the materials presented at the public information meetings, are posted on the Monmouth County website via this link.
Written comments will be accepted through Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Comments may be mailed or faxed to:
Monmouth County Engineering
1 East Main Street
P.O. Box 1255
Freehold, NJ 07728
Attn: Inkyung Englehart
Fax: 732-431-7765
Old Bridge, NJ – State Senate candidate Bob Brown is inviting his opponent in the November election, Assemblyman Sam Thompson, to join him in a “Snack Summit” at the Bagel Boy Deli in Old Bridge. Brown, a former N.J. police officer shot in the line of duty, has called for Thompson to stop receiving a public pension while also drawing a legislative salary, a practice known as “double dipping.” He is inviting Thompson to “snack” together to speak publicly and candidly about the issue.
Do a quick Google search and you will find over 170 citations on New Jersey giving out what has been dubbed the “Snooki Subsidy.” That is a reference to the decision on September 14 by the state Economic Development Authority (EDA) to give a $420,000 film tax credit to the production company, 495 Productions Inc., which produced the first season of MTV’s reality show “Jersey Shore.” Following a public uproar, the governor said a few days ago he is considering blocking the film tax credit for that show.
Try a second Google search and you will find but 29 articles on the state’s decision to give a subsidy worth as much as $82 million to Pearson, Inc., so the publishing company will move its workers in Upper Saddle River to a new building in Hoboken. The subsidy comes from the state’s Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit, which is meant to create new jobs in the cities by encouraging companies to invest capital in urban areas near transit stations. To qualify, a company must bring in a minimum of 250 jobs. The credits are then deducted from the company’s state corporate tax obligation.
People in New Jersey are expressing more outrage over a relatively small, half-million dollar subsidy for a reality show than they are over tens of millions being given to a global corporation simply to shift existing jobs about 27 miles within the state.
New Jersey has decided to award Pearson the subsidy even though the company has decided to move about a third of the firm’s existing New Jersey workforce to New York City, where it stands to collect up to another $50 million in tax subsidies. In the end, by playing New Jersey off New York, Pearson could collect more than $130 million in subsidies from two states for just moving jobs around the region.
Not even Snooki is that brazen.
Several questions come to mind about the Pearson subsidies. First, and foremost: How important were the subsidies?
Perhaps the New York City location is attractive enough without the subsidies. EDA certainly seemed to think that on September 14 as reflected in its summary of the Pearson grant:
The alternative site option[to New Jersey] is 330 Hudson Street in Lower Manhattan, New York which is proximate to where Pearson has current operations and is desirous from both the talent pool with the skill sets the company seeks combined with the co-location of certain related business and editorial activities within facilities to enhance collaboration and productivity.
It turns out that assessment was accurate. Pearson will move more than 600 workers to 330 Hudson Street, according to an announcement by the company September 19. Clearly, the company wanted to take advantage of that local labor pool and the opportunity for current staff to be close to one another. Those seem like core business reasons to move operations.
A second question might be why officials and taxpayers in New Jersey are unhappy about giving $420,000 to subsidize Jersey Shore production, but seemingly glad to divert up to $82 million in taxpayers’ money to a successful publisher which didn’t even keep all of its employees in New Jersey?
While Jersey Shore certainly is a questionable place to invest taxpayer dollars, investing tens of millions to keep a few hundred jobs in Hoboken rather than lower Manhattan is an unwise investment on a far greater scale. And, it greatly undermines the state’s ability to provide important services to all residents.
Facebook confirmed it filed paperwork on Monday to start its own political action committee.
"FB PAC will give our employees a way to make their voice heard in the political process by supporting candidates who share our goals of promoting the value of innovation to our economy while giving people the power to share and make the world more open and connected," said a spokesman via email.
The firm acknowledged the formation of the PAC after reports emerged of Facebook registering the domain names FBPAC.org and FBPAC.us. Creating a PAC is just the latest step in Facebook's continued expansion of its presence in Washington, but this is the first time the firm will back candidates.
Facebook is likely looking to avoid the type of Washington scrutiny that has affected other firms like Microsoft and Google, which is currently under a Federal Trade Commission antitrust probe. The perception Google was previously sympathetic towards Democrats hasn't helped with the GOP in charge of the House.
Facebook's lobbying spending has totalled $550,000 for fiscal 2011, a significant boost over he $350,000 spent in 2010 and $200,000 in 2009.
Ernest Donnelly has more than 40 years experience in the education field. He is a retired superintendent of Millstone Township School District; and, prior to that, he was the Lavalette school district’s superintendent and a school principal.
Though retired, he continues to serve in interim superintendent and principal positions, when called upon, throughout Monmouth County. He is currently the interim superintendent at Roosevelt School District, where he said he is involved in negotiating shared services and the hiring of a new superintendent.
Donnelly said he has a passion for the education process. One volunteer position he has held was serving on the ad hoc committee in Middletown for Buildings and Maintenance. That committee was charged with looking at the schools facilities.
"I feel there is a need in the community to look at the school facilities," he said. "We need to start fixing them up. If elected, I will bring that to the front page and follow the committee’s recommendations."
Donnelly explained that the middle and high schools in Middletown are first class facilities, but the elementary schools need work. "We need to be fiscally responsible to put money in the budget to start addressing the problem," he said.
As for the hiring of a new superintendent in the township, "The Board of Education has the opportunity to bring in a new superintendent," Donnelly said. "I find that the superintendent is key to education in a community."
He pointed out that Middletown has been through many superintendents, and needs someone in that position who can "bring about positive change. We need a good communicator, who is talented, who has experience, who can excite the community, and work with the township," he said. It’s a key decision for the BOE, and he wants to be a part of that decision.
Another issue, according to Donnelly, is implementing more cost savings. In line with that, he believes more shared services can be looked at. "In this time, I would be a positive candidate for the BOE," he said.
Donnelly explained that he feels having a board made of up people with different backgrounds is important. Someone like him, who as an education background is key, he said. As a superintendent himself, and hiring a superintendent, "I believe that I can help move that forward." He added the person being replaced on the board, Dan Skelton, had an educational background and he can fill that void.
Voters may notice that there are no political signs by Donnelly posted around town. When asked why, he said he decided to "go green and not spend any money on political signs." Instead, he said they will make a donation to the Great Race, for the kids in Middletown.
When asked why he is running for just a one-year term, Donnelly said that a one-year term is open and he feels he "has the energy now and the know-how." He said he will "see how it goes," and may run for another term next year, "if I am making a difference."
Mayor Christopher Cullen
Candidate for State Senate
Mayor Kevin M. Lavan
Candidate for State Assembly
Committeeman Patrick Short
Candidate for State Assembly
Monday, 9-26 Public Hearing on Electric Company Hurricane Response
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has scheduled two public hearings, to be held on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27, 2011, for the purpose of soliciting comments from members of the public, elected officials, representative of the State's four regulated electric distribution companies ("EDCs") and all others regarding the state of preparedness and responsiveness of the EDCs prior to, during and after Hurricane Irene.Governor Christie directed the Board to hold public hearings and to review all aspects of the EDCs plans and response to the hurricane. The Board has scheduled the following hearings in the regions where the majority of complaints originated. Additional hearings are being planned. Details on those hearings will be released when the hearing dates and locations are finalized.
Date: September 26, 2011
Location: Monmouth County Library – Headquarters
125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726-324
(use Reserved Meeting Room Parking – off Alexander Dr.)
Directions - go to www.monmouthcountylib.org
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (End time will be extended if needed)Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Location: Morris County Public Safety Training Academy,
500 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Plains
(for GPS input Morris County Public Safety Training Academy
Directions – go to www.morrisacademy.org
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (End time will be extended if needed)Written comments may also be submitted via email to board.secretary@bpu.state.nj.us or in writing to: Kristi Izzo, Secretary of the Board, Board of Public Utilities, P.O. Box 350Trenton, NJ 08625-0350. Please reference Hurricane Irene comments in subject matter for emails and in the heading of any written correspondence. Comments will be accepted until October 28, 2011.
Monday, 9-26 Oceanic Bridge Info Session Moves to MAC
Monday September 26, 2011, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
MIDDLETOWN ARTS CENTER
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748Monmouth County Division of Engineering, in cooperation with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, will be holding Public Information Centers to discuss the replacement alternatives of Oceanic Bridge (CR 8A, Bingham Avenue – Locust Point Road Bridge S-31) over Navesink River located between the Borough of Rumson and the Township of Middletown.
The purpose of the Public Information Center is to inform the public of the alternatives and to solicit public input and comment. These meetings are being conducted in conformance with Federal and State regulations including the Section 106 consultation process. The public is invited and encouraged to comment on the project.
Written comments will be accepted through Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Comments may be mailed or faxed to: Inkyung Englehart, Monmouth County Engineering, Hall of Records Annex, 3rd floor, One East Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728Fax: 732-431-7765
Equipment Permit Fees Waived to Ease Storm Recovery
The Middletown Township Committee is waiving permit fees for residents who need to repair or replace equipment damaged as a result of Hurricane Irene. Fees will be waived for permits requested from August 29 through the close of business September 30 to repair and/or replace of service-related equipment such as water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, pumps, and service panels. Under normal circumstances, if a resident removes and replaces any of those items, there's a permit fee to cover the cost of a township inspector who determines if the replacement was installed to code. For more information contact the Building Department at 732-615-2104.
Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance
A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has been established in the Leonardo section of Middletown at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Route 36. The office will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. Before visiting the DRC, residents and business owners who sustained losses should register by calling between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. daily to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or for the speech or hearing impaired TTY 1-800-462-7585, online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov or via mobile phone application m.fema.gov.FEMA assistance can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.Take Precautions Against Mosquitoes in Wake of Heavy Rains
The Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and Senior Services are urging State residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne West Nile virus by taking some simple steps to reduce populations of the insect on their own properties.
Late summer and early fall are typically the most critical times of the year to be aware of the potential for the dangers of contracting West Nile virus from mosquito bites. Mosquito activity can continue until late October. Mosquitoes also can become more active throughout the entire day at this time of year.
Concerns are elevated this year because many areas of the State are still wet as a result of excessive rainfall over the late summer resulting largely from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Wet areas serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
In response, the State has stepped up its air surveillance of potential mosquito breeding grounds and aircraft pesticide applications to proactively reduce the threat of impacts to people. The state also has been working closely with county mosquito control programs to help them identify and respond to mosquito outbreaks in a timely manner.
DHSS has identified four human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, with no fatalities. They were in Mercer, Middlesex, Morris and Ocean counties. The Morris County exposure to West Nile virus occurred outside of New Jersey. DHSS also reported that 25 birds have died from confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Warren counties. Last year, there were 30 human case of West Nile virus in New Jersey, including two deaths.
The DEP offers the following tips on how to limit mosquitoes on your property:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.
- Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.
- Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left out of doors.
- Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than four days.
- Maintain mechanical barriers, such as window and door screens, to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. Barriers over rain barrels or cistern and septic pipes will deny female mosquitoes the opportunity to lay eggs on water.
- If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 888-666-5968.
For more DEP information visit: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito
Visit the State Department of Health and Senior Services: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile
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Is Social Security a Ponzi scheme as Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry claims? Noted author and former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich debunks that claim and five other lies the right-wing tells about taxes, government and the economy.
The lies Reich debunks:
1) Tax cuts to the rich and corporations trickle down to the rest of us. (No it doesn't and it never has.)
2) If you shrink government you create jobs. (No, you get rid of jobs that way.)
3) High taxes on the rich hurts the economy. (No, the economy grew when the US did this under Eisenhower.)
4) Debt is to be avoided and it is mostly caused by Medicare. (No, if debt is properly used to grow the economy, it becomes a smaller part of the budget because of increased revenue and Medicare has the lowest overhead of any health insurance plan out there.)
5) Social Security is a Ponzi scheme (No, its solid for 26 years. Social Security is solid beyond that if the rich pay the same percentage in social security taxes as the rest of us do.)
6) We need to tax the poor. (This is what Republicans have been proposing when they say any "tax reform" needs to involve all Americans because poor people pay no income tax. The poor have no money and taxing them will not solve our budget problems.)
Reich was speaking at the "Summit For A Fair Economy" in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 10, 2011.
Posted on Youtube by UpTakeVideo
When questioned by her handler John, as to why Princess decided to go out on a limb and make what would seems to be a reach in picking the Raiders this weekend Princess responded, "Hey, John, I’m pretty good at making a long stretch... Besides, what did you say earlier? “On any given Sunday”!!"
