3-30-13 Middletown Township Committee Meeting - FY 2015 Budget Intro

Middletown Township introduced its FY-2015 budget Monday afternoon with a brief presentation by CFO Colleen Lapp. The Committee also adopted a resolution to amend the lease agreement with Trinity Hall at the Croydon Hall property.

I haven't had time to watch all of the video as of yet, I intend to do so shorty. I also intend to post the documents from the meeting as an update as soon as they are available.



Here is a link to Middletown's press release announcing the budget introduction




 UPDATE  ************

Here are the links to the proposed FY 2015 Municipal Budget, Solid Waste Budget and the revised Trinity Hall lease agreement documents present at last night's township meeting:

https://archive.org/details/151292015MunicipalBudgetIntroduced

https://archive.org/details/151302015SolidWasteBudgetIntroduced

https://archive.org/details/15131TrinityHallLeaseAmendment

Was PBA Local 124 Facebook Post In Violation Of Middletown's Social Media Policy?

After learning about the post and a subsequent comment left on the Middletown PBA Local 124 Facebook page concerning the PBA's frustration with the township administration, community activist Linda Baum sent me the following:

I read your post "Middletown PBA Local 124 Facebook Post: "...township committee shows little to no thanks at all...", and Assistant Township Administrator Jim VanNest’s follow-up email to township employees that was mentioned in the comments didn't sit well with me. So I OPRA’d the  township’s social media policy,  to see what it says.

I think that the comments made by the township employee may be viewed as political activity. I’m told by a lawyer that public employees have the same rights as everyone else to engage in political activity, and that, if they were retaliated against for political activity, that would be illegal.

The memo from VanNest refereed to by commenter John Wite, implies consequences/retaliation. That by itself seems very wrong, if not unlawful, even if the township doesn’t retaliate because it creates an environment of fear and intimidation for employees.

Now, if the township has a social media policy that disallows specific employee activity, where that specific activity is allowed by law, then it seems the township’s social media policy would be invalid, at least in part.  It seems to attempt to restrict pretty much all work-related discussion or criticism of the administration, but on close reading may not. Thus, it’s not clear that the employee who posted on Facebook violated the township’s policy.

It appears truthful criticism of the administration is allowed.

Per an attorney consulted on this matter. Paraphrased:

"If the Township retaliates against an employee because that employee commented on matters of public concern, that is a violation of the First Amendment and could give rise to a civil rights case at the very least. The Township is inviting litigation when they start firing or demoting people, because the victims will say it was because of their protected speech activities."



You can read Middletown's Social Media policy ... HERE

Pallone to Christie: New Jersey Knows Immigration Reforms Can’t Wait

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) released the following statement today in response to Governor Chris Christie’s (R-NJ) decision to sign onto an amicus brief opposing President Obama's executive action on immigration. The brief, filed on Monday by the governors of New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana and South Dakota, urges an appeals court to uphold a preliminary injunction blocking the President’s plan to spare millions of undocumented immigrants from risk of immediate deportation.

According to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll, a majority of New Jersey residents support President Obama’s executive order to extend these protections to immigrant families:

“This is just another example of Governor Christie putting his own political agenda ahead of the interests of the New Jerseyans he claims to represent. A majority of New Jersey residents, 53 percent, in fact, support President Obama’s actions that will help to secure our border, hold bad actors accountable, and ensure that families are not being ripped apart. Yet, despite the public support in our state for these common sense reforms, Governor Christie has, instead, prioritized his political aspirations.

“Last November, President Obama took an important first step to help fix our country’s broken immigration system. President Obama acted decisively and within his legal authority to help keep families together and ensure that everyone living in this country is playing by the same rules. This includes hard-working New Jerseyans who would finally be able to come out of the shadows, submit to a background check, and start paying taxes, which is good for both public safety and our state’s economy. I urge Governor Christie to consider the opinions of New Jersey residents and stop obstructing these reforms that keep families together and begin dealing with our broken immigration system.”

NJ DEMS SLAM GOV. CHRISTIE FOR JOINING WITH GOP IN BLOCKING IMMIGRATION REFORM

For Immediate Release:
3/26/15

(Trenton) — Today, the Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, Lizette Delgado-Polanco, issued the following statement slamming Governor Chris Christie's decision to join his Republican colleagues in an effort to block President Barack Obama's immigration reforms in court:

"Chris Christie's decision to join with other Republican governors in undermining President Obama’s much-needed immigration reforms is a deeply irresponsible, partisan act. New Jersey has a rich cultural heritage and relies on the work of immigrants to bolster our state and local economy. That Christie -- who has thus far refused to stake a coherent position on immigration -- would now seek to condemn hundreds of thousands of undocumented New Jersey residents to society's shadows is just the latest example of him trying to score political points with right-wing ideologues at the expense of New Jersey families and our common values. It's shameful to think that last year his second inaugural celebration was scheduled to be on Ellis Island."

According to Pew Research Center, New Jersey has the third highest percentage of immigrants relative to the state's population.

Middletown To Introduce Budget On March 30th

This coming Monday, March 30th, 2015 the  Middletown Township Committee will hold a special meeting  to introduce the 2015 Municipal Budget.

At this meeting both the 2015 Municipal Budget and the 2015 Solid Waste Budget will be introduced to the public.

 The meeting will start at 5PM and will be held in the Town Hall Conference room.

March 16, 2015 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

At last weeks Township Committee Meeting, the township recognized the first responders that rescued two young girls from the waters of the bay.

The township also recognized Autism Awareness Month, Volunteer Week, Alcohol Awareness Month and the HS North Ice Hockey team for winning the division state title.

Public hearings were held on ordinances to increase the summer recreation program fees, to protect the dunes along Middletown's bay front, increase the fees paid to special duty police officers, regulating electronic signs and banning commercial vehicles on town roads.



As always, you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

Bayshore Watershed Council: Help Needed to Install Osprey Platforms Sunday, March 29

Greetings all,

The Bayshore Watershed Council is seeking volunteers to help repair and install new osprey platforms in the Borough of Union Beach on Sunday, March 29, 2015. We will meet at 9am in the gravel parking lot at the western end of Front Street.

Date: Sunday, March 29, 2015
Time: 9:00am
Meeting Location: Gravel parking at the western end of Front Street in Union Beach, NJ

We need at least 10 to 15 volunteers to help carry nesting platforms, carry tools, dig holes, or take pictures and video. Please bring knee boots, hip or chest waders to wear and a pair of work gloves. Please bring a post-hole digger, shovels, and rope.

Heavy rain or snow will cancel.

If you would like to help, please RSVP at the bayshorewatershed@comcast.net or just show up.

Ospreys are returning and in need of nesting platforms. Nesting platforms are critical for attracting Ospreys into new areas to spread out the distribution so they're not all concentrated in one part of the state.

These majestic raptors with their distinctive stick-built nests on nesting platforms depend on a healthy and abundant food supply. Since their diet consists primarily of fish, Osprey activities in the Bayshore region provide a good indication of water quality and the general health of Raritan Bay & Sandy Hook Bay.

So far, the Bayshore Watershed Council has had great luck with installing Osprey platforms. Nearly all platforms have been active and have produced young. New sites will hopefully provide Ospreys the best chance for successfully raising young downstream from NY City.

Letter: State Should Implement Gambling Customer Identification Program

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

The Internal Revenue Service proposal to reduce the threshold of casinos and other lawful gambling businesses being forced to gather identifying information of gamblers, including social security numbers from $1,200 to $600 means that casinos would have to stop games at that threshold in order to gather that information.

If New Jersey required, under state law, all gambling businesses to gather this information before taking any bets or allowing any person to begin playing any game and keep accurate records of all bets placed and results subject to real-time web based audits by the State of New Jersey and IRS, gambling at any lawful amount could take place uninterrupted as it would already be fully compliant with the IRS requirements.

The legislature should implement automatic compliance with federal requirements through mandating a state gambling Customer Identification Program and real-time audits to ensure that our gambling industry can become more competitive and secure.

Eric Hafner
Toms River

Pallone Celebrates 5 Years of the Affordable Care Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2015


WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the principal authors of the Affordable Care Act, released the following statement to mark the five year anniversary of the historic health care reform law:

“Five years ago, we ushered in a new era, one in which health care coverage was no longer a privilege, but a right for all Americans. Five years ago today, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law, and millions of Americans who had gone without health insurance—seniors who had struggled due to inadequate coverage, and women, children and young adults that had been denied coverage due to preexisting conditions—gained the security that comes from being covered.

“After five years of the Affordable Care Act, more than 16 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage, including 602,000 New Jerseyans. Additionally, 3,847,727 non-elderly New Jerseyans, including 485,006 children throughout the state, can no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, 383,964 New Jerseyans have gained Medicaid or CHIP coverage, and the cost of care has risen at a slower rate than we've seen in nearly 50 years.

“Despite the consumer protections and real savings for Americans, Republicans are still determined to dismantle the Affordable Care Act at every turn. House Republicans have voted 56 times to repeal or undermine the ACA and take these critical benefits away from millions of Americans, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. And, while it factors in savings accrued through the law, the latest Republican budget attempts to repeal the ACA, while also ending the Medicare guarantee, passing on costs to seniors. Enough is enough.

“I will continue to fight for the Affordable Care Act to ensure that every American has access to affordable, quality health insurance, and I look forward to the ACA continuing to benefit millions of Americans in the years ahead.”

NJ Watchdog: After 16 years as double-dipper, cop retires for 2nd pension

As New Jersey looks to fix a state pension system that's billions in debt, Patrick J. Higgins and other double-dippers find new ways to squeeze it for every dollar they can.

Higgins retired this month – for a second time. So the longtime law officer will begin collecting two state pensions, totaling nearly $100,000 a year, instead of one.

A New Jersey Watchdog examination of the underlying circumstances illustrates how public officials can legally exploit the state’s troubled retirement system, which is underfunded by $170 billion.

In 1999, Higgins retired as a state police detective. Since age 51, he has collected pension checks from the State Police Retirement System, which currently pays him $55,000 a year. SPRS rules allow members to retire after 25 years of service, regardless of age.

But Higgins never really retired. The month before that “retirement” took effect, he was hired by the Sussex County sheriff as an investigator. He quickly enrolled in another state pension plan, the Public Employees Retirement System. Higgins remained in PERS when he left the sheriff’s office in 2003 to join the county prosecutor’s staff in a similar position.

For 16 years, Higgins has collected a Sussex County salary – $101,696 in 2014 – plus his SPRS pension. Last year, his two streams of income from public coffers added up to $156,746.

At age 67, Higgins has decided to retire again – this time as a detective sergeant in the county prosecutor's office. But it’s not a garden-variety retirement based on his length of service.

Instead, it’s a disability retirement – a type of pension that will pay him more than he would have otherwise received. It was approved by the PERS board of trustees in closed session last month.

The full story is online at http://watchdog.org/207540/new-jersey-double-dipper/.

President Obama's Weekly Address 3/21/15: It's Time to Confirm Loretta Lynch

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President called on Republicans in Congress to stop playing politics with law enforcement and national security and confirm Loretta Lynch as Attorney General of the United States. Loretta is an independent, career prosecutor who deserves to be confirmed as soon as possible. She has proven herself time and again throughout her 30-year career, yet come Monday, the amount of time her nomination will have languished on the floor of the Senate will total more than that of the past seven Attorney General nominees combined. In his address the President asked Republicans in Congress to stop denying a vote on the nomination of Loretta Lynch and end the longest confirmation process for an Attorney General in three decades.

Saturday Morning Cartoon: To Spring

You wouldn't have known it from the snow that fell yesterday but Spring arrived last night at 6:45pm , making today the first full day after the Vernal(Spring) Equinox. So, let's start the first full day of Spring with a classic cartoon that celebrates it's arrival!  The cartoon that I have chosen for today seems to fit in perfectly with how things have been in our neck of the woods this year.

"An MGM, Happy Harmonies cartoon, featuring Spring Elves and Old Man Winter. A group of elves are in charge of adding color back to the landscape for spring! Old Man Winter fights back, pushing the lever to turn the "spring machine" off!" 

Middletown PBA Local 124 Facebook Post: "...township committee shows little to no thanks at all..."

Actions speak louder than words as they say, and it seems that members of the Middletown Township PBA are tired of all the lip service that they have been receiving from township officials. Take a look at the Facebook post for Middletown Township PBA Local 124 that was placed on the page a little while ago.

According to the post, which has thus far been "liked" by over 250 people and "shared" by nearly 140,  Middletown officials are quick to give "kudos to the police" as long as news outlets are there to publicize the their efforts and accomplishments, while behind closed doors the tune changes.

I believe the police union is in the middle of contract talks with the township. Reading this posting you can't help but get the sense that many officers are frustrated with the proceedings and as a result have displayed the dirty laundry list for others to see.

For the past few years, I have heard from various retirees that have stated much of the same feelings to me that have been expressed in this Facebook post, I'm a little surprised that the level of frustration has finally reached this point and has boiled over into the public domain.

Township employees generally won't speak out against their employer because they're afraid of retaliation, I wonder what kind of effect this will have on others.

Just in case the post is taken down I've copied it below:

Please take a moment to read...

I am a police officer in Middletown Township. I am proud of my profession and privileged to work with the many great men and women of The Middletown Twp. Police Department. We work hard for the good people of Middletown. Our efforts have paid off for the residents. According to MONEY Magazine, "Middletown, one of the best places to live." The NJ State Police Uniform Crime Report puts our crime rate at 8.57 incidents per 1000 residents. This number represents a 15% decrease in crime from 2013. This 2014 number is the lowest in 25 years according to past records.

The governing body of Middletown Twp., including Mayor Stephanie Murray, has been using these accomplishments of the police department to show how great it is to live in Middletown. They will put blue lights on in support of the police department... as long as news outlets are there to publicize their support. They will give "kudos to the police," as long as it's printed in the papers. Behind closed doors is a much different story.

They thank their younger newer officers by freezing their pay. Young men and women are buying Middletown homes and starting families in the very same communities they protect. Many newer officers have chosen to flee the township and go south and east where home prices are cheaper. They thank us by not honoring our contract during negotiations. They choose the costly route of interest arbitration instead of continuing civil negotiations. They look at us with contempt. They ignore offers to save the township hundreds of thousands of dollars. The PBA has offered minimal raises, longevity freezes, retirement payout caps and has an open mind about implementing a more cost affective health care plan. They forget that we chose to pay into our health care years before it was mandated by state law.

They want to take all the benefits away from the current and future officers of this township. Mayor Murray could care less if Middletown Police Department turns into a revolving door of new officers every year. These benefits are as small as a space for a gym; a gym that is maintained by the members of PBA 124. They thank us by refusing to pay officers salaries but have no issues giving themselves 20% raises outside the 2% cap police officers are held to by the state legislature. They pour money into fields that aren't used and enormous "smart boards" for their conference room. However they can't pay the salaries of the officers that constantly make sacrifices for them and the town.

We drive patrol vehicles that have well over 100k miles on them. We dress in a locker room that will flood with the smallest rain storm. We have roll call in a room that is smeared with dirt, broken windows, and lights that house more dead bugs then light itself. Our cars are filled with equipment that is broken, missing or never made available.

Truth be told, our township committee shows little to no thanks at all. So I wish to truly thank the officers of Middletown Township for their consistent sacrifices. As for the residents, know that we keep vigilant and give them the protection they deserve. As for as our leadership... You're welcome.

For the record, I fully support Middletown's "men and women in blue". They deserve more than lip service from the township and our elected  officials. There's no reason why we can't pay them and support them enough to keep them working and living in the town they protect.

 

Letter: Education Is Key To Rehabilitating Amato Legacy

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

Now retired SPCA Police Chief Buddy Amato exercised extremely poor judgment by sharing some offensive jokes at work, that have resulted in a lawsuit and his resignation.

Sue DesMarais did the right thing by standing up to racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic jokes in the workplace. Such conduct is not acceptable and can be hurtful to many.

But I also believe Buddy Amato deserves the opportunity to become more educated on diversity issues and be rehabilitated, so his legacy can be remembered for all the good things he did.

His past volunteer work with the NAACP and other good deeds show that while he made mistakes and should be held accountable for his actions, he's not a lost cause.

I hope that the NAACP and Garden State Equality offer him counseling and give him the chance to do advocacy work on behalf of racial and religious minorities, as well as LGBT people, in order to demonstrate his character and redeem himself.

Eric Hafner
Toms River

Pallone Meets With FEMA to Discuss Insurance Fraud Allegations

Highlights need for outreach from FEMA to policyholders who may have been defrauded

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and other members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation met with Brad Kieserman, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to discuss the recent allegations that private insurance companies denied the flood insurance claims of thousands of Superstorm Sandy victims because of fraudulently altered engineering reports.

Pallone sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on March 3rd requesting that the agency provide notification of the fraud allegations to flood insurance claimants and establish a process that allows homeowners to easily file an appeal if they believe that they have been a victim of an intentionally altered engineering report. FEMA has since agreed to notify all flood insurance claimants about the allegations of fraud.

In the meeting, Pallone stressed the importance of FEMA establishing a notification process in a timely fashion and the need for adequate staff to address corrective action. Deputy Associate Administrator Kieserman committed to setting up this process within 45 days, saying that he would place the initial focus on the 15,964 Sandy-related flood insurance claims that included engineering reports.

“FEMA has a responsibility to inform the public about this fraud and to implement a process to ensure that Sandy victims get the money they are rightfully owed,” said Congressman Pallone. “I am pleased that FEMA is taking these allegations of fraud seriously but I ensured Mr. Kieserman in today’s meeting that I will be staying engaged in this process to make certain Sandy victims are given the opportunity to have their flood claims reviewed.”

Deputy Associate Administrator Kieserman reiterated his commitment to get Sandy victims the money they are entitled to under their flood insurance policy. 74,052 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims have been filed in New Jersey stemming from Sandy damage, but the vast majority of those who have filed claims are likely unaware of the recently uncovered fraud in which engineering reports have been intentionally doctored.

Did Middletown Committeeman Violate State Campaign Pay to Play Laws By Contributing To Christie Campaign?

That's a question which should be answered by Tony Fiore, the Middletown Committeeman in question.

An article published online last week over at the International Business Times, "Chris Christie Maintained State Pension Investments In Prudential After Top Official Gave Contributions", is an eye opening examples of one reason as to why NJ's state pension system is in such disarray and financial trouble.  It seems that Governor Christie likes to reward those that lavish him with cash in the form of campaign contributions.

Over the past 5 years NJ has paid Prudential Financial to manage New Jersey pension funds, even after company officials made substantial contributions to Christie's 2009 gubernatorial campaign, according to International Business Times.

The IBTimes article names 2 senior Prudential officials, Jon Hanson and John Strangfeld who donated to Gov. Christie's campaign and/or nonprofits favored by Christie and who each served on various Christie transition teams and have been personal advisers to the governor.

The article also mentions one other senior Prudential executive that donated to Chris Christie's campaign for governor in 2009, Middletown's very own township committeeman, Tony Fiore:

"Campaign finance records show that at least one other Prudential executive donated to Christie’s 2009 campaign. Anthony Fiore, then a vice president with Prudential Investments, gave $2,000 to the governor’s campaign. Currently a Republican committeeman in Middletown and a senior vice president at Prudential, Fiore’s bio describes him as “a certified retirement and pension specialist.” Still, Prudential's spokesperson asserted that "Fiore did not meet the definition of an investment management professional" under New Jersey rules, though he provided no further explanation. Fiore did not respond to a request for comment about his contributions to Christie."

The article states that, New Jersey’s pay-to-play rules very are clear and restricts contributions from firms managing state pension money. The rules "explicitly define a covered “investment management professional” as “any person associated with an investment management firm, its parent company, or any other entity that controls the investment management firm, who is a member of the executive or management committee of such firm or controlling entity, or similarly situated officials.”, IBTimes stated.

You can read the full article ... Here 

Plans For Town Center Present At March 4th Planning Board

On March 4th, the Town Center took the stage in front of Middletown Planning Board. The initial presentation of Town Center plans presented to the Planning Board took nearly 4 hours.

The plan for Town Center has been reduced dramatically from when it was first presented over a decade ago and are now below the requirements that were agreed upon as part of a settlement of a the lawsuit brought against the township by the developers.

The plan includes 350 residential units, 70 of which will be affordable, 400,000 sq. ft. of retail space and about 20 acres set aside for farmland.

Irish Words To Live By

In life, there are only two things to worry about: whether you'll live or you'll die.

If you live, there is nothing to worry about.

If you die, there are two things to worry about: whether you'll go to Heaven or Hell.

If you go to Heaven, there is nothing to worry about. 

If you go to Hell, you'll be shaking hands with so many friends you won't have time to worry.

An Irish Blessing

F&WW Educational Workshop: Fracking & the Jersey Shore

Please join Food & Water Watch for an educational workshop designed for municipal officials, community leaders, and members of the public to learn how fracking, fracking waste, and related natural gas infrastructure pose a threat to the New Jersey coast. The presentation will provide an overview of fracking, discuss how fracking waste and natural gas infrastructure are already impacting communities throughout New Jersey, how fracking waste and fracking-related infrastructure threaten the coast, and how municipalities can take action at the local level.

Throughout the previous year, Food & Water Watch has helped a growing movement of municipalities take local action against fracking, fracking waste, and related natural gas infrastructure in the absence of statewide bans. Find out if your community is at risk, learn what some communities have already done, and learn what you can do to keep this highly controversial method of natural gas drilling and its toxic byproducts out of your community.

All attendees will receive a flashdrive, as well as all the materials and resources needed to pass a local ordinance.

Fracking & the Jersey Shore:

How Fracking Impacts Your Community and What You Can Do About It

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Unitarian Universalist Ocean County Congregation

734 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755

RSVP: http://fwwat.ch/jerseyshoreworkshop
*Refreshments will be provided by Dean’s Natural Food Market*


This event is free and open to the public so feel free to share the invitation with others.

For questions, or to reserve a seat, please contact Lauren Petrie at (732) 993-8966 or lpetrie@fwwatch.org


**********************************

Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes, protect the environmental quality of oceans, force government to do its job protecting citizens, and educate about the importance of keeping the global commons – our shared resources – under public control.

Pallone Announces Over $5.75 Million for Sandy Repairs in Monmouth County

Funding to Replace Bray Avenue Bridge, Repair Romer Shoal Lighthouse

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) announced that Monmouth County, New Jersey will be receiving more than $5.75 million in federal funding to address serious damages to the Bray Avenue Bridge and the Romer Shoal Lighthouse as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The Bray Avenue Bridge, which was originally denied significant funding, will be replaced, and repairs will be made to Romer Shoal Lighthouse. The funding is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the Sandy aid package that Congressman Pallone fought for in Congress.

“I am pleased that Monmouth County is finally receiving adequate funds to make these necessary repairs our local infrastructure,” said Congressman Pallone. “The closure of Bray Avenue Bridge for over two years now has greatly inconvenienced Middletown residents and commuters. I am glad that FEMA has finally recognized the need to make these investments so that our community can continue to rebuild and get back to normal. Making these investments now will also help to ensure that our infrastructure is stronger than before and can withstand future storms so that we don’t witness the historic destruction of Sandy ever again.”

The first allocation provides $2,006,208.90 in federal funding to Monmouth County Public Works to replace the Bray Avenue Bridge in Middletown, NJ. The Bray Avenue Bridge has been closed since Superstorm Sandy hit and post-Sandy investigations revealed that, due to damage from the storm, the bridge was no longer safe for vehicular traffic. Monmouth County applied to FEMA for funding assistance to repair the bridge, but were denied any significant funding.

Congressman Pallone wrote a letter to FEMA Regional Administrator Jerome Hatfield in April of last year urging the agency to revisit the funding request so that the bridge could be reopened.

The second allocation provides $3,750,415.20 in federal funding to make repairs to the Romer Shoal Lighthouse. Romer Shoal Lighthouse sits three nautical miles north of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The light, which sustained serious damage during Superstorm Sandy, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Say NO to offshore LNG! Comment Deadline Today, Monday, March 16th

Monday, March 16 is the last day to submit public comments regarding Port Ambrose, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility proposed for off the coast of New Jersey.  This is essentially the same project that Governor Christie vetoed a few years ago.  See this fact sheet for more information about the project and reasons you should voice your opposition.  Please take just a few minutes and comment today to let Governors Christie and Cuomo know that the people want a veto on Port Ambrose!  To comment directly to the Federal docket, click here.

NJ Watchdog: Appeals court to weigh tactics in Christie records denial

Is it legal for government to be “sneaky” in responding to requests for public records? Or do public officials have a “duty of cooperation” to be fair with citizens?

Those questions are at the heart of an Open Public Records Law case against Gov. Chris Christie and his staff that awaits a hearing in a New Jersey state appeals court.

“Government is not allowed to be sneaky,” asserted attorney Donald M. Doherty Jr. in his brief on behalf of a New Jersey Watchdog reporter. “It must be above board in all of its dealings.”

The case is food for thought during Sunshine Week, March 15-21, which promotes openness in American government and warns against the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy.

The full story is online at http://watchdog.org/205991/tactics-christie-records-denial/.

It's Sunshine Week

March 15-21 is National Sunshine Week, a yearly event that highlights the importance of open government and our “right to know” as citizens engaged in our own governance.  

Established in 2001, the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government (NJFOG) is the only organization in New Jersey dedicated solely to improving public access to government records and meetings.   NJFOG works to educate residents about the state’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and also works to strengthen these laws and increase compliance.

Amendments to OPMA and OPRA now in the Legislature – bills S781/A2900 and S782/A2763, respectively – are intended to modernize and reform the existing laws.   Important reforms are proposed, including, but not limited to, stronger public notice requirements, a requirement that minutes be approved within 60 days, an increase in the minimum time allotted for public comment, application of the laws to many quasi-governmental entities that are substantially controlled by a governmental agency, and mandatory reimbursement of costs to successful plaintiffs (now only under OPRA).

There are some other New Jersey bills that will also affect “your right to know”.

S1236, sponsored by Senator Peter Barnes, addresses the need for greater transparency in police internal affairs investigations.  S1236 would establish a 2-year pilot program in Edison Township whereby the New Jersey Attorney General’s office would assume the police internal affairs function for the township.  NJFOG supports S1236 with an amendment that provides for public disclosure of the internal affairs records at the end of the 2-year pilot.  

A841 provides that, for law enforcement incident reports, the address of a person would be considered confidential.  NJFOG strongly opposes this bill for the simple reason that there is often a need by journalists, researchers and other citizens to contact persons who have been involved in a particular incident.  Redaction of address from incident reports would prevent necessary communication that may benefit the general public or the person involved.

S2181 (A3417) and S2183 (A3350) are perhaps the most well publicized pieces of legislation.  These bills provide for broad reform of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  The bills passed the New Jersey legislature in 2014 with unanimous support, as did sister bills in New York.  Among other reforms, S2181 includes public meetings provisions, while access to public records is addressed by S2183, which brings the Port Authority under both New Jersey’s OPRA law and New York’s freedom of information law.  S2183 was conditionally vetoed and is awaiting amendment, while S2181 was vetoed outright.

It’s particularly noteworthy that an override vote on S2181 is scheduled by the New Jersey Senate during Sunshine Week, on March 16.

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The New Jersey Foundation for Open Government welcomes invitations to speak throughout the state and can be reached at info@njfog.org. Those who would like to learn more can join the NJFOG Q&A Forum on Facebook and find a host of resources on the Foundation’s website, www.NJFOG.org.

Prepare Yourself For St. Paddy's Day By Understanding Some Irish Slang

Via Jameson's Whiskey

Happy Pi Day - A Holiday For Math & Pie Enthusiasts Alike !

"...Pi Day is a holiday for math (and pie) enthusiasts to celebrate their love of numbers. And this year marks a once-in-a-century occurrence. At 9:26:53 a.m. the date and time will read 3.14.15 9:26:53. That’s 10 digits of pi...."

Read all about here 

President Obama's Weekly Address 3/14/15: A Student Aid Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, President Obama laid out his vision for quality, affordable higher education for all Americans. Today, a college degree is the surest ticket to the middle class and beyond, but it has also never been more expensive. Everyone, from elected officials to universities to business leaders, has a part to play in making college affordable for all students. The President has already made historic investments in college education affordability, and earlier this week, he announced a Student Aid Bill of Rights – a set of guiding principles behind his vision for affordable education. In his address the President urged everyone to visit WhiteHouse.gov/CollegeOpportunity and sign this declaration, because together we can ensure students who work hard for a college degree do not graduate saddled with debt.

Here Are A Few Fun Upcoming Events For Middletown Residents

From Middletown Alerts:

Nature’s Natural Eggs!
Sunday, March 22
Poricy Park, 345 Oak Hill Road
732-542-5966| Poricy Park.org
1:00-2:00pm, 2:30-3:30pm Or 4:00-5:00pm
Discover natural dyes with berries, beets, herbs and more of nature’s offerings. Each participant will decorate four eggs to take home. We will also investigate the many variations of wild bird eggs and how birds use camouflage to hide their own eggs with a fun hands-on activity. Pre-register by Friday, March 20. Appropriate for ages 4 to 104 (children must be supervised by their adult). Fee: Members: $8 per participant + $4 each additional sibling; Non-Members: $10 per participant + $6 each additional sibling


Middletown – My Town Night
New Jersey Devils vs Los Angeles Kings
Monday, March 23, 7pm @ Prudential Center
Click this link for flyer with more information.
Visit www.newjerseydevils.com/middletown to purchase tickets. Promo Code: Middletown


NEW! Dodgeball League
The Recreation Department is now offering a 9-week Dodgeball League for children in Grades 3-8. Sign up with your friends as a team, or sign up as a Free Agent and you will be placed on a team. Games are held on Monday nights from 5-8pm at the Croydon Hall Gym. The league begins on March 23 and runs through May 18. Week one is for practice, with the regular season beginning March 30. Click here to register


Free! Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
Friday, March 27, 7:30pm
Croydon Hall Football Field
Pre-registration required.
The Egg Hunt is back—with a twist! Bring your basket, running shoes and a flashlight and get ready to find those eggs! This is strictly an egg hunt. Registration closes Wednesday, March 25. No registrations will be taken at the event. Croydon Hall is located at 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo. Middletown Residents only. Ages 1-10.


Free! Easter Eggstravganza
Saturday, March 28, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street
Come join us for an Easter fun-filled day! The first 500 children will receive goodie bags. The Doodle Dude will be demonstrating his egg-cellent techniques for all to participate. We will also be having strolling entertainment, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, an egg decorating contest and more! Parents may bring a camera to take pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny.

Also, the Egg Decorating Contest returns. Let your creative juices flow as you decorate a 15” plastic egg. Participants can purchase eggs for $20.00 from the Middletown Arts Center.

NJ Watchdog: New Jersey ranks worst in funding state pensions

Report: New Jersey ranks worst in funding state pensions

New Jersey is the nation’s biggest pension deadbeat, ranking last among states in funding public retirement plans, according to a study released today.

From fiscal years 2001 to 2013, New Jersey paid only 38 percent of its annual required contributions, or ARCs, stated the National Association of State Retirement Administrators report. During that 13-year span, New Jersey shortchanged its pensions by more than $23 billion.

The study also found:

• New Jersey was one of two states making less than half of its ARCs. The other outlier was Pennsylvania at 41 percent.
• All but six states paid at least 75 percent.
• The majority of states substantially complied with their obligations. The average retirement plan received 89 percent of its ARCs.

In New Jersey, pension underfunding under a succession of governors – Democrats and Republicans alike – has led the state to the brink of fiscal calamity.

The actual unfunded liability of the state retirement system exceeds $170 billion, according to a New Jersey Watchdog analysis based on official numbers from the state Treasury. That figure includes:

• $82.7 billion in unfunded liability for the pension plans of state workers.
• $53 billion in unfunded health benefits for state retirees.
• A $20.7 billion shortfall for the pensions of local public employees who collect retirement checks from the state.
• $13.8 billion to cover the post-employment benefits of those local workers.

The full story is online at http://watchdog.org/205505/nj-worst-funding-state-pensions/.

Letter: A Wild St. Paddy's Day For The Irish

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

St. Patrick's Day 2015 will likely be one of the wildest in recent Irish history.

Why? On the morning of February 10th, an Irish appeals court ruled that drug laws covering synthetic substances, such as ecstasy (MDMA), ketamine and crystal meth were improperly implemented. The Irish government has rushed through a new law to re criminalize these substances, but until it is in effect, these substances are temporarily legal to possess and use in the Republic of Ireland.

At the St. Patrick's Day Parade, I'll be asking if anyone has seen Mallaidh and listening to Lurgan's hit Avicii Wake Me Up Cover in Gaeilge (Irish Language).


Eric Hafner
Toms RIver

Letter: Middletown Committeeman Calling For Pipeline Resolution Needs Better Understanding Of The Issues

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:


Middletown Township Committeeman Gerry Scharfenberger has proposed that the committee pass a resolution at its March 16 meeting to support the so-called Southern Reliability Link Pipeline (SRL).

At the March 2 meeting, Scharfenberger admitted to having only cursory knowledge about the project and indicated that his only information source was an industry representative. How, then, could he feel he has enough information as a public official to support the project or ask other public officials to support it?

The SRL, a 30-inch high-pressure gas pipeline proposed by New Jersey Natural Gas, would run through Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties parallel to an existing pipeline further north. It’s unlikely that the industry representative mentioned the risk of explosion, that the pipeline isn’t necessary — a solution in search of a problem — or that the end game is increasing overall capacity to maximize liquified natural gas exports, which would greatly increase the domestic price of natural gas due to higher prices on world markets. This prospect explains the company’s willingness to make the large capital investment, a burden that will be borne by New Jersey ratepayers.

It’s also unlikely that the industry rep mentioned that a direct impact will be the further expansion of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, a highly polluting form of natural gas extraction that poisons our air, land and water with hundreds of toxic chemicals and releases radioactivity and substantial quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The Township Committee should explore renewable energy initiatives, not support unnecessary fossil fuel infrastructure that endangers the public and exacerbates climate change.

Linda Baum

Middletown Township

Show Your Breast Intentions While Enjoying A Short Stack For A Tall Cause

Please support an upcoming Breast Intentions fundraiser. The goal of Breast Intentions is to provide crisis intervention for women who are facing financial hardship as they battle breast cancer.

Here are the details of the Pancake Breakfast:

Location: Applebee's, 1183 Route 35, Middletown, NJ 07748

Date/Time: Sunday, March 15, 2015 8am - 10am

Ticket Cost: $10

Come join the fun and help raise money for a good cause. Members of Middletown's Town Committee and Police Department have volunteered to be servers!

Can't attend and want to make a donation? You can do so through this link https://www.crowdrise.com/BreastintentionsNJMarathon2015/fundraiser/breastintentionsnj

Any questions contact:

Tracy Lewis @ tracydannymaddy@yahoo.com
or call 732-9360408

Pallone Delivers Meals to Senior Citizens in NJ’s 6th District

Participated in 13th Annual March for Meals Campaign

ASBURY PARK, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) visited Interfaith Neighbors in Asbury Park, NJ to deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors in New Jersey’s 6th District. Congressman Pallone joined volunteers on one of the organization’s delivery routes as part of the 13th annual March for Meals campaign, when hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs mobilize their communities in order to build support that will sustain their senior nutrition programs throughout the year.

“Meals on Wheels addresses the very serious issue of hunger in our communities, providing not only food, but also companionship and enabling seniors to live independently in their homes,” said Congressman Pallone. “I applaud all the volunteers who dedicate their efforts to ensuring that the seniors in our community have this critical lifeline available to them. I am glad to join them today and encourage others to give whatever time they have this month, and throughout the year, to support Meals on Wheels programs in their communities.”

In 2012, 5.3 million Americans over the age of 60 were food insecure, which amounts to 9% of all senior citizens. Food insecure seniors sometimes have enough money to purchase food, but were not able to access or prepare food due to lack of transportation, functional limitations, or health problems, making programs like Meals on Wheels a critical lifeline for so many.

Even so, programs that combat hunger and food insecurity have faced significant cuts to their budgets in recent years. Congressman Pallone has repeatedly called for the reversal of these harmful cuts, especially due to their impact on the elderly, infirmed and homebound.

Meals on Wheels, which operates in communities across the country through a network of more than 5,000 independently-run local programs, delivers a nutritious meal, a friendly visit, and a safety check to homebound and socially isolated seniors. The combination of services enables seniors to remain safely and securely in their own homes as they continue to age.

With the help of over 45 religious congregations, Interfaith Neighbors works to meet the basic needs, build community, and increase the self-sufficiency of residents of Monmouth County. The Meals on Wheels program at Interfaith Neighbors provides a well-balanced meal for approximately 3,500 senior citizens in New Jersey annually, totaling 350,000 meals each year.

Statement From Democratic County Chairman Calls For Resignation of Union Beach Mayor

For Immediate Release:

The following is a statement from Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal regarding the recent comments by Union Beach Mayor Paul Smith, as highlighted in today's Asbury Park Press

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/monmouth-county/2015/03/09/facebook-posts-put-monmoth-gop-officials-hot-water/24664635/


"Union Beach Mayor Paul Smith's bigoted and blatantly false comments have no place in our political discourse and raise serious questions about his ability to uphold his oath of office. His comments show a complete lack of respect for the people of Monmouth County and for the President of this country. They are beneath the office he holds and undermine our confidence in his ability to fairly represent people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. For that reason, the Mayor should resign and I urge Republican Party Chairman Shaun Golden and the Republican Freeholder Board to join me in asking Mayor Smith to resign."

Pallone, Diegnan Highlight Harmful Effects of Plastic Microbeads on Fish, NJ Waterways

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) and Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) visited Spring Lake Park to discuss the dangers posed by synthetic plastic microbeads commonly used as exfoliants in cosmetics and personal care products, like face wash, soap, and toothpaste. These small bits of plastic can slip through water treatment systems after they are washed down the drain. As a result, these microbeads often end up in local streams, rivers and larger bodies of water.

The lawmakers highlighted the harmful effects that microbeads have on the environment, as well as fish and other organisms that often mistake the small bits of plastic for food. Pallone and Diegnan were joined by Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ron Rios, Jim Walsh of Food & Water Watch, and Sandra Meola of NY/NJ Baykeeper.

Last week, Pallone introduced bipartisan legislation in Congress, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which would prohibit the sale or distribution of personal care products that contain synthetic plastic microbeads. Last year, Diegnan helped to ensure passage of a similar bill in the New Jersey State Legislature that would ban the manufacturing of products with microbeads in the Garden State and prohibit them from being sold in New Jersey by 2018.

“This plastic that is polluting our environment is found in products specifically designed to be washed down shower drains,” said Pallone. “And many people buying these products are unaware of their damaging effects. By phasing out the use of plastic microbeads and transitioning to non-synthetic alternatives, we can protect U.S. waters before it’s too late. I thank Assemblyman Diegnan for advancing this critical legislation here in New Jersey, and look forward to continuing to work together to prevent this unnecessary pollution on the national level.”

“I applaud Congressman Pallone for recognizing the ill effects that microbeads have on our environment and standing with what we have done in New Jersey as we take steps to curb its use,” said Diegnan. “When we ban these products on the federal level, we are forever preserving our national environmental heritage by protecting integral marine life and the fishing industry that is important to local and state economies.”

The State of Illinois recently passed a law banning the sale of products containing plastic microbeads by the end of 2017, and a number of other states are considering similar bans. Natural alternatives to plastic microbeads already exist in the market, and some companies, like Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, have already started the process of phasing out the harmful plastic in their products.

Jersey Shore Insider: Monmouth GOP Leaders Display Racist Posts On Social Media; When Will They Learn??

The blog Jersey Shore Insider created quite a stir the other day when it reported on a pair of
Monmouth County GOP members, Union Beach Mayor Paul Smith and Marlboro Board of Education Vice President Victoria Dean, who's husband is Marlboro GOP Municipal Chair Chris Dean, posted rather questionable and to some, offensive racist material to their Facebook pages.

Union Beach's Smith and Marlboro's Dean each had posted and or "liked" racists and offensive anti-President Obama on their Facebook pages; Smith an insulting meme  calling President Obama “A Communist, a Muslim, and an Illegal Alien.” and Dean "who displayed and “liked” a post on her Facebook page stating “America isn’t America anymore! It’s run by foreigners including this RAG HEAD PRESIDENT!”, according to the Jersey Shore Insider.

This little story by the Insider has been made even bigger today by the fact that  the Asbury Park Press picked up on it last night and has posted an article dressing it.

In light of the recent Facebook flap created by Stafford Township Mayor John Spodofora, who launched a police probe against a critic who questioned his military service you would think that public officials would be a little more careful about what the post or have others post on their Facebook pages.

This story also brings to mind Middletown's own Facebook controversy that I posted about last September concerning Tony Fiore, who was seeking reelection to the Township Committee. If you remember Fiore had an offensive anti-woman meme posted to his Facebook account on which he "liked' and commented on.

 Fiore tried to deny that the post existed but later admitted it on social media before deleting it and turning his personal Facebook setting to "private" so that his posts couldn't bee seen by those that weren't his "friends".

Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy To Address Monmouth County Democrats

For Immediate Release:

47 year old former Congressman and prominent member of Kennedy family has spent his career championing Democratic Party causes.

SPRING LAKE - Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy will serve as the keynote speaker for the 3rd Annual Monmouth County Democrats Irish-American Dinner. Kennedy, the son of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, is also the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

Patrick J. Kennedy, 47 years old, served the state of Rhode Island in the United States Congress from 1995 to 2011 where he championed Democratic Party causes, such as fighting to strengthen the middle-class.

"We are excited to have a national leader like Congressman Kennedy here in Monmouth County to speak about what being an Irish-American Democrat means to him," stated Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal

In addition, scheduled to attend this year's dinner are several prominent Irish-American Democratic Party leaders, including Senate President Steve Sweeney, State Senator Bob Smith, Assemblyman & Former Democratic State Chairman Tom Giblin, Assemblyman John McKeon, Brick Township Mayor John Ducey, Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty, Lake Como Mayor Brian Wilton, Freehold Borough Mayor Nolan Higgins, Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton and many others. The master of ceremonies will be former Democratic Party State Chairman and current Union County Sheriff, Joe Cryan.

This year's dinner is honoring the following six individuals:
Mary Madigan of the Middletown Democrats
Freehold Borough Councilman Kevin Kane
Former Lake Como Mayor Mike Ryan
Wall Township Board of Education President Eric Brophy
Judy Bretzger of the Eatontown Democrats
Manasquan Councilman Owen McCarthy

The dinner will be held March 18th from 6pm to 9pm at Doolan's in Spring Lake.

Admission is $65 per ticket and can be purchased by calling 732-739-8888 or visiting www.monmouthdems.org

NJ Watchdog: Highway robbery? Bill seeks probe of state road costs

Why does New Jersey spend more on its highway system than any other state?

On the heels of reports by New Jersey Watchdog, a state senator is introducing legislation today to create a task force to address that question.

“When we’re spending two or three times more per mile than any other state, it’s extremely likely that significant savings can be found by the task force,” said Sen. Mike Doherty, R-Washington Twp., the bill’s sponsor.

New Jersey pays in excess of $2 million a mile per year – more than 12 times higher than the national average – to maintain 3,338 miles of state-administered roads, according to a Reason Foundation study.

State transportation commissioner Jamie Fox responded by calling the study “inaccurate and unfair.” However, Fox did not offer alternative figures, nor did he dispute that New Jersey has the costliest roads in the country.

“Some may quibble over how much more New Jersey spends on our highways than other states, but nobody disputes that we do spend more than everyone else,” said Doherty. “With New Jersey drivers already shouldering such a heavy tax and toll burden, it’s imperative that we find out why millions we spend on our roads get us so little in return.”

That weight will only get heavier if lawmakers pass a proposed 25 cents a gallon hike in the state gas tax. According to its proponents, the state must to raise $2 billion a year to fund its transportation projects.

The full story is online at http://watchdog.org/204570/new-jersey-highway-robbery/.

TEDxNavesink: Leading Thinkers Present Talks on Acceleration

Saturday, April 11, 2015, Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, N.J., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

West Long Branch, N.J. (March 3, 2015) - Leading thinkers including a Pulitzer Prize winner, physicists, computer scientists, researchers, and artists will explore how today’s accelerators and change agents are shaping our future at the TEDxNavesink conference: “Accelerators” at Monmouth University. TEDxNavesink brings the mission of TED Talks to Monmouth County for an all-day live event for the third annual year.

The conference will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue in West Long Branch, N.J.

“Accelerators are the people, teams, systems that produce surprising growth, speed, progress,” said Gail Woods, chief curator, TEDxNavesink. "We selected the 29 speakers and entertainers from over 200 applications. More than half the speakers, we approached because of their thought leadership, and some come from Europe and California at their own expense to give the talk of their lives.”

“TEDxNavesink 2014 sold out the Two River Theatre a month in advance,” said event founder Brian Smiga. “Monmouth University helped us expand the TEDxNavesink in multiple ways: the 700 seat Pollak Theatre; intimate speaker lunches held in a dozen seminar rooms; a gala reception with entertainment, dinner, wine, beer, and a chance to mingle with speakers, sponsors, professors, and organizations—for an affordable $25 add-on.”

TEDxNavesink is a self-organizing annual Monmouth County-based event dedicated to education, community, innovation, and “ideas worth spreading.” Each year, a different theme is chosen to build the day of nonfiction theater. Hundreds of business and nonprofit leaders, students from local universities and sponsors have planned, managed and funded the all-day event. Sponsors include Monmouth University, Monmouth Medical Center, Sawtooth Agency, Two River Theater, Defined Logic, United Teletech Financial, CMDS Marketing, Phone.com, the NJ Economic Development Authority, and others. Several sponsorship opportunities remain open.

"The partnership between TEDxNavesink and Monmouth University is natural, and its benefits are many," said Stanton Green, Ph.D., dean of the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences. "Millennials face unprecedented change as universities are challenged to create increasingly inventive learning environments. TEDxNavesink presents an amazing opportunity for Monmouth's faculty and students to prepare for the future using the knowledge and experience of a global community of thinkers."

Tickets cost $40 for millennials (those born after Jan 1, 1980), $55 for general seating, and $75 for reserved seating. Attendees are encouraged to add the Navesink Reception with entertainment, dinner, wine and beer from 5 to 8 p.m. for $25. Group discounts are available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the day's schedule and talks, visit www.tedxnavesink.com.

Speakers include the following (the complete line up at www.tedxnavesink.com):

Bora Joon is a composer, vocalist, sound artist and a 2014 TED Fellow. She was named on the list of "14 Artists Who Are Transforming the Future of Opera" by Huffington Post, and her pioneering works have been presented internationally.

Joe Iconis is a musical theater writer and fixture on the New York cabaret scene. He is the recipient of the Kleban Prize, Jonathan Larson Award, ASCAP Harold Adamson Lyric Award and MAC John Wallowitch Songwriting Award. He is also a nominee of the Drama Desk Awards and Lucille Lortel Award and composer and lyricist of the upcoming musical "Be More Chill" at Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Dan Neil is a Pulitzer Prize-winning car critic whose "Rumble Seat" column appears Saturdays in the "Off Duty" section of The Wall Street Journal. To date, Neil is the only award recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for criticism of automotive arts. He will discuss the ways in which accelerators are changing the rate at which work gets done.

Don Lincoln, particle physicist at Fermilab, uses the Large Hadron Collider (the world's highest energy particle accelerator) to study questions of matter's ultimate building blocks and the universe's origin. He will explore how the true testament to the collaborative potential of the human spirit answers questions that have perplexed humanity for as long as they have been asked.

Dr. Gary Lewandowski is professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at Monmouth University and director of the Relationship Science Lab. Lewandowski is co-editor/co-creator of www.ScienceOfRelationships.com. He will discuss how to break-up better and why break-ups don't have to leave you broken.

Dr. Lora Aroyo is associate professor of computer science at VU University in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Inspired by quantum physics, psychology and crowdsourcing, Dr. Chris Welty and Dr. Aroyo present a new approach for helping cognitive computer systems deal with context and make better assistants.

Annika Lorienne is co-founder and director of public relations of RadioFlag. Lorienne co-created the company's "Connective Listening" concepts and organized other instrumental aspects of its development. She will discuss how RadioFlag catalyzes empowering radio to better entertain, educate and enlighten people around the world.

Abby Daly is founder and executive director of the Bridge of Books Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has distributed nearly a half-million books to underserved children throughout New Jersey since 2003. Daly will talk about why it is time to stop assuming children across all income levels have equal access to books.

About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to "ideas worth spreading." Started as a conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support world-changing ideas with many initiatives. At a TED conference, the world's leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes or less. Through distribution networks, TED Talks are shared on TV, radio, Netflix and many websites. The TEDx initiative grants free licenses to people around the world to organize TED-style events in their communities with TED Talks and live speakers. Visit www.ted.com/registration for more information.