President Obama's Weekly Address 5/30./15: Pass the USA Freedom Act

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President addressed critical pieces of national security business that remained unfinished when the Senate left town. This Sunday at midnight, key tools used to protect against terrorist threats are set to expire. The USA Freedom Act strikes a balance between security and privacy, reauthorizing important measures that give our national security professionals the authorities they use to keep us safe, while also implementing reforms that enhance the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens. But currently, a small group of senators is standing in its way. The President asked Americans to speak with one voice to the Senate to put politics aside, put the safety of the American people first, and pass the USA Freedom Act now.

Bayshore Village Get Federally Backed Funding For Redevelopment

Middletown Public Information;
May 26, 2015

Middletown Senior Community Ravaged by Sandy Receives Federally Backed Funding for Redevelopment

Lawrenceville-based Community Investment Strategies (CIS) was recently awarded funding from the Board of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) as part of its $180 million in federal Sandy recovery funds. CIS was awarded with the largest grant in Monmouth County and the second largest on a per-unit basis overall for its Bayshore Village community in Middletown – a proposed 110-apartment community for seniors.

HMFA awards were granted to support the creation of 1,500 housing units in the nine New Jersey counties designated as the most impacted by Superstorm Sandy. According to HMFA, funding is made possible with federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery dollars through the Fund for Restoration of Multifamily Housing (FRM) Program, which was created following Superstorm Sandy to provide qualified housing developers with subsidies to finance affordable housing.

Before Supertstorm Sandy, Bayshore Village, owned by Middletown Senior Citizens Housing Corp., consisted of 96 one-bedroom apartments in 12 buildings. Located in one of the hardest hit areas in the region affected by Superstorm Sandy, five buildings were rendered a total loss by the storm. CIS is redeveloping the community in collaboration with the Middletown Senior Housing Corporation to rebuild 110 one- and two-bedroom senior housing units to address area market demands.

“Bayshore Village is the only low-income community in Monmouth County impacted by Sandy to such a large extent,” said Christiana Foglio, founder and CEO, CIS. “Our goal is to help rehouse seniors who lost their homes and give them a chance to thrive in a state-of-the-art, thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient community that offers all the modern amenities while being a safe and comfortable place to call home.”

According to project manager Barbara Schoor, vice president of CIS, the extent of the damage to Bayshore Village, particularly its location within the flood plain, contributed to receiving such a significant HMFA award – and served as the foundation of CIS’ redevelopment plans for the property.

“We will rebuild Bayshore Village several feet above flood elevation regulations,” said Schoor. “We also plan to incorporate various resiliency features into the design – something CIS has been at the forefront of since our involvement in the Enterprise Community Partners’ program aimed at recovering, rebuilding and reforming the way builders plan post-Sandy.”

“Superstorm Sandy devastated Bayshore Village, leaving seniors with limited incomes in great need of affordable housing,” said Middletown Mayor Stephanie C. Murray. “We’re looking forward to having Bayshore Village restored so that it can continue to be one of many housing opportunities available in Middletown Township.”

PRC Management Group is currently managing the property as it exists and, according to Schoor, will work with residents currently living there to assist them with the relocation process prior to construction, which is expected to begin in late summer.

Senior Freeze Application Deadline Extended to 10/15/15

Middletown Public Information:
May 28, 2015

The following information is provided by the state Division of Taxation.

The deadline for residents to file their 2014 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) applications has been extended to Oct. 15, 2015. The original deadline was June 1, 2015.

The Division of Taxation mailed 2014 Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) applications in February, and many eligible residents still need time to file. Eligible residents who have not yet filed should complete and mail their PTR applications as soon as they can-even though the filing deadline has been extended.

Reimbursement checks for eligible senior and disabled residents who file their 2014 applications by the original June 1 deadline are scheduled to be mailed in mid-July. Checks for eligible applicants who file 2014 applications after June 1 will be processed and delivered as quickly as possible thereafter.

The Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program is distinct from the State's other property tax relief programs, with its own eligibility requirements and applications. Applicants can receive benefits under the Senior Freeze Program and any of the State's other property tax relief programs for which they qualify.

However, the total amount of property tax relief benefits received cannot exceed the amount of property taxes paid on their principal residence for the same year.



Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement):

• To ask questions or to order an application: 1-800-882-6597 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except State holidays)
• To check the status of a filed application: 1-800-882-6597
• To listen to information: 1-800-323-4400
• In-person assistance at Taxation Regional Offices (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except State holidays): www.state.ni. us/treasurvltaxation/ot1 .shtml
• Online information: www.state.ni.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml

Text Telephone Service (TTY/TDD) for Hearing-Impaired Users: 1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300

Taxation email address for Senior Freeze and general tax questions: nLtaxation@treas.state.nj.u

Train Station Metered Lot Fees Suspended Tues-Fri (6/2/15 to 6/5/15)

Middletown Public Information
May 28, 2015

Parking fees at the Metered Lot located across from the Middletown Train Station are suspended from Tuesday, June 2, 2015 through Friday, June 5, 2015 due to construction. The work includes upgrades to the parking lot to improve access for citizens with disabilities. The three (3) handicapped spots will be temporarily located across from the existing handicapped spaces during the construction. Call the Middletown Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-615-2045 for more information.

Pallone Announces Completion of Federal Dredging Project in Belford

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2015


WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced the completion of the dredging of the Shoal Harbor and Compton Creek federal channel in Belford, New Jersey. The project, which began in February, was completed with federal funds from the Sandy relief package that Congressman Pallone fought for in Congress.

“Projects like this, to help us come back stronger than ever from Sandy, are vital to the Jersey Shore economy,” said Congressman Pallone. “With the dredging complete, boaters and businesses, like the Belford Seafood Co-op, that depend of the navigability of these waterways will benefit.”

The Army Corps of Engineers contracted with M.E.R.I.T. Inc., a small business located in Newark, for $3.4 million to complete the project. With the federal funding, approximately 135,000 cubic yards of material were dredged from the Compton Creek and Shoal Harbor channel in order to maintain accessible waterways after Superstorm Sandy.

The Big Picture: Strengthen Unions

from MoveOn.org

There is one solution to skyrocketing inequality that most of the TV talking heads love to ignore: Unions! It's no surprise.

Without unions, big companies like Walmart or Amazon can cut benefits, allow unsafe working conditions, slash wages, and pocket the massive profits.

More economic growth, higher wages, shared prosperity—all by strengthening unions. 50 or 60 years ago, it was considered obvious; today, folks are afraid to talk about it. That's what decades of right-wing propaganda will do.

This video is the latest in the "Big Picture: Ten Ideas to Save the Economy" series
 Robert Reich is working on with MoveOn.org

Letter: Burnham Corruption comes to Camden County College

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


Dear Editor,

Disgraced former Brookdale Community College President Peter F. Burnham forfeit his right to public employment when he entered a plea of guilty to Theft by Deception and Official Misconduct, for stealing college funds in Monmouth County. He was sentenced to a prison term.

Mr. Burnham is now on parole and living in Collingswood, Camden County, New Jersey. The conditions of his parole require him to maintain employment.

Burnham describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as a "Consultant/Facilitator/ Teacher/Administrator Retired Educator/Assisting At a Community College August 2013 – Present (1 year 10 months) Camden,NJ I am engaged in assisting students to achieve success in a transitional program to college. I also am writing grants to support the development of urban youth as well as design compliance strategies for Middle States accreditation."

Source - https://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burnham/87/706/3bb

Burnham seems to have failed to mention his felony criminal convictions for corruption or time spent in state prison.

The only community college located in Camden County is Camden County College, a public institution. What is Mr. Burnham's role with this institution and do the taxpayers of Camden County know of his history of serious criminality and corruption in Monmouth County? Is Mr. Burnham engaging in public employment in violation of his plea agreement?

I call upon the Camden County Prosecutor's Office to investigate his affiliation with Camden Community College.



Eric Hafner
Toms RIver

Rally for Rob Cressen at the Dublin House

On Tuesday, June 2nd, please join us from 6 to 9 pm at the Dublin House for a fun night of food, music, prizes, and drinks to support our friend Robert Cressen, as he battles a rare health condition called CRPS.

Live Music by Scott Elk Music and Sheri Gilmore, Deedee Pie and Guns 4 Hire Acoustic Trio.

Donations accepted at the door, checks made payable to:
Rob Cressen Supplemental Needs Trust (RCSNT)
c/o Chris Russell
5 Banyan Court
Jackson, NJ 08527

If you can't be there in person, consider making a secure online donation at:
https://transaxt.com/mobile/Donate/UADSMQ/RobCressenSpecialNeedsTrust/

Pallone Calls on Congress to Pass His Legislation to Improve Vehicle Safety, Following Largest Recall in U.S. History

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Following the largest vehicle recall in U.S. history, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Committee, today at a press conference called on Congress to improve vehicle safety and consumer protection through the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act of 2015 (VSIA). The legislation addresses lessons learned from the record 64 million recalled vehicles in 2014 to enhance oversight, establish new protections for consumers, provide the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with additional safety authorities, and promote safety of American cars. The press conference also highlighted last week’s recall of nearly 34 million cars and trucks nationwide and how the legislation can protect consumers from defective vehicles. After long delays, the recall, due to fatal defects in Takata airbags, is not only the largest vehicle recall ever, but the largest recall of any consumer product in U.S. history.

Pallone introduced the bill in February with Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky (D-IL).

“As we’ve clearly seen with the massive but delayed recalls from Takata and GM, steps are needed to improve vehicle safety and the recall process,” said Congressman Pallone. “The Vehicle Safety Improvement Act of 2015 would help protect consumers and would give NHTSA the tools and resources necessary to handle the kinds of safety hazards involved with these recent recalls. With one out of seven cars on U.S. roads affected by last week’s recall, the time is now for Congress to act to bring American consumers the protections and safety they deserve.”

“AAA fully supports legislative proposals such as the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act of 2015 that call for reforms that strengthen the recall process, increase penalties for inaction by manufactures, and clarify additional NHTSA oversight responsibilities,” said Tracy Noble, Manager, Public & Government Affairs, AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Accountability, transparency and full and timely disclosure of any potential safety defect is not negotiable when it comes to motorist safety.”

Following last week’s historic recall, Pallone issued a statement with Schakowsky, available HERE.

Today’s press conference was held in Middletown, New Jersey with the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Among other measures, the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act:

• Requires that all recalls occur on a national basis;
• Grants NHTSA the authority to expedite auto company recalls in the case of an “imminent hazard,” when a defect substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death if not remedied immediately;
• Requires that manufacturers’ safety-related communications regarding defective parts be made public on NHTSA’s website;
• Requires the establishment of standards for motor vehicles to reduce the number of injuries and death of pedestrians struck by vehicles;
• Increases the penalties that could be assessed for violations of federal motor vehicle safety laws, like the failure to disclose relevant information to regulators in a timely manner;
• Requires used car dealers to repair safety defects before used cars can be sold.

Memorial Day 2015

(www.davegranlund.com)

President Obama's Weekly Address 5/23/15: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President commemorated Memorial Day by paying tribute to the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in service to our country. The President will spend the first Memorial Day since the end of the war in Afghanistan at Arlington Cemetery, remembering the more than 2,200 American patriots who gave their lives in that conflict, as well as all of our fallen soldiers. The President asked that all Americans spend Monday honoring the memory and sacrifice of those heroes, and remain committed to the cause of freedom and the country for which they fought.

We LOVE Poricy Park Day, June 6, 1-4pm

From Middletown Alerts:

Poricy Park Conservancy announces their FREE event, "We Love Poricy Park Day" on Saturday, June 6th, 1:00pm-4:00pm. Poricy Park is located at 345 Oak Hill Road, Middletown, NJ.

Fun for the entire family, this FREE event includes the following activities:

• Live Reptile Show (2pm-3pm) - you will be fascinated by mammals, lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles and insects, presented by Rizzo's Wildlife.
• Self-Guided Scavenger Nature Hunt - park-wide, pick up your map guide in the Nature Center; return your completed map for a “token” prize.
• Explore Poricy Park with a trained guide; sign up on site for hikes departing Nature Center.
• Pond Activity - Learn about the creatures of the Murray Pond Ecosystem; observe tadpoles and dragon flies and chat with knowledgeable volunteers about pond life and your observations.
• Nature Arts & Crafts activity table
• Look and Learn all about worms
• GeoCaching - download app on your smart phone or bring your personal handheld GPS unit and pick up geocache wavepoints from our activity table and enjoy a self-guided excursion.
• PPC Guided Geocache excursion - sign up at activity table for an instructor-led geocache excursion using your own device or a PPC GPS unit.
• Wander down to the Murray Homestead and enjoy activities/demonstrations celebrating Joseph Murray including interpretive tours of the Murray farmhouse & Barn, colonial children's games, flax processing demonstrations, butter churning, wood working demo, Colonial Garden tours and tips, colonial cooking exhibition, colonial photo ops, bring a camera!
• Nature Center/Gift Shop Open - Learn all about the benefits of membership and the ongoing impact community support has on the future of the Poricy Park Conservancy.

Subject to Change.

Have a Heart - CPR/AED Training Class Saturday, June 6, 9:00am

From Middletown Alerts:

Nutswamp Turf Field, Nutswamp Rd, Middletown
Ages 15 & Up. Fee: $60 per person. Pre-registration required.
Did you know that over 90% of cardiac arrest victims do not survive and 88 percent of cardiac deaths occur at home? If more people knew how to do CPR, more lives could be saved. Join us during National CPR Week to learn this critical skill. Participants will receive a training manual and a 2-year certification in the American Heart Association Heartsaver Adult CPR/AED. Optional child add-on available. A portion of the proceeds will be used help purchase class supplies and Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) for township Facilities.

Middletown's Memorial Day Parade, Monday May 25th

From Middletown Alerts:

Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 25, 10:00 am start
Bayshore Middle School. Leonardville Rd.
Parade Route: Leonardville Rd. to Appleton Ave. to Center Ave. to Brevent Ave. Turn right onto Highland Ave.; left on Leonard Avenue and right on Viola Ave. to the Post Home on Route 36. Parade scheduled to end about 11:30 a.m. The annual parade is hosted by American Legion Post 338 and held in cooperation with Middletown Township.

NJ Watchdog: Gifts to Gov. Christie are not 'gifts,' rules AG

Gifts to Gov. Christie are not 'gifts,' rules NJ attorney general

In New Jersey, a gift is not a gift – particularly if you’re the governor and your subordinates interpret ethics rules in your favor. For example:

• Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones flew Gov. Chris Christie and his family to Texas on a charter plane to be his guests in a VIP luxury box at a football game in January.
• Billionaire casino owner Sheldon G. Adelson provided a private jet to fly the New Jersey governor and his clan to Israel in 2012.
• King Abdullah of Jordan picked up a $30,000 hotel tab for Christie and his entourage during the same trip.

Yet none of those favors are considered “gifts” the governor is required to publicly report – thanks to a pretzel-logic legal opinion issued last week by his political appointee, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman.

The opinion enabled Christie to report he received no gifts during 2014 – just as he has since taking office in 2010.

The governor and other state officials are supposedly required to disclose all sources of income, including “honoraria, lecture fees, gifts and other gratuities (cash or non-cash) and other miscellaneous sources of income” in annual financial statements filed with the State Ethics Commission, as required by Executive Order 24.

But according to a six-page opinion from Hoffman, a gift does not have to be reported unless it is a gratuity – such as “money received for performing a service” or “items received in return for performing some service, such as speaking at an event.”

The bottom line, strange but true: Christie does not have to report the favors as gifts unless it can be shown he did something in exchange for them.

The full story is online at http://watchdog.org/220132/christie-gifts-nj/.

Agree That Public Transit is Vital to NJ's Future? Join Us & Make Your Voice Heard

Public transit plays a key role in NJPP's vision of a better New Jersey.


It's a New Jersey where many more people use trains, buses and light rail. It's a New Jersey with cleaner air and a stronger economy, with even more vibrant cities and less congested streets. It's a New Jersey where tickets and fares are affordable - where riding public transit is not a luxury item for some and a heavy burden for those who have no other options.

That's why we, along with our friends at Environment New Jersey and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, have put together a new broad-based coalition: to bring a renewed focus and new sense of urgency to the critical need to adequately invest in public transit.

The coalition, New Jersey For Transit, launched last week and has been all over the Garden State this week, bringing folks from our 19 member organizations to protest NJ Transit's latest plan to raise fares and cut services at the agency's public hearings.

We're speaking out against the fare hikes, asking lawmakers to fix New Jersey's broken transportation-funding structure and insisting that the state devote more resources to public transit.

If you, like us, think that reliable and affordable public transit is essential to New Jersey's economy, its environment and its everyday working people, join us.

Tell NJ Transit to stop this fare hike and tell your legislators to devote adequate resources to public transit.

The time to weigh in on NJ Transit's plan is running out; the public comment period ends tonight at midnight. Click here to make your voice heard (follow the link for "Online Contact Form").

Click here to find us on Twitter, here to read about what we're doing and why, and email me if you'd like more information. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Jon Whiten
Deputy Director

Pallone Questions CPSC on Dangers of Crumb Rubber, Gets Commitment for Federal Efforts

Questions Follow Concerning Reports of Potential Connection between Cancer and Crumb Rubber in Synthetic Turf Playing Fields

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee hearing, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the committee, questioned Elliot Kaye, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on the risks of using recycled rubber tire crumbs in synthetic turf fields. With Chairman Kaye’s response, Pallone got clarity that a 2008 statement from CPSC that fields filled with crumb rubber are “OK to install, OK to play on” does not reflect the current views of the Commission, and a commitment to continue their work with federal agencies to review the issue.

There have been concerning reports regarding young athletes who have played on synthetic turf athletic fields containing crumb rubber being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and other blood cancers. While the compiled lists of cases in the reports are acknowledged not to equate to a scientific study, the potential link is disconcerting and requires further investigation.

“The reports of children who have blood cancers who have also been playing on fields containing crumb rubber shout for the need to ask questions and increased research into this potential link,” said Congressman Pallone. “I am glad that in today’s hearing I was able to get clarity from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that they too believe more research is necessary and that they are committed to continue working to ensure youth athletes playing on these fields are protected.”





This past October, Pallone wrote to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to ask the agency to conduct an official study to examine whether synthetic turf athletic fields increase the risk of lymphoma, leukemia, and other blood cancers. The text of the letter is available HERE. In the agency’s reply they stated that they are supporting efforts by the CPSC in this area.

NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial To Host Memorial Day Ceremony, May 25

Holmdel, N.J. (May 19, 2015) — The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 25 at 11 a.m. The Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center will be open to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Maj. General (USAF Ret.) Clark Martin will preside over the Memorial Day Ceremony. The program will include a presentation of wreaths by various area organizations, music by The RockNRoll Chorus, a presentation of colors by the NJ National Guard Medical Command, an invocation by Joe Formola, Chaplain of the New Jersey State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America and Dylan De Simone, grandson of Alfred De Simone who is honored on the Memorial, will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

During the ceremony, the New Jersey Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Foundation will award two scholarships to high school seniors from New Jersey who plan to further their education either at a college, university or trade/technical school. This year’s scholarship recipients are Ian Lettire of Phillipsburg High School and Allison Smith of Newton High School.

An “In Memory” program will honor those who served in Vietnam and returned home, but later died as a result of their tour. This year, six names will be inducted: Frank C. Moranz of Jersey City, NJ; Francisco T. Primiano of Old Bridge, NJ; John L. Patryk of Mt. Ephraim, NJ; Franklin A. Re of Cranford, NJ; Frank Tarantino, Jr. of Roselle Park, NJ; and Frank Farrell of Freehold, NJ. Visitors can also see the newly installed pavers on our Memorial Walkway and Huey Plaza. Any pavers purchased within the last year are now installed.

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is located at 1 Memorial Lane in Holmdel, NJ (Exit 116 PNC Bank Arts Center). For more information, visit www.njvvmf.org.

About New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation offers a meaningful and engaging experience that recognizes the sacrifice, courage and valor of Vietnam Veterans and encourages and fosters a thorough understanding of the Vietnam Era including the political, historical, social, cultural and military aspects, which affected the United States, and especially New Jersey.

The Foundation operates and manages the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and the adjacent Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center located at 1 Memorial Lane off Exit 116 (PNC Bank Arts Center) in Holmdel, NJ. The Memorial honors all those who served our country and state during the Vietnam War, especially the 1,563 New Jerseyans who did not return home. It is a powerful and fitting tribute to their sacrifice. The Memorial is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center is the first educational center and museum of its kind in the United States. Dedicated in September 1998, the Museum is devoted solely to gaining an understanding of the conflict in Southeast Asia and the surrounding political strife in America. For hours and directions, visit www.njvvmf.org.

Thorne Middle School To Honor Local Veterans For Memorial Day

For Immediate Release:

5/19/15

To honor local veterans for Memorial Day, the staff and children of Thorne Middle School will gather at 9:00 AM on Thursday, May 21 for a traditional Memorial Day ceremony.

Following the ceremony, there will be a special performance tribute to the history of the USO inside and a screening of a touching video about Edith Thorne Lentz Nowels, who died in April.

Nowels was the sister of local World War II hero Corporal Horace “Buddy” Thorne, for whom the school was named in 1962.

“Edith was instrumental in the school receiving the Battle of the Bulge monument from Fort Monmouth. She was a driving force behind everything that Thorne has done to honor Veterans past and present,” says Thorne Middle School Principal Tom Olausen.

Before she died, Nowels was busy working on a new project, researching to find all Thorne alumni who lost their lives while serving in the military so a second monument to honor them could be placed at the school.

One such hero was Army First Lieutenant Dennis Zilinski, 101st Airborne Division – Thorne Class of 1996. Lieutenant Zilinski was killed during combat operations in Iraq in 2005.

The Zilinski family will be on hand this Thursday when the school announces the plan for a future monument.

Lt. Zilinski’s family is thankful to Nowels. “I know Dennis would be honored to be remembered alongside Corporal Thorne and other local heroes,” said his mother Marion Zilinski. “Dennis loved his country, and he loved his home town. We are very grateful to the Edith and the school for keeping his memory alive and making the sacrifice of our local veterans relevant for generations to come.”

Lt. Dennis Zilinski II grew up in Middletown, NJ.

All veterans are welcome to attend the event.

APP EDITORIAL: Don't scrap full-service gas stations

Show of hands, who wants to pump their own gas?? I sure don't and the editors at the Asbury Park Press feel the same:

A bill will be introduced in the state Assembly next month that would lead to the elimination of full-service gasoline within three years. The bill's sponsor, Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth, says the bill would eliminate inconvenient waits at the pump.

Drivers in New Jersey may soon be pumping their own gas if a bill to be introduced next month by Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth, becomes law. 

Show of hands: How many of you would prefer to have an attendant fill up your tank for you, particularly in lousy weather? If you raised your hand, you're in the majority. A 2012 Fairleigh Dickinson University/PublicMind found that 63 percent of New Jerseyans want to keep full-service pumps. 

Under O'Scanlon's proposed bill, which would be similar to self-service legislation introduced by state Sens. Gerald Cardinale and Paul Sarlo, the act of pumping your own gas would be decriminalized and self-service islands would be authorized. Gas stations would be required to operate at least one full service gas pump island for three years, and gas retailers would be allowed to charge a lower price at the self-service pumps. 

The main reason cited by O'Scanlon for changing the law is that it would eliminate inconvenient waits at the pump. Others supporting a change say it would help reduce gasoline prices — a claim that has not been born out by the 48 states that have self-serve. 

If long waits at the pump are a problem at some service stations, the solution is a simple one: take your business to a service station where you don't have to wait. Gas stations aren't monopolies. Consumers have plenty of choices....

Continue Reading...

Open Letter to Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon : Pump Your own Gas

Dear Assemblyman O’Scanlon:

I recently read an article in the APP by Larry Higgs about your proposed bill to end self-serve ban. It quoted you as saying, "it is the right thing to do". Why is it the right thing to do?

I was under the impression that one of NJ's main goals was to create jobs and keep its residents employed. Once you take these jobs away they will not be recovered.

Below are just a few questions that I have for you. I would like to get your answers to these questions so that I can understand why “it is the right thing to do”.

What jobs have you created for the tax payers?
Wouldn’t it be a more efficient use of your time to work on creating jobs?
What will happen to these employees once you toss them on the unemployment line?
Will they go to State paid job training because you took their jobs away?
What will happen to our seniors and disabled who may be forced to pay the higher price?
How have you conducted research to determine that the citizens want to see this happen?
Why are you taking away a business owners right to conduct business the way he or she see’s fit?

I believe this is wrong for New Jersey and am looking forward to your answers to the above questions and your rationale as to not leave well enough alone.

Respectfully,

Inathe M. Saliani
Middletown, NJ

FEMA Begins Flood Insurance Review Process Stemming From Fraud Reports

Notification Process Follows Pallone Letter Calling for Notification to Flood Insurance Policyholders

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) today announced that it has begun a process requested by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) to review flood insurance claims filed by policyholders affected by Hurricane Sandy. In March, Pallone sent a letter to FEMA requesting that it establish a process allowing homeowners to easily file an appeal if they believe they have been a victim of an intentionally altered engineering report.

Allegations surfaced earlier this year that private insurance companies denied the flood insurance claims of thousands of homeowners affected by Hurricane Sandy because of fraudulently altered engineering reports. In addition to the letter, Pallone recently met with Brad Kieserman, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance at FEMA, to discuss the allegations. 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.

“I am pleased that FEMA has moved forward to inform Sandy victims about the widespread fraud related to engineering reports connected to flood insurance claims and to ensure the victims get the resources they are rightfully owed,” said Congressman Pallone. “Sandy victims have already suffered enough, and I thank FEMA for responding to my letter with swift action.”

FEMA will send a letter to all NFIP policyholders who filed flood insurance claims pursuant to Hurricane Sandy. Policyholders who incurred losses from Hurricane Sandy from Oct. 27, 2012, through Nov. 6, 2012, and want their claim reviewed may contact FEMA. Letters will be sent on a rolling basis in the coming weeks.

As of May 15, 2015, 74,052 NFIP claims had been filed in New Jersey stemming from Sandy damage. Many Sandy victims are suing their insurance companies for perceived underpayments or denials, but the vast majority of those who have filed NFIP claims are likely unaware of the recently uncovered fraud in which engineering reports have been intentionally doctored.

The letter Pallone wrote to FEMA in March can be read HERE.

Pallone Statement on Limiting Military Surplus Equipment Transfers to Police Departments

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today made the following statement on President Obama’s announcement regarding the limiting of military surplus equipment transfers to local police departments. Pallone called for the effectiveness and negative impacts of this program to be looked into when it first became clear how widespread it had become.

“President Obama’s move to limit the transfer of surplus military equipment to local police departments is an encouraging and much-needed reform. When weapons are used by local police that were designed for our military to fight terrorists, it will antagonize more than it will build trust, which is what we need a lot more of right now. We are clearly at a crossroads where building trust and easing tensions between law enforcement and minority communities can help positively define American policing going forward, and I applaud the President for taking us in that direction.”

President Obama's Weekly Address 5/16/15: Creating Opportunity for All

In this week’s address, the President highlighted the importance of expanding opportunity for all Americans -- a principle that has guided his work throughout the past six years. This past week, the President attended a summit at Georgetown University where he discussed issues like poverty and inequality, and what we can do to ensure everyone gets a fair shot. We’ve seen real results in this area, but there is still more that can be done. And lack of opportunity is not the only barrier to success. That’s why, on Monday, the President will travel to Camden, New Jersey to visit with local law enforcement, meet with young people, and hear directly about efforts to build trust between the police and the community in a city that has faced one of the highest crime rates in America.

Looking for answers for eroding Women’s Rights….

By Retha Onitiri, PMP
Chair Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus

We’ve all heard the expression, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Yet, the Republican-dominated U.S. House recently attempted to overturn the pragmatic Reproductive Health Non Discrimination Act (RHNDA), an amendment to the Human Rights Act of 1977, which was enacted to protect women in the District of Columbia from being fired for their choices to use birth control, in-vitro fertilization or abortion.

Last week’s House Committee vote on HJ Res-43 was a “resolution of disapproval”—and the first time in 23 years that members of Congress had gotten this far in the process of trying to overturn this local D.C. law. HJ Res-43 also applies to another “resolution of disapproval” on the Human Rights Amendment Act (HRAA) which protects LGBT student groups from discrimination at religiously affiliated schools. Most of us agree….this is a whole lot that “doesn’t need fixin’.”

Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, criticized the House for passing HJ Res-43 saying, “RHNDA is a common-sense bill passed unanimously by the D.C. City Council years ago to ensure that bosses cannot intrude upon decisions made in their employees’ exam rooms....just as politicians in Congress should not be intruding upon the District’s efforts to enact it.”

“Yielding to pressure by right-wing caucus members and outside groups who claim that RHNDA limits religious liberty suggests that GOP lawmakers are hypocritical for voting to overturn this law, given their party’s stance on reducing big government in favor of local control,” stated Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D—D.C.) She added that “the resumption of the war on women by Republicans, combined with the overturning of a local law by the House, will not be lost on the public.”

In addition to the overturn of RHNDA, which would result in more unplanned births, we cannot dismiss the fact that aggressive Republican budget cuts put low and middle income women in the crossfire of how to use their meager incomes to provide substantive healthcare, child care and education for those children.

Clearly, there is a great chasm in our country. We must ask WHY? If we are allowed to plan workdays, holidays and vacations but not allowed to plan Parenthood, we must ask WHY? If men and women cannot determine when and how many children they can afford, taking into account their personal resources, we must ask WHY? If a woman is required to answer to her employer in regard to her reproductive health decisions and a male employee is not, WHY? A doctor/patient relationship has always been protected, but women’s rights are now under siege, WHY?

Busy fixin’ women’s reproductive healthcare, our GOP lawmakers not only waste the time, energy and resources that brought them to Washington in the first place, but also impede the efforts of other elected officials from resolving some of the nation’s looming crises—income inequality, lack of job training programs, high college tuition debt, racial violence in our cities, immigration reform, inexcusable lack of good gun sense, global warming, to name a few. Could this distraction become so overpowering that real problems remain unfixable? Most of us agree…..there is a whole lot that
“does need fixin’.”

Let’s start by sending loud and clear messages to lawmakers who waste our taxpayer dollars. Tell them that finding solutions to the real problems, rather than using partisan tactics to deflect from them, will keep our nation strong. HOW?

Vote in every election and ask your neighbors to vote. Write a letter, even two lines will do! Make a phone call—voice your opinion. There is nothing that we, as American citizens, cannot accomplish when we have the collective will to do it. We owe it to our future generations.

May 4, 2015 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

I haven't  had time yet to review the video from the May 4th Middletown Township workshop meeting, I intent to watch it in full over the next day. However, what I have seen of the video is shameful.

During the public hearing for the ordinance on naming new streets in town after former mayors, Linda Baum questioned whether it was a good idea to name streets after former mayors who were not directly elected by residents.  Her concerns were dismissed in a rather rude and unprofessional manner by both former mayor Tony Fiore and current mayor Stephanie Murray. They both attacked her, calling her objection to the ordinance political before voting to approve the ordinance.

Here is a short description of what else  took place.

• The Administrator discussed the capital budget for 2015. 
• Ordinances were adopted to provide new street names consisting of past mayors.
• Approving new stop intersections by Ideal Beach and 
• Reorganize the structure of the police department.

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.

Pallone, Menendez Visit Crumbling Bridge in Perth Amboy, Highlight Critical Need for Long-term Infrastructure Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2015

PERTH AMBOY, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D NJ-06) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today joined transportation advocates and labor leaders to call on Congress to approve long-term, dedicated funding to repair and upgrade the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. Funding for critical highway, transit and safety programs will expire at the end of the month, and the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) faces insolvency by summer.

“The sooner Republicans join Democrats to take responsibility for repairing our country’s transportation system the less it will cost to maintain in the future,” said Congressman Pallone. “With thousands of crumbling roads and bridges, the need for renewal of the Highway Trust Fund and a commitment to robust investment in infrastructure is two-fold – a boost to the economy and job creation, along with the long-term safety and health of our transportation system. The time is now for this vital investment.”

“The ability to move people and goods safely and efficiently is critical to our economy and our quality of life,” said Senator Menendez. “We can’t keep pretending the problem is going to resolve itself if we just wait long enough. I categorically reject the idea that we can’t afford to fix our transportation system. We can’t afford not to fix it.”

The federal lawmakers stood along a structurally deficient Rte. 35 Bridge over County Road 624/Rte. 440 Connector in Perth Amboy, one of over 2,300 bridges in New Jersey deemed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to be deficient.

First built in 1960 and carrying 22,000 cars daily, the span is scheduled for full structural replacement by the N.J. Dept. of Transportation in its FY2016 capital plan. However, if the HTF goes bankrupt this summer, reimbursements to states for critical highway repairs and transit projects like this will be reduced or slowed.

Sen. Menendez and Rep. Pallone also stressed the need for greater infrastructure investment in roads, rail and transit, including replacing the two aging Hudson River rail tunnels that also sustained significant damage from Superstorm Sandy.

Attending today’s press conference were: Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex); Joseph McNamara of the New Jersey Laborers Union; Erin Rice of the Operating Engineers, Local 825; Daniel Ortega of the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative; Janna Chernetz of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign; Dr. Patrick Szary of the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT); Andres Roda of the Bridge Evaluation and Accelerated Structural Testing Lab (BEAST) at CAIT; and Tracy E. Noble and Cathleen Lewis of AAA Mid-Atlantic.


Infrastructure: By the Numbers

Highways/Bridges
· 65% of major roads in America in poor condition
· 1 in 4 U.S. bridges need significant repair
· Highways and bridges face an $808.2 billion backlog of investment needs
· $121 billion and 2.9 billion gallons of gasoline wasted due to traffic

Transit
· Zero access to public transportation for nearly half of Americans
· $86 billion backlog of transit maintenance needs
· $18.5 billion a year through 2030 required to bring transit assets into state of good repair

Freight/Ports
· 52,000,000 tons of goods annually moved across U.S. transportation system
· $46 billion in freight transported across the U.S. each year
· 44 million jobs directly dependent upon U.S. freight industry

Economy/Jobs
· The American Society of Civil Engineers found that the economy could lose almost $1 trillion in business sales and lose 3.5 million jobs annually beginning in 2020 if we fail to build our infrastructure to keep pace with this growth.
· An estimated 36,000 jobs are supported by every $1 billion invested in public infrastructure.

Safety
· 33,561 lives lost in highway crashes in 2012.
· 2.3 million people injured in highway crashes in 2012.
· Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.
· Pedestrian and bicycle deaths have risen in recent years and accounted for 16 percent of the total fatalities on U.S. roadways in 2012.

Source: USDOT

NJ Watchdog: Christie buys $300K of food & booze with expense account

Big appetite: Christie buys $300K of food & booze with NJ expense account

Chris Christie's expense account tells a story of appetite and ambition, one that pits government waste versus the New Jersey governor's waistline.

Christie spent $360,000 from his state allowance during his five years in office. More than 80 percent of that money, or $300,000, was used to buy food, alcohol and desserts, according to a New Jersey Watchdog analysis of records released by the governor’s office.

The full story is online http://watchdog.org/217942/christie-nj-expense-account.

By Mark Lagerkvist | New Jersey Watchdog

Chris Christie’s expense account tells a story of appetite and ambition, one that pits government waste versus the New Jersey governor’s waistline.

Christie spent $360,000 from his state allowance during his five years in office. More than 80 percent of that money, or $300,000, was used to buy food, alcohol and desserts, according to a New Jersey Watchdog analysis of records released by the governor’s office.

In addition to his $175,000 a year salary, the governor receives $95,000 a year in expense advances, paid quarterly by the state. In the state budget, it is listed as “an allowance of funds not otherwise appropriated and used for official receptions on behalf of the state, the operation of an official residence, for other expenses.”

While Christie returns surplus funds to the state each year, Treasury officials say he does not submit receipts or accounting for the public monies he spends. The governor’s ledger, obtained from Christie under the Open Public Records Act, offers a rare, if partial glimpse of a controversial expense account shrouded in secrecy.

Christie’s most notable spending spree occurred during the 2010 and 2011 NFL football seasons at MetLife Stadium, where the New York’s Giants and Jets play their home games. New Jersey’s governor traditionally enjoys free use of luxury boxes for games and other events at the government-owned venue, but food and beverages cost extra.

On 58 occasions, Christie used a debit card to pay a total of $82,594 to Delaware North Sportservice, which operates the concessions at MetLife. The governor’s office did not provide any receipts, business reasons or names of individuals entertained, but defended the expense....

Letter: Make All Food Sold In Public Buildings Vegan & Gluteen -Free

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


Dear Editor,

To promote a healthier New Jersey, I propose requiring all food and beverages sold on New Jersey K-12, Public College campuses and inside all public buildings to be vegan, gluten-free and produced in New Jersey.

Each packaged food and beverage label should also be required to carry the phone number of a statewide call center for heroin treatment services.

It is time the state steps up to lead by example on better health, fighting addiction and bringing jobs back to New Jersey.



Eric Hafner
Toms River

Pallone, Menendez, Booker Criticize NOAA Approval of Seismic Testing off Jersey Shore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ) made the following statement on today’s announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that it will be issuing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Rutgers University, the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and the National Science Foundation from June through August of this year. The IHA will allow for the injury or disturbance of marine mammals during a seismic survey conducted by Rutgers University less than 16 miles off the coast of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. An IHA was also approved last year despite Congressman Pallone’s opposition but the project did not move forward due to mechanical issues.

“It was a bad idea for NOAA to allow for seismic testing off the Jersey Shore last year, and it’s a bad idea this year. Seismic blasting is extremely hazardous to marine mammals and can disrupt migration patterns and fish spawning. As the New Jersey coastal economy continues to rebound from the effects of Superstorm Sandy, our fisheries cannot afford to take a hit this summer. We will continue to fight at every opportunity for the environmental and economic well-being of the Jersey Shore.”

Last month, Pallone and Senators Menendez and Booker wrote to NOAA in opposition to the seismic testing application.

NJ Watchdog: Bill requiring Christie to disclose $95K expense account hits Assembly

Two State Assembly members plan to introduce legislation today to force the governor to publicly reveal how he spends his $95,000 annual expense account.

The allowance, which Gov. Chris Christie receives in addition to his $175,000 a year salary, is not expressly subject to reporting under current state law. Last month, the governor’s office refused to release the expense records to New Jersey Watchdog.

The bill sponsored by Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, and Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, would require the governor to provide receipts and expenditure details. In the state budget, the account is listed as “an allowance of funds not otherwise appropriated and used for official receptions on behalf of the state, the operation of an official resident, for other expenses.”

“This proposal further heightens the fiscal transparency requirements that the citizens of our state demand of its public officials,” said Singleton. “By mandating that the details of this allowance be part of the public record, we will enable the people of New Jersey to hold this governor and all future governors accountable.”

The report, due on July 15 each year, would be posted on the State Ethics Commission web site.

“New Jersey taxpayers have every right to know where their hard-earned money goes,” said Mazzeo (D-Atlantic). “Any governor who makes a responsible and appropriate use of this expense account should have no objection to complying with what’s required under this bill.”

The payments from the state were not reported on Christie’s federal income tax returns from 2010 to 2013. A spokesman for the governor said the allowance does not have to be counted as income under IRS regulations because Christie can account for how the money is spent.

The Singleton-Mazzeo bill would require the governor to be accountable to New Jersey taxpayers, as well as the IRS.

The story is online at http://watchdog.org/216296/christie-expense-account/.

Before I Was Myself, You Made Me, Me

Before I was myself you made me, me

With love and patience, discipline and tears,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,

Though well within the headlands of your fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be

And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually

To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully

As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears

Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:

The mind assents to what the heart reveres.

And so it was through love you made me, me

By slowly stepping back to set me free.

- Nicholas Gordon

I Love My Mama .... Happy Mother's Day

Greetings...

Happy Star Wars Day...

MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU!

(pjmcquade.com)

President Obama's Weekly Address5/2/15 : Ensuring Every Child Gets a Great Education

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President reiterated his commitment to expanding access to education, and to spreading the joy of reading to more children and young adults. Earlier this week the President announced two new efforts that, building on the progress already made by his ConnectEd initiative, will do just that: a challenge to mayors, libraries, and school leaders to help every student get a library card; and commitments from libraries and major publishers to provide more than $250 million in free e-Books for low-income students. In his address, the President also previewed his upcoming commencement speech at Lake Area Tech, in Watertown, South Dakota, where he will discuss his plan to make two years of community college as free and universal for every American as high school is today. The President is working to ensure every child has the access to the education and resources they need to be successful.

The Joker

Seeing how today was Free Comic Book Day, it's a good time to take a look at Academy Award winning actor Jared Leto's rendition of  the "clowned prince of crime", the Joker. The image was release last week and caused a great amount of  buzz both  positive and negative. I think it's great!

 Leto will be playing the Joker in next year's DC/Warner Bros. feature film "Suicide Squad". Leto's Joker doesn't have the classic Joker look, but it's very cool! I can't wait to see it. 

Today Is Free Comic Book Day - Don't Miss Out!!

Today, May 2nd, is Free Comic Book Day and seeing how I'm a bit of a comic book geek myself, I'm not about to miss out a few free books.

What is Free Comic Book Day you ask?

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores.



For those who are Monmouth County resident and would like to know where they may be able to score a few free books, here's a list of area shops that will be participating in Free Comic Book Day:

JAY & SILENT BOB'S SECRET STASH
35 Broad Street
Red Bank, NJ, 07701
(732) 758-0508

AMAZING STORIES
55 White Road
Shrewsbury, NJ, 07702
(732) 747-8686

HOBBY SHOP
1077 C Highway #34
Aberdeen Townsquare Shopping Center
Aberdeen, NJ, 07747
(732) 583-0505

COMICS PLUS
2005 Rt-35
Towne Shopping Center
Oakhurst, NJ, 07755
(732) 531-1566

ZAPP COMICS!
700 Tennent Rd
Manalapan, NJ, 07726
(732) 617-1333


*Check with your local comic book shop for their participation and rules.
Need a local comic shop to visit on May 2nd? Use the "shop locator".
http://www.freecomicbookday.com/StoreLocator

Have a Heart - CPR/AED Training Class Saturday, June 6, 9:00am

From Middletown Alerts:


Nutswamp Turf Field, Nutswamp Rd, Middletown
Ages 15 & Up. Fee: $60 per person. Pre-registration required.
Did you know that over 90% of cardiac arrest victims do not survive and 88 percent of cardiac deaths occur at home? If more people knew how to do CPR, more lives could be saved. Join us during National CPR Week to learn this critical skill. Participants will receive a training manual and a 2-year certification in the American Heart Association Heartsaver Adult CPR/AED. Optional child add-on available. A portion of the proceeds will be used help purchase class supplies and Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) for township Facilities.

Tour Headquarters During Police Week

From Middletown Alerts:

The Township Committee has proclaimed May 10-16, 2015 as Police Week in Middletown Township in recognition of the vital public service the Police Department provides. The Police Department will offer tours of headquarters on Tuesday, May 12th Wednesday, May 13th and Thursday, May 14th. They will also hold a Memorial Service on May 15th at 11 am at the Middletown Police Memorial located at 1 Kings Highway. The service will be move indoors to the court room in the event of inclement weather. Call 732-615-2039 for more information.

Energy and Commerce Committee Examines Harmful Effects of Plastic Microbeads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2015

Bipartisan Bill to Protect Waterways Builds on New Jersey Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, welcomed New Jersey Senator Linda Greenstein (D-Cranbury) as a witness at a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing to examine the harmful effects that the plastic microbeads found in many cosmetic products are having on the country’s waterways. These small bits of plastic, often used as exfoliants in personal care products like face wash, soap, and toothpaste, can slip through water treatment systems after they are washed down the drain. As a result, these microbeads often end up contaminating local streams, rivers and larger bodies of water.

Earlier this year, New Jersey joined Illinois as the second state to ban the sale of cosmetics containing microbeads. In his opening statement, Congressman Pallone explained, “Our legislation builds on efforts already moving forward in many states, including a law banning plastic microbeads in my home state of New Jersey.”

In March, Ranking Member Pallone and Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). introduced bipartisan legislation H.R. 1321, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which would prohibit the sale or distribution of personal care products that contain synthetic plastic microbeads. The bipartisan bill would ban the sale or distribution of cosmetics products containing plastic microbeads effective January 1, 2018.

“Many people buying these everyday products are unaware of the damaging effects they are having on the environment,” said Pallone. “But since these personal care products are being washed down the drain and, eventually, reaching our waterways, we must make sure that they don’t contain synthetic plastic that will ultimately pollute our environment. This is unnecessary pollution, and we have a responsibility to stop it before it’s too late.”

Senator Greenstein was invited by Pallone to testify before the Committee. In her testimony, Senator Greenstein stated, “In New Jersey, much of our drinking water supply is drawn from local waterways like the Delaware or Passaic rivers, and so we, too, have our issues with microplastics.”

Senator Greenstein noted that once the presence of microbeads became known, she co-authored bipartisan legislation to eliminate them. The bill passed unanimously in the New Jersey Senate and by an overwhelming margin in the Assembly. Indiana, Maine and Colorado have since enacted similar legislation, joining New Jersey and Illinois.

Scientists have found evidence of microbeads in numerous bodies of water in the United States, including increasingly in the Great Lakes, the world’s largest source of freshwater. In addition to contributing to the buildup of plastic pollution in waterways, microbeads can often be mistaken by fish and other organisms as food. If consumed by fish, the chemicals found in synthetic plastic microbeads can then be passed on to other wildlife and humans.

New Municipal Complex Coming To Middletown

Rumors have been circulating for many months concerning a new Middletown municipal complex to  replace the township's current place of residence. Township officials in the past had been very coy and guarded when answering questions about the possibility of a new complex, they would neither confirm nor deny such plans.  That has now changed.

During public comments of the April 20th Township Committee meeting, a resident asked about the rewiring of Town Hall after a major power outage the previous week fried much of the wiring in the building. When asked if the building was going to be needing a total rewiring, Township Administrator Tony Mercantante stated that it was unlike. When asked about  plans for redesigning or   refurbishing of the building, Mercantante mentioned that there weren't plans for a refurbishment  but plans for a new building.

The conversation starts at the 1:26:11 mark of the video and continues 1:27:40

At the April 30th special budget adoption meeting, a resident asked if there were funds dedicated in this budget to the construction of the new municipal building. She was told by the CFO that there wasn't, but money was included as part of the capital improvements in the previous year's 2014 budget. That conversation can be viewed starting at the 11:10 - 11:45 marks of the video.

So, at this point it now seems pretty clear that Middletown will be spending a few $ million on a new Town Hall, which I must say is needed. I'm just curious where it's going to be built and at what cost.

Are they planing on knocking down the current Town Hall and rebuilding in its current footprint or relocating and starting fresh? Originally it was going to be part of the Town Center project but that is unlikely considering the bad blood that litigation creates.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

April 30 2015 Middletown Township Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing

The Middletown Township Committee held a special meeting yesterday to adopt the 2015 budget. The resolution accepting the contract with the PBA was pulled from the agenda for discussion during Executive Session and reintroduced at the May 4th workshop meeting.





Here are the links to the proposed FY 2015 Municipal Budget and Solid Waste Budget documents  that were present at the March 30th Township meeting. The proposed budgets do not differ very much from what was voted on yesterday:

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

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

April 20, 2015 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

Here is the video of last week's April 20th meeting of the Middletown Township Committee there were many proclamations presented, including one which honored the Middletown High School South Girls Basketball team which won a State Title.

In addition two new police sergeants were sworn in and the Committee voted to refinance $3.2M in bond debt from 2007-08.

Also, residents from the Four Winds Drive neighborhood came to tell the township of the condition of the road, speeding and truck traffic.




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.

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right

This past week, in response to the civil unrest down in Baltimore and the highly publicized incident where a mother was filmed beating and cussing out her masked and hoodie wearing 16 year old son who thought he should join in on the rioting, Keith Olberman posted the following commentary on his Facebook page taking acceptation to the comments of the Baltimore Chief of Police.

It's a powerful statement that I agree with and hope people will acknowledge:

In my upbringing, my parents made it clear, "TWO WRONGS, DON'T MAKE A RIGHT." 

What is happening across the country with police gunning down defenseless men/women is absolutely wrong. Or severing a person's spinal cord. I stand by all non-violent protesting. I will walk side by side with you. But when it becomes too violent protesting, I will not participate. The whole purpose of protesting is b/c of violence from the people who are there to serve and protect. I cannot emphasize the importance of non-violent protests.

NOW TO THE POLICE CHIEF IN BALTIMORE:

Batts said: In one scene you had a mother who grabbed a child who had a hood on his head and started smacking him on the head because she was so embarrassed.

'I wish there were more parents out there who took charge of their kids tonight.’

He later added: "Take control of your kids. This is our city, let’s make a difference."

Take control of your kids. This is our city, let's make a difference? Seriously??? HOW ABOUT YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OUT OF CONTROL POLICE FORCE??? How about that??? This is exactly why things go bad. B/c we have a police chief who is completely insensitive to the needs of these people. Surely we can all agree that there are white folks that are violent to the core. I am white. Does that mean I should condone white violence b/c I am white??? Absolutely NOT!!! I do not condone white officers beating on any person's body. OR shooting an unarmed person. Whether black, white or other. And until we can all agree that "two wrongs, don't make a right." This shit is never gonna end. We need to hold ourselves to higher standards, than those who think we are worth nothing. I am with our president on this one.

Letter: Why Send State Police To Baltimore To Be Target?

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



Dear Editor,

I am very much opposed to Governor Chris Christie’s decision to send the New Jersey State Police to Baltimore, to support a police force that has been accused of murdering Freddie Gray, a 25 year old African-American man.

The New Jersey State Police has had a long history of racism and abuse of minorities. The New Jersey State Police admitted to racially profiling and shooting at unarmed African-Americans and Hispanic drivers. These abuses resulted in a consent order with the Department of Justice.

Because of this history, it is entirely inappropriate for the agency to be involved in such racial tensions.

Thanks to Christie, the State of New Jersey has now become a target of any person or group who has been made to feel that the political and legal system has failed their communities and might take up a mantra of “by any means necessary”.

Bring our troopers home and let Baltimore deal with the mess they caused.



Eric Hafner
Toms River

Letter: Keady Candidacy Stands For Social Justice

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

Dear Editor,

I first met Jim Keady while he was working full-time as an activist for the rights of Nike sweatshop workers in Indonesia. Over the years, I have followed his journey from activist collegiate Men’s Soccer Coach, to Asbury Park City Councilman to Restauranteur.

(Jim Keady, Candidate 30th Assembly District)

Given Jim’s history of doing the right thing, it wasn’t surprising that he was the one to stand up to Governor Christie on the lack of Sandy relief at a Town Hall meeting in Belmar. Governor Christie showed his true colors by bullying Jim Keady (a former elected official) for asking questions.

Jim Keady is now running as a Democrat for State Assembly District 30. I know that with Jim Keady and his running mate Jimmy Esposito of Lakewood, our state has a unique chance to bring two dedicated advocates of social justice into our lawmaking process.

I hope Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorthea also support Keady, as I believe he could be a strong advocate in the legislature to support the goals of their generous philanthropy that continues to help so many.



Eric Hafner
Toms River