Video: LVGA Meet The Candidates Night

The Lincroft Village Green Association hosted a "Meet The Candidates" night this past Tuesday. The Candidates attending were for the offices of County Freeholder - John Curley, Bill Shea, Kevin Lavan and Serena DiMassa; County Clerk - Clair French and Michael Steinhorn; and Middletown Township Committee - Linda Baum and Steve Massell.

The event was moderated by the League of Woman Voters who selected questions that were submitted by the public.  It was an interesting night, a lot of very good ideas and information were exchanged between the candidates.

For those from Middletown -  I  being one - who came to hear what Linda Baum and Steve Massell had to say about moving our township forward walked away, I'm sure, more impressed with what Ms. Baum had to offer than Steve Massel, just watch the video to see what I mean.

Linda Baum was the more articulate candidate and showed a real command of the issues that she was passionate about, she spoke off the top of her head, without any notes. Massell on the other hand, was wooden and read directly from a "script".

If you want to quickly read a little bit more about what was said between Linda Baum and Steve Massell, Middletown Patch's Christina Johnson posted a nice little summary of what was said between the two.

But of course the best way to judge for yourself how each candidate did was to watch the video, in my opinion Linda Baum was much more impressive than Massell and deserving of residents vote.

Monmouth Candidates Picked During Today's Convention

Earlier today the Monmouth County Democrats held their annual "mini-convention" at Carpenter's Hall in Red Bank, unfortunately I couldn't be in attendance because of my work schedule but based on the outcome, I didn't miss any surprises.

I spent the past few days reaching out and making phone calls to those at the County and a few candidates that I had known were running. They gave me a pretty good picture of those that had intended to seek office. I agreed not to post anything here on the blog prematurely due to the fact that many of the candidates hadn't really had enough time to consider their chances with the newly drawn legislative districts and there was a chance that others would step forward this morning. But after talking to a few people after the convention, I was informed that did not happen. All candidates ran unopposed which was seen as a sign of party unity.

Those seeking office this year for the Monmouth County Dems are:

Bill Shea, Howell - Monmouth County Freeholder

Michael Steinhorn, Rumson - Monmouth County Surrogate

Ray Santiago , Freehold - 11th District State Senate

Marilyn Schlossbach, Asbury Park - 11th District State Assembly

Vin Gopal, Long Branch - 11th District State Assembly

Robert Brown, Old Bridge - 12th District State Senate

Catherine Tinney-Rome, Old Bride - 12th District State Assembly

Christopher Cullen, Hazlet - 13th District State Senate

Kevin Lavan, Hazlet - 13th District State Assembly

Patrick Short, Middletown - 13th District State Assemly

Steve Morlino, Howell - 30th Distrcit State Senate

In the 12th District, I was told by Senate candidate Robert Brown Tuesday night, that the Monmouth Democrats would defer endorsements of candidates to the other counties in the district and that is exactly what happened.

I was told that the same would hold true in the 30th District after Morlino was chosen to be the Democratic Challenger in that race.

Speaking with Freeholder Amy Mallet last night, she was extremely happy with her choice of running mate Bill Shea, she couldn't say enough good things about him. Freeholder Mallet told me that she interviewed many potential running mates, but Bill Shea stood out.

Freeholder Mallet told me that Shea was a new comer to politics but he was very intelligent, extremely likable and energetic. Bill Shea will be retiring in June from the NJ State Troopers, where he is a highly respected officer who has been injured numerous times in the line of duty, he is seen as a no-nonsense type of guy.

Talking to Vin Gopal Thursday night, he mentioned Marilyn Schlossbach was to be his running mate for the 11th District Assembly. He told me that she was a chef/restaurateur from Asbury Park, who has been involved in many philanthropic causes and is well liked and known by many throughout the shore area.

Democracy For America Canvassing in Red Bank Tomorrow, Oct. 2nd

As everyone may know, we are entering the homestretch of the 2010 campaign season and progressive candidates need your help.

The best way to stop the Republicans from erasing all the gains we, as Democrats, have made in the past two years is to get out there and get involved. You can do that by hooking up with the local chapter of Democracy for America(DFA) for Democracy for America's National Day of Action this Saturday, October 2.

Red Bank Councilman and local chapter president for Democracy for America, Ed Zipprich will be hosting a Day of Action event starting at 1 PM.

They will start by meeting up at the Zebu Forno, Broad Street, in Red Bank and will be canvassing the Red Bank area to support Congressman Pallone's re-election. They will be working for our county candidates Eric Brophy for Monmouth County Sheriff, Councilwoman Janice Venables who is running for the Board of Chosen Freeholders with incumbent Freeholder (Judge) John D'Amico, as well.

This DFA Day of Action will also add gusto to local municipal candidates' campaigns for re-election -- Red Bank Councilwomen Kathy Horgan and Sharon Lee.

Volunteers are welcomed to join and participate in tomorrow event.

Byrnes Easliy defeats Beson, Will Run Against Curley For Monmouth County Freeholder

I just returned home from todays Monmouth County Democratic Party's Mini-Convention that was held at  Red Bank's Carpenter's Hall, where the big news of the day happened.

By a tally of 147  to 41, Middletown Committeeman Sean Byrnes was chosen over former Neptune Mayor Mike Beson to be the Monmouth County Democrats candidate for Freeholder.

Sean Byrnes will be facing off against former Red Bank Councilman  and fellow Midddletown resident, Republican John Curly  to succeed Freeholder Director Barbara McMorrow, who announced last week that she would not seek re-election due to health reason.

(Caption-  Former Neptune Mayor Mike Beson and Middletown's Sean Byrnes shortly after announcement of Byrnes's nod to run for Freeholder) 

 

Middletown's Sean Byrnes to Seek Freeholder Position in Monmouth County

I have a stunning announcement to make, one quite frankly that has taken me by surprise but am very glad to hear.

Middletown Democratic Committeeman, Sean Byrnes, will be seeking the Democratic Party line to run for Monmouth County Freeholder at the party's convention on Saturday.  

Sean Byrnes will be seeking to fill the seat left open by Freeholder Director Barbara McMorrow,when she announced that she would not be seeking re-election this year due to health concerns. 

From what I have been told, the other notable in the race is former 11th District Assembly
candidate Mike Beeson, Ocean Township.

Whomever wins the support of the Monmouth County Democrats on Saturday, wether it is Sean Byrnes, Mike Beeson or some other as yet unnamed person, they will be facing off against last years  Republican challanger John Curley, who lost narrowly to Freeholder Amy Mallet.

 

Mallett Turns Monmouth Blue

Congratulations go out to Monmouth County Freeholder-Elect Amy Mallet, her drawn out victory over Republican John Curley has turned Monmouth County blue after 23 years of republican domination.

Reports of her triumph started to be reported around 6 pm last night, PolitickerNJ was the first to report followed by Save the Jersey Blog and Blue Jersey.

What does this mean to me? It means that Democrats will clean house down in Freehold and the last remnants of ol' Club Monmouth will be gone and I invision Barbara McMorrow being named as Director of the Freeholders come January.

Here is a little excerpt from what Bob Jorden of the Asbury Park Press has to say this morning:

"...The change in power means a handful of well-paying county government jobs will be up for grabs, as well as control over which firms land contracts and work assignments under the county's $470 million annual budget...."

Stay tuned in the coming days, I'm sure that there will be a lot of crying, as well as cheering being done all around Monmouth County.  

Deputy AG on the ground in Monmouth as workers resume inventory

From Politicker NJ this morning comes the following news, it seems that the County Clerk, Clair French needed to stop the counting of ballets last night until she could get a representative from the Attorney Generals office to oversee the goings on. It must be getting hot and heavy down in Freehold:

A Deputy Attorney General is in the Monmouth County Clerk's Office observing as Superintendent of Elections workers at 5 p.m. again began tallying provisional ballots.

Democratic Party representative Michael Mangan and Republican Party representative Rosanne Scotti also stand in the room with the attorney general's office representative and the elections workers.

"All of the material they inventory will go to the Board of Elections where two Republicans and two Democrats will count all of the provisional ballots," said County Clerk Claire French.

The process could take up to two weeks, according to French.

At stake is who wins the Monmouth County Freeholders' election, Democrat Amy Mallet or Republican John Curley. As of right now, Mallet leads Curley by 18 votes with the provisional ballots yet to be counted.

If Mallet hangs on and wins, control of the Monmouth County Freeholder Board would flip to the Democrats.

Food Pantry of Keyport Fundraiser a Great Success Thanks to Mallet & Mason

I attended the food drive / fundraiser for the Keyport Food Pantry last night in Hazlet. The event, which was held at the Shore Cafe was a great success thanks in large part to the efforts of Amy Mallet and Glenn Mason, the two Democratic Candidates for Monmouth County Freeholder.

It was a lively event attended by over 50 people, all of which donated non-perishable food stuffs or contributed monetarily to the Food Pantry,  a SUV full of food was gathered and more than $1500 was collected. 

I recorded the following interview with Mallet & Mason,it's a little to hear Amy and Glenn over all of the people but it give you an idea how lively and crowded the Shore Cafe was.

Also, a special shout out goes to Leonard Inzerillo who helped to put the event together. It was a special event that tried to give a little back to the community as we head into the holiday season with tough economic times ahead for some of us.

JOIN AMY MALLET & GLENN MASON: HELP THE KEYPORT FOOD BANK

*** Hosted by ***

Lenny Inzerillo

Monday, October 27th 2008

6:00pm-9:00pm Shore Café Hwy 36, Hazlet




Please bring non perishable food and enjoyed wine and cheese with Freeholder Candidates Amy Mallet and Glenn Mason.


For more Information

Contact:

Lenny Inzerillo (732) 673-2989